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 — June 1939
1939
What Is New in Home Missions?
Mark A. Dawber Experiences Among Ozark Mountaineers Paul A. Wobus The South's Number One Problem Archie C. Smith Berea's Work for Mountaineers William J. Hutchins New Frontiers in Home Missions Edward D. Kohlstedt American Indians' Work for Indians G. E. E. Lindquist A Christian Philosophy for Rural Work Frank W. Price 2S Cents a Copy $2.50 a YeaI'
to Remember elected one of the secretaries of the THE
Board of Foreign Missions of the June 7-13 – Ann u a I Conference, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., to take <- The only weekly in the Church of the Brethren, Anderson, the place of Dr. Webster E. Browning Presbyterian Church. Ind. who has been honorably retired. Dr. Anderson is a Canadian by birth, a <- Its message is based upon June 8 – General Synod of the Re- graduate of McGill University, Mon- the Revealed Word of God. formed Church in America, New treal, and of Princeton Theological York, N. Y. Seminary. He went to Cameroon, <- Goes into every state in West Africa, in 1926. On June 1, he the Union, U. S. possessions June 9-16-Annual Meeting, Foreign will take up his official duties as Sec- and many foreign countries. Missions Conference. Swarthmore, retary but first expects to visit the Pa. South American fields this summer Subscription rate – $2.50 and autumn since he is to have re- Ministerial rate – – $2.00 June 16-24–Winona Summer School sponsibility for the Latin America of Missions, Winona Lake, Ind. and Africa portfolios. SOc. extra–Canadian postage Courses include Bible, Mission Text- $1.50 extra– Foreign postage books and addresses by missionaries. *** Write to Mrs. C. E. Ahrensfeld, 431 THE PRESBYTERIHn S. East Ave., Oak Park, Ill. Dr. Everett B. King, pastor of the Hemphill Church, Fort Worth, Texas, 121 7 Market Street June 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- has been elected Secretary of the Philadelphia, Pa. vention, Los Angeles, Calif. Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. He theologian and professor for 20 years, june 21-2S-Sunday School and B. Y. has been assigned to responsibility for has been appointed to the FaCUlty of P. U. Congress of the National Bap- Sunday school missions and Alaska, the Graduate School of Applied Reli- tist Convention, U. S. A., (Inc.), to take the place of Dr. John M. gion in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Spiegel Tulsa, Okla. Somerndike, recently deceased. Dr. shared for a time the fate of Martin King is a native of Texas and was Niemoller in a concentration camp, June 24-July I-Eagles Mere Confer- educated at the University of Texas, and was recently "shipped" to Switzer- ence of Missions. Chairman, Mrs. Trinity University, and the Presby- land. Earl Breeding, 24 Rugby Lane, terian Theological Seminary at Chi- Scarsdale, N. Y. cago. Dean Alfredo* G*onz*alez, of Central July 3-10-Northfield Missionary Con- *** Philippine College, has written a book ference for Women and Girls. East e~t!tled "The 9a11 of the Heights," Northfield, Mass. For information, Dr. Albert ,schweitzer founded his VIrIle and umrustakably religious in address Mrs. Warren C. Taylor, 38 hospital in Africa twenty-five years its appeal. The book has just been Union Ave., Schenectady, N. Y. ago. On the 25th anniversary the selected by the Philippine Government children of the Mission presented him Department 01; Education, as the text july 6-11 – International Christian with a beautiful piece of furniture, for character instruction in the public Endeavor Convention, Cleveland, made by themselves. One of them schools of the Islands. Ohio. made a presentation speech to "our dear, grand docteur." Dr. Schweitzer *** July 11-August 16 – Winona Lake refused an electric organ because of School of Theology. Winona Lake, the difficulty of keeping the compli- Rev. Myron Terry, of the Christian Ind. Dean, Dr. J. A. Huffman, 302 cated machinery in order in that cli- Litera;ture Society in ~hanghai, is Morton Blvd., Marion, Ind. mate. Instead, he was given the price spendmg some. mont~s m Kunming, of an X-ray for the hospital. Yunnan, supermtendmg the erection July 22-28-Baptist World Congress. of a small building and getting a new Atlanta, Ga. *** branch of the Christian Literature So- ciety started. July 24-August 2-World Conference Dr. Walter Spiegel, member of the of Christian Youth, Amsterdam, ConfC'ssional Church in Germany, a Rev. George*W*. Sh*epherd, of Au- Holland. J}pmn~ burndale, Mass., went to China 18 Aug. SolO-Ninth Quadrennial Con- y~ars ago as a Congregational mis- vention of the Woman's Home and of tbe SIOnary. Ten years later, the National Foreign Missionary Society of Af- Council of China detailed him to as- rican Methodist Episcopal Zion ctbri~tian sist Generalissimo and Madame Church, Detroit, Mich. Chiang in their "New Life Move- lLift ment," fight~ng supersti~ion and politi- August 13-20-Geneva Summer School cal corruptIOn, promoting education of Missions, Lake Geneva, Wis. cA BOOK of worship in song, com- and public health. Along came the For information write to Mrs. Paul bining a hymnal for general war and the Movement's energies H. Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey church use, and a song book for evan- ~ere diyerted to :relief. Mr. Shepherd Ave., Oak Park, Ill. gelistic purposes. onty songs sound IS now m the Uruted States, ostensibly in the faith and inspirationaf in char- on furlough, but using his time to Personal Item. acter induded—emphasizing Evangel- raise funds for the "Church Commit- ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. tee for China Relief." Dr. Francis S. Hutchins, of the Many of the new—the best of the old. Yale-in-China Mission School at (Co'Mluded. em page 273.) Changsha, has been elected President 504 Songs Responsive Readings of Berea College, Kentucky, to succeed his father, Dr. William J. Topical Index Gold Embossed Hutchins, who is resigning after nineteen years of service. Published in round notes and Roxite cloth edition only at $65.00 per 100—an especiall~ Dr. Francis Hutchins is 38 years of low price. Single copy, 8Se postpaid. age. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., educated at Oberlin and Yale and Write today for returnable sample co,", went out fourteen years ago to work in the Yale Mission. His brother, Dr. CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. Robert M. Hutchins, is President of the University of Chicago. 1502 NORTH THIRD STREET HARRISBURG. PA. *** The Rev. Llewellyn K. Anderson, Ph.D., recently a Presbyterian missionary in West Africa, has been
MISSIONARY I have taken the magazine for years WHEN THE CALL LEADS
and would feel quite lost without it." REVIEW OF THE WORLD II EAST 0F SUE Z" Long BeaMchIS-,SCSaAlRifA. L. HAMILTON. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor The Jain Temple, Calcutta * .. … VOL. LXII JUNE, 1939 NO.6 I'OR OVBR 100 YBARS "We always enjoy greatly reading THB WAY HAS BBBN Publication and Busines" Olllce- Third and Reily St•. , Harri£burg, Pa. THE MISSIONARY REVIEW. I wish Editorial and Executive UlIlce– every minister could take it." 156 Firth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-ciass matter at REV. FREDERICK G. COAN. Claremont, Calif. Post Olllce, Harrisburg. Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. * .. * 25 cellts a copy-$2.50 a year. "Your magazine fills a place which Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. no other missionary magazine quite All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. British agents – Marshall, Morgan fills." F. A. GOETSCH, and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London. E. C 1 shilling per copy, Executive Secretary of the 10 sh!Jlings a year. Board of Foreign Missions, Evangelical Synod of N. A. MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- LISHING CO., INC. … * …
BOARD OF DIRECTORS A CORRECTION ROBERT Eo SPEER, President Rev. E. E. Elder, the author of the A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-Pre.•idcnt article in our December (1938) num- WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer ber: "What is the Koran?" is a mem- DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary ber of the United Presbyterian PAUL J. BRAISTED Mission in Cairo, Egypt, from Meshed, SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Persia. The Rev. John Elder. of Ham- D. J. FANT adan, Iran, is a missionary of the MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. WM. B. LIPPHARD ERIC M. NORTH Obituary Notes SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Dr. Dan B. Brummitt, editor of the PaO Editorial Chat Central and Northwestern editions of The Christian Advocate, died April 5 Let the comfort of mOclern liners and the secur- This is our Home Mission Number. in Kansas City, almost on the eve of ity of British seamanship enhance your voy· The field is so large and varied and the uniting conference. Dr. Brummitt age. Whenever you are called to the other we have so recently devoted special was an outstanding religious editor side of the world, choose this traditional reute. numbers to the City (June, 1938), of our time, and ardently upheld Cross to England by a modern transatlantic Rural Problems, The Negro, Orientals Christian democracy in journalism. liner and then embark in a great liner of the and Spanish – Speaking Americans, Few knew that the weekly column of p & 0 and British India fleets, led by the new that some of these important topics wit and wisdom, filled with the spirit 23,500-ton Strathallan. StrathmoHl, and Strathare not treated here. Other articles of Christ, and signed "Justus Timber- eden carrying First and Tourist Classes. Airthat have appeared in recent issues line," was written by the editor. conditioned dining saloons in First Class, hot deal with and cold running water throughout, built-in Rev. John A*. Si*lsb*y, retired Pres- out-door swimming pools. children's play- A Cathedral on Wheels (April, rooms! Regular service to Egypt. Sudan. Iran- 1938) byterian missionary to East China, ian Gulf. India. Burma. Ceylonl& Straits Settle- ments, China. Japan, Australia. East and Migrant Workers (April, 1938) died in Hayward, California, March 4. South Africa. Mauritius. Special reductions The Whole Community (July, 1938) In 1890 he became principal of Lowrie and generous baggage allowance for American Indians (February, 1939) missionaries. Missions in Alaska (April, 1939) Institute for Boys, the oldest school Problems of a Midwest City (Sep- in Shanghai and one of the oldest in tember, 1938) China. * .. * Other articles on Home Missions Mr. Frank A. Horne, Vice-President will appear later. of the Board of Foreign Missions of *** the Methodist Church for twenty-two If you are leaving your present mailing address for the summer, years and chairman of the Methodist Convenient throuqh bookinqs can kindly send word as soon as possible be arranqed by your travel aqent. with the address to which you wish Book Committee, died March 22 at the to have your C!}py of THE REVIEW age of seventy. He had been a mem- Or apply at 25 Broadway. 638 Fit~h forwarded. Please mention dates of Ave.• N. Y. . . . or any ottice of your absence from home and mail to ber of six consecutive General Con- Subscription Department, MISSl()NARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, 3rd & Reily ferences since 1916 and a member of , Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. There will be the Board of Foreign Missions since no August number of THE REVIEW 1906. CUNARD WHllf. ~lAR printed. Person.I Item. ,. ents for 'T A. Among the c*om*men*ts on THE RE- General 9 (Concluded from 2d cover.) VIEW received recently from readers ANO OR,eN are the following: In the war zone, missionaries and New Life workers give first aid to fleN'NSU.AR. S:teAt" "I used THE REVIEW a great deal victims of Japanese guns and bru- . t 'NO'A with my recent review of 'The Amer- tality. Then refugees get clothing, ",G ANO BRl'T'S COMflAN,eS ican City and Its Church,' and found food and transportation away from it exceedingly helpful to make the danger zones. Refugees must find NA A'T,ON mission study book more interesting. new farms, jobs, homes. Even in "free China" there is the perenl'lial problem of famine.-NeW8week.
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B. D. WEEKS AND MRS . ROBERTA CAMPBELL, WITH INDIAN STUDENTS OF BACONE COLLEGE (Baptist
INDIAN PILLARS OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH ( Congregational), REV. AND MRS. W. DAVID OWJ~, SENE CA, N. Y. MR. OWL ELTON, LOUISIANA IS THE' INDIAN PASTOR ON THE RESERVATION REV. AND MRS. SILAS, OJIBWAY REV. ROBT, PAUL CHAAT THREE I NDIAN RECTORS IN TRIBE (Reformed Church) SOUTH DAKOTA SOME AMERICAN INDIAN CHRISTIAN LEADERS (see page 299) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 6 JUNE, 1939 Topics of the Times RELIGION IN THE WORLD TOMORROW Gospel messages are not excluded. A very defi- nite Christian note in the "WorId of Tomorrow"
The New York World's Fair, which opened on is sounded in a small concession paid for by the Sunday, April 30, is an impressive spectacle. It "Gideons," where they can exhibit Bibles and lit- covers 1,216 acres, or nearly two square miles, erature relating their work of Bible distribution on the Flushing Meadows – ~ormer marsh land in hotels and elsewhere. Other attempts to secure commonly called "Corona Dumps." The reclaim- space for the presentation of Christian activities ing of the land, planting thousands of trees, con- and achievements have failed to produce results. structing roads, lagoons. and fountains, and erect- The message and work of Jesus Christ, as the reving buildings, has cost nearly $160,000,000. The elation of God and His Way of Life for the "World exhibits include many interests related to art and of Tomorrow," are not exhibited there, even as education, transportation, housing, manufactures they have not been at other national expositions.
and inventions, various national, state and foreign The Fair is devoted to the humanistic ideals, to buildings, as well as areas devoted to amusements, the strictly material and temporal hopes. and sports and restaurants. achievements, rather than to things that relate to The Fair is being visited daily by from 100,000 God, to spiritual ideals and Eternal Life. to 300,000 persons who are expected to spend This is, perhaps, not surprising. Men today do from two to twenty-five dollars each (from May not agree in their conception of God and His Way to November), making a total of perhaps of Life. Any attempt to present Christ, and all $500,000,000 to be spent during the season. The for which He stands, unfortunately often provokes Fair thus provides much that is of interest and oontroversy. But there are naturally many who value. Most people can find there what they are would present what they believe to be the vital most interested to see – beautiful flowers and truths and most dynamic forces in the world of tofoliage, human nature of all sorts and conditions, day and for the World of Tomorrow. The Temple the wonders of modern science and industry, the of Religion has been severely criticized as a weak beauties of music and art, amusements for every attempt to recognize an "unknown God" to whom, taste-high and low. in some way, men may have some responsibility.
It is in the realm of religion that the Fair is Dr. George W. Arms, a pastor in Brooklyn, New lacking. If the "World of Tomorrow" can offer York, calls the Temple of Religion "the devil's nothing more than is here provided there is no smokescreen to hide from the people the Cross outlook for more than a very vague worship of of Jesus Christ and the true issues at stake in the some "unknown God" and a faint hope for the pro- foundation of democracy, and to blind them with motion of peace, brotherly kindness and social serv- a false sense of security."
ice. The Jews have a Hebrew Temple and a Pal- No doubt this is an extreme view, but is it not estine exhibit; Christian Science is represented true that in this presentation of the "World of by a building with a reading room and literature; Tomorrow" there is no recognition of the God who the Y. M. C. A. building includes a restroom and has created the wonderful world in which we live, restaurant; there is a "Temple of Religion," has loved the world of mankind enough to give where music and pageants are presented. The Himself that men might have life, and to whom atmosphere is restful and dignified. Distinctly the world of yesterday and today owes everything [275 ]
worth knowing, doing or possessing? After all union was effected in Great Britain, two hundred the American nation was established by men who years after John Wesley began his work that rebelieved in God and who desired a home where sulted in Methodism. There are still several they could worship Him and could live in the way Methodist churches outside the union-the Free that Jesus Christ made possible. The Bible, as Methodist, Wesleyan Methodist, the African the Word of God, the Sabbath as the Lord's Day M. E., the African M. E. Zion, and the Colored and Christ as the Son of God and Saviour, cannot Methodist Episcopal, numbering in all about safely be ignored in the "World of Tomorrow." 1,600,000 more American Methodists.
What can be done to make up in some degree This large body of Christians, now organically for what is lacking in Christian emphasis in the united into one Methodist Church, can accomplish World's Fair? At the Columbian Exposition in great things for the Kingdom of God, under wise, Chicago in 1893, the most potent Christian in- consecrated leadership, if they are truly motifluence was the series of great evangelistic meet- vated, instructed and empowered by the ideals and ings conducted by Dwight L. Moody, where there spirit of Christ. As Dr. John R. Mott, a promwere addresses day and night by outstanding inent Methodist, said at Kansas City: "We have Christian teachers from many lands. In these united to accomplish together things that we canmeetings it is estimated a million people heard not do separately. We must not be satisfied with the Gospel and thousands of them were won to past achievements or with the present situation. Christ. In New York City and its suburbs there An increase in our aggressive missionary work is is a similar opportunity. There is no limit to the one of the tasks which we must now undertake personal work that may be done among visitors to with new vigor." the Fair. Gospels and other literature may be given out to the crowds in hotels, in subways and The new Methodist Church has been divided terat the entrances to the grounds. Parents can ritorially into seven sections or "Jurisdictions"- interpret the exhibits to children from a Christian the Northern, North Central, Western, South point of view. The Calvary Bapti.st Church of Central, Central, South Eastern and Foreign- New York and other churches are kept open all with thirty-six bishops, located at different cenday and some are holding special services where ters. There are also seven missionary Bishops the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be presented. In appointed by the Central Conference. all this there is the ministry of prayer in which all Christians can engage day and night. Christ- The Uniting Conference took a strong stand like lives and friendly service by those who con- against intoxicants and war and adopted the exfess His name will mean much more to visitors cellent "Social Creed" of the Methodist Church, to the Fair than any material exhibits could pos- South. The educational work will be conducted sibly mean. A truly Christian exhibit, presenting under a single board with two divisions, one carthe results of Christian teaching and work in ing for institutions and the other directing reli- America and in all other lands would be a con- gious education in local churches. The confervincing evidence that, if the world is to advance ence was unable to settle the question of a church today and tomorrow, men must .accept God as He periodical-whether it is to be one great national is revealed in Jesus Christ and must follow His paper or several jurisdictional papers with one Way of sacrificial love and eternal life, if they purpose and plan and under one general editor. are to live joyously and victoriously. A commission was appointed to study the question and report. AMERICAN METHODISTS AND THEIR MISSIONS The missionary work of these three uniting churches, which have formerly been conducted The union of the three Methodist Churches in under a number of boards-Home and Foreign, the United States – the Methodist Episcopal General and Women's-will henceforth be under Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, one General Board that will have charge of misand the Methodist Protestant Church, as finally sionary policy and program; the details of adcompleted at Kansas City, brings together into ministration, the choice of fields, the selection of one organic body the largest number of Protes- personnel and the administration of funds, will tants in anyone Church. The total membership be in charge of three administrative divisionsof this united church is approximately 8,000,000, Foreign Missions, Home Missions and Church distributed all over the United States and all over Extension, and Woman's Work-each with its the world, from Alaska in the North to Chile in own executive secretaries. The General Board the South, and from East to West around the will consist of twenty-four men and twenty-four globe. It will be called "The Methodist Church." women, with the bishops.
:r.hi~ ~nion takes place in America, as .a si.roiJar The missionary work of the new Methodist Church will be world-wide, with 1,400 foreign missionaries, 13,500 on their native staff, com- .m~J).i~a,nt§l Jl1 eleven forei~n ~oU.I).tri~t'I ,lUmbering
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
over 270,000 and total annual budgets of ing possible journeys in a day that formerly took a $3,000,000. The Methodist Episcopal Church has month; the telephone, telegraph and radio have had the largest work, conducted in forty-two mis- practically obliterated distance and have united sion areas; the Methodist, South, has worked in the country; the pr'omotion of literacy by the nine of the same areas and Methodist Protestants phonetic method and the increase of general modin three of these fields. Many of the Methodist ern education have set new standards of life and missIon churches are already united where they thought; newspapers and other literature have have work in the same areas. linked China to the outside world and have helped to break down barriers; many foolish and harm-' The first General Conference of the Methodist ful taxes have been abolished and public revenues Church is set for April, 1940. Ecumenical or have been used to meet public need rather than to world-wide Methodism is explained by Bishop fill private purses; before the Japanese invasion Frederick D. Leete as follows: the external credit of China increased with grow- ing export and import trade; mines and other nat- "The purposes of the ecumenical Methodist ural resources have been developed where for- Church are three. One is to catholicize and frater- merly important areas were reserved for burial nalize Methodists everywhere by correspondence, grounds of ancestors; the sta;bilizing of the curvisitation, and world meetings, bringing far-flung rency with a new coinage system and banking reorganizations of the same faith nearer to the fact forms have improved the financial structure of as well as to the concept and ideal of unity. An- the country; the New Life Movement, fostered by other is to encourage and report on the Methodist Generalissimo and Madame Chiang Kai-shek, has mission and its achievements, extending its mu- spread new ideas for public and private life; the tual evangelistic and reformatory movements new leaders in the government have proved themwhich minister to all human needs. The third is selves patriotic,courageous, intelligent, highto assist and advance the total Christian program minded, strong and unselfish-and many of them attempted by all Christian bodies in the name and are Christians. spirit of Christ. All this was being accomplished and was on the "The world alliance of Methodist churches has way for more complete fulfilment when the Japtwo branches. The Western branch represents anese military party (in 1937) undertook to "come the Methodist denominations of the Americas and to the rescue of Chinese," to make their neighbor of the Orient. The Eastern represents Methodist "more friendly," to "put down communism" and bodies of the British Empire in various parts of extend Japanese civilization and control! the world and of the countries of continental Europe." The Japanese have done what a century had not accomplished in unifying China. The unmistak- CHINA'S VICTORIES OF PEACE able evidences of Christianity, as seen in the lives of the Christian missionaries, have abolished the The progress made in great slow-moving, con- anti-Christian spirit in China. servative China since the founding of the Republic in 1911, is unparalleled in history. This is espe- The judgment of many intelligent observers is cially remarkable when we consider the immense that China today, in the midst of her tribulations, extent of the territory (ten times the size of Japan offers the greatest opportunity for Christian adproper); the huge population (over ten times vance anywhere in the world, while Japan is probthat of the British Isles); the former lack of ably one of the most difficult fields for sowing and political, linguistic and cultural unity in its eight- reaping spiritual harvests. The reasons are not een provinces; the scarcity of newspapers, rail- hard to discover. The Chinese realize more and roads and other means of communication; the more the uncertainty of this life and the passing prevalence of graft among officials and the pov- values of material possessions. In their distress erty of the masses. All this and more was true and extremity they turn to God, as their only hope. thirty years ago. He is manifested to them in the lives and sacrifi- cial service of missionaries and Chinese followers Since the Boxer Rebellion, and especially in the of Christ. God is proving to be a very present past fifteen years, new China has become united help in trouble and Jesus Christ is a true friend under one central government; graft has been dis- and Saviour. The Chinese leaders also set an explaced by patriotism; warlords and bandits have ample of Christian faith and courage that appeals given place to intelligent and trained officials and to the people. Idols and false gods are recognized an organized national army; economic reconstruc- as powerless. The one hope for humanity is in tion has made great strides; railroads and good the one True God, as revealed in Christ; the God highways have been built across the country link- of love, of righteousness and of power. ing all important cities; motor bus service has taken the place of "the wheelbarrow and mule-lit- The Japanese on the other hand are turning ter i public airplane lines have been extendedl mak-
more to temporal power, and put their faith and is the convincing evidence of the Living Christ as hope in material things, in armaments and armies, the Saviour of men. in stern discipline and a human program. Their national leaders turn back to the Sun Goddess, to Spirit-filled missionaries in every land agree in national heroes, to Shinto Shrines and emperor their testimony that, while methods of missionary worship. National ambition, laws and standards work may vary in different lands and under diftake precedence over the eternal laws of God and fering conditions, the one essential is a true pres- .His standards of truth, righteousness and love as entation of Christ by consecrated witness. revealed in Jesus Christ. VELLORE MEDICAL COLLEGE, INDIA WITNESSING TO PILGRIMS IN INDIA Dr. William Decker, a Baptist missionary, formerly in China, who has recently sej:!n the VeI- In India, says Dr. E. Stanley Jones, a time of lore Medical School in action, reports: a greater Christian harvest seems to be coming. "I saw Dr. Ida Scudder's hospital, the indus- Old superstitions and prejudices are gradually trial work, as well as a new departure in agricul- breaking down, and thinking Indians are more tural missions which is a most promising venture.
and more seeking truth and liberty, such as can Perhaps .outstanding, however, was two or three be found only in Christ. On the other hand, na- hours with a roadside medical unit doing dispen- tional ambition, economic needs, and intellectual sary work, and making injections for leprosy- contacts with other nations, lead many to empha- from an ambulance drawn up at the roadside." size political power, materialism, and skepticism. The Christians in India are awake to the situa- Dr. Scudder and her staff have treated as many tion and are emphasizing evangelism, not only as a thousand lepers in one day in these roadside among depressed classes, but among pilgrims, clinics. VeIlore combines a medical college, a students and caste Hindus. nurses training school, and X-ray and radium de- partment, an out-patient clinic, four roadside clin- A special retreat and conference, held at Be- ics and Gudiyattam Hospital; a maternity hospinares, in April, brought together Christian work- tal, a children's hospital, and an operating theater. ers from different centers to consider work among The hospital has 250 beds. All these are operated Hindu pilgrims, Sadhus and Sanyasies. The on annual gifts of about $48,000, .of which Amerievangelists came from Puri, where the temple of ca contributes $25,000. Does any institution in Janannath draws thousands of pilgrims to wor- the United States operate as many departmentsship; from Calcutta, Patna, Behar, Ayodhya medical, surgery, pathology, bacteriology, anat- (birthplace of Sita and Ram) and from !tarsi, omy, biology, eye, ear, nose and throat, maternity, Muttra, Brindaban and Benares. These repre- ante-natal clinic and gynecology-treating in one sentatives met for prayer and conference and to year 3,398 in-patients, 44,484 out-patients, 20,060 report on methods and results in their work. An roadside patients. and 1,321 in the maternity ward organization was formed to promote work among -at such a small expense? the pilgrims. Jesus Christ, where faithfully presented by teaching and life, appeals strongly to The decree has now gone forth that, by 1942 Hindus, even if they are not ready to break away at the latest, the school must be raised to a college from their old religions. The following points standard of M. B. B. S. which is equivalent to an were emphasized in the discussions: American M.D. That will require an endowment of $700,000 to support ten more doctors, and pro- 1. Hinduism should be studied so as to develop vide for medical research, public health work and understanding and to equip the messenger to medicine; also $300,000 is needed for extra buildpreach the Gospel. ings and equipment. Here is a great oPP.ortunity 2. The truth and sufficiency of Christ and His to strengthen this great interden.ominati.onal hos- teaching should be stressed and exemplified more pital, medical college and nurses training school than the weakness and deficiencies of Hinduism. in South India.
A "full and positive Gospel of the Living Christ" *** is the need of the hour. Dr. Scudder expects to be in America next year, after 3. Only simple, sincere and practical conse- completing her forty years of service in India. The pro- crated Christianity of the apostolic type is effec- gram of Jesus Christ given in the doctor's Gospel (Luke tive to meet the vital needs of Hindus. 4: 22) is being carried out today at Vellore. Dr. Scudder asks Christians to pray that this great work into which 4. Collective witness and cooperative Christian she and other American, British and Indian women have work is necessary to offset the influences of the put their lives, may be continued.
united forces of Hinduism.
5. The guidance and power of the Spirit of God Miss Hilda Olson, of Rockport, Massachusetts, is the American Treasurer of the Veilore Medical College.
Is New in Home Missions?
By the REV. MARK. A. DAWBER, New York Executive Secretary of the Home Missions Council How many, many times I have been asked strong centers of support for the Christian cause. this question during the past years, and Others have passed through the settling down now I am requested to write an article on process and, due to the disintegrating forces of the subject! The answer in a word is that there land erosion, land speculation and exploitation, is nothing that is basically new in Home Missions. the people again need missionary aid. To make the Gospel available to the disadvantaged people or to those who, for various reasons, have Many descendants of the early settlers, who not been reached with the ministry of the Church, became farm tenants in the agricultural depresis still the primary task of the Home Missions sion immediately following the World War, are now being displaced by the all-purpose tractor enterprise. and large-scale agriculture. An outstanding illus- But in another sense, everything is new. The tration is that of a Mississippi Delta planter who question raised is symbolic of the age in which formerly had 160 tenant farmers. He purchased we live; it anticipates change, it suggests that the 22 tractors and now he needs to employ only 30 thinking person is conscious that something is families to work by the day. happening to human life in America, and that new demands are being made upon institutions, such Family Life and Migrant Workers as Home Missions, that· are engaged in the task of ministering to people who, because of chang- Thousands of American families must now ing situations, are unable to support a church, or travel to find employment. The family continues who are no longer accessible to the religious min- to sleep as a unit, to consume as a unit, but it no istry of the normal established church in more longer is able to produce wealth as a unit from settled communities. its own property. Because the family has lost this basis of productive property the American Old Americans and Old Frontiers family, as a fundamental natural productive unit, is well-nigh destroyed. Food, clothing and shelter, Home Missions was the child of the frontier. the basic essentials for living and the sources from That thrilling episode of American history that whence they come, are now gathered up into huge records the daring and heroism of the early interlocking hands of incorporated commercial pioneers, who crossed the Rockies and blazed the owners and distributors. With this centralization trail into what was then the American wilderness, and industrialization of food, clothing and shelter, was also the record of the first organized Home the last vestiges of American freedom and security Mission work. This frontier is no longer with us are wiped out. For many of these people there in the sense in which it obtained a hundred years is no available land upon which to build and own ago. There are still geographical frontiers, but better homes; there is no land for the production they are not the challenge to the population move- and consumption at home-the only efficient and ments such as obtained in the days of the early conserving land economy. This is something new Home Mission era. in our American life and brings with it new prob- But the frontier ideal has always dominated the lems for Home Missions. Home Mission enterprise. People seeking new This situation raises some interesting and peropportunities to secure their democratic heritage as American citizens, ever pressing on to what plexing questions. What is happening to this would provide a better opportunity to earn a live- land of opportunity, democracy, freedom and se- curity? What is happening to the millions of lihood, build a home and bring up a family-these acres of homestead land? What is happening to ever made their appeal to the Home Mission this. land where it was once possible for the poor- agencies. est to build homes for their children? Weare A century has passed and many old frontier being reduced to slavish workers in the homes communities have become established centers of and fields that once we owned. This process of culture and religion. They no longer need the dispossession is having a serious effect upon thouministrations of Home Missions but have become sands of American citizens.
[279 ]
Others have accepted a wage in place of owner- of certain types of industry from the North to the ship, a tenant shack for a home, a city street for South, in order to take advantage of cheap labor, a few acres of land; some have substituted the has had an adverse effect on many towns.
faint promise of a quick fortune for a permanent Communities that for years have sustained a home and a family on a few acres that would, self-supporting church with a full-time ministry under careful management, have provided secu- are now obliged to seek aid from their denomina- rity. This transition from the farm family to the tional mission board. The demands now made urban tenement industrialist is creating new upon these agencies are far beyond their ability problems for the church that place a heavy re- or finances; they can help only a small number sponsibility upon Home Mission agencies. of the churches in these areas of recent distress.
There is nothing new to America in a migrant The fact that many members of these churches population. Always we have had them. But our are receiving aid from federal and state relief distinctive migrant groups today present some agencies does not help very much. The conscious- new and difficult problems. ness that they are the recipients of relief has Twenty-five years ago the migrants. were drawn sapped the morale of many of these people, and in the main from a few of the racial groups, par- as a result their religious need is greater than ticularly the Mexicans, Italians and Filipinos. ever. This also is new in Home Missions.
Now the majority of these groups are thedescend- The Southern Highlands ants of the older American families. They are to be found in various sections of the country, but There i~ great danger that the emphasis upon the bulk of this migrant group is on the Pacific the plight of the sharecroppers and the low- Coast. wage industrial workers will overshadow the A ten-year depression, together with droughts equally great needs of other groups, such as the and dust-bowl conditions, has created a new millions who live in the Southern Highlands. The exodus of impoverished farm people who have conditions of the sharecropper, the industrial continued to press their way to the Pacific Coast. worker and the migrant, have been publicized, They have swamped California and are making but not so the Southern Highlanders. Fiction and that state aware of their existence in a way that romance have been written about these people the Mexican and Oriental farm laborers could (and there is much to be written), but the socio- never do. The state is struggling desperately logical story has not been told. The romantic with the problem, seeking to prevent any further story of the Anglo-Saxon rugged mountaineer inroads of these people from Arkansas and Okla- with his quaint language and colonial customs has homa. But this alone doesl not solve the problem. obscured the poverty of the coves, the mountain It is easy for people who are remote from the farms, and the thin soil of the plateaus.
scene of this human tragedy to indulge in moral Drastic changes are taking place among these criticism, but it is not easy for a state, already people. As recently as fifty years ago the High- burdened with relief, to accept a sudden inrush lander with his log cabin, his rifle and his spin- of 100,000 needy people. Driven off the cotton ning wheel was on a par as to standard of living lands by the tractor, driven off the wheat lands with the other pioneers of the prairie cabin, the by the drought and the combine, drawn by the log hut, or sod house. The wooded hillsides fur- strange tide which pulls. the white race westward, nished timber and game. Now the timber is gone the impoverished people have been pouring into and the game with it; also, it should be said, the the West, dogged by disease and hunger, too proud meagre income is gone that was once provided.
to accept charity, willing to work for any wages. The mountaineers have multiplied so that they The result is a condition that calls for action by have been compelled to cultivate the steep moun- the Nation, State and the Church. The Church, tain sides in a desperate effort to make a living.
through the Council of Women for Home Mis- The following summary of conditions will help sions, with very limited finances, is struggling to us to understand the modern needs of these people.
grapple with a herculean task. The size and the (The teachers of some 13,232 children in moun- character of this migrant group present many tain schools supplied the information.) Children new problems for Home Missions. needing clothing, 38%; shoes 32'10; milk 27'10 ; New Distressed Areas soap 42 %; hot lunches 45 %; school supplies 26 %; library books 80 '10. Any consideration of With the coming of new materials, new tech- the changing needs and demands in Home Mis- niques, mass production and the machine, there sions must take cognizance of the Southern High- has developed a new type of distress. Towns and lands. Dr. Odum of the University of North Car- villages, and some cities, have been seriously af- olina has well said that these "retarded frontiers"
fected by the recent innovations of science and will have to pass through several stages of devel- labor-saving devices, Furthermore, the movement opment, not only in improved economic conditions,
WHAT IS NEW IN HOME MISSIONS?
but development as it applies to the human ele- vantaged groups in America during the days of ment. Moreover, we are dealing with a very the "New Deal" administration have also created different type of mountain youth today than we new problems for the home mission agencies. were twenty-five years ago. They too are creating new demands upon State and school and Church. The resettlement projects, like Arthurdale and Cumberland Homesteads, present an opportunity The depression years have also brought great for religious work. Here some 250 families are changes among the people of other countries, reestablished on what amounts to subsistence groups who have anticipated coming to America, levels of living. The people will have little cash and among the immigrants who have come to this with which to support a church, so that the miscountry in recent years. Immediately following sion boards are under pressure to provide a minthe World War a different attitude developed to- istry. This is also true of many of the rehousing ward these foreign countries. No longer was projects in the cities where slum clearance has America to remain the "open door" to the peoples taken place. It is well-nigh impossible to reach of the world. Before the World War, European these people with the established churches in nearimmigration to the United States reached a high by territory. The approach must be made on an peak and as many as 1,285,000 immigrant aliens interdenominational basis, so that agencies like were received in a single year. The revised im- the Home Missions Council have an important migration law of 1921 limited the number of aliens function to perform in arranging the program and coming to this country in a single year to 3'70 of providing a Christian ministry to such commua given nationality already in the country. This nities. reduced the number to 358,000 in a year. In 1924 the immigration act was again revised to limit By its very nature the Church finds these changes more difficult than most other instituthe quotas to 2 '70 of the resident population of tions. It is identified with values that are time- less, and these values are often conceived of as not any nationality, based upon the earlier census of being affected by these matter-of-fact changes in 1890 as against 1920. our human and material universe. Rooted in the past and sanctified by age, the Chur·ch finds It is hardly necessary to say that this restric- change necessarily a painful process. Yet those tion has wide implications for Home Missions. who really love Christ and the Church, and are Add to it the further fact that, in many cases, alive to the facts that confront us in modern life, more of some nationalities were leaving America will gladly sacrifice the outmoded in order that the for their native land than were coming in under Kingdom of God may be advanced. A living the new restrictions, and it is readily seen that the Church is one that will make the adjustment in Home Missions program to these groups would its program and equipment in order to fit it for undergo drastic changes. These adjustments are the ministry to which it is called at a given time. now in process-consolidation of foreign language The home mission agencies are alive to these churches, the assimilation of the second and third changes that are taking place. They are far generation by the English-speaking church, ex- ahead of their general ecclesiastical bodies in their periments with interdenominational work among insight into these problems and in their willingthese groups-these and other movements mark ness to make the necessary adjustments. They the changes that must be made by the mission are hindered only by the lack of morat and finanboards in their ministry to New Americans. cial support.
The various programs of rehabilitation, resettlement and rehousing of depressed and disad- AS PROF. EINSTEIN NOW SEES THE OHUROH "Being a lover of freedom, when the revolution came in Germany, I looked to the univer- sities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but no, the universities were immediately silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom; but they, like the universities, were silenced in a few short weeks. Then I looked to the individual writers, who, as literary guides of Germany had written much and often con- cerning the place of freedom in modern life; but they, too, were mute.
"Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's campaign for suppressing the truth. I never had any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom. I am forced to confess that what I once despised I now praise unreservedly." ALBERT EINSTEIN; quoted in The Living Church.
Among Ozark
By PAUL A. WOBUS, Manchester, Missouri Director of Mountain Work in the Ozarks "you ought to go to Vichy if you're looking "You ought to go to Short Bend," said a man for a spiritually-neglected place," said a on the road. "No church there at all; virgin ter- friend when he heard that I had been dele- ritory. No opposition-no prejudices."
gated to find an opening in the Ozarks for work I went to all four points-and many others. I to be sponsored by what was then the Evangelical had been asked to select any area where no other Synod. "It seems to be quite a center, judging church was effectively serving. "Of course,"
from the number of people who gather there for added the genial chairman of the committee, "you the Saturday night when the fiddlers sway to need not go all the way down to the Arkansas line.
More than likely you'll find a field nearer to your home on the outskirts of St. Louis."
My observations revealed several typical Ozark church situations.
Vichy is truly a center. It boasts a population of 210, which, in the sparsely settled rural sec- tions of the Ozarks, is not small. I happened to come to this town on a Friday, and found there a large gathering of some kind. Inquiry brought out that the banker was a member of the official board of the church which was still intact. He said that he was interested in having an active church. The town needed it and he would give his support.
"May we use the building for services tomor- row night and Sunday morning?" I asked.
"Why-er-that is, the time is so short. The house needs cleaning up, there is no oil in the lamps, and a window pane is out. And [this was the real hitch] we'd have to see the district super- intendent about it. What denomination did you say you are connected with?"
We were face to face with one of those tragic DIFFICULTIES OF CHURCH GOING IN SHANN'ON COUNTY cases, where a dead organization is an obstacle in the way of any live effort. Cobwebs and dust yield their tunes for the old-time square dances. Dur- readily to an energetic arm ; window panes can ing my two weeks' vacation there I found that the be replaced; but ecclesiastical machinery, always village church has been closed for some time." cumbersome, may block the path to progress. In rural areas this is felt even more than in cities. "You, ought to go to Lesterville," said an Ozarkian. "Yes, I know they have a church there, *** but it does not serve the community. It is practically dead." Lesterville's sole church organization was functioning after a fashion. Of the strict immer- "You ought to go to Antioch," s,aid a druggist sionist type, it had about fifty members, six or in an Ozark county seat. "It's the very place for eight of whom were said to be active. The pasthe work you have in mind. Two churches at tor, a man of more than average ability, came once Antioch, both defunct; one at Gill and a fourth a month from another church 121 miles south, at Stone Hill, in the same state. Unite these four over roads which a decade and a half ago were into one strong church at a logical center. An- none too good. _ tioch is ready for you~the people are tired of It was not difficult to get a good attendance for divisive sectarianism." the monthly services we conducted at Lesterville.
[282 ]
EXPERIENCES AMONG OZARK MOUNTAINEERS
Of much help was a devout Presbyterian, whose and which then is open to anyone and everyone family belonged to the local church, he himself who cares to use it. We had early come to know could not feel at home in its atmosphere of exclu- of several such churches, but they were standing siveness. He dreamed with us of a community idle most of the time for want of an organization church where people of all creeds could worship or a responsible group to make sure of a definite, our common Master, Christ. The postmistress, continuous program of worship, service and study. also a member of the church, rendered friendly Short Bend still does not have a church, but all help. THE' SHANNONDALE COMMUNITY HOUSE Not many months elapsed before the seemingly defunct organization took on a new lease on life. manner of sects have put forth spasmodic efforts Giving them credit for being sincere in their efforts, and consistent with our ideals of a united there. *** Christendom, we slackened our own pace lest we divide the community. When we ceased to be Eminence, a county seat town, is an example aggressive the ardor of the local church rapidly of yet another type of sectarian sniping. At one cooled. time there had been four church organizations- two of them of the immersionist persuasion. After some years of this sort of procedure, the These four used the union church building in a immersionists had thawed out to such a degree peaceful way-one Sunday every month for each. that we withdrew altogether. The local church In time one of the immersionistchurches, and made some gains, increased its active member- one of the other kind, died. The other two were ship, and improved the property, which originally of about equal strength. Voices were raised in had been intended as a community building. We favor of a community church, but we were undid not feel inclined to open a dispute over its pos- able to enter this field. session, but a number of people,among them some of the very best citizens, did not, and perhaps Then there came to the non-immersionist group never will, affiliate with a church of this type. a young minister with a determination to climb. Their dream of a community church is unrealized He won the ecclesiastical approval he courted by because they want to be generous with those of whipping up the enthusiasm of his congregation their friends and neighbors whose church life to the point of erecting their own church building. makes them narrow-minded. There are many His frie.nds predicted that with such "success" to Lestervilles in the Ozarks! his "credit" he would rise high among the clergy of the land. They prophesied that he would be *** called to the pulpit of a large city church. He did not get such a call before he had widened the Rather against our own judgment, but in re- breach in this little Ozark town which now has sponse to a very definite call, we entered the An- two church buildings where one would suffice. tioch-Stone Hill neighborhood. The four churches of that locality belonged to two sects. The natives *** asked us to merge the two of one kind which still had some life in them. The other two seemed The Ozarkian is by nature deeply religious.. He beyond the possibility of revival, even to the is the descendant of a people who not only were preacher who had hastily organized them, yet the well-grounded on the Bible but who reserved for old organization had some adherents whose te- themselves the right to interpret it. Jealously nacity was worthy of a noble cause. guarding their liberty, they freely grant it to others. A relatively small percentage are mem- *** bers of a church and these are scattered among many sects. Our difficulty lies not, with those At Short Bend, where we held a number of services as we were forming contacts throughout this section of the Ozarks, there was no debris of any existing organization to clear away. An obstacle was the cityward exodus on the part of those whose enthusiasm welded the community together. There was also a misconception of the community church.
We had held two services in the schoolhouse at Short Bend and then somebody spoke of building a church. The entire group seemed to fall in line and, being very new in the Ozark work at that time, we hailed this suggestion with delight. Many Ozarkians speak of a union church, meaning one which the entire community helps to build
outside the Church, but with those church mem- agencies trained and equipped for guiding the bers who fail to act like Christians. physical, cultural, social, economic and religious development of the region. We must also remember that overchurching is really underchurching and leads to spiritual de- *** pression. It is easy to effect a new organization and to erect another church building-lumber be- After several years of orientation and reconing cheap. There is a smug satisfaction in cling- noitering we began to concentrate at Stone Hill, ing tenaciously to a creed and in thinking that all Bixby, and in northern Shannon County, Misthat religion means is to defend it with great zeal. souri.
This sectarian zeal has wrought untold havoc in At Stone Hill we did succeed in merging two the Ozarks. As soon as one responsible group decadent churches. Some years later, in response undertakes an adequate ministry, an astonishingly to desire of the people, a community church was large number of self-appointed preachers comes organized. The wounds caused by old-time diforth to complicate the work. "There is a visive sectarianism have by no means been healed; preacher behind .every stump," in the picturesque the preachers of other sects do not always refrain language of an Ozarkian. If somebody would hold from interference with the good work that is be- ing done; but we go on, preaching and teaching AT A COMMUNITY GATHERING IN THE OZARKS the unifying power of Christian love. One handi- cap is. that the denomination which relinquished the preachers in check, we would feel competent the field to us fifteen years ago still owns the to deal with the laity! church building and makes an effort now and then to come back. The Sunday school has gone on Villages and small towns are the worst suffer- uninterruptedly for 61 years. ers from over-churching in the Ozarks. Hamlets and the open country have fewer churches for *** their population. At Bixby we entered a field in which no reli- What is it, then, that we set out to accomplish gious work had ever been done until our native in our ministry to the Ozarks? Briefly this, to Ozarkian evangelist, the Rev. Zenith F. Yount, bring the Gospel of God's redemptive love to all, preached the first sermon there. One month later, regardless of man-made barriers and creedal di- when I accompanied him to Bixby for what I visions. We seek to unite in indigenous churches thought would be the second sermon, a man said those who already profess faith in the Lord Jesus to us, "This will be the third service here. Brother Christ and to win others to Him. We aim to Clark slipped in ahead of you, but the place is minister to those who have hitherto been passed yours anyway by squatter's rights." by, and to lift the natives out of their tendency toward an ingrown religion; we want to give A church was organized after a revival which them a consciousness of and a share in, the com- resulted in a most amazing transformation of munion of saints; we would like to make the what was once known as the toughest little spot Church the institution from which radiate whole- in the Ozarks. The work is going forward in some influences on all of life, by cooperating with spite of occasional inroads by various types of "Holiness groups" who like to meet at just the time of Pastor Yount's bi-monthly appointments. When they asked for the use of the building- which is a remodeled store, purchased from funds raised by the sale of used clothing-a real prob- lem arose. Some of the church members were quick to refuse, while others felt that they should be hospitable. Showers of rain one Sunday set- tled the question-nobody had the heart to turn anyone out. Such revivals stir up great enthu- siasm for the time, but after it dies down our work continues as before. At Bixby the Sunday school carries on under native leadership.
*** In Shannon County, south of Salem, Missouri, we discovered a large area in which no church of any kind was functioning. It is one of the most rugged sections of the Ozarks, with narrow val- leys along the many streams. The population is sparse, and there were but few people to count on at the start. The community lacked cohesion, yet
THE WORLD NEEDS THE CHURCH
a united church came as the natural result of one More and more calls are coming in from other of the greatest revivals ever held in the Ozarks, communities for a united church. The Ozarkian, conducted by Pastor Yount. Since we wanted keen and alert student of life, is giving this type to serve an extensive parish, the welding together his approval. We believe that by helping the of a number of rural school districts, we worked towards the purchase of a tract on the main high- GOING TO CHURCH IN THE OZARK MOUNTAINS way running through the center of the county from north to south, and named it Shannondale. Ozarks to make a contribution to the spirituality In 1932 a community house was built of native of the world, the efforts of the Evangelical and stone. The Rev. Vincent W. Bucher, who had en- Reformed Church are bearing rich fruit. deared himself to the people of this region as a teacher in Vacation Church Schools, became resident pastor of Shannondale in 1934. Last year the thank-offering of the women of the Evangelical and Reformed Church was used for the erection of a modern manse for the Bucher family.
A group of natives, under the guidance of Mr. Bucher, formed the Shannondale Cooperative Association and operate a store in a building they erected on the same tract. A Folk School, held for three weeks. each year, seeks to enrich life. Weekly recreation and play nights, with also some opportunity for study, are very popular. Besides holding church school and services at the center, Mr. Bucher preaches at a number of isolated schoolhouses.
The World Needs the Church The Commentator has this to say about the na- no freedom is secure. Close the Bible, and what tions and the Church: becomes of a free press? Silence the pulpit, and what is left of free speech? Many of us have vague ideas of religion. We care little for creeds and ceremonies. We leave The value of a church to society-the sermons, the churches to the clergy and spend our time else- the sacraments, the music, the missions, the hospiwhere. Some of us, however, have been startled talities and the pastoral services of the clergy beout of our indifference. We are not as sure as we hind the scenes-is to be measured by a twofold used to be that a world without churches is the standard. A church does good: a church preworld in which we want to live. We feel a need, vents evil. Churches remind us of the weak who and wonder whether churches might not meet this are apt to be trampled under foot, of the sufferers need. who yearn for sympathy, of the bereaved who cry out for consolation, of strangers against whom What arouses us is a contrast. In some coun- prejudice is apt to be fomented, of failures in life tries churches are respected. In other countries who want to make a fresh start. . . . churches are humiliated. Whatever may be our beliefs or unbeliefs, we know which kind of coun- Children within a church form friendships .with try we prefer. Millions are eager to enter coun- other children, similarly situated, and are less tries where churches are active. Millions· are liable to drift into the no-man's-land where eager to escape from countries where churches juvenile delinquency is a danger. . . . are suppressed. . . . After three centuries of experience, this nation still believes in churches. They who condemn churches as obsolete, con- They may differ widely from one another in faiths demn themselves. For churches are not only diand forms of worship. But, jointly and severally, vine. They are human. They are what men and they justify their existence. women enable them to be.
In the fight for democracy against dictatorship This Year of Grace, 1939, challenges civilization. throughout the world, churches and synagogues To uphold civilization is the urgent task. It is not are in the forefront of the hottest battle. They wholly a matter for surprise that churches should stand for freedom of conscience without which be appraised afresh as an ally of society in its hour of grave uncertainty.
South's Number One
The Tenant Farmer – Whence and Whither?
-~ I By the REV. ARCHIE C. SMITH, De Queen, Arkansas I)ae– I N THE fertile river valleys of the Southland posses,sed little or no capital, no land and no tools is found some of the best alluvial land in the with which to farm. Legal emancipation was not world. The God of nature has there provided enough to enable him to establish himself on a man with the means of producing abundant har- self-supporting basis. With only his bare hands vests. Yet it is here, in this land of plenW, that and a willingness to work at the only trade he we find conditions which challenge the social, edu- knew, the Negro turned to the planter for employ- cational and religious institutions of North Amer- ment.
ica. For it is here that we encounter the South's On the other hand the planter possessed large number one economic problem, the share-cropper, tracts of land the cultivation of which required a or more correctly the tenant farmer. As Chris- . tremendous amount of manuallahor. Out of their tians focus their attention upon this problem it is mutual need was born the sharecropper system important to look at the underlying causes as well in which the planter agreed to rent a certain as at the results,. number of acres of farm land in return for a Too frequently have the efforts of Christian share of the crop at harvest. The planter also forces proven futile because they have approached supplied a house, seed, garden patch, farm ani- a solution without understanding the economic mals, and money for food during the time of grow- and social background. An historical inquiry as ing and harvesting the crop. This money with to the South's "Number One Problem" shows the interest was charged to the tenant's account and condition of the tenant farmer to be largely de- deducted from his share of the proceeds from the termined by social and economic factors as well sale of the year's harvest.
as by the use of unchristian ethics on the part of Under this arrangement the rent usually re- both the tenant farmer and the landlord. quired half the year's crop. This system has re- The history of the tenant farmer reaches back mained virtually unchanged until today. Its into the early history of the South. The great greatest weakness is that at best it furnishes to tlie waves of settlers who came from the eastern sea- average tenant but a mere living. Any emergency board were of two sorts, the wealthy planter who that may arise from sickness or crop failure will settled on large tracts of land in the river valleys, often throw the tenant in debt so deep that he is and the poorer farmer who settled on the less fer- always in arrears to the landlord.
tile farms in the hills. The romantic pictures of In this way the tenant was virtually bound to plantation life in the South before the War are the land. His only escape has been to go to another not a true graph of its social structure. Every planter, with whom he eventually found himself river bottom plantation operated: with slave labor, in the same predicament. The development of the was matched by numerous dirt farmers who lived industries of the North and East brought an ave- and labored in the hills. nue of escape. .Labor agents came South and The Civil War brought about the emancip~tion thousands of N~ro tenants went with them to of the slave but it wrought little change in the the North, thus es~aping from their debt burdened social structure of the South. ThehiU farmer status in the farm tenant system.
continued his way earning a living' from·n.is few acres. He chose one of his sons as his successor The Hill Farmer's Troubles on the farm and equipped the others for the trades Meanwhile things were happening to the hill or professions. The planter and his former slaves farmer. Unscientific farming led to the erosion succeeded in effecting an adjustment that enabled and the depletion of the fertility of his land. Year the fertile river valleys to continue to produce a after year decreases in his crop yields lowered his major portion of the world's supply of cotton. To status in the economic scale of the South's agri- supplant the old system of slavery a new system cultural system. His tribe was increasing with was evoIved which was to become known as the each generation and, with his decreasing income, sharecropper plan. The N e gr 0 "freed-man" he was finding it impossible to maintain his posi- [286] . tion in the social order. He was no longer able by every trait of temperament and personality to to educate his sons for the trades and professions enter into an economy which called for the closest therefore his already overburdened acres were cooperation between planter and tenant. He re- called on to support even greater numbers. Lack- belled against the close supervision exercised by ing capital to move to more fertile land his only the planter and friction was inevitable.
recourse was to remain on and eke out an exist- Owing to the inherent weakness of the farm ence of a sort. With his economic strength van- tenant system (tenant indebtedness) the worker's ishing he naturally began to deteriorate socially. meager capital was soon exhausted and his eco- The triune ravages of the South, hookworm, ma- nomic existence came to depend wholly upon his laria and pellagra, were exacting their toll from employer. Unfortunately for many tenants this his physical body, leaving him without energy. attitude was none too favorable. Frequently the The one-room public school was doing its best tenant was fractious and the planter soon tired to provide an education but it seldom did more of the strife that was continuously creeping into than to teach him to read and write and lead him their relationships. Since many tenants were to feel that he had all the educational world had unreliable the planter learned to regard them as to offer. His reaction to conditions beyond the a bad economic risk. Under such conditions realm of his understanding grew to be one of planters felt justified in getting rid of them as stupid suspicion. His personality, locked in the soon as possible. They passed from plantation to vaults of superstition and. ignorance, became a plantation until finally no one would have them.
dwarfed and distorted image of his forbears. Thus hundreds of white tenant families found Religious Decadence themselves thrown on their own pitifully inade- quate resources. They usually found some aban- In his religious life we find the same pitiful doned house and eked out an existence as best story of decadence. The clergy were recruited they could, doing odd jobs. Other white tenants from his. own ranks and made the transition from however succeeded in making the adjustment to the laity to the ministry by the simple expedient the system, until the depression made their posiof swapping the plow and the furrow for the Bible tion insecure. and the pulpit. About all this type of ministry has had to offerits. parishioners. is a very narrow A new factor, in the way of farm management, and limited conception of the broad principles of entered the field. Insurance companies were Christianity. The tenant farmer's faith came to forced to take over and operate many plantations consist of an extreme denominational conscious- to protect investments in southern farm lands ness; it was decidedly negative in character, pos- and established corporations. for the purpose of sessing little of the vital qualities of true Chris- carrying on farming operations. These business tianity. As a rule the average minister rose or organizations soon realized the economic weakfell in the estimation of his congregation with his ness of the tenant farmer and the mule and supability to vanquish his denominational foes in an planted them with the tractor and wage hand. ecclesiastical debate. Sometimes these theological Thus many more tenants passed out of the farm tenant system.
arguments grew so tempestuous that the police The Negro Tenant had to be called to enforce the peace. The position of the Negro tenant was also threatened. Tmnsition from the "share" method As generations came and went the stronger to a daily wage was disastrous to both the Negro sons succeeded in escaping from the farm, leav- and white tenant. Neither was able, by training ing the weaker to usher in a new generation a or ability, to manage his own economic affairs. little further down on the social scale. Like his They were forced to establish an entirely new impoverished acres the tenant farmer's character basis of economic existence on a low wage scale. has been depleted in moral, spiritual, intellectual The only time the cultivation of cotton demands and physical strength. The chief characteristic a great deal of manual labor is during the hoeing that remains from his pioneering forbears is a and harvest seasons. But these Negroes simply fierce pride; but unlike his forbears he has little do not possess. the economic sagacity to be able justification in his character for such a pride.
With the planters of the South looking for labor to manage a small seasonal income so that it will to replace Negro tenants who had gone North, cover the needs of an entire year. Thus many came an opportunity for the poor white man to more tenant families were added to the homeless escape from his impoverished land. He therefore and unemployed.
sold his holdings. for whatever they would bring With the arrival of the cotton control program and with this limited capital moved to the planta- many more will be forced into this group. The tions to take the place of the departed Negro. planter has been forced to reduce his acreage This was a terrible mistake. He was ill suited planted to cotton. If he is forced to reduce his
acreage one-third it is only a matter of simple a conference on the problem, but little was accomfractions to make him realize that he can get along plished other than the realization of the immensity with two-thirds of his tenants. Thus the farmless of the difficulty. group is threatened with a large increase in its numbers. Once this primary need has been met the next step must be to establish and carry out a South- There is yet another Damoclesian sword hang- wide program of human rehabilitation which will ing over the head of the hapless farm tenant. restore in the individuals of the farm tenant group The rules under which the government subsidizes the material and spiritual ability to fend for themits soil conservation program require that the selves in the rapidly changing economy of the rent paid the planter for acres planted with soil South. No such program has been formulated, conservation crops shall be shared with the tenant. but a hint as to its character may he found in the Here is an opportunity for the planter to profit success of the various social and educational by exchanging the rent system for the daily wage. agencies laboring in areas inhabited by large num- If he is not renting the land to the farm tenant, bers of tenants. In the regular course of their but merely working him by the day, he will receive duties they have touched the life of the individual the entire subsidy check. In the writer's experi- tenant and have brought about some very encourence he has known of no planters. resorting to this aging results. The Agricultural Extension Servunjust means of augmenting their income, but it ice has brought to the mind of the farmer a knowlis a possibility that must be considered by the edge of scientific farming and to his wife the farm tenant. advantages of agood home and home environment. The Public Health Service is teaching them the The Situation Today rudiments of simple hygiene and the value of diet in health. The displacing of the one-room school As the situation is today the Southern tenant by the consolidated school has wrought a wonderfarmer falls into two classes; the farmless tenant, ful change in the social and educational outlook who in reality is no longer a sharecropper but of their children. The children of the average is generally regarded as such; and the tenant tenant farmer today have a much broader and farmer who has succeeded in remaining in the more intelligent view of life than their parents. "system." It is imperative that the former re- If the more promising of these children could seceive attention at once. One cannot but be cure the advantages of a higher education they shocked at the thought of helpless people sitting could extricate themselves from the toils of the beside the road with no place to go. Here are sharecropping system and in a generation or two step-children of an economy which is rapidly would become normal Americans. As it is they changing and, in its change, can find no place for know that college is for them in the realm of the its unwanted wards. Very little is being done to improbable, if not impossible. With this barren meet the needs of this group. A few have found outlook before them they marry at an early age, refuge in the Farm Security Administration, a start to farming on shares, bring a large family federal agency, which is carrying out a national into the world, go in debt and remain so until program of rural rehabilitation. Others have death settles the account with the landlord. been brave enough to endeavor to homestead lands in the poorly drained swamp areas. They cannot While the work of reclamation, wrought by these hope for much success for they are without cap- social agencies, is merely a dent in the surface, "ital to carry them through the lean years before the success of their limited operations shows that their newly acquired acres can be brought to pro- the Southern tenant farmer is able to make a reduction. If their venture is successful this outlet sponse to efforts in his behalf. will serve only a small proportion of those in need. Some are finding a refuge in the homes of rela- The Christian Aspects tives who have succeeded in retaining their position as tenants on the plantations still using the What are the Christian aspects of the situation? share-cropping system. Unfortunately they are few for little Christianity has been exercised by the principals involved. The most immediate and urgent need in the The religious and moral life of the tenant farmer whole Southern tenant farmer problem is to find is only a dim shadow of the Christ-inspired life. a means of economic existence for those who are Gradually through the generations, the farmer in the army of farmless tenants. Other than the has come to look upon the Bible as containing limited amount of work heing done by the Farm proof texts for his denominational position rather Security Administmtion, and a single project be- than as a rule of faith and life. But the planter ing conducted by a group of socially minded has had many of his generous impulses shattered American Christians, there have been no con- by treachery and unreliability on the part of some structive efforts made toward the remedying of of his tenants. The Christian forces working in this situation of homeless people. One state held their midst have failed to realize that the tenant
THE SOUTH'S NUMBER ONE PROBLEM
farmer needs to. have evidences Qf their mission- farmers find that it is virtually impossible to effect ary interest. any radical change in the outlook of the older gen- eration. The young people, however, readily re- None of the Home Mission authorities of the spond to influences which are brQught to bear on more prominent churches of the South have thus their lives. If they can be reached befQre their far come to look upon the farm tenant group as environment has warped their cQnception of life, one which needs a well planned prQgram Qf mis- they will make as much progress as any group of sionary effort in their behalf. Only here and there average young Americans. in an isolated case does one find such a missionary project. The experience gained from these The promotiQn of a missionary project for a activities teach us that the tenant is not only the community of tenant farmers in southeast Ar- South's number one economic and social pro.blem, kansas has shown the writer that the task of but that this group also represents Southern effecting the spiritual rehabilitation of the tenant Christianity's numberQne spiritual problem. Ef- farmer will be a IQng hard struggle, filled with forts are being made by the State to effect the bitter experiences. The work began in an abaneconomic and social rehabilitation Qf the tenant doned one-room school house. The tenants posfarmer, and it is essential that the Church under- sessed no. means with which to erect a church gird this work with a well-planned program of building and refused to believe that funds CQuid Christian activity. It is 'a tremendous task which be secured. During the period of raising funds will require the wholehearted effort of every home from outside sources, the purchas.ing of materials mission agency in the Church. and the erection of the building, every conceivable obstacle was thrown in the way Qf the project by First of all effeotive work in this field will re- the tenants themselves. The pastor's character quire a ministry that is "wise as serpents and was assailed and his motives questioned at every harmless as doves." Men of ability must be will- turn; it was not until after four years of someing to devote their ministry to. sacrifice on the times heart-breaking service that his ministry altar of Christian service. The minister will be was vindicated in their sight. By the exercising called upon to work with people who will questiQn of patience and understanding, refusing to allow his motives. His every move will be subject to himself the luxury Qf righteous indignation, he scrutiny to. see if there is some flaw in his char- finally won their confidence and the tenant farmacter. In his presence the tenant farmers will ers with their families became loyal friends. express appreciation for his services, but to each When the church building was a reality large other they will be apt to speak of him with SCQrn crowds began to attend the services and the light and will ridicule his ministry. The minister to the of the Gospel was shed over the community. A tenant farmer must be a man of preaching ability. sound program Qf religious education was adopted It is no easy task to preach acceptably to thQse and Christian influences began to be revealed in who require the simplest of thoughts cQuched in daily lives. This work was correlated with the the simplest of language. The peQple instinctively program of the social agencies in the community resent anything they do not understand. and the program of rehabilitation there, today, is well balanced and wholesome. If organized Christianity ever recognizes the challenge presented to. it in the Southern tenant Under the inspiration of this church and its farmer and decides on some prQgram of missiQn- activities, several young men and women, who ary activity, there must be adequate financial had dropped out Qf school, have been induced to backing. In Qrder that his work may have an air resume their high school studies and one young of permanence the missionary must have a build- man is in college today, literally lifting himself by ing in which to. carry out a program of Christian his own efforts toward a higher education. The activity. There is little permanence abo.ut a brush social life has undergone a gradual change. The arbor and an abandoned one-room school house, weekly community dance, which generally ended such as are the abode of itinerant preachers who in a drunken brawl, has disappeared and the gento.o often exploit the peQple rather than render a eral moral tone of the community life has taken religious service. Anyone utilizing such places. as on an entirely different hue. Truly the power of houses of worship is classed in the itinerant group this church is being felt in the economic, social for which the tenant farmer has little respect. If and religious life Qf this community and is pointthe missionary's work is to be at all successful ing the way to higher and nobler conceptiQns. We it must be housed in a respectable building; then believe that some day the social agencies of Amerthe tenant farmer, who is naturally a church ica will find a solution to the social and economic goer, will fill it to capacity. problems of the sharecro.Pper. When that day comes the church in a community will be able A good program of religiQus. educatiQn will en- to lend its help toward making that solution efable the tenant farmer to apply mQral and spir- fective. itual truth to the sQcial and economic prQblems of his life. Those who have labored among tenant
Berea's Work for
Some Impressions Gathered from Revisiting the College After Thirty-five Years r~"- -'1l!;;1====;;o;;B;;o;;Y;;o;;D;;o;;E;;o;;L;;o;;A;;o;;V;;o;;A_N=L;;o;;';;o;;PI;;o;;E;;o;;R;;o;;SO;;o;;N====-=l..I, T HE true value of every factory or institution and in other parts of the nation and in foreign is to be judged by its products. In America lands. A new era has been ushered into the moun- the name of Berea has become synonymous tains of the South by what Berea has taught and with effective, practical Christian education. Here done. At comparatively small expense, the colgood raw material is received in the form of boys lege has shown how to accomplish wonders in and girls from the Southern Mountains and is practical education by new methods of farming shaped into strong, intelligent, useful Christian and stock raising, by courses in home-making, citizens. Many' other schools and colleges are en- nursing and child training, by modern business deavoring to do the same kind of work but most methods, by industries such as baking, weaving, of them with much less evidence of success. They printing, and furniture making. Students not only would like to know Berea's secret in order that help to earn their way by these industries but they they too may achieve as satisfactory results; but are taught the dignity of labor and learn to be exthey are, in too many cases, handicapped by tra- perts in one or more of these lines. Their products dition, by too much money, by indulgent parents, are works of art with high commercial value. or perhaps even by a lack of the highest ideals, Each student is required to payor earn $150.00 and true sacrificial service on the part of faculty a year to cover his or her expenses for room and and trustees. board, but most of them are able to earn a large part of these expenses by work in the industries, One reason why Berea is a truly great institu- on the farm or elsewhere. The results are seen tion is because it is not so handicapped. The col- in the wide-awake, industrious, fine spirited stulege is rather enriched by tradition, by its ideals, by the necessity for economy and hard work, by dent body.
the quality of the student body, and by the char- What are some of the secrets of Berea's success acter and spirit of its faculty and trustees. Berea in making strong, self-reliant men and women out has a high aim and a noble history and seeks to of the comparatively raw, untrained and underbe true to them today. This unique college, which privileged boys and girls of the mountains?
has today 1700 students, has grown out of a dis- First. Berea gives hope to the students. Many trict school, with a very few pupils, which was of them come from homes where poverty has opened at Berea, Kentucky, by John G. Fee in brought discouragement, where the "upright" 1855. mountain farms offer little possibility for earning a livelihood to support a growing family of chil- The equipment has grown from a small frame building unm it now.comprises a large and beau- dren; where poor roads and lack of schools give tiful campus and forest of 6,284 acres and little opportunity for economic or intellectual rriany fine buildings with all the necessary equip- progress; where churches cannot support a ment for physical, industrial, intellectual and spir- trained minister. Berea teaches these boys and itual education. In the early days Berea sought girls to look forward not back; to be dissatisfied to promote understanding between the white and with past achievements and with things as they Negro races by co-education, but when the Ken- are; to look ahead hopefully to something better tucky Legislature made this illegal, the college -in education, in the economic situation, in Christurned its attention wholly to the neglected and tian service, and in life as a whole. They learn underprivileged mountaineers of the South. Now to look forward to something better than the old 90 per cent of the students must be from the cabins such as are common in the mountains and mountains; no more than 10 per cent can be re- are inspired and taught to build new homes that ceived from outside this region, although many cost little; they learn how to make these attractive apply. The product of Berea has made the college and clean through the science of home-making. famous., for many of its former students have be- Berea students are given a vision of life that is come honored teachers, lawyers, physicians, truly worth living here and that looks forward to Christian preachers, legislators, business men and the Life beyond. home-makers in their own mountain communities Second. Berea gives its students courage and [290 ] inspires them with ambition and energy to do the strictly "cultural" work, is the labor system, a seemingly impossible. They are taught never to be discouraged by handicaps; not to complain be- dominant emphasis of the institution. Each dorcause of what they lack but to use thankfully and effectively what they have. They are taught never mitory student labors ten hours a week or more to accept defeat in any ambition that is high and useful and to realize that nothing good is impos- and for this he is paid in labor credits which are sible to those who have faith, courage and perseverance. There are multitudes of examples in available toward the payment of college bills. The Berea's history from the days of John G. Fee to those of William J. Hutchins. purpose of the labor system is to make it possible Third. Berea teaches its students the value for a student who otherwise would not be able to and joy of unselfish service. They are not encouraged to come to Berea merely for what they can procure an adequate education to win the special do for themselves but because there they can prepare better to serve their fellow men. This is the advantages of Berea. In no one of our campus spirit of the college from the president down to the first year student-and it makes them unusu- schools do we charge tuition. ally cheerful and attractive. Ability to earn money, or to achieve fame of personal comfort, is A student may labor in the dairy, on the farm, not the goal set before them; it is the ideal of making their homes, their community and the in the garden, in the broom industry, in the bakworld a better place in which to live. It is the same ambition that actuated Sir Wilfred Grenfell ery, in the laundry, in the heat and power plant, of Labrador and Dwight L. Moody of Northfield in their life service. Godlike love is the ideal and in the several weaving industries, in some janitor motive that sets the standard of service. service, in Boone Tavern, in one of the offices of Fourth. Berea teaches its students to look to God their Heavenly Father for power to attain the institution. Work for which a student receives these ideals. Youth must not only look forward hopefully and within courageously as they take educational credit, yields him no money; labor stock of their assets, but they must look around lovingly to meet the needs of others and they must which yields him financial credit, gives him no edlook up to receive the guidance and strength of God. Berea is assured that this higher source of ucational credit. Much of the labor is highly eduhelp is provided in Jesus Christ and the Bible. Students are not expected to fight the battle of life cational. A student janitor in one of our buildalone. Prayer, Bible study, church services and student organizations are used to promote spir- ings, a man recently from the mountains, reitual life. These growing young people learn what many great men and women have learned-that marked the other day, "Me and cobwebs are not true success is attained by putting God first and others second; and that putting self first and God congenial any more." No registrar's card can second courts failure. capture that type of education; but that is edu- *** cation. . As President Hutchins Looks at Berea Some years ago we, at Berea College, sponsored (Excerpts from an address by President William J. Hutchins, given before the Rural Life As- a County Achievement contest. This contest, sociation of Lexington, Kentucky, and printed in their periodical.) originating in the mind of our one time secretary, Berea College is now eighty-four years old. Mr. Marshall Vaughn, which may be tried in vari- Many efforts have been made to label or to classify Berea. It teaches cultural subjects, but ous sections. Judge Bingham offered $5,000 in it is not a "cultural" school; it teaches agriculture, but it is not an "agricultural" school; it prizes, to be divided between the two counties teaches the industries, but it is not an "industrial" school. which should win the largest number of points in Quite separate, whether from the vocational or a County Contest. Nine counties participated. If any man in a county put screens on his house, built a toilet, or painted his house; if any man cooperated in mending the steps of the church house, or in painting a schoolhouse, he did not win a prize himself, but he helped his county win a prize. The friendly emulation of mountain counties in a revamping, redeeming enterprise means a great advance. A man who has once caught a vision of his county with decent roads, and schools, and churches, and toilets, a man who has worked with fellow citizens for a Cause, is not going to be satisfied with shrubbiness and squalor and walrus-like isolation. The County Achievement Contest proved that there are forces in our mountain communities that lead our people toward a high and holy civilization.
A second emphasis of Berea College is the Home. We rest in the belief long ago expressed by Francis Peabody that "the home holds the key to the salvation of the state."
We went into the mountains and found a typical house of the poorer sort; it had no windows in the sides or in the lean-to; it had no foundations.; the hens and hogs of earth, and the winds of heav- en, could find their way beneath it. This house we bought, took down, and moved in sections so
that we could place it in a quiet but central site and women, in a health program, supervised by upon our campus. Next to this house we erected, with the aid of our own construction department, Dr. Joel E. Goldthwait, of Boston. and under the guidance of our Home Economics Department, a "contrast house," the material cost- Each autumn twenty or twenty-five doctors, exing us only $650. The result is a house into which I should be proud to have anyone of our alumni amine our students ; after the examination a sillive with his bride. Within a little mo~e than a year we sold more than eighty-five blueprints of houette is taken of each student. A girl looks at this house. her silhouette and says: "That isn't my picture, Aside from the class and laboratory work done in our Home Economics building, there are five is it ?" "Yes., that's your photograph." As a recountry or "practice homes." In each of these is an expert teacher of Home Economics, who lives sult the girl changes her posture almost as quickly with her girls, eats with them three times a day, guides them as they fashion their menus and their as she changes the way she dresses her hair. Thus meals, as they keep their food expenses within two dollars and sixty-five cents, a week for each a better physical breed of men and women are goperson. In one of these country homes is a baby. ing back into the mountains, whence 90 % of our I had supposed that the girls would kill the baby with love, but I learned better. One day a visitor 2,QOO students come. from Boone Tavern came to see the baby. It was at a time of influenza. A modest mountain girl A fourth emphasis .at Berea is the Ancient came to the door, and asked the visitor, "Have you a cold?" "No." "Then I will see if the baby Simplidties and the Fine Arts. Some students is asleep." In other words, if you haven't had a cold, and if the baby is not as,leep, then you may have not money enough to pay for stamps to send see the baby. That is education. letters home. We are doing our best to inculcate *** a democracy which makes it possible for the boy, There is a new and strange shop on the Berea campus. A man ninety years old, but shrewd and who on Sunday presses his blue jeans, to go to keen, came to tell me of the futility of a college education. He said that college men broke down church and not be embarrassed by the boy next to in the time of depression; that a college man did not know even how to change a fuse in his own him, with white collar and better clothes. At the house if he used electricity. He went on to say that every American ought to be able to till his same time there is emphasis on the Fine Arts. own ground, and to build his own house. Finally he gave us money enough to pay for the part sal- Music and art, we insist, are not the monoply of ary of a high class "Jack of all Trades,," and to build a shop, in which five girls this past year the financially elect. "All of God's, chillen have made their own looms, and in which an average of 150 boys worked each week. Here the boys may wings." Through the window of our "House of study the framing of a house, the wiring of a house, the plumbing of a house, and so on. the People," we seek to prove to our students that The Council on Economic Conditions of the the mountains are beautiful, and that mountain South report that 4,000,000 Southern families should be rehoused. This is one-half of all the life is potentially beautiful. families in the South. And yet, "The home holds the key to the salvation of the state." The fifth emphasis of Berea is religion. While A third emphasis of Berea College is health. we grant that there is no such thing as compUlsory We have a hospital with fifty beds and a contagious ward with 75 beds. Four doctors, two religion, we insist that our students shall be exdentists, four trained nurses, a dietitian and a technician are members of the staff. On the posed to the noblest thoughts which men have ground at one time we have 'approximately fifty student nurses. All join with the Department of cherished, whether they be thoughts concerning Physical Edu~atio;n, with its gymnasia for me)). mathematics, political science or religion.
We do our best to build a golden bridge by which a student may pass. from an impossible theology, and an erroneous Biblical interpretation, to thoughts and convictions about God and Christ which will enable him to fight fearlessly and win in the arena of modern life.
We do not expect our mountain people to be rich, nor shall we lightly endure their hideous destitution. If we Americans have a modicum of communal character and good will, such destitu- tion is absolutely needless.
We who serve the mountains are trying to teach the boys and girls that they can play without per- verting the most sacred instincts of mankind, that they can hear the golden trumpets sound while great sacrifices are being offered; that they may live a life of external hardship, and at the same time find their way, straight and clean, to the per- renial sources of joy which are not destroyed by the ravages of time and circumstance. We are trying to teach the boys and girls how to take their share, their full share, in the economic and spir- itual redemption of the South and in the cosmic redemption of which the great dreamers have dreamed and for which the prophets and apostle.$ .and martyrs h.ave died. . . –
A Challenge for Advance in
–<!III By REV. W. A. ROSS, D.O. Ill>- C APTAIN JIMENEZ, an officer iIi the med- have ministered in the Name of Christ to the sick, ical department of the aviation corps of the has completely changed the attitude of the people Mexican Government, a Protestant and one toward Protestant work. The schools during the of my former students, was remarking on the years they were being carried on, created a friend- tendency in the government toward a more lib- liness and called forth cordial support and elicited eral attitude to religion and a more· spiritual warm praise from all classes of the people.
philosophy. This tendency is more marked in A Nation in the Making some sections than in others. It is a challenge to the evangelical forces to take advantage of the if Mexico prides herself on being one toofbtehgeinfirtsht~ present situation, and at the same time a call from not the first, of the modern States Christ to present His claims upon all. The times and conditions are favorable. struggle for a larger freedom, and that was less We do not mean that all is friendliness toward than thirty years ago. As a nation that is being the Gospel, or that there are no forces of evil, no radical elements opposed to religion, no hearts in made over, she is very young. The people are Mexico that have no room for Christ. We refer to conditions in general. formulating new policies, they are working out At the Congress of the American Republics· in new systems of statecraft, they are facing the Peru, the dominant note was friendliness. The "good neighbor" policy is bearing fruit. It is in edcaownonm. I.CT, hseoyciaarle avnedrycusletnusriatlivecotnoditthioenspoolifticthale' this atmosphere we are working in Mexico but there come at times breaks in the friendly trend. present-day neighborhood world and are receiving Three or four years ago the church in Cuerna- ideas and patterns of behavior which are stirring vaca was closed for some months and the State government was making plans t~ take it as a cul- and moulding the minds and confusing or directtural center. It was saved, and in recent years we have not been in the least molested. Later ing the thoughts of multitudes. These new curthere was a heavy tax put on all ministers of religion. In some cases it amounted to more than rents are uprooting the foundations of their forhalf the salary. That also has been removed, and the ministers go about their duties as freely and mer simpler life, are affecting not only the outer openly and actively as in the United States. In another capital city about four years ago the forms, but also the inner contents and are shaplargest Protestant church was taken over by a semi-official labor group and used as headquarters ing the framework of a new civilization. until recently when it was turned back to the people for religious services. There is a tenacity in the old conditions and The liberal elements have always been favor- conceptions of life which do not yield easily, and able to the Protestant cause. Juarez said eighty years ago: "We need the Protestants in Mexico." there is much that should not yield, but no one And liberal-minded men of affairs in all walks of life have often expressed similar sentiments. can deny that this new structure moves with irre- Their knowledge of history teaches them that in countries where the Protestant faith predominates sistible force. The danger is that the good will there is liberty, progress, and a larger degree of happiness. There is also the missionary work go with the bad, and that sinister elements will that is being done before their own eyes. The work of the hospitals where the doctors and nurses come in. There is danger that, as they are pro- gressing through outer forms and organizations and are mastering the material, they wil not learn self-mastery or will not give a place for God who controls and masters life.
Here is the opportunity for the Evangelicals.
Just at a time when a nation is casting off the old faith there is the opportunity to press· the claims of the new; when hearts are open to the new it is a challenge to present Christ whose coming makes all things new.
A good number of those who have pretended to be the saviors of the people and guardians of their interests during the years of revolution have been selfish and unscrupulous men. This accompanies all revolutionary movements. We must also re- member that the efforts made to uplift the masses of the people take the form of material uplift.
• Reprinted from The Christian Ol1'8erver. This is needed and when rightly and wisely [293 ]
guided has its value; we can rejoice in everything The Religious Qualities of the Mexican People that is done to help in any way. The Mexican people are breaking away from But during the whole of the revolutionary pe- the dominant religion of the country, but this does not mean that they are irreligious or are losing riod there have been men and women who not their inherent religious qualities. Jose Vascononly have given themselves unselfishly for the selos, one-time Secretary of Education, speaking material welfare, but also have sought to bring to for his own people said: "We are Indian blood the masses larger cultural opportunities in the and soul; the language and civilization are Spanthings of the mind and the heart. There have ish"; and the Indian is by nature religious. His been enough of these to give continuity to the religion as a pagan before the conquest with its movement and under their leadership it has gone priesthood, its religious communities, its penances forward. and a host of deities, was the center of his life. His religion as a Roman Catholic, with its very Twenty-five years ago some of the men at the similar priesthood, with its pilgrimages and the head of the then very young revolutionary party attendant community life, its penances, its muloutlined. their plans for making available to titude of images and saints, was until recently, the masses a larger portion of the resources and and still is for many, the center of life. Those products of the country, for the education of all who have come into the Protestant faith with its the people and for the enlargement of their intel- ministry, sacraments and ordinances of New Teslectual and spiritual outlook on life. As we have tament type, with its fellowship with Christ and watched the progress throughout the years, in with those who love Him, with its repentance spite of many things to oppose and many un- from sin and pardon in Christ, with the free acworthy elements which have crept in, we have cess of all believers to God our Father through the observed that they have, generally speaking, held merits of His Son our Saviour, find joy and peace true to these ideals. At the heart of their pro- in this life of faith. grams there has been an earnest desire to help the people and to lift them up. With some, as in the There are many inherent qualities in the Mexcase of President Cardenas, it is a life passion. ican people, brought in through the Indian strain There are now, and have been from the beginning, and fostered by the dominance of the Roman Cathmen of like mind. One young thirty-five-year-old olic faith for centuries, which when captured by governor put on a vigorous anti-alcoholic cam- Christ go to make up well-rounded Christian charpaign, and is giving especial attention to the edu- acters. Their patient and sympathetic natures cation of all children of school age. when touched by Christ become genuine Chris- tian virtues. Their fidelity and endurance, re- This earnest desire on the part of the present vealed in the hundreds who have died rather than rulers to help the submerged of Mexico may help deny their faith, are qualities. which add much to us to understand better some of their acts. In the the building up of stability in the family, church, exchange of notes between our State Department community and national life. Their mysticism at Washington and the Foreign Relations Depart- and contemplativeness have full playas they mediment of Mexico, Secretary Hull called attention to tate on Christ in the night watches. Their social the apparent, if not real, weakening of a sense of nature and spirit of comradeship, when the Spirit moral obligations. One cannot justify a break- of God purifies. and elevates, make the communion down in national honor and a weakening of a of the saints a high privilege. ~ense of national obligations, but one can find perhaps an explanation for some of the things. done Much of the old order is going and the new by the Mexican Government in the passion of the philosophies of life, the economic and social theleaders for the sharing of the masses of the people ories which have all the characteristics of religion in the resources and products of the country. along with nationalism, also elevated to a religious passion, are seeking entrance into Mexico. Many in the Government, from President Cardenas down, have indicated their appreciation of a feeling of obligation to the Protestant cause for what they are doing and have looked upon them Here again lies the peril for Mexico; here again in many cases as allies. We were one day discuss- lies the opportunity for the Evangelical Church.
ing with the Under-Secretary of Education the The Church itself must recapture the vision that rural school system and the plan of the Govern- God in Christ meant the Christian community to ment for the training of rural teachers. Mr. be a fellowship of believers, rooted in God and Saenz said that they could give the intellectual, His divine redemptive order and therefore com- technical and practical training to the teachers, mitted to the service and salvation of the world.
but that when they were sent out to the rural Then going out in His Name the Church must communities to teach, too many of them broke capture for Christ those religious qualities in the morally, adding that here is a great field of serv- Mexican people which make them His joyous and ice for the Protestant Church. consecrated servants.
Frontiers in Home
By the REV. EDWARD DELOR KOHLSTEDT, D.D., Philadelphia Executive Secretary of the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension, Methodist Episcopal Church BASIC backgrounds and ideals are fateful States on April 30, 1789, George Washington was factors in the unfolding life and destiny of visited by a special delegation from the recently men and nations. Material and moral as- organized Methodist Episcopal Church (Baltisets, undergirded by a consciousness of the real- more Christmas Conference, 1784), the first in ity of spiritual values, determine the character the history o.f our country to bestow an official and quality of their economic, civic and social blessing upon the Chief Executive and other adactivities. No nation can hope to endure the tests ministrative officers of America's infant republic. of time without at least three imperatives to per- On October 3, 1789, President George Washingpetuity: an adequate fo.undation of race; a high ton's first national Thanksgiving Day Proclamastandard of private and public morals; and a tion pledged this nation's gratitude and loyalty to spirit of fidelity <to tested and well-established in- God: "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge stitutions. the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to Expanding Frontiers implore His protection and favor." The coin of the realm still bears this suggestive inscription: The geographical growth of the United States 'Tn God we trust." of America constitutes an amazing chapter in the story of nations. Our early American colonies American missionary history stirs the souls of only fringed the Atlantic seaboard. When this those who trace the trails and sense the spirit of New World Republic was launched upon its no- the hardy pioneers. and heroic "circuit riders," table career in 1789, the Mis<sissippi River had patriots and preachers, whose joint services to become its western boundary. Later a sixty-year God and country were so effective during the series of rapidly receding western frontiers es- formative period of our national life. The most tablished the territorial unity o.f the United States substantial achievements which have blessed this between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Gulf world were conceived in the hearts and fostered of Mexico. and Dominion of Canada. The years by the faith of missionary-minded men and 1867 and 1898, respectively, witnessed the pur- women. We are indebted to their initiative, darchase of Alaska and the voluntary annexation of ing and self-sacrifice for humanity's material, Hawaii. Sho.rtly after, acquisitio.n of the Philip- social and spiritual progress. Challenged by the pines, Puerto Rico, a number of other islands that spirit of adventure, stimulated by the desire to dot the seas, and a permanent lease on the serve, and responsive to an inner spiritual urge, Panama Canal Zone completed the composite area they were able, out of a forbidding wilderness which embraces Uncle Sam's present political hitherto untrod by the feet of white men, to wrest domain. a civilization that was dominated by a Christian Our governmental superstructure rests upon purpose. A dynamic conscience characterized the foundations furnished by organized Christianity. colonization of America. The United States is The first representative assembly in this Western "a nation that was born Christian." Hemisphere was housed in a Christian church at old Jamestown, Virginia, where a monument now Is America Becoming Pagan? marks that historic spot. When the Plymouth What has happened during the century and a colonists were threatened with starvation, the . half of our national life, so startling in its impli- day designated for fasting and prayer was sud- cations that a level-headed leader and seasoned denly transformed into a time of feasting and re- Christian statesman like William Adams Brown joicing, hence Governor William Bradford pro- is prompted to voice the fear that "America is acclaimed the observance of America's first general tually in danger of becoming progressively pa- Thanksgiving Day on February 22, 1631. At his gan"? Constantly changing conditions, shifting first inauguration as President of the United economic and social situations; the influx of mil- [295 ]
lions of people from all parts of the world, with prime importance of personal salvation should not their own continental traditions, prejudices and be content with anything short of collective comracial animosities; the propagation of pagan fort as well as individual security. The spectacle philosophies of life; and the development of crime of absurd extremes between plenty and poverty, cultures of appalling proportions – these all surfeit and starvation in the richest country on threaten the foundations of our governmental earth, is an anomaly which has no place in a prosuperstructure and tax the resources of Chris- fessedly Christian commonwealth. This must be tianity. America's slump in ethical ideals is evi- corrected and its recurrence made impossible or denced by: the unsavory -revelations of our the manhood of tomorrow may curse the present United States Senate Committee hearings, in the generation for its stupidity. Significant trends in field of finance; the subtle trickery of dress-suit the current life of our day challenge the Church racketeers as well as the brazen effrontery of of Christ to arouse itself; to enlarge its vision, machine-gun gangsters; the perversion of public expand its horizon, revamp its program, and reoffice to propaganda methods that clash with the fire the zeal of evangelical Christianity so genuine principles of constructive statesmanship; strangely tempted, during these fateful days, to exploitation of the masses, for the sake of a selfish yield to the spirit of smug complacency and a surplus and the satisfaction of corporate greed; false sense of security. As Dr. H. E. Woolever rancor-breeding racial discriminations, that coun- wisely insists, "The Church of Christ must press tenance economic and social inj ustice. These and her spiritual ideals more effectively to the fore in kindred developments. undermine sacred institu- legislative halls and public life, or the increasing tions, hinder human welfare, and challenge the forces of greed and materialism will smother the Christian constituency of this country with a far economic and social rights of the masses." In more intricate and exacting task than that of our this or any other country, human happiness and pioneer fathers. national welfare can become a full reality only when those entrusted with governmental and so- An unwholesome industrial and social system cial responsibilities. are dominated by spiritual that breeds iniquities and haI1dships; ignores ra- incentives; when our national superstructure is cial discriminations and persecutions; tolerates buttressed by the fundamental doctrines of Chrisslum and dumping-ground residence areas; bar- tianity: the Fatherhood of God; the Saviourhood ters with beer barons and liquor lords for the of Christ; the Brotherhood of Man; the infinite privileges of physical and moral debauchery; value of human life, regardless of racial antecedwinks at broadcasts and cinemas that deliberately ents or backgrounds. distort ideals and magnify the worst features of American life, at home and abroad; and cheapens The Social Creed of the Churches, endorsed by itself by acknowledging the validity of alien di- the Home Missions Council and the Federal Counvorce laws that ridicule the sanctity of marriage cil of the Churches of Christ in America (to which and disrupt home life – these conditions deeply nearly all of our major Christian communions susconcern an awakened national conscience. The tain constituent relationships) embraces the follargest military budget in the history of the lowing clearly defined declarations: United States; crime and relief bills that require many billions to finance; fifty per cent of our (1) Equal rights and justice for all men, in population and a minimum of 15,000,000 of our all stations of life. children and young people under twenty-five years of age unrelated to the Church of Christ so that (2) Family protection by the single standard even a United States Senator voices the plea, of purity, regulation of marriage, and proper "Save the youth of the land or America is lost"- housing. all these stir our souls; indifference or silence on the part of Christian leaders would be treason to (3) Adequate physical and moral safeguards both the Cross and the Flag. for women toilers.
Social and Religious Frontiers (4) An unhampered development opportunity for every child, and the abolition of child labor. The totality of human welfare is Christianity's central concern. In the technical sense, geograph- (5) The right of employees and employers ical frontiers gradually fade from the national alike to organize, adequate means of arbitration scene, but modern home missionary agencies. must and conciliation during industdal disputes. reckon with functional frontiers of even greater urgency. In America, as elsewhere, vast areas (6) Application of Christian principles to the of under-privileged rural and urban life demand acquisition and use of property. conscientious com'l,ideration and action on the part of both Church and State. A passion for the Calvin Coolidge well said: "I do not know of any adequate support for our form of government, except that which comes from religion. The mere sharpening of the wits, the bare training of the intellect, the naked acquisition of science, while they greatly increase the power for good, likewise
NEW FRONTIERS IN HOME MISSIONS
increase the power for eviL Intellectual growth, service calls for a sound sociological basis for unaccompanied by moral and spiritual growth, missionary method and procedure, buttressed by will only add to our confusion." a valid humanitarian as well as genuine evange- Bishop Edwin Holt Hughes of the Methodist listic urge. A composite task requires, a composite Church emphasizes individual and social gospel program.
mutualities, as follows: The major task of Home Missions has always Any contest between the two seems to be a quarrel be- been to meet the demands of expanding geographtween the inner and outer life. Despite its individualistic ical and functional frontiers, with their changing emphases, the Wesleyan movement made most efficient economic and social situations; to aid in the esbeginnings in social reforms that later shone so beauti- tablishment of churches and the maintenance of fully in the expressions of Christian life. Wesley met missionaries; to explore and seek the solution of the standards of his own social gospel, did not dwell in community problems. that have been created by elegance, shared all he had, died poor. While the Church exploitation, poverty, ignorance, intolerance, dishas not usually protested where the main question de- manded economic expertness rather than moral judgment, ease and death. Modern Home Missions must she has spoken with boldness on starvation wages, child reckon with the basic needs of human hearts and labor, the liquor problem, the gambling evil, personal minister to those who, menaced by fOI'ces which purity, divorce, etc. Earnest men who plead that Christ are destructive to all that makes life worth while, is the ruler of the market place, that His spirit and prin- ciples should be applied to industrial life, should not be find their unaided strength unequal to the strugclassified as Soviets, Socialists or Communists. This whole gle for moral and spiritual victory. It is not task of creating a redeemed society calls for both regen- enough to tarry at the foot of the precipice, waiteration and education. ing with stretchers to catch the falling victims of sin and selfishness; Home Missions must major The CUn'ent Challenge Modern social situations in the United States in preventive rather than curative policies and of America, neware:as of activity created by programs in order to lift the whole of life to changing conditions and modified modes of living, loftier levels.
must be met and served by Home Missions with America's Salvation an adequate program adapted to the demands of these times. It is 'a far cry from the comparative Freedom of worship, lawful liberty, equality of simplicity of pioneer life to the confusing com- economic and social opportunity, and the sacredplexities of America's twentieth-century commu- ness of personality were the objectives of the Pilnities; from the program of a missionary move- grim Fathers who laid the foundations of this ment across expanding geographical frontiers, to New WorId Republic. Their ideals were crystalthe intricate and intensive task of providing an lized in the Constitution of the United States of adequate Christian ministry to modern communi- America, the separation of Churoh and State, the ties, threatened by destructive forces and fre- Emancipation Proclamation; they developed a quently abetted by "spiritual wickedness in high sturdy type of character which became the pride places." Home Missions must continue an un- of American citizensbi.p, until the finer sensibilifaltering' commitment to the supreme purpose of ties of our people became blunted by sordid sobringing the constructive and Ufe-enriohing serv- cial, commercial and political ambitions, when ices of the Gospel of Christ, not only to the SQ- license and lawlessness began to displace liberty called under-privileged areas of humanity, but and law. America's material, scientific and social also to any and all rural and urban communities achievements have been phenomenal, unsurpassed which, for whatever reason, would not otherwise by other nations, but her current spiritual situabenefit by them. It is the task of the Home Mis- tion is a cause for grave concern on the part of sion enterprise to serve isolated villages of reli- thoughtful Christian statesmen. Dr. Mark A. giously and socially forgotten men, women and Dawber, Secretary of the Home Missions Council children; to spiritualize sparsely settled rural of America, warns us that regions, pocketed mountain communities, and congested city centers; to brother bilingual Es- When wealth becomes an end in itself; when education kimo, Indian, Latin American, Migrant, Negro, leads to a deification of the intellect; when industry de- velops into a selfish struggle between capital and labor; when statesmen degenerate into petty politicians; and Oriental, and polyglot peoples from every part of when social life takes on the characteristics of the jungle, the planet now resident in and potential citizens the soul of the nation is lost. When lawmakers lose their of this country. The Christian attitude toward, spiritual ideals and sense of God; when the Lord's Day interest in, love for and ministry to these national is commercialized and secularized; when moral standards are lowered and a materialistic order becomes the major and family racial groups who have come here from motive of men, the supremacy of God is ignored and gov- ernment, education, industry and society, as well as relieverywhither, to make this their home, their flag, gion itself are in peril. their country, is bound to determine both the char- acter and the quality of future American citizen- The Christian Church and her Home Missions ship. In order to be effective and fruitful such agencies must save the soul and enrich the inner
life of America. A truly Christian democracy, sis, it is the same historic and heroic warfare according to our most seasoned statesmen, is the against the world, the flesh and the devil. Now, only constructive procedure in society, economics, as then, we wrestle not only with flesh and blood, education and government that ultimately can sur- but with principalities and powers. Home Misvive. America's greatest possible contribution sions faces an exceedingly exacting task in the toward world welfare, hence the most urgent re- new frontiers which now tax the mental, material sponsibility of Home Missions, is a reestablish- and spiritual resources of organized Christianity. ment of America's basic ideals of liberty and law, Shall we join Wycoff of Yale '84, in the following prayer: buttressed by a functioning faith in the God of our Fathers. Experience has demonstrated that Fronting my task, these things I ask: this is best for the physical, moral, social and To be tn.e, this whole day through; spiritual good of mankind. Present problems a.p- To be content with honest work, pear to be new and intricate, owing to the complexities of our modern life but, in the last analy- Fearing only, lest I shirk; To see, and know, and do what's right; To come, unsullied, home at night.
A Roman Catholic Challenges Rome By EULA KENNEDY LONG FROM earliest days until now, ignorance of the people to read the Bible. The accusation is not Bible has been widespread and notorious in correct, stated thus bluntly. We do not prohibit Brazil. the reading of the Bible (the Catholic version, be It was only a few months ago that a stu- it understood); but its almost general neglect, dent in Brazil said to a missionary who had given and the little attention given to teaching Catholics him a Bible : "You do not know how grateful I the supreme beauties of Divine Revelation, are am for this. All my life I have wanted a copy of practically equivalent to prohibition. . . . How the Bible; but this is the first time I have seen or can Catholic Action prosper when Catholics do not touched one." Missionaries could tell of having know the soul of the movement; when Jesus consearched the bookstores in some large cities of tinues ignored or unknown-the unknown God of Brazil, without finding one copy of the Bible for whom Paul preached to the Athenians?" sale – unless, perchance, there might be one or two of ancient pulpit Hize, .offered at the prohibi- It is a cause for rejoicing that concern is felt tive price of the salary of a workman for one over such a situation. Then came the good news month. -welcome to all sincere Christians, whether Roman Catholics or Protestants – that Father The Roman Catholic Church, which has been Rohden had completed a remarkably fine transladominant in Brazil for four hundred years, has tion of the New Testament, issued under ecclemade no practical attempt to provide the Scrip- siastical Imprimatur. It is a mere coincidence, tures or any portions for the people and many perhaps, but one is struck by the fact that this priests have forbidden the reading of what it calls new launching of God's Word, under Church the "Protestant" Bible, on the grounds that it is sanction, came in the same year that the Englishheretical. This is in spite of the fact that transla- speaking peoples celebrated the fourth centenary tions have been made by their own priests. of the transJation of the Bible into the language of the English people. Over a year ago, Evangelical (Protestant) church papers reprinted, with unfeigned joy, an The significance of this translation by a Roman editorial by a Roman Catholic priest, in which he Catholic priest cannot be overestimated when one voiced deep concern about this widespread igno- remembers that Brazil is a great Roman Catholic rance of God's Word. After relating experiences country, and the nation of greatest size, populain three hundred cities of BrazH, Father Hum- tion and potentialities in South America. The berto Rohden wrote: value of the achievement will be practically lost, however, if Father Rohden's New Testament is "Everywhere I found a profound and shameful not printed in a popular edition, put on sale at ignorance of the Divine ReveJ.ation. . . . It has secular bookstores, and its careful reading inreached such an extreme among us that Biblical sistently recommended by the priests. and Protestant are considered synonymous. . . . Ignorance of the sacred text is an open door to Will Rome accept the challenge of one of her the most horrible religious fetishism, to the detest- own priests? If so, then Father Rohden's work able superstition that exists among our people. of love and courage will prove to be, as he says, . . . The Protestants. accuse us of forbidding the "the breath of a promising spiritual springtime."
American Indians Are Doing
Evangelize Their Own People By G. E. E. LINDQUIST, Lawrence, Kansas I ~.- I Missionary-at-Large to the North American Indians ~==============================~t "EVERY race in the end must be elevated by These are only a few of th0'se wh0' have labored its own educated leadership," said a wise to bring the Gospel to their own people, either by leader 0'f his people. He would have been means of the translated word or as interpreters of the Message. They have all entered into their wiser had he said "Christian leadership," for in reward but their g00'd deeds follow them. Much the final analysis any elevation worthy of the of the work of Indian evangelization today is carname must be inspired and permeated by the ried on by native leaders. This does not mean Christian motive. The Indian race is no exception to this dictum. Historically, the most successful that the number of Indian pastors. and evangelists missions are those in which Indians have actively exceeds that of white missionaries, but when we participated in the evangelizati0'n of their own include interpreters, catechists, helpers and lay people. This is true in both Americas, north· as Indian leaders, young and old-in Sunday schools, well as south of the Rio Grande. women's societies, young people's organizations, such as Christian Endeav0'r, B. Y. P. U., Epworth As the North American tribes pass in review, League, Y. M. and Y. W. C. A., St. Andrew's certain notable names are associated with them, Brotherhood, Girls' Friendly Society, D. V. B. S., not as warriors and statesmen only but rather as evangels 0'f the Cross of Christ, messengers of the etc.-the total figure is impressive. G00'd News to those "sitting in darkness and the True, there are Indian communities today, an shadow of death." increasing number of them, where English is One calls to mind among the Cherokees, for ex- practically the only language spoken, whether on ample, such a spiritual leader in the person of the street, shop, school or church. Here the na- Elias B0'udinot, associated with Samuel A. Wor- tive tongue is used only 0'n special occasions when cester in translating the Scriptures and numerous old people are present, for example, at a tribal hymns, still used by present-day tribesmen; council or a funeral. On a recent field trip the Frank H. Wright, Choctaw evangelist and singer, writer visited the Yumas where this holds true. whose ministry was by no means limited to his However, among the neighboring Cocopahs, who own people; Joseph Islands, apostle to the Creeks; drifted across the border from Mexico several Frank Mt. Pleasant, for over forty years among decades ago, the white missionary must still use his own Tuscaroras ; James Hayes, a prophetic an interpreter at all services. To the north, voice among the Nez Perces, pr0'bably the first am0'ng the Mojaves, there is a native pastor min- Indian of the N0'rthwest to be hon0'red by the istering to his own people both at Needles, Cali- Doctor of Divinity degree; Artemas Ehnamani, fornia, and at Parker, Arizona. In a maj ority first native pastor to the Sioux, with the third of services English is the accepted medium of generation in his line serving at present; Charles expression although the pastor is a member of the Wright and Mark Hart among the 0hippewas, tribe and uses his mother tongue freely. who received much of their early training under One should not, however, draw the conclusion Bishop Whipple; Philip Deloria among the Da- that the work of Indian evangelization is no longer kotas, a disciple of the beloved Bishop Hare; dependent on the translated Word. Great has Isaac McCoy, a name-sake of the great Baptist been the contribution of those who have devoted missionary; Lucius Aitsan among the Kiowas, years of lab0'r in translating the Christian Scripa c0'nvert under Isabelle Crawford's ministry to tures into Indian languages. The story of the the blanket Indians in western Oklahoma; Horace Cherokee Bible, using Sequoyah's famous alpha- Williams among the Pima, who received his in- bet, reads like a romance; S0' also that of the spiration for evangelizing from Charles H. Cook, Sioux (Dakota) and the Chippewa (Ojibway).
pioneer missionary to the Southwest; Sherman Who can read of Dr. Rudolphe Petter's painstak- Coolidge, an Arapahoe, who also ministered to ing eff0'rts in making the Bible available to the other needy tribes. Cheyennes without unbounded admiration. In [299 ]
addition to these, the Scriptures, either in whole faith. One of the high spots of the church year or in part, may be found in the following: Choc- are the evangelistic services, usually held in J antaw, Muskokee (Creek), Shawnee, Arapahoe, uary and conducted by the deacons, more often Winnebago, Nez Perces, Seneca, Delaware, Tewa than not in the homes, but sometimes in the (Pueblo), and is some of the Canadian Indian church. The neighboring Tuscaroras as well as languages, such as the Cree, Miconac, Tinne and the Tonawandas frequently join in these meet- Maliseet. More recently some books of the Bible ings. It is the testimony of the leaders that the have been put into print in the Navajo tongue, church work receives a spiritual lift from these as well as in the Hopi and Apache. services which is felt throughout the entire year.
The Navajoes Among the Chippewas, especially those in Mich- igan, the annual camp meetings are looked for- Since the Navajoes constitute the largest tribe ward to as the big event of the year. Whether numerically in the United States and since these the camp meeting, as conducted by these people, people have often been referred to as "the last is an outgrowth of the old Indian councils which stronghold of paganism" it is reasonable to sup- were called by the chiefs, or whether they hark pose that the translated Word will have an im- back to early day Methodism, is a mooted question. portant place in their evangelization for years to The point to be noted here is that the Indians feel come. But what is of even g.reater importance instinctively that they are indigenous and belong to the Navajo is the development of an indigenous to them. Ever since the days of Rev. Peter church, under Indian leaders. Twenty years ago, Marksman (the name of Marksman is. writ large following a field survey, the writer urged that "at in the missionary history of the Chippewas), every mission station a small group of promising brought into the Christian life by Rev. John Clark native leaders should be trained for missionary of the Oneida Mission some time about 1840, the service in the future." Wherever these conditions Ojibway Camp Meetings. have been largely conhave been met certain encouraging results in the ducted by native Christians in which their own work of evangelization have followed. But alas, hymns and Scriptures loom large. The writer has after fifty years of missionary effort among these often heard the Indian preachers exhorting their people, one can count on the fingers of one hand people, sometimes far into the night. When the the number of full-time Indian Christian leaders. sinners and backsliders come to the front, the ex- hortation gives way to united prayer on the part The Hopis, a sedentary and agricultural people, of the faithful who are on their knees.. When the who unfortunately are widely advertised because penitent has "come through" there is exuberant of their annual snake dances now rapidly becom- singing as they rise to their feet in glad acclaim. ing commercialized, have had (until the recent One of the exhorters who has recently gone to passing of Pliny Adams) three native workers- his reward, J,ames Keshick, rarely missed a camp at Polacca, Toreva and Moencopi. Only those who meeting; he also served as local preacher at Hanhave first-hand knowledge of how the minds of nahville community for many years. these people "have been shackled by pantheism and idolatry," and how "within our own day men The Oklahoma Indians have lived and died in Hopiland without knowing that there is a redeeming Christ"-only those can Oklahoma Indians, especially the so-called understand what the lone workers must face as blanket tribes, still observe annual camp meetthey seek to bring the Gospel of the Cross to their ings, generally held in August or September, with fellow tribesmen. duly appointed committees in charge and careful preparations. made, sometimes months in advance The Senecas and Cherokees in order that such necessary items as food, equip- ment and shelter may be in readiness. A large On a recent trip to the Tonawanda Senecas in meeting tent, capable of holding hundreds of wor- New York the writer renewed acquaintance with shipers, is provided. Formerly a maj ority of the Peter Doctor, an Indian elder who for nearly attendants sat on the ground or on a piece of cantwenty-five years has kept the fires going in the vas spread for the occasion. Now practically all little Presbyterian Church, situated in the heart prefer camp chairs or benches, some of the nonof the pagan district, in the hope of evangelizing Christians choosing the cushioned seats from that element. During all these years he has near-by automobiles. Often as many as five or preached the Gospel faithfully and has made pro- six tribes gather for this annual event and a colorhibition speeches around the country. He is still ful assembly and picturesque congregation prewaiting for the Presbytery to appoint a successor sents itself. Beginning with a sunrise prayer to the late Mr. Tripp. meeting, called by the camp-crier, these people are rarely satisfied with less than four services a On the near-by Cattaraugus Reservation, Rev. day. They believe in and practice prayer, song David o,wl, a. Cherokee, has for twelve years led the Seneca people into the truths of the Christian
£9391 WHAT AMERICAN INDIANS ARE
and testimony. The climax comes when after the nual camp meetings and evangelistic s'ervices at exhortation by Indian leaders – in the old days Talmaks, Idaho, usually around Independence Nahwats, Poafpybitty, Saneco and Wautan-at Day, under the aegis of such native leaders as present by such younger recruits as George Hunt, Mark Arthurf James Dickson, Joseph Cook and Robert Chaat, White Parker, James Ottipoby and Harry Moffett. Robert Atchavit, when "the net is cast" and the converts and backsliders are brought in. The In the old Indian Territory (now east~rn Okla:.- elos.ing Sunday often witnesses baptisms, restora- homa) where dwell the Five Civilized Tribes, one tions and new members added to the church rolls. naturally expects. to find Indian workers dedi- cated to the cause of evangelization of their own Among the Sioux there are annual convocations people. Notable names are connected with their and mis8ion meetings. The latter, knolWn as past missionary history, but not all are written in l?taya Owohdake, have been held each autumn the past tense. Such institutions as. Bacone Colsince 1874 by the Congregational and Presby- lege, Dwight, Old Goodland, Oklahoma Presbyterian Indian churches of which there are 24 and terian College, Oklahoma Baptist Univ~r:rity a:.nd 30, respectively. They are manned by Indian the American Indian Institute have all had a part pastors, and the states of Nebraska, North and in preparing and sending forth many of the preS'- South Dakota and Montana are represented. ent generation of Christian leaders, lay and cler- While these do not have the distinctive revival ical. Among the Cherokees the list includes such emphasis of the usual camp meeting, they consti- preachers as Richard Glory, John Acorn and Jim tute a very significant link in the work of evan- Pickup, with Aaron Hancock, Johnson Bobb, gelization among the Dakotas. Here,' among Oscar Gardner and Grady James among the other items, may be heard thrilling reports from Choctaws; Sam Hawkins and Mose Wesley with the "Wotanin Waste," the Indian women's mis- the Chickasaws and Ben Haikey, John Smith and sionary societies, recounting their efforts to raise William King among the Creeks and Seminoles. funds to send the Gospel to needy groups. Here The last-mentioned, together with his wife, has such present-day leaders. as Truby Iron Mocassin, carried on work among the Florida Seminoles Thomas Blueyes, Clayton Hold, Philip Frazier, near Lake Okeechobee for a number of years, the Homer Redlightning, George Firecloud and Wal- support of which comes from the Muskogee-Creek lace Runningeagle sound the Gospel trumpet. Baptist Indian Association.
The Dakotas and Chippewas While the primary objective of all Indian mis- sionary work is to make known Christ and His In the Protestant Episcopal groups. the annual Gospel, to do this most effectively the ultimate meetings are called convocations. Last year the 67th annual gathering was held at Pine Ridge aim is to develop alid use Indian leadership. A Agency, South Dakota. A missionary who was trusted missionary of long experience once said, present writes: "The Dakotas crowded the separate meetings for men, women and young people "The constant testimony of the Indian preacher and demonstrated the depth of their religion with to Christian teaching and Christian things, just their interest and seriousness of purpose. Each group, from our grasshopper and drought-stricken because it is from an Indian, is worth more than prairies, came with larger gifts. of money for the any amount of preaching from a white man." promotion of Christ's work than they had brought Other things being equal, the white missionary the year before. Everywhere the keynote of the should work. himself out of a job. He must not convocation 'Forward with Christ and my hesitate to give responsibility to those most im- Brother' was sounded." Here the Indian clergy, mediately concerned, the Indians themselves, derepresented by such trusted leaders as Paul spite possible mistakes and failures. He must be Chekpa, Vine Deloria, Dallas Shaw and the Rouil- willing to trust God with the souls of people, lard brothers, voice the preeminent thoughts and whether they be clothed with red skins or not. aspirations of the assembled hundreds in worship, as expressed in faith in God, love for their fellow :. In the above somewhafcursory review it must men and courage for the future. be kept in mind that Indian participation is still somewhat sporadic and far from. being sufficient The Minnesota Chippewas also stress such an- or satisfactory. Great pressure is being brought nual gatherings as the summer convocation when to bear on Indian youth to enter other secular practically every locality and mission station is callings, especially from Governmental agencies represented, Rev. W. K. Boyle, archdeacon and and notably so in recent years. Progress in raisnative leader, being the forceful present-day ing up qualified Indian Christian leaders will conleader. On the Pacific Coast Region of the North- tinue to be slow unless missionaries with greater west the Nez Perces, Umatillas, Makahs, Spokanes earnestness continue to recruit, train and release and the Shoshones have for years conducted an- an increasingly large number of Indian workers for the evangelization of their own people. (See Frontispiece.)
Days in
By ELLEN H. BERGREN, Kermit Mission, Cassard, Virginia .nA .FTER completing my course in the Moody The meetings were well attended, but the peo- Bible Institute, and spending two years in ple did not seem to feel their need of salvation. Albany as pastor's assistant, I learned of The thought of "furrin" folks coming with new the great need in the mountains of the South and methods was something strange. To the moun- offered myself for service there. My best expecta- taineers preaching consisted in the loud singsong tion for a future home in the Appalachian Moun- exhortation of the so-called "Hard Shell" mountains was possibly a log hut, or a dug-out. I knew tain preacher. And women! They had never that I was apt to find myself in a place where star- heard of such a thing as women taking part in a vation and violence would be my lot. After much meeting. By way of introduction we visited every struggle I finally arrived in Bristol, Tennessee. home and gathered the children for a summer school. Rich indeed were the experiences encoun- I asked for a needy field, no matter how hard. tered. We spoke to the parents about sending In a few days, Rev. J. H. Little of Bristol took their children but one grandmother let us know his daughter, a singer, and myself to Appalachia, in no uncertain terms that she was not going to Virginia. On the way, near Big Stone Gap three let her grandson be injured by "book larnin." miles from Appalachia, the conductor aroused a Her only son was in the penitentiary at Richmond, drunken man whose destination was Big Stone and "If he had never known how to write enough Gap with the words, to forge a check," she said, he would be at home right now helping her. She was going to see that "Wake up! Where are you going?" his son escaped such a calamity.
"I'm going to hell," the man drawled out. Is it any wonder that ignorance prevailed, when "Well," said the conductor, "pay me ten cents ~he "Hard Shell" preachers fight it? One man more and get off at Appalachia." used this argument against learning: Mr. Little turned to me and said, "Is that "We'll say, here are two barrels; one is empty tough enough to suit you?" Such was my first and the other is jammed full of books. When the introduction to my new home! Lord wants to get in one of them barrels, and I axe you which one can He get into." During the following ten days, while Mr. Little held meetings, Miss Little and I did personal work The people will see the impossibility of the Lord in a little church, built by a former Christian getting into a heart that is full of learning. Sunsuperintendent in a near-by mine. After his death day schools seem to them a thing of Satan, and to the services were discontinued and the House of be preached against at every turn. It is a wonder God became a loafing place and gambling joint. that we had as many children in our Sunday The floor was carpeted with torn-up cards and schools those early days, as well as older ones who the windows were broken. flocked to our meetings.
First we gave this place a good scrubbing, many Many of the Primitive Baptists, or "Soft children and young folks helping to carry water, Shells," declare that they are not opposed to Sunsweep down cobwebs, and clean the few panes of day schools, but one of them remarked: "The glass remaining in the windows. Mr. and Miss Little and I had rooms in, the primitive hotel, young uns might just as well be in Sunday school which was kept by my future benefactors, the as in any other deviltry." The difference in Hales. In the lobby was a wooden sink, with a "Hard" and "Soft Shells" (or Primitives) is that bucket and dipper, for drinking and washing pur- the "Hard Shells" believe that only the "elect" are poses. Miss Little and I washed there, and, as saved, and God will see to them without any interthe roller towel had been much used, we used our ference from preachers. The sinner who is not handkerchiefs to wipe our hands. Mr. -Little face- "elect" cannot be saved, so that the preachers tiously remarked, "Well, ladies; hundreds have have no message for them. The Primitives believe wiped their hands on this towel and you are the that salvation is for all who will accept. Many fir,st ones to complain." have real revivals where people are saved. The [302 ]
• PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
"Hard Shells" class believe in dreams and visions, mons arid others who do not believe in the Word as giving their call to the ministry of which many of God. They fear any deviation from the simple ludicrous instances are told. One preacher tells life. In some parts of the mountains are stretches how he heard three distinct "calls from heaven" of country sparsely settled, where there are no when he was going home from a meeting. He churches or schools. In one isolated section located the very place where each call was heard, lived an old woman who had been to church but with the words repeated three times: once as a child, and had not heard-or at least did "Lige, you go and preach the Gospel." not remember that she ever heard the Gospel Three young pranksters still laugh at their story. This woman told the missionary that she climbing up trees and calling out the "heavenly had not seen a preacher for thirty years. She had a Bible once, but lost it when she moved to Trou- blesome Bend. She could not read, but the book had been good to put under the pmow in sickness.
She wi,shed she had another. The missionary told her the story of the Lord Jesus, and when he came to His suffering and death, tears came to her eyes and she s,aid, "I reckon 'tain't true-let's hope it ain't."
When he finished with the resurrection story and the Great Commission to His disciples this darkened soul believed and walked miles to her scattered neighbors to tell them the story. She said: "How could I know all this and keep still?"
MISS BERGREN (at left) AND FELLOW-WORKERS When the missionary returned to Troublesome TWENTY YEARS AGO Bend, she had gone to be with her Lord but her command" to the future prophet as he passed faithful witnessing had turned many to the Lord.
their hiding places. Noone ever informed him Alone in Appalachia as to the truth. After one month of school, Miss Little returned These preachers are not required to know how home. We had about twenty children who wanted the school to continue, but a county school was to to read, or how to preach. Their belief is that the begin August 1st, so I decided to give my time to Lord will tell them what He wants them to speak. One of them remarked to a preacher who p~e pared his sermons, "Now brother, you are wrong preparing your text; the devil will look over your shoulder and read it too, and then go to your con- gregation and lock their hearts agin it; so it does them no good. When I preach, neither me nor the devil knows what I am going to say."
This ignorance still prevails in this class of preachers, who believe that a little whiskey helps them to preach with "spirit" and power, but there are, thank God, many true servants of Christ in the mountains, who are preaching the Word, so that many are saved under their ministry. There are also many true men of prayer among these people. One who prayed that God would remove A MINING CAMP IN THE APPALACHIANS a still from his neighborhood, and that very night a cloudburst drove a mighty wave against it and visiting and meetings. The old church had a bell, tore it down. God has not left the beautiful and I announced a meeting for each afternoon.
Southern mountains without His witness, even Night services were only possible when people though its ministers present the Gospel in ways brought lamps or lanterns. I invited the women peculiar to those who are accustomed to decorum out for afternoons and rang that bell, whose jerky in the House of God. tongue seemed to say, "Come and hear me talk!
The mountain people readily recognize a Come and hear me talk!" The women came, and preacher with wrong doctrine. A "no hell" professed conversion. Alas, they were only my preacher will not be received in any church, if converts, but I did personal work with the zeal of they know him as such; nor will they admit Mor- a Moody Institute student. When the newness of
my meetingS! had WQrn .off, the women lost their the Lord sent tWD yellQw dogs who drDve away the pigs and were fine protectors against other curiosity and the attendance waned. intruders.
One day, I noticed a woman whQ hardly took When my first helper came she remarked, when she was ushered into my first home in the mounher eyes .off me during the meeting. But after- tains: "Oh, how lovely! I thought you lived in a shack, and here is a chapel with four large winwards when I asked if she would accept the LDrd dows and a glass door."
as her Saviour, she shook her head and said, Miss Church was very happy with me, and a truer friend and helper I could nDt ask. This "No, but I want the pattern of that thar dress chapel, seating fifty persons, was often packed to .overflowing. Many ministers came here to preach you got on." . and true conversions were witnessed in this room. I learned a great lesson-not to try to force any- Only the Lord knows the many mistakes I made one to be saved, but to let the Spirit .of God work. Many of the children professed to accept the Lord during thDse early days. As there was nD .organ, as .their persQnal Saviour and even the smaller ones took part in .our early morning devotions by I used a guitar as accompaniment t.o .our singing. praying and testifying. Only the older children could read, and very few had books, so teaching I know now that it was a hindrance, as guitars, was a problem. Our "reader" was the New Tes- tament. It was a time of rich reward to see the banjos and fiddles were considered Satan's tools, development of their minds. Bible stories were part .of their daily lessons. As I told the story, being used by Negroes fQr dances. Never had they were to tell what lesson they could get from it for themselves. One girl, in telling the story of they heard of hymns being played on either. When Jacob and Rachel, said, "This lesson teaches us to always ask the Lord for sweethearts." my organ came, it was a wonder t.o all and the The following story of the loaves and fishes is guitar was not used for years. as it was retold by a boy: After I had been in Appalachia about three ~'One day a little boy went fishing and his mother had put up a little lunch for him. He saw m.onths, Mrs. Charles Hale was sent home from a a big crDwd on the hillside and he heard Jesus speak. After a while, Jesus asked if they had anytuberculosis sanitarium to die, and her husband thing to eat, but they hadn't. So the little boy brought his little lunch to Jesus. Jesus looked at asked me to come and care for her and their little it and said, 'There is mighty little .of it, but I will use it.' He broke the bread and little fishes, and ones. I could not believe that she had tuberculosis there was plenty for all. This lesson teaches that, if we give what we have to Jesus, He will let it but she said, feed many thousand." "Yes, I have it; I am g.oing to die and I want The st.ory of the triumphal entry was quaintly to be with my children to the end." written: "One day Jesus came from heaven to Jerusalem, on a borrowed mule, to be king. The I began to pray that God would reward this people didn't like Him, but the children did for they put flQwers on the rQad for the mule to walk family with the life of the m.other and as I nursed on, and sang a pretty song to Jesus. The other people got mad and said, 'Did yQU hear that?' her and cared for the little girls, I saw strength 'Yes.' 'Well, make them stop that noise.' 'No, I wDn't. If they would hush, the stones would return. God lengthened her life until her children holler.' This teaches us that we .shDuld sing, no matter who gets mad." were grown, when she died .of sunstroke. The story of the flood was told as follows: As I needed all the time for my work, I rented "God made Noah make a big boat to hold all the animals and people, but only eight people were an old storehDuse, and the .owners dug in the saved. The .others drowned because they would nDt listen, as the animals did. This teaches that mountainside eight feet for a living rODm which we should listen to good people always."
he divided intD a tiny kitchen and bedroDm. I fDund a brDken stove with .one leg, and supplied bricks for the others. The bedrDom had a cot, some chairs and a small table. Noone could feel richer than I, and nD one eQuId be happier. Little by little the walls .of my hDme were covered with pretty wallpa.per and the flDor with mDuntain rugs. My tiny kitchen acquired a small sink and table combined. The seats in the chapel were a combinatiDn of benches and school desks, and made so that a bDard at the back .of each seat cDuld be raised, forming a long table fQr school pur- poses. I had tWD large closed-in benches with immense drawers, wherein to bestow my go.ods, clothing and other things which came from friends of the work and which were sent fDr the pODrer people and the children, as well as for myself- things both to eat and to wear.
As the public school .only lasted three months, the need .of schooling was ,sad. This little chapel stood upon a hillside, the front being high above the road, while my floor in the dUgDut was on the ground. As cold weather came .on, the pigs came from the village and slept under the chapel.
Their noise and stench could nDt be endured, so
PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
At the end of the six months, I offered a reward mmmg companies had built churches. In one for the most Bible stories they could repeat. One camp, one mile from Appalachia, we started a girl handed in forty from the Old and New Tes- Sunday school in an unfinished house and the first taments. year I had services in three places – Imboden, Preacher Creek, and Appalachia, making a walk Reciting verses was first on the program every of six miles every Sunday. morning. In six months the older children memorized fourteen chapters of the Bible and fifteen After two years, I thought that some people in Psalms, beside a verse each morning' at roll-call. Appalachia could carryon the Sunday school with I have the privilege now of teaching their children the help of preachers, so I decided to move to a in the Appalachia Daily Vacation Bible School; near-by community within walking distance, and in some cases, I have their grandchildren. open a school. I moved to what is now Andover, During the first year I was entirely alone and MY FIRST EASTER IN APPALACHIA it was a year rich in experiences. The customs were new and strange, but when one becomes rented a house and taught classes that met in the used to them, they no longer seem so quaint. In largest room. It was rather crowded, with thirty calling one day on an old lady, she asked first of children, but with the help of Miss Church, we all where I was from. got along by letting the children recite in the din- ing room. These dear children were religiously "Albany, N. Y.," I answered. inclined, and it was not long till all with two ex- "That's a right smart piece, ain't it? Come by ceptions, accepted the Lord. One morning, after train ?" our usual song and Bible period, I asked (feeling "Yes." a strong working of the Spirit) : "How old are you?" I gave some answer. "Children, shall we take up our arithmetic?" "Well, have you store teeth?" "No ma'am," all answered. "No." "Well, what shall we do then?" "Make your own dress?" "Let us pray," was the almost unanimous re- "No." sponse. "How much did it cost. Are you married?" Then those dear children began to pray for a "No." revival, which shortly came. God sent His true "Never been married?" servant, a rather unique old man, Mr. Bassett, "No." "Got any children?" "N0, I am not married." "Well, too bad, but you can be yet, I reckon. You are not so old looking." I asked if she was a Christian. "Law yes, honey, I was baptized a right smart while ago."
Then she asked me about my religious faith, and said she heard someone say I belonged to the Roman Catholics. When I denied this, she seemed to draw the conclusion that I belonged to some other strange cult. But when I told her that I believed the Bible from cover to cover, this seemed to satisfy her. Later, we became fast friendsa friendship which lasted until her death.
The first weeks in Appalachia will never be forgotten. Every Saturday night there were shootings or stabbings, and for several Saturday nights in succession someone was killed. A man was shot one Sunday morning while we were having Sunday school, and someone called out, "Silas is killed." Everyone in the church ran out, leaving me entirely alone.
The surrounding mining camps were much upon my heart as few had any Sunday school or religious service of any kind. Within a radius of ten miles there were only three camps in which the
who went wherever God sent him. During that with me. Her mother gave me daily the choicest milk, called "strippings," and when I told her not meeting, every home was touched, and I have yet to, she said, "The children like the plain milk without the cream, and since I give you milk and to see a place so stirred, in answer to the chil- butter, we never have to hunt our cow-she al- ways comes home." Cow-hunting was the most dren's prayers. . hopeless task we could imagine. All the mountains around us were pastures, and no one knew which From Andover, I moved to Blackwood, a mining way a cow would roam. I don't wonder that the Holy Spirit recorded Saul's mules lost and found, camp six miles away. By this time, three other as it was really a daily miracle to me that the children found the cows. Some cows would reworkers had come and they stayed at Andover spond to the call, "Sook, heifer," but many would not stir. until I could leave Blackwood in the hands of Miss In those early days, an amusing incident oc- Jennie Henry. Workers were also located at other curred in the mining camp where Miss McPhee- ters worked. She was a teacher who assisted mining camps-Stonega, Osaka, Roda, West Nor- (unremunerated) the public school teacher. While I was visiting her one day, a young minister asked ton, Sutherhind, Roaring Fork, Pardee, Inman, us to be witnesses to a marriage ceremony. The young man came in with a red bandana tied Imboden and Upper Imboden. As the camps around his neck, and on his head a hat which did not fit. The bride, who had not thought much opened for us, we had students come from Nyack about a wedding outfit, was a shy girl about eight- een or twenty. The minister plaeed a chair in Institute and Moody Bible Institute, until we have front of him in place of a marriage stool, and the groom thought this an invitation to sit down. had over one hundred workers at different times. When asked if he wanted a ring ceremony, the young man was at a loss and, turning to a boy Some were there only during vacation but others with him who wore a large gaudy ring, said, "Here, Sam, loan me your ring for a minute. I'll remained longer, and some are still in Virginia, give it right back."
though not in the camps. Miss Collins has lived When the minister asked: "John, will you take this woman to be your wedded wife?" he answered in one camp, Roda, for more than thirty years. lustily, "You bet." The minister turned to the After Miss Henry came to Blackwood I returned bride with a similar question but she could not speak, and said, "Uh huh." to Appalachia, where a new mission was being After the ceremony was over, the groom caught built. We moved into the unfinished rooms and hold of his wife's hand and started for the door when the boy with the ring said, "pay the different preachers came to hold services in the preacher." The groom turned and asked, "How much do you charge?" When told that he could chapel, part of which was completed. give what he wished, according to how much he thought of his wife, the groom smiled and said, It would read like a fairy tale, should I tell of "I sure do think a heap of her. Here is a quarter" -with the air of a millionaire. the many evidences of the Lord's care. Friends As time passed, our number of workers grew sent things to us, so that we never really lacked, until several camps were occupied and this work was called "The Appalachia Mining Camp Misthough at times our faith was tested. sion." We had no demands for reports which, personally, I had found superficial in my former While living in Preacher Creek, Miss Church work. But at our monthly workers' meetings, a secretary wrote down testimonies as to how the had typhoid fever, and the friends there were un- Lord had led and blessed – each one – also the trials and failures. These records are kept as retiring in their assistance. We seldom had to cook minders of God's faithfulness.
a meal, as everything was sent in already cooked. An Archdeacon of the Episcopal Church in Big Stone Gap, Dr. Lloyd, a fine Christian and a Our workers took turns in helping to nurse her, and it taxed everyone's strength, as she was bed- fast seventy-two days. It proved to us the un- tiring devotion of workers and people.
Preacher Creek was, in someways, different from the other places where I have lived. The revival there touched every home and made us all seem like a large loving family. All came to church and there seemed to be no division among the peo- pIe-all lived in harmony and love. Three orphan children came to live in my home. One little darling girl, Milford, would often beg me to adopt her, though she scarcely knew the meaning of the word.
"Why Milford," I would say, "your father and mother could not do without you."
"Oh, yes," she said, "they have Gertrude, and Maggie, and Edith, and two dead. They have enough."
"Well," I replied, "you have two dead you say, so you can't be ,spared."
"Oh," she said, "they were little boys. Mama never had much luck with boys."
She lived with me a long while and the dear memory lingers. She is now mother of a large family, to whom she tells about the time she lived
PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
true missionary, invited our band of workers to monthly for conference and prayer so that we his home. He had a wonderful ancestry of for- often had thirty at our table for two days as they eign missionaries, and his son was a missionary could not return the same day on our little interin Japan. He assisted us in every way that he state train. These were times of rich blessings could. He had· already begun to place Episcopal and refreshment. deaconesses in a few needy places, but when he saw that the church dress was a hindrance, he The reports, which are very rich in experiences, show how wonderfully the Lord fulfils His prom- THE ~'IRST SUNDAY SCHOOL AT KERMIT ises. Some testimonies were quaint and mirthful, showing the crude initiation into the strange ways urged them to use ordinary clothing, which he did of camp life. Some workers learned quickly the also, except in his own church. .In this way he ways of our people but even at that there were won the love and esteem of all. some misunderstandings and mistakes.
Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd gave us a delightful time of Once I was asked to take a little girl eight years fellowship. When he asked me how we were sup- old. I went up to Roda Camp to see her and deported, I told him that I asked of each mine su- cided to adopt this little darling and gave her my perintendent for a rent-free house, electric lights mother's name, Elsa. After six months another and coal, but for salary the workers trusted the little g~rl was added to our family. She was one Lord, who always supplied our needs in wonder- of our Sunday school scholars, and after the ful ways. "How can you maintain love and har- funeral of her step-mother, the motherless little mony among them all on this basis?" he asked. one, Olive, ran up to the Mission and her father It never had occurred to me to look for trouble finally gave her to me. Two years later, I also ,along this line and I said, "Why, the ones who adopted her little sister so that my home was come here are willing to put up with some diffi- blessed with three little girls. They were dearly culties as their invitation to the work includes loved by all our workers. All three grew to sweet hardships, poverty, dirt, misunderstandings, and womanhood, and married.. It pays to invest in the winning of souls. In not one case has the chidren, and if my health ,allowed, I would gladly applicant been discouraged." open my home for more of God's little ones.
In all the years the Mining Camp Mission One day in school, the children were told to existed, there was little trouble among the work- write the full names of their parents. Little Olive ers. Of course, at times there were disagree- wrote, "My mama's name is Miss Ellen Bergren, ments, but our workers were most untiring and and my papa's name is Mr. James Skidmore." It never once was a reprimand necessary for neglect never occurred to her that anything could be of duty; instead, necessary lines were drawn to wrong with it. The teacher, who was also one of prevent their overdoing. our Sunday school teachers, handed me the slip laughing. Nursing was necessary and many nights were spent by sick beds. There is a mountain custom, Another time, during presidential election, all whenever anyone dies, for neighbors to sit up the children were having a mock election. When with the dead all night; in some cases they sing Olive's name was not among them, she was asked hymns. One of the few laws enforced was that, when tired out with the living, the workers must THE KERMIT CHURCH AND "PARSONAGE" let the people of the place "wake" with the dead. why she did not vote. "Well," she said, "I am As new mining camps opened for workers, our what mama is." family increased until fourteen camps were manned. From these our workers gathered "Well, what is that?" "I can't spell it but she is a perditionist (mean- ing prohibitionist)." The other children thought that must be all right if Olive's mother was that. A child asked Elsa one day where her father
was. She answered that she did not need any A little later a little boy was brought to the father. Mission. Next day he came down with the measles, and Nancy caught them too. Everything in the "Well," insisted the child, "who gets the 'vittles' Mission was new and strange to' Louis. He had for you?" never heard the name of Jesus except in swearing, and our Mission was like a new world to him. The "Oh," said Elsa, "we just pray and God sends little girls were his teachers, and we could often us all we need. We don't need any daddy." hear them say, "Louis, you must not say that, it isn't nice," or "Louis, Mama don't let anybody As this was a new way of support to this child, talk like that here." He learned the stO'ries in the she wanted to know more about it. So Elsa, hav- children's Bible and the little missionaries truly ing witnessed the almost numberless answers to began in virgin soil. Louis loved to sing and prayers both for food and clothing, spread the learned quickly. Like Faith, he used his own truth among her schoolmates about a life of de- words and tunes, and as he sat in a swing on the pendence on God. porch he would sing with all his might: There was nothing too hard for these children, Jesus is good, He wants all the people to come to Him and I often feared that their faith would have a and be good. severe test. But today, I cannot remember more than once when the waiting for an answer seemed The people don't want to come; no they want to be bad, to be so long that they would ask, "Why don't God poor little Jesus. answer? We have asked Him." They were told that God sometimes answers in the negative.
Out of their small weekly allowance the chil- The children often played Sunday school, and dren tithed faithfully. It was made a rule that Louis liked to be preacher. each unkind word was to cost the speaker a penny. This started a turn for the better as it put an end Other children were brought to the Mission, but to petty quarreling. with the work of the mining camps and incoming workers to place, we could not keep them all. For One day Olive came to me very much wrought a time we had seven and a worker volunteered to up, and 'said, "Mama, I've got to lose some money. be their teacher. I have to tell Elsa a few things." She told me the trouble and that was the last I heard of it. Per- In my earliest years in Appalachia, I had many haps she did not feel that the few words she would opportunities to visit other oommunities and assay would be worth the loss of her pennies. sist in meetings. With a little baby organ (a great wonder to many) I led the singing, and When little Faith was five years old, she began many were helped to trust in GO'd for their salto go to the chapel part of the Mission, and con- vation, rather than trust in good deeds, good feelduct services alone. It was touching to listen as ings, in something imaginary, such as a vision of she prayed, gave out hymns, and sang lustily to light or hearing some voke, or in emotion created an improvised accompaniment of her own. Her by a song. These are often accepted as tokens of keen musical ear would not allow any discord, and the New Birth, without the person knowing anyat six she had made up several compositions en- thing of God's promises and the way of life in tirely herself. The older girls taught her some Christ. The greater number of backslidings can easy tunes and to these she put her own words. be traced to the lack of knowledge of the Bible. One, which she was always asked to play for visitor,s, ran like this: The first mission building soon became too small for our large family, so, little by little, the Jesus comes; Jesus goes. addition of rooms began. The last was built when When He comes He stays a little while; it seemed best to put the growing work in the caore When He comes, He goes. of stronger hands.
One day a little girl of six was left on,our front Everything was clear to both parties. The understanding was that these four rooms were to porch aWndhewnasw, etolfdoutnod stay there until someone be built for me, as the first money of $500 was came. her there, she said that given for a rent-free home, so the givers would still wish to have it so. They would not hear to she had come to Istay with Miss Bergren." She was any other arrangement, and the gentleman with whom I dealt said that there would be no trouble. a robust little one and said that she could work So we began building the rooms, but, alas, when we were half finished a letter came from his well, and that at Elly's she did "every lick of headquarters that I must sign over the whole without any clause as to my reservation of rooms. work." I asked why Elly did not work and she The readjustments came asa remarkable answer to prayer s.o that the work then continued until answered, "Oh, she was sick and lazy till she died." regular minis,ters and nurses were stationed in We tried to find out who Elly was, but no one knew; we only learned that Jim brought the child to us and told her to stay. We could not find out who either Jim or Elly were. So the child re- mained. All she knew was that her own name was Nancy.
PIONEERING DAYS IN APPALACHIA
the mining camps. The spiritual workers left the lamps were ruined, chairs were broken, and all field and so-clalled trained social workers replaced was in a pitiable condition. It seemed impossible the Gospel with classes for domestic science, to bring back the former life. nursing, and other good projects that are still not up to the highest standard of a missionary who One day, in late summer, I stood on our front seeks to lead souls to God. porch. I was tired and worried, and my heart cried out: "0 God, take me away from here. I When it se~med wise to leave the Mining Camp can't do any more here, my people love excitement work we moved to Kermit, Virginia, where we more than reality, and some other place needs us built a house and chapel used for school and more." An answer came so real as to be nearly church work. Since a county s,chool has been audible: "Child, do you want to leave now? I built here, the chapel is used for church services have none to stand in The Gap for me. They have only. It was a needy place, seven miles from any not gone back on you but on Me. Will you still other chur·ches and schools to which no one could go away?" walk on the impossible clay roads in the winter. It was sad to leave so many wonderful friends I fell down on my knees, crying out, "0 my behind in Appalachia but as churches of three Lord, if you wish me to stay here, I will never denominations were there it seemed right to go again ask to be moved. I am ready to stand in where there were none. The Gap if it is Thy will, as long as I live."
The first years· here were constructive in the As a shower refreshes the parched earth, so like beginnings of many kinds of classes for grown- a miracle God began to move. The preacher got ups as well as children. A tabernacle was built In trouble with a member of his former followers, in a shady place where services were held in sum- and the church in an adjoining community asked mer, and little rustic cabins were built for classes. him to resign. A shame-faced people came back In all the schools conducted by our workets the to Kermit church, and in a most miraculous way, Bible has a large place, and hundreds of verses things began to be normal again. have been committed to memory by the children. There were very few Sundays. when we did not About two years after this experience, when have from one to three preaching services-morn- some had forgotten that this preacher was still ing, after Sunday school, afternoon and at night. abroad, reports came that he was in jail. One day there was a knock on the door and there stood An unknown preacher, who had had a marvel- the same man. I cried to God for wisdom to ous success in his last revival in a neighboring handle the situation. Then I told him plainly community, came to hold revival services in Ker- that he had stirred up confusion, and scattered mit and filled the church to overflowing every our people to such an extent that some were night. He swayed the people with a hypnotic worse than ever before. He wanted to gather the power, and all our folks were converted over people in Kermit, so as to draw the members from again. Then he wanted to build a church, but as Cowan's Branch (the church in the next commulong as he could have the church free, the people nity where they asked him to resign). But since decided not to build. For six months or more, his motives were wrong I could not allow him to they followed him wherever he preached, going preach anymore. in trucks to distant places. Religiously, Kermit was ruined. Noone knows the anguish we en- I have only touched the borders of the years. dured during this time. It seemed that everybody A veil has been drawn over many sad experiences, was running after the man except a few who did and I have touched only a few of the many which not believe in him or his ways. have been true miracles. May the work go on and on in different ways and places, doing the The large crowds had caused much damage to true s'ervice through many of our missionaries the church building which had settled over six who are claiming the promise that they will bring inches so that every window was tilting. Our forth fruit even in old age. May the Lord who pipeless furnace had to be cut off several inches has done so much for this work in these thirty-six as the register projected above the floor. The years still carry on the work after He has called us. Home.
A Christian Philasapy far Rural Wark*
By FRANK w. PRICE, Nanking, China Head of Department of the Rural Church, Nanking Theological Seminary A PHILOSOPHY of Christian rural work is villages in the rural community. Governments now needed. Interest in rural reconstruc- are meeting some of these needs; non-Christian tion and the betterment of rural life is ris- agencies are meeting others. But unmet needs ing like a. mighty tide all over the world. The are legion. The Christian group should study its Christian Church is aware of its opportunity and community, select the greatest needs, and do what responsibility in meeting the needs of the "rural it can to meet them through promotion of good billion," especially in less privileged lands. Gov- causes, pioneering in new fields, holding up Chris- ernment and social agencies are promoting large': tian aims and ideals in social change, or through scale programs. What should the Church do that the leadership which the church contributes. It will be unique and fruitful? should seek, above all, to meet the deeper moral Many Christian missionary institutions are add- and spiritual needs of individuals and in society.
ing departments of rural service and are begin- 3. We must see the rural man or woman as a ning new rural experiments. Small groups of complete personality; we must see village life as Christians are answering calls of need from rural a whole. In the words of the Jerusalem declara- areas. Special types of training are given to those tion: "Man is a unity, and his spiritual life is preparing for rural service. In some countries indivisibly rooted in all his conditions, physical, governments are looking to Christian organiza- mental and social." The Christian Church should tions for special assistance. Agricultural missions reach men, women and children and seek to in- and the rural church are an essential part of the fluence them in all their family and social rela- world Christian movement. Christian individuals ti.ons. We want to make better citizens, citizens and groups must have a clear vision of aims, defi- of the community and of the nation, Christian nite guiding principles, a firm underlying phi- citizens. The various aspects of rural service losophy of Christian rural service, and a faith in must be integrated so that the whole life of the their cause, if the Christian Church is to make community is improved. Rural Christian leaders any distinctive contribution to the remaking of should see more clearly the relation between the village life in harmony with Christ's ideals in the many factors in rural betterment – health im- twentieth century. provement, higher standards of living, richer in- Ten guiding principles must be vital elements tellectual life, better community organization, the of this philosophy. These may stimulate thought development of stronger character and more un- among Christian rural workers, especially in the selfish leadership, and more vital Christian ex- lands of the younger churches. perience, because they see each person as a whole 1. We should be openly Christian. Christians and rural life as a whole. Our task is to arouse or groups of Christians engaging in rural service the desire and the will for a better life, and to should be openly and fearlessly Christian. As show the way to wholeness of life-in the Chris- Christians we have a distinctive faith and mission tian sense, salvation.
and our work should reveal a distinctive spirit of 4. We should attempt a limited program of high a fellowship and a unique power because of their quality. The program which a Christian group allegiance to Christ and His cause. We should not or a church in a rural community should attempt hesitate to express our Christian purpos.e, to seek will be determined by the leadership and member- opportunities for witnessing to our faith and ex- ship available; by the method of organization and perience, and to work unreservedly for the build- financial resources, by the opportunities presented ing up of a Christian fellowship in the community. for service, and by the faith and spirit of the 2. We should help to rr/,eet rural needs. The group. The aim should be to work intensively Christian gIloup should be seriously concerned rather than extensively. It is better to become with the needs of individuals, of families, and of intimately acquainted with one small rural com- • From a paper Issued by the Agricultural Missions Foundation, munity of fifty to a hundred villages and to do a Inc., 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. fruitful and lasting work than to spread in a [310 ] superficial way over many hundreds or thousands 7. We should make large use of local resources. of villages. Good, intensive work, done intelli- The ordinary Christian institution or group cangently and effectively, will be in the eD.d the best not command the financial resources which govkind of extensive work. We should aim at quality ernments and some non-official .agencies can comrather than quantity of service. We must resist mand. The Christian group must make large use the temptation to promote the kind of work that of local resources and develop local initiative and can be "shown off" to visitors.. We must see the leadership as much as possible. The village peovalue of little things well done and of unpreten- ple themselves must have a large and growing tious service with results that may not be imme- part in the working out of local programs. Any diately apparent but that are of lasting value. No help from outside should be used to stimulate and matter how limited the area of work or how simple encourage local planning and effort. Only thus the program, we should combine scientific knowl- can the rural church hope to become rooted in the edge, the best educational methods, and Christian rural community. devotion and sacrifice in realizing our aim of essentially good and permanent work. 8. We should cooperate as much as possible with other agencies and groups. Churches and all 5. We should go into the villages and live among Christian groups should cooperate in every way the people. Christian rural workers should con- possible with government and other agencies tinually go among the people and not wait for working for rural welfare, but must not sacrifice them to come to the workers and their institutions. or compromise their Christian faith and prin- Christian work in a rural community must be ciples. Following the inspiring example of Bishop deeply rooted in homes and village groups. The Grundtwig of Denmark, the Church should help central institution, service center or church build- the government to "revive the national spirit" by ing may be a me"eting place, training school or teaching Christian ideals of patriotism and by house of worship, but it should draw p€ople out building up the morale of the people. Where other of their homes and villages only to send them back organizations in the community are meeting a to serve and to transform their homes and their need, we may cooperate or support their work; communities. We must go "deep into the villages" where a vital need is not being met, we may help (to use the Chinese phrase); spend days and to arouse government attention or community innights in the villages, live among the rural people, terest and to organize the people to help themshare their joys and their sorrows, sacrifice and selves; frequently we may introduce outside agenendure with them. The ordinary rural worker cies and institutions for rural betterment to the will not do this, or he will attempt it for a short local community or bring groups in the commuperiod and then want to return to the more com- nity in touch with outside agencies which might fortable life of the market-town, the county seat assist them. We should do all in our power to deor the metropolitan center. The constant tempta- velop a community spirit, and community cooperation is to do rural work from an office or by occa- tion. At the same time, we must stand upon sional trips into the villages. Followers of Christ, Christian ground and never deny our Christian our Master, should be willing not only to go among purpose and principles. the rural people but to stay among them. If we can do this, we shall have an assured place in the 9. We should constantly stress the moral basis remaking of rural life. of rural reconstruction which is hindered by powerful forces of selfishness and greed. The 6. We should stress personal relationships and Christian group should be united and daring in small group organizations. What is the Chris- its opposition to all evils which it sees in individtian approach to the villages? First of all, through ual and community life. It should openly proclaim genuine friendship; then through unselfish forms Christian teachings in the face of any wrong and of service, and finally but exceedingly important, injustice even though such a stand may cost perthrough the organization of small, voluntary, co- secution and suffering. It should strive continoperating groups. These groups should aim to ually to strengthen and to organize effectively pubmeet some definite need of the group itself or of lic opinion and common effort against community community life. They should be self-helping and evils and against all forces in and out of the comself-directing from the beginning with such inti- munity which are hindering the fullest developmate and expert counsel and training from the ment of community life. It should preserve and outside as may be available. They' should not be strengthen the best traditions and customs in the mere formal organizations but should be warm villages and build upon the worthy spiritual elewith the spirit of friendship and should give a ments in the cultural inheritance of .the people. broader and deeper meaning to those p€rsonal re- It should call the rural communities to moral and lationships in family and social life which are spiritual life and ideals as well as to material adessential to the preservation of rural society. vance and, through the teaching and the power of
Christ, seek to regenerate as well as to recon- tribute something vital and unique to all the rural struct the lives of rural peoples. reconstruction in the community.
10. We should build up the church, which is the We look forward to the day when there will be permanent ex;pression of the Christian faith and in every rural community throughout the world a spirit in rural rebuilding. Hence we seek to bring strong rural Christian Church, deeply rooted in together in group worship, group study, group rural culture, serving community needs and transfellowship and group service, all Christians and forming community life, united in prayer and in all seekers. for Christian truth in the rural com- fellowsMp, teaching a real love of country and munity. The guiding, teaching and building up releasing the spiritual possibilities of the villages, of such a group becomes an essential task in Chris- indigenous but also vitally connected with the tian rural work. It is not enough to live and to Church of Christ-historic and universal. In a serve as Christians in rural communities; we fellowship of rural churches around the world, a must also find and win comrades in the Christian fellowship of Christian farmers and their famfaith and life and bind these together into a strong ilies, a brotherhood of men and women who are brotherhood. Ministers and lay workers must be helping to feed and to clothe the world and who found and trained to serve in such a church. A worship God and serve His Son, the Galilean Carchurch-centered program; broadly conceived and penter-Farmer, lies one of the greatest hopes of wisely carried out, will not divide the rural neigh- world peace. We must build up the rural church borhood but will help to unite it, and will con- in all lands, among ,all peoples.
The New Urgency in the Congo* -'I~I========~B~Y~R~E~V~.~M~O~TT==E==M~A~R~T~IN========~II~ DR. JOHN R. MOTT, after personal investi- ance of those thus studying our Bible is about gation, has declared that a dollar goes fur- 40,00.0 pupils! Hundreds and hundreds of our ther and accomplishes more in Africa than converts are coming out of these schools yearly, in any other field which he has visited-and he and as we wish to have a "self-supporting, selfhas visited them all! Of all the fields I know, governing, and self-propagating Church," this is. there is none more seriously menaced and which our hope for deacons and elders and pastors, for so urgently demands your sacrificial interest and all such must be intelligent and have clerical abilprayers as the Congo! ity to qualify.
The Southern Presbyterian mission during the The theological seminary at Mutoto is the first five years of this last decade (1928-1932) largest in the Southern Presbyterian Church, with received into the communion 9,455 carefully in- the snudents all married, thus giving the wives an structed and probation-tested converts-but dur- opportunity for special training, and through reing the last five years (1933-1937) received 19,205 quired plantations and gardens able to be largely communicants! Note the astounding rate of in- self-supporting. All must teach the village (or crease-and know that we have over 35,000 now "bush") schools; they must speak some French under preparation, already enrolled in the cate- to pass government inspection; they must know chumen clas·ses, also being tested. Open doors how to lead and instruct their congregations in wide open-thronged with needy supplicants beg- singing; they must be adepts as soul-winners; as ging to be taught! Over 2,000 preaching points well as able expositors of God's Holy Word. All daily trying to tell of the Way, the Truth and the applicants must have had their station (high Life – with yet hundreds of other villages and school) diploma of nine years schooling as a pregroups still on our waiting list begging and plead- requisite for entrance! ing for teachers. The mission:s medical work is also indispen- In addition to direct evangelistic work, we are sable, in that it breaks up inherited superstitions cooperating with the Colonial Government in their of the Voodoo and of animism; it continually wins nine-year educational program which permits us the loyalty of entire villages; and affords countto use. the Bible throughout. The average attend- less opportunities for personal soul-winning. The five hospitals have over 300,000 native visits • Reprinted from Th,e Chffi8tian 01/8eTWr.
THE NEW URGENCY IN THE CONGO
yearly; they perform hundreds of operations; if you had to care for large expansion and incare for all epidemics and scourges; besides car- creased needs? ing for over 2,000 lepers. The health of the missionaries and of our thousands of workers is de- Belgium has, launched a new educational propendent upon them and answered prayers; and gram for the Congo, which provides for nine years neither priest nor pauper ever calls upon them in of education, but sub.divided into three-year perivain. ods. For the first three-year period, the law looks forward to the establishing of little chapel-schools The mission is now attempting to minister to in every small community or tribal group, and the over 45,000 communicants, all of whom were not law further provides that any cult or confession, only received into the church after long instruc- whose teachers are qualified to teach the first tion and probation, but are statedly tested and three-year part of their curriculum, shall have the approved at each communion season, as to whether full protection of their laws; and furthermore, they are "doers of the doctrine." Using the old that the people of that group or village shall be Scotch "token" system, we give a ticket only to protected in their choice of such religious teacher. those whose lives are dedicated and obedient to Even previous to the promulgation of this law, Him. every station had scores and hundreds of such vil- lages on their "waiting lists," for whom we had "How then," you may ask with others, "can it no money in our budget nor prepared "preacherbe true that our mission is seriously menaced, as teachers" well enough trained for such positions. was stated in the opening paragraph of this letter?" The answer is that the mission is both The priests and nuns, who are now encountered under-staffed and under-financed! The average everywhere, have made the situation far more age of the present missionary group is past fifty, acute still, for on arriving in a village where no without any younger men being trained to take Protestant work is manifest, they call the village our places, and with an actual decrease in num- head men, demanding in the name of the law that bers. More pertinently, the mission has succeeded all the children be turned over to them for inand expanded, so that at least twenty more work- struction. The people, loyal to us whom they have ers are needed to maintain the previous degree of learned to love, protest that they are Protestants, efficiency. Among other extensions the mission and that they are looking to us 'and our Church has been forced to open up two more stations for instruction. So the priest departs, threaten- (there are seven now), thus withdrawing mis- ing that when he returns some weeks hence to find sionaries from already over-worked stations to that no Protestant teacher has been installed, he man the new ones. The scattered 'Tillage groups will establish his own school and chapel, or else which we control have increased from 1,100 indict the chief for lying and obstructing the (1928) to over 2,000 now, and we must visit and colonial Program by leaving his children uneducare for these regularly. Every department of cated. Alarmed, distressed, the chief and his peoour work has been enlarged, improved, extended, ple, scorning inconvenience or season, rush into increased in our attempt to hold our own; so that the mission station demanding the teacher for each missionary has far more tasks than either whom they have, awaited so long. Alas, and alas! his health, or the good of the work, can justify. Our little remnant of a budget has already been stretched beyond the breaking point, we can do As to financial support-the peril is even more nothing. So the priest enters, propaganda begins grave, but I trust not more hopeless! The facts against the heretic foreigners, gifts and school speak for themselves, for we have less than one- supplies are lavishly given, and even threats and half of our previous budget, and just a little more blows and unbelievable ruthlessness are employed than one-third. The actual figures in Belgian to prevent the people from visiting us or hearing francs, the currency of Congo, are as follows: the Gospel message. Before the depression the American Church gave us $65,212 which dropped to $25,000 during the Nevertheles,s, the people are remaining loyal to depression. Simultaneously, the exchange rate the Evangelical mission, and many are enduring fell from thirty-five and one-half francs per dollar great sacrifice and poverty and suffering in those to twenty and one-half francs, so that the actual places where we do not desert them. But in the amount in francs dropped from 2,315,026 francs rapidly growing number of those villages which before the depression to 512,500 francs-less than we cannot "occupy," the priests are locking and one-fourth of what we needed! This lowest figure barring the doors, against us and religious freehas been raised little by little until, with the ad- dom, so that in areas dominated by the priests for dition of two new stations, we now receive francs ten years, the children have even hooted the pass- 861,097 ($29,693 at 29 francs to the dollar). If ing missionary, an almost unheard of rudeness for your church budget, or your business, or house- the native Congolese. My conviction is that if keeping budget, were suddenly to be cut down to our Church does not awaken and soon, God will one-third, how would you get along, especially not hold open the doors another ten years.
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I Effective Ways of Working Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE W. MCGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE•• INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Do Personal Work with Christian teaching and fel- magazine is not suitable for a lowship those people have. With boy in reform school, is it suit- A state Communist leader once able on your own library table? came to talk to a group who at the pastor and his wife, go sevthe time included members of eral other members of a town *** the national staff of a Missions congregation to "help with the and Christian Education Board. singing," to give an increased In one of our smaller cities sense of fellowship, to make a lives a young woman with a love I remember clearly his state- hard trip easier. of music and ability as a direcment that a member of the party tor of singing. The paid music in good standing, working full There are services within leadership of her own church time at a job, was required to reach of most of us, where our leaves no room for her to use give four full evenings a week lJresence might mean the differ- that ability, but she does not find to Communist activities, meet- ence between success and failure. that any excuse for leaving her ings., propaganda, or other work Search out one such piece of talent unused. She found that for the party. Christian work and give an eve- a group of children in a mission ning a week to it. It will in- church in the same city were At the time it struck me that crease your worth to your own eager for a children's choir and if Christian church membershilp church. It will encourage your one evening a week finds her involved that, our active mem- worker-in-charge. It will carry busy training her sweet-voiced bership would hardly be worth forward the missionary task of group. Sunday evenings they counting. And yet-would it not your church. form the choir for the service of be a minority as effective in the church. Anyone who has its contagion as Communism? *** had much to do with a choir More so, because of its s.piritual knows the number of hours she life, light and reality! Over in Boston lives a mis- must put in outside of timesl of sionary woman, retired from In- actual contact with the children; There are people who are giv- dia.. She is hard of hearing and planning their work, choosing ing such service for Christ's music suitable for various occacause. If we note some of them, the possibilities of active service sions, solving problems. She is it may help suggest some ave- semed at an end. Yet she pluck- doing far more than training a nues of personal service for our- children's choir. She is leading selves – personal missionary ily undertook to learn to write a group of underprivileged chilservice. dren along a path of beauty; she Braille. With painstaking care is enlisting and developing their North of Sault Ste. Marie, On- she has worked at translating abilities fOir Christian service, tario, Canada, runs a gravelled she is giving them a warm, vital road due north. Twenty-five into the familiar Hindi of the contact with her own Christian miles out it ends. From there to field of her labors, stories being personali ty. Hudson Bay there is nothing. It used in Christian education. is still pioneer country up there. Then with meticulous care she There are children from coast The "bush," which has grown has pricked into the raised dots up after logging, is forest again the story or the Bible pass1age or to coast, from northern border and here and there iSi a little log to south, who are crying out for cabin. Small farms are being mess·age for the blind to read. cleared. Russian, Finn, French, Hindi Braille! Her days of serv- Christian leadership. Children English stnck-they are pushing ice over? Retired? She is open- in city, in village, in country and the wilderness back. Along that ing the eyes of the blind as mountains, needing a contact, if road every Thursday evening, only once a week, to guide their while the road is not blocked surely as she did in the days of activities along worthwhile lines with snow, there goes the cir- her medical service in India. and to give them definite contact cuit pasitor and his wife, to hold with Christian personality. You a service for all who will come There are services you can can render vital service if you to the tiny chapel in a little set- render in preparing materials are willing to give an evening or tlement. It is the only contact for use in mission fields at home two a week to it. and abroad. There is that ever- present implement-the needle. There is the hammer and the paint brush and the saw. There are books to be collected, maga- zines to be gathered for use in prisons. And by the way, if a [ 314 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
What, you say, has local To feed these children at the move out. The woman telling about it, said that she and her church work to do with mis- Center one nourishing lunch a family were utterly ashamed of belonging to a community which sions? Who said local church day, the churches of the county could do such a thing. She spoke very feelingly about the sense work? Whenever you step out -one church each week-under- of contrition which comes to one in the face of circumstances like of your own local church en- took to collect what was needed. that.
vironment, to go to the aid of a But at this point came a fail- First, let us rej oice in the growing number of people who group not able to provide its , ure which, to the visitor, seemed have a deep sense of shame and contrition at the possibility of own leadership, you are in a rather embittering. In spite of such action.
sense engaging in missionary ac- all the wealth and all the power- Second, let us see what we can do about it. There is a tivity. We have left too much ful modern automobiles owned deeper problem than that of bringing 'Public opinion to bear home missions work to the over- in those churches, not one per- upon the agent and the dwellers in that apartment house. The worked members of our home son could be found willing to de- editor of these pages was aching to ask in that conference, how missions s,taffs. Too many of liver thoee supplies to the Cen- many persons there pres,ent had ever entertained a Negro person us fail to see, that beyond our ter. After a week of exhausting as a guest in their homes.
financial support of home and work, heartbreaking in some of For after all, there lies the root of that particular trouble. foreign missions which provides its revelations, those three girls To entertain a Negro guest wa's such an unusual thing in that the continuity of work and had to collect and carry to the community that when an apart- ment house dweller attempted it, workers, we s,till owe the gift Center, unload and store away, she had to give up her apart- ment. The next step for all that is more difficult to make— all the food supplies for the fol- those who feel contrition, is to make the entertaining of Negro the gift of our own time and lowing week. guests such a common observ- ance in their neighborhood that talents in direct personal serv- Can you not imagine the it will cease to draw attention ice. When we render such serv- women of those churches saying and to cause unfavorable comice, we grow in understanding as too many of us say on similar ment. and in power. We speak with occasions, "We've collected the authority as we seek to enlist the things needed. It seems that There are few of us who can members of our local church in the least they can do is to come make our voices heard in breaka deep concern for the work of after them!" It would have been ing down racial prejudice. But the church at home and abroad. a little thing to those church peo- as has been the case since time began, What you do speaks Our cause is not to be com- ple, taking long drives to cool louder than what you say.
pared with the Communist cause. off in the hot summer evenings, Why not plan during this next year to take a person of an un- Shall we, then, give it a lesser to load the car and drive in the accepted racial minority in your community to at least one of devotion? direction of the Center. A heavy your miss,ionary meetings as a guest. That is one of the easiest Give Full Measure – burden they put upon those tired steps, for there at least you find workers by their failure to do so. some persons theoretically if Running Over! not in actual practice believing Many of us will be involved in in racial equality.
A visitor to a Christian Cen- projects of one sort and another, Why not have as a dinner ter' in Ohio, where children of collecting that which we would guest at least once, the most inmigrant onion – field workers share, and getting it to those teresting person of another race were being kept and cared for with whom it is to be shared. whom you can secure. Make it during the day, found three In planning such enterprises, a real occasion. Invite your let us remember that full meas- guest because of a common inyoung .women doing a tremen- ure – running over – involves terest, or because of some dous piece of work. Faced with finishing u~ the project our- accomplishment along lines inappalling need on every side they were reaching out to the selves" not leaving part of it to full limit of their time and weary workers who are glad to strength to bring health and have our gifts to distribute but Christian teaching – the touch whose joy would be the greater of it that was possible – to as to have full measure of help.
many children as they could in Creating Public Opinion the weeks during which the Cen- ter was maintained. At a recent conference on Children, utterly worn out missionary education in Chi- with the attempt to sleep on cago, one woman got up and told hard boards in bare shacks with about an experience a friend of no netting to keep out the hordes hers had. The friend, a lover of of mosquitoes, were put to bed music, had invited one of the under mosquito-netting on a mat most famous, singers of today, a in the grass, and were allowed Negro woman, to be her guest at to sleep as long as they would. dinner in her apartment in a Children suffering from the ail- northern city. The other occu- ments that come from lack of pants of the apartment house food, no milk, and few of the had combined to force the agent nutritive elements needed, were to refuse to re-lease her the served a hot lunch at noon. apartment. The friend had to
teresting to some member of for following an address. Can during the address, questions, your family, or because the one we do anything about it? small or great which occurred invited is a stranger in this We certainly can. In the first to them. These were collected country, or because you are' place we can recognize the fact at the close and given to the working together on a commit- that most subjects presented by speaker. As they were answered tee and want to spend the eve- most speakers do not stimulate by her, other questions began to ning working together. The discussion. Unless we are sure be hastily written and passed invitation must rise out of a real that discussion will be stimu- forward. The question period desire to have that person in the lated, we should not plan for it had to be brought forcibly to a midst of your family and must or announce it. It is often a lazy close. Another method is pribe a happy experience for all in- idea on our part, for by it we vately to ask several clear-thinkvolved. have avoided having to build up ers among the listeners to jot Why not have as your house the program in line with the down questions during the adguest at summer camp someone speaker's theme. First then, do dress or presentation, and to be of another race? Students in not plan for discussion unless ready to ask them. It stimulates this country might find that a you are sure it will be spon- attentive listening to do this and real experience. A boy inter- taneous and valuable. if the group is merely shy about ested in the same hobby as your In the second place, there is starting questions a number of son's might bring more than questions like this to begin with pleasure in doing things to- the subject or address or speaker often sets things off to a good gether. which should stimulate discus- start. Still another and very sion under ordinary circum- good way is to have, either in Why not help your young peo- stances. Plan for discussion in the preceding open meeting or in the officer's meeting a preple to take with them to summer that case and announce it. But discussion of the speaker's be alert. If the speaker fails to theme. Some definite things the conference as a member of their group would like to find out may own group, some young person stimulate discussion, if the ad- be determined and thus quesof another race or nation whose dress has a tone such that its tions prepared. Or for those own church will not be sending message will be lost if followed who read a great deal, stimua group and who would be lonely by discussion, if circumstances lating questions regarding the going just as an individual? prove such that the audience point of view of some author cannot enjoy spontaneous dis- who writes on the subject may It is through the doing of cussion, if the majority will not be proposed. Avoid like poison these things that you are really want discuss,ion although a few the trite and banal question. creating public opinion. To are eager for it, rise gracefully There is nothing sends a speaker make the desirable so common into a fatal "spin" more easny in actual experience that it will to the occasion with a statement than a question like, "Do they be "the thing to do," will be which reverses the proposed pro- eat with their fingers?" after more effective in creating a gram arrangement. For in- she has p,resented a picture of friendly world than any amount stance, "We had planned for dis- the terrific problems faced by of mere talking about it. cussion, but I think we all agree the women of India in emerging that we s,hould prefer to close on from centuries of ignorance, Best Use of Question Periods superstition and binding custom. the note Miss Jones has sounded. Third then, where discussion is Who has not been at some Some of us will want to talk to legitimately planned, decide defimeeting or other upon whose her further,' quite informally nitely on the way in which quesprogram appears "Address, by tions are to rise and make some So-and-So" followed immediately after our meeting." Or, "Miss suggestion as to the type of below by that fatal line, "Discus- Jones has answered in a remark- questions which will be helpful. sion." The pres,iding officer able way the questions we had Bring questions or discussions rises, bright-faced, and turning thought of asking. Suppose we to a prompt close when time is on her charm like a lamp, pro- just omit the discussion period up or when desire for further poses, "Now I am sure we all questioning seems about to lag. have many questions we want to and have an informal chat with It is a good principle in question ask Miss Jones." Dead silence. her after we close." Second, "I have one myself," seys the then, be alert to eliminate a dis- periods, as in recreation, to stop officer smiling. One wonders cussion or question period you how much of the period of the short just before people are address she spent in trying to had planned but which you come formulate it! Miss Jones an- to feel will not be wise or effec- ready to quit. swers it with enthusiasm. Dead silence again. tive. Question and discussion peri- The "Discussion" on this pro- In the third place, develop a ods rightly used are excellent. gram was a flat failure. It technique for drawing questions. An interdenominational confer- ence of children's w 0 r k e rs, where each was a stranger to the other, had a most lively question couldn't have been worse. Yet period. At the outset of the You can become more expert in that is exactly what happens presentation the group listening using them helpfully if you study ninety-nine times out of a hun- was asked to keep paper and the reasons for your success or dred when questions are called pencil in hand and to jot down failure and try again. BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~,==================~ TAMBARAM SPEAKS FOR for action to an ecumenical con- that the pulse of the Christian ference, those delegates hold in Church is to be found in the HOME MISSIONS their hands the deciding votes throbbing life of its evangelistic By REV. HILDA L. IVES that can establish their inter- fervor. Here is the test of the The third International Mis- pretations of spiritual truth and reality of the Christian religion. sionary Council which met at that can express their spiritual Any church or any individual Tambaram, India, in December, ideals in Christ. I do not know Christian who lacks missionary 1938, made history. For the that there was any time at Tam- zeal is as a burnt-out coal on the first time in the record of ecu- baram when the colored dele- altar of the Living God, for a menical religious councils the gates as a whole were in opposi- transforming religious experimajority of the appointed dele- tion to the white delegates or ence brings the propulsive love gates were representatives of when the representatives of the and power of the Living Christ the colored races. To be exact, younger churches were in dis- and with this inflow of the Holy there were eight more colored agreement with the delegates of Spirit comes a sense of Divine delegates than there were white the older churches. But if acute Mission. In the words of the delegates. This fact has far- differences had existed, victory Tambaram findings, "There is a reaching implications for the was always possible for the sure indication that evangelism missionary cause. In the first younger churches. Such decid- is not due merely to the zeal of place, it means that the Chris- ing power will be increasingly Christian people, but rather is tian Church is now so deeply in the hands of the colored races the outcome of a Divine initiarooted throughout the world in the years to come. tive. The task can never be that it has taken on the sem- In the third place, this world- achieved wit h 0 u t :sacrifice. blance in color and in dignity of wide establishment of the Chris- Churches as well as individuals the family of nations as God tian Church means that the term are summoned to die unto themcreated them. God is an artist. "home missions" has new conno- selves and unto their own par- With the dawning of a new morn tations for all Christians. The ticular interests that the world He paints His skies with irrides- work of the Christian Church may be saved. Worship must cent hues. With the flaming can no longer be divided into lead to witness and spiritual rays of His dying sun, He sets "foreign missions" and "home growth to self-giving." These His heavens aglow with glorious missions," with the meaning words can well be a stimulus to color. Such a God would nat- that has existed in the past. the work of home missions.
urally create His children, His Every country now has its Tambaram laid an emphasis, family of nations, a colorful peo- strong indigenous C h r i s t ian as did the ecumenical conference ple. His Church is a colorful Church. Every country now has at Jerusalem, upon the strategic church, beautiful in the warm its home missions, consisting of importance of the Rural Church shades of brown, yellow, black all areas where Jesus Christ is in the stabilization of a chaotic an"d red, with enough white to not known. From the discus- world. This means, of course, make a perfect harmonious sions at Tambaram, it was the strategic importance of whole. This was shown to all brought out that all churches home missions in every nation.
Christian leaders who saw the are now considering the sending Tambaram emphasized the need Universal Church assembled in of Christian leaders to other of experts and specialists for all the beautiful new auditorium of lands as foreign missionaries. It the different phases of village the Madras Christian College at was suggested that India might life where human needs are the Tambaram. The Ecumenical well send from her Indian Chris- most pressing. This need was Church which represents Chris- tian Church foreign missionaries expressed in the findings in the tendom fairly in the future will to Africa, even as it was sug- following words, "Increasing the consist of inspired harmonious gested that America might con- fruitfulness of the land, raising leaders blended into a colorful sider the appointment of a fine the level of literacy and intelli- Negro Christian missionary to gence, providing wholesome unity of faith. In the second place, the pre- India. Such suggestions have recreation, turning slums to dominance of colored Christians tremendous import in the re- homes, rescuing people from meaus that at any time there is va1uation of the whole mission- financial exploitation or trying unanimity of opinion upon the ary cause. Tambaram asserted to prevent such sin, directing the r~solutions of findings presented again and again in its findings energies and the social instincts [317 J of youth into channels of whole- is right, who still feel the clasping sage of the mystic, Kahlil Gibsomeness and service-all these hands of love even when they go ran, but the period of directed are the blessed touch of the hand through pain and trial and loss, this prayer which followed its readof Christ when done by men and seed-spirit will spread, this nucleus ing was one of the high moments women filled with the love of will enlarge and create a society. of the conference. Christ and equipped with special knowledge for the task. . . . This excerpt from "Inner The commission group meet- Wherever possible the Church Life" by Rufus M. Jones ap- ings were held at Riverside should cooperate with govern- peared on the cover of the pro- Church, and in Hamilton and mental agencies contributing gram of the Metropolitan Chris- Business Halls at Columbia Uniher Christian spirit, her trained tian youth Conference held in versity. The unique feature of workers, her volunteer assist- New York City on March 3, 4, these commission groups was the ance and her deep interest to and 5, 1939. setting up of booths to resemble lift the level of the community's the World's Fair, called "The way of life." The committee of ten young World's Fair of Social Chal- people headed by the general lenges." In these booths were In conclusion, I would say that chairman, Mr. Oliver Powell of displayed the contributions of the message from Tambaram to the Metropolitan C h r i s t ian various racial groups and rehome missions is that home mis- Youth Council sought in their source materials on outstanding sions are thrilling opportunities arduous planning for this con- social questions. for service and for evangeliza- ference to spread this "seedtion within national boundaries. spirit" among the youth of the The subjects covered were: Foreign missions are the thrill- Metropolitan area. Their months Peace, Economic Problems, Race ing opportunities for service and of thoughtful, prayerful en- Relations, Jewish-Christian Refor evangelization within inter- deavor resulted in a well-bal- lations, Housing, Unemployment, national boundaries. Interest in anced program. both home and foreign missions Home and Marriage, Leisure will exist in the same person if The conference speakers were Time, Labor Problems and he is a true follower of the Mas- Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, World Christianity. ter. Home missions gives a minister host to the delegates, Christian an opportunity for Rev. Abraham J. Muste of the Some dealt with personal relimore direct practical concern Labor Temple, Dr. John Suther- gion, as, for instance questions and service to needy parts of his land Bonnell, pastor of the Fifth such as these: own nation, for a more intimate Avenue Presbyterian Church, knowledge· of many groups of and Mr. Oliver Powell. Anyone Is religion personal or social, or is underprivileged people and for doubting that youth is inter- religion personal and social? a definite part in the develop- ested in a pulpit message need ment of a constructive, vital pro- only to have witnessed the rapt Can I save myself without saving gram for the building of the attention given these conference others? Kingdom of God. The needs of speakers to be convinced that the home mission fields, close at youth will give ear to a message Can I be religious and not go to hand and sacrificially met, can of worth. church? open the heart to the needs of far-distant lands. Home mis- One of the outstanding mo- What would happen if young peosions is a spiritual and necessary ments in the services of worship ple really believed in Jesus? preparation for foreign mis- was that in which the words of sions. "Such movements are "The Prophet" were read. Does God have a purpose for every the urge of the Spirit to the life? If so, does the individual have Church to fulfil its great com- And an old priest said, "Speak to a definite part to play in carrying out mission, relying not merely upon us of religion." And he said: "Have that purpose or does he just find for human resources, but upon the I spoken this day of aught else?" himself something to do in advancing power of God. . . . The Church's the purpose? message to the world is the Lord Is not religion all deeds and all re- Jesus Christ Himself in all His flections, and that which is neither These young people faced honmanifold grace and power." deed nor reflection, but a wonder and estly and frankly these and many surprise ever springing in the soul, other problems. that confront YOUTHFUL BUILDERS even while the hands hew the stone youth today. or tend the loom? OF THE KINGDOM Naturally there was a diver- Who can separate his faith from sity of opinion, and both con- The Seed his actions, or his belief from his oc- servative and progressive poi~ts cupation? of view were presented. Our It was Jesus' faith that, if you get young people live in a world in into the world a seed of the Kingdom, Who can spread his hours before which they themselves must a nucleus of persons who exhibit the him, saying, "This for God and this choose what they shall believe blessed life, who are dedicated to ex- for myself; this for my soul, and this concerning the essential facts of panding goodness, who rely implicitly for my body? . . ." life and only as they think for on love and sympathy, who try in themselves can they grow into meek patience the slow method that He to whom worshipping is a win- men and women of principle and dow to open but also to shut, has not stable Christian character. yet visited the house of his soul whose windows are from dawn to dawn. Earnestness of purpose and youthful enthusiasms character- Your daily life is your temple and ized all sessions of this gather- your religion. ing of youth and one could not but feel that these youthful Whenever you enter into it take builders of God's Kingdom had with you your all. come a little nearer Christ's dream for the world Space does not permit a full quotation of this beautiful mes-
A Story for the
KEEP OFF THE GRASS Norman and the policeman the boys all laughed and told him turned round to look ata young to forget it. They said that all By VIOLET WOOD man who had come over to them. reporters were crazy. As the long summer days passed, Nor- Norman was burning up. His "And who may you be?" bel- man still dreamed of sailing in a clothes stuck to him. It was the lowed the policeman. boat up and down the Hudson hottest day of 1875. None of River. the gang were around for they "George H. Williams of the had all gone s.wimming in the New York Times." One afternoon he was sitting East River where his mother on the curbstone outside of his wouldn't let him go. "A smart alec reporter, huh?" tenement under the shade of the "Look here, officer, I don't in- elevated trains when he noticed All along the road, carts and tend to get into a brawl. I'd a man evidently looking for horses were tied to hitching just like to ask you a civil ques- someone as he consulted the posts or were moving fretfully tion. How many times a day do house numbers. The boy's heart through the narrow city streets. you kick little boys like this one skipped a beat. It was Mr. Wil- Up on the fire escapes of out of the city parks?" liams. Norman rushed over to crowded tenement blocks babies The policeman pushed back greet the reporter. He was so lay in cradles made out of old his hat, the better to see the re- excited he scarcely heard right. orange boxes. Many of them porter. What he saw evidently He was to have a gang of boys cried incessantly. pleased him for he changed his at Battery Marsh on Sat.urday. surly tone. "More than I care Norman felt like crying, too. to think of, young fellow. I Saturday came too slowly, but He had never disobeyed his know that there's no place for then Norman, his friends and mother, but the impulse to go these kids in New York City to hundreds of newspaper boys with the gang was strong. He play but in the gutters. But from all over New York City had only a vague idea where the what can I do? If I let this kid went sailing on the ferry boat. East River was. Street after stay here, tomorrow there'd be Best of all, was the news that street he crossed in the blazing hundreds tramping around here for the rest of the summer they sun, with the horses and car- and what would become of the could spend the long, hot days riages ambling in every direc- park?" on the boat. tion. After much walking he came to a park. The cool, green Mr. Williams turned to Nor- Mr. Williams had told Norgrass stretched all around. The man who had been crouched man's story in the newspaper, as sight of it thrilled him. Al- down between the. two men, well as that of other little boys though it was carefully foot wondering whether he should whom he had seen compelled to wired and bore signs warning, run or stay. "How would you "Keep off the grass." People "Keep off the grass," Norman like to spend some of your sum- had sent in money to hire a ferry jumped the small fence, picked boat to take the children sailing out a choice spot beneath a mer days on a ferry boat, sailing every morning and bring them shady maple tree and lay down. up and down the H u d son back at night. The idea seemed River?" so wonderful that one of the big The lovely tree swayed, caus- New York churches took it up ing a slight breeze and making Norman looked at the re- and for many years made this the sunlight fall in patterns porter. "You're making fun of one of their home missionary upon him. He lay thinking, "I'm me, mister. I ain't never been tasks. going to bring mama and papa on a boat in my life." and the baby here." Reverently Making Use of This Story he felt the grass. Although "No," said the reporter, "I'm parched and dry, it was delight- not kidding you." He whipped "Keep off the grass" is the fully cool to the hands of this out a notebook. "What's your true story of the beginning of little boy who knew the feel of name? Where do you live?" He The Floating Hospital of St. cement sidewalks better. John's Guild that still carries on wrote down what Norman halt- the work. "Come on, get up out of ingly told him. there!" Many children have no idea as "Who do you think you are, a to what "home missions" are. Norman started up, his heart See how many aspects of work beating wildly as he looked at a millionaire? Getting ferry boats among underprivileged children policeman towering above him. for kids-don't make me laugh!" in metropolitan and rural sec- tions the child knows. Tell of "Get a move on, you !" The policeman swung his stick. your denomination's work in Norman was too frightened to "Just watch the pages of the various fields. move. "Why don't you pick on some- New York Times, brother," anbody your size, brother?" Both swered the reporter. To Nor- man he s.aid, "And you, sonny, I'll be round to see you real soon."
When Norman got home, and told his adventure to the gang, [319 ]
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO "
~~~~=====================================================================~ NORTH AMERICA life; the Church and marriage. five cents each for bricks in the Family participation in commu- edifice. The upper part was paid One Hundred Year Split Ended nity activities. Education for for by royalties on the Moody- world citizenship. Old age and Sankey song books sold in Great The three great divisions of its place in family life. Britain-money which the evan- Methodism are closing the books gelists would not accept for their on more than a century of schism It is a common mistake to as- personal use. The ministry of to form the largest Protestant sume that Christian education is this good-will gift has extended group in the United States. The for children only. The whole over more than seventy years. union will give the Methodist work cannot be done by the When the Chicago Avenue Church nearly 8,000,000 mem- Church School, so that a pro- Church organization moved one bers, 50,0'0'0 churches and $800,- gram must be developed which mile to the north, the Moody 0'0'0,0'0'0 worth of property. The will include men and women, as Bible Institute purchased the old Articles of Religion will be those well as the youth. An adequate building and has since used it historically held in common by program is necessary in order for classes and conferences. the three uniting bodies. Two to make the Church ineffective. differences had led to the split: Another Survey on Beliefs theNegro question divided North -The Church in Action. and South in 1844, and lay rep- The ·Survey Gra.phic for April resentation in church affairs in Bibles from the Dumps published the results of a study 1828. made by Prof. James H. Leuba Not all hotel managers like to of Bryn Mawr, in which he The publishing interests of the have Bibles in their rooms. For sought to find out the proportion unified Methodist Church are to example, when a hotel in western of Americans who believe in God be under a Board of Publication, Canada changed ownership the and a future life. Sixty-four per which replaces the book commit- new proprietor had all the Gid- cent of the prominent bankers tee of the Southern church and eon Bibles thrown out on the believe in God, but only half the board of the Northern. dump. Later, a poor girl went that many writers do. Figures to the dump hoping to find SOme- for a belief in immortality were One weekly paper, with re- thing of value that she could sell. somewhat higher than for a begional editions, to be called The Noticing the books, she picked lief in God. About 25 per cent Methodist, will serve the entire up one and took it home. had not made up their minds Church. Editors will be drawn Through reading it she found about immortality while only 7 from the staffs of papers which Christ, and this led to the forma- per cent were undecided about the new publication displaces. tion of a Sunday school class, the existence of God. Among whose members also went to the men of science the proportions Church Education dump and provided themselves of doubters in immortality was with Bibles, so that not one copy also much greater than that of The 19th Social Work Confer- was left unappropriated. doubters in the existence of God. ence of the Episcopal Church, which meets in Buffalo, June 16 -So S. Times. -The Churchman. and 17, will have a wider appeal than in the past. It is to be a Moody Auditorium Replaced Home Missions' Outreach conference for all who are interested in education, as is evident The historic Moody Bible In- Dr. Antonio Mangano, an from the list of topics to be dis- stitute Church in Chicago was Italian Baptist min i s t e r in cussed: Family life and its ma- closed on May 6 on account of Brooklyn, makes this comment terial foundations; its legal and the widening of the street on on home missions: "Soon after social status; its spiritual pat- which it opens. This landmark, evangelical churches commenced terns. Youth problems; youth scarred by use and age, has been work among Italians in Amerconsultation service; youth's in- replaced by its successor one ica, the effects were seen in Italy. terest in social education and block to the north, called the The first missionary pastors social action. Preparation for "Torrey-Gray Auditorium." Fol- were converts who came from family life; mental hygiene of lowing the great fire of 1871 the Italy, but by their labors Amerinfancy and childhood; adoles- first story of the old structure ica soon began to repay Italy. cence and education for family was erected, thousands of Sun- day school children contributing [320 ] Here and there an Italian con- mountains supplied the idea for posed for the year 1939-40 in the verted in America returned to an experiment, and in 1934 an booklet "A Venture of Faith," Italy and did not hide his light Emergency Relief Administrator recently published by the Naunder a bushel, but faithfully with a vision collected a stack of tional Committee for Religion proclaimed his new-found faith old, nondescript books, maga- and Welfare Recovery. Among zines, and pamphlets, the latter the objectives are: in Jesus as his Saviour. Some- dealing mostly with religious times these humble messengers topics, hired an enthusiastic To educate the American public in were ostracized and persecuted young mountain woman, who the underlying principles of stewarduntil they returned to America. owned a white mule of dubious ship through conventions, regional In other places their townspeople age and a pair of saddlebags. conferences, national magazines, the listened, first with curiosity to With these bags crammed with daily press, motion pictures, radio and the American religion, and later miscellaneous literature, through other educational media. with such interest. that many creek bottoms, cane patches, and were converted. A peasant of over abandoned trails she rode, To broaden the base of giving by Calitri was converted anhe Bap- stopping at every mountain enlisting as nearly as practicable, tist mission in Hartford, Con- home to urge all who could read "every citizen as a steward of life and necticut, and became an earnest to read what she was giving property for the welfare of mankind." Christian. When he returned to them. Often she read aloud to his family in the little hilltown whole families, most of whom To develop more business-like methof southern Italy, he labored were illiterate. ods of systematic giving, proportiontirelessly to bring his townsmen ate to incomes. to Christ, with the result that a The Kentucky mountaineers grasped and clung to this pack To lift the present level of giving church was formed with a mem- horse service, which grew at from 2.033 per cent to the unprecebership of 50 which has since such a rate that today it is en- dented figure of 3 per cent of income, grown to several hundred." tirely out of hand-through lack and as far as practicable toward the of books. One by one, pack- biblical tithe and the 15 per cent -Watchman-Examiner. horse library carriers were which the government exempts from added, until, at the present time, income tax if given privately for pub- First Spanish Baptist Church, women ride horseback and walk lic welfare. New York City an average of 26,182 miles monthly to deliver 39,293 books To educate the public on the im- There were about twenty chil- to 36,293 Kentucky mountain portance of "Mbre and Better Wills," families anxious to learn, and to including annual review of wills with dren present, most of whom had know the doings. of the world due consideration of our personal in- outside. These libraries extend debtedness to religious, educational, never prayed in public before. over certain backwoods regions character-building and welfare insti- of thirty-one counties. tutions. We had a worship service, and The Federal Government pays To seek the religious, social and then I told them why we were the carriers – all from relief moral welfare of the donor as more rolls – a small wage. .once a important than the material value of assembled and asked all who week they hold conferences at the dollar. their centers, clip continued wished to lead in prayer to do so. stories from old magazines and In the Indian Field bind them into a unit; and fas- The children ranged in age from ten Sunday school lesson papers A glance at the year's work in cardboard covers, with a reli- among the Indians indicates 5-14 years. All those present led gious picture on the outside. progress both in extending evangelization and in strengthin prayer, and for so many it The "bookwomen," however, ening the groups of converts in are not without rebuff. One was forty-seven different t rib e s. was the first time in their lives, met on a mountain side by an There has been an increase in irate father who said he "wanted the number of accessions on proand so I was immensely proud no more sech goin's on." Said fession of faith. However, there he: "I cain't get my gal to do have been obstacles to Christianof them. There was no waiting nothin' but read. My cornfield izing efforts, such as violations needs hoein'''; and he declared of the law against the sale and because one little boy led in angrily, "sittin' in a corner with use of liquor; converts who have her nose in a book h'aint gonna earnestly tried to withstand prayer every time no one else get them weeds out!" temptation have been enticed by unscrupulous white men engaged spoke up. He is seven years of -Bible Society Record. in the traffic. Among the Sioux Indians, sales of peyote, unreage, and I was surprised at his Stewardship Promotion Plan stricted by the government, have been promoted. A bill introreligious experience. He came A nation-wide program of duced in Congress to prohibit stewardship education is pro- the traffic of this drug among very near crying many times the Indians was not reported out of the committee because of the while he led in the five prayers influences which were mar- shalled against it. he offered that day, one of them In certain reservations, Inbeing of about twenty minutes' dians have been encouraged to revive their ancient culturesduration. He wanted to pray so-called – which involve pagan for everyone he knew, because it was the Day of Prayer. He prayed for grandmothers and asked a blessing on all the bad people and the gang of boys who beat him up. -Selected.
Pack Horse Library Just what is a pack horse library? An expressed wish for reading material in the Kentucky
practices. The encouraging fact farmers; but Palmer Church says Dr. Johnson, are not antiis that many of the Indians are also serves the coal miners to Semitic. opposed to the return of these the north, the many gold miners primitive rites. It should be high in the mountains and iso- Palestine at the "Golden Gate" recorded that recently the gov- lated communities along the railernment has issued an order road, including the Eklutna Vo- An interesting exhibit at the prohibiting Indian dances for cational School to the south and San Francisco World's Fair is a commercial ends. All the Chris- fishing stations on Cook Inlet. "Holy Land Garden," containing tian, and most of the progressive more than a hundred trees, Indians are in hearty accord "The Vanishing Indian" shrubs and plants mentioned in with this order. the Bible: olives from Mount This common phrase does not Olivet, Lebanon and Galilee; -Presbyterian Board of hold up under scrutiny. When date palms, acacias, plane trees National Missions. the Pima Indians held their an- and pomegranates-the Eastern nual camp meeting in Arizona, symbol of life and fertility. Mexicans in Texas fifteen acres of desert were cov- There will be almonds, fig trees ered with wagons, horses, tents, and "bitter herbs," the latter Evangelization of the Mexi- and hundreds of children, young mentioned to Moses (Exodus cans in Texas is important be- people and white-haired Indians, 12: 8) in connection with the cause there are almost a million assembled for one of the largest Passover. Fragrant, pungent, of them who are ignorant of the evangelistic meetings ever held spicy plants with Biblical back- Gospel. Southern Baptists are by Indians. There was contin- ground will be here – hys,sop, grappling with the problem, and uous activity from sunrise until thy m e, rosemary, lavender, have marked out two lines of ten at night. Choirs from a anise, cummin, rue, cassia, musapproach, the first being evange- dozen villages, in training for tard, leeks, onions, garlic. The lism. To this end, six evangelis- months, took part in services carob, which is identified as "the tic conferences were held in Jan- conducted by Indian ministers. husks that the swine did eat," uary and February in various will also find place in the Garden. parts of the state. The second -Monday Morning. will he emphasis on stewardship Barley, wheat, flax and riceand tithing; teaching the funda- Anti-Semitism in U. S. the papyrus antiquorum, or bulmentals on which any Christian rush, that sheltered Moses in his forward movement must be built. Dr. Alvin Johnson, director of watery cradle, the arundo donax, the New School for Social Re- "the measuring reed" of Holy Efforts will be made also to search, New York City, confirms Writ, camphire, coriander, lilies, have an every-member canvass the estimate that there are 800 myrtle, and finally Christ's in every Mexican church early distinctly anti-Jewish organiza- Thorn (Paliurus aculeatus), and in the year. Goals will be sug- tions in the United States, claim- many another growing thing gested as a minimum for each ing 6,000,000 adherents. Some with definite line of identificachurch. The First Mexican Bap- of these organizations are na- tion back to Biblical times and tist Church of San Antonio has tionwide in their operation, some scenes, will be installed on voted a 33113% increase in their are regional; a few require pay- Treasure Island. budget for the present year, and ment of dues, and sell antiplans to make missions a definite Semitic literature. The most im- Interpretations will be given part of its program. portant are: the Silver Shirts, of the ancient uses of the plants Defenders of the Christian in the Garden. -SouthernBaptist Home Faith, Industrial Defense Asso- Missions. ciation, American Nationalist -Sunday School Times. Confederation, James True As- A Growing Parish sociates, Knights of the White The Gospel at Golden Gate Camellia, and the German- Exposition Not much has been heard re- American Bund. cently of the government's Ma- The Christian Business Men's tanuska Valley proj ect, but Dr. Johnson classifies their Committee of San Francisco has Monday Morning reports that propaganda appeal something planned an aggressive soul-savthe federated church at Palmer like this: for the average tim- ing program for the World's (in this valley) now has its own orous person, identification of Fair. Eight thousand square building, a membership of nearly Jews with "Reds"; for the so- feet of outside space in a choice, 75 and an average Sunday school ciety dame, the fake letter of central location has been purattendance of 112. This church, Franklin; for the anti-New chased, and an auditorium seatunder Rev. Bert Bingle, has Dealer, list of government jobs ing 250 people has been erected. withstood a number of reverses held by Jews; and for the small In addition to services in the in its three years of existence. business man, assertion that cor- auditorium, thousands of Bible porations are controlled by portions and tracts are being dis- Since the construction men Jews; nothing for the parlor tributed. and clerical forces required in anti-Semitic who hates the Jew the beginning have now with- on his own. Women, as a rule, Tom M. Olson, a well-known drawn, the church membership Bible teacher and personal is made up almost entirely of worker with wide exposition ex- perience, has been procured as
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the manager of the project. request of the wife of an un- converts in the ocean at Port-de- "Sermons from Science" will be faithful drifter; another woman Paix. A member of the Mission presented by Irwin A. Moon, who had lost her son asked for a writes that it was necessary to who has had an unusual minis- sermon on death. The church is call three meetings in one week try for Christ during the past always filled to capacity. recently, to examine individually few years. His messages and fifty candidates for baptism. Not equipment will captivate and Mr. Pagan takes great pleas- only the testimony of the conarouse the curiosity of the un- verts was heard, but that of saved. Three messages daily He ure in the church organ, which their neighbors who knew at present the first century Gospel first hand about· their changed to this twentieth century. he practically built himself. life. Twenty-two of these con- would appreciate having victrola verts came from a distant part Tithe Reindeer and Walrus? records of religious music. of the Island. They traveled all night, some on donkeys and some Rev. Fred Klerekoper, a Pres- Unappropriated Ouba on foot. One was a well-known byterian missionary to the Eski- witch doctor, who, soon after his mos at Point Barrow, Alaska, In northeast Cuba is a tract of conversion, presented the Mishas not as yet reached a solution sion with a piece of ground in of this problem, but the church some 13,000 acres, known as his village on which to build a members of that community chapel. His wife and daughter (which includes almost all the Realengo 18, meaning "unap- were baptized with him. natives) have all agreed to tithe for the support of their church. propriated." This area which Women's Service League- There is almost no cash at all in Ohile the community. When an Es- includes both mountains and valkimo wants a sack of flour or a Manana (tomorrow will do) pound of coffee, he takes a fox leys is inhabited by 2,500 fam- may be the motto of some Latin or a polar bear skin from his re- Americans, but this does not go serve and makes for the trading ilies, very industrious folk in for the evangelical women of post. He does not receive cash. Valparaiso, Chile, who have or- When there is a surplus after he spite of their uncertainty of ganized a "League for Service." has completed his purchases, he Not only do they work in groups, is given credit on paper. tenure. In 1934, the Gospel knitting or sewing for the poor; they visit jails, orphanages, So, if an Eskimo has a walrus reached the southern part of asylums, hospitals and homesand ten seals, what will be his Realengo 18 through Senora del in fact few chances are lost to gift? What could the church do be of service somewhere. One with the meat? The community Valle; and another sec t ion member took into her own home reindeer herd contains some the small child of a woman who 12,000 of the animals, and how heard the Good News through must go to the hospital; another could one manage to use 1,200 prevented the marriage of a girl reindeer? some Haitian Christians harvest- of 14 to an old man; others clear up homes too filthy to live in, -Presbyterian News. ing coffee there. One of the first take sick children to the public health clinic, and teach mothers LATIN AMERIOA converts was a peddler of pins, the rudiments of health and sanitation. Radio Sermons in Puerto Rico who goes about and at each Good News from Brazil Radio station WPRA in Maya- house leaves a copy of one of the guez, P. R., has granted its fa- An interesting and heartening cilities for one hour every Sun- Gospels. This man has held piece of news, coming through day to Rev. Antonio Pagan, pas- the evangelical papers of Brazil, tor of one of the Presbyterian preaching services in many of says that in Ceara, the leading churches in the city. Results state in the north of Brazil, have been far-reaching. The the homes of the district. Few reading of the Gospels has been Sunday sermon is heard in Cen- adopted for public schools. tral, South and North America, families of Realengo 18 are with- Christians everywhere, knowing as well as in the Island. Mr. what ignorance of the Bible has Pagan does not claim to be a out at least a portion of the prevailed in Brazil, will share good preacher, "but," says he, the joy felt in evangelical circles "I receive many letters every Bible and many have accepted of that country. The editor of week thanking me for the ser- the Expositor Cristiio, official mon." Many of these sermons Christ. There are now three Methodist organ, writes: "This are prepared especially for those marks a gigantic stride in the who write of their spiritual regular preaching places and needs. A sermon on "Put· Your House in Order" answered the one Sunday school. In March last year, the believers started a fund for a church, school and parsonage. The first offering amounted to more than $60. A friend of the work in Homer, New York, added $60 and a house was, purchased.
The peddler preacher made his rounds on a horse, and when it died the group of Christians raised a fund to buy another.
They have a vision of one day being. able to support their preacher, so that he can devote all his time to the work of the church. They also have another idea; Friday has been selected as "missionary day," when every Christian is expected to call on some one not yet a be- liever. -Missions.
Oonverts in Haiti The Haitian Gospel Mission reports the baptism of forty-six
path of the re-Christianization standing in a new and rapidly Conference of Evangelical developing central business secof Brazil." Students tion of Rio de Janeiro. Cambridge University, more Bible Sunday in Brazil The Church in Colombia than any other in England, has been associated with evangelical Half a century ago Bible Sun- . day, as it is known today, had The establishment of a "self- movements and tradition. It is not been instituted. H. C. supporting, self-governing, self- therefore appropriate that the Tucker, writing in the World propagating" church in Colom- International Conference of Outlook, traces the development bia is a slow process, for poverty Evangelical Students should be of Bible distribution in Brazil and ignorance abound and con- held there (June 2:7 to July 3). during the past fifty years. The verts often face bitter persecu- It was there that Erasmus inpopulation in 1888 was approxi- tion. However, the beginnings troduced the study of the Greek mately 15,000,000, of which 85 oE an indigenous church are evi- Testament to those who became per cent were illiterate. There dent. leaders and'martyrs in the Engwere only a few miles of rail- Some years ago a land owner lish Revr:>lution, Latimer, Ridley road, travel and communication in the interior heard the Gospel and Cranmer. It includes among being by mule, oxcart, canoe and and accepted Christ. Through its alumni Oliver Cromwell and on foot. Brazilians not only had his testimony, and faithful ef- John Milton. no Bibles, but were told that the forts of missionaries, not to say Speakers at this conference Bible was not a book for the hardship and sacrifice, a group will come from several parts of common people. Many priests of beUevers was organized in Europe. The general theme will did not possess copies in Portu- 1935 and a board of five men be "Christ, Our Freedom." It is guese, some not even in Latin. placed in charge. A recent visi- open to undergraduate and post- But on Bible Sunday, 1938, tor to the district was impressed graduate students, and univerthe population of Brazil stood at by what he saw. Alone, or two- sity faculty members. 47,000,000 and illiteracy had by-two, these Christians go out been reduced by one – third. to preach Christ, while those at One Thousandth Anniversary home look after their small Means of communication had farms. The church has twice The Mis s ion Field, the been greatly extended; even air been enlarged, but even so there monthly magazine of the Society lines connect centers in many is not room for all who wish to directions. Educational facili- attend. Another group has been for the Propagation of the Gosties, cultural influences and organized a day's journey away, pel in Foreign Parts issued in measures of health and hygiene and nine have been baptized. April, 1939, its 1,000th number are spreading out into rural Schools have been opened in of this excellent magazine. The areas. During the half century, both places, with native teachers' first number was issued eighty- and young men and women are two years ago and it has since the American Bible Society re- being prepared for the Bible Inports the annual distribution of stitute, and later for service. been making known the needs of Bibles, Testaments and Scrip- people of non-Christian lands for ture portions has increased from EUROPE 7,286 to 221,034 copies, while the Gospel and the progress the British and Foreign Bible Youth Movement in England made especially through the Society report a similar increase. work of the S. P. G. The peri- Probably not less than 8,000,000 Young people and their inter- odical was begun by Earnest ests are coming to the front in copies of the Bible have been Great Britain. This was mani- Hawkins in 1856 but the Society placed in the hands of Brazilians fest in the Youth Assembly in was organized in 1701 and the in the half century. This would London early in the year. The 239th anniversary was celebe about one copy to every six Methodist Youth Service Council brated in Londo'n this year. Its people. is not only taking part in the work is being carried on in public inquiry as to youth condi- Japan, Korea, China, British It is significant that Bible tions, but has had a special in- Malaya, Siam, India, Burma, Sunday, 1938, records a marked Australasia, Africa, Central and change in the Roman Catholic attitude toward the popular use South America, the West Indies, Canada and Europe.
of the Bible, particularly the terest in the First National Par- England Bans Stage Profanity New Testament. At least four liament of Youth, held March attempts with ecclesiastical ap- 24-27, a parliament composed of A play that was shown 168 proval have been made in recent fourteen national youth or- times in New York was not alyears by priests of this church ganizations. lowed to finish the first perform- to translate, popularize and stim- Among the supporters of the ance in Chester, England, on ulate interest in the reading of Youth M 0 v e men t in Great account of its profanity. The the Gospels. and the entire New Britain are the Archbishop of theater manager rang the cur- Testament. An increasing vol- Canterbury, the Archbishop of tain down in the middle of the ume of the Scriptures and Bib- York, the President of the Meth- first act, and the orchestra lical literature is going out from odist Conference and other struck up "God Save the King."
the nine-story Bible H 0 use, leaders. Actors and producers were
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
called before the constable to an- tains that he is bound to preach ers, in very simple words, try swer the charge of allowing such and declare that a man is saved to persuade the reader to buy, profanity on the stage. by the blood of Jesus Christ and and read aNew Testament or not by Aryan blood, that the ex- Bible. Posters were also sold for On the same day on which this clusion of converted Jews from distribution in Tunisia, Belgium, incident occurred a court in the full privileges of Christian Switzerland, Great Britain and Montreal, Canada, sentenced the life is unchristian, that the Canada. author of a play called "The Church of Christ must be ruled Deluge" to two months' im- by God's Word alone, and not by In answer to prayer, permisprisonment and a fine of $250 the government, that the denial sion was given to open a stall at on a charge of blasphemous libel, of justice is the mark of an un- a market for second-hand things, because the play "offended God christian state, that political realistically called "The Flea and religion." One actor was movements cannot be regarded Market." Astonishment was also sentenced to serve time in as Divine revelations nor their plain on the faces of passers-by, jail, while six others received leaders be venerated as mes- one of whom exclaimed: "What! suspended sentences. sengers of God. Such books at the Flea Market!" Two young business men devote -World Outlook. Jews in Warsaw their only leisure half day on Saturday to sell the books. On Scandinavian Teachers For several years the Church one Saturday they sold 44 Tes- Abjure War Mission to the Jews in Warsaw taments in eleven languages. has held evening classes in the More than 130 representatives English language, which brings No More Jewish Converts of Danish, Swedish, Norwegian numbers of the younger element and Finnish teachers' organiza- of Polish Jewry to the Mission The Evangelical Church of tions, assembled for a conference House. Thuringia is one of those most in Finland, have adapted a state- completely under Nazi domment on war which makes scant Attendance during the past inance. This church has recently compromise with the trend to- winter has greatly increased, issued an order by which bapward increased armaments for and if premises and staff could tized Jews can no longer be defense. These teachers say: be enlarged would be still members of the regional church; "In line with the growing war greater. These classes serve as and by which the ministrations psychosis there is observable a means of breaking down the of the church can no longer be also in Scandinavian countries age-long prejudice of Jew s rendered to them. Since this an effort to adapt the schools to against Christianity in general order was issued, the example of the system of military defense. and missionaries in particular. the Church of Thuringia is be- We consider all such actions, The classes are uncompromis- ing followed by the regional whether involving outright mili- ingly evangelistic, yet this fact churches of Saxony, Mecklentary training, or education and does not diminish the attend- burg and Anhalt. In complying preparation for the defense of ance. Once a week the gather- with these new laws, the the population, as tending to be- ing combines evangelistic and churches mentioned have given cloud the spiritual life of the social activities; and while per- up the right to make converts, to child, and to counteract the spirit haps forty will occupy them- Christianity. -Kulturkampf. of confidence in the love of hu- selves with the games and manity that the school endeavors reading matter, a hundred or so Russian Bible Fund to inculcate in the young. We will listen to the Christian adare obliged, therefore, to regis- dress, lasting about an hour. About ten years ago, the Soter our determined opposition to Willingness to listen does not viet Government gave permissuch a violation of the school's imply acceptance of the Gospel, sion to a group of Russian Chrisrights – irrespective of the ex- but does indicate open-minded- tians to publish 50,000 Bibles ceptional difficulties of the times ness. About twenty young Jews and 50,000 New Testaments. An -to carryon its educational ac- are sufficiently interested in the appeal was sent out for funds, a tivity in accordance with its own Bible to meet every week to committee of Christian leaders aims, which are to develop hu- study it, both the Old and New was organized and contributions man beings sensitive to life's Testament. began to come in. Soon 5,000 highest values and prepared to New Testaments were published promote the development of con- The P. T. L. in Paris and distributed; the printing of cord and good-will in the world." 25,000 complete Bibles got under French workers of the Pocket way. Then the Soviet authori- Pastor Niemoller Testament League, not sure how ties discovered what those 5,000 long they may be free to spread Testaments were doing. Imme- Revelation claims to be the the Word of God, have placed diately they stopped the printing first to publish the real reason more than 1,200 posters. on Paris of the 25,000 Bibles and canfor the imprisonment of Pastor walls, near everyone of the 38 celled the permission previously Niemoller, despite the fact that Parisian cemeteries, and in 72' granted. the court declared him innocent. villages and towns. These post- NiemOller still steadfastly main- Although the collection of
funds had to cease, there was, found a job as sweeper and were busy far into. the night exhowever, a balance of $7,000 in cleaner, and after a few months the bank. The Committee then was employed as a nurse in the amining those who sought bapdecided, since there are millions men's ward. -Life of Faith. of Russians outside of Russia tism. -Life of Faith. and they, too, are hungry for D. V. B. S. in Egypt the Gospel, to distribute these African "Keswick" copies along the borders of The W 0 in en's Missionary Russia. With the cooperation of Magazine reports an increase in A convention for A f ric an Christians in seven countries, the number of Daily Vacation Christians has for some years 4,000 Bibles, 45,000 New Testa- Bible Schools in E.gypt. Also, been held in Kenya. It was orments and 7,000 Bible portions 500 more children were reached. ganized by missionaries for the have thus been distributed. Re- Out of the total number of 2,839 spiritual renewal o.f African cently, the $7,000 was reduced to pupils, 760 were Moslems. Mr. teachers and pastors. There has $17.71, and this was handed over Aig3iban, director of this work, been rapid growth in interest to the "Russian Missionary visited all of the 43 such schools until in 1938 some 200 Africans Service" which will add the dis- conducted by students of Assiut and a dozen Europeans gathered tribution of Bibles to its other College, and a number of other from all parts of the Colony, large activities. -So S. Times. schools as well. Some could only some also from Ruanda, Uganda be reached on donkeys. He says: and Tanganyika. As a direct re- AFRICA "It was very wonderful to hear sult o.f that. convention there boys giving Bible stories and have been many cases of a break- Potential Leader in Egypt Golden Texts. Not only this, but ing of the power of sin. to hear Moslem boys and girls Two or three years ago a giving Bible stories." The most During the 1938 Convention young Mohammedan was attend- popular hand work was crayon the question arose as to whether ing an Islamic school in prepara- coloring of Bible verses. Many the time was not now ripe for tion to become a sheikh. Instead, times children hid the bell, so the formation of a Convention, he is today a baptized Christian, that lessons would last longer. not only for pastors and teachand gives promise of becoming a One of the best schools in Upper ers, but also African Christians leader among Egyptian Chris- Egypt was conducted by a Mos- generally. The matter was tians. While this young Mad- lem boy named Yusef Moham- brought before the committee of booli was at the Islamic school, a med Suliman. It is the third Kenya "Keswick," and as a refriend asked him to join in a year that he has had a school. sult a committee was appointed study of the New Testament, This volunteer in Kom Ghareb to arrange, together with Afriwhich he did, and was so inter- worked all summer both morn- can leaders of the Church, for ested he went to a neighboring ing and afternoon. He declared the organization of the African village to ask some missionaries that he himself got most benefit Convention, under the title for other parts of the Bible. Not from the school. "Kenya Keswick." only was his request granted, he was introduced to the local evan- Revival Comes to Mompono -Life of Faith. gelist, with whom he spent many subsequent hours discussing the The "Regions Beyond Mission- Christian Center in Bible and having his difficulties ary Union" was discouraged Tanganyika explained. He also gathered up when one African teacher after a group of young men from his another proved unfaithful to his It is obviously difficult for a own village to join in this stUdy. trust; but continuance in prayer Christian African boy who goes resulted in enlisting forty keen- to work away from home to keep Of course, his interest did not minded boys in a training class, his balance and resist temptaescape the notice of his Moham- to go out later to the surround- tion. Realizing this, some years medan associates, and he had to ing villages. The number grew ago a number of African Chrisput up with the usual annoy- to sixty, and when all these go tians from different parts of ances. His father thought to out there will be a Christian Tanganyika launched a scheme, end the matter by bringing a evangelist for every village of under the leadership of Eurosheikh to "talk Madbooli out of importance in this dis t ric t. peans, to provide a home and this nonsense." But Madbooli About this time, the missionaries Christian fellowship for such was not to be moved, whereup felt an awakening around them. boys. As if in answer to prayer, his father refused to support Open-air workers reported a a well-to-do African business him, so he set out for Cairo to new interest; natives employed man who had been interested in earn his living. He secured a by traders at the State Po.st were the project willed his home, the job as a basket maker, but when asking for their own evangelist, newest and best house in the his employer found he was a and this spirit was not limited to community, to be used for this Christian he promptly dis- the vicinity of Mompono. Five purpose. The house provides accharged him, and refused to pay witch doctors yielded their commodation for a large recreahim what was due. This time hearts to Christ, and misionaries tion room, a reading and waithe went to Shebeen Hospital, ing room, and one for meetings, as well as a small chapel which gives opportunity for quiet and prayer. In connection with the
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
club is a hostel where rooms are tory church collections and, after pay- til they found a friendly chief at ing the allowances of over a hundred let to African Christians. village pastors and teachers, main- Bonginda. Here they settled, -Life of Faith. tained wholly by the indigenous 1,200 miles from the coast, and church, the church sent a gift of five established the Congo Balolo A Great Conference thousand francs toward the deficit of Mission. Eventually, the Re- gions Beyond Missionary Union The largest missionary confer- the Baptist Missionary Society and grew out of this work, and ence South Africa has ever two thousand francs to its largest today it controls work in two substation for church building.
known brought together this The Bible for Cape Verdians fields; in the Congo and in the year at Bloemfontein over 1,000 Bihar province of North India, ministers and laymen of Dutch On the Cape Verde Islands, off where there are seven stations. Reformed churches. The 150 the west coast of Africa, at least In the Congo, there are 20,000 mission congregations were each eighty out of every hundred per- church members, and at least represented by a European mis- sons can read and write; and 20,000 more have been won and sionary, and 400 European con- faith runs high among the mis- are now in "the Church Triumgregations were also repre- sionaries there that Scripture phant." -The Christian. sented. Since 1877 the church's distribution will have far-reachmissionaries h a v e increased from twenty-two to over three ing results. Their plan, they tell Fetish Bonfires Multiply hundred. During the South us, is to place a portion of the African war, 85 young men from Bible in every home. These peo- Public burnings of fetishes the military camps decided to ple are poor, but they have a real are becoming more common in hunger for the Gospel, and will the Belgian Congo; accomgive their lives to mission work. make almost any sacrifice to se- panied by public profession of It was 47 years ago that Rev. A. cure a copy. Proof of this faith in Christ. At Rethi more Louw trekked by ox-wagon to hunger is seen in the following than fifty families have given up Mashonaland, and in that center literal translation of a letter re- their spirit paraphernalia. A today his church numbers 5,000 ceived from one of the islanders: blind evangelist, Paulo, preaches members, with 22,00.0 young with power and he can quote people under instruction. The "I come very respectfully to many passages from the Bible Dutch Reformed Church has ask you this special favor about from memory. To the African, missions in all parts of the your religion. For a long time I the amazing thing is that one so Union of South Africa, in Rho- have lived without belief or fear despised as a blind man should desia, in Nyasaland, and in the of God. Since the first time I go a-bout helping others.-Life heard your words concerning the of Faith. Sudan. It is expected that, as a Gospel I have felt a strange fear result of this conference, every of God and a grand pleasure has WESTERN ASIA congregation will be directed to been in me as I come to this true carryon missionary work in its pathway which I do not know Ten Years to Graduate own area. -So S. Times. profoundly. Therefore I come Draw your own inference by this letter to ask you to loan from the fact that when nurses' Congoland After Fifty Years to me a copy of that book which training was undertaken at Ken- Dr. Holman Bentley, English I have heard you speak about, nedy Memorial Hospital in Trip- Baptist, was the pioneer of Prot- the book which is to guide me oli, Syria, ten years ago, the only estant missions in the Congo. A into 0 Caminho da Salvacao, promising students were girls native boy, Niemvo, helped him (The Way of Salvation}." who had been cared for in Near reduce the Congo language to -The Word of Life. East Relief Orphanages, and had writing, to make a grammar and had a measure of training in dictionary and translate the Regions Beyond Missionary orderliness and regard for the Scriptures. Fifty years ago in Union welfare of others – qualities February, Niemvo was baptized the first native Christian in It is 60 years since the first lacking in most of the others. It Congo; today, there are 250,000 missionary went from the East has taken ten years for the first Protestant church members and London Training Institute to group of girls to carry their a constituency of a million. Central Africa, in territory now training through to successful known as the Belgian Congo. completion. There were four The International Review of girls in this first class to be Missions makes this comment: The Mission at that time was graduated. called the Livingstone Inland Righteousness is beginning to flow Mission. In 1884, it was decided -Monday Morning.
as a mighty stream through the life to hand over the direction of this Long Range Christian Service of the community. Formerly no one Mission, with its seven welldared begin to protest against abuses equipped stations to the Ameri- The American Mission in but, with the revival, fear of man was can Baptists. They, however, Syria has set a goal for a new subdued. A new breath has blown through village life, clearing away the were not able to penetrate as type of missionary work; e.g., old, polluted air. Never has the liberality of our people been so mani- far inland as had been hoped, to reconstruct village life on the fested. Large sums of money have and an expeditionary force principles of the Kingdom of been raised over and above the statu- God as taught in the New Tes- pushed up the Congo River, un-
tament. Briefly, the following a filthy priest leading a tiny bull and so eager to assist their factors enter into the problem: with a crooked mouth and neighbor in her suffering that To follow the example of Christ women stroking its ears in wor- they responded heartily to the with a correlated program to re- ship; women picking up dust Bishop's suggestion that two deem both individual and group tha.t feet of naked priests had representatives of the Methodist life; by living the Gospel before trodden, and putting it on their Episcopal Church in India and preaching it, and by cooperative faces-some of it tied up to take Burma be sent with him to self-help as proclaimed by Jesus. home. However, many were en- China on a mission of fellowship No program is to be "put over," lightened enough to refrain from and help. As soon as arrangebut built around the needs recog- these things. Some were seen to ments could be made, the two nized by the villagers themselves. dip their hands in the river, let men appointed left by motor bus Full cooperation is sought with the water trickle through their over the newly opened road from every department of the Amer- fingers, while their faces were Burma into Yunnan and further ican Mission, with other mis- upturned toward the sky. Be- north in West China. At Runsions and with all national and hind all this, unquestionably, is ning they boarded a plane for government agencies. the search for God. Chengtu. These representatives from India have addressed many It is recognized that changing Caste and Christianity audiences, chiefly students, seekthe lives, thinking, attitudes and ing to aid by evangelistic mescustoms of a conservative vil- H. C. Mookerjie, Ph.D., writ- sages and Christian sympathy. lage community is a long and ing in The Indian Witness, has difficult task, that immediate re- this to say about the bearing of -The Indian Witness. sults must not be expooted. Christianity upon the caste system: A Burmese Woman Leader -Agricultural Mission Notes. Weare all aware that the Indian Dr. Daw Saw Sa, F.R.C.S., Christian community contains within D.P.H., of Rangoon, who ha.s the INDIA AND SIAM itself men and women coming from distinction of being the first nearly all the Indian races, tribes, Burmese woman physician, is The Great Mela castes and strata of society. Blue the first and only woman sena- blooded Brahmins and Syads, high tor under the new constitution, Once in twelve years the castes and scheduled castes, land- which on April 1, 1937, made greatest of all religious festivals owners and tenants, capitalists and Burma a Crown Colony in the is held at Hardwar, in April, laborers, farmers and landless culti- British Commonwealt<h of nawhere the sacred river Ganges vators, rich and poor jostle one an- tions. In 1932 the Rangoon emerges from the mountains. other within the Christian fold. Government conferred unique At that time the population honors upon her by making her swells from a few thousand to All over India, Christianity has sup- a member of the Rangoon Corabout a million, most of whom plied leadership in the revolt against poration, the first time in the are illiterate. For this reason, the rigors of the caste system, and political history of Burma that an announcer told people who specially against untouchability which a Burmese woman was admitted wanted tickets to this or that is a manifestation of the caste feeling as a member of either Corporaplace to go to a spot where they in its most objectionable form. The tion or the Legislative Council. saw a picture of an elephant, a acceptance of our faith has enabled Dr. Daw Saw Sa has long been snake, scissors, a wheel and so thousands of untouchables to shake off interested in politics, particuon. for all time to come the disgrace larly the section relating to wrongly attached to their birth, and physical, moral and mental de- Priests prepare for the wor- to rise in the social scale. The differ- velopment of women and chilship of the river by lighting ence between their position before and dren; and is a member of variwicks in little cups of oil. Wor- after conversion must have made ous societies and institutions, beshippers pass their han d s these men realize very keenly the dis- sides having her own nursing through the flame, then draw abilities under which they had been home and clinic modeled on the their hands across their faces, laboring in their pre-conversion days. most scientific ones in America. perhaps touching lips, eyes and The improvement in their social ears in order to be cleansed from status, always reflected in their be- -Missions. evil they have spoken, seen or havior, has tended to encourage furheard. It is at such times that ther conversions among non-Christian Building the Church in Siam evangelists. are busy with tracts members of the group to which they and Gospel portions, and it is had belonged. In the past, Hindu so- The Church of Christ in Siam not difficult to dispose of them. ciety had refused them all chances of is urging a Five-Year Plan of education, and all prospect of social Evangelism, and is asking each A writer in the Woman's Mis- advancement. Christian missionaries congregation to form a prayer siona1"Y Friend describes some offered both, group for special intercess,ion. of the sights that make one sad A committee was appointed at -make one long to have them India's Mission to China the last meeting of the General know Him who said: "Come Council to consider the possibilunto me." One was a man who At a meeting of the Central ity of a Bible Correspondence had held his arm upraised so Methodist Conference in J anlong he could not take it down; uary, Bishop Ralph A. Ward, of Chengtu, West China, was pres- ent and addressed the audience on conditions in China. Mem- bers of the Conference were so deeply stirred by the situation,
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Course being worked out that the Japanese sentries, helping finished just in time to aecommodate could be used throughout the the government care for its all these poor bombed and bayoneted wounded, and conveying money victims; that our staff was spunky whole Church, especially which to stranded communities where they serve. enough to stay; and just now-that furlough is coming in five months.
A Bureau of Evangelistic and the local mission staff is cut off Church Work has been formed from outside contacts. It's a World Movement to encourage all Christians to -The Church in Action. take responsibility for this plan. Japan's military campaign in It is hoped that eight Siamese Statement from Chiang China is destroying Ghina's inwill enter the Union Theological Kai-shek stitutions of higher education, School in Manila; ,two men have because they do not produce already taken this course. The following formal state- citizens that are friendly to ment was issued by Chiang Kai- Japan's imperial ambitions. In Another need is for an or- shek a few weeks ago, and is of the midst of Japan's bombing of dained man and his wife for special s,ignificance: Hunan University that institurural work, since the majority tion organized a Student Chrisof the Siamese are rural folk. At this hour of our national crisis, tian Association, and one of There is also need for'more work we, the Chinese people, are profoundly their first acts was to write the among the Chinese in Siam, be- moved by the earnest increase in the Christian students of Japan saycause of their numbers, and the many concrete expressions of sym- ing that they of Hunan Univerinfluential place they hold in the pathy which have been continuously sity were deeply aware of their business life of the country. coming to us for over 19 months from membership, through theWorld's our friends in other parts of the world. Student Christian Federation, in a world-wide fellowship of Chris- Chinese Evangelists in Siam Christians have left no stone un- tian students, and especially con- scious of their common partici- Some of the evangelists who turned to show their growing interest pation in that fellowship with have been driven out of China in the material as well as the spirhave gone to Siam, and are put- itual welfare of our suffering people. Missionaries, in particular, have never ting new life into Christians hesitated to make even the greatest there. They have conducted meetings through interpreters, personal sacrifices to heal the wounded Christian students of Japan. which have led to the formation and succor the distressed. They called Christian students of Japan, China and other counof bands for Bible study and I welcome this opportunity, there- tries to go in united prayer to a prayer. Dr. Song, an evangelist. fore, to reiterate the previously ex- pressed appreciation of myself and my educated in the United States, has succeeded in arousing many countrymen for the unqualified en- common Father with the plea of the Siamese to a realization of dorsement of the righteousness of our that His and not their will be their need and responsibility. resistance that has come to us so done-that peace based on jus- spontaneously, and in such unstinted tice come to their nations. In spite of the fact that the measure from the Christian world. Siamese have their own national -Intercollegian and Far church, there has been a tend- I believe that those of our people Horizons. who will survive the terrible holo- causts which have involved us all in Universities on the March so much loss of life. and human suf- fering will emerge victorious in spirit, ana more confirmed than ever in the ency to lean too much on the faith that right will always triumph Chinese educators have coined over might, whether in personal, na- the phrase "Universities on the missionary for the initiative. tional or international relations. March," to describe the condi- CHINA "Count Your Blessings" tion of China's higher institu- Redeeming the Time tions of learning after fighting Mrs. T. D. Stevenson, daugh- changed the educational map of Evangelism, tea chi n g and ter of Charles Ernest Scott, and China. Fifty-four of China's healing – the ministry of the Presbyterian missionary in Can- 114 colleges and universities ton, rut Hackett Medical Center, have been destroyed by bombs Christian Church-never more is able to find cause for thank- or incendiarism; and 82 have needed in China, was never more fulness. Writing home in Feb- been compelled to move just one active than now, in spite of ruary, she says: jump ahead of oncoming Japaterror, bloodshed, destitution nese invaders. To move some of and destruction. Whole popula- There are really so many things to these involved treks of from 500 be thankful for that I do not know to 1,000 miles, most of the jourtions often flee from cities and where to begin. The biggest item, of ney in small boats and on foot. with them the Church, to find course, is that we're reunited as a As much as possible of equipthemselves in some remote area family, and that we're all safe and ment was carried along. where, perhaps, their presence well; that we have so many children brings the first Christian mes- on the compound this year so that our An educational map of China sage. "New circumstances teach small son isn't lonely; that we hap- today would show a number of us new duties," say the mission- pened to have our car (which has been new universities and colleges in aries, who find themselves guard- Hackett's only link with the rest of the city, and has been invaluable for ing the gates of mission com- bringing patients who could not get Kwangsi, Kweichow, Yunnan, pounds, taking in foundling here otherwise, taking the servants to Szechuan and Shensi-provinces babies, preventing cholera, es- market, fetching coal or wood, fetchcorting coolies to market past ing our milk or letters or almost any- which before the war had no thing); that our new hospital was governmental supported univer-
sities – all established by stu- regions. However, there has to drop bombs near Christian dents and faculties. been a measure of success, even churches?" though workers are somewhat -Dayton News. apathetic toward these sparsely Japanese officer: "Certainly. populated areas. Finally, there Glad to cooperate. Let me see In the New Capital are the tent missions, chiefly in your mission maps and I will market towns. have our maps marked accord- To most people, Chungking, ingly. (Moment of silence while if it means anything, means a The South Shensi Mission officer studies map.) Why, you small town in a backward part seeks to create in the Chinese a have churches everywhere. We of China. As a matter of fact, sense of responsibility toward all could not bomb anything withit is a city whose population be- unevangelized districts. To this out hitting one. How many have fore the war was 400,000; since end, a prayer cycle suggests you, anyway?" the transfer of the capital, the items for special intercession. population has j u m p e d to Priest: "Thirteen hundred, 800,000, and is steadily mount- -China's Millions. and Protestants have 300 in the ing. It is far up the Yangtse same area." River, beyond the reach of Jap- How Shall We Pray? anese armies and battleships.; Officer: "I wish I knew what however, it expects bombing Dr. and Mrs. John R. Mott it is that keeps you Christians planes any day. It is a commen- formulated a statement for the working in such places as this." tary on modern civilization that guidance of their own prayer practically every house has its life, early in the conflict between The power of the Gospel is dug out, as much a necessity as China and Japan. Here it is: well illustrated by the following a kitchen. Three anti-aircraft story from Nanking. Bibles and guns are placed within a hun- 1. We should pray for both China Testaments were being distribdred yards of the home of the and Japan-for their rulers, their peo- uted among Japanese soldiers Methodist High School principal, ples, and, very especially, for all their who had a habit of looking in on a school with an enrolment of Christians; for the ending of the war, church services. For the most about 1,'000 boys. Sometimes and for a just and enduring peace. part, these soldiers accepted the the buildings are used by the Not to pray indicates that we believe copies readily. Later, a Japanese Government for official confer- that human wisdom, devisings, com- officer came to a member of the ences, and at such times the binations and power alone will suffice Church Council and urged that school is more like a military to effect these things; whereas, to no Bibles be given to his soldiers. camp, every entrance guarded pray indicates that we believe that No regard was paid to the reby riflemen with fingers on gun superhuman wisdom, love and power quest, and the officer came again triggers. are absolutely essential to the achieve- and again, ordering finally that ment of this wonder work. We should distribution of Bibles must be In South Shensi become alarmed if we find that in our stopped at once for said he, "the secret prayer life this tragic need New Testament talks of peace, The task of evangelizing does not have a large place; because and the chief business of our South Shensi is divided among we are what we are in the dark where soldiers is war." The Bibles had the Norwegian Alliance Mission, God only sees us, and by which He been passed around in the barthe Lutheran Free Church of judges us. racks, read by many, with the Norway and the China Inland result that they did not wish to Mission, the latter having fifteen 2. We should do all in our power to fight. counties under its supervision. relieve human suffering. The volume Five methods of reaching the of unrelieved suffering in areas af- Shanghai's 5,000 Jews people are employed, and of fected by this war in the Far East is these s t r e e t preaching has even greater than at anyone time in If Shanghai is the world's proved the most fruitful. Prob- the World War. Notwithstanding this most cosmopolitan city, this can ably fifty per cent of the con- alarming fact, it is tragic that, as indeed be said of its Jewish verts have been won by this yet, the efforts put forth by the Chris- community of 5,000. Here Jews means. tians and others in America to meet from every country of the world, this overwhelming and indescribable speaking a score of languages, Village evangelism is another need are relatively negligible. Our live, do business, and thrive in method. It is found that one sympathy and sacrificial action in general, despite the frightfulfaithful Christian family can be such a situation are a true test of ness of the Sino-Japanese war. most effective in winning others. our Christ-likeness. Perhaps nowhere else have they City witnescSing includes prison contributed so much to the visitation, distribution of tracts 3. We should, with true penitence, growth of a great city, and perand open air preaching. Evan- acknowledge the sins of our own coun- haps nowhere else is this service gelistic bands have been organ- try against both China and Japan, so little recognized, the reason ized to visit unoccupied towns. and bring forth fruits meet for re- being that emphasis there has This presents difficulties, inas- pentance. This will be difficult. It been laid on nationality, not race much as roads and communica- will involve real self-denying effort or religion; that is, the British tion facilities are poor in the and, it may be, very prolonged effort. Jew is considered a Briton, the mountainous, brigand – infested Russian Jew a Russian, and so 4. Let our Government know unmis- on. takably that the Christian forces will be solidly behind them as they put forth their full influence to secure a just settlement.
Conversation from the Front French priest to Japanese aviation officer: "When you en- ter new territory, would you be willing to instruct your men not
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
An interesting aspect of J ew- their future program; and that in Mongolia. One young man ish life in Shanghai is the new- furthermore, if they want the said to a missionary, "I can tell ness of the Jewish community support of the better class of a Christian now when I meet in contrast with the antiquity of Chinese the first step toward him on the street. I asked one China. Only for little more than securing it would be the instant man whom I met yesterday if a century have the Western na- stopping of this flood of nar- he wasn't a Christian; he smiled tions carried on organized trade cotics. and said, 'Yes, but how did you with China, and for decades the know?' I told him that I could trade was restricted to Canton. Importance of Hongkong see the evidence in his face." The opening of the treaty ports, of which Shanghai was one, the The British colony in Hong- The writer is at work in building up of foreign communi- kong holds a strategic position Hailar, a city 550 miles from ties, and the arrival of Jewish not only politically, but spir- Harbin, where few have learned traders with their non-Jewish itually. The city is at the thresh- of salvation through Christ. colleagues, have occurred during old of the greatest mission field Next door to the little chapel is the lifetime of many now living. on earth; a land of 450,000,000 a tin shop where a young Chris- Shanghai's senior Jewish resi- people of whom very few have tian makes kettles and stove dent has lived in the city sixty- understood, or even heard the pipes. The partition is of paper, nine years; her sister, born Gospel; among the Europeans, and the young tinner became a sixty-six years ago, was the first only a few acknowledge Christ Christian by what he heard Jewish native of the port. as Master. In view of this spir- through the partition. He ham- itual need, the coming of the mers away loudly most of the -International Committee evangelist, Mr. Edwin Orr, last day and night, but never while on Christian Approach October was prayerfully antici- services are in progress. He has to the Jews. pated. learned several Gospel hymns, and sings these lustily as he The Opium Campaign Two of the largest churches in works. Hongkong were. secured for the Much has been written about English services, and there were Hailar is notorious for gam- Japan's campaign to subdue the 250 to 300 people present at bling, opium dens, and other Chinese through opium, and the every meeting – which is to be wickedness, having, most likely, truth of the matter has been both regarded as wonderful, as co- the lowest percentage of Chrisaffirmed and denied. Dr. M. S. lonials are notoriously "tough." tians of any other provincial city Bates, an American missionary Mr. Orr began with the Chris- in Manchukuo. But many of the educator, has written "An Open tians, devoting the first four people are responsive to the Letter on the Narcotic Problem" nights to the need, the method Gospel. which has appeared in two lead- and the conditions for revival. ing Chinese papers. Dr. Bates The succeeding nights were Work in Tribal District says: "Fifty thousand people- given to the proclaiming of the one eighth of the population of Good News of God's grace to The China Inland Mission Nanking-are being slowly poi- sinners. In the first part of each finds a broad field for its minissoned today by heroin, supplied address Mr. Orr told of his ex- try in Yunnan. The capital of by Japanese – controlled d rug periences in different lands in the province, Kumming, is at an rings. Every month a minimum proving the faithfulness of God, altitude of 6,000 feet. Wuting, of $5,000,000 are being squeezed and how He answers prayer. fifty miles northwest, is in a from the impoverished Chinese The evangelistic appeals re- small plain. These two towns in the region by dope traffickers, sulted in conversions – some of are inhabited mostly by Chinese, belonging to or allied with, the them in the King's uniform. but in the surrounding hills are Japanese Army." Four groups thousands of Miao, Nosu, Lisu, are named as closely connected During the past two years, and other tribes. Several miswith this traffic: Hongkong has become a place of sionaries devote their whole time refuge for thousands of people, to these tribes with encouraging 1. The Special Service Section among them many Christians. results.. A little village 7,000 of the Japanese Army. feet high is the center of work -:-Life of Faith. among the Miao, and the average 2. The puppet administration attendance at Sunday service is of Nanking., Working on the Frontier from two to three hundred. Next to the chapel is a little room 3. "Independent" Japanese A missionary remarked that about eight by ten feet, which and Korean drug run- he never saw a smile or heard has been opened as a reading ners. joyful song in his field in India room and "place for discussing until people began to find Christ; the doctrine." Bibles and Tes- 4. Japanese business firms. now many both smile and sing. taments are on display and many At first, the minor key in every copies have been sold. Dr. Bates points out that a phase of life was almost more shorter-sighted greed cannot be than he could stand. In the A new avenue of service has imagined than that of destroy- Evangelical Christian is the tes- been opened among school boys ing a people on whom they must timony that the condition is true in the city of Wuting. In redepend for building up the kind of nation they expect to use in
sponse to a request, the mission 8.4 per cent. Eight years ago, volumes, besides tracts in great offers instruction in English on licensed prostitutes numbered number, of which more than condition that the Scriptures be 52,000; today, there are 45,000. 4,000,000 copies have been sold. used as a textbook. The class His most famous work is "The has an average attendance of Again, there is respect for Common People's Gospel," a twenty, and meets twice a week. labor. Manual labor was once simple but comprehensive man- for the outcast, but the position ual of the Christian faith. More -China's Millions. of laborers has been elevated. than 400,000 copies have been Another advance is a spirit of issued, and the annual sale stilI JAPAN-CHOSEN peace. The Japanese havanever averages 10,000. A Braille edi- been averse to war, but the pres- tion and a Korean translation "Business As Usual" ent war, they say, is a war for have also appeared. peace! It is at least a step in T. T. Brumbaugh has recently advance that they must find an Hundreds of Japanese owe returned to Japan after an ab- excuse for war. Finally, there is their conversion to the reading sence of nearly two years, and the spirit of service, introduced of this book-students, business reports in the Christian Century, by Protestant missionaries. Even men, and men of all classes. that an observer would see noth- the "Tendai Shu," a Buddhist Gamblers, drunkards, liquoring out of the ordinary. Jap- sect, has ordered every temple to dealers, criminals of all sorts anese passengers, bound for carryon art least one piece of so- owe to it their new life in Christ. home, had little to say about the cial service. A restaurant keeper of loose conflict in China. In religious morals studies it for a week and circles little difference was Control of Religious Bodies then in prayer receives forgivenoted. Ostensibly, Christians ness of sins. Such was the are loyal to their government, A bill to control religious or- change in his life that when he regardless of its leadership; ganizations is awaiting final ac- was later elected mayor of his prayers are offered for the tion, and seems likely to be town, no one called him by his preservation of the empire and passed. The bill provides that own name, but "Christ's mayor." the success of the army. They no religious body can be estab- To many of the dying this book urge that evangelization follow lished without the approva1 of has brought hope in last hours. the wake of the imperial army, the Minister of Education. In apparently not considering applying for approval, the doc- -Sunday School Times. whether conquest and mission- trine of the group must be subary endeavor are compatible. mitted, as well as a statement Missionary's Life Has Variety But with all this, the Christian covering its entire set-up, range groups are oases of brotherly of activities, etc. Any later al- Miss Virginia Mackenzie, of love. teration must have the govern- the Presbyterian Mission in ment's approval. Churches and Japan, has a new undertaking- There has been a falling off in pastors who violate the law are all in the day's work-teaching baptisms and even in Sunday subject to fine or imprisonment. English manners to a group of school enrolments during the eleven policemen, plain clothes past few years, but attendance The present bill does not pro- men in charge of investigating at divine services seem'l not to pose to deal with religion, per se, the foreigners that pass through have been affected except, pos- but with religious organizations. the city. They are a kindly sibly, for the better. Christian- in this it differs from previous group, anxious to do things i,ty is fundamentally contrary to efforts to regulate religion which pleasantly and correctly. On an the spirit of the age in this and were open to the charge of vio- average day they examine 160 other lands. Yet, deep down, lating the constitutional pro- non-Japanese travelers, most of most Japanese rejoice that "the vision, guaranteeing religious them either English – speaking, love of God is broader than the freedom. or able to use English. It is measure of man's mind." readily seen how mistakes, or Inasmuch as Christianity lack of politeness, even though Christian Achievements hitherto has had no legal status, unintentional, "can make for all all Christian communions and sorts of misunderstandings; and In his Fellowship Bulletin, local churches must take steps how important to have mis- Toyohiko Kagawa says that, to conform with the provisions understandings as few as poswhereas he was discouraged two of this law within two years sible, so that this effort becomes years ago, he now sees a brighter after its passage. Japanese a v e n t u rein international side and points to the following Christians feel that, on the friendship. achievements Cif the Christian whole, the bill is an advance for movement in Japan. He gives Christianity. Japanese-Korean Church first place to personal piety. Re- Union Discussed ligion was not taken seriously -The Living Church. until the missionaries came. The One of the mottoes of the day second is purity in home and so- Salvation Army Literature is "Japan-Chosen: one body," ciety, taught by the Christians. and its use is having the effect Forty years. ago the divorce rate Commissioner Yamamuro, Sal- of creating a willingness of the was 32 per cent i iu"1936, it was vation Army publicist and au- two Christian groups to unite. thor, has published over sixtY"
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
The Japanese and Korean Y. M. thought to this question. "All ture book. In the manger a black C. A.'s have already united. At that Buddha offered," said he, Papuan baby gurgled.
least the Korean churches in "I found in greater measure in -So S. Times.
Japan proper are likely to unite Christ." Admitting that some with the Japanese Church; in of Korea's best national traits Natives As Museum Exhibits the Methodist Church commit- were the outgrowth of Budtees have been appointed to draw dhism, he summed up his double The Netherlands Committee up plans and union evangelistic experience in two religions with for International Nature Protecservices are being held. The gap a series of contrasts: tion at its annual meeting in of racial feeling will be hard to Amsterdam, Holland, considered bridge, and it is yet to be seen "Buddha is a lover of solitude; the problem of protecting the how much actual union will re- Christ seeks us in life's thorough- primitive people in New Guinea. suIt from the tendency to coop- fares." The recent opening up of Dutch erate; yet the tide seems to be toward a coalition. "Buddha sits imperturbably as New Guinea has proceeded so races go by; Christ agonized on the rapidly that it was felt that Koreans in Tokyo Cross that new life might be open to ne~essary measures must be men." taken without delay for the pro- "Buddha offers release from life and tection of the inhabitants. With its ills; Christ offers more abundant life, in spite of its ills."
The past year has seen the "Buddha calls to meditation; Christ no advance preparation, ideas calls to the service of God and fellow most modern are suddenly thrust withdrawal of Chosen from all men." upon people most primitive. international organizations.
Every effort is being made to ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC Two opposing opinions were preserve the evangelical Chris- disclosed at this meeting of the tian character of the Y. M. and Igorots Ordained Committee: one in favor of pre- Y. W. C. A., W. C. T. U., and The Igorot tribe in the Philip- serving a group of primitive peoother groups under Japanese di- pine mountains is barely two ple in their "stone age" culture, rection. generations removed from head- . shutting them off in a large re- hunting, and to large extent the serve from all foreign influences, Some 500 buildings prepared most primitive superstitions still including missions. In the interfor the Olympic Games that dominate their lives. It is neceswere to have been held in Tokyo sary to remember this in order est of science, a strictly limited have been bought by Koreans, to properly evaluate a recent contact would be allowed. On and ttre now filled mostly by low- event. After several years of the other hand, a group held that wage factory workers. A young training and experience in evan- the authorities had no right to Christian graduate was so ap- gelism, three young Igorots have deny to any people the right of palled by the neglected children been ordained to the ministry in making progress, and to conthat he started on Sundays to the cathedral at Manila. Hopes demn them to remain savages tell them stories of Jesus. At for a native-born ministry for and "museum-objects" for ever. first the parents objected, but these people have long been cher- The danger, it was argued, is soon appreciated the lessons in ished, but the mission staff has cleanliness and truth, so that been inadequate in numbers to not so much in civilization itself some 120 gathered in a vacant train the younger generation. as in abruptness of contact with lot each Sunday until snow and it. As for missions, it was cold made it impossible. Then agreed that their tribal religion six student helpers were en- should not be taken away from listed; paper, pencils and lesson helps were secured and classes Papuan Christmas these people without offering were started in both Korean and them a better one in its place.
An unusual celebration of -Aboriginees' Friend.
Christmas took place in Papua, Japanese. when five hundred Papuan men MISCELLANEOUS –Mrs. H. H. Underwood. and women gathered on the very American Tract Society hill where James Chalmers was Buddha or Christ? martyred half a century ago to Since 1825, the American sing Christmas carols and put Tract Society has been issuing Mr. Kim is a Korean who had on a pageant. The first time tracts, pamphlets, periodicals spent long years in patient pur- they came to a Christmas cele- and hymn books in many lan- suit of the Buddhist goal; then bration at this hill they were guages, and has been sending at last he found Jesus Christ, armed to the teeth; but now colporteurs to distribute them and put the same devotion into some of the world's most back- wmong neglected peoples of all his new faith as he had applied ward people, who could neither lands since 1840. Neglected to the old. A writer in Korean read nor write, were able to re- areas of our own country are de- Echoes tells of a conversation cite long passages of Scripture pendent upon this Society for lit- with Mr. Kim, when he asked and sing Christmas hymns. erature and colporteur service.
him what, in his experience, was Children on hands and knees Its Spanish periodical has a the difference between Buddhism represented a flock of sheep and weekly circulation of 19,000; its and Christianity. His answer a shepherd whose only idea of Polish periodical reaches 4,000 .~howed that he had given much his occupation came from a pic- hOmes.
~- '~
Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The History of Christianity in Amer- own denomination as he sees it and church people or for any ica. ' By Frank Grenville Beardsley, who are honest and desire the Ph.D. 8vo. American Tract So- cast against the background of best for America – the best is ciety, New York. 1939. Christ and all for which He all the other denominations, as stands. The stories of many who Here is a great book. To call have been led into larger life and it history is hardly to do it jus- they have struggled together or service add to the interest and effectiveness of the volume. The tice. It is that, but it is no mere with each other to establish reli- book is a challenge to the dry factual statement of events Church. It is also a kaleidowith dates and places and gious opportunity in the life of scopic view of home missions, showing its beauties, but it deals names; rather it is an interest- America. MARK A. DAWBER. with so many phases, personaliing narrative, told in lucid and ties and elements that the piccharming style, of the develop- Homeland Harvest. By Arthur H. tures of various types of work Limouze. 211 pp. Index and bib- are not clear. The bibliography ment of religion and the Chris- liography. $1.00 cloth; 60 cents contains some books of doubtful tian church in America. paper. Friendship Press. New value from a Christian viewpoint York. 1939. and omits some of real value- Beginning with the Puritans particularly biographies and and the Pilgrims, the author Some pioneers went West for stories of pioneering. weaves his way through the the purpose of establishing thrilling experiences. that were homes for themselves; others Evangelism for the World Today. were drawn by a lust for gold; As Interpreted by Christian Leadso characteristic of men and re- others went in the spirit of ad- ers Throughout the World. Edited ligious movements in the settle- venture or to establish the by John R. Mott. 8vo. 295 pp. ment of the new world. The United States control over new Harper & Brothers, New York. founding of New England, the territory. But the greatest con- 1939. chartering of the colonies and tribution to the progress of the instigation of citizenship Christian civilization in Amer- The primary aim and the cenwere all an integral part of the ica was doubtless made by the tral task of the Christian Church religious enterprise. No one can missionaries who went with the is to "preach the Gospel to every distinct purpose to make friends creature" and to persuade all understand America, democracy, with the Indians and settlers and men to receive and obey Jesus or the American way of life who to win them to Christ and His Christ as their Saviour and is not familiar with the story of Way of Life. Without their Lord. the struggle to establish Chris- prayers, their faith, courage, tianity and freedom of religion vision and labors of love new Partly in preparation for the territory might have been con- recent Ecumenical Missionary on this continent. quered economically but the peo- Conference at Madras, Dr. John The rise and growth of the ple would have been generally R. Mott invited some 1~5 reli- lawless and godless. gious leaders throughout the Protestant denominations is world to answer three questions carefully but interestingly por- Dr. Limouze has written the on the meaning of evangelism. trayed. The development of the interesting and inspiring story Their replies, or the most relesects, the history of the great re- of what home missions have vant portions, have been made done for America-in establish- available in this attractive volvivals and their influence upon ing churches and schools, in giv- ume. American life, as also the vari- ing examples of Christian homes, ous allied movements and or- in helping to promote social wel- In his foreword, Dr. Mott arganizations-such as Boy Scouts, fare, and good government. He rests attention immediately by Lay men's Missionary Move- draws his illustrations from declaring that "nothing in the work with Indians and Orientals, religious realm is more evident ments, the Gideons, Y. M. C. A. the Negroes, mountaineers, and than the world-wide interest in and Y. W. C. A., Knights of others. He reports. results and evangelism, the world-wide con- shows the cost; he pictures pres- cern .regarding the need that Columbus, Jewish Associations, ent-day problems, difficulties, the the Salvation Army, to say noth- trends and the need for contining of the Ku Klux Klan – all uing and strengthening home have their niche in this religious mission work, all forces coopergallery of fame. ating. It is a book for pastors It is a great book that should [334 ] be read by every preacher. He will come from the reading of it with a better appreciation of his
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF SS5
only evangelism can meet, and the message. Some also seemed will shall be done in every area the world-wide manifestations to confuse the spirit of evan- of life. of evangelistic action." gelism with its essential content. Every missionary should be The attempt to define evan- In the section dealing with the equipped in life and message to gelism brought forth a variety "relevance of evangelism," the win men to a saving knowledge of conviction and expression. views of contributors were nat- of Jesus Christ. To win con- Many emphasize the presenta- urally colored by the environ- verts, however, is not enough; tion of the Gospel, the Word or ment in which they lived and the they must be gathered into a felthe Christ to individual man to characteristics of race, custom lowship, a Christian brotherhood the end that he may respond in or religion of the people whom and there learn how to be wittrust and obedience to Him as a they sought to evangelize or nesses and winners of souls. As Saviour and in the commitment Christianize. one said: "The most abiding of his whole life to doing God's evangelism is that which is the will. Others emphasize the Dr. Charles R. Erdman, Presi- expression of the life of the local presentation of the Go s pel dent of the Board of Foreign church." through example and deed, and Missions of the Presbyterian would include in evangelism any Church, U. S. A., declared: "In It is pointed out that some service that interpreted God's these days the aspects of the mission schools report few stumercy and love to man. Dr. Christian Gospel which are most dents won to Christ; other meth- Johannes Warneck of the Rhein- needed (and most neglected) are ods are ineffective; even direct isch Missionary Society, frankly those which are regarded as methods of evangelistic work declares that "evangelism is not supernatural and which have are ineffective unless the mesmerely an enlightenment. One been communicated by definite senger is on fire with love for cannot send away darkness first revelation. The great truths of souls, has a saving and positive and then bring light. . . . And the Incarnation and the Deity of message, gives it in the power it does not promise cultural Christ, of His atoning work, of of the Holy Spirit, and with tact, blessings. It is not our task to His regenerating power and of love and patience. Christ must make earthly living conditions His infallible teaching are of the be given His opportunity to win more favorable. . . . The mis- very essence of the Gospel." each person to Himself.
sion has no social mission. So- On the other hand, Dr. Doug- This volume may be used of cial uplift is according to our las Horton, General Secretary of God to put evangelism in its experience not a good prepara- the Congregational and Chris- place of primacy in the missiontion for the Gospel." tian churches said: "It seems to ary enterprise, and to inspire me that the psychological and Christian workers everywhere, On the other extreme we find sociological aspects of the Gos- through the faithful presenta- Dr. J. Leighton Stuart, Presi- pel are the most relevant in our tion of Him who is the only Redent of Yenching University, time." deemer of mankind, to seek and Peiping, calling attention to one to save those that are lost. aspect of evangelism out of his Others, while pointing out that own experience. "This," says the basic needs of men do not FRANCIS SHUNK DOWNS. he, "is the witness of institu- change, say that present world tions, educational, medical and conditions call for stressing the Christian Home Making. Edited by otherwise, in their corporate Christian message of hope, the Mrs. Robert E. Speer and Miss Concapacity. . . . The right attitude giving of Christian guidance to stance Hallock. A joint statement to current social, economical and intellectuals and business and prepared for the Madras Conferpolitical issues, and with the professional men, and for the ence of the International Missionquality of life which wins the ad- presentation of Christ as the ary Council. 141pp. $1.50. miration of the Chinese public, Prince of Peace. . . . is a form of evangelism." This small but important book In the section on the "Fruit- amplifies somewhat the report Probably the definition that fulness of Evangelism," empha- of the Committee on the Chrisgathers up the essentials of sis is laid on sending forth men tian Home which was prepared evangelism on the part of most and women who are "truly con- for presentation at the recent is expressed in the words of Dr. verted and deeply Spirit-filled," meeting of the International William Temple, Archbishop of on the "preaching of the Gospel Missionary Council at Madras. York: "To evangelize is to pre- in the power of the Holy Ghost," The central theme of the book sent Jesus Christ in the power a clear and intelligent grasp of of the Holy Spirit, that men the great essentials of evangeli- is~ shall come to put their trast in cal Christianity, a life that hides God through Him, to accept Him behind Christ when He is pre- To see the human home in the light as their Saviour, and serve Him sented as Saviour and Lord and of this fierce flame of perfection, to as their King in the fellowship yet which is so Christian and see where and how the leaven of of His Church." vital and genuine that it cannot Christ, working in our common life, be hidden; a presentation that has lifted us from one level to an- In some instances, the mean- not only secures a decision, but other, and to face these infinite reing of evangelism was confused an honest and intelligent desire sources of power that can enable us with the various methods em- to obey Christ, and that God's to go on steadfastly to higher and ployed in the interpretation of higher levels.
Written in careful collabora- tion by outstanding missionary workers at horne and abroad, the book presents the Essence of the
Christian Home, the RequisIte more consistently the colorful F. Ernest Johnson, L. Foster Training for Christian Home days when Dr. Coan resided in Wood, A. J. Muste, Benson Y. Making, and studies of homes the Near East. There might Landis, Allan Knight Chalin America, Africa, India, have been added a more com- mers, and Luman J. Shafer. The China, Japan, Brazil and Mos- plete and accurate statement of chapters are too short for adelem lands. In many instances the present situation. In his quate t rea t men t s of their and with vivid illustrations, non- excellent foreword Dr. Speer weighty themes, each one of Christian homes are des.cribed very properly calls attention to which might well require a sepand contrasted with "the new the fact that modern Iran is very arate volume. But the high things of today" which are different from Persia forty or competence of the writers and brought by the knowledge of fifty years ago. their skill in the condensed pres- Christ. The changing status of entation of their subjects have women, the influence of mission- The reader must be cautioned giV'en us a readable and very ary homes, the effect of Chris- not to accept this as a report of important contribution to the littian education and many other present-day missionary activity erature of one of the great probinfluences are carefully consid- in Iran and Kurdistan. The last lems of the modern Church. ered. Individuals and groups chapter unfortunately gives the will find this book offers an un- impression that the closing of ARTHUR J. BROWN. usual basis for the study of that the Urumia Station was an immost important subject-Chris- mediate result of the World War. Art of Conducting Public Worship. tian Home Making. No mention is made of the post- By Albert W. Palmer, D.D., LL.D. war reconstruction of Urumia 207 pp. $2.50. Macmillan, New MARY SCHAUFFLER PLATT. Station. We should remember York. 1939. that the Imperial Government Yesterdays in Persia and Kurdistan. of Iran paid the Presbyterian This is a book of deep interest By Frederick G. Coan. 284 pp. Board of Foreign Missions its to all ministers of non-Liturgi- $2.50. Saunders Studio Press, asking price for the property in cal churches, as well as to lay- Claremont, California. Urumia and has allowed the men who have the resiponsibility mission to continue employing of conducting devotional meet- In the preface Dr. Coan ex- native evangelists all through ings and public services of worplains that his object is "to give the Urumia plain since that date. ship. As President of Chicago an account of the human and ro- Theological S e min a r y after mantic aspects of the mission- Dr. Coan's stories of hair- years of experience as a pastor ary's life, to outline the experi- raising adventures of early mis- in Oakland California, Central ence of a life of service and a sionaries make exciting reading Union Church, Honolulu, and kind that, with a change of time, and give further evidence of the First Congregational Church of has become almost unique, and, courage and abiding faith of Oak Park, Ill. Dr. Palmer can above all, to present that side of these pioneers. The maps in the speak with authority and he the missionary's life that will end papers and the illustrations writes with enthusiasm and in a especially interest the young." are helpful but there is need for very practical way. He deals This purpose the author has ful- an index and a glossary explain- with the weaknesses and failfilled with a great degree of suc- ing the Near Eastern terms and ures in much public worship and cess. Certainly few modern phrases used throughout. clearly points out the causes. He volumes of fiction or travel de- treats the historical background scribe such rough and ready HERRICK B. YOUNG. of Christian worship and the existence and such hairbreadth primary significance of it, showescapes. The Church Faces the World. Edited ing what must happen if it is to by Samuel McCrea Cavert. 133 pp. remain worthy of the name. The early chapters are espe- $1.50. Round Table Press. New There is a chapter on the archicially valuable to the student of York. 1939. tectural setting. for worship, missionary activity in the Near which alone is worth the price East. Here Dr. Coan tells of the This small but important book of the book to any who are renotwenty-five years of pioneer was prepared for the Interna- vating, remodeling or building Rervice begun by his parents· in tional Missionary Council in new church edifices. There are 1851. The succeeding chapters Madras, India, last December. suggested patterns of worship deal chronologically with Dr. A commission of American services, and for special occa- Co-an's own colorful forty years Christians had been appointed sions. The two parts. 0'£ the among the Assyrians and min- to study the relation of the appendix are most helpful. "A" gling with the Kurds between Church to the changing social has a check list by which one Mosul, Tabriz, and the Turkish and economic order, and the re- may grade his own efforts. in frontier. Those who have had sults of the study are sum- conducting public worship, and the pleasure of knowing this vet- marized in the present volume. another check list for rating the eran missionary campaigner will The varied phases of the subject use of music in such services. read of his experiences with in- are discussed in ten chapters, "B" is an annotated book lis,t, terest. One could wish, however, by. John C. Bennett, H. Richthat the occasional references to ard Niebuhr, Samuel McCrea for those who wish to enhance modern Iran had been omitted Cavert (who, in addition, edited their skill in this art. so that the story would depict the volume and contributed the Introduction), John H. Reisner, R. C. WILLIAMSON.
List on Home Missions American Youth Commission of the The Red Man in the United
American Council on Education. By G. E. E. Lindquist. $3.50. GENERAL AND HISTORICAL $1.50. D. Appleton-Century Co. Doubleday, Doran. New York. New York. 1937. 1923. Christian Youth in Action. Frank W. Herriott. $1.00 cloth; 60 cents They Starve That We May Eat. MEXICANS AND ORIENTALS paper. Friendship Press. New Edith E. Lowry. 35 cents. Friend- IN AMERICA York. 1935. ship Press. New York. 1937. Mexican in the United States, The. God and the Census. Robert N. Mc- Races and Ethnic Groups in Amer- E. S. Bogardus. $1.60 cloth; $1.25 Lean. 50 cents cloth; 25 cents ican Life. T. J. Woofter. McGraw- paper. University of Southern Cali- paper. Friendship Press. New Hill Book Co. New York. 1932. fornia Press. Berkeley. 1934. York. 1931. THE CITY Orientals in American Life. Albert Homeland Harvest. Arthur H. W. Palmer. $1.00 cloth; 60 cents Limouze. $1.00 cloth, 60 cents City and Church in Transition. Mur- paper. Friendship Press. 1934. paper. Friendship Press. New ray H. Leiffer. $2.50. Willett, York. 1939. Clark & Co. Chicago. 1938. ALASKA AND THE WEST They Came Seeking. Coe S. Hayne. Urban Scene. Margueritte Harmon The Story of Alaska. Clarence L. $1.00. Judson Press. Philadelphia. Bro. 25 cents paper. Illustrated. Andrews. Enlarged edition, $4.00. 1935. Friendship Press. New York. 1938. Caxton Printers. Caldwell, Idaho. 1938. Toward a Christian America. Her- City Man. Charles Hatch Sears. mann N. Morse. $1.00. Friendship Special paper edition, 75 cents. Sheldon Jackson. Robert Laird Press. New York. 1935. Friendship Press. New York. 1938. Stewart. Revell. New York. 1908.
American Saga: The History of Lit- City Shadows. Robert W. Searle. Alaskan Adventures. L. Wirt. $1.50. erature of the American Dream of $1.00 cloth; 60 cents paper. Friend- Revell. New York. 1937. a Better Life. Marjorie Barstow ship Press. New York. 1938. Greenbie. $4.00. Whittlesey House. Henry Harmon Spalding: Pioneer of New York. 1939. RURAL LIFE Old Oregon. Clifford Merrill Drury. $3.00. Caxton Printers. Caldwell, Daniel Boone and the Wilderness Christ of the Countryside. Malcolm Idaho. 1936. Road. H. A. B. Bruce. $1.75. Mac- Dana. $1.00. Cokesbury Press. millan. New York. 1910. Nashville. 1937. Marcus Whitman. Clifford Merrill Drury. $5.00. Caxton Printers. Epic of America, The. J ames Tru- Christian Enterprise Among Rural Caldwell, Idaho. 1937. slow Adams. $1.29. Blue Ribbon People, The. Kenyon L. Butter- Books, Inc. New York. 1936. field. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Vanguard of the Caravans: A Life Nashville. 1928. Story of John Mason Peck. Coe Frontier Spirit in American Chris- Hayne. $1.00. Judson Press. tianity, The. Peter G. Mode. Mac- Rebuilding Rural America. Mark A. Philadelphia. 1931. millan. New York. 1923. Dawber. $1.00 cloth; 60 cents paper. Friendship Press. New York. 1937. AMERICAN CHURCH AND THE March of Faith, The: The Story of CHRISTIAN MESSAGE Religion in America Since 1865. America Begins Again. Katherine William E. Garrison. $2.50. Harper Glover. Illus. $2.75. Whittlesey Christianity-and Our World. John & Bros. New York. 1933. House. New York. 1939. C. Bennett. 50 cents. Association Press. New York. 1936. Right Here at Home. Frank S. Mead. THE NEGRO AND THE $1.00. Friendship Press. New AMERICAN INDIAN Church and State in Contemporary York. 1939. America. Williams Adams Brown. American Race Problems: A Study $2.75. Scribner's. New York. Story of Missions, The. Edwin E. of the Negro. Edward B. Reuter. 1936. White. $1.00. Friendship Press. 2nd. rev. ed. $3.00. Thomas Y. New York. 1926. Crowell Co. New York. 1938. Church Looks Ahead, The. American Protestant Christianity: an Analy- Wagons West: A Story of the Oregon Twelve Negro Americans. Mary sis and Forecast. Charles E. Scho- Trail. Elizabeth Page. Farrar & Jenness. $1.00. Friendship Press. field, Ed. $3.00. Macmillan. New Rinehart. New York. 1930. New York. 1937. York. 1933.
We Must March. Honore Willsie Brown America. Edwin R. Embree. Church Unity Movements in the Morrow. A. L. Burt Co. New $1.25. Special Friendship Press United States. H. Paul Douglass. York. 1927. Edition. New York. 1937. Institute of Social and Religious Re- search. New York. 1934. PRESENT-DAY PROBLEMS Story of the American Negro, The. Ina Corinne Brown. $1.00 cloth, 60 Evangelism i,n a Changing W orId. Alien Americans: A Study of Race cents paper. Friendship Press. Ambrose M. Bailey. $1.50. Round Relations. Bertram J. O. Schrieke. New York. 1937. Table Press. New York. 1936. $21.50. Viking Press. New York. American Indian and Christian Mis- U. S. Looks at Its Churches, The. Christian F a i t h and Economic sons, The. George W. Hinman. C. Luther Fry. Institute of Social Change. Halford E. Luccock: $2.00. $1.50. Revell. New York. and Religious Research. New York. Abingdon Press. New York. 1936. 1930. Story of the Red Man, The. Flora Christianity and Industry in America. W. Seymour. $5.00. Longmans, PROGRAMS AND POLICIES OF Alva W. Taylor. Friendship Press. Green & Co. New York. 1929. HOME MISSIONS New York. 1933. Cry Dance. Coe Hayne. $2.00 (Fic- Christian Mission in America, The. Pioneering on Social Frontiers. tion). Harper & Bros. New York. Hugh T. Kerr. $1.00. Friendship Graham Taylor. $4.00. University 1939. Press. New York. 1933. of Chicago Press. Chicago. 1930. Facing the Future in Indian Missions. Home Missions Today and Tomor- Protestant Churches and the Indus- Lewis Meriam and George W. Hin- row: A Review and a Forecast. trial Crisis. E. B. Chaffee. Mac- man. $1.00. Friendship Press. Hermann N. Morse, Ed. 75 cents millan. New York. 1933. New York. 1932. paper. Home Missions Council. New York. 1934. How Fare American Youth? Homer Indian Americans. Winifred Hulbert. P. Rainey and others. Report to Friendship Press. New York. What Next in Home Missions? Wil- 1932. liam P. Shriver. 50 cents. Friend- ship Press. New York. 1928.
THE FAMILY ALTAR RETURN?
The increased use of a daily devotional guide among Protestants of all faiths gives hope and encouragement for the return of the family altar. By far, the largest circulated of these devotional guides is THE UPPER ROOM The World's Leading Devotional Periodical Read Daily in a Million Homes Are the homes represented in your church using it? . The issue for July, August, and September is now ready for distribution. Place an order today for as many copies as you need. Use our consignment plan. Ten or more copies, shipped to one address, to be sold at five cents per copy, with the< privilege of returning unsold copies at our expense. Yearly subscriptions, 30 cents postpaid; foreign, 40 cents. Send all orders to THE UPPER ROOM Doctors' Building, Nashville, Tennessee
The Missionary Review of the World — April 1939
1939
• A Mission in the Arctic Circle Henry W. Griest, M.D.
Outlook for Christianity in Europe-I Adolf Keller Murad and the Lost Feast Day v. Lane..Frimpole Adversaries and Open Doors in Missions C. Darby Fulton A Milestone in Missionary Progress H. Kerr Taylor "Now Concerning the Collection"
Samuel M. Zwemer Problems of Rural Life-at Madras G. Baez Camargo Toyohiko Kagawa Ira E. Gillet 2S Cents a Cop, $2.50 a Year
to Remember USED IN OVER ONE MILLION CHRISTIAN
April 26 – Uniting Conference of HURLBUT'S STORY OF THE BIBLE Amel'ican Methodism, Kansas City, BJ' .lESSE LYMAN HURLBUT. D.O. Md. Recommended by all denominations for Itsfreahness and aeeuracy forIt. simplicity of language. for Its freedom from doctrinal dleeu88lon. May 1-3 – Tenth Annual Missionary Education Institute. Third Chris- THE BEST GIFT FOR YOUNG AND OLD tian Church, Indianapolis, Ind. FOR TEACBER8-STUDENT8-POR THE HOME AND SCHOOL May 25 – General Assembly of the One hundred and sixty-eightstories. each complete in itself, yet form- Presbyterian Church in U. S. A., ing a contIDuous Darr.dye of the Bible from Genesis to Revelstion. Cleveland, Ohio. Each ofthe world-old storie. i. told by the noted author in a mannel' thati. vitaIly interesting and instructive to young and old alike. May 30-June 2-Third Biennial Insti- tute, A Movement for World Chris- Biggest _d Best mulr.ted Book EYer Sold lor tbe …..ce tianity, New York, N. Y. Beautifully illustrated with 281 pictures in colors and in black and white; over 100 famous Leinwebel' paintings. 759 pages. PrIce..f2.00 June 7-13 – Ann u a I Conference, Church of the Brethren, Anderson, At all6oolutore. or from the pu6Uahere Ind. …_THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bldg., Philadelphia _ _II June 8 – General Synod of the Re- formed Church in America, New mestic Missions of the National Dr. J. Arthur Funk, a member of York, N. Y. Council of the Protestant Episcopal the Iran Mission of the Presbyterian Ohurch. Church, U. S. A., since 1902, died from June 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- a heart attack in Hamadan, Iran on vention, Los Angeles, O!lilif. Obituary Notes March 5th. He was born in Spring- field, Ohio June 17, 1873, and' after June 21-25-Sunday School and B. Y. Mrs. Charles W. Abel, the widow of being graduated from New York Uni- P. U. Congress of the National Bap- the famous pioneer missionary in versity and from the College of tist Convention, U. S. A., (Inc.), Papua, died in Kwato on February Physicians and Surgeons, sailed for Tulsa, Okla. 24 after a brief illness. Mrs. Abel Persia where he was in charge first of went out to Papua in 1892 when her the American Hospital in Teheran and June 24-July I-Eagles Mere Confer- husband was associated with the Rev. for the past 35 years in the American ence of Missions. Chairman, Mrs. James Chalmers in work among the Christian Hospital at Hamadan. He Earl Breeding, 24 Rugby Lane, cannibals of New Guinea. Mr. Abel did notable work in the training of Scarsdale, N. Y. died in 1930 while in England. Mrs. kbel and her four children have con- . . physicians who are recognized prac- July 3-10-Northfield Missionary Con- tinued the work and it has greatly en- ference for Women and Girls. East larged in the last eight years. The titioners in Iranian cities. Northfield, Mass. For information, Kwato Mission of Papua is an inde- address Mrs. Warren C. Taylor, 38 pendent, interdenominational w 0 r k '" Union Ave., Schenectady, N. Y. largely supported from the United States and Great Britain. Mrs. Abel Dr. Harold McAfee Robinson, Gen- July 6-11 – International Christian has seen the Papuans change from eral Secretary of the Board of Chris- Endeavor Convention, Cleveland, cannibals, murderers and sorcerers tian Education of the Presbyterian Ohio. into active and devoted Christians and Church, U. S. A., died on March 5th evangelists. at the age of 58. He was born in Shel- July 11-August 16 – Winona Lake byville, Mo., and after graduation School of Theology. Winona Lake, *** from Park College and from Prince- Ind. Dean, Dr. J. A. Huffman, 302 ton Theological Seminary he served Morton Blvd., Marion, Ind. Miss Jessie Maxwell, a missionary as pastor of the Market Square Pres- of the Woman's Missionary Society byterian Church, Germantown. In July 22-28-Baptist World Congress. of the United Church of Canada sta- 1919 he joined the Board of Christian Atlanta, Ga. tioned at Neemuch, Indi'a, died on re- Education and in 1923 was elected turning to her station from a fur- secretary of the division of education July 24-August 2-World Conference lough, early in February. Under her in the home church and community. of Christian Youth, Amsterdam, care the Girls' Boarding School at For the last four years he has been Holland. Neemuch developed into The School General Secretary of the Board.
August 13-20-Geneva Summer School . . of Home Making and was known as DO YOUR S.S.PAPERS of Missions, Lake Geneva, Wis. ~ For information write to Mrs. Paul "Sundar Ghar" (the house beautiful). BIBLE TBUTH~ H. Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey ~w Ave., Oak Park, Ill. '" ~ COUNCIL FIRES =~ Personal Items Dr. Clarence True Wilson, aged 66, for Young People international leader in the prohibition Dr. John R. Mott, the famous Meth- cause, died in Portland, Oregon, Feb- 1502 N. Third St. Harrisburg, Penna. odist layman, was re-elected Chair- ruary 17. Evangelical fervor and imman of the International Missionary passioned oratory made Dr. Wilson a Council at the meeting in Madras, spectacular figure in the fight for India, in December. Dr. Mott made a temperance. For more ,than 26 years condition of his acceptance the under- he was head of the Methodist Board st!l;nding that he would not hold the of Temperance and Public Morals. office longer than three years. For twenty years of this period he waged uncompromising war against '" '" '" liquor, gambling and vice, speaking in every part of the United States. President Francis Wei, of Central He frequently engaged in debate with China College, made history, when he Clarence Darrow, avowed agnostic returned to China from the United and anti-prohibitionist, on the liquor States, by preaching in Honolulu on issue, although the two were warm one Sunday and in Manilla on the fol- friends off the platform. Dr. Wilson lowing Sunday. Air travel made this maintained that Darrow would have possible. been a forcible preacher, if he had been converted. '" '" '"
The Rev. Dr. George A. Wieland, of Seattle, Wash., was elected, in February, Executive Secretary for Do-
MISSIONARY us. I find them most useful in my regiment the life of a people
REVIEW OF THE WORLD course on the History of Missions." notions of race or soil or national his- tory or genius. Wherever the passion DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor PROF. J. L. STEWART, St. Andrews of national and racial absolutism is College, Saskatoon, Canada. VOL. LXII APRIL, 1939 No.4 most unbridled, there the Church *** should stand in the forefront of the Publication and Business Office- battle.-William Paton. Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. In all lands the Church should be a continual rebuke to those who would Editorial and Executive Office– 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. SPIBlTUA'· TIDE Entered as second-class matter at Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879.
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BOARD OF DIRE'CTORS ROBERT E. SPEER, President A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary PAUL J. BRAISTED SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT D. J. FANT MRS. OERIN R. JUDD WM. B. LIPl'HAlID ERIC M. NORTH SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Editorial Chat The purpose of •• The Quiet Our readers will be interested in Hour" is to help you maintain the further reports from the Madras Conference–the careful appraisal by Dr. high tide of spiritual enrichment H. Kerr Taylor of Nashville, the criti- that Easter brings. When you ex~ cism by Prof. Kraemer of Holland and three extracts dealing with rural prob- amine a copy you will see how lems in Africa, Mexico and Japan. effectively this daily devotional * *. * guide carries out its purpose. The Next month's article will deal with opportunities and the outlook in meditations are prepared by men China, Brazil, Africa, the Appalachian and women of deep spiritual in~ Mountains and work among the blind. sight. A wealth and variety of *** help is contained in every quarter~ ly issue-one full pa~e for each One of the oldest subscribers to THE day. You can easily give your REVIEW recently wrote as follows: congregation the inspiration .. The Quiet Hour" offers. It costs only a third of a cent a week 1 "I have had the MISSIONARY REVIEW since away back in the 1880's when CONSIGNMENT OFFER my uncle, Rev. Dr. J. M. Sherwood, was working on it with Dr. Arthur T. Pastors and other leaders may order" The Quiet Hour" in quan- Pierson. I just could not do without tities with the privilege of returning any unused copies for credit it." MRS. M. E. WEBER. Sebring, Florida. at the close of the quarter. Cash or deferred payment plan. , *** I~ A more recent subscriber comments ,: DAVID C. COOK PUBLISHING COMPANY on our report of the Madras Confer- , S2-D Lincoln Stroot, Elgin, Illinois ence: ,,,,,,, "I write to thank you for the very Gentlemen: Please send: fine job you have done with the Mad- o Free sample copy of .. The Quiet Hour" ras material. Your readers should o Details of Consignment Offer have a well-rounded idea of what went on at Madras even though they have _ Name …………………………………………………………………….. read nothing else about that confer- Ig. i~ ,III~I~I), ~ i,,-'" Box. "mmm.mm••••••m •••••. ence." REV. E. K. HIGDON, Secretary, Foreign Missions :11 t i d 'ur}~ City………………………………………….. State…………………… Conference, New York.
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COLLEGE – EFFECT OF THE EARTHQUAKE. METHODIST CONGREGATION AT CONCEPCION, FIRST
THE TEACHERS NARROWLY ESCAPED DEATH AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE DESTRUCTION IN THE HEART OF CONCEPCION – WHERE FISSURES IN THE ROAD CAUSED BY THE EARTHQUAKE- PRESBYTERIAN AND METHODIST MISSIONS ARE LOCATED NEAR CONCEPCION THE CONCEPCION CHURCH AND PARSONAGE – BOTH THE REV. MOlSES TORREGOS AND FAMILY. HE IS PASTOR DESTROYED BY THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH SCENES CONNECTED WITH THE CHILE EARTHQUAKE REVIE ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 4 APRIL, 1939 Topics of the Times EFFECTS OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN CHILE Rev. S. C. Henderson, of the Presbyterian mis- Letters from missionaries in Chile tell of some sion, wrote from Santiago on January 28th: remarkable escapes from death during the recent earthquake (January 24th) whioh caused wide- All lines and means of communication are cut off and spread destruction of life and property. The cen- we are desperate for information. Airplanes have brought ter of the earthquake was in the neighborhood of mail from Concepcion to some people but we have nothing Concepcion, Chillan and Coihueco-about 300 direct. This afternoon we have heard that all the congremiles south of Valparaiso and Santiago. Over gation in Concepcion are safe. The church building evififty cities and towns were destroyed. It is said dently did not suffer so much as many other buildings. to have been the worst earthquake that Chile has suffered since 1906 when Valparaiso was praoti- Chillan (with a population of 45,000) has suffered most. cally destroyed. It is estimated that one per cent The pastor, Rodolfo Vergara and all his family were in of the people of Chile perished. So far as is Santiago. We have ,practically no notice concerning the known no missionary life was lost in the earth- congregation and the properties. They say only four or quake and only one or two were silightly injured. five houses are left in Chillan which means the destruction The Evangelioal Christians also were wonder- of the church and the manse. fully spared personal inj ury but many lost all their property. According to the latest statistics, ,.The pastor in Talca, Olivero Maufras, says that all the 30,000 people lost their lives, 50,000 were wound- congregation are safe but the church building cracked and ed, many thousands disappeared, and the property the division wall out of plumb. From Curlco the pastor reports all sufe; the church walls cracked.
In Concepcion it will cost considerable to repair the church and manse; and in Chillan we will probably have to rebuild both church and manse.
Rev. Robert B. Elmore, another Presbyterian missionary, wrote from Angol on January 27th: loss has been estimated as high as $60,000,000.00 The force of the shock was felt most in Chillan and in U. S. currency. This is one of the major catas- Concepcion, where the loss of life has been great–10,000 trophesm modern times. in Chillan andi 2,000 in Concepcion. Buildings are down or badly cracked, so they can hardly be used. The railway The Presbyterian Church (North) has several service is cut, all telephone andi telegraph wires are down stations in the eal'lthquake territory, the Methodist and we depend on the radio for news. Episcopal mission is at work in Concepcion and Angol. The Southern Baptists have work in Con- The Methodist mission territory is next to the Presbycepcion and Seventh-Day Adventists in Chillan. terian field on the south, and overlaps in Concepcion (a There are a few independent missionaries-such city of 77,000). Their missionaries and national workers as those of the Soldiers and Gospel Mission. All are safe. The British and Foreign Bible Society reports workers on the field have rendered valiant s'ervice that one of their stations, Chillan in charge of a colporin giving food, shelter, medical care and other teur, suffered heavily. The whole city of 46,000 populaassistance to the earthquake sufferers. There is tion was leveled to the ground. The Baptist (Southern evidence that this physical disaster is caus1ing a Convention) missionaries are reported safe but their spiritual awakening among the people who have property at Chillan and Concepcion is either destroyed been brought face to face with death, many seeing or seriously damaged. their earthly possessions, destroyed, and as they note the loving and effective service given by the The Methodist missionaries report as· follows: missionaries in ithe name of Christ. In Coronel, churches and college in ruins; in Angol, church destroyed and many people home- less; in Concepcion college and church de- stroyed with 600 members destitute; in Chillan, [163 ]
two theaters cO'llapsed, whole audience killed, and pletion, is, however, in ruins-the work of many weeks all churches razed. Talcahuano (the port) prac- destroyed in forty seconds. tically destroyed including Methodist Church and parsonage. After the earthquake, bystanders observing the light on the face of one of our Evangelical Christians, re- Rev. Moises Torregrl()sa, a Methodist pastor marked: Miral la, calma de este gente de Dios/ ("See, in OO'ncepcion, wmte a wee~ after the earthquake: how calm these people of God are!") We hope that many may say "Let us go up with you for we see that God is Chillan is in ruins, 20,000 people dead! Concepcion with you." city, "the Pearl of the south of Chile," has been destroyed. Concepcion College is just a mass of debris and GOD WORKING IN MEXICO ashes. Church building and parsonage have been destroyed. This is a self-supporting church-600 members. Most of the daily newspaper dispatches from Today my people have no homes and have lost everything Mexico tell only of political conflicts and rumors they had. Weare all living like gypsies, sleeping in relalting to communist, fascist and other activicamps out of the city. I have no support but feel my duty ties:; of economic troubles in oil and mining disis to stay here and minister to the poor and the sick. It putes; and of the GO'vernment's restrictions on is time for a big and deep evangelistic campaign, but we religious activity. But there is another side to have no place for worship. How can we find the means the story of Mexico. Many Christians are prayto help our people who are in extreme poverty? F'ifteen ing and witnes:sing; God is working and giving Roman Catholic churches have been destroyed in the earth- signs of His power in the lives of Mexicans. Rev. quake in our city and the Vatican is helping to rebuild. W. M. Taylor of Mexico City, gives the following It is time for prayer and action. Thank God we have glimpses of quiet but effective evangelism. been saved from death. "The distribution of Chris:tian literature by mail Chile has a population of 4,287,445 (including has continued and over 15,000 Gospel portions and 98,703 Indians). Eighteen Protestant missions 45,000 Evangelical tracts have been sent to Mexare at work there, most of them north of Con- ican officials, school teachers, postmasters" telecepcion. The people of Chile, especially in the graph operators, railroad station agents and merrural regions, are very poor and in the small cities chants throughout the country. Thus 30,496 Gosand towns where this blow has fallen, will not be pels and 91,488 tracts have been distributed in able to rebuild their ruined churches and homes. this way since the work began a year and a half They need help. ago. Probably ,every village and town in the Re- public has received at least one Gospel portion. Mr. William M. Strong, director of the Soldiers Continue to pray that GO'd will fulfill His promise and Gospel Mission, with headquarters at Coihu- and will nOot allow His Word to return untO' Him eco, in the earthquake area, wrote from Ooncep- void. cion: "The results have been encouraging. FOor ex- An old historian of Chile, Daniel Riquelme, in writing ample, the secretary of an Indian village in the of the earthquake of Concepcion in 1757, when half the mountainsl of Guerrero received some Christian city was sunk beneath the waves, remarks that "the net literature, read it ·and wrote for more. He was moral result of that distressing time was that the blas- converted and began to have a burden fOor the spir:- phemy and immorality and drunkenness of the men, and itual needs of Ihis tribe. He spoke to his friends the indecency in the dress of the women was put away and. read the New Testament to them. On Aufor a long time and four hundred couples, who had been gust 7th he called a meeting of the Indians and living in sin, went to the priests to have a true marriage translated portions of the New Testament to the rite performed." We pray that a real God-given revival one hundred who attended. He reports that some may result from this, the greatest catastrophe of the West- cried out hecause of their spiritual darkness. The ern hemisphere of all time. Here in this same city of Con- Indian adds: 'Our Lord Jesus Ghrist will Slave us cepcion, there are from twenty-five hundred to three thou- by faith in Him; He will be merciful to us in sand dead. We expect to carry our Gospel tent to Chillan, these forgotten mountains.' where one half the entire population of forty-five thousand are dead and where not more than a dozen houses "Thi:s man is a Tlapaneco Indian in a region still remain standing. hitherto untouched by messengersi of the Gospel. In fact part of this district is marked 'unex- One of the remarkable phenomena of the whole tragic plored' on the Government maps. Now, as a reoccurrence is the fact that hardly one of God's children suit of this Indian's letter, two men have been sent has been touched, although some workers had most miracu- by one mislsion into that region to study the lanlous escapes. guage and translate the New Testament into Tlapaneco. Pray for this Indian, Cruz Avilez, The work, as a result of the earthquake, promises to that God may keep him faithful and use him be large. The soldiers will be in this area for months and among his own people." are already building winter quarters. We should build a regular center to take the place of the tent; it will be a place from which our workers can go out into the town to minister to the needs of the civilians.
At Coihueco, although the town is practically wiped out, our mission headquarters still stand a's a monument of God's grace–its chimneys, a few tiles on the roof, and a few broken dishes are the only reminders of the earthquake there. The new chapel which was nearing com-
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
A special Christian literature campaign has same basis of age, report 21,322,688 members or also been conducted among Believers and over 15,492,016 over thirteen years old. Jewish con- 3,600 books and 14,000 tracts have been distrib- gregations report 2,930,332 members over thir- uted. These may help to bring about a revival. teen years; Eastern Christian sects have 1,014,663 There is a very important work among Mexican members and all other religious bodies 1,453,357. soldiers, and nearly five hundred of them have This seems to indicate that the nominally Prot- publicly declared their decision to follow Christ. estant population of the United States is approxi- New Testaments have been distributed among mately 71,000,000 (or double the total church officers and in the outposts, barracks, headquar- membership), while Roman Catholics number ters and military prisons. Many converts have 30,000,000 and Eastern Christian sects 2,000,000. remained faithful and one whom I had not seen The total number of Christians in America, more for four years informed me that he had explained or less closely connected with the churches, would the way of salvation to his comrades. When a thus be about 103,000,000, leaving 30,000,000 encorporal hesitated about allowing Mr. Taylor to tirely unrelated to the Church. This is a popula- distribute literature to his men, a meeting was tion equal to those of Turkey, Afghanistan and arranged by two women who had heard the Gos- Iran combined. Here is a large and needy field. pel. Every person in the camp came and all were .greatly impressed by the Spirit of God, working At the recent Madras Missionary Conference, through the testimony of one woman whose hus.- delegates from the "younger" (mission) churches band had been converted. The Mexican soldiers placed much emphasis on the need for Church have little or no opportunity to attend church union. This is evident in the United States where s'ervices or to have fellowship with mature Chris- there are forty-two major bodies and where some tians. church families are divided into fifteen or more sub-sects. The largest single organizations are AMERICAN CHURCH STATISTICS the Methodist Episcopal Church with 4,364,142 members (after the coming merger with the Meth- Statistics do not tell the truth-especially as to odist Church, South and the Primitive Methodists spiritual conditions and growth. Life and power it will number 7,385,638 members), the Southern cannot be expressed in mathematics or it would Baptists (4,595,602), the National Baptists—Col- never be true that "one shall chase a thousand ored (3,796,645), the Presbyterians, U. S. A. and two shall put ten thousands to flight." An (1,903,747) the Disciples of Christ (1,597,797), infinitesimal germ may lay Iowa giant and a beam and the United Lutherans (1,541,841). If the of light may halt a railroad train. Baptists should all unite, and include the Disciples of Christ, they would number nearly twelve mil- But statistics, if accurate, may show trends and lion members and all Lutherans would have a reveal weaknesses. It is always interesting to membership of nearly five million. study the religious statistics-prepared every ten years by the United States Census Bureau and Among the non-Christian religious sects in those issued by the Association of Statisticians of America we note the following figures: American Religious Bodies. These latter, for the year 1938, have been summarized by Dr. Herman Congregations Members C. Weber, Editor of the "Year Book of American Churches." According to this summary the num- American Ethical Union ……. . 7 3,024 ber of distinct religious groups in North America American Moslem Brotherhood .. 1,200 have decreased, by mergers and deaths since 1926, Bahai Faith ……………… . 71 2,523 from 212 to 200. Some of the sects are insignifi- Buddhist Mission …………. . 47 30,000 cantly slIIlall and lifeless. A few of the larger Divine Science ……………. . 26 7,000 denominations are merging, like the Methodists, Mayan Temple ……………. . while others are splitting, like the Northern Pres- Spiritualists ……………… . 5 600 byterians, on matters involving leadership or doc- Theosophists ……………… . 543 41,233 trinal emphasis. At the same time new sects are Vedanta Society ………….. . arising among uneducated or underprivileged Mormons (Latter Day Saints) .. 3 5,900 classes; such are "Father Divine's Peace Mission" Reorganized Mormons ……… . 25 400 and "The Church of the First-Born of the United 1,519 Sons of the Almighty." 575 690,401 101,122 The latest reports of church membership in the United States list 35,833,475 in the Protestant Would it not be instructive to tabulate, if pos- bodies, or 31,489,161 persons over 13 years of age. sible, the increase or decrease in church attend- This is an increase of 310,169 since the previous ance and in prayer meeting attendance in the past reports were tabulated. Roman Catholics, on the year, and the observance of family worship? None of the above statistics reveal the spiritual state of the churches or the evidence of Christlike life and service in their members. We are told that the true "vital" statisti(!:;) are kept in the "Lamb's Book of Life."
A KOREAN CHRISTIAN SPEAKS tablets and most of the worship there is directed to the deified spirits of their own ancestors or the Is Christianity a religion (a way of bringing ancestors of the Imperial family. To them are man into relatiQn to God)? If Russia had de- offered various gifts, consisting of fruits of the clared that Christianity is nQt a religion, would soils, flowers acc'Ording to the season, products of that have altered the case?' These questions may the sea, or certain kinds of sacred cloth. In other seem absurd and yet they are t'O the point. Chri&- words, worship before the Kamidana 'Or spirittianity is known as a religion, b'Oth historically shelf is a modified form 'Of the worship before the and universally. I believe in Christ as the Way Jinja or Shinto shrine. tQ God and therefore, regardless of my feelings, I am known as a Christian. I have chosen The Japanese people visit the shrines of their Christianity because I believe Christ is the best own particular sect of Shinto to meditate before and the only true way to bring man into right re- the en-shrined spirits, to pray to them or to worlation to God. I regard the name of Christian as ship them by reverent bowings. This custom is a glorious hQnor, since it signifies that I belong to similar to the Roman Catholic practice of visiting Christ. It denotes a great change has taken place cathedrals and churches or shrines on certain in me as the result of new Christ-given life in re- days. As a rule the Shinto priests do not appear sponse to my acceptance of Him. The significance bef'Ore the shrines except on national holidays or of the name "Christian" is therefore Qf paramQunt on the days on which special services are held in importance, not so much as a matter of religion honor of the spirits of soldiers who have fallen as of all that concerns my s,piritual life. in battle. Government regulations, cover every de- tail of the ceremonies, including the very wording The Japanese Government has officially de- of the prayers read. clared that Shinto shrine worship is not a religious practice but is merely an expressiQn of na- It can be seen that the nature and common tiQnal patriotism. Does this declaration mean that understanding of Shinto shrine worship is inher- Shinto is not a religion and that it has not been, ently religious. It must also be borne in mind histQrically and universally, recognized as such? that there is no distinction between the act of Or does it mean merely that Shinto shrine WQr- worship or obeisance before the Sect Shinto ship, as such, is not a religious practice-related shrines, which are admitted by the Japanese Govto wQrship? ernment to be religious, and before the State Shinto shrines, before which the Government has It is perfectly clear that neither the State or declared that all must bow as an act Qf patriQtism. any other organization is qualified to decide The enshrined deities, the prQcess of enshrinewhether a religion, with a historical background, ment, the details of the ceremonies and Qften the is or is not a religion. Any State or nation can Qfficiating priests Qr ritualists are identical. reject or adopt one of the existing religions as its state-religion, as was done by the Roman Empire On special days, as for example on the Emperunder C'Onstantine; but such a decision in itself Qr's birthday, the leaders of all social organizations does not alter the inherent nature of the religion in ChQsen, including Christian church leaders or Qf the ceremonies connected with it. (ministers, elders and sometimes even deacons) are cQmpelled tQ go to the places where the Shinto One cann'Ot, therefore, accept this declaration worshippers have their religious shrine cereof the Japanese Government concerning the na- monies and to participate in the ceremonies, bQwture of Shinto at its face value but must look into ing befQre the shrine. All Qrganizations so repthe practice 'Of Shinto shrine 'Obeisance to see resented are pronounced by the Government to whether or n'Ot it is religious. It is evident that be shrine worshippers, participating in the soif the declaration by the Japanese Government is called act of natiQnal patriotism. TQ refuse to dQ true, and shrine worship has n'O reHgious signifi- so is tQ be judged guilty of dislQyalty tQ the Emcance but is merely an act of patriotism, there perQr and results in arrest, imprisonment and will be no conflict with the Christian conscience sometimes tQrture. in attendance at the shrines. But if it is not true, then Christians who c'Onform to the Government With the Japanese Empire, now to all intents regulations in this matter naturally believe that they are guilty of idolatry in doing obeisance at and purposes a tQtalitarian state, the Government these Shinto shrines. That is the issue at stake between Christians and the Japanese Government. is ruthless in its insistence that all citizens par- Most of the common people of Japan (the non- ticipate in the shrine ceremQnies. Any discussion Christians) have a Kamidana (spirit-shelf) in their homes. On it are placed the various spirit- of the questiQn is prohibited by the police. Large sectiQns Qf the Church have been cowed intQ sub- mission. The KQrean Christians need yQur prayers as never before. A KOREAN CHRISTIAN.
HENRY GRE"IST WITH A GROUP OF ESKIMOS AT BARROW
A Mission in the Arctic Circle Experiences at Barrow, Alaska, the Northernmost Mission in the World By the REV. HENRY W. GREIST, M.D., D.D.
Honorably Retired Presbyterian Missionary; Stationed at Barrow, 1920 to 1936 BARROW, Alaska, is three hundred miles north but ordinarily weekly periodicals published in the of the Arctic Circle. It is about twelve hun- States come fifty-two copies in one mail sack in dred miles from the Pole, and marks the summer. Not until 1928 was there a radio in northernmost bit of land attached to the North Barrow-at the U. S. Army Signal Corps station. American continent. It was here that Col. and Prior to that time wars, disasters, elections and Mrs. Charles A. Lindbergh landed on their flight other events might occur in the great world out- "North to the Orient." Some islands north of side but it was many months before we learned Canada are nearer the Pole, but they are unin- of them. habited. When Colonel and Mrs. Lindbergh reached Bar- Mails corne to Barrow four times a year, pro- row on their epochal flight, we invited every white vided the one ship in summer succeeds in pene- man, woman and child within two hundred miles trating the ice, and provided further the three to meet these distinguished fliers at dinner in the mails by dog-sledge during the long ten months Presbyterian manse. The total number (includof the Arctic winter succeed in getting in. Mails ing children) who sat at table were seven-in were often six months old before we received addition to the two guests-of-honor and three them, and letters mailed in New York have not Greists. All came who were invited except three infrequently been twelve months en route. All traders in Wainwright who failed to navigate the except first class mail, including parcel post, must ice. corne by ship. Occasionally the Post Office allows a lone newspaper or magazine to corne through, The Arctic is not a white man's country-and never will be. Eskimos alone can thrive there.
[167 ]
The only white people at Barrow are the mission- Barrow is situated, is perhaps the largest presby- aries, two school teachers (one of whom-the hus- tery in the world in point of square miles, but it is band-is the reindeer superintendent), a trader, one of the smallest in membership. During the and the U. S. Army Signal Corps operator and writer's seventeen years of service at Barrow, his. wife, together with any children in these fam- this presbytery had only four active members, the ilies. At Barrow there are no motion picture nearest man being at Fairbanks, eight hundred shows, pool rooms, liquor stores, automobiles, traf- miles distant as the crow flies and separated from fic jams or accidents; no cows, pigs, chickens, Barrow by vast uninhabited spaces of tundra, and sheep, goats or horses within eight hundred miles. by mountains impassable except at very great hazard, by airplane. The three other Presby- terian workers serve white churches at points along the Alaska railway. To travel from our station ·at Barrow to the meeting place of presby- tery anywhere along the railroad would mean a dog-team mileage of not less than fifteen hundred miles, and would take six months, a prohibitive length of time to be absent from one's post.
The missionary at Barrow finds much to do- or did when we maintained both the medical and the religious services in this parish extending a SUMMER "PRESSURE ICE" ON BEACH AT PT. BARROW thousand miles along the coast. It is a work that The Lord's Day is kept as it formerly was· in New calls not only for high spirituality and thorough England as a holy day; all the Eskimos go to training, coupled with devotion to God and to duty, Sunday school, to church and to vespers; and all but it calls also for a plentiful supply of the attend the mid-week prayer meeting as well. The "Three B's" – Blood, Brains and Brawn. The church is. the one social center. evangelist in this isolated region should be a Jack-of-all trades, with the resourcefulness of a The long Arctic Night extends from November Robinson Crusoe. A well-known war corresponduntil late in January, and for a short time the ent twenty years ago, covering assignments in far sun does not rise above the horizon. Then, for places, who became an admirer of missionaries three months, from May to August, it does not and then a student of missions, wrote: A misset at all. These are the periods which are sionary in such a station "should be self-contained, peculiarly trying to white people. The cold in an administrator, teacher, doctor, architect, carwinter is intense but the low temperature is not penter, machinist, engineer, a practical business so trying as the almost incessant fogs in summer, man, and withal tactful and diplomatic." Not together with cold, drizzling rain, which are apt every successful pastor could be a successful misto depress one. The best remedy is to keep busy with one's duties.
The Presbyterian Mission at Barrow, in the Yukon Presbytery, has for its central purpose the evangelization of the Eskimos of Alaska. Hos- pital work was splendidly maintained for many years previous to late 1936; social welfare and community service have also been energetically and faithfully carried on by consecrated and effi- ciently trained workers,……..,but all with this chief end in view – to win the Eskimos to Christ and His Way of Life. Among primitive people the so- U. s. SIGNAL STATION AT BARROW (leftl. WITH HOSPITAL called "Social Gospel," when offered alone, is a failure. Christ must be faithfully presented and AND CHURCH; MANSE AT THE EXTREME RIGHT His cross must be carried to the fore. The arts sionary, and many outstanding missionaries and sciences of civilization may be· readily ac- would discover in the pastorate in an ordinary cepted by people, in so far as they are practically field at home to be a very difficult, if not impos.- useful, but Christian ethics, without Christ as the sible, task.
center of life, are not observed except as they The missionary in the Arctic regions must seem to serve a selfish purpose. Heart conver- travel throughout the winter by dog-team at not sion is the all important goal; then all else follows over five miles per hour. At night, for want of to make a better world. other shelter, he tents out on the ice-bound beach Yukon Presbytery, within the bounds of which in temperatures as low as sixty degrees below
A MISSION IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
zero. He must cook his scant supper as best he Jackson visited the Arctic in 1890, with snow can over a tiny oil burning stove, the coffee freez- white hair and deeply wrinkled face but with eyes ing while the reindeer steaks are being broiled. shining like stars, began tugging at the preacher's The coffee must then be warmed again while the coat. He thought it a child in a mother's arms meat is eaten. After this, with his "musher" and behind< him and so ignored the interruption. But guide, he must crawl deep within reindeer sleep- the tugging became more and more insistent. He ing bags, read the Scripttures and offer prayer; turned, and lo! it was this old grandmother, said afterwards he sIeeps,as only healthy men can to be about ninety-five years old. Asked what she sleep under these trying conditions. If a severe storm overtakes them, the travelers are forced to • build a snow-house with a tunnel entrance and a floor lowered deep in a snow bank. The whole .. is covered by a tent slipped over the walls and weighed down at the sides by blocks of snow. .I When the missionary arrives at some camp of DORCAS, A FINE CHRISTIAN ESKIMO GIRL, AT BARROW trappers or reindeer herders, or at some village, scores of miles from any other habitation, he wanted, she replied through the interpreter: makes a house-to-house visitation during the day, "Long time ago, a peddler came to this village holds medical clinics (or did prior to the taking who said he had been a preaeher. The trader over of the medical work by the Government). asked him to preach to us that night, which he Then at night evangelistic services are held in the did. After talking of God's Book, of which we schoolhouse for a week or ten days. The people had never before heard, he went into the teacher's are hungry for the Gospel-and are responsive living quarters, got a wash~basin of water, and but never emotional. They are easily led to accept poured water on my head and on every person's the truth and many wholeheartedly give them- head in that room. Then he said, 'Now you are selves to the Lord Jesus Christ. They take their Christianity seriously, and put to shame nominal Christians in the States. Crowded into the schoolroom are often three times as many as the room would hold if chairs were placed close together. The school desks, intended for one, are occupied by two adults, with children seated on the desk in front of the parents. Boys sit on bookcases or under tables. Children are everywhere, with fathers and mothers sitting flat upon the floor, knees drawn up to make room for others. All mothers seem to hold from one to three babies or older children so that· the preaeher is usually limited to the space that his two feet occupy. But there is no whispering, no sign of restlessness in the audience; the cry of a baby is rarely heard. Every eye is riveted on the minister and every ear strained to catch every word of the interpreter, for the elderly folk cannot understand English very well. Such an opportunity insistently calls for the very best that is in any preacher of God's Word. It is an inspiring experience and sends a man to his knees that he may have the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.
Early in our ministry in Wainwright, a village about one hundred miles southwest of Barrow, one bitterly cold night in January, the writer was preaching to a crowded house,estimated to contain more than 200 people. Becoming warm in his efforts, he removed his reindeer parka and, in his ordinary coat, stood in the limited space left for him by the crowd. Soon an old woman, known to have been a grandmother when Dr. Sheldon
all Christians.' But 0 Missionary, 0 Missionary, proved sufficient. We have now 533 communicant I want Jesus under the skin." members of the Church in Arctic Alaska. The Eskimo are not an emotional people, but they are My sermon on John 3: 16 was only half finished, intelligent and they wish to know the reasons for but I knelt at the old woman's knees and very what they believe and do. tenderly led her along the Way to Christ. We prayed for her, but in the midst of that short Our medical service was fruitful in giving us contacts with people from far away in Arctic Can- AN ESKIMO CHRISTIAN PREPARING DINNER ada and from many hundreds of miles down the coast southwest to within fifty miles of Kotzebue prayer we were disturbed by her changed de- where there is a well-equipped government hosmeanor; looking up we saw that the Holy Spirit pital. Many of these patients came to us five had spoken to her and had given her the evidence hundred miles by dog-teams, through darkness, that He had sealed her, for her smile waselo- storm and cold, bringing their chronically ill and quent; she was seeking to tell us of the change surgical cases. When asked why they came to us in her heart. That smile did not wear off during instead of going to the government doctor, their the remaining weeks of her life. We arose to our usual reply was, "You people up here pray." They feet and saw that fourteen young married couples came from far beyond the geographical limits of were also kneeling in a circle in front of the our mission and over 52:,000 cases and clinical calls school desks; the people who had been sitting on were recorded during our sixteeen years of servthe floor having made room by changing places ice. There were some repeaters but each bedwith them. All were silently praying, their lips patient was counted only as one case. Eternity moving. Later, all arose and each gave a short alone will reveal the spiritual results. The sick testimony, without any invitation on our part. were dealt with by the missionary, assisted by the From that group three young men have been or- ruling elders, and prayer was coupled with indained as ruling elders of the Olgonic (Wain- struction. Many who were brought from a diswright) Church, and at least two of the women tance, and had only a limited opportunity to hear have been ordained as deaconesses. All the mem- the Gospel, were converted in the hospital. After bers of that group have exhibited changed lives throughout the succeeding years. Thus the Holy JAMES, A WAINWRIGHT ESKilMO, AND HIS WIFE Spirit honors the preaching of the Gospel of IN FRONT OF THEIR IGLOO Christ. We now have a splendid, organized church of believers at Wainwright with a chapel the service on the Lord's Day the young people and a manse, served by Percy Ipalcck, a product would occasionally gather in the hospital to sing of Sheldon Jackson School, and now a licentiate hymns dear to the hearts of these folk. The minof Yukon Presbytery. istryof song, if in the native tongue, often worked wonders with the old people. Friends of the sick, The providence of God and His direct answers who had brought them up to the hospital, reto prayer were remarkable throughout the years mained sometimes for weeks or even months until of our ministry on that coast. Strangely peculiar the ill were able to travel back home. In the meanhave been many of these instances so that our while these friends attended Sunday school and faith grew by leaps and bounds as we carried on, the services of the church, often becoming conabiding in Him and His Word .a!biding in us. We vinced and surrendering their lives to the Lord were far from human help, isolated and alone in Jesus. our service, cut off from those who could enter understandingly into our problems; but God alone
One young man, a half-breed, whOo resided four No tourists came to Barrow throughout the sevhundred fifty miles distant, was deeply under con- enteen years of our service. Dr. A. J. Montviction for weeks and gave his heart to God the gOomery, of the National Board of Missions, while very night before he left in his father's motor director of Alaska work, called one summer day, boat fOor his distant home. He was found drowned having traveled near eight thousand miles to visit the next morning, not far frOom Barrow. His us; but he could not remain on shore for more brothers were greatly impressed and, one by one, than an hOour on account of threatening ice at sea. surrendered to God. Alas! our beloved hOospital My brother, L. T. Greist, a Presbyterian attorney from Chicago, also visited us for three months THE MISSION CHURCH AND CONGREGATION AT BARROW in 1934; he not only won the hearts of the Eskimo along that coast, but they won his admiration as is a thing of the past, in so far as it can serve for well. evangelistic work, except by permission of the gOovernment doctor. Medical mission service else- In late August, 1936, we tearfully turned over where in Alaska has also been relinquished, dis- our medical service to the in-coming government astrously as to the spiritual well-being of our doctor and his nurses, but the new doctor SOOon A:[~ctic Eskimos. We debated during four long resigned and left the service. Another came and years the giving up of our medical work, while did excellent work but was dissatisfied with social the proposition hung fire, but the Mission Board cOonditiOons and left Barrow within the year; a thOought that medical service was costing too much third doctor has now arrived. The natives wonmoney. True, supplies were expensive, coal alOone der at the many frequent changes and fail to comcosting $55 a ton delivered in Barrow, and we prehend why a medical man does not seem to be normally required 150 tons a year. We econo- vitally interested in their religious welfare. mized, denied ourselves, cut wages and salaries frOom 25% to 60%; no one complained, including The Rev. Fred G. Klerekoper, a graduate Oof the Eskimo helpers. Our budget was reduced Princeton Seminary (class of 1934) is now the from about $18,000 tOo nearly $8,000 annually. We missionary in charge. Mrs. Klerekoper was edusacrificed gladly to maintain our beloved medical cated in Mt. Holyoke College, Massachusetts, and evangelism but we were forced to write finis in is a graduate nurse. She is the daughter Oof Presour mission's annals as to our medical service. byterian missionaries in Chosen and a capable worker; but she is not likely to have Oofficial con- In 1920, we had invested $48,000 in the Point nectiOon with the new hospital which is now being Barrow Hospital (largely obtained from the Com- built to replace the one burned in the autumn of monwealth Fund). The Sunday schOool children in Presbyterian churches in the United States had 1936.* These splendidly trained and spiritually~ donated $10,000 from their offerings on Washington's Birthday in 1920 for the equipment. We minded young missionaries are there to carry on had no isolation wards, so seriously needed in time of epidemics. and for the tubercular patients; the DR. GREIST (left), WITH MRS. GREIST, WELCOMING THEIR operating theater was merely a small room in- SUCCESSORS, REV. AND MRS. FRED KLEREKOPER tended for beds, and without prOoper light. The two pipeless hot-air furnaces, intended for small the church work along that thousand miles of bungalow residences, failed utterly tOo protect us Arctic coast. Mr. Klerekoper travels much by against the Arctic cold, high winds, and in the dogs during the Arctic night, in cold and storm thin uninsulated walls of the building. NOotwith- and darkness; he sometimes goes along the coast standing these and other serious handicaps, very in a small motor boat during the short summer. effective and faithful service was done throughout They are young, enthusiastic, hard working and the years and many lives were saved. deserve the intercessory prayers of all God's peo- ple. Theirs is not an easy task, as we knOow from experience. Let us support them.
• The government has appropriated $100,000 to build and equip the new hospital to replace the one destroyed.
A Missionary Epistle from China*
By DR. and MRS. WALLACE CRAWFORD, Chengtu, West China A T THE beginning of the war with Japan the the wire, which costs the Japanese a great sum .r- proportion of casualties in the fighting was to replace. They do no open fighting, but are conthree Chinese to one Japanese; l,ater on it tinually harassing the lines of communication, was two to one, but now it is "even going" and the making it impossible for the Japanese to consoli- casualties are terrific on the side of the Japanese. date their gains in North China.
The initial dazed condition of the Chinese peo- "The people's army" receive no pay, and want ple has given way to a steadily developing deter- none; their leaders are poor and there is no selfmination to. increase their efficiency to the place seeking among them. Their average age is not where they will wear out J.apan. There is little over thirty. Contrast this with the puppet regime desire on the part of the people, outside the main set up in Peiping, where the average age of the regular army, to see the Japanese killed off, but rather to cause them such heavy financial loss as "leaders" is sixty-four. to so embarrass their country and to make it impossible to carryon the "incident." Everywhere Over four hundred thousand of these guerrillas one is impressed with the increasing efficiency of are organized in what the Japanese would have the resistance of the people of China, for it is the us believe is the occupied territory. These men go people's struggle, and not merely the activities of everywhere in the occupied territory, uninterthe army. China is just at the beginning of a rupted by the Japanese who exert no control save colossal man-power preparation. in the immediate cities they occupy.
The Japanese have occupied practically all the The guerrillas are constantly improving their walled cities in certain parts of the country and efficiency. Now they have many miles of telehave paralyzed the normal activities as a whole, phone system and it is reported that they will rebut their control does not exceed five miles beyond ceive a wire of the starting of a train and before the walls of the cities they "control." Every male the train has gone a hundred miles, it runs into a from twelve years old and up is a potential soldier bomb and is wrecked. against the Japanese. They are organized into guerrillas, and they are the ones who control the Instead of breaking the morale of the Chinese country, and not the Japanese. Five miles from people the Japanese action is making that morale. the railway these guerrillas have become such a The spirit of the people is improving instead of menace to the Japanese as to make many of the being destroyed. They argue that the Japanese formerly controlled walled cities untenable. have come and destroyed everything so why not join with the forces opposing the Japanese? That Groups undertake the job of disrupting the rail- is what they are doing in an atmosphere of pov- erty, humility, meekness and intense patriotism.
way.'They go out and draw out the spikes so that Communism which was evident in 1935 is dif- the rails fall apart. After the Japanese found out ferent from the brand which we have in China at this trick, they made wooden spike tops which the moment. There is no more compUlsion about looked so much like tM real thing that the Jap- it than there is in a church school. Thousands anese did not suspect their trick, the result being are entering their University, either as organ- wrecked trains. These were looted by the guer- izers, or mass education leaders, or cooperative rillas, and their supplies carried off into the vil- leaders, and a few as soldiers in the Eighth Route lages to be used against the enemy. Army, which is playing havoc with the Japanese Another group will go out and take off a rail forces. They have a school of art, another for and bury it a mile or two from the railway. Of the educating of municipal leaders, another for course the Japanese replace the rail, but in the cooperatives, and many others in addition to the course of a year one can imagine what it costs actual fighting force, which have engaged the Japan to be constantly replacing rails. Another Japanese in battle. While they have won it has group will cut down telephone poles and carry off been at terrific expense in man power. As Mad- ame Chiang Kai-shek says, "The Japanese are 19;9~~e United en/wren Record ana Missionary Review (February. winning battles, but China will win the war."
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for Christianity in Europe-I
The End and the Rebirth of Churches in Central and Eastern Europe By PROF. D. ADOLF KELLER, D.D., Geneva, Switzerland THE idea of the end has never been alien to the person of Christ, and as a result there is a the Christian Church. The first Christians general abandoning of the Churches and a de- looked for the end of the present order and crease of interest in their activity. for the coming of the Lord's Kingdom. This is what is meant by the word "eschatological." It In such countries we can indeed speak of the was a tremendous tonic for the faith of the first approaching end of those branches of the Chriscentury; and again today, in such an apocalyptic tian Church. In Russia, for instance, there may mood, we say that not only thrones" political in- still be hundreds of Orthodox Russian churches stitutions, economic systems, human empires, but open and crowded. But let us not be deceived: if even Christian Churches, will come to an end. the present policy continues, especially if the pol- icy of anti-Christian education is successful, the It will not be the first time in Christian history. end of an old Christian Church of Russia will be Where is today the Church of St. Augustine, the near. That Church has lost its leader and his inforerunner of Luther in North Africa? It is gone! fluence. It has lost a large part of its episcopacy Where are those seven churches in Asia Minor and priesthood. Thousands of priests and bishops today, to whom the writer of the Apocalypse wrote have been killed or are imprisoned, or have been his seven letters? They have been swept away sent to concentration camps in Siberia. The when Islam, the great killer of Christian Church has lost hundreds of its fine cathedrals and churches, conquered Anatolia and when the last other church buildings, partly by arbitrary de- Christian Archbishop was dragged by his hair struction, partly by transforming Christian through the streets of Smyrna and put to death. churches into museums, cinemas and variety Where is the large Christian Nestorian Church in theatres. The Church has lost its theological Central China? It has died, except for a little academy; no priest can receive a theological eduremnant represented by the Nestorian Assyrians cation in Russia at present. The only theological in Iraq and along the Kabur in Syria. academy is that of Father Bulgakoff in Paris. The It is paradoxical to the Christian faith that any Church in Russia has finally lost its educational part of the Church of the living Christ should influence. It is not allowed to give a religious come to an end. But have we not to face this fact education to the younger generation before they when we see that churches come to an end in our reach their eighteenth year. The Church, being large world cities, or at least in certain strata of considered as the last asylum for obscurantism, the population, for instance among the cultured has lost its influence on public life. According to classes or among labor. Modern indifference, the desire of the present Soviet rulers she should scepticism, secularism, threatens whole Churches become a Christian ghetto in the midst of the Ruswith the end which, like the Church of France, sian people.
have been called the oldest daughters of the The Evangelical Church in Russia has been Church. France counts forty-one millions of in- practically wiped out. Out of 200 Lutheran pashabitants. The Roman Catholic Church does not tors not one is still at work. .' AU were compelled claim more than ten or eleven millions. There to leave the country or enter secular professions; are not over one million of French Protestants. or they were killed or banished and their fam- Where are the other twenty-nine or thirty mil- Hies are suffering hunger and privations. Evanlions of the French people? They are the dying gelical churches have been closed or are used for Church of France. I worldly purposes. The Lutheran Academy under Wherever modern secular ideologies, like the Bishop Malmgren had to be closed.
gospel of Marx or the gospel of Lenin or of Can One still speak of the Church of the Refor- Nietsche, are infecting the mind of the modern mation in Germany? Is not the end near? What world, such Churches feel a resistance ,against the is left of the formerly proud and active Church of preaching of the Gospel of Christ, or even against Martin Luther? There is a foreign office with [173 ]
Bis·chof Heckel; a finance department whose ad- fish on the sand to make himself known to other ministrative measures are sometimes a deadly unknown Christians. Wherever these two or three weapon when they are used against recalcitrant meet in the name of Christ, the new Church is pastors; a minister of state for the Church who born. It grows, we do not know how, in Russian is restricting the Christian Church and muzzling villages, in the woods, on the railway. The new its outspoken ministers. Theological faculties, spiritual Church of Christ will take its form, its which were once the pride of German Protestant- organization, will develop its leadership, its the- ism, today have to fight to maintain their influence ology, when such is God's will.
and to build up confidence, at least in the Confes- Simple Christian folks are perpetuating the sional Church. All over Germany there are thou- Christian Church. Russian mothers, for instance, sands of open churches where the Gospel can be seeing that their children are in danger of grow- preached but little is left today of the former en- ing up like heathen,are taking things in hand and terprising missionary spirit. The old Church of are teaching their children to believe in God, per- the Reformation, as a State Church and as a lead- haps in a very elementary way but with a sincere ing Church, is nearing its end. faith. They will save the Christian feeling in the In many other countries the Church of Christ heart of the people from oblivion and destruction.
faces such deadly enemies as individualism, mod- A new Church is being born also out of the ern secularism and indifferentism which are Church struggle in Germany. The intrepid Pas- transforming the old solid structure of the Evan- tor Niem6ller isa Church builder although he sits gelical Church into a vague religious sentimental- ina concentration camp and is closely watched.
ism and aestheticism. He cannot speak to his fellow prisoners, he can- What then is coming to an end? First of all not even see his family regularly, he cannot write there is to be an end to the unnatural relationship or publish, and yet his influence is spreading as of the Church of Christ with the modern State. an atmospheric power. He is kindling a new fire In many Churches the historic State was consid- of faith in the hearts of many people and encour- ered as the fatherly protector of the Church to ages them to resist a State which does not allow take care of the theological faculties, the religious the Church to be the Chu:r:ch. Hundreds of Ger- education in schools, build manses and pay sal- man ministers are punished for having disobeyed aries to the pastors, and therefore claiming the this autocratic State and they are preaching the right to supervise and influence Church life. But Gospel of Christ without fear. The church janitor this influence has become so strong today, and is who will not take the key of the Church out of his leading the Evangelical Church away from its pocket to open its door for an un-Evangelical original aim, that millions feel that such a com- preacher who has come to replace a believing pas- radeship is against the true nature of a Christian tor is another new church builder; so is the or- Church. An easy compromise between State and ganist who refuses to play the organ to accom- Church is therefore coming to an end. panya service which is not inspired with the spirit Second, a Church of wealth and earthly power of Christ.
is coming to an end; the Church knows today Where two or three have such peculiar courage that, in her need and poverty, she resembles much and faith, where they meet in the name of Christ more that Man who had not where to lay His in private houses, in restaurants, in the market head than she did when she was rich and powerful. place, on the railway, they build up a new Church Third, a Church which thinks she knows better of Christ.
than Christ himself is coming to an end today- It may not yet be recognized a Church as we that Church which is like the grand inquisitor, in understand it, as a great national or denomina- Dostojewski's novel, who sent Jesus Christ away tional organization; may be only a small congre- when He came back because the Church to which gation; but such cells are the living stones with He had left His task knew better than He how to which a Church is built.
handle the world. And this Church is being built even against the Instead of such Churches, which are more and will of its oppressors. It reminds us of that pic- more dying out, a new Church is born. It is yet ture painted by the German painter, Moritz von an invisible Church, with no clearly defined mem- Schwind. He shows a saint building a chapel in bership, with no structure or organization. Two the midst of the wood, continuing his work al- or three members may meet somewhere in Russia, though the devil tries to disturb him; finally the two wanderers in the streets, two farmers in the saint's faith is so strong that he compels even the market, two boatmen on the Volga, not knowing devil against his will, to carry the stones that the each other but suddenly recognizing the brother saint uses for building the chapel.
in Christ by a word, a glance in his eye, a symbolic Therefore, even poverty, isolation, pers.ecution action. This was the case in the first centuries must help to build up a new Church of Christ for when a Christian may have drawn the sign of the which we hope and pray and labor..
and the Lost Feast
-·..e{11 By V. LANE-FRIMPOLE IIi- I N ONE room of a small, two-roomed mud and Musing on his new green sateen shirt with its rubble cottage in northern Syria, lived an Arab five buttons, each of a different color, and yearn- boy named Murad. Here he lived, ate and ing to bite into a Ramazan cake, Murad had almost slept with his parents, his little brothers and his fallen asleep when he heard the sound of visitors, granny. The other room was occupied by his fa- coming in to spend the evening. Everyone seemed ther's brother, with his wife and children. happy. His own grown people had been dread- One night, near the end of the month-long fast fully cross in the late afternoon, Murad thought. of Ramadan, Murad lay on the floor in a corner, But after the sunset cannon had been fired and tucked up in his grandmother's bed, under her they had broken their day-long fast, things were wool-waded quilt. The light of the wood-fire on all right again. Now these visitors, too, seemed the hearth flickered among the shadows of the in happy mood. otherwise dark room. Murad liked to watch the Ah! they were asking Granny to chant them a firelight and to hear the sound of the rain and Mevlud-one of the long Turkish poems about the Prophet Mohammed. All the village thought wind outside. The boy's mind wandered to the approaching granny a notable woman. She could make out any feast which would follow the sacred fast days chapter of the Koran without too much halting to and his imagination played pleasantly with the spell the words, and she had memorized many thought of the cakes and other good things to eat. chapters. But she did not know Arabic and so As a little boy he did keep. the fast and did not understood nothing of the meaning. LaHnized need this abstinance in order to get hungry. He Turkish, inaugurated by the late Kemal Ataturk, thought, too, of the new clothes that his clever she could not read at all, but she could spell aunt, who sewed on the machine, had made for out Turkish words in the Arabic characters, him. In the mind of a child, whose people go by enough to read her M evlud. These Turcomans the sun year, other things would have been asso- living in the mountains of northern Syria were ciated with a holiday for under such a calendar not yet sure of the orthodoxy of the Western alevery feast falls at the same season of the year. phabet for to them the Arabic letters, in which the In America, for example, Decoration Day comes Koran came down from heaven, were the only with the grass and spring flowers; the Fourth of ones that seemed right. July is marked by hot sunshine and trees in full Murad loved to hear his granny chant the Koran leaf; Thanksgiving Day is observed in the midst because of the beautiful roll of it and the awe in of November frosts; Christmas is enlivened with her voice. But he liked far better to hear the Me1)lud because it was in his own language, and snow and ice. For Murad and for all Moslem people this is not much of it he could understand. Happily he the case. The moon year of the Moslem world watched granny go to the high shelf that ran retrogrades at the rate of about ten days every around the room and take down a manuscript sun year. In the year of which we write Ramadan written by a learned Mullah's own hand years ago. came in the middle of December, something that His mother thrust a splinter of pitch-pine into the had not occurred for some thirty-six years. Little fire and lighted the little oil lamp. Then Murad Murad, the Turcoman, had been born of Moslem watched the old lady squat down with the precious parents in a Moslem community, consequently he book on her knee and turn over the leaves with found himself in a completely nonsequential uni- moistened forefinger and thumb. She found the verse, where no effect is traced to any cause; page and in a sweet, thin voice began to chant. where each separate act and event of the day is Oh! it was the bit that Murad liked best, the lullooked upon as caused by a special, arbitrary act laby sung to the Prophet by his nurse Haleema: of the "Will of Allah." It is thought impious to It is Mohammed: let mountains and stones seek to try to understand God's will which is im- Rejoice-wild beasts, too, and birds. possible of comprehension. This concept of an Lady Ameena is his mother, arbitrary will, governing the universe, is rein- She is the fine flower of mothers, forced by the changes of the moon year. Her head is of pearls. Lullaby, my Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby.
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In the mountain of Mecca was his birthplace wind was blowing as hard as ever. Perhaps it At the Kaaba, at the Black Stone, in the presence of was the gusts of wind that shook the stars and made them twinkle so through the frosty dark. Gabriel, Snug under his quilt, Murad watched the two That Gabriel might praise the Beloved of God, (even women move drowsily about preparing the three Mohammed). o'clock breakfas.t–the iftar. He was not quite Lullaby, my Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby. awake, not quite asleep. The stir and rustle that The houris, the Paradise maidens, came; the women made seemed to go on for ever. Then They bound white incense in his swaddling bands, his grandmother's voice calling his father broke They praised the Beloved of God. the spell. Lullaby, my Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby. "Get up, my son! Get up and eat; dawn will Abd el Mutaleb was his grandfather, break before you know it and then it will l;le un- Abdullah was his father, lawful for you to eat until sunset. How will you The Lady Haleema was his nurse. be able to fast all day on an empty stomach?" Lullaby, my Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby. The Feast Before the Fast May Satan's hands be tied, May the hearts of thy friends be fat, Murad's father rose, stretching his great arms and legs. Villagers sleep in their clothes, so there o son of Lady Ameena. was no delay for dressing. He stepped out of bed, crossed over to the hearth and sat down on the Lullaby, my Mohammed; lullaby, my beautiful Ahmad, floor. No one called Murad for he was too young lullaby. to fast. But the smell of the hot food called him; so crawling from under the quilt, he went and sat Lying there in his nest, Murad listened en- down by his father and snuggled up to him. His tranced. He was six years old and so far as he mother unfolded the woolen bread-cloth, took up knew he had always slept in his granny's bed. He some paper-thin loaves as l10und and big as two supposed that he always would. He could not re- dinner plates. She sprinkled them with water and member the time when he had to give up his cradle folded them in four;, then she flung down one at to the next baby. Granny had always been there each person's place and piled the rest in the middle and always would be, like the sun and wind and of the big tray. Granny put down a copper bowl, rain. He loved her voice as she sang about the full of steaming food, and a pan of curdled milk. baby Mohammed's birth; about the Angel Gabriel Everything was, ready. and those beautiful houris swaddling him as his mother had swaddled their own baby. As the "In the name of God," said Murad's father; quavering, sweet voice went on and on, the faces then scooping up a big mouthful of the hot food of his family and the visitors, visible or invisible with a flap of bread, he ate it. "In the name of as the flames in the fireplace rose and fell, seemed God," echoed, Murad, and did the same. The to float in the warm air. Murad felt himself float- women sat down and they used the same prayer ing. A wind was blowing him down a high, high before they began to eat. mountain-away from two goats that he was herding-blowing him like thistledown. Now the wind "I certainly thought," said Murad's father bewas singing. What was it singing? "Lullaby, tween mouthfuls, "that today was to be the first Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby. N en-ni day of the Ramadan Byram. I was sure the feast -Nen-ni-i-i." began today and I was surprised when no an- nouncement was made in the mosque last night. Murad did not wake up when his granny came Surely it will not be later than tomorrow. We to bed; not even when she took him in her loving must get ready today; it would be dreadful if we old arms as she had taken his daddy when he was delayed and so lost one of our four great days. a little boy. A little herdboy who has been out on My brother and I will butcher the goat, and you the mountain all day in wind and rain, sleeps women must be about your cooking." Good Mossoundly. The fire died down and the room grew lem as he was, he could not help looking forward dark and cold, but he did not know it. to the end of the month-long fast, with its food- less, waterless, tobaccoless days at the plough, and He seemed scarcely to have dropped to sleep its ni,ghts of broken sleep. when he heard his mother saying to his father,: "Get up! Get up! I have our breakfast ready." "All things happen as God wills," said granny. "If he wills that the feast begin tomorrow, it will "It's not time yet," mumbled Daddy, rolling begin tomorrow." over and yawning. By this time Murad was back under the quilt "Vakit oldu. It is time, and the food is ready." again, and soon his granny and all the others also "How do you know it's time? Did you hear the went back to bed and slept until broad daylight. signal gun in Passtown?" "NO', but one seldO'm hears it these windy nights." Grandmother was up now, and had opened the door wide. The rain had stopped but the east
MURAD AND THE LOST FEAST DAY
When the December sun had warmed the air a may bake our cakes in his new bake-house. Tell little, Murad took the goats out on the mountain. him: your father will do the baking if he will show He wore untanned leather boots with toes turned him how." up, just like the toes of the Hittite boots that one sees pictured on monuments. His mother had tied "Oh! and may I go with father and help bake around his head a piece of Turkish toweling for the cakes?" warmth. In the flat gingham bag slung under his arm was his lunch – red peppers, some goat's "Yes, if you are a good boy and run to Armen's cheese, wrapped up in leathery folds of bread, like a bird and bring back word what he says. Ask and some dried figs. His people were well-to-do politely. Run, let me see. Bakalum!" and could afford to give him this variety. Murad came flying back with the permission. For the older people another hungry day had Then he helped his father load some wood on the begun, but everyone was busy preparing for the donkey for firing, and went with him to the oven four-day feast. Murad's father and uncle slaugh- to light it. Afterwards when the oven was hot tered and flayed the fattened goat and, hanging and the cakes were ready, with the spice kneaded the carcass on a tree, began to cut it up. Neigh- in and sesame seed sprinkled thick on top, Murad bors would buy whatever part they themselves did helped carry to the oven the big copper trays covnot want. The women were as busy; brazen ered with cakes to be baked. All eyes, he watched pestles clanged on brazen mortars as they pounded his father put a batch of cakes on the flat wooden spices – nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, all-spice and shovel, and then" slide them off on the oven floor. mastic gum. The younger women did the pound- Lovely! But lovelier still when father took up the ing, while granny spread the thick woolen bread- browned cakes on the shovel and slid them back cloth on the floor and began to knead a stiff mass on the trays near Murad to cool. Ah! the deliof flour, butter, sugar and leaven for the festal cious, delicious smell! And how good the bits cakes. The hours flew. It was noon. tasted that he broke off and popped into his mouth when no one was looking! If he lives another A Mistake and the Explanation fifty years, Murad will still remember that smell and taste. "Boom! Boom! Boom!"-the dull roar of the Passtown cannon rolled through the mountain. The rej oicing was general, yet every now and People looked at each other in consternation. then someone would say grievingly, "Look how we have been cheated out of the first day of our "Toap atuldu! The cannon is being fired; feast!" It was as if a cloud passed over the sun then the teast began last night! We have missed each time someone said this. The village Khoja a whole day!" The words flew from mouth to (Moslem teacher and preacher) was as vexed as mouth, "We have lost a day from our feast! We any of them. He too was baking cakes at the oven. have lost a day from our feast!" "But how did it come that you made a mistake Such a thing had never been known in the vil- about the day?" asked Armen, the Armenian. lage. To add another day of feasting never occurred to them; if an impious stranger had sug- "The big mountain to the southwest shuts out gested such an idea, they would have rejected it the view, and no one saw the new moon." as impossible. No, the lost day was irrevocably lost. Grown men and women as they were, they "Surely a man like you, who can read and felt it keenly, helplessly, hopelessly as children write, must know when the new moon will first feel a loss. But they went on with their prep- appear," objected Armen. "There are calendars. arations that should have been made the day Everyone knows that the new moon is sure to apbefore. pear on a certain day."
Murad heard the cannon and came racing home Murad's father listened contemptuously to the to ask what had happened. To him and the other Armenian's ignorant talk. Thank God the Khoja children it seemed interesting and exciting. Here, was present and would defend the faith. He did there, everywhere he skipped among his busy not like to have Murad hear such impious talk. elders. That was the worst of these Christian neighbors, Well, as the child had heard it, let him now hear "I take refuge in God," said his mother, pestered the Khoja's refutation. past endurance with his mischief as he teased his little brothers, "Go back to the mountain and look "God forbid," the Khoja was saying. "Nothing after your goats, filthy devil, or I'll murder you." is sure to be. Each event happens as the most high Truth wills it. If he wills a new moon on a "I left them with one of the Armenian boys. certain day, there will be one; if not, there will They're all right," he answered. not. Who can say beforehand-I ask pardon of God-what God's will is going to be? We did not "My nestling," said grandmother intervening, see the moon ourselves, we had no authenticated "run quickly to Armen's house and ask him if we news that it had been seen by responsible persons
elsewhere, therefore we did not know that there Murad crawled into bed and left them still eatwas a new moon." ing. He was so full that he went to sleep quickly, but in the night he awoke, crying with a stomach- "If that is ,the way of it, why did not one of you ache. go to town two days ago and stay to bring the news as soon as the moon was seen in town?" "I take refuge in God from Satan, the stoned," persisted the Armenian. said granny. "What can ail the child ?" She tried to soothe him by rubbing, but that was of no use, "Perhaps, after he had taken all that bother and so she got up and made him some mint tea with headache, there might have been no moon; then plenty of sugar in it. Then she said a charm for his labor would have gone for nothing," answered colic. The pain eased, but he was wide awake and the Khoja. could not go to sleep again at once.
"The cause of each event, no matter how small, "Grandmother," he said, "what happened to the is the will of God. I once heard a sheikh of pro- lost feast day? How does a day get lost, granny? found learning say this: 'It is an error to say that Did it wander off in the mountains like our nanny fire always burns. Fire burns or not just as God goat that the wolf ate? Or did it fall down a deep wills in each case. And the proof is that when the crack between rocks like my piastre piece that I idolaters tried to destroy Abraham by fire, far cried so hard about? How does a day get lost, from burning him the fire caused a thicket of rose- grandmother ?" bushes in bloom to grow up around him, full of singing nightingales. Likewise it is an error to "God predestined that we should lose that day. say that knives cut. A knife cuts if God wills it The Most High Truth wrote that fate on our to cut; if not, no. And the proof is that when foreheads." Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Ishmael, the knife refused to cut. There is no God but "But why?" God; without his will naught comes to pass.' " "I ask pardon of God. Listen to the child! God knows his own work. No good comes from think- Murad, listening with all his ears, thought that ing and asking questions. Please God, it be not what the Khoja said was wonderful, and looked a portent of some evil about to befall us for our triumphantly at the ignorant Armenian. "Annen wickedness! Truly, in these days godlessness has is nice, but he is a giaour (infidel) just the same," so increased that if the Supreme Truth rained he thought. He wished that he had seen Abra- fire on us it would be no more than we deserve. ham's roses and nightingales. That conversation For look how children–even small children-" by the oven laid one more great stone solidly in Murad was always bored when granny began the foundation of the Moslem faith upon which to moralize. "Granny, I kiss your eye, ehant the Murad's life was to be built. M evlud," he coaxed. "Chant the same bit that you did the other night," and he began the nen-ni, Murt-koy is only a mountain village. Murad nen-ni of the Infant Prophet's nurse. His grandhad never seen the rude Ferris wheels-outdating mother took it up and went on verse after verse: Ferris by centuries-that are set up for the children at this feast in Moslem cities, from Con- Mohammed is my heart's core, my theme: stantinople to Calcutta. No strolling gypsies If he weeps, my eye weeps blood. came, as they do to the big towns, with fife and Let me rub my face on his threshold. drum. But even in Murt-koyeverybody had new Lullaby, my Mohammed, my high Commander, lullaby. clothes, and the groups of women and children looked like living gardens. Even the tiny babies His teeth are whiter than white pearls, had new caps of every bright color; amulets were snipped off the old caps and sewed tightly on the The Paradise maidens, the Houris, are his companions; new. Families exchanged cakes; and who so proud as Murad to go from door to door offering He is the Sun of the two worlds. ' a cake with his family's greetings. He was shy and his lashes swept his cheeks; his voice could Lullaby, my Mohammed; lullaby, my beautiful Ahmad, hardly be heard, but his smile was sweet. lullaby; nen-ni, nen-ni-i-i-i-i. And what a feast they had when he returned home! He ate and ate until he was tight as a Her voice quavered like that of a nurse croondrum. He liked that feeling and would have eaten ing to a fretful child. Then she fell silent and more but his father said that he had had enough. listened to her grandson's breathing for a few All through that meal, though, with its fun and seconds. She had almost forgotten him and had laughing, someone of the grown people would sigh felt herself to be Lady Haleema-God's approval and shake the head every now and then and say, be upon her-singing a cradle song to the little "Yazuk! What a pity that we have lost a day!" Mohammed. Then her thoughts homed back to Murad. "He is asleep," she said, fondly kissing his forehead. "Sleep my lamb. Sleep in the pro- tection of God. What do I know? May this lost feast day portend no evil to us. I take refuge in God. Amahn! Amahn! Alas for the lost feast day!"
and Open Doors in Missions*
By REV. C. DARBY FULTON, D.D., Nashville, Tennessee Executive Secretary of the Foreign Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S.
THE Chinese word for "crisis" is written with been employed. Many, unable to endure these suf- two characters; one means "danger," and ferings, have yielded to practices they do not ap- the other "opportunity." Paul suggested the prove. Others, standing grimly amid great same thought when he wrote to the Corinthians, distress, are bearing a shining Christian testi- "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, mony. Never have we faced so ominous an out- and there are many adversaries." look as is before us in Korea. We cannot foretell Of the "adversaries" by which missionaries are what the end will be. The hour is here for prayer, compassed today, we who live in the tranquil at- earnest and unrelenting. There is no way through mosphere of this land of peace and liberty have this crisis in Korea e~cept as God moves to help not the slightest conception. Writes a missionary us.
in China : "We are in the midst of wickedness and But the greatest "adversary" to missions, the inhuman atrocities on such a colossal scale that the only one we really need fear, is the hindrance we mind is too benumbed to take it all in." Even the ourselves can be through thoughtlessness, and neg- physical survival of our missionaries amid the con- lect. Opposition from without, our missionaries vulsions of war is a daily miracle. All around expect; indifference within the Church all but them is ruin, whole cities in desolation, panic- breaks their hearts. The test of carrying on with stricken multitudes fleeing in bewildered confu- inadequate support, unable to touch the needs sion, the maimed and wounded crying for help, around them, and wondering whether the Church the whole lurid scene a part of the tragedy that has forgotten, brings them their sorest trial. They stalks in the wake of banditry, looting, murder, return on furlough and find us living in elegant rape and arson. Hospitals, schools, and chapels homes. They see our streets choked with shining have been shattered, groups of believers scattered cars. They watch the throngs that jam our to the winds, missionary homes battle-scarred, athletic fields" and reflect that the price of one and the missionaries themselves have sat in the football ticket would pay the salary of a native ruins wondering that they have outlived the de- evangelist in Africa for two months. They read struction around them. that a thrill-crazed crowd has paid in one night Unbelievable as it may seem, the Christian to see a prizefight more than our whole Church churches of Japan and Korea, except for the physi- ever gave in a year to foreign missions, and they cal hardships, are enduring an even harder lot. wonder why they are asked to operate hospitals No group of men and women ever sought to ad- on $380.51 a year and schools on $31.12 a year! vance the interests of the Kingdom under greater They are not complaining; puzzled, that is all. difficulties. The systematic efforts to stifle and They wonder if Christ has lost first place in the suppress everything that is contrary to the pro- hearts of American Christians.
gram of aggressive militarism is bringing the The Great Open Doors whole Christian movement under great spiritual persecution. Cresar is exalted above God, reli- But it is not the "adversaries" that 100m largest gious liberty is denied, conscience is no longer in the missionary's view of the present situation. free. Anyone who sets himself against the policies I have just read twenty-eight letters from China. of the government and the idolatrous exaltation of "Opportunity" is the dominant word. One group the emperor exposes himself to reprisals of the wrote: "We are not unmindful of the dangers, most drastic -character. Untold sufferings have but we are thrilled at the thought of the opporbeen endured by Christians, especially in Korea tunities before us." These they describe as "unwhere the pressure of police power has been ap- limited," "without precedent," "beyond anything plied with increasing severity. Threats, imprison- we have known." They are joining with Paul in ment, torture and other extreme measures have saying, "The things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gos- • Condensed fram the OMistian Ob$erver. pel." Like him they refer to adversaries with [ 179]
"and," not with "but," as something not to dis- of spiritual experience and a closer fellowship with Him. We are confronted by four vital and courage but to challenge more determined efforts. immediate needs.
It is no exaggeration to say that we are confront- I. A Radical Strengthening of the Missionary Force. The really critical condition with respect ing a day of unparalleled need and opportunity in to our missionary personnel is reflected in the de- creasing number of missionaries comprising our our work around the world. Here are some of the force each year.
elements of great encouragement: The seriousness of this situation is further em- phasized by the fact that our missionaries are The high spiritual purpose and morale of our rapidly becoming a middle-aged and old-aged group. We must look forward definitely to the missionaries. loss of more missionaries through old age and retirement. Add to these the normal toll through The courage and steadfastness of the Chinese sickness and death, and the urgency of a prompt reenforcement of our missionary personnel be- Christian Church. comes clear.
The scattering of many believers to the prov- A heavy strain is thrown on our missionaries as a result of this shrinkage in personnel. One inces of West China where they have carried the missionary carries the burden of two or three. An evangelist in Korea, charged with the overcontagion of their faith unto areas heretofore un- sight of forty churches, is required to take on re- sponsibility for thirty-five more as a field formerly reached by the Gospel. worked by four men must now be carried by two. Missionaries are remaining on the field without The new friendship of the Chinese people for furlough because there is no one in whose hands the task can be left. Doctors are trying to run the missionary, growing out of the helpfulness two hospitals sometimes separated by distances of sixty or seventy miles. The need for reenand service he has, shown in this emergency. forcement is urgent and immediate.
The enormously enhanced prestige of Christian- We need an immediate and vital reenforcement of personnel on all our mission fields. Nothing ity because such great national leaders as General- would so strengthen the morale of our mission- aries or prove so conclusively to the whole world issimo Chiang Kai-shek, Madame Chiang, and our unshakable faith in the ultimate triumph of the Kingdom of Christ. others who are guiding the nation in the present II. A More Adequate Support for Missionaries crisis, are themselves Christians. in Their Work. The critical financial basis on which foreign mission work has, been operating The unprecedented open-heartedness of the peo- for the past several years can be seen from the fact that receipts for the last fifteen years have ple toward the Gospel, with their new longings for fallen off forty per cent.
the assurances of faith in the midst of the uncer- Foreign mission receipts have suffered a reduc- tion so radical that the very survival of the work tainties of the present conflict. has become a matter of wonder. Only by an abso- lutely merciless slashing of appropriations, and The return of missionaries to China and the heroic measures on the part of our missionaries who took one reduction after another in their supreoccupation of all our stations. port, were we able to weather these difficult years.
The large crowds attending evangelistic serv- With this greatly shrunken support we have had to maintain and conserve a work formerly estahices throughout the country, with many conver- lished and maintained on an annual income almost twice as large. sions and other evidences of spiritual awakening. III. The Replacing of Personal Losses of Mis- The deep undercurrent of heart-hunger among sionaries and Property Losses in China. No ac- curate estimate of property damage sustained in the people of Japan. . China can yet be made. However, a letter from Rev. C. W. Worth will indicate something of what The open doors in Africa and Brazil. we must expect. He is describing what he found Thousands of Korean Christians standing fast under severe persecution.
Should it be necess,ary at a time like this to sound a call to prayer and self-denial? Surely in such a day the attitude of prayer ought to be the habitual mood of every Christian. These are great moments in the history of the Christian Church.
They call for maximum Christian living. This is a time for unshakable conviction, because the foun- dations of our faith are being challenged; for great courage, because it is becoming increasingly dangerous to be a Christian; for strong faith, because the signs of the Kingdom's growth are not always easily seen; for confident Christian opti- mism, because God is the master of crises; for confession and prayer, because God will not refuse the cry of His people; for supreme self-denial, because the greatest issues of life are at stake.
The Present Crisis Missions is in crisis; both danger and opportunity are here; danger lest we fail in this time of need and allow the day of visitation to pass; opportunity to present Christ to a heart-hungry world, and to lift our whole Church to new levels
"BUT FROM THE BEGINNING IT WAS NOT SO"
at Kiangyin station which probably suffered more cases, especially where fire has swept the builddamage than any other center of work we have in ings, the loss is total. Probably all of our mis- China! "Of twenty Western style buildings., sev- sionaries have lost something, and many have lost enteen have been completely destroyed by fire. all. Some of the walls are still standing but even with my inexperienced eye I could see that most of these These, then, are definite objectives that should are unfit for use and will have to be razed. About be before us. This year should definitely mark the three hundred feet of compound walls were down end of foreign mission retreat and the beginning due to bombing and shell fire, and only two wooden of an aggressive forward movement in missions. gates were intact in the whole place. We figure We must add strength and reserves to the fastthat the Kiangyin losses are $100,000, and there thinning ranks of our missionaries; we must prohave been losses in other stations which put vide more adequately for their far-flung work together will make another $100,000." Heavy around the world; we must replace, where necesdamage is also reported from Kashing, Soochow, sary, the tools of our work that have been de- Hwaianfu, Sutsien, Yencheng and Haichow. stroyed, and as far as possible the individual losses of our missionaries. Missionaries have likewise suffered the loss of personal belongings. Even where buildings and With the doors of opportunity standing wide, residences have not been destroyed, systematic with God's clear call ringing in our ears, with looting has taken place. Homes have been com- the resources at our dis.posal for a definite adpletely stripped of every valuable thing. In some vance in our missionary task, God forbid that we should fail!
"But From the Beginning it Was Not So"
Notes by the Late ARTHUR T. PIERSON A S IN the case of human marriage, so in other of which otherwise we would be scarcely con- scious. This is seen in the tendency to lower ri.. respects, mankind often comes· to accept standards in literature, in the drama, in marriage totally different customs and even ideals and even religious ceremonials. We need to go from those which God intended and that were at back to "the beginning" as ordered by God in his first held sacred. In the course of history, by wisdom, and to look at the standards which pregradual and sometimes rapid changes, corruptions vailed in ,the apostolic church before corruptions creep in, so that God's original order becomes ob- crept in. The following features in early church scured and perverted. life seem to have been conspicuous: Professor Bernard illustrated our unconscious 1. The recognition of the Holy Spirit as the wisdom and accommodation to a vicious atmosphere by plac- power of God. ing a sparrow under a bell glass. which contained air enough to keep the sparrow alive for tbree 2. The readiness to yield immedi,ate obedience to the call hours. At the end of two hours he put a second of the Holy Spirit. sparrow under the bell; at once it fell over dead, while the former bird was able to breath for the 3. The personal, spiritual presence 'and leadership of fun three hours. In the spiritual realm, we almost Christ in the Church. unconsciously accommodate ourselves to evils which would shock and overwhelm us if we were 4. The Universal obligation of all Christians to bear witsuddenly confronted with them. If a man, like ness to the world and the ceaseless activity in Stephen, had been in a moment transported from preaching the Gospel at home and abroad. the apostolic church into the corrupted atmosphere of some present-day ohurch life, he would have 5. The courageous and unflinching witness to Christ in been stifled. face of persecution and the prevalence of the spirit of martyrdom in the early church. To save ourselves from this unconscious accommodation to a low standard of living and thinking, 6. Constant blessing attending the faithful preaching of we must get back to first principles and practices the Word. as revealed by God. We should candidly compare what is today with what was in God's plan. Liv- 7. The appeal to the testimOony of fulfilled prophecy as ing much with God, through private prayer and an evidence of the truth of God's Word. Bible study, we will breathe such a pure atmosphere that we will at once recognize the pollution 8. The prevailing power of definite and united prayer. 9. The separation Oof the Church frOom the wOorld. 10. The undisputed imminence of the Second Coming Oof Christ. 11. The equality of all Believers in rights and privileges in the Church. 12. The recognition by early Christians of their steward- ship in property and talents.
The proofs of these positions pervade ~he whole New Testament. There is no need for proof texts.
New Testament Idea of the Church*
By the REV. DR. ABDEL ROSS WENTZ, Gettysburg, Pa.
Professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary I. According to the New Tes.tament the the way in our day for the New Testament idea Church is centered in Christ. Using the figure of the Church. Because the Church was centered of a body, the Head of the Church is Christ. If in the living presence of Christ it was not static we use the figure of a building, the Cornerstone but dynamic. It was governed entirely by the of the Church is Christ. If we use the figure of Holy Spirit of Christ. It had no fixed outlook.
a bride, the Bridegroom of the Church is Christ. Much of its power was due to its. ability to change In the apostolic ideal Christ is the bond that from time to time in order to meet changing con- binds Christians together in a fellowship with ditions. He who was the beating heart of the Christ, the Leader. There is a communion of New Testament is the pulsating center of the dis'Ciples with their Saviour. Church in our day. He is not weighted down with Recent research has taught us to guard against utilitarian programs. He is not one who binds reading too much system and uniformity into the yokes upon men. He is one who has loved and Church of the New Testament. What produced suffered and who still loves and suffers and yearns the Christian community in the first place was and woos-the great Leader of infinite power who not a constitution and by-laws, not even a set of could transform the world, not by force but by principles; it was the faith that pulsated in the fellowship, not by formulas but by faith, not by hearts of the disciples.. That faith was not at logic but by love, not by programs but by per- first drawn from a body of sacred writings nor sonalities.
set down in the form of a creed. It was a rugged This Christian Church, this Christ-centered fel- attachment, not reasoned out and not integrated lowship, we offer to the groping multitudes of the with other emotions. It was simple personal trust present world. It is plastic as the heart of youth.
in a Person, unquestioning devotion to a beloved It is the living Church of the living God. It has personality, who, they felt, had saved them from traditions· that are living and vitalizing. It is abysmal disaster and who, they believed, could kept eternally young by a living Presence. If lead them into abiding safety. This fact that the Christians would minister salvation to a dig,.
Church is Christ-centered is clear, not only from tracted world today the New Testament suggests a the Great Confession in Matthew 16, but also from Church pulsating with the heartbeats of the many passages in the writings of St. Paul and Saviour, a charmed circle that offers fellowship St. John. with the great central Friend of the universe.
But this idea of the Church as, a free pulsating The Church Is to Be Different fellowship centering in Christ has. often been ob- scured. Today the times are ripe for the recovery II. According to the New Testament the of that idea. For a long time men have lived on Church is sacred; it is holy, set apart. It is "called systems and the bracing effect of them. For sev- out," ecclesia. It is different. It is high and eral generations men have been enthralled by lifted up. The Church is holy in its calling. God ideas and the splendor of them. Today, instead called it into being and it belongs to God. It is of ideas and systems and defini.tions, instead of therefore holy, as God is holy.
programs and organizations, personalities are the The individuals who constitute the Church may centers of all great movements~leading person- show many differences among themselves, differalities. To stand outside of the charmed circle of ences of color and race and language, differences leaders today is to be homeless and unoriented. of faith and zeal and goodness. But at least one To stand within the magnetic influence of the thing they have in common, and that is the fact central personality gives the simplest laborer that their faces are turned towards, God. To be heart and motion; it lifts his life from drudgery in the Church is to belong to God. The thing that into thrilling devotion. brings Christians together into fellowship is the This change in the spiritual atmosphere opens fact that they have all experienced redemption • Aqijress ~Iven at the I. M. c;. meeting at Maqras, 1938. through God's grace. The Church is the fellow- [ 182] ship of the sanctified. All the members of the environment. The Head of the Church protested Church can exclaim with St. Paul: "It is God against the low ideals of his day. Because the who hath saved us and called us with a holy call- Church is holy, high and lifted up, it will always ing, not according to our works but according to feel a tension between things as they are and his own purpose and grace." The Church is a things as they ought to be. When the Church in divine institution, not a mere human society. our day identifies itself with some secular system The Church is holy also because the Holy Spirit of economics or social propaganda, it abandons its works in it. As Christ is the head of the body all New Testament character, because in the New the members of the body do his bidding and are Testament the Church represents the higher spir- filled with His spirit. When St. Paul speaks in itual order. The Church is holy.
the benediction of "the communion of the Holy A Missionary Church Spirit," he is thinking of the community of be- lievers where holiness prevails because the mem- III. According to the New Testament the bers harbor the Holy Spirit of their Head. Church is missionary. It is charged with a mis- Jesus made explicit mention of the Church only sion. To be a disciple, a learner confessing twice, according to our records. In both instances Christ, is to be an apostle, to stand under a special the Church is set in opposition to sin and evil. commission. And the mission of the disciples is "The Gates of hell shall not prevail." "If thy the mission of the Church, as the acts of the mem- brother sin … tell it to the Church." The clear bers are the acts of the body. The apostolic mis- implication is that the Church is holy. Christ sion of the Church is to carryon the work of required holiness of his followers.. For this reason Christ himself' on earth. "As the Father hath he entrusted his Church with the keys, the means sent me, even so send I you."
of grace. The Holy Church has the Holy Scrip- The Church, according to the New Testament, tures, the Holy Sacraments, holy laws, holy teach- is not only the product of God's grace through ings.. The single aim of its acts and its teachings Jesus Ghrist, but it is also an agency of God's is to promote holiness. grace, the keeper of the keys to the Kingdom of The New Testament, however, does not repre- Heaven on earth. As the collective body of be- sent the Church as complete or perfect. There is lievers the Church is the appointed agency for the the parable of the tares and the parable of the extension of the Kingdom of God and the salva- dragnet. St. Paul repeatedly addresses his hearers tion of men. The Church is taught to pray: "Thy as saints, and yet in the course of his letters ad- Kingdom come" and to use its life and resources monishes them about their shortcomings. and sins. ~or the conversion of the world.
According to the New Testament the holiness of According to the New Testament the Church the Church is real but not yet fully attained. The is equipped with the means of fulfilling its apos- Church is in actual process of being "cleansed tolic commission. The Church is furnished with from all sin." The Church looks forward in hope the Truth that it must teach the faith by which to the consummation when "Christ shall present the Church lives. The original Twelve were spe- it unto himself, a glorious Church, holy and with- cially trained by intimate association with Christ out blemish." to be his witnesses and they regarded this as their But the incomplete character of the Church's principal duty. They transmitted that duty to holiness does not make its holiness unreal. A their successors, and the Church throughout his- city may be a rich city while some of its citizens tory has accepted the teaching and witnessing con- are still poor. A school may be a learned school cerning Christ. In this. it has continued the while all of its students are still short of the ideal prophetical office of Christ himself.
in learning. The Church, as a society on earth, Another way in which the Church fulfils its will never be complete in its holiness. None of apostolic commission is by fostering associated its members are. Sanctification is a process.. That worship and transmitting the Sacraments. The is true of the collective body as it is true of the apostolic Church is a worshipping Church through individual member. Holiness is progressive. It all ages. It presents Christ as a mediator even shall be perfect hereafter. now. And all the Christian liturgies of the cen- In the course of Church history there have been turies are the continuance of the priestly office of many attempts to secure greater purity and holi- the great Head of the Church, an expression of ness in the Church. And more than once these the Church's apostolic character.
attempts have led to incisions in the body of Then, too, the New Testament indicates that Christ. However contrary to the New Testament, Christ committed to his immediate followers the these efforts testify to a deep underlying convic- exercise of discipline and the administration of tion that the Church must be holy. affairs in the community of believers. There are Because the Church is holy, there must always widely different views as to details but in general be a state of tension between the Church and its there is agreement that the Church must exercise
some powers of discipline and government. In Spirit, always active and energizing, and always this the Church continues the kingly office of progressively revealing himself. He reaches out Christ. in love towards every living soul. The Christian As to this aggressive propulsive quality of the idea of God carries ecumenical implications for Church, according to the New Testament it is of the Church. If God is a personal, living, ener- the essence of the Church and not merely of its gizing God, then his Church is not merely an well being. Any group of professing believers international society binding people together from that does not feel its apostolic commission to the four corners of the earth. It is more than propagate the Gospel and extend the Kingdom has that. It is an ecumenical community bearing in not inherited the Spirit of the Founder. its heart the propulsive power of a boundless love The new aggressiveness of the great non-Chris- that will not stop until it embraces the whole tian religions in our day calls for special emphasis world.
just now on the apostolic character of the New The Church of the New Testament is catholic Testament Church, its aggressive mission to its because its message is a message of divine revelanon-Christian environment. tion and transcends all forms of religion. Chris- A Universal Church tianity is not a religion. Religion is man's effort to adj ust himself to the ultimates. Christianity IV. According to the New Testament the is GoOd's answer to the quest of the human heart. Church is catholic, universal, all-embracing. It Jesus Christ is not the founder of a religion. The possesses inherent qualities that make it fit to be message of the New Testament Church is not the home of all classes of men in all parts of the simply one of several possibilities for man's pious world and in all ages of time. self-expression. It stands alone as God's message to man. It is not just a word from God or a word The Church is catholic because by its nature it about God; it is the Word of God whose content is not limited as to place or time. This idea of the is Jesus Christ. The Church does not come with Church as universal and timeless was not an after- a philosophy, nor a system of doctrine, nor an thought. It is not true that the Church was at ethic; it does not even come with a religion. It first only the group of Christians in a particular comes with a Person, a living God who speaks locality and then when this little obscure group through Jesus Christ. Our God is larger than the had expanded into a mighty enterprise the idea of founder of religion. Our Gospel transcends relia universal Church arose. From the beginning gion as well as time and place. Our Church, so the Church was understood to be the larger in- long as it is faithful to this witness, is the unicarnation of Christ, and the local congregation versal catholic Church. was simply a miniature of the whole. As a thousand different mirrors may at one and the same time reflect the whole orb of the shining sun, so A United Church the local congregations or churches are the re- V. According to the New Testament the flections of the great Church universal. Every Church is, one. This unity is a subject of enor- Church is a catholic Church unless it claims to be mous proportions, and a whole library has grown the only catholic Church. The body of Christ not up about it in recent years. only includes the believers and saints of all nations and places but it also extends, backward and The chief New Testament sources of informaforward in time and includes the saints of the tion about the unity of the Church are the high past as well as those of future ages,. priestly prayer of our Lord and St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians. From these we learn that the Again, the Church is catholic because it rises unity of the Church is a mystery. It is something above the limitations of culture and religion. It in which we believe. It transcends human underis the only community that can meet the needs of standing. all mankind. This is indicated not only by par- ticular words of Jesus and individual passages in As the Church itself is holy, not merely a volun- the New Testament, but also by the very nature tary association of men combining together to of the teaching set forth. Jesus claimed that his effect certain ends, so the unity of the Church is Gospel is sufficient for the needs of all mankind. not merely an earthly visible manifestation de- Both Jesus, and Paul taught with the background vised by men in order to increase the efficiency of Stoic philosophy and universal empire. They of the Church and to pres,ent a so-called "united made universal claims for their Gospel. They pic- front." It is divinely ordained and belongs to the tured the Church as the organ through which God essence of the Church. The unity of the Church, will accomplish His plan not only for men but for according to the New Testament, arises from the the universe. unity of God, "as I and the Father are one." The The Church is catholic because the God to whom Church is one because there is one Spirit, one the Holy Church belongs is a living God. He is a Lord, one Father. The Church is one because all
NEW STUDENT FOREIGN MISSION FELLOWSHIP
members of the Church are members of Christ Finally, the New Testament represents the unity and abide in Him, as branches abide in the vine. of the Church as a process, a growth. It is a present reality, but still imperfect. It cannot be So the unity of the Church is not something in hurried by the manufactured conceptions of men. the golden past, a lost treasure that needs to be Perfect unity will come as a growth in faith and recovered. It is not something in the rosy fu- in "the knoweldge of the Son of God," a growth ture, a high goal that needs to be achieved. It is "into him in all things" which is the Head, even something that exists now, and simply calls for Christ." External means may be used to increase fuller expression. It is something that was and that faith and spread that knowledge, but the huris and is to be. It is as eternal as the Church it- ried establishment of any external union would self. It is as eternal as the God who called the hinder the true process and would check the real Church into being. It is something that belongs growth of unity. to the essence of the Church. The true Church of Christ is one. The New Testament idea of the Church's unity brings two words of warning: first, that our ef- The source of this mystical unity of the Church forts at Church union should not degenerate into is the redeeming work of Christ for men. It is a trifling with something that transcends human not in a unified organization. It is not in a com- comprehension; second, that if our witness to the mon liturgy. The unity of the Church grows out world is to be effective we dare not permit our of a common faith, a common Gospel that centers love for our particular ideas and traditions, to dein the Cross. This, and nothing else is the source lay that growth of unity which our Lord has in of the creative power of the Church. mind for His Church. The New Testament con- ception of the Church's unity suggests that since The New Testament also teaches that this in- the Church is one, we should enter now with joy visible unity will express itself in outward and into a sense of real unity among us. We should visible unity. It is, to be a sign to the world: allow our hearts to be thrilled with the joy that "That the world may believe." The efforts to was in the heart of our Lord as we emphasize achieve this outward unity of the Christian continually the visible and invisible bonds of faith Church have engaged all the ecumenical councils and hope and love that bind us together. "That of by-gone ages and all the world conferences of they may be one,even as we are one." modern times. These efforts have good New Testament warrant and example.
New Student Foreign Mission Fellowship By DR. TOM LAMBIE of the Sudan Interior Mission Recently Missionary to Ethiopia D o WE need another missionary organiza- life of Christian service in favor of the pursuit of tion? There are already over two hundred pleasure and worldly success. In addition to this, Boards and societies in North America-in the lofty Christian appeals for a sacrificial servaddition to local church groups-that are engaged ice, involved in carrying the Gospel to the ends-of in promoting interest in foreign missions. At the earth, have too often been watered down until first blush one is inclined to deprecate the forma- there is not sufficient strength in them to stand tion of a new one, and yet many feel that there the test of opposition from those out of sympathy may be justification for a new Student Foreign with the highest type of missionary service. Missions Fellowship such as the one that had its first national meeting at Keswick Grove, New Even among many church members the gist of Jersey, early in January. current thought would seem to be ,something as follows: The youth of today is susceptable to the appeal for noble ideals and service to mankind, but there Everyone must have a philosophy of life and should try is, at the same time, a tremendous tug upon young to be true to it, having as good a time as possible without people in schools and colleges to give up these inflicting unnecessary injury on others. We ought to keep ideals and to turn aside from the prospect of a most of the laws of the land in which we dwell. Attend- ance on religious services is sometimes helpful. The heathen are probably well enough off as they are, but if
anyone feels like trying to show them Christianity, with- not because they were urged by others to do someout creating a disturbance, then there is no great objection. thing about it, but because they were conscious of Medical relief is a good thing for the heathen but charity, being moved by the Holy Spirit. after all, begins at home. Old creeds are mostly outmoded but we should be tolerant toward those who still hold them. Many more students came to the conference God is a good sort of super-rotarian who will be lenient than had been expected. Forty-eight registered, with everyone, including the heathen, as long as they do the and many others attended but did not register. best they can and are true to their own philosophy of life. The older people, professors and missionaries, were very much in the minority and kept in the Is it any wonder that, where such beliefs pre- background. The colleges represented included vail, there is lack of interest in the missionary Hampden-Sydney, Wheaton, Columbia Bible Colenterprise, that the quality of candidates has de- lege, Davidson, John Stetson University, Glassclined, that financial support has fallen off and boro Teachers', Wilson, Grove City, Drexel Instithat there is evidence of loss in devotion and spir- tute, Women's Medical, University of Pennsylitual power? vania, National Bible Institute, Philadelphia School of the Bible, Pennsylvania Bible Institute, Faced by these conditions and tendencies the Moody Bible Institute, Faith Seminary and Johns new Student Foreign Missions Fellowship has Hopkins University.* been formed in order to make a stand against such ideologies, and to promote missionary inter- A constitution was adopted and a Missionary est among the youth of today ona spiritual and Purpose Pledge was approved which reads as truly New Testament basis. follows: It has been found that in many cases Christian Knowing: young people, who have commenced their college or professional education, expooting to prepare for That Jesus Christ has saved me from my sin, foreign missionary service, have been turned aside That all men without Christ are lost, and that there is from this purpo'se while in college. It is hoped that the new Fellowship may conserve and deepen no other name by which men may be saved; this purpose and help to maintain spiritual ideals. That God's command is, "Go ye into all the world," Only those who have a definite determination to That the laborers are few in the foreign field, go as ambassadors of Christ to the foreign field And believing it to be God's will for me, will be admitted to this Fellowship. Emphasis on two points is stressed: First, absolute adherence I purpose to be a foreign missionary, and will plan accordto the Christian faith as taught in the New Tes- ingly. Until He leads me to the field, I will support tament. This includes belief in the plenary in- the work by my prayers and gifts and by witnessspiration and authority of the Bible, in the Virgin ing. If the Lord's later leading should direct me Birth of Christ, the atonement and salvation into other service, I will seek to give foreign misthrough Christ's voluntary death on the cross, and sions its rightful place of prominence in my min- His bodily resurrection. Second, it is necessary istry. that all Christians have a realization of the obligation to carry forward to completion the still un- Other true-minded students who are in symfinished task of taking the Gospel to the ends of pathy with the movement, but who are undecided the earth. The organizers of this movement be- about their own future and their own life work, lieve that every active member should be person- may attend the meetings of the Fellowship and ally committed to go to the foreign fields as a are to be admitted to an associate membership if missionary of Christ, as soon as possible after they desire. the completion of his or her education. The meeting at Keswick Grove seemed like an- Thousands of students have (in the past fifty other Haystack Prayer Meeting under the guidyears) volunteered to go as missionaries to the ance of the same Holy Spirit and moved by the foreign field but many of them have never gone. same enthusiasm for carrying the Gospel to the Some have lost their faith and vision, some have ends of the earth. There was the same deep conshown themselvelS to be insincere or unstable. secration to the task. The potentialities of that Something could and should be done to prevent meeting seemed boundless. this great waste and to crystalize and spiritualize the thinking of every student volunteer. The These students mean business. They have a young people gathered at Keswick in January felt steadfastness of purpose and a devotion to the the need of banding together for such a purpose, Will of God that is admirable. This movement will grow and be effective in proportion as God is in it and as the Fellowship is true to Him.
• The following officers of the new Fellowship Were elected: Executive Secretary, Kenneth G. Hood, M.A.; Student PreSident, Jack W. Murray, B.A.; Vice-President, Davison Phillips; Secretary, Lois Raws.
CHRISTIAN COLLEGE AND SOME OF THE DELEGATES AT
A Milestone in Missionary Progress An Appreciation and Appraisal of the Madras Conference By DR. H. KERR TAYLOR, Nashville, Tenn.
-~ Formerly Missionary in China; Educational Secretary of the )It- Foreign Mission Work of the Presbyterian Church, U. S.
THE recent conference at Tambaram, a SlUb- tic and ,social work are included in the methods urb of Madras, India, was both inspiring and of this far-flung movement. revealing f:mm the points of view both of the In Madras we saw a demonstration of the sucmission field and of the sending churches. cess of it. Fifty per cent of the 460 delegates 1. Here was a diemonstration of the strength from over 70 countries and scattered areas came and success of the Chrisltian movement. For well from younger churches in mis'siol'l. lands. A better over a hundred years the modern phase of the mis- equipped and technically trained'group of admin- sionary enterprise has been in progress, during istrators and of workers on the: mission field it these last few generations constituting one of the would have been difficult to assemble. All were in maj or points of contact between Western lirfe and close touch with Christian work in their several that in Asia, Mrica and parts of Latin America. areas. Most of them spoke two or more languages There are today over 27,000 missionaries, and the and many spoke more.
annual budgets of the different societies aggregate On no other platform and in no other Name many millions.*. Colleges, hos.pitals, schools, in- could such a gathering have been held. The con- dustrial missions, and different kinds of evangeiis- ference was conscious of its unity in purpose and program, and settled down to seventeen days of quiet and earnest work on matters of supreme con- * aAt pBprroitxaiimnataenlyd $th3e5,0E0u0r,o0p0e0anfrocmontisneenndti.n-Eg DcIhTuOrcRh.es In America, '
Gre [ 187]
cern to. the life of peoples throughout the wQrld. great demQcracies" from SQuth Africa and Egyprt, Here was a remarkable fusing of cQntributions fro.m China and Japan. Here in a co.mmQn serv- from men of utterly diverse backgrQunds Qf race, ice o.f GQd fo.r mankind, fraternity and love were nationality, religiQus experience, theological views nQt only an ideal, but a fact; There was a striking and economics. FQr Qver a fortnight these hun- absence Qf vindictiveness and CQndemnation even dreds Qf workers expressed their cQnvictions and amQng thQse fl'o.m whQm this might have been ap- aspirations, and in most fraternal and earnest prehended. One of the finest influences exerted by fashion SQught, and measurably 'achieved, a unit- any delegation was that o.f the Chinese delegatiQn ed mind and Qutlook. It was an exceptiQnal gath- who. impres,sed the cQnference with their fine re- ering in our mQdern world. It sought fQr the life straint and Christian forbearance. A new empha- Qf our day the larger recognitiQn of a higher and sis was thus made to. the reaIity and the indis- mQre absolute responsibility and control. Here pensability Qf the influence of the Prince Qf Peace.
was a strong witnes,s to the potential unity of srpir- 4. The Madras., meeting was strQng in the em- it in the Lord that is PQssible to. the whole wo.rld. phasis given to. the Church. This was explicit.
2. The cQnference was sanely PQsitive and con- Christianity was nQt cQnceived as a mere perva- structive. The'delegates spoke their minds frank- sive influence; it requires concrete and definite ly, seeking to. conserve the best in the heritage of expression. As Dr. Speer said many years a'go, the church, particularly in its world-wide Chris- "Religious, life, like any other life, is, and must be tian enterprise. cellular; only thus does it conform to. biQIo.gical The positive leade'r&hip Qf the International law." The Church as a fellowship has a faith, a MissiQnary Council was shown in the publishing witness,a life and a cQmmission. In the Church o.f a prepamtQry study book, "The Christian Mes- is the his,toric and effective means for preaching sage in a Non-Christian World," by Dr. H. Krae- the Kingdom of God.
mer of Leiden University, HQlland. This provided 5. It WQuld extend the limits o.f this article un- a massive cQntributio.n to. the wQrld's missriQn lit- l'easonably to. evaluate the -cQntributiQn of the erature, and CQnserves much Qf the best cQnstruc- wo.rk Qf the sixteen commissions into which the tive thQught of recent decades. The thought of co.nference was divided and whQse reports were the conference was largely indebted to. this presen- received by the who.le cQnference. The evalua.tion tatiQn, which aVQided the pitfalls of ra to.Q Qptimis- of the,se findings i,sa WQrk for the churches and tic pragmatism and Qf the hampering weakness of missionary societies in the coming years. Suffice an Qverweening eclecticism so evident in recent it to. say that these studies and recQmmendations years. While thus the strength of much of what were characterized by great breadth Qf under- has been regarded as the current cQntinental standing Qf the phases and prQblems of this world thought was made basic in the thinking Qf the CQn- movement. In such realms rus the nature and func- ference, the gathering itself did nQt hesitate to tion of the Church, its witnesls and relatiQn to. the implement the strQng positiQns Qf this point of non-Christian systems, its wQrship, mini,srtry and view with the view frQm the North American con- literature, and its, social responsibilities and rela- tinent, which emphasizes practical social em- tiQn to. the State, together with its larger corpo- phases Qf the Christian message. rate life, the cQnference made significant contri- Here was a positive advance in curl'ent mis- butions to. current thought andprQvided for the sio.n and church cooperation. It is in such mutual Christian enterprise a compendium fQr seriQus understanding that the possibility Qf collaboratiQn and extended study during the neXit decade.
and union in our enterprises is possible. In a Unresolved Problems troubled world and time, the Madras meeting was driven back upon its basic and essential values. One hesitates to point Qut weaknesses in such a One wonders if it had been possible to. hold such a worthy enterprise. But it WQuld be to.o much to.
cQnference fifteen years, ago, whether the unfortu- hope that srUch a gathering, representing such nate rift in the American churches with regard to diverse elements and different ranges of experi- theQIQgy and methQd Wo.uld have been largely ence, WQuld not reveal elements of indecision and aVQided. Let the church in its cooperative and inconclusiveness which indicate that the final word uniQn enterprises heed the lesson Qf the past two is far frQm being sPQken on SQme impQrtant CQn- decades and not the strength of the Madras Co.l- cerns. The Church in its miss,iQn and in its labQratiQn. Cooperation is easy when the o.bdec- growth on the missiQn field has yet a long way to tives are clea:r and when Christian leadership is go. in solving some Qf its essential prQblems.
positive and unequivocal. 1. There was a recurring indicatiQn throughout 3. The conference was a demonstratiQn in a the -days Qf conference that secondary considera- war-mad Wo.rld Qf ho.W fraternity and under- tiQn is Qften being given to. the basic necesrsity on standing may be attained. It mattered little that all fields Qf a truly indigenous church life. In delegates had come from Germany and from the mQre than one cQmmission,and in the plenary
A MILESTONE IN MISSIONARY PROGRESS
sessions, the cDnference av'Oided the questi'On 'Of for a new generatiQn of workers in this a new self-supPDrt. One heard too little of church fel- day, workers who will in fraternal c'OHaborati'On lowships seeking such cDIiPorate expressi'On as is with the younger churches take up with them the pDssible now, drawing sustenance up frQm the soil service at the point which it has reached and help and life where these fellDwships exist and where carry it to a WQrthy c'Onclusion. they must give their 'Own witness. Representatives of the younger churches had a The missiDn field church shDuld n'Ot, 'Of C'OU~se, go'Od deal tQ say as to the need fQr collab'OratiQn by be a replica 'Of that in the homeland. N'Ot 'Only in wDrkers frDm abroad with the leaders 'Of the Western modes, music, architecture and ministe- yQunger churches, the desirability 'Of a shared CQnrial garb has the church 'On the missi'On fields tD'O trol in the finances of the enterprise, and the feas- 'Often given the impressiDn of being "foreign,:' but ibility of putting the life and service 'Of the mi,sthere has 'Often been evidence 'Of this want of a sionary himself under the direction of the native conditiDning a-ttitude 'Of mind and life in native church and its, leadership. Much of this was insustenance and in independence. One wonders dicative 'Of the new day ,to which we have come or h'OW this whDle attitude of some 'Of the younger are destined. But in the findings> of the commi'schurches appears tD the supporters of the nQn- sion on the unreached fields, one wished fDr a more Christian religiDus insUtutiDns. And the clash convincing caB from the yQunger churches themwith natiDnalistic aspiratiDns i,s a cQmmonplace. selves for young men and w'Omen from abr'Oad, who are undoubtedly needed, with the offer of In some of the sessiQns at Madras the hDpe f'Or challenging and significant tasks even though toadvance WQuld in thi,s respect have been fur- day there has come a new orienting 'Of the misthered had there been less discussion 'Of "grants si'Onary's PQsitiQn and :service. Wise will it be in in aid," "subsidies," and "control 'Of funds,," and the immediate days ahead if in the, calls from the a more earnest and l'ealistic c'Onsideration 'Of some field less emphasis is put on the special qualifica- 'Of the findings of the Department of Social and tiQns needed for new missionaries', and more con- Industrial Research 'Of the International MissiDn- vincing emphasis 'On their indispensability. ary C'Ouncil through its secretary, J. Merle Davis. If the unrealities of much of the 'Outmoded prac- There is indisputable need and challenging SCQpe tice of past decades, with its want of such self- for y'Oung men and women 'Of consecration and maintenance, are not discarded 'On the missiDn training, as was proved by the convincing evifield in these days of wQrld depression and neces- dence furnished by the commi,ssi'On on the unfinsary recom;,tructiQn 'Of financial pDlicy, then the ished task. And c'Onstant contac,t with the youth current oPPDrtunity fDr much real advance at this of 'Our h'Ome lands aSSUl'es 'One that there is no point will have been lost. want of heroic willingness on the part 'Of the yQung pe'Ople to meet the challenges 'Of a new 2. A cDrrelated weakness of the conference was day. But what the missionary cause in the h'Omeits failure to make clear the vital need 'Of new re- lands today requires, in the light 'Of the rapidly cruits for missiQnary service. It is true that aging missiQnary force and the sman numbers of one secti'On was concerned with the place and missi'Onary volunteers, is a clamant and convincfunction and training 'Of the future missionary; ing call fr'Om the y'Ounger churches themselves, and one cDmmission presented the yet unfinished that many of the best y'Outh 'Of the 'Older churches task. But the conference, and particularly the sh'Ould "come over and help" in a task altogether leadership of the YDunger churches, shDuld hav~ beyond the ability 'Of the y'Ounger churches to commade clear in a ringing and vivid way the admit- pass. There sh'Ould be the assurance that, fo.r a ted need for a l'ecruiting 'Of the miSISionary force. whole lifetime at least, such life investment will be cordially welcomed and challengingly em- The leadel's of the younger church wDuld do ployed. It is just here that the yo.unger churches well to keep this in mind. The present missionary force is rapidly aging, and on all sides there are in the next few years can render 'a, m'Ost valuable vast unoccupied fields. We have lived thr'Ough an era of wide mi's,sionary expansion and of enthu- service and can be the means of reinspiring the siastic support. Outstanding missionary leaders 'Older churches to an even larger adventure in the in the sending countries have laid this responsi- vast unreached task of Christian missions abroad. bility on the church and have called f'Or the heroic venture 'Of YDung life in ocoupying fields that 'Oth- 3. Perhaps the explanation of the situation is erwise would not be reached. The center of gravi- in the trend 'Of leadership n'Oticeable on some of ty of the enterprise has now shifted to the mis- the mission fields, as, revealed in Madras. PressiDn field. Inspiration fDra continuatiDn O!f the ent day leadership partakes t'Oo. largely of Western enterprise must take its rise ,there. In this wDrld- viewpoint and supp'Ort. The church on the field wide enterprise, in which the interests of younger is not native enough. It is oriented too. largely churches and the missionary societies are so iden- to the West. Its dress :sh'Ows it. The structure of tical, what is needed is the sounding 'Of a clear call its c'Ooperativeand representative enterprises is conditioned to'O largely 'On f'Oreign funds. In a
conference conducted entirely in English, and The composite nature of the gathering and the therefore reflecting so largely westernized opinion, necessity for the observance of amenities and reone often missed the careful and measured balance straints made impracticable the specific condemand independence of judgment that is the sure nation of known acts of aggression, specific areas mark of a self-supported and entirely indigenous of persecution, and like ills. One must read beenterprise. Jesus lived and died and rose again tween the lines of the finding:s to see what the conin Asia. What the missionary cause today needs is ference reaHy had in mind. After all, the meetthe careful judgment and collabomtion of a na- ing was for counsel in the doing of a specific task tive church whose life and leadership is devoid of in the world, it was not a conference to sit in judgartificiality in its structure and support. We too ment on the world. often think in terms of the churches as they ought to be, and not enough of the churches as they are. The conference was a worthy third in a great Let the Intern~tional Missionary Coundl, and series. Edinburgh in 1910 was a great missionparticularly its constitutive units on the field, re- ary conference that emphasized comity. Jerusaflect current indigenous church life and opinion. lem in 1928 recognized the importance of the The cenlters, of Christian life for these younger younger churches ,and sought a common front and churches are not, or should not be, Canterbury, platform, finding it in a unifying Christology. Rome or New York, but in the mission lands, them- Madras in 1938 conceived of the unfinished task in selves. We need to be on our guard lest we make terms of a world-wide church fellowship. Its the same mistake here that has so often been made greatest contribution was not so much its findin mission projects, 'and in our zeal for results in ings, but in a real sense its very self. The' conorganization and leadership through foreign sub~ ference was perhaps lacking in great creative sidy, run ahead of ourselves. statement. It was a great creation, representing the results of past decades of noble missionary 4. One should not look in the findings for clear service, and indicating the need for further adcut, unequivocal delineations of some of the cur- vance. It emphasized dramatically how far we rent problemslland frictions throug;hout our world. have come, and how far we yet have to go.
An Impression of Madras Conference By PROF. HENDRICH KRAEMER, Leyden, Holland Author of "The Christian Message in a Non-Christian World"
N EVER before have I found it so difficult to The second reason, as far as I can judge, is that formulate an impression about a conference such international conferences become so per- I attended as in regard to that held at fected in their technique, and so standardized in Tambaram (Madras) last December. One usually their methods, that creative explosions and stir- feels reasonably certain that one understands the rings become very rare and almost impossible. general trend and spirit of the conference, and The method adopted in these conferences seems has some definite opinion of the outcome to be to have become somewhat as follows: For a year expected. These conclusions are not clear in re- or two in advance extensive and stimulating pr~ .gard to Tambaram, possibly for two main rea- paratory work is done, which is 'One of the most sons. productive features of a world conference. Peo- ple are urged to collect material, to think out prin- First, the time allotted to handle the sixteen ciples, to criticize methods and principles, and to main subjects (and the many others added dur- outline new visi'Ons and plans. The result is put ing the conference) was far too short. This was at the disposal of the whole missionary enterprise the general feeling of the delegates. Because of in the world. This isa highly stimulating and the many subjects that had to be discussed in five productive influence. days, one was so occupied with the subjects. to be taken up in the special sections attended that it When the day of the conference dawns the delewas impossible to get a grasp of the general sweep gates are divided into sections, to study the variof the conference. ous subjects allotted and to prepare a report for
AN IMPRESSION OF MADRAS CONFERENCE
general consideration. The idea is that a small baram. It was a great privilege to meet so many group study one particular subject and, as a re- ins,piring personalities. It was inspiring to hear, sult of cooperative and creative thought and con- first-hand, how the forces of the Kingdom of God structive criticism, will present the result to. the are working everywhere, often against the greatfull session of the conference for criticism and est odds. The deep sense of Christian fellowship, revision or adoption. experienced at Tambaram, filled the heart with thanksgiving to God. The reality of the Univer- But this eX'cellent idea, in my humble opinion, sal Church of Christ in the world, as the deepest can create useful and satisfactory results only if and solely undeceiving cause for hope and joy, the general guidance of such a conference is sure manifested itself repeatedly in our dealings with and determined and if there is sufficient time. each other. Otherwise the splendid intentions of this technique will become largely inoperative as seemed, to a Probably the most abiding impression I carry great extent, to have been the case at Tambaram. with me is the expectation that from this confer- In many cases the important preparatory work was scarcely used. This does not detract from DR. HENDRICH KRAEMER AND REV. D. T. NILES OF CEYLON the value o.f the preparatory work but it is to be regretted that the conference could not use to full ence a new fire will spread through all the advantage the results of these preparatory labors. churches and mission fields, a new fire of whole- The same pressure of time made it difficult to have hearted surrender to the divine commission of a thorough discussion in the sections where a co.n- evangelizing the world in all its spheres, and of flict of ideas could be given free play in such a strong loyalty to the Church as the fellowship in way that the creative spirits could formulate a Christ. The world needs a clear demonstration common platform. This criticism applies espe- of what the Church, if faithful to its calling, must cially to the most important subjects. be-namely a new, regenerated quality of individ- ual life and of life in fellowship. Tambaram The plenary sessions of the conference were so strongly impressed this vision on the minds of limited in time that they did not bring that whole- those who were present. some and indispensable clash of ideas to enable us to discover the fundamental urges of a conference and the unifying and inspiring force that determines its energizing influence.
Conferences, like that at Tambaram, are of such great importance to the missionary enterprise and to the Church that it is important to discover where their weaknesses may be remedied. Nowadays we kno.w fairly well what the technique of a great international gathering should be in order to obtain the maximum results. Tambaram, however, teaches that this technique cannot yield its due results unless we take at least three or four full weeks for such a gathering. There is an Arab proverb which runs: Haste originates from the devil. This certainly applies to international conferences. One of the fundamental conditions for their fruitfulness is that the mind can work quietly and intensely, open to God and open to each other. Only then can the average-minded and average-gifted delegate have his due share in the work of planning and thinking; and only then can the spiritually and intellectually creative minds make their indispensable contribution.
This is not all that I have to say about Tam- Is this the time, 0 Church of Christ! to sound No! rather, strengthen stakes and lengthen cords, Retreat? To arm with weapons cheap and blunt Enlarge thy plans and gifts, 0 thou elect, The men and women who have borne the brunt And to thy kingdom come for such a time! Of truth's fierce strife, and nobly held their ground? The earth with all its fullness is the Lord's. Is this the time to halt, when all around Great things attempt for Him, great things expect, Horizons lift, new destinies confront, Whose lOVe imperial is, whose power sublime! Stern duties wait our nation, never wont To play the laggard, when God's will was found? CHAJU$S SUlfN~ HOYT.
"Now Concerning the Collection"
By the REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D., Princeton, N. J.
Editor of "The Moslem World"; author of "It Is Hard to Be a Christian," etc.
I N ALL the Greek manuscripts of Paul's first Qf thQse who. gave hilariQusly (2 Cor. 9: 7) and letter to. the Corinthians there is not even a liberally stand Qut in my memory. semicQIQn to. divide the glQriQUS fifteenth chap- 'I1here was a Sioux CQunty farmer in IQwa who. ter on the Resurrection from the statement at the heard of Arabia when I was Qrdained as missionbeginning Qf the sixteenth chapter: "Now Con- ary. His Qwn pioneer experience responded to cerning the CoUection." FQr a Christian to. be- such an appeal and I recall hQW he supported our lieve in the living Redeemer and to abound in the first native evangelist. His letters in Dutch, and wQrk of the LQrd implies regular offerings, gifts those from Kamil Abd ul Messih in Arabic, crossed and self-denial to SUPPQrt this work. Paul was the seas and after translation jQined hearts in an example and an inspiration to. all missiQnaries prayer. and to. all Christians~he was not ashamed Qf the AnQther wealthy farmer was the greatest hog- "collectiQn plate." He wrote elsewhere very raiser in his cQunty and his state. His hQgs took plainly "cQncerning giving and receiving." He the blue ribbon prizes but his heart was that of raised mQney fQr missiQnsand fQr the PQQr Qf the the Gadarenes. One day, as he himself tQld me, Church. He himself was generously supported he received an impudent and threatening letter by the Church at Philippi. frQm gangsters in the cQunty-seat. It was signed It is nQt surprising, therefore, that the mQdern with skull and crQss-bones and sPQke of murder missionary must give of his time and strength unless "YQU skinflint, yQU put two thQusand dQI- when Qn furlQugh to. secure from the Church at lars in a cigar box under a stQne at the crQSS- home mQney for the enterprise. All try it. SQme rQads." In great fear he spread the letter befQre succeed, and some fail. But the experiences Qne the Lord as did Hezekiah Qf old. He prayed that has in being GQd's beggar on the dOQrsteps Qf GQd WQuld deliver him frQm the gang, who ap- Dives and CQmpany are priceless, whether Qne parently meant business, and VQwed to. make resti- meets with liberal gifts Qr niggardly refusals. The tutiQn to. God. He paid his VQW Qver and over same plea meets with varied response. My experi- again to. the cause o.f Christian educatio.n and mis- ence (in this sheaf of stQries) is like that of the siQns; nQr was he ever mQlested.
American so.ldier in the Wo.rld War, who was suc- The largest gift I ever received fDr missio.ns cessively billeted in an Irish, an English and a was from a go.dly and wealthy lady in Chicago..
SCQtch hQme. In each place he asked fo.r mQre I was making an effQrt to. raise $10,000 fQr the sugar in his tea. The Irish WQman said, "here's Nile Missio.n Press in Cairo.. Dr. JQhn TimQthy the bQwl, help YQurself"; the English lady said, StQne, pasto.r o.f the FQurth Presbyterian Church, "pass yQur cup and I'll give you a seco.nd lump"; generQusly gave me five minutes at the close of while the SCDtch ho.usewife looked do.ur while ask- his mQrning service, to. present the need of Chris- ing, "Mon, have ye stirred it?" tian literature in the WQrld Qf Islam. No. Qne else The acid test of Qur love to Christ and His King:- responded to. the appeal at this service but this dom is stewardship. The Master still sits before lady invited us to. luncheon and to. my amazement the treasury and weighs our contributiQns as he gave her check fQr the whQle amQunt. There had did those Qf the rich Pharisees and the poor been prayer in Cairo. and in Chicago..
widQw. It is nQt an easy task to raise mQney for In sharp cQntrast to. such beneficence was an missiQns, but I have often cQmforted myself by experience in Philadelphia where, at the clQse Qf the wQrds of Dr. Arthur T. Pierson: "We knQw a service in which I had sPQken of medical mis- that the rich man opened his eyes on a different sions in Arabia, two. ladies dressed in fine seal- scene, but the beggar landed in Abraham's bos- skin CQats tarried to. meet the preacher. They om." I have met with rebuff on several Qccasions said: "We really CQuld nQt go. without giving yQU during the past fifty years, but the recollectiQns SQme tQken Qf Qur interest in yQur great work [192 ]
EXAMPLES OF SACRIFICIAL GIVING
. . ." and, believe it or not, when I had thanked they were disputing whether to give or not to give, them warmly and opened my closed hand in the I asked playfully, "Who is the head of this house, vestry, the image and superscription was that of you or your wife?" Both deferred to the other. an American twenty-five-cent piece. Then to my delight I saw a wall motto hanging over the living-room table : Jesus Christ is the The following week I was in Rochester, New Head of this house; the unseen guest at every York. It was, a very cold day; I called on an old meal; the silent listener to every conversation. friend who sold automobile accessories. He re- I pointed to it as the answer to my question. Withmarked that my light overooat was unsuited ex- out another word the farmer took a check book cept for Arabia, took down an expensive fur-lined from his overall pocket and wrote a larger sum overcoat, and insisted that I pay for it and wear than any of us had expected. The deacon was it. He looked at the sales tag and said, "the price most of all surprised and led in a prayer of thanksof this to you is twenty-five cents-no I am not giving. joking-pay me the sum and then we'll go to lunch together." I told him the Philadelphia story, and Time would fail to tell of other experiences and paid the quarter. Later the coat was bequeathed of the joy that comes to those at the battle-front to a Dakota missionary. when reinforcements of men and money are forth- coming. The Philippian Church was Paul's joy This Rochester friend kept a tithing account in and crown. How ofen they cheered him by their his bankbook (as I learned, after his death). His free-will offerings, so that even in prison he was son showed the account to me and at the top "their own missionary" and they became an exof each page of benevolences were the words: ample to all the churches of Asia Minor, even to "W. R., in account with his Redeemer." the Corinthians (Philippians 4: 15, 16).
It is a spiritual tonic to meet such businessmen. "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory He was like the Philadelphia lawyer to whose through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beoffice the late Fennell P. Turner and I went to loved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, alsolicit a gift for the Student Volunteer Movement. ways abounding in the work of the Lord, for as "Gentlemen," he said, "you need not waste your much as ye know that your labor is not in v,ain in time or mine by long speeches. I know your cause the Lord. Now concerning the collection." and believe in it. If my funds allow, I shall give you a check." Then he rang for his secretary. EXAMPLES OF SACRIFICIAL GIVING * "Can the tithing account stand another hun- King David would not surrender to cheapness dred?" when it came to his worship of God. When the prophet directed David to go up on the threshing- "No, it is overdrawn." floor of Araunah and there offer a burnt-offering, Araunah freely offered to give the King the "The special account?" threshing-floor, the oxen, and everything that was "No." necessary for the burnt-offering. David's classic "Well, then, draw a check on the special, spe- answer is found in these words: "Neither will I cial account." offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord my God of He explained that this account consisted of re- that which doth cost me nothing" (2 Sam. 24: ceipts from debts unexpeotedly repaid after long 24, 25). He insisted on paying for it. Where standing! there is no sacrifice there is no love and where "I owe my Lord more than these debtors owe there is no love there is no worship. me," he said with a smile. The whole transaction took less than five minutes. Mary of Bethany was at her best in worship The secret of the willing mind and the liberal when she anointed Jesus,' feet with a pound of hand is to realize the Lordship of Christ over our liquid nard, very costly, but without counting the lives and His constant presence with us. In July, cost (John 13: 1). 1918, we were soliciting gifts for missions among the farmers of Sioux County, Iowa. An earnest In "The Gardens of Life," J. R. Straton tells the deacon drove me from farm to farm and nearly following story: everywhere in that prosperous year the farmers gave liberally. We came one day at the breakfast A rich man was down at the waterfront awaiting the hour to the home of one of the wealthiest farmers departure of an ocean liner. He was joined by an acbut my guide said there was no use going in to quaintance, who said to him: ask this man. "He is very close-fisted, although his wife is a liberal soul." "You seem to be much pleased about something." I responded we would better try, since he could "Yes," said the rich man, "I do feel unusually good tonot dp more than say no. As my guide had ex- day. Do you see that vessel at anchor in the North River? pected, the farmer refused bluntly. His wife en- Well, I have on that vessel ten thousand dollars worth of tered a plea but he would not yield an inch. As * Condensed from United Ohurch R6'View of North India.
equipment for a hospital in China, and I just came down wards wrote as follows to the above-mentioned to see the vessel safely off." business man: "That is interesting, and I am glad you made that gift," "As I was for thirty-four years an executive said the friend. "But you know I also have a gift on officer of a large Board.of Foreign Missions (Presthat ship. My only daughter is on that vessel, going to byterian), and am sWI, as Secretary Emeritus, in China to give her life as a missionary." close touch with it, I feel sure that you will ap- preciate my interest in your suggestion that the The wealthy man looked feelingly into the eyes of his churches might cut their foreign missionary work friend and exclaimed: seventy-five per cent, and use the liberated money to further the cause of peace and related objects. "My dear brother, I feel as though I have given nothing, Apart from the reasons for foreign missions that when I think of what this sacrifice means to you." are basic in our Christian faith, may I suggest the following considerations that would be involved This is the spirit that delights the heart of God in so extensive a reduction of missionary work. and the spirit which He seeks to foster in His children. "There are now approximately 40,000 churches in non-Christian lands, with a baptized member- A big lumberjack once said to Frank Higgins, ship of 10,971,066. These churches are the results the "Sky-pilot Lumberjack," as he lay on the oper- of missionary work. While some of them are ating table just before he took the anesthetic: locally self-supporting and all others are contrib- "Frank, you know that we love you and want to uting part of their congregational expenses, thouhelp you. While the doctors are operating I will sands of the smaner ones need our assistance. To be at your door; and Frank, if the doctors find withdraw the major part of this assistance would they need a quart of blood, or a piece of bone, or a seriouly cripple them. They stand for the same bit of skin, they can call on me. Frank, you can principles of peace, brotherhood and righteoushave every drop of blood or every bone in my ness, for which the churches in the United States body; now don't forget, I will be at the door." stand. You eloquently stated the vital need of the cooperation of American churches in creating This is the spirit that God is seeking to cultivate the international conditions that you so ardently when He tells us that it is more blessed to give desire. If the help of the churches here is essenthan to receive. tial in securing world peace, do we not also need the help of the missionary churches to promote There is an interesting story in Philippians 4: .peace abroad? Nationalism cannot create the in- 14-19. The church at Philippi had been minis- ternational mind in churches any more than in tering to the needs of the Apostle Paul while he politics. We need the missionary churches and was in prison in Rome. Paul was very apprecia- they need us. The words of the late Lord Bryce, tive of their gift for it represented real sacrifice, former Ambassador to the United States, are as of which God himself approved. Then the apostle true now as when he wrote them. He declared: makes, as a climax, that matchless promise made to the donors, "And my God shall supply every The jarring contact of many nations in the Far East need of yours, according to his riches in glory in imperatively calls for the strengthening of foreign mis- Christ Jesus." sionary work, which must be the chief influence in smooth- ing that contact, in allaying irritation and in creating Dr. G. Campbell Morgan says, "We know the those conditions of international goodwill which are essentruth of God as no other age has ever known it, tial to the preservation of world peace. The one sure and yet there never was a time when men, know- hope of a permanent foundation for world peace lies in ing and living under its blessings, were less obe- the extension throughout the world of the principles of dient to it than now." In the wake of obedience the Christian Gospel. is rich bles<sing, but in the wake of disobedience is judgment, disappointment and failure. "As a business man, I am sure that you will appreciate the following facts: Sacrificial giving in our service of God enriches and does not impoverish us. Some Significant Facts EXTRAVAGANT RETRENCHMENT "1. The foreign missionary work of the churches has been slowly and laboriously built up In a conference several influential business men for over a hundred years until it now represents urged closer cooperation between commercial and properties and equipment in mission compounds, religious organizations in averting war and pro- hospitals, orphanages, leper asylums, schools, colmoting international goodwill. One of the laymen leges, universities, industrial and agricultural inpresent suggested that the churches might wisely stitutions, residences, church buildings., etc., to a cut down their foreign missionary work seventy- total value of considerably over a hundred millions five per cent and use the liberated money to fur- of dollars. Withdrawal of seventy-five per. cent ther the cause of peace and related objects. One of the financial support which is now being given of the members of this conference, the Rev. Arthur J. Brown, D.D., Secretary Emeritus of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, after-
EXTRAVAGANT RETRENCHMENT
would close most of the 1,092 hospitals and.56,891 now being given, to foreign missions is not in the schools and colleges. It would necessitate the clos- treasuries of churches and is not at their disposal.
ing of the numerous orphanages, leper asylums, It consists of voluntary offerings designated for s,chools for the blind, the deaf and dumb children, this specific purpose. It is, therefore, a trust fund the industrial and agricultural institutions which which is expended by the churches through their are training youth for useful service and self- boards of foreign missions and it cannot be legally support, raising standards of living, and help- or morally used for anything else.
ing poverty-stricken people better their lot. Lead- "4. The distressing conditions now existing in ers of the churches in Asia freely declare that they China, so far from lessening the need for miss,ion- could not possibly meet the expense of maintain- ary work, has enormously increased it. All the ing these numerous institutions without the help mission compounds in the area of hostilities are they are receiving from the American and Euro- thronged with refugees-penniless, starving peo- pean churches, nor do they yet possess a sufficient ple, the aged, the sick, most of them women and number of trained executives to direct them. children, many of the latter being orphans. The Comparatively few of these properties could be missionaries are toiling literally night and day to sold, except at heavy loss. Forced sales of real help them. Recent letters report 2,500 helpless estate, hard enough in the United States, are refugees in one mission compound and 7,000 in doubly so in non-Christian lands, especially when another. All are dependent on the mi'ssionaries the properties are institutions which cannot be for food 'and medical care. The Chinese have given operated for commercial profit. innumerable testimonies to their gratitude. Gen- "2. The 27,577 missionaries, of whom about eralissimo Chiang Kai-shek and his wife have 15,000 are from America, are appointed for life publicly stated their appreciation and their hope service and cannot fairly be discharged as a mer- that the resources of the missionaries will be in- chant discharges a clerk. After a missionary has creased. In his recent Christmas message to the been given a collegiate and post-graduate training people of the United States, the Generalissimo in America, and a miss,ion board has paid his said: .
travel expenses to a distant land, has provided him There lies upon us, and we presume upon you also our and his family with a house and salary for a min- fellow-Christian readers, a great weight of care which imum of three years while he is acquiring the religion alone can teach us to bear worthily. . . . Peace necessary knowledge of a foreign language and and high moral standards are inseparable, and when they people, he represents a considerable investment become an a::complished fact in the lives of all the peoples of the East and West, there will be no more war. War and becomes a valuable man. It would be costly is brutal, but it will ever be powerless. to rob any of us of the transcendent peace of men who are at peace with to lose him and, if the work is reopened at some themselves. later period, to begin all over again with new and inexperienced men. Moreover, it costs about "Why, then, should we weaken the 'religion'
$1,000 to bring an average missionary (less for and 'high moral standards' in China, which the single missionaries but more for married ones foreign missionary work of our churches is cre- with children) from Asia or Africa to America. ating there and of which the Generalissimo and If seventy-five per cent of the 15,000 American his gifted wife themselves are among the fruits.
missionaries were to be recalled, nearly if not It seems to me that, instead of lessening foreign quite $11,000,000 would be required to bring them missionary work, we should strengthen it if we home. As the mission board could not honorably are to promote both at home and abroad the inter- cut off their salaries without making some pro- national mind and the spirit of world brotherhood vision for their support for a few months until which the foreign missionary enterprise in- they had a reasonable time to secure other em- culcates. . . .
ployment, a meager allowance of at least $500 "Your advocacy of peace, as essential not only per person for this purpose for 11,000 mission- to world trade but to all ,the best interests of man- aries would require $5,500,000 more for the whole kind, is an inspiration to us who have long had number. In other words, the withdrawal of sev- that cause in .our hearts."
enty-five per cent of the 15,000 American mission- aries, so far from liberating money for other uses, It may be that there are other well-meaning would not only ruin missionary work but would church members who think that missionary money involve an aggregate expenditure of approxi- should be diverted to other causes and who do not mately $16,500,000, nearly all of which would be realize the difficulties, the injustice and the tre- a total loss. mendous loss that would result to the Gause of "3. The money that has been given, and that is Christ and the welfare of humanity.-EDITOR.
Among Hindu Pilgrims*
–<111 By REV. RAJENDRA CHANDRA DAS III!o– TAST April a small group of twelve men met in was the same – they all centered in and around L fellowship, prayer and consultation in the the Cross of Christ. The converts, "born" Chris- United City Mission at Benares. They came tians, Europeans and Indians, had each a signifi- from different centres of Hindu pilgrimage in cant story to tell. Each one had a different ap- north 'and northeast India. A few of the local proach to Christ – the Saviour 'and Master. missionaries and Indian Christians also attended Among the converts were different types-social, some sessions.t This conference was composed intellectual, political, moral, spiritual, natural, of persons' who are either engaged in work among personal-every one with an emphasis of his own. pilgrims and other orthodox Hindus in religious There were also one or two who had many of these centres or who are running Christian Ash:r~ams motives combined in determining their Christian surrender. Yet in all this diversity there was a or are interested in the study of the faith and solid and wonderful spirit of unity which all appractice of Hinduism. preciated. It was a pleasant discovery that in a group of heterogeneous elements there could be The purpose of the gathering was threefold: so much understanding and fellowship. There First, fellowship in prayer and interchange of were men of Anglican, Baptist, Quaker, Methoddst experiences and ideas. It was an encouragement and Free Church affiliation and yet there was a to hear reports of how God is using men in differ- happy, joyous and exhilarating fellowship and ent fields. Everybody noted the mighty work of unity. Thank God for this wonderful blessing. the Spirit of God in the difficult field of Brindaban among the Sadhus and Vairagis. In Calcutta the The second object of this conference was the banner of evangelism is kept high among the edu- formation of a simple organization with a view to cated. The A.shram life of Puri is developing fostering this fellowship between different peralong the line of quiet study, meditation and sons and places through the publication of a small prayer, as well as personal evangelism. In Milt- paper and through occasional conferences, as well tra, Rev. R. Templin and some of his colleagues as by interchange of workers. After a discussion are experimenting on Christian life and work of several points it was agreed that a simple oralong brotherhood lines. ganization be formed under some such title as "T.he Association of Christian Ashrams" (work- The views and spiritual experiences, as narrated ers among pilgrims and orthodox Hindus in North by the different members, were as varied as the and Northeast India) – Bhartiya Khristakula men themselves, but the core of the experience • Condensed from The Indian Witness. Samity. A small quarterly paper containing re- t Mr. Abraham Khan came from Puri. He is In charge of the quests for prayers and thanksgiving and short re- Ishapanthy Ashram which was founded by the late Rev. B. C. Sirc,,:r, ~.A., the Y. M. C,. A. evangelist. The Temple of Jagannath ports of work was felt to be desirable. It was dewith Its annual Gar Festival draws hundreds and thousands of people cided that on particular occasions of festivals .from all parts of India. Rev. M. Moses of the Church of God move- workers would be exchanged between different ment represented Calcutta where thousands of pilgrims visit the centres like Puri, Brindaban and Benares as well Temple of Kali. The Rev. J. Y. Sidley of the Baptist Mission repre- as at other normal times. A retreat-conference sented Gaya where Hindus COme in great numbers to offer Pindas like the present one – is to be repeated at least once every two years at a centre and on an occa- (balls of rice) in the names of their relatiYes for the.ir full ant! sion when practical evangelistic work could be final salvation, and Buddhist pilgrims also come to visit the place done among pilgrims and Sadhus. where Buddha was enlightened. Mr. N. N. Das of Patna, retired from Government Secretariat service and associated with the Union This conference was called upon to consider the Church work, represented ancient Pataliputra and HindU bathing feasibility of inaugurating a school to study Hincentres in Bihar. Mr. I. L. Lawrence of the English Methodist duism, with emphasis on its practical, popular and orthodox side. A few of those actually engaged Church represented Ayodhya, the birthplace of Ram, one of the in preaching the Gospel to Sadhus, Sanyasis and great incarnations of the Hindus. The Rev. G. W. Maw of the pilgrims, Pundits and Priests, Mohants and Brah- Fri.ends' Mission, Itarsi, represented not only the pilgrim centres of mins have felt the need of a unity of purpose and RaJPutana and Central India but also the great Himalayan shrines practical knowledge and training in work. It was like Kedarnath and Badrinath. Mr. Maw, in a Sadhu's dress. has traveled far and wide with pilgrims themselves. Pandit Yamua Prasad Chowbey. professor of music. came from the TheologiCal Sem- Inary of .the Methodist Episcopal Church at BareiIIy. Mr. Dldar, a young Hmdu convert of the Methodist Mission, represented Muttra. Brindaban, a most important pilgrim centre especially for Valshnava Bengalees, was represented by the Rev. A. C. Chakravarti, B.D., of the Methodist Church, who has founded a Christian Ashram on his own responsibility in that very "orthodox" place. Benares, where the retreat was held and which Is the greatest centre of Hindu orthodoxy and learning, was represented by the workers and Inmates of the United Mission-the Rev. S. R. Holt, Mr. H. K. Dey and Rev. R. C. Das.
[196 ] unanimously felt that such opportunities would be politico-cultural organization. As a Hindu he saw highly appreciated and utilized by many. The no barrier in Hinduism as regards intermarriage Benares United City Mission offers any facilities and interdining. Coming from a man of his posiit has for such a purpose. A well equipped library tion, this was remarkable inasmuch as Christian was felt necessary and there is already a nucleus circles are not usually conversant with this uniof it at Benares. The study of the faith and prac- versal attitude of Hinduis.m, its orthodox and extice of Hinduism is necessary and important for clusive ideas and practices being more commonly a right approach to Hindus. It is unfortunate that met. almost all workers, Indian or non-Indian, do general work among non-Christians with no special We were convinced of many things, among qualifications to touch effectively either Hindus which the more important are: first, only pracor Moslems. A School of Islamics started a few tical and s,incere Christianity of the apostolic type years ago has rendered valuable service for the in the sense of converted and consecrated personal cause of Christ among Moslems. No less should life through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, as be done intelligently and sympathetically to touch effective in meeting this long-lived and virile Hindus. Hinduism we find in shrines and pilgrim centres; second, only collective witness and cooperative en- There was a paper from the Rev. R. Templin of deavor disclose the secret of the power of Hin- Muttra on the subject of "Witness and the Serv- duism; third, fresh methods of evangelistic ants of the Kingdom." Emphasis was laid on approach to Hindus based on understanding and (1) the need and importance of collective witnes,s; sympathy, must be discovered. Our supreme con- (2) the Kingdom of God rather than the church viction is that the presence of the Living Christ as an institution; (3) God seeks man through among us and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is Christ; (4) no faith without faithfulness.. essential in everything said or done.
The Rev. Atul Chandra Chakravarti, B.D., of ECLECTIC RELIGIONS Brindaban Christian Ashram, in an address on Hinduism, brought out the following points:: The By REV. J. CHRISTY WILSON, D.D., Tabriz, Iran study of Hinduism as a religion and culture is necessary: (1) for goodwill and fellowship with There is great danger in electicism in religion. our non-Christian friends; (2) to equip us better The Bahais are all inclusive and all things to for preaching the Gospel and in bringing out true all men. They will agree with Moslems, Chriscontacts and real differences between Christianity tians or Jews and claim to unite the best things and Hinduism. The following vital issues and from all faiths. practical questions were raised: Should we ag- From Iran the ancient Nestorian Church cargressively s.how the superiority of Christianity ried the Gospel with burning zeal to India, China and deficiency of Hinduism? Should we condemn, and the far reaches of Asia. Very few of the attack, criticize, and find flaws? How can we Christian communities they founded remain topreach Christ-the only Saviour-without arous- day, and one of the reasons for the failure of ing antagonism? How reconcile the claims of these Christian churches to survive, is that they Christianity with goodwill for Hindus? compromised with other faiths. Some advisers believe that missions should do The Rev. G. W. Maw, of Itarsi, speaking on the the same today-"Accept what is good and true Christian approach to the Hindu pilgrims, de- in all religions and work together." But Christ scribed how he lived like a Hindu Sadhu and says we cannot serve two masters, or as the com- Sanyasi, wore the colored robe with the distinctive mon Eastern proverb has it, "You cannot hold mark of the cross on it, lived and conversed with two melons in one hand." the pilgrims and traveled with them up and down When Israel took up idol worship they did not the highways of Indian pilgrimages in North In- intend to forsake Jehovah, they merely wanted dia and the Himalayas. to be broad and get along with other religions. The end was fatal and led to degradation and It was a very interesting deviation from the or- dispersion. dinary course followed among Christians when we Here is a lesson that Christians should take to heard Dr. M. D. Shastri, Principal of the famous heart. We who are working for Christ in the Government Sanskrit College of Benares, speak Bible lands must love men of other religions, but on "How Christ Appeals to the Hindu." He we must call them to worship only God as revealed stressed the Hindu position, viz., that every reli- in Jesus Christ. Men cannot live to the glory of gion has truth and is good for its own followers, God unless they are Christian. Christ must have so that there need be no rivalry or enmity between full and complete allegiance if God is to be glorireligions. The Hindus had no difficulty in rega~d fied.-The Presbyterian. ing Christ as a great teacher and incarnation, because Hinduism is essentially not a religion in the sense of a creed or a way of life but rather a socio-
A Missionary Vacation in Rural
A Letter from a Mother to Her Sons in America By MRS. T. W. B. DEMAREE Formerly under the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Oita, Japan -1889 to 1934 SIX of us left home on Saturday for Camp and Tuesday nights with a hundred or more in Nada Hachiman, about thirty miles from attendance. The railroad station master here is Oita. We had two cars in which to load our one of our Kitsuki Christians. He copied a hymn "junk." The girls rode in one car. We brought on a large sheet of paper; we tacked it up on a all the tent and fixtures. Our cars reminded me tree, built a bonfire for light and I taught them of California tourists. to sing. They responded and listened well. The The mosquitos are pretty bad here in evenings girls and I sang some special songs for them.
but we have our nets. The beach and sea bathing Even the old priest, who is at the head of the are perfect. Our tent is stretched in the pines big temple, has been to call and has attended the which grow along the beach as far as we can see. meetings with some of his colleagues. He ex- For this big round tent we need only a center pole pressed the desire to hear more.
and a few stobs and bamboo-quickly and easily Wednesday night, after supper, the members put up, especially where we have so many trees of our party put on their bathing suits and we to which to tie the ropes. went down to the beach. Soon we were joined by The Japanese were seemingly delighted to have the station master, and later a nice looking man us and everybody turned out to help. dressed in a white suit came up and introduced "What do you need?" they asked. himself, saying, "I live on a farm back in the "First," Daddy said, "we must have a center mountains and only heard today that a Christian pole-so long-some bamboo." missionary had come to this place for a few days. I have heard something about Christ and long to Off went a man on a bicycle and by the time we learn more. Have you time to teach me?" had our tent unrolled he came riding up with an ideal pole on his shoulder. Others produced the We came back to the tent and dressed and the smaller bamboo poles and all turned in to help. people continued to gather. I took a group to Talk about kindness, I never saw anything to one side and Daddy took charge of the inquirer.
beat it. Still they came. I spread down tent cloth and All day Sunday we had callers of all descrip- rugs and soon every seat was taken. There must tions: railroad officials, principals of schools, have been fully sixty earnest inquirers, and I teachers, school children, farmers from back in never saw more earnestness. Several times I rethe sticks, some of the funniest specimens. you marked that I thought they must be tired trying ever saw, with questions, questions. Then at to understand me but they declared they under- night a large .group came and asked for a Chris- stood perfectly and begged me to continue. When tian talk and Daddy must have talked for two they were gone Daddy and I were too happy to go hours. He promised to have a real meeting for to bed so we walked down toward the sea to look them tonight when he blows his cornet. at the beautiful full moon and its reflection in the sea, when seven young men came up on bicycles Today we have had rather a quiet day with very saying they had heard in their village, several few inquisitive gazers. The principal of the Kit- miles away, about our meetings and they had come suki girls' school where I once spoke called today with a large basket of fruit, lovely plums and to learn. They seemed much disappointed to learn natsu mikan, which grew in his own garden. that the meeting was over, and asked if we would *** not talk to them a little while, so Daddy took them I stopped to play some games with the crowd. in charge.
. . Now I am seated several paces. from the tent Before I was asleep some old drunken fellows in the shade of the pines with a wonderful breeze came by and made a big hubbub. One old fellow blowing from the sea. We had meetings Monday came into the tent (side curtains were all up) [198 ]
THE NEED OF FARMERS IN JAPAN
and called out in a big loud voice, "Obasan, obasan, real country but autos and autotrucks are conare you asleep? I want your address in Oita so tinually passing and an aeroplane passed over that I can come there and learn more about Chris- my head. tianity. I'm a little drunk tQnight because today we finished putting up the big stQne torii for Qur Day before yesterday as I sat peeling potatoes temple and we are celebrating. Yes, I'm a little for supper a boy was racing his pony al'ound the drunk but I want to. hear mQre." race track beyond our tent. The horse fell and we thought the boy was killed. Daddy and I both He and Qthers hung arQund until after one a. m. started toward him taking a bucket of cold water but we finally shook them off without even mak- from the well. After some working of the bQY's ing them mad. arms and plenty of cold water he began to breathe. Then Japanese came and carried him to. his broth- The man who came early last night from up in er's home. No. bones were broken, and today he the mountains came again as we were finishing is up and has been here, with his parents, kin and breakfast, bringing some beautiful dahlias and neighbors galQre, to. thank us for having saved pears. He was a hungry looking soul and Daddy talked with him for over an hQur. "0, how I wish his life. . . . . they could know there is room for them all and Yesterday the superintendent of the railroad, that Jesus bids them come." three principals of schools, an ex-army captain This is a perfectly wonderful place to spend a and other dignitaries called. . . . summer, and I've never run up against such an opportunity. There is no church near and it is After six days we came back home; we did not get much rest but we had a good time.
The Need of Farmers in Japan* By DR. TOYOHIKO KAGAWA, Tokyo I N JAPAN we have 140 large cities and 1,200 operative. The scale of health insurance is based tQwns and villages are rural. Only 4870 of on the income of the village. The more income the total population is rural. Each year more you have the more you pay. But the treatment than 100,000 people leave the rural sections and and the number of visits of the doctor are the same go to the cities. Five million seven hundred thou- no matter what fee you have paid. sand rural people live on six million hectares. of land. (One hectare equals two and a half acres.) The farmers can now buy good fertilizers be- cause of the cooperatives. They can also buy the Our first cooperative association for farmers lands they till. In 1931 the farmers of Japan sufwas introduced from Germany a few years ago. fered from a depression and a panic. As one re- Until then the farmers borrowed money from the sult many lost the ownership of their lands and loan sharks, with interest sometimes 2570 and today about 4070 of the 5,700,000 farmers are landless. Thirty per cent of them have a little sometimes 30 % per year. The government had a regulation that interest was to he only 20 % on a land; 70 % are tenant farmers; 28 % own small debt, but the loan sharks were able to squeeze the lands; only 270 of the farmers are well off. peasants for more. Today more than 14,000 co- Sixty-five per cent of the owners of farms live in operatives have been organized for the farmers of the tQwns and cities. Therefore, we are endeav- 12,000 communities. There is one central coop- oring through cooperatives to give back to the erative union. farmers the lands which are owned by city people. Each year there are about 3,000 cases of land dis~ Today we have 8,600 storages for rice based on putes-Iabor disputes are almost stopped, but not the cooperative scheme. Through these storages land disputes – because of what the Japanese and cooperatives the price of rice can be fixed farmers suffer from the city owners of their completely. About the middle of December, when farms. Last year the Diet passed a resolution we know about the rice crop, the rate is fixed for that an owner·of farmland can sell the land to anthe year. We can fix the price of silk also.. other person only with the consent of the tiller of the soil. If the tiller of the soil will consult with Through the cooperative plan that we got from the farm credit cooperative, he can probaJbly be Denmark, we have four different forms of insur- helped to buy back his land from the city owner. ance for the people in rural areas. We have a harvest insurance for the rice crop and the silkworm The lay leaders of the Christian churches, as crop; a livestock insurance; a health insurance individuals, are active in these organizations cooperative; and a national health insurance co- everywhere.
• From an address at the 1. M. c. meeting, Madras.
of Rural Life in Africa*
By IRA E. GILLET, Kambini, Portuguese East Africa I ~.- I Principal, Cenlral Training School ~=========================.
A MAN in India was showing me photographs; cupboards and doors. The 8,000 East Indians as he hurriedly passed over some of them residing in the colony handle the major part of the he said, "These are just ordinary villagers." retail trade, and their cloth and blankets are "Ordinary villagers!" I said in amazement, largely replacing the bark-eloth and skins of "why that is all we have in Africa!" former days.
Our people are all "ordinary villagers," exc~pt Protestant Work for a few who are adjusting themselves to the lIfe and work of Durban, Capetown, and the mining Protestant Christian work is almost entirely confined to the southern districts of the colony. areas of Rhodesia and the Rand. For more than Here six long-established and four more recently four million people in Mozambique, more than half established missions are at work under increasas large as the Union of South Africa, and ex- ing limitations. tending for fifteen degrees along the east coast, we have only one high school, and that is in the Speaking for one mission, we insist that mis- sionaries sent out by the Board be rural-minded. extreme southern end of the colony. A man who prefers a game of tennis to a shower when the land needs rain, who is glad to buy eggs A large maj ority of the able-bodied men of our for less than they are worth, or who is too dainty section are continuously away from home at work to touch the manure cart need not apply. in the gold and coal mines of the Transvaal, some of them going as often as eight or ten times for Since the general standard of living, of sobriety, of trustworthiness, and of education, is much shifts of eighteen months each. At the mines the higher in the Christian villages than outside, the unskilled laborer receives about six times as much local administrators are generally sympathetic. in wages as in the colony. Some of this eventually reaches the home village but this, residue is seldom We have a central training school, based on a put into permanent village development. farm and including a Jeanes school, in which church, hospital, farm,shops and classes work as The earthly possessions of most families con- an integrated whole, together with the surround- ing community. Student candidates are examined sist of a pole-and-earth hut, roofed with grass. In and recommended by the elders of their communi- ties whether they be men or boys. Men must the one or two rooms of this house there is little bring their wives and children and establisl;t self- supporting homes for three years, after which the or no furniture beyond a few baskets, pots and more capable ones are permitted to continue for a further period. The whole family attends classes, hgroaeis~', and immediately a fter harvest there is some tills the soil under the direction of the farm leaders such as peanuts, corn, beans and millet, and according to approved methods, shares in the worship and community service of the churchupon which the owner pays an annual tax of about both locally and at considerable distance from the school center. Surveys, preaching missions, agriten dollars. cultural fairs, institutes, and tours of farm-coun- selling are carried on with faculty supervision Because of constant moving to the mines, tribal within a radius of 150 miles – all within the life is badly disintegrated and home life is broken framework of the church organization. up. Where this has not come to pass and where there are sufficient male adults at home to attend In addition to their regular school classes, the the cattle and goats, there are still herds of in- wives are taught various aspects of home-making, ferior cattle, seldom (though increasingly) used simple nursing and midwifery as well as how to for plowing. Farming methods are slow and lead worship services. In fact, nothing that is wasteful. Villagers leave the worked-out fields vital to home and village life is foreign to our proand cultivate new land or old land that has grown up again to thickets. Undecorated clay pots, g~od baskets and mats of various kinds, a little tannmg of hides and a little whittling of wooden articles are the limit of general handicraft; carpentry of the European style is becoming popular for the more progressive, for the making of chairs, tables, • Notes taken by W. W. Reid at the Madras Conference. gram and interest.
[200 ]
RURAL CHANGES IN MEXICO TODAY
Gl'OUPS of Christian villages. are joined into a permanent residences. All church buildings and circuit which, from its own funds, supplemented parsonages and medical substations are built by in decreasing proportion by the mission, makes its the local church. own budget for evangelism, health services, instruction, bulk subscriptions for vernacular news- A family trained at the school goes to a new papers carrying Sunday school lessons, pastoral village or to an old one in need of help, and sets support, home missions and connectional funds. up a permanent home. The man begins his farm There are sixteen of these circuits, including 175 work, and his community visitation as time and villages. Each meets quarterly for inspiration and resources permit, and as need appears. The cirbusiness. To suggest that any of their needs of cuit may give him fl'om two and a half dollars to life do not come within the Church's interes,t five dollars during the quarter depending upon would come to them as a surprise. circumstances; so that he need not resort to the mines to get money for his tax. He and his wife An annual consecration of hoes, seed, and other preach, nurse, teach, farm, encourage, act as implements is held in the majority of these vil- peacemakers, and in short become "lights. in the lages, usually at planting time. Thank offerings world." at the time of the harvest festival bring in gifts according to the gladness-though not necessarily Missionaries visit these Ex-students as often as according to the wealth – of these farmers. In possible and confer with them concerning their spite of evident poverty, with very meagre educa- problems. As they are given larger responsibility tion, surrounded by SOl'cery and drunkenness, they are also taken through additional courses of these units of the Church look to their school at study; and short courses and private conference& the center; to this school they send their boys and are :&requently arranged. their families, and from it they receive help. The primary boarding school for young boys Happily the African in our colony is not the- seems to have contributed little to this whole deoretically the victim of the color bar in industry. velopment, and I am convinced that this luxury The opportunity is usually there for those who is too ineffective to be continued. It must give will take advantage of it. Moreover, by the de- place to more provision for day school instruction velopment of the land the African can make his of students who live at home and so are able to claim to it secure, so that he has not to depend transmit the school influence directly and immesolely on communal holding. Many of our Chris- diately to the home. Much of this can be done tian people are taking advantage of this to erect through some such plan as 4-H clubs and adult education over a wider area.
Rural Changes in Mexico Today* By PROF. G. BAEZ CAMARGO Secretary, National Evangelical Council of Mexico I N MEXICO we are going through a social Spanish seized. The ownership of these lands was change that is greatly affecting the rural life investigated after the Revolution and resulted in of the country. Our rural problems are due to the restoration of much of this communal land to the breaking down of a land system that pre~ the villages. But in the years many new villages vailed for 400 years. The old system of cultiva- had sprung up and they had no lands; for them tion was primitive in technique, and large areas the government bought land and gave it to the of land were in a very few hands. An extreme villages. case, yet illustrating the system, was that one landowner had an area equal to about half the size This ability to own land has made a tremendous of France. change in the life of the village and of the farmer. Before that the farmer had been getting a small In 1910 the Mexican Revolution began. One of wage for tilling the land; he was paid with tickets its main objectives was. the breaking down of the and had to buy his provisions with these tickets system of land holding, the distribution of land, from stores owned by the landowners. Now with and the making of small farms. The old Indian the allocation of land to the villagers., they must villages had communal lands which all the people work their own land, and they cannot count on a of the village cultivated together. These lands the fixed amount of income each week. But the gov- ernment is getting these farmers and villagers * Extract from an address delivered at the recent International adj usted to the new system.
Missionary Conference, at Madras.
Mahka La's Story*
I -..gf By GUSTAF A. SWORD, Kutkai, Burma I ~- SUBADAR MAHKA LA of Kutkai, Burma, Subadar until he saw the thick filthy black tar- was a nominal Christian but a slave to the strong drink and opium habits. More than like substance was being washed from his body. once did he try to break the habit but without success. Associating with one of the young Ka- Especially from the tips of his fingers came a conchin chiefs, who became a Christian ten years ago and who has experienced the power of God, the tinuous stream of filth and slime. The more they Subadar felt more disgusted with himself than ever before and asked the Christian chief for ad- scrubbed the better he felt. vice and help. The chief told the Subadar that the only way of help he knew was through honest After a while the mystical visitors gradually and persistent prayer to God. And so the Subadar began to pray as never before. faded away in the light. Then the light disap- One night he had a vision; a wonderful light peared and the Subadar awakened from his filled the room and his heart and he saw some supernatural beings. In the pure bright light the dream. A wonderful sensation filled his soul. He Subadar felt filthy, mean and unclean. He looked upon his hands and his body and saw that he was felt clean; he felt free, and happy. • black with a dirty substance like opium. One of the visitors came close to him and when he saw As the Subadar got up and walked about he the filth and misery he told the Subadar to wash himself and be cleansed. The Subadar answered: spied his old opium pipe and a package of opium.
"Sir, I am not able to wash myself. I have tried The sight and the smell of it was nauseating so he but this filth sticks to me, no matter how much I try to rid myself of it. Sir, if you will wash me set about to destroy it. He also poured out the then I will be clean." strong drink. Indeed he had been washed clean. Then this supernatural being called his comrades and they set to scrubbing and washing the It is now five years since this happened and the • From The Burma News. Subadar is now a deacon in the church. All who knew him marvelled at the change; today he is a living testimony to God's saving power.
A few years ago when I was in Kutkai building the new mission bungalow, the Subadar came one evening and placed something in my hand saying, "This is my gift for the new Kutkai chapel." It was dark, I could not count the money but as I came into the grass hut we had erected while we were building the new bungalow, I counted the money and found Rs. 150. Since then he has given me Rs. 350 more for the new chapel. He has also given Rs. 300 to the new Baptist Kachin Mission enterprise in Sumprabum.
OAN A OHRISTIAN BE NON-MISSIONARY?
There is no such person as a Christian who is not making a sacrifice to support the work of the Church at home and abroad. I am not the authority for this statement. Christ is, for it was He who said, "He who would come after me let him deny himself" . . . also "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." We can't escape the fact that He called us to be ready to make a willing sacrifice in order that all men everywhere might share the Good News. . . . Christ decided this nineteen centuries ago, and all we can do is to either prove our loyalty by heeding His command, or rule ourselves out of the company of those who are truly His followers. The work of Christ needs, and has a right to expect, the united backing of every man, woman and child in the whole Church. Furthermore, I do not consider a person worthy of being presented for confirmation unless he is ready and eager to make his pledge on both sides of the envelope for the work of the whole Church. It is time we stopped turning out these generations of church members, half of whom are ignorant as to their responsibility when it comes to the support of the work of the Church.
-Bishop Hobson.
[202 ] I Effective Ways of Working Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE W. MCGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ~===============================I~ Not Too Early to Plan! light of present conditions. But mends: "The cost varies from here is a job for the Christians institute to institute, but runs to Plan what? To have at least of the world. I am coming to $25-$35 each, for the ten daysone member from your group believe that if enough Christians for room, board, and tuition. attend a Peace Institute this face this problem, we can condi- Tuition alone is generally $10, summer. tion the next generation to think which is the total cost to be and act in terms of world borne by persons from the neigh- You cannot afford to have brotherhood. borhood. your missionary organization, church and community without "I came away from the con- "Some churches are raising a the stimulation and inspiration scholarship fund to send delethat having a representative at ference, with a definite convic- gates. Women's organizations a Peace Institute will bring. tion that a free church has an might hold benefit teas or din- important function to fulfil in ners, planned in the interna- What values are there to be tional spirit with foreign cosgained? Let some of those speak this present world crisis. Our tumes, flags and posters. The who have gone to other institute American churches dare not money raised could be used to meetings. mark time. In this present crisis send the pastor of the church or the Church must challenge the one of the Church School teach- A woman says: "It was a thinking people of our country, ers. Here is a concrete project stimulating experience to have in terms of world responsibility. for those who ask, 'What can I such men as Samuel Guy Inman We must do it now while we are do for peace?' interpret South America to us; not at war – once war is deto have T. Z. Koo of China, with clared, it will be too late." "The institute is an invaluable all his charm, bring to us the experience. It affords an opporbackgrounds of oriental ten- A student says: "The spirit tunity to sit under internasions; and to have Hugo F. of fellowship was uniquely ap~ tionally known authorities; to Simon rub our thinking the mingle with people from many wrong way. Every course was parent in the way it dominated valuable in helping us to under- even the most bitter of the dis- backgrounds – ministers, teachstand underlying currents in an putes which sometimes arose out ers, librarians, peace leaders, ever-changing world. . . . We of our discussions. Therefore workers, students, religious eduleftNaperville 'instructed' and the two weeks was not only cation directors; and to receive 'inspired' to do something to help highly educational and very en- the stimulus of fresh ideas. bring about better understanding between the races and to joyable, but deeply inspirational "Then too-and not the least make this a better world for in its unity of purpose in the -there is the delightful summer others as well as for ourselves." face of sharply opposed opinions. campus on which the institute is held. All these elements com- A pastor says: "Well-out of "I must add that frequent bine to offer the institute-goer a the experience of those ten days, comments were voiced as to the rewarding time." I returned to my parish with the character of the leadership and renewal and deepening of cer- the staff members. The institute It is sound advice for all of us. tain convictions about life. I members were impressed by the Your first step is to write to your sensed anew the fact of the in- workers of the American Friends missionary or "social action" terdependence of the great hu- who were giving so much time board for information about past man family. I saw the similarity and energy to this cause. and future institutes. Second, of the problems which confront find out approximate costs for the different nations of the "As we left, we were not only the one nearest to you. Third, world. I was strengthened in keyed up to a peak of interest find the person most fitted to go the conviction that the one hope in getting out and fighting in the -your pastor, one of the leading for a way out of all this con- peace movement, but also in a laymen, an outstanding woman fusion is through world coop- feeling that groups such as the eration. American Friends Service Com- of the church-choose carefully. mittee and the Council for Social The person chosen must be able "This looks hopeless in the Action deserve our sincerest to provide leadership after re- support." turning. Do not send a simple The Missionary Herald (Con- gregational – Christian) recom- [203 ]
sponge, no matter how keen the eign Missions came to their hun- of the histo.ry of their "Christ- sponge may be to absorb it all. dredth anniversary, and wanted mas Tree in May" and presented You don't want .to. have to spend a new hymn to celebrate that oc- the plans for the celebration of time squeezing to get informa- casion, this one was chosen from it this year.
tion when your delegate returns! over two hundred hymns sub- The back page of the folder Fourth, lay plans fo.r pro.viding mitted. It was written by Dr. tells the story of the enterprise. tuition,transPo.rtation, board Jay Glover Eldridge of Moscow, and room and texts if needed. Idaho. We all rejoice with the HOW WE STARTED It is not too so.on to start plan- Presbyterian Board in its com- In 1921 Bethel Bible School sent its ning. It takes time to get infor- pletion of such a span of service mation, to secure funds, to de- and we find in the hymn an ex- first big Christmas Box to India. It velop interest, to find the best pression of our o.wn ho.pe and de- carried so much joy to the folks who sire; we therefore want to add received it that for fifteen years it to those hymns through which Bethel folks packed veritable treasure we voice our own aspirations. person to. send and to. complete stores of happiness into great wooden arrangements. Summer rolls The tune to which it is set is boxes and shipped them to India. Each around all too soo.n. * year hundreds of boys and girls, men and women, and leper patients in our mission station depended for their Display Gifts Before Sending fo.und in most church hymnals. Christmas remembrances upon the ar- It is the familiar and beautiful rival of this box. Clothing, school There is much satisfaction in "Hymn to J o.Y" by Beethoven, supplies, religious literature, toilet work completed; the value of the tune to which o.rdinarily we articles, toys, and literally thousands this we ignore when we allo.w a sing "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore of things crossed the ocean each year. co.mmittee to collect gifts, pack Thee." and send them, making a weak Several years ago an increase on verbal repo.rt, or even none. After using this hymn as a the "duty" which our missionaries had solo or qua.rtette, use it in the to pay made us decide to send the With the above procedure, next meeting as a hymn, sung by money instead of a box, thus saving contrast the following: the entire group. It should be the expense qf transportation and in- used frequently thereafter until surance. . The women who co.llected it becomes familiar. scraps for making bed covers for HOW IT WORKED flo.od relief were themselves ut- God of years, Thy love hath led us, terly amazed at the two beautiful Thou hast been our bulwark, strong, Our new plan has been highly sucand serviceable covers evolved cessful. Our members have responded from their contributions. They Wall of fire against the wicked, as loyally to this way of giving as will be ready to embark on a Sword of power against the wrong. they did when bringing articles in similar enterprise again. Christmas wrappings. In 1936 and Thou hast blest of old Thy servants 1937 we sent checks of $100, which The women who made gar- As they bore Thy message far; our missionaries have gladly turned men.ts for a migrant Christian into many useful and welcome gifts. Center, and those who had not We who follow in their footsteps joined in the actual work, were Evermore tpeir debtors are. On next Sunday, May 15th, each delighted and encouraged at the member of the Bible School will be sight of a clothes-line full of Onward lead, 0 King eternal, given a small colored bag into which pretty garments, flapping in the Lo, we heed Thy high command, to put a gift for our Christmas check breeze at their outdoor meeting to India. These bags are to be rejust before the garments were Bear good news to every people, turned on the following Sunday, May sent off. Far and near, in every land. 22nd, and hung on Christmas trees in each department as a part of our ob- Seeing the completed task Thine they are, Thy love doth seek servance of "Christmas in May." We gives a feeling of satisfaction so them, are counting on you! that in future similar tasks will be more readily undertaken. Thou wouldst bring them to the Before we turn to the other light; pages of the folder, please note No matter what your under- how skillfully joy of sending actaking, try to. give the entire or- Lead us on till darkness brightens, tual packages has been turned ganization a visual impression o.f On till faith is lost in sight. into happiness in sending a it in its finished state. money gift. Notice that the Lead us forth, a Church united, little bags in which the money is Strong, courageous, in Thy might. to be collected are bright-colo.red, They will take the place of the Lo, the fields are white with harvest, brightly wrapped packages on Sheaves to garner ere the night. the tree, and will have a dra- One our purpose, One our Leader, LeTSaodhusushsaTlohlny,loavCeh,Kuwricnohgrldseh-twealrilndean,le, vperervfaaiil.lt; The Summer Christmas Tree Enrich Your Devotionals Early in May, 1938, a fo.ur- matic value that mere envelopes for an offering cannot have. Here is a new hymn well worth page folder was distributed to adding to your devotional ma- the members of the Sunday But now let us turn to the first terials. It should be sung first school o.f a large church in page of the folder. It announces as a solo. o.r by a quartette. A Evansville, Indiana, It was not the idea – Christmas in May brief introduction may precede a surprise, of course, for they that Others May Have Christmas its first use, stating that when had for eighteen years been hav- in India in December. It is decthe Presbyterian Board of For- orated with a simple line draw- ing the fun of a Christmas tree ing of a Christmas tree hung in May. But it reminded them with bright-colored balls. That • All quotations are from The Missionary t Copyright by The Board of Foreign Mis- will be the bright co.lored bags of the offerings! Herold at Home ana Abroad and are used by sions of the Presbyterian Church. Used by permiSSion. permiSSion.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
A little verse by the mission- their bright bags on Christ~as Reading for Children * trees small enough to be carned. ary in India closes, "whole In selecting missionary books Christmas in December, makes Then from each department, in all of us remember Him, whose for children, there are always coming brought Christmas for procession, headed by one ca~ry us all." two points to keep in mind. ing the tree, they come hack mto Perhaps the nicest part of this First tChheildarpepneaarraenceent~otlfedthtoe announcement folder is the in- the auditorium, where the trees book.' side two pages which carry a Mother's Day thought which bearing their gifts of love are beautiful books. By thIS I do links this observance of Christmas in May to a Mother and placed together on the pla~form. not mean expensive books, be- Child of long ago. Now the gifts are dedIcated. cause many less expensive bo?ks On Christmas night-long, long ago A mother's arms a baby held. It is recalled what joy ther.e will combine the good taste and SIm- A Child that was the Hope of man be in the use of the articles pur- plicity which are char~cteris~ic A prophet's dream at last fulfilled. chased with the money, or other of beautiful books-a hIgh pnce So many children since that day In many lands o'er all the eartJ:1 uses made of it, in that far-off does not necessarily guarantee Rejoice on Christmas Day and smg land of India. There is emphasis quality. But a book for a child Of Jesus and His holy birth. placed on the gift as a link of must be attractive to the eye as Yet many children would not know Of Him and what He came to be love between those giving and well as to the mind-its size and Except as men and women go those receiving. Carols are sung. shape, the siz~ and face of the To take His Word across the sea. Christmas in May is over. type the bindmg, the cover de- The Church a mother needs to be With arms outstretched to gently The groups which use the sign' and the jacket. hold Summer Christmas Tree idea The second point is the con- Each tiny soul close to her heart And with her love all babes enfold. have found that in this quieter tent. A beautiful appearance is "Christl1w8 in May" our slogan is time the carols are sung with worthless without value between "That Others May Have Christmas Too." fresh zest and enjoyment; that the covers. In judging the con- In May we bring our gifts of love there is opportunity for inter- tents of books for children, there To make their Christmas dreams come true. preting the Christmas message is one question to ask one's self: By poverty and sin oppressed to the world in terms beyond Is the content of the book with- Not many joys their own they call that of remembering the first in the ability of the child for A gift from you may make them know Christmas; that where gifts are whom it is chosen – are the That Jesus came and loved them sent more careful planning is words and the incidents within all. mpoosnseiby,le~' that where the gift is his understanding? 'Tis fitting then, this Mother's Day more generous gift is To think of India's children too The final question, which is available and eagerly offered. As real they are, though far away the deciding factor in a decision As your own children are to you. In trying any such plan it is to buy this book instead of that, In serving them, honor anew weU to remember that careful Mother and Child of Bethlehem. is : Is the content Christian? motivation is necessary. We Send Christmas cheer acros~ the sea Are Christian attitudes, sympa- To India's children-In HIS Name. cannot simply s.ay, "Lo! We will thies and conducts treated as So much for the folder. It does have a summer Christmas tree. motivate the enterprise nicely. natural and normal expressions Careful planning and work in Let everyone bring gifts for it." the departments togethe~ w!th of life? education about the destmatIOn Study the record of what this and use of the gifts comes to a In selecting missionary books culmination on the day set. church actually did, how it Each one from tiny child to for children a few factors must grandmother brings a little planned, and what its presentabright-colored bag to the Sun- be applied: (1) The facts about day school service. tions were. Work out your own other racial and national groups Everyone meets to sing carols plans with a definite reason for for fifteen minutes. Then they must be true. (2) The book go to departmen~s, wher.e a bri~f attempting it; think thoroughly service of worshIp culmmates m must not contain any statements through the introduction to it or illustrations that hold racial which you will use. ~ake ~he occasion a real celebratIOn, WIth or national groups up to ridicule.
enough ceremonial to bring the (3) Great world issues, such as atmosphere of Christmas into its disarmament, world peace, eco- observance. Do not attempt, nomic justice, and racial equal- hwohwicehvegr~ to imitate those things ity must not be minimized. (4) into the season itself, There should be no statements such as simulated snow, etc. by which children I?igh~ gener- Here is a chance to have a semi- alize and come to IdentIfy cer- tropical Christmas, such as a tain racial or national groups great part of the world has every with criminal offenses.
year anyway. Start with plans Many of the books which chil- not too elaborate, and if you find dren have been using as supple- the idea has values, let the ob- mentary readers in geography servance grow from year to are useful in this work of mis- year into one of those traditional sionaryeducation. Many secular affairs, ever recur. ring,.yet . ever publication h~uses are prod?c- new and ever mcreasmg m ing books whIch really are m- worth and value for those taking herently missionary.
hanging the gifts of money in part in its observance. • From Women ana Miss·Wn8.
A Story for the
By VIOLET WOOD, Missionary Education Movement THE GARDEN OF JOSEPH You hQnQr yourself in honoring can to make amends for my past OF ARIMATHlEA cowardness." him," said the boy. "It is the same as when Jesus NicQdemus plucked at his long Drawing their mantles about was born – no. place to. lay his them, Joseph and Nicodemus head. And nQw," Benjamin beard as he sat at the rough table went to Pilot and boldly asked wiped away la tear, "who will on which a flickering lamp for the body of Jesus. Receivtake him down from the cross? ing his permission, they went to Who will give a corner of his es- burned. It should have been still the hill called Golgotha, near to tate for the body of Jesus? He daylight outside, but a strange Joseph's burying ground, and said that he WQuld rise again. took the body from the cross. Oh, that he might rise in a darkness had covered Jerusalem Solemnly they wrapped it in garden such as that Qne of yQurs that afternoon. near to. Jerusalem, beautiful with spices and placed it in the new sunlight, flowers of lilies and "My trades will suffer if the tomb in Joseph's garden. Then palm trees!" Jews think that I am a disciple Qf the Nazarene," sighed Joseph. they rolled a great stone against Joseph of Arimathrea paced the entrance and went home to "Yes," a g r e e d Nicodemus, observe the Sabbath. Meanwhile "but perhaps we could take the Pilot placed a guard of soldiers body in the night and bury him secretly." Benjamin forgot that he was up and down as the boy was but a servant boy and cried to watch the tomb, and to prespeaking. Of all his servants scornfully, "All the wQrld will vent the body from being stolen. none was so loved as the young know where Jesus is buried. You The Sabbath passed in gloom. lad, Benjamin, because he was a cannot hide his burial pl1ace. I But on the third day a great fearless disciple Qf Jesus. Joseph have heard that he said he would commotion arose in the streets. was a believer, too, but in secret. rise again from the dead." Often the master and servant People said to one another: "The journeyed together as father "Your faith shames my grave of Jesus is empty, in spite and son. Benjamin was excused years," said Joseph. of Pilot's guard. The stone is from his work to go to the rolled away! Jesus' disciples say market and public pl1aces to hear The llamp on the table flick- Jesus speak. The boy would re- ered as the door opened and a that he has risen from the dead." turn to the inn where Joseph heavily veiled lady crossed the Hearing this rumor, Joseph, Nic- room and ran to Nicodemus, cry- odemus and Benjamin hurried to awaited him and would sit up ing: "Suchan evil day I have the garden; they saw the empty half the night telling the mer- tomb and marvelled. They also chant what Jesus had said and never seen, my husband. I have been the whole day following the heard the stories of the women done. crowds. Jesus has been cruci- who had gone early to the gar- den and were told how the fied."
A full day they had traveled "But he promised that he will guards had tried to defend themfrom Arimathrea to Jerusalem to live again," cried Benjamin. selves. the house of Nicodemus, a ruler "Judith, this ,child is a disciple "Look," cried Benj amin, "how of the Jews. He, too, was drawn of Jesus, and he would have beautiful this garden is! See to Jesus and had visited him by Joseph give the new tomb in his how the flowers are blooming. night to ask him many questions. garden outside the walls of Jeru- It is a holy place and people will "He gave all fQr me," mut- salem for the body of Jesus," ex- come to see it from over the seas tered Joseph, partly to himself, plained NicQdemus. and across burning deserts." "even his life. And I stand here "I beg it, too," said she as she Benjamin was right. Of all hesitant to give his crucified clasped her hands and turned to the gardens in the world the body a corner of my garden. Yet Nicodemus. "Let us give linens most famous in song and story if I went to Pilate, it would be and aloes to a hundred pounds." is the garden of Joseph of known that I am a disciple of She swung around to Joseph, ex- Arimathrea where the body of claiming: "I would not be Pon- Jesus was buried and where he Jesus." "Ah, but if you love him, J 0- tius Pilate for all the perfumes rose from the dead. seph of Arimathrea, you will of the East. He is uneasy in his count it an hQnor to have his soul tonight. He will not refuse Making Use of This Story body rest in yQur new tomb. In you." Children like to take part in pagthe years to come, men will "I will do it," said Joseph sud- eants, especially when they can be in denly, "for my heart tells me not costume and perform before adults. travel from far and near to see They like better often to take part in the place. 'Here it was,' they to be a coward." plays among themselves and to let will say, 'that the Lord's body "I go with you," cried Nico- their imaginations supply stage prop- was laid by his friend J Qseph.' demus, "and will do whatever I erties and costumes.
[206 ] BULLETIN Council of Women for 'Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E, LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
===============================~ "CAN CHRISTIANS BIND carry it out. It is hoped that Three members, each from the THE WORLD TOGETHER?" there may be a national radio The only answer to this is: we broadcast as a closing address. National Council of Federated can try. As we face a choice be- But for this the local papers Church Women, the Council of should be watched and local pro- Women for Home Mission-s, and tween Christianity and chaos, grams arranged accordingly. and there seems to be no other the Committee on Women's alternative, it is important that Last year the church women Work of the Foreign Missions of 414 communities in forty-four Conference. The activities and we should think and work to- states and Canada reported havgether. The National Committee ing h e I d interdenominational interests which have become the May Luncheons for the first responsibilities of its committees of Church Women brings this time. This is all the more re- include: (1) International relachallenge to the Christian wom- markable in that only one such tions, (2) World Day of Prayer, en of 77,000 communities in the luncheon was held in New York (3) May Day Luncheon, (4) The United States, and asks that they City each year during the years Church Woman (magazine), and unite in a nation-wide observ- 1934 to 1937 with an average at- (5) local programs. ance of the May Luncheon on tendance in the two hundreds. Thursday, May 4, 1939. To quote from a few of the re- The foundations for the organ- ports which came in last year: The May Luncheons may be "Westminster, Maryland. The ization of the National Commitheld wherever convenient – ho- most thrilling thing was the way tee of Church Women in its prestel, parish house, church gym- all seven churches cooperated in ent form were many years in the nasium or private home-as long arranging for the luncheon." laying. During the early part of as all "come together with one "Elmira, New York. Our main mind." It is suggested that plans address was broadcast for forty- the twentieth century a number five min utes over WESG." of community women's interdebe started immediately by a local "Lyndhurst, New Jersey. A nominational g r 0 ups were wo man's interdenominational committee was appointed to meet formed to further programs of group, a church woman's group, ten days after the luncheon to study and service. The year or some one woman. The coop~ make plans for further unity." 1924 found these groups related "Lawrence, Kansas. Twelve deeration of all Christian women nominations were represented." to the Council of Women for in the community is vital. "In- Home Missions and the Federaterdenominational" means not *** tion of Woman's Boards of Foronly members of the Protestant eign Missions, but evidencing a churches but of all churches WHY IS THERE A NA- desire to extend their programs which "accept Jesus Christ as TJONAL COMMITTEE OF into fields beyond these forms of God and Saviour," for so does CHURCH WOMEN? "Recogthe constitution of the WorId nizing the desperate need of the mission service so as to include Council define its membership. world for the leadership of Jesus all phases of the church's pro- in all areas of life, we hereby de- gram. In ord~r that church women clare that it is imperative that the country over may face the the womanhood of America be- In 1936 the National Council task unitedly, it is. essential (1) come a united force for bringing that the subject for the luncheon in the Kingdom of God and that of Federated Church Women be, "Can Christians Bind the this united body shall relate it- elected a Commission on Re- World Together?"; (2) that the self definitely to an inclusive evaluation to make a study of the I uncheon he interdenomina- united C h r i s t ian advance." whole movement of interdenomtional; and (3) that it be held These words embody the objec- inational cooperation and relaon May 4th. A program outline tive of the Committee which tionships. One of its recommenis being prepared and will be came into being January, 1938. dations was that a conference of Who constitutes the National all national Protestant interdesent to anyone on receipt of five Committee of Church Women? nominational women's groups cents in stamps.. (Address: The and denominational leaders be National Committee of Church [207] held. Out of that conference, Women, Room 63, 297 Fourth held at Lake Geneva in July, Avenue, New York, N. Y.) Local 1937, came the recommendation that a cooperative committee be leaders will have to be secured to formed. This was a,pproved by the two mission organizations,
members were appointed, and an without the aid of God, but I terms of human personality and initial meeting held September, KNOW . . . I KNOW . . . it the right of every man to be 1937. This committee was con- cannot be done without Him." treated as a God-created being stituted as the National Commit- whatever his race, color or tee of Church Women in J an- "How can we make you see," creed." uary, 1938. said he to the young people, "that this is the greatest cause you can "We need to make better use "This committee has taken dedicate your lives to today. All of our leisure time, devoting it only the first steps in cooperation about you, you see practices chal- to our cause and let people know and coordination," states its lenging your sense of right and we have a cause worth working chairman. "We dare not proph- wrong. All about you are signs for." esy as to its future, but we hope of an undermining of our prethis initial step may mean a cious heritage, the democracy in "We need to discover the truth steadily growing unity among which we live, founded in faith about monopoly control, selfish church women in purpose, pro- by our forefathers with the courgram and action, for only thus age of a real conviction." use of land which robs the soil can the respons,ibility in the of the power to bear fruit, selfish overwhelming tasks which are Where can youth find a use of privilege, exploitation of facing the Church and the church greater challenge than the call labor groups, the underpriviwoman today be faced and met." to heal the deep cleavage so ap- leged migrants,share-croppers, parent in human relations today. MABEL M. SHEIBLEY, Man's inhumanity to man, greed, tenant farmers, the unemployed, crime, oppression, strife, envy, city slum areas, the plight of the Member of the Editorial American Indian and the prob- and Publicity Committee, hate, and war, are these not ene- lems of Indian youth, unfair Council 0 f Women f.or mies enough to challenge any ad- practices in industry and race Home Missions. discrimination. All of us are in venturous soul? A "CAUSE" FOR AMER- Following Dr. Muste's ad- close touch with some of these ICAN YOUTH conditions. We may find that dress, five young people told very church people are in part respon- On January 8 there was held in Baltimore a conference for graphically what avenues of sible and therefore not willing young people, the purpose of service were open to· young peO- that our investigations should be which was to help them see a ple. made an issue. We shall need the little more clearly how they could make real the fact that Christian The young people then sep- courage therefore of our convic- Youth has, the answer to the vital arated and met in small groups tions, that is why it is important problems that face our world to- to discuss more intimately ways day. that we have convictions, and and means of participation in dare to live by them." Choosing as its theme, "Chris- the enterprises which offer optian Youth Has the Answer," the portunities for service. "We do not need to be minis- Young People's Committee of the ters or missionaries to put the Home Missions Councils spon- A number of very concrete Gospel into action." sored this conference for young recommendations were the repeople in connection with the sult of these group conferences, "We can form study groups, annual meetings of the Home some of which we enumerate: join a discussion group, plan and Missions Councils. carry out local projects, make a "We need to inform ourselves survey together, e x c han g e Dr. Abraham Muste, of the concerning conditions that are friendship invitations with for- Labor Temple, New York City, impoverishing and debasing mil- eign groups, offer our leisure was invited to pres.ent to youth lions of our fellow countrymen." his challenging message born out time to social service and recreaof a deep personal conviction "We need to demonstrate that tional centers, give voluntary that Christ is the only answer we are not willing to accept priv- service to City Mission interest man has with which to meet the groups, offer to sponsor a group challenge of present-day living. ileges and opportunities for our- selves and be content to ignore for under-privileged children, In his opening address, Dr. another's lack of privilege." but before all else, practice Muste stressed the fact of sin Christ-like living in all our perand the need of a recognition of "We need so deep a conviction sonal relationships." it as the deep seated cause for that existing conditions are our all the unrest and problems of responsibility that we shall feel "We need to give much more our day. "The Christ-way," said compelled to do something about time to prayer." Dr. Muste, "will face the fact of them." sin, man's need of God, his help- Thus did these young people lessness without God and his "We need a better knowledge express themselves. Has youth power when linked with the a cause? The greatest and Eternal. Once I too thought that of the Bible and Jesus' teachings grandest and most challenging man's way out could be found in order that we may approach existing problems in a Christ- cause in the world – one that manner." Christ died for, and one that we as young people must make ours "We need to begin by asking with a throbbing passionate con- ourselves-Am I truly Christian cern. in my attitudes and actions, in all my relationships?" JULIA HEINES, "We need to stop thinking Chairman, Joint Committee on about discrimination against one Young People's Work, Home particular race and think in Missions Council and Council of Women for Home Missions.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO !.'p'
INDIA, BURMA AND SIAM orable man. I have observed Conference at a meeting of its that you Christian people seem Executive Committee in Lahore. Persecution Raises Its Head to know how to do this." In response to this appeal, the Executive Committee passed the Mrs. John L. Goheen, Presby- Danger to be Avoided following resolution: "This Conterian missionary in West India, ference views with alarm the resays that the Hindu world at The following quotation from cent increase in the number of Sangli has blown wide open in Bishop Lapp's book, "The Chris- marriages in cases where the its determination to prevent the tian Church and Rural India," first wife is alive. It condemns Mahars from becoming Chris- emphasizes one of the difficulties the action of those educated tian. Nightly mass meetings in in Christian work in a Hindu en- women who, setting aside all the theater were held with well- vironment: standards of common decency known speakers exalting Hindu- and sympathy for their own sex, ism, attacking Christianity, de- Christian influence is spread out have consented to marry men nouncing the missionaries, and thinly and watered down to what it whose wives are still living. It warning people against going to is considered the non-Christian staff further appeals to. all women to Miraj and the Hospital. Daily and local non-Christian opinion will discountenance and socially boyarticles in the vernacular news- stand for. The compulsory method of cott all such marriages., and do papers were full of untruth and attendance at religious teaching is their utmost to prevent the celeinuendos. Members of the Hindu practiced, which too often imposes up- bration of such marriages in Missionary Society and others on the pupils an insipid form of re- future." descended upon a group of Chris- ligious instruction. No conversions to tians at night with gas torches Christianity are expected, and the ed- -Indian Social Reformer. and tried ,to terrify or cajole ,ucational training for both Christian them into renouncing their faith. and non-Christian students is given in Conference of Missionaries Few went back to Hinduism a secularized Brahmin atmosphere. to Moslems and those who have done so were One has called it partially Hinduizing all from places where Christian our Christian boys. . . . He compared In December, under the ausservices were infrequent. The what in his opinion are futile and pices of the Henry Martyn whole experience teaches the fruitful schools and supported Mr. School of Islamic Studies, a twonecessity of strengthening the Arthur Mayhew's view that quality of day conference of missionaries Christian life by means of daily work, personality, leadership and free to Moslems was held in Delhi. worship and by training leaders experimentation should characterize The delegates (61 in all) were for every village. This has led the Christian school in India. Our drawn from Turkey, Iran, Palesto the adoption of a plan for call as Christian forces is to do some- tine, Cairo, Korea, and from al-' holding classes to develop lay thing of the finest quality and embody most every part of India. A leaders. The high quality of the Christian ideals in every part of number of those present were on those who have come into the school life for the sake of the Chris- their way to Madras for the classes makes it plain that a new tian boys as future leaders in the World Conference. Under the door has opened. Church and in new India, and for the leadership of Dr. Murray Titus, non-Christian pupils and Indian ed- the delegates discussed "The Mrs. Goheen relates a signifi- ucationalists who watch our work, Christian Enterprise, and Its Incant incident in connection with and to whom the Christian Church fluence on Islam." One session the kindergarten at Sangli. A will be either commended or con- was devoted to the need for well known nobleman asked a demned thereby. He criticized the Christian literature for Mosmember of the Mission to take Western Church for building up huge lems. Miss Constance Padwick, his grandson into her home and institutions which represent methods of Jerusalem, told of present to bring him up as her own son, alien to the Indian eye and thought, trends in literature; Rev. W. A. saying – "I want him to be a and difficult for the future Indian Zoerner described an experiment good boy." Church to manage, in the day when in newspaper evangelism in the transfer of control and manage- North India. "But, you know," said the mis- ment into the hands of the Indian sionary, "I should have to teach Church seems so near at hand. "Lord's Acre" Plan in Katpadi him in the Christian way." Punjab Leaders and Polygamy "We are so poor; the rains "Teach him what you please have failed; our young men have and as you please, but make him Several prominent leaders of an upright, clean living and hon- the Punjab have characterized polygamy as the greatest social evil of India. Not long ago a spirited appeal was made to all women by the Central Punjab Branch of the All-India Women's [209 ]
had to go away to the tea estates progressive Maharajah who died pointment of a missionary the to earn cash to pay taxes. How recently, was to make an agree- next year. It soon undertook is it possible to double our ment to prevent alcoholic bev- w 0 r k among the depressed church contribution, if the Mis- erages from going to Bombay classes in Central Travancore, sion withdraws its help and we from his state which adjoins the from whom it met ready reare to pay our pastor his $25 a Bombay presidency. sponse. Within six years, it or- month ?" Total prohibition is one of the ganized the annual Convention at This was the response to the chief objectives of the Congress Mar3Jmon which is the largest news that the Arcot Mission was for an India which they hope to evangelical Christian gathering obliged to discontinue its annual make absolutely independent of in the world. The Convention grant of $150 to a rural church. England. Writing in his weekly which lasts for a week has been A meeting was called; the mis- paper "Harijan," Gandhi says conducted regularly for the last sionary explained the "Lord's the Congress has the right to ex- forty-four years.
Acre" idea, and it was agreed to pect the sympathy "of the best The audience, which often send month-old, purebred chick- minds in the whole world in this, numbers over thirty thousand, ens from the poultry farm toO perhaps the greatest moral listens to the GoOspel truths froOm some 200 village homes, to be movement of the century." famous evangelists. The activi- raised and later contributed to ties of the association oOutgrew the church. The plan took root, To Train Women Workers the boundaries oOf Travancore and Rev. J. J. ValoOis has set within which it was oOriginally down SoOme of the tangible re- Last year the Punjab governsuIts: The IoOcal income was ment launched a five-year plan confined. In its eighteenth antrebled; the pastor received his for rural development, and as a nual meeting it decided to undersalary regularly; everyone had part of this plan a domestic take missionary activities oOut- side Travancore, and then in a specific share in making the training school for women will Bombay Presidency. venture a success, and the spir- be opened in Lahore. One stuitual life was deepened; the dent from each district has been Membership is open to all selected. Christians without distinction, work was not a "flash in the It is claimed toO be the first at- and every member is expected pan," but interest has continued; tempt of its character in India. to be a witness. "N0 debts" is purebred poultry has spread to After receiving nine months another principle lately adopted. other villages; the project at- training these women welfare tracted attention of other vil- -National Missionary lages; and it was the Indians workers will be posted to their Intelligencer. themselves, not the foreign mis- respective districts and tour sioOnary, whoO made the plan selected villages. They will teach Gospel Transforms Primitive work. -Agricultural Mission women improved methods of Men cooking, sewing, knitting, ele- Notes. mentary hygiene, animal hus- Rev. C. U. Strait, of the bandry, fruit culture, gardening, Burma Baptist Mission, says PoOrt of Bombay Decreed Dry that on his first trip to the Chin cooperatives, maternity and wel- Hills fifteen years ago, the Dewitt MacKenzie, Associated fare work. The school will be Deputy Commissioner, a fellow Press correspondent, says that run on residential lines. passenger, bluntly asked him if Gandhi's crusade to make India he knew where he was going; -The Guardian (Bombay).
dry in three years appears to be Mar Thoma Evangelistic and on finding that Mr. Strait "going places." His latest tri- Association was on his way toO undertake umph puts the world famous missionary work, added: "Do port of Bombay on the dry list The Mar Thoma Syrian Chris- you know that the Haka Chins as from August 1. This cosmo- tian Evangelistic Association of are all drunkards-men, women politan city of about 1,200,000 the Reformed Syrian Church in and children?" They were not people has for centuries provided Malabar has completed fifty only drunkards, he found, but the means of quenching the years of missionary work. 'It dirty to the point of being filthy, thirst of wayfarers from all na- preceded the National Mission- and ignorant beyond belief. Povtions. ary Society of India by 17 years. erty, too, was the natural conse- Thus far, out of the 11 prov- It was in September, 1888, that quence. inces of British India, partial twelve men met in Central Tra- A review of what has happrohibition has been inaugurated vancore and decided to fOrllli an pened in a decade and a half is in half a dozen where the nation- association to take the Christian convincing proof of the power alists-that is, the All-India Na- message to their fellowmen of the Gospel. There are now tional Congress – have gained without distinction of caste, Christians in more than a huncontrol of the governments. Ad- creed or denomination. Every dred villages; four hundred or dition of the rich prize of Bom- member of the group was to con- more are baptized every year. bay to the list will give the move- tribute according to his means, Not many of these revert to ment much impetus. as well as to be himself a witness heathenism. Drunken f e as t s One of the last acts of the bearer. Growth in membership have given way toO the Commun- Gaekwar of Baroda, the famQus and funds made possible the ap- ion Service, and it is an in-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
spirational scene never to be for- tian Homes Campaign of the Hangchow College in Shanghai gotten, says Mr. Strait, to attend Chinese Church, which aims at the Communion Service at a making every Christian home a Dr. Clarence B. Day, of Hang- Chin Hill Association meeting. center of witness. Daily family chow Christian College, writes There twelve to fifteen hundred worship is insisted upon, and is that this college, driven from Christians come together from becoming the regular custom. Hangchow by the Japanese infar and near, and instead of hair Many Chinese Christians would vasion, is now carrying on in the pulling and drunken bouts, one be greatly surprised if they Continental Emporium (a bankobserves a very devout and con- came to America and found how ing and office building) on Nansecrated service. While all are rare a thing is family worship. king Road, Shanghai. St. John's seated closely together on the College was located here a year ground, the service is conducted Missionaries Help Victims ago and Soochow University and without commotion and with the Science Departments of the reverence and dignity. The NO'rth American News- University of Shanghai occupy paper Alliance adds its testimony space in the same building. Indian Church in Rangoon to the service rendered by mis- These temporary arrangements sionaries during the war. More have been made possible by Three years ago an Indian than 4,000 Americans have American contributions. These Church was established in Ran- joined about 3,000 missionaries institutions are working togO'O'n at Judson College. This of other Western nations in gether in class work and operate church now has 88 members, of forming a highly specialized a joint library and a student whom 64 are men and 24 are corps which constitutes the only cafeteria. There are about 2,000 women. During the past year prO'tection the Chinese have in men and women students that there were 16 baptisms. Pastor the dangerous and frequently tax the seating capacity of the Devadass devotes his time to the Iong interval between the retreat classrooms and crowd the elevachurch and evangelistic work of Chinese civil and military tors and stairways. The new amO'ng the Tamils and Telugus forces and the establishment of educational posters display the within the school and in the vi- law and order by the Japanese slogan: "War or no war, Chinese cinity. There are 83 children in invaders. Often they act as Pied Youth must be educated." the Bible school. Pipers to' lead hO'meless children O'ut of the danger zone. For Communists Less Hostile – Watchman-Examiner. more than two years, in addition to Christianity to their usual evangelistic, med- CHINA ical and educational work, they Dr. Earl Cressy, in China have undertaken such special Marches Toward the Cross, Building for the Future tasks as scouring the streets for makes the remarkable statement wO'unded, thrusting themselves that anti-Christian sentiment "Button your cO'at!" is an between drunken Japanese sol- among communists is disappearorder heard frequently on the diers bent 'On looting and raping ing. It is not to be concluded street of any Chinese city. It is their victims, and generally try- that all of them are becoming part of the New Life Move- ing to ease the blows of an occu- Christians, but there is a vast ment which is waging war upon pation by an army that is a law- change from the bitter spirit of untidiness, laziness, .vice and less mob. The conduct of the 1928. Freedom has been given dirt. Anyone slouching along the missionaries is adding a remark- to evangelistic bands of Chinese street with garments half on is able chapter to the history of hu- pastors to circulate among them likely to be told by a member of man heroism in the face of gall- and preach the Gospel. This the YO'uth Brigade to straighten ing trial. sweeping change is described by up his shoulders and keep on the Bishop Roots: left side of the rO'ad. But this is "Only nationals of a foreign not all. The New Life Movement nation can meet the invaders "A short time ago I invited to sends inspectors intO' homes, and and talk to them," is a statement lunch with me one of' the comlabels are affixed to dO'O'rs in- repeated over and over again. munist generals whom I had forming the public whether the heard of in 1930 as a determined hoones are clean or dirty. Every The actual number of mission- enemy of Christianity. After child in school is expected to' do aries on the field has decreased preliminary polite remarks, but something to improve his own by only about 10ro' since the war before he would eat, he asked particular surroundings. Armies began. Board officials report the me, 'Do you remember our past?' of fly swatters strive to see who frequent spectacle of mission- I replied that I remembered him can produce the largest number aries on field trips, caught by an as one who, some years ago, had of dead' flies in a given time. advancing Japanese army, has- carried some of my friends tening frantically back to their around with him as his prison- The O'ld and mid-dle aged in posts, from which Chi n e s e ers. To this he said, 'There were night schoO'ls learn to read how armies and refugees were as many misunderstandings then. a literate people can build a new frantically fleeing away. All de- The missionaries have helped China. The war with Japan has nominations and agencies report much in Shens,i and Shansi. We only increased the ardor of both a large increase in the number are sorry for the misunderstandold and young. Paralleling the of conversions. New Life Movement is the Chris-
ings of the past and want to black lacquer tablet with the JAPAN-CHOSEN work with them for the good of four Chinese words meaning "True Source of All Created Japan Sends Buddhist Priests China hereafter.''' – Watchman-Examiner. Things." The presentation was made in A subtle move on the part of Persecution and Destruction Japan is to send Buddhist priests style. There were musicians and to China, a piece of mission work Forty years of devoted, effi- bearers in gay uniform, some undertaken by the Japanese Budcient service in one of the hard- dhist Federation, whose memest fields in the world, Chinese fine speeches were made and the bership comprises 159,000 Bud- Turkestan, has been tragically usual picture taken. To ensure dhist priests. interrupted. Fourteen of the tha,t only good influences should seventeen missionaries who have Two hundred Japanese Budbeen working under the auspices prevail while the tablet was be- dhist priests have been chosen of the Swedish Mission in Sin- ing hung, the band dared not for the work. Their activities kiang Province (Chinese Tur- stop playing while it was hoisted began October 1 with an inkestan) have been compelled to and fastened in place high above tensive three-weeks' course in return home because of the per- the pulpit. the Chinese language, this course being provided by the Ministry -London Missionary Herald.
secution of the Christians and The Resurgence in the West of Education. Since both peothe practically utter destruction ples use the same characters, the of their work. During a Moslem China's Millions makes fur- acquisition of a working knowlrevolt the station at New Kash- ther comment on the significance edge of Chinese will not be an gar was burned; later the rebels of the westward trek of refu- insuperable task for these J apwere suppressed or driven into gees, which has included per- anese priests.-The Guardian. India. But local authorities re- sonnel of government departvived the persecution, scattering ments, leaders of education, or imprisoning the Christians finance and industry, seeking re- Korean Village Campaign and closing the printing office establishment in "free" China. The plans of the Oriental Misand the hospital. The British A government commission made sionary Society include the send- Foreign Office sought to remedy a survey of these western prov- ing of bands of students to the the situation, but as there was islands off the coast of Korea. no improvement only three mis- inces, and found that their rich- The islanders are very poor, as ness in natural resources is far sionaries have remained to beyond the imagination of those they suffer frequent drouths and watch developments. living in eastern China. They live chiefly on barley instead of Honoring the Church have remained unexploited for rice. Many of them live and die on the island where they were VVhen the Japanese forces lack of good communications, born, without ever making a trip but there are now strategic to the mainland, and therefore were attacking Tsinan, the UTa motor roads linking the large know nothing of such modern cities; one 1,400 miles long ex- things as railway trains and Huai Shu" Christian center shel- motor cars. The students were tered more than 1,000 women tends to the Burmese frontier, often mistaken for government and girls. for over a month, and and it was along this highway officials or police, and many fed those destitute. To show their gratitude, the citizens came that our American ambassador places they had to work for some made the first trip by private car time to assure the people that to the mission and said: "Let us it was all right for them to acpresent you with a red silk um- on his return to the United cept the Gospel tracts. which they States. brella on which the names of the were distributing. donors are inscribed in golden There is an astonishing num- ber of Christians among these letters." "VVhat could we do fleeing refugees, and like the with a red silk umbrella," the "scattered brethren" of the early As they journeyed here and church, they are "everywhere there they sometimes arrived on missionaries asked. "Then we will present you preaching the word." As to stu- an island at midnight, and would find all the inns closed and the with an inscribed tablet that will dents, a missionary writes: extol your virtues to a hundred "If you can imagine all the occupants asleep. They would generations," they said. school boys and girls and univer- then climb the rocks above the "That won't please us," re- sity students of England scat- sea and spend the rest of the plied the missionaries, "we don't tered over the capitals of Europe night praying for all those asleep want to be glorified. VVhy not you get some picture of the ex- below in sin and ignorance. buy a bell to call people to wor- tent, although not of the number, Statistical reports show that ship? If you must present a of refugee students." Another these bands walked 3,519 miles, gift, let it be one in praise of the missionary in Yunnanfu empha- dealt personally with 4,242 perheavenly Father who kept us sizes the spiritual changes that sons, held 218 open-air meetings, safe." So it was decided and have come about, and says that with the result that 918 persons these words were embossed on so strong is the national unity definitely sought the Saviour.
the bell: "The Bell to Rouse the that China can never be con- -Oriental Missionary VVorld." They also prepared a quered by an enemy. Standard.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ISLANDS OF THE PAOIFIO NORTH AMERIOA ing to the religious faith of their families. The bill further pro- Going to New Guinea Is America Becoming Pagan? vides that pupils be credited with the time so spent, as if in The latest word from Captain Here are a few facts that actual attendance in school. Ellis Skolfield says that the pro- would seem to substantiate Dr. jected New Guinea trip of the William Adams Brown's claim A Nation-Wide Reading Poll Gospel Ship is now definitely that "America is progressively under way, and the Ship is now becoming pagan." Nearly half The American Institute of at J 010, the last outpost of the of our present population claims Public Opinion has recently com- Philippines b e for e entering no sort of relationship to the pleted a poll on the question: Dutch waters. At J 010 the bal- Christian Church. Ten thousand "What is the most interesting ance of supplies and oil are be- rural communities are church- book you ever ·read?" The aning taken aboard and the re- less, while thirty thousand have swers indicate that the Bible is mainder of the Ship's personnel no pastor in residence. Ap- still the most favored. However, are being awaited. proximately 13,400,000 Ameri- the age distribution is disquiet- can children under twelve years ing. The percentage of people In addition to a full crew in- of age receive no religious in- more than fifty years old who cluding two engineers, there will struction whatever. Many moun- preferred it was more than twice be Captain Skolfield, Dr. Culley, tain pockets and range regions as large as those between thirty Rev. Simon Meek, pastor of the of the South and West, back- and fifty; and six times as high Chinese Church in Manila who ward sections of New England, as those under thirty. will go along as interpreter and Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, the Chinese evangelist and Rev. Dakotas, and elsewhere, voice An editorial in the New York Percy Fraser, independent mis- urgent demands for adequate re- Times declares: sionary who has served in the ligious ministries. Utah has Navy and who will go along as seven whole counties without a Any comment on this may do no special helper to Captain Skol- functioning evangelical mission. more than betray the age of the comfield, also as an addition to the mentator; but it remains a plausible crew. Mr. Fraser is also an In Maine, 100,000 rural folk conjecture that if fewer of the young earnest soul-winner. In addition have no religious opportunities, people of today prefer the Bible it is to these men there will be sev- and throughout New England, because fewer of them read it. It eral Filipino evangelists in the contains not only about the best Engparty. only 40 % of the adults and 33 % lish prose ever written but a greater variety of material than can be found A special gift has made pos- of the young people are claimed in any other single volume on the book sible the purchase of a new life by any church or Sunday school. market; purely as literature, some of boat and some other needed A study of 11 townships of one the most widely read persons in all equipment. Michigan county showed 1,005 ages have found it better reading than children enrolled in 46 public anything else. Oentral Philippine Oollege schools, yet with no church or Sunday school. Another Mich- But in the days when it was uni- Central Philippine College at igan county reported that ap- versally read it was not read purely Iloilo has encouraged local self- proximately one-half its public as literature; it was read because it government since its beginning school pupils were unrelated to was the Word of God, the infallible in 1923, when four Filipino any church, Protestant, Catholic guide for life. If fewer people read members were elected to serve or Jewish. it now, that is to the lasting detriment with the seven missionary mem- of the cultural background of a nation. bers on the school's board of Moral Instruction in Schools trustees. By 1929 a majority of No such survey has previously the trustees were Filipinos. Mis- A bill introduced in the New been made, so that this one does sionaries' places were filled by Jersey State Legislature in Feb- not determine a trend. Some Filipinos in 1936 and 1937 when ruary proclaims in its preamble believe that an adequate apprea number of missionary terms that "One of the first requisites ciation of the Bible can only be expired. In accord with this of a harmonious, contented and acquired in later life, while policy, President H. F. Stuart prosperous state depends upon others say it can never be truly recently offered his resignation, religious tolerance and under- appreciated unless it has been expecting that a Filipino would standing." This bill would au- loved from youth. be chosen to head the institution. thorize public schools to provide The trustees felt that the time one hour of moral instruction In Behalf of Ohina had not yet come for this, and each week; and local boards appointed Rev. F. H. Rose as would be authorized-a permis- American interest in the sufacting president, while they look sive measure – to survey the ferings of the Chinese and the about for a suitable Filipino for religious affiliations of pupils. fate of China is shown by the vice-president, who may later With such information in hand, fact that there are eighty orbecome president. boards could then excuse certain ganizations in America working pupils to attend their respective for the relief of the Chinese suf- -Watchman-Examiner. places of· worship, there to re- ferers or to create practical sym- ceive moral instruction accord- pathy in their behalf. A direc- tory of these groups, published at 33 West 55th Street, New York City, includes all types of organizations, emphasizing va-
rious projects such as political young presbyters were conse- their disregard of the prior occuaid to China, the boycott of Jap- crated. It is patterned after a pation of a field by other Chrisanese goods, the promotion of similar venture started about tian workers. All Christians trade with China, friendly rela- eighteen months earlier in Nas- might learn some valuable lestions and relief of sufferers. sau and Suffolk Counties, New sons from the work of this ener- Eleven of the American organ- York. -New York Times. getic denomination.
izations are composed entirely of German-speaking Churches Chinese. They are scattered all The Seventh-Day Adventists over the country, from New York to California, and from The General Conference of German-speaking churches in Toronto, Canada, to Durham, Seventh-Day Adventists was or- North Carolina. ganized in 1863 – seventy-five the United States form the years ago. Today the work of Progress of Church Union largest foreign group in the Con- this Church is carried forward Those who wish to see denom- all over the world. The Church gregational- Christian Church. inational union will be interested was founded in 1845 and was to know that twelve such unions stimulated by a revival in Bible These have an aggregate memhave taken place in the United study on both sides of the At- States since 1906. Dr. E. D. bership of 22,166, and 109 pas- Kohlstedt, President of the Home lantic Ocean. The leaders em- Missions Council, lists them as phasized keeping God's law, tors. Most of these are in rural follows: especially the observance of the communities. Approximately 95 1906-Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., seventh day as the Sabbath, the and Cumberland Presby- imminent second coming of per cent are German immigrants terian Church. Christ and the judgment on un- from Russia, and the children of 1911-Northern Baptist and Free believers. In 1844 Adventists Baptist Churches. counted a thousand followers such parentage. Who are these and in 1863 there were 3,500 1917-Three Lutheran groups form members. In 1874 these had in- people? German colonists, after the Norwegian Church in creased to 7,000 and in 1894 to America. 42,763. Thirty years later there 1763, settled in southeastern were 70,000 members in Europe 1918-Three other Lutheran bodies Russia and became the object of form the United Lutheran alone with a total of 238,657 in Church. 5,393 churches in all lands. intense persecution. In the early There were then 8,679 pastors 1920-Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., and missionaries scattered to the seventies of the last century, the and Welsh Calvinistic Meth- odist Church. ends of the earth – in addition Czar determined to make Rus- to institutional workers. Today 1922-Evangelical Association and the Adventists report 28,029 sians out of them, and it was United Evangelical Church. workers in 385 countries and in then they sought America, the 1924-Reformed Church in the United 714 languages and dialects. They States and Hungarian Re- have a total membership of land of liberty. Emigration be- formed Church. 452,758 with 8,388 organized churches. The work continues gan at once, but it was not until 1924-Congregational and Evangelical to grow through 5,923 mission- Protestam Churches. after 1890 that they came in ary Volunteer Societies with a 1931-Congregational and Christian membership of 130,748. The large numbers, after which there groups are united. total denominational investment is reported to be $60,026,066. was a continuous influx until 1931-Three Lutheran bodies merge into the American Lutheran Two secrets of the progress 1914. By 1920 there were Church. of this Christian movement seem to be: (1) the missionary spirit 303,532 of their number first 1934-Evangelical Synod of North of its members; (2) the em- America and Ref 0 r m e d and second generation, in the Church in United States. United States. 1939-Unification of American Meth- odism. It is significant that the young Youth Presbytery in Brooklyn people are making little or no In Brooklyn, N. Y., twelve of effort to break away from the religious traditions of their elders. Although there is little opportunity for fellow s hip among these German Congrega- tionalists, since they are scat- tered over a wide area, they maintain their entity as if by un- seen ties, and hold to their mother tongue with great te- nacity. -Advance.
Why Work Among Mormons?
the 38 Presbyterian churches phasis on the Bible as the Word Recently a contributor to and missions have set up a pro- of God; (3) the tithing system Westminster College in Utah visional youth presbytery, made that produces a large and steady wrote Hans P. Freece, a repreup of delegates from young peo- income for church and mission- sentative of this College, and a ples' groups. Their purpose is ary work; (4) the wide use of former Mormon: "As Mormons to promote greater cooperation Christian literature; and (5) the no longer practice polygamy, and in religious work with members large number of volunteer we are led to believe they are their own age from churches of workers. highly educated, with a great other denominations. Members The chief criticisms of the deal of culture and refinement, are to be between the ages of movement are their undue em- just what is the purpose of mis- 15 and 30. phasis on the Old Testament sionary work among them?" To The project was formally Law-especially the observance which Mr. Freece replies :-"It launched in January, when 28 of the old Jewish Sabbath-and is true that polygamy is not now
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
openly practiced, but Mormons forc~ the law against selling liquor Colombian Missionary Society to mmors and to intoxicated persons say the Lord has only suspend- we would request the Territorial A correspondent in Colombian Liquor Commission to deny license re- Clippings describes a meeting of ed it for the time being and that funds to the town, and instead turn ~he Women's Missionary Society that money into the Territorial Treas- m the Central Presbyterian He will restore it in His own ury. Consequently the law was rigidly enforced and there was and is prac- Church of Barranquilla.. There time. God Himself has many tically no drunkenness. The mer- are the usual officers, with com- chant~ re~ort that many long out- mittees expected to have somewives, they say, and polygamy is standmg bIlls have been paid and that thing to report at each meeting. sales I;lre the largest in' years – for Roll call is answered with each practiced in heaven." ~rocerIes, hardware, paint and cloth- member repeating a Bible verse; mg. Mr. Troutman, the principal, de- there is a free will offeriXlg, and "Refinement and culture" are serves all the credit for his fearless a true prayer service. cooperation and determination to probelow the average in Utah. Some tect the natives. The society contributes to help support sick members, and paid better class Mormons send their Monday Morning says that al- the expenses for the hospitaliza- most every third door on the young people to Westminster main street of Sitka is a liquor tion of a faithful member. They stor~. This means sixty saloons also helped to purchase a horse College to get "refinement and servmg a population of less than and saddle for an itinerant mis- 3,500. Alaskan natives are so sionary. culture" ; also, high scholastic ,concerned about this situation attainments. Mormons do not know God nor trust in Jesus Christ, and Christian workers are needed in Utah for the same reason they are needed in China India and Africa. '
Indians On Their Own? that the Alaskan Native Broth- erhood, and Alaskan Native Sis- One of the recommendations terhood, at their 26th annual Among Primitive Indians on Indian work made by the convention, went on record as in favor of a system of governmen- The South American Indians Home Missions Council at its last tal control of liquor, similar to form one of the many groups meeting was a motion for the re- that in force in British Colum- that await the coming of the moval of certain Indian groups bia. missionary. These neglected peofrom the wardship of the Gov- ple range from healthy and ernment, particularly those who LATIN AMERICA friendly to degenerate and suscan well afford to meet their picious. They live in hidden vilobligations in taxation and other Cuban Workers Encouraged lages of the jungle, some orderly, elements of citizenship. some not, in primitive grass Several features of the Cuban houses. Other recommendations called work during the past year mark for the preparation of a state- advance, according to a South- The Inland South America ment setting forth the essentials ern Baptist report. Services are Missionary Union sent two of of a missionary program for In- more largely attended. Sunday their staff, with Indian guides, dians, involving trained leader- schools al'e larger. There are to survey the possibilities for more. frequent calls for cottage wo fo rtkh ea l omnigg ht ht iee sXt i ntgriubuRtiavreir~sonoef ship and one or more cooperative meetmgs. Places of worship are the Amazon. The first five days parishes for experimental work. taxe~ to capacity at ordinary were overland by mule back, Included in this statement is to serVIces, and are proving too attended by every possible diffibean appraisal of the Church's small for special occasions. culty connected with mule psywork in relation to other agen- chology. Then they reached the cies, and suggestions as to serv- The same spirit is manifest in river and the l'est of the trip was many different sections. At Co- by canoe, which sounds pleasant ices best performed by the lon, where people seemed apa- and peaceful but was not. The Church, as well as those best thetic a year ago, there are full canoes were crudely hollowed performed by other agencies. houses at all services. An evan- logs, shallow and heavily loaded. gelist who carried forty decision There were frequent and diffi- -Monday Morning. cards with him when he began cult portages. The sun was blaz- special services in Colon found ing and the insects biting. The Liquor in Alaska they were not enough. This Indian guides fished with bow steady growth calls for better and arrow. One of the men hung Much controversary has arisen trained workers. his clothes to dry on the ropes of the mosquito net one night, and over the liquor problem in Alas- The Southern Baptist Semi- in the morning found that car- nary, now in its third year, has rier ants had happened along ka, and the natives themselves seventeen students. Five go out and devoured most of his shirt. on Sunday to as many different deplore the laxness of law en- centers. Enrolment in the Mis- forcement. Rev. R. K. Wthheeelnear~ of Haines, writes t hat tives had success in their fishing last season, and knowing the peril they were facing he and the government school principal determined to prevent the natives sion School has reached 200 not The missionaries viewed their including seminary students: The hardships with a sense coofnhscuimouosr~ from squandering all their earn- name has been changed from and their perils with a ings on whiskey. He says: Cuban American College to Co- ness of God's protecting care. We notified the Town Council that legio Bautista (Baptist College). -Episcopal News Service. unless the town marshals strictly en-
Two Missions Merged been put up. After surveying the assemblies devoted to the enrich- situation, Mr. Everitt writes: ment of spiritual life. The two Presbyterian Missions in Brazil, the Central and At present there are about 150 In- One is inclined to believe that the South, have been merged for dians living at Poso Yacare and I the pr·esent lull in the battle administrative reasons, and will suppose 200 or more working at the against the Evangelical Churches now be called the Central Brazil cane fields, who will be shortly return- at present is based upon the Mission. Brazil is larger than the ing; there are also numbers of In- same theory as that followed by United States, and the lack of dians living in the vicinity. As there the Communists in Russia in the roads in the interior make it im- is plenty of forest here where they can earlier days of their antireligious possible for committees or collect wild fruits, plenty of fish in the activities: that of letting the administrative g r 0 ups from river, and fruitful ground for gardens,. "old fools" have their churches widely spaced regions to meet there is no reason why this should not so long as youth can be won for planning and organizing be a prosperous startion. -away. The choicest boys are bework. Although the lack of com- ing picked and trained as teachmunications is still a serious To cut down trees and put up build- ers, burgomasters, government problem, it is less so than for- ings is one thing, he continues, but to officials and army officers. They merly, and the two missions be- teach these people and lead them to are insulated as far as possible lieve that greater economy and Christ requires nothing short of a from all Christian influences. more effective work will result miracle. But we have seen miracles from the union. of this kind, and we know that God is -Advance. all-powerful. Lavras Agricultural College Nazification Objectives -Life of Faith. This institution, under the No comment is needed upon auspices of the Southern Presby- EUROPE the following quotation from an terian Church, has recently been address of Alfred Rosenberg, given a very distinct recognition Bibles at Glasgow Empire culture minister of the German by the Brazilian government, Exhibition Reich: having its diplomas accepted for official registration. This mission The great "Empire Exhibi- That the Catholic Church and also agricultural college was the only tion" of Glasgow was open from the Confessional Church, in their presprivate school in Brazil obtain- May to October, 1938, and was ent form, must disappear from the ing such recognition. While the visited by more than 12,000,000 life of our people, is my full convicgovernment realized that the people. Many opportunities were tion, .. , The Hitler Youth Organizaphysical equipment of Lavras afforded for distributing Bibles, tion is an absorbent sponge which was not on a full equality with and none more unique than nothing can withstand. Furthermore, the official government schools, among the dwarfs of "Midget the development of our teaching the outstanding work of the Lav- Town" in the Amusement Park. scheme in schools of all categories is ras graduates caused them to ac- A few of them were Germans, of such an anti-Christian-Jewish type cept the work of Lavras as being the rest Poles, so with a supply that the growing generation will be fully equivalent to that of its of German and Polish Gospels a forewarned against the black-coat own schools. worker sought permission to dis- swindle, , .. We have another means tribute them. He was told that of pressure also and that is the finan- For many years the school had it would be of no use, but the cial one. But here also we must prono more than 2'5 students, but little people were found to be ceed prudently, although systematisince the government recogni- eager to receive the copies. "Po- cally, so as to cut the financial arteries tion the number has gone up to li, Poli," they cried delightedly supplying those clergy whom we cannearly 100. Every effort is now as they retired to a corner to not win over. . . . Reasonable men being made to put the equipment read. will, under pressure, find themselves on a par with that of the govern- compelled to submit to National Soment schools. Some time later a second visit cialist leadership. was paid to "Midget Town," and -Agricultural Mission the visitor was not forgotten. The expected offensive against Notes. Polish Testaments were joyfully Catholic schools in Austria has accepted. The worker was asked been more rapid than was an- In Argentine Chaco to inscribe each copy, after ticipated, and the few Catholic which he was invited to have tea schools permitted to continue The South American Mission- with the midgets. Afterwards, function are those for defective ary Society has established a new it was found that these little station at Poso Yacare, Argen- people carried their Testaments children. * tine Chaco, and the people are about as if a precious possession. eager to learn about the Gospel. The Waldensians Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Everitt have Bible Sales Increase taken up permanent residence in Germany Torre PeIlice, the little capital there, and several buildings have of Italian Protestantism, might The three Bible Societies in be called "the Geneva of Italy." the German Reich (those of There are today 120 Waldensian Wurttemberg, Saxony and Prus- churches and missions through- sia) report an extraordinary in- crease in the sale of Bibles. In • The bulletin of the World's Student line with this is the increased Christian Federation states that on August attendance at Christian summer 19 the German press announced the sup- preSSion of the German Student Christian Movement and the German Women Student Christian Movement.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
out the land. Lack of funds has effect, and it is said that condi- establishment of international closed the doors of many of their order. schools. One in a remote part of tions are worse now than at that Sicily, with 250 pupils all from -Life of Faith. non-Protestant families, is kept time. Wandering Preachers in open by self-sacrifice on the part Soviet Union of the teachers, who continue Baptist Churches in Rumania without salary. This school has A magazine article recently a long waiting list. Parents pre- In spite of a government order published in Warsaw reveals fer to send their children to the permitting several B apt i s t that in spite of persecution, Or- Evangelical School, even though churches in Rumania to reopen, thodox priests and non-conforma small fee is required, while all churches of that denomina- ist preachers travel up and down government schools are free. tion remain closed; and will re- Russia, holding services and fuse to open even one unless per- evangelizing. They have been Every morning the day's work mission is granted to all. There begins with an hour's Bible are 1,602 Baptist churches in deprived of their parishes, and teaching. The work has far- Rumania. The Minister of the have no settled home. Most of reaching results, as shown by an Interior has given 0 r d e r s them have registered as craftsincident recounted by the pastor. throughout Rumania that no men, to shield themselves from Talking to a boy of nine, he more Baptists are to be arrested, persecution ; and earn their livasked him whether his parents and churchmen are pinning their ing by any kind of manual work could read. To his astonishment, faith to him. Some have it that ililteracy being high in the place, the Rumanian Government is they can find to do, sewing boots, the boy responded, "Yes, Sir." anxious to place itself in a favor- sharpening knives or laying "Where did they go to school?" able light in the United States, brick. Wherever opportunity was the next question, to which in view of the New York World's the answer came, "They have Fair, soon to open. presents itself, they minister to never been to school." Mystified, the spiritual needs of the people. the pastor asked, "How then did Eastern Orthodox Churches All this in spite of the fact that they learn to read?" "I taught in Soviet Russia only officially them," was the boy's answer. The Provisional Committee of registered persons may perform "Every day, when I go home, I the World Council of Churches, teach them from my Bible what meeting in Paris, decided to religious services, and only in I have been learning at school." stress particularly the Commit- chapels under constant super- tee's work among the Eastern vision of local authorities. Unquestionably, to evangelize Orthodox Churches of Russia Italy is to promote the peace of and the Balkans. A special depu- In a recent number of The Europe and of the world. tation was authorized to visit the Godless, the Commissar for Balkans with a view tci strength- Atheism has a curious observa- -The Christian. ening ties, and to develop relief tion: "Ever since the beginning work among the hundreds of Purge of Minorities churches suffering from govern- of the Revolution, no clergyman ment oppression. It was also de- fears the Internationale; where- A missionary in Rumania, re- cided to hold an ecumenical sem- as Bolsheviks even up to the turning from furlough in the inar in Hungary, for the benefit present day experience terror at United States, says that after of student pastors, ministers and the sight of the Cross." "the glorious freedom" at home lay leaders. the return to Rumania is like be- -Life of Faith. ing abruptly landed in another As for the possibility of callworld; and is confident that not ing a confel'ence to discuss the Jewish Home a Failure since the days of the catacombs economic and other causes of has there been such a gigantic war, as purposed by the Federal Ten years ago the Soviet plan to wipe out completely all Council of Churches, it was Evangelical Christianity as that pointed out that the demands of Union founded a Jewish Home being launched by the Govern- the rulers of Germany, Italy and ment of Rumania, unless one ex- Japan have gone far beyond in Siberia, near the Manchukuo cepts that of Russia. Threats, mere economic issues; and inbeatings, arrests and closed volve racial, political and im- frontier. It was planned to setchurches are the methods being perial ambitions which no conused. This missionary believes ference can deal with. Hope tle, on collective farms, Jews that the year 1939 is the time set was expressed that individual by Rumania to purge all reli- Christians may exert an in- from the Ukraine, White Russia gious minorities, and has set fluence to check the drift toward herself to the task in dead war; and general secretaries and other parts of the Soviet earnest. were asked to call together a small number of competent per- Union, to develop the rich min- This was written before the sons, representative of different decree withdrawing rights and nations and churches, who may eral resources and timber of the privileges of Baptists went into exchange their thought as to the region, and gradually to create a self-supporting economic unit.
It was thought that 100,000 Jews would settle in this 12,000 square mile area in ten years.
Later, Jews from other countries were to be invited.
There was some response on the part of Jews, but there has been a large exodus, for not more than 20,000 are now living there, and they are outnumbered by non-Jewish inhabitants, three to one. -Alliance Weekly.
Anti-Church Maneuvers beria, only remaining free ter- There are seven native pas- ritory, the Government has in- tors, 7 licentiates, 201 evange- The difference between com- vited the Mission to Lepers to lists, 152 teachers; and, with munism and lliaziism in their at- secretaries, a total paid staff of titude toward the Church seems cooperate with it and with the 368. Church gains are reported to be one of method only, and three main Missions there in a in all phases of the work. The may be summarized thus: "Rus- campaign to wipe out leprosy. parish has grown to 15,000 sia, the godless; Germany, the square miles and includes 26,249 Christless,." The last two re- In the Belgian Congo, in the Christians. maining Lutheran churches in heart of Mrica, government and Russia have been closed recently, missions collaborate fruitfully in Changes in Ten Years and their pastors thrown into all well established leper colprison, according to the New onies, and the funds supplied Mrs. John M. Imrie, a Presby- York Times. The Moscow Izves- through the American Mission terian missionary of Sakbayeme, tia announces that Christian to Lepers are supplemented by sees much change for the better church property amounting to public grants. In the French in West Africa. Polygamous $3,575,000,000 had been confis- marriages are dying out as a recated by the government since mandated territory of the Cam- sult of Christian training, and the war to exterminate religion eroun, a mandate very nervous happier homes are the order. began twenty-one years ago. Of and tense indeed these days be- Heathen men complain that they the 100,000 congregations, less cause it is a former German col- cannot get wives for missionthan 30,000 remain. At the same ony, the return of which may be trained girls will not marry time, the paper admits there are them. Son Mbok, one of the signs of religious revival in demanded as part of the price of towns, ten years ago had only 15 Russia. European peace, full facility is people desiring to learn; today, given the American Mission to Son Mbok has a Central School, A manifesto of German army Lepers.. a teacher, a catechist, an attendchaplains declares that one in ance of nearly 400 on Sundays, every fifteen Protestant pastors Development of Medical and 100 coming up for communis under arrest. Churches are Missions ion each time. The number of forbidden to organize recreation Christians at Ibon increased to for children, or train students To those who remember the the point where a new town, for the ministry; and the gov- difficulties of financing and staff- Maonk, was started to accommoernment claims the right to dic- ing mission hospitals in Africa, date them. Soon there was a tate the content of all Christian congregation of 1,200. This is preaching. the apathy of people toward such in a prairie country, where noth- work, the present scope of medi- ing can be seen but elephant AFRICA cal missionary work in South grass. The people seem to walk Africa is a cause for thanksgiv- out of the grass, but there they Leprosy and Nationalism ing. The recently published are. Christian Handbook for South Dr. Emory Ross, General Sec- Africa gives the following fig- A prominent chief wanted to retary of the American Mission ures as evidence of this changed become a Christian. He was held to Lepers, observes that so un- off for a time to make sure he selfish a ministry as work for situation: was in earnest, and not seeking lepers might be assumed to be the limelight. But Samuel Hiobi free from politics, but it is not Missionary doctors in kept insisting that he had given the case. In Africa a leper work the matter much thought and carried on for twenty years by South Africa ….. . 44 was anxious to become one of an effective American group has the "Tribe of God." At last he been completely stopped, the Mis s ion a r y nurses was accepted as a beginner. He property expropriated and those put away his wives, (keeping in charge caused to leave the (European) …… . 137 only one – the first one he had country. In two more territories married), and promised to care in Africa not only is official aid Nurses (Bantu) em- for them and their children, seerefused to well-executed leper ing that they have medical care work financed and staffed by ployed by Missions .. 54 when ill. He is an example of Americans, but heavy duties are the many who have rejoiced to laid upon chaulmoogra oil and Native probationers in find the better Christian Way of other medical supplies imported Life. for the treatment of lepers. All training ……… . 314 this has come about partly be- Cameroun in Jeopardy cause of clashing political move- Mission hospital beds . 1,605 ments in Europe, and the Afri- Dr. Emory Ross reminds us cans look on in bewilderment. Inpatients "(1937) …. 17,684 that the Cameroun has had more However, this situation does not languages, more governments, prevail in all of Africa. In Li- Outpatients (1937) .,. 270,264 more foreign adjustments forced Figures About Elat Elat parish of the Presbyte- rian West Africa Mission has 189 chapels with an average at- tendance each Sunday of 35,000; Christians 24,037. Of schools, it has 185 Village Vernacular, 15 Village French, 650 pupils, 1 Boys' and 1 Girls' Boarding School, 745 pupils, 50 teachers in training. In one decade of med- ical work: 110,662 sick folk treated, 5,216 won to Christ.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
upon it from abroad in the past with another 2,000 enrolment. In describing the contrasts besixty years than any other part (3) Pay salaries of 160 evan- tween then and now, Mrs. Emof Africa. First, English. Be- gelists, and 25 elders and pas- berson says: fore any foreign government tors; all missionary itinerating ruled, English trade, language and all office supplies. (4) Pay If we wished to visit our outstations, and customs dominated the coast for all repairs on buildings which our only mode of travel was by donkey and spread somewhat inland. deteriorate rapidly in that trop- and bush chair. The chair was pro- Second, German. German gov- ical climate and where white pelled on one wheel under the center ernment, language, trade and ants work destruction. Chris- of the seat, with a long "harness" in customs in the 1880's began to tians at home should not con- front to allow room for the "boy" to cover the country. T h i r d, sider their obligation ended with walk or run without knocking his French. The Versailles group of the payment of missionaries' heels against the step. Behind was a treaties consolidated military salaries. shorter harness which a second boy victories; French government, held, in an endeavor to keep the conlanguage, trade and customs Prison Visitation in Uganda veyance steady. Needless to say, there ruled Cameroun. Each succeed- were many bad moments for the pasing foreign influence has fought One feature of C. M. S. work senger when the boys made even a to root out the preceding. in Kampala, Uganda, and has slight swerve. been for some years, is regular During all these changes the visiting at the central prison Last year we started at 10 a. m. in Church has been almost the only twice each week. This is under- an auto to conduct a morning service uninterrupted, continuing for- taken by Rev. A. M. Williams, in one of our indigenous churches, eign factor in Cameroun life. It who has about 70 names on his about sixteen miles away. We found has pioneered in education, med- baptism record; many more 700 people waiting to hear the Gospel, icine, modern agriculture, man- than that number attend the and 200 of these people partook of ual training, spiritual regenera- services. Since most of the men Communion. Leaving this church at tion. It has brought thousands are there for a long term it is 1 : 30 p. m., we went on to ano,ther of Africans, through Christ, into possible to do a good deal with church some twenty-five miles in a closer human as well as closer them, and results are encour- difllerent direction, and found 1,500 spiritual relationships than they aging. Nearly all are illiterate, people waiting. There was insufficient have ever experienced before. It but all are taught to read and room in the church, so they all sat has interpreted and bound and write before they are baptized, under eucalyptus trees, to listen enmediated. It has taught Eng- except the very old. thralled to the same Word of God. It lish, then German, now French. was unforgettable and very touching, Some of the most effective to hear this crowd of people sing in It has been the largest factor leaders in the mission band have their own tongue, "Rock of Ages, cleft in stability and unity. And now been convicts, and it is not un- for me." After this service, once again Germany is demanding the re- common to find prisoners, after Ohristians to the number of 300 sat turn of Cameroun; Germany, their releas,e, going back to their down at the Lord's Table. whose officials oppose Christian- villages to engage in active evanity, forbid the fundamental gelism. We left them as the African sun teachings of Jesus Christ and quickly disappeared behind a mouncomplete loyalty to Him. Changes in Nyasaland tain, and reached the mission station at 5 p. m., having come into contact Making Ends Meet Rev. Wilfrid Emberson has with about 2,200 Africans on one Sab- spent 27 years of service in bath day. And this difference has Rev. James L. Jackson, of Nyasaland,and recently, because come about in eighteen years! Luebo, Congo State, says that of his wife's ill health, both have for the past eight years the mis- returned to England where Mr. When Mrs. Emberson said sionary budget has not been suf- Emberson has accepted the pas- good-bye, the oldest Christian ficient to meet the needs; and torate of a Baptist church in woman, gripping both of Mrs. by way of being explicit lists Kent. During their joint serv- Emberson's hands, said: "Don't what Luebo station is expected ice in Nyasaland, village schools cry mai (mother), we shall go to do for six months on $2,400. have grown from 40 to more on following the Jesus you have (1) Medical work: pay for all than 100. There are now seven helped us to know and love, and medicine in a hospital where indigenous churches. In the when He comes again for His 15,000 patients are treated and early days there was no building children we shall meet again, as many as 75 major operations in which the sick could stay for and in that day say 'Moni' (Good· are performed annually; pay healing, but, after a boy with a morning) face to face." for all emergency medical trips diseased foot had crawled five when gasoline costs 50 cents a days to reach the missionary, -The Christian. gallon, and quinine to keep mis- two mud huts were set apart as sionary families free from ma- a "hospital." During the first Juvenile Crime in laria. (2) Pay teachers' salaries year 7,000 patients were treated, Johannesburg in a school with 2,000 pupils; all and last year 19,229 sick folk reteaching material and entire sup- ceived treatment. Juvenile crime in South Africa is engaging public attention. In port for 14 outstation schools Johannesburg, it has increased by more than 53 per cent during the past year. An inquiry con- ducted by Dr. Ray E. Phillips names poverty as the root of the situation. Children steal because they are hungry. Other causes named are inadequate housing; unstable marriage ties, which means that children are not liv-
ing with parents; liquor con- tine is obvious. The Germans many encouraging facts. In sumption; lack of educational have established an Arab club Sweden, the number of schools advantages-more than half the in Damascus. An Arab doctor, and scholars has increased durnative children are not in school trained in Germany, goes back ing recent years; and their effibecause of lack of accommoda- and forth between Iraq and ciency is steadily improving. tion-and, by no means the least Damascus, and recently infor- Teacher training courses are significant factor – the separa- mation was let slip that he has held regularly, and junior work tion of families, because 300,000 been busy sending money from for girls and boys, who leave the native men are at work in the Germany to Iraq, to be for- Sunday school at fourteen years mines, and living in compounds. warded to Arab committees in of age has been organized. Palestine. A new motor road -World Dominion Press. between Syria and Imq furthers Progress is the keynote of Germany's plan for a "Greater Sunday school work in Esthonia. WESTERN ASIA Germany" to stretch from Ber- Much time has also been given lin to Bagdad. to visitation of German and Rus- Sunday Schools in Bible Lands sian Sunday schools in the vi- However,a write!r in Al Misry cinity of Tartu: here Sunday Many cablegrams during the believes that the Arabs under- school and Bible class work is year have informed the world of stand quite well the consequences being regularly conducted among bloodshed and bitter strife in the of getting into Hitler's power, Russian and German youth; and lands of the Bible, but most of and their officials are not much great enthusiasm is evident on the Sunday school news tells the impressed by Germany's appeals. the part of both teachers and story of a world of cooperation Arabs do not seriously consider s:cholars. and mutual enhancement among any scheme they do not fully men of diverse cultures. From understand. The report reveals that in Tiberias one writes, "The Sun- France, Holland, Hungary and day school is a movement of MISCELLANEOUS many other countries, the work world brotherhood. It is the is making steady progress. only place where Arab and Jew- The Bible and Education ish children meet in peace and World's Student Christian brotherhood in time of racial en- In an address at the Columbia Federation mity and bloodshed." Another Convocation in New York, comreport says, "In spite of war and memorating the 400th anniver- How to make this Federation rebellion, schools were conducted sary of the English Bible, the a force in America is the quesin Palestine with the help of Dean of St. Paul's, London, said, tion that faces the organization Moslem and Arab boys." In in the course of the address: as they look over the world and Jerusalem one thousand children see Christianity on the defensive. were enrolled in six vacation One cannot contemplate a falling "Not here"; one may say, "these Bible schools. away from the reverence and knowl- things can't happen in the edge of the Bible without seeing a United States." Well, can't they? The work of the Bible Lands great danger of national incoherence. There are movements on foot Union for Christian Erlucation In this modern time there is a great here that have already stamped isa unique demonstration of co- risk that the masses of the population out the Student Christian moveoperation in Palestine, Syria, may become, as it were, uprooted, ment in other countries. Transjordania, Lebanon, Iraq without secure foundation for their and Cyprus. Representatives of lives, that they may degenerate into Two things, says a writer in the Greek Orthodox, Armenian a swaying crowd with no common The Intercollegian, are essential Apostolic, Anglican and Amer- values and no continuing tradition. to promote the Federation: eduican Protestant churches carry The nations flourish or decay ulti- cation and funds. For the educaon 'a vast program of Chdstian mately from within. They flourish or tional program is sugges,ted: l. education. The ancient churches decay from the soul. An enthusiastic WorId Felloware adopting modern methods ship Committee to inte,rpret the for work with children, youth It is surely the duty of everyone Federation's aims. 2. Promotion and adults. The Christian con- who owes his own spiritual life to the of international Christian literaference grounds at Chouei"!', Leb- Bible to do his utmost to insist that ture. 3. Study groups. 4. Use anon, have proven to be a busy it shall take its proper place in the of bulletin boards and chapel center twelve months of the year education of the people; and con- speakers in colleges. 5. Estabfor leadership education, Chris- stantly to urge that no education, lish friendships with foreign stutian endeavor conferences and from the most elementary to the most dents. Correspondence with stuboys' camps. advanced, can be adequate which dents in other lands. leaves students in ignorance of this -World Sunday School fountainhead of all that is best in our Local experimentation is sug- Assn. News. common heritage. gested in the matter of raising funds. "Federation Friends" Germany Filters Into -Federal Council Bulletin. should be enlisted among faculty Near East members and others, and a The W. S. S. A. "Pledge Day" might be es,tab- The connection between Ger- lished. many and the troubles in Pales- The World's Sunday School Association is made up of 51 units, with two administrative centers, one in Glasgow, the other in New York. The recently published annual report contains
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Directory of Christian Missions and obvious that women of different ing medical service, and assist- Churches in India, Burma and Cey- l"'aces and nationalities around ing in village uplift projects, lon. Introduction by Alexander the world have the same prob- convinced that this is a sounder, McLeish. 512 pp. National Chris- lems and interests. Each author because a more helpfully con- tian Council, Nagpur, India. writes from wide experience as structive process than trying to to what Christ has brought to change labels." This is the fourth edition of her own countrywomen. Taken the Directory since 1932 when as a whole, the chapters supply Aside from this bias against its publication was undertaken a valuable record of the trends Christian missions, the book by the National Christian Coun- of the Christian m 0 v e men t bears the marks of scholarship cil. It contains statistics and a throughout the world. It is and is the best account we have very complete list of approxi- clearly shown that Christianity of present-day Turkey. After mately 200 missionary agencies, is a stabilizing force for nations, describing the background in 61 2',000 stations, 7,000 mission- as well as for individuals. At a pages Mr. Webster deals with aries, 175 periodicals, and 2,500 time, when the whole Christian the struggle for independence institutions in India, Burma and world is menaced by systems and the processes of reforma- Ceylon. Anyone will be im- contrary to the tea,chings of tion and leadership under Atapressed by this vast number of Christ, it is important to point turk. The second and longest Christian enterprises but the Di- to His Way as the only force that part of the book (pages 162-2'89) rectory is of especial value to will cement the nations together deals with the ideology of the missionaries, editors and execu- on the basis of righteousness and present government, particularly tives interested in Christian brotherhood. H. H. FERGUSON. politics, the press, education, and work in India. The Christians the result of all this on the social of all sects and races now are The Turkey of Ataturk: Social Prog- structure, the rural uplift and estimated to number 7,500,000 ress in the Turkish Reformation. the life of the people. of whom about 7,000,000 are In- By Donald Everett Webster. Amerdians. In 1931 Protestants num- ican Academy of Political and So- The volume is beautifully illusbered over 3,000,000, a 50% in- cial Science. 337 pp. Price, $2.50. trated, with photographs, diacrease in ten years, and Roman Philadelphia. 1939. grams, and maps, all of them val- Catholics over 2,000,000. Hindus uable. We have also a gazeteer, number 240,000,000. There are The author was a short-term a full bibliography, and a care- 225 languages spoken, in addi- teacher in the International Col-. ful index. As a secular study, tion to many dialects. The Bible, lege, Izmir (Smyrna), and had one can desire nothing better. in whole or in part, has been other contacts with Turkey. His translated in only 120 of these. book describes the complex proc- S. M. ZWEMER. There are still many unoccupied esses which have as by miracle areas and unevangelized millions produced modern Turkey. Its The Wild Rue: A Study of Muhamin India. viewpoint is not political, nor re- madan Magic and Folklore in Iran. ligious, nor that of the journal- By Bess Allen Donaldson. Luzac & Women and the Way: A Symposium. ist, but that of the sociologist. Co., London. 216 pp. 10/6. 198 pp. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 The first sentence in the Intro- cents. The Friendship Press, New duction give the writer's view- Edwyn Bevan, in his Gifford York. 1938. point: "Turkey, no longer an Lectures, used "Symbolism and object of derision, pity, and Belief" as the general title. All What the ace e pta n c e of evangelization, now marches in races are fond of symbols for Christ's Way of Life has meant the vanguard of those nations their faith and superstitionsto the women of every land is a whose post-World War revolu- the Star for Judaism, the Cresquestion here answered by out- tionary processes are most as- cent for Islam, the Swastika for standing Christian women of tounding." At the close of the Buddhism. And so the learned many different parts of the book he remarks: "There are author of this excellent book on world. The list of authors in- still a few Protestant mission- Persian superstition has taken cludes such distinguished leaders aries in the country who do no for title "The Wild Rue," the as Madame Chiang Kai-shek, proselytizing, but spend their most common plant in practice Michi Kawai, Muriel Lester and time in teaching school, render- of magic, used like the mandrake others from home, church, politi- .in the Pentateuch. I know of no cal and professional life, It is [221 ] other volume better suited to give the background of daily life
in Iran. Reforms, social and in- was a deep student 'Of the Bible, captivating. After reading his tellectual, are the order of the which he accepte9. as the in- studies we feel that we know day but eighty percent of the spired word 'Of God, and he was these men and wish to know common people only hear of a preacher tD whom old and even more about them. Dr. them and live their lives under young, learned and unlettered Eastman not only shows us the the shadow of Islam, as in the delighted to listen. He knew men in brief compass, but he repast. That shadow includes a God as revealed in Christ and he veals their backgrDund, the spirit mass of superstition and magic. knew and understood men, be- 'Of the times in which they lived Here we have the key. and their influence 'On posterity. cause he himself was a man. The bODk includes chapters on These Bible notes are m'Ore It is an excellent bDOk for young "The Evil Eye," "Practices at than beautiful nuggets 'Of g'Old men and offers gDod illustrative Child Birth," "M a r ria g e," that Bishop Smith mined in his material for sermons and ad- "Death," and "Burial." We have days 'Of study and prayer, they dresses. an accDunt 'Of superstitions CDnnected with the seasons, the are living seed-thDughts that Evergreen and Other Near East Bible weather, the calendar, dreams Talks. By Abdul-Fady (A. T. Upand sleep; also we learn what came from the granary of God's pious Moslems are supposed tD revealed Word and are copied son) with foreword by Dr. S. M. d'O when they weep or breathe, sneeze or cut their nails and hair. from the Bishop's much used Zwemer. 120 pp. 28. Marshall There is alsD an aCCDunt of wide-margin study Bible. Are Morgan & Scott, Ltd. London. 1938. sacred places, saints and pilgrimages. This material might have nDt such thoughts. as the follDW- This little book of outline talks been better classified but the in- ing stimulating to dee per on the Bible is deceiving in two dex is fairly complete. The book thought, more earnest prayer ways. Its small size does not is written from a woman's view- give pr'Omise 'Of the am'Ount of point but it represents all the old and more Christlike living: life of Persia. As the author says: "Considerable attention "My God, my God, why hast thou real meat in it. And tDO, it gives has been given to religiDus cus- forsaken me" (Mat. 27: 46). This is tDms; this is because the super- hell ! the impression 'Of one of those stitiDns are firmly rooted in the religiDn. With the majority of "Whom God hath raised up" (Acts . devotiDnal books that one can the peDple their occult practices toss off in a day or so and go on. have become religious rites. It 2: 24). If this had been a lie the is to them that they pin their apostles would not have dared to Not so, fDr here is the considered faith, and to them they turn in preach it in Jerusalem – besides the times of trial and crisis. While Holy Spirit could not have blessed a result of years 'Of teaching God's the name 'Of G'Od is often UP'On Word, which fact in itself should their lips, all too frequently it, lie. get it a hearing. This teaching too, is merely a name with which "As for God, his way is perfect" tD conjure. (Ps. 18: 30). We cannot add to a was done in surroundings which perfect thing. To meddle is to spoil. must of necessity reflect them- The uninformed mind turns very "For all the promises of God in him naturally to something tangible in are yea, and in him Amen" (2 Cor. selves in the quality and the times of need. They are surrounded by fears: fears of sickness and death, 1: 20). Subject to no discount. flavor of the material presented. fears of drought and crop failure, fears of famine and flood, fears of "Thy Kingdom come" (Luke 11: 2). The occasional turns and evildoers and their wiles, fears of touches from the Near East save husbands and their relatives, and all Before me petition is allowed for self, this bo'Ok from being just ankinds of fears of the supernatural, and in their ignorance they have but foreign missions are to be rememsought the help of some "magical bered. power" in strange objects or symbols. "But when he was in Rome, he other book of Bible talks. It is sought me out very diligently and SAMUEL M. ZWEMER. clear that the authDr has been found me" (2 Timothy 1: 17). A good there. An instance is the ex- Gems from Bishop Taylor Smith's man is ever seeking people-worldly planation of the "sound of Bible. Compiled by Percy O. Ruoff. 142 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall, Morgan people for Christ; Christians for marching" in the vale of Re- & Scott. London. $1.00. Zonder- van Pub. House, Grand Rapids. Christ. 1939. Not only pastors and teachers phaim (page 38). Again the Bishop Taylor Smith was a re- but all Christians will find this reference tD the ripening of the markable character, with a keen Jaffa oranges (page 41) makes sense of humDr, spiritual dis.. vDlume richly rewarding. cernment, a heart of love and a us realize how much a knowledge faith that begets courage. He Men of Power. Volume III. Four of "the Land" is necessary to an biographies by F'red Eastman. 197 understanding 'Of "the Bo'Ok."
pp. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Nash- ROBERT F. OGDEN. ville. 1939.
Benjamin Franklin the scien- Highways and Hedges. By William Wistar Hamilton. 119 pp. $1.00. tist and statesman, R. W. Emer- Broadman Press.. Nashville. 1938. SDn the pDet, preacher and essay- ist, George FDX the fDunder of These are brief stories of CDn- the Society of Friends, and verts in evangelistic work, writ- ten by some fifty Christian work- Charles Darwin the revDlution- ers. Some 'Of them are tDD brief ary scientist-all make excellent to make an impression but others subjects for sixty-minute biD- offer effective material for pas- graphical sketches. Dr. Eastman tors and Sunday school teachers who may unfDrtunately lack is a clear thinker and a dramatic these rich persDnal experiences. writer. The glimpses he gives A careful sifting would improve of their develDpment, their the vDlume. achievements and sources 'Of their power are stimulating and
' j I~~
Upptr Room _2_ April, May, June ~ "'! ,,' -II if.
"It 01 ;:t.
o:j 'S ~ '1 :l: '!J .l1 Spiritual Need -&1/121 "I~ :<!-7. Knows No 'Hi '".:s.~ Boundary Lines ';"51 ~ "'I !I'
A page from Korean Edition PERHAPS, as no other publication, THE UPPER ROOM has proved that men of all races, of all tongues, are in great need of the spiritual inspiration of a daily devotional guide. Because of this universal need for it, THE UPPER ROOM is now published in four languages-English, Spanish, Korean, and Hindustani. It can now be read by half the people of the earth in their own language and new translations are being added as the demand for them arises.
In response to requests from pastors who have been using the specially printed Christmas envelopes to mail copies of THE UPPER ROOM to members of their congregations, we are now offering A SPECIALLY PRINTED ENVELOPE FOR MAILING THE EASTER ISSUE This envelope carries an attractive design, printed in an appropriate color. These Easter envelopes are offered at 1 cent each, postpaid, in quantities of 10 or more, or we will mail a copy of the April, May, June issue, to address furnished, in an Easter envelope for 10 cents each.
THE UPPER ROOM is available, in quantities of 10 or more, at 5 cents per copy, post. paid, and on our consignment plan if desired. Yearly subscription, 30 cents postpaid, foreign 40 cents. Spanish edition at same price and on same terms.
The April, May, June issue is now ready for distribution. This is the Easter Issue. The cover is one of the most beautiful and suggestive that we have ever used. The interpreta- tion of the cover picture alone is worth many times the price of the book. Be sure that every member of your congregation is supplied. Place your order at once for prompt delivery.
Send all orders for English and Spanish editions to tbe Upper Room f,.~~=I====Do=c=to=rs=' =B=ui=ld=in=g======N=as=h=vi=lle=,=T=en=n=.==~,,~.~~ [223 ]
The Second World Conference on program in revolutiQnizing the B run n e r' s "Mediator," and Faith and Order, Edinburgh, 1937. method of missionary activity in Schweitzer's the "Mysticism o.f Edited by Leonard Hodgson. $2.25. the C. M. S. stations in northern St. Paul," but has not grasped o.r 386 pp. Macmillan. New York. Nigeria provide food for thQught been grnsped by their doctrine. 1939. The final report of the con- for any who may be interested in The tragedy of the post-war time ference includes six chapters: mission work in West Africa. has driven religious tho.ught and The last section of the book leads experience in this Western world (1) Introduction; (2) The up to the tragedy of his death in into a deeper, mQre mysterious, an airplane crash during his sec- Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ; ond term as assistant bisho.P in more transcendent cons,truction (3) The Church of Christ and the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. of the thought of Go.d and of the the W.ord .of God; (4) The Com- grace of God, o.f the fact of sin, munion of Saints; (5) The L. K. ANDERSON. and of the manifestatio.n of God Church .of Christ: Ministry and in Christ, and of the deeds o.f Essential Christianity. By Samuel Go.d in Christ and histo.ry, than Sacraments; (6) The Church's Angus. 226 pp. $2.00. Macmillan. is represented in this book. Unity in Life and Worship. New York. 1939. R. E. SPEER. Here is evidence .of the present Let Us Build. By P. E. Burroughs, reality of the ideal which is Dr. Angus maintains the opin- Illus. 154 pp. 60 cents. Broadpursued. Certain manifestatiQns man Press. Nashville. 1938. of unity remain to be attained ion that Christianity is not a but here is a real unity .of the matter of opinion and he sets Building churches-both physspirit in the bo.nd of peace. The fQrth his opinion .of what essen- ically and spiritually-is a pro.bprayer of o.ur Lord for unity tially Christianity is. It is the lem. Fin an c e s, educatio.nal amo.ng His disciples, like the old self-contradictory circle. A equipment, worship, recreational man tells us that "It dQes nQt facilities are all involved-and unity of the Father and S.on, has how the problems are wQrked no.t been achieved but the dis- matter what a man thinks. It out may mean all the difference ciples are striving after it. only mrutters what he is." One replies, "You are ei,ther saying R. E. SPEER. what you think or you are saying Civilization-The Next Step. By C. what YOlU don't think. If the lat- between success and failure. . Delisle Burns. $2.75. 291 pp. W. ter, what are you? If the former, The author is educational and W. Norton & Co. New York. 1939. why are yo.U saying it if it does architectural secretary of the The author's desires and pur- not matter?" Southern Baptist Sunday School poses are of the best. The next Of co.urse Christianity is very Board and his manuscript has step sho.uld be more friendliness, much a matter of opinion, but been approved by forty-two. kindness, intelligence, equality few, if any, readers of THE RE- architects. The book includes and justice. But the philosophy VIEW will agree with Dr. Angus' forty-five plates to illustrate is the old humanism. Humanity opiniQn of it. "Christianity is an twelve building plans for various is to. lift itself by its own boot- sized churches and differing straps. A living GQd and the experience." It is not faith in costs from $7,000 to. $122,000 Christian dynamic are simply God in Christ. "It is faith in each. It is arranged as a textno.t in the picture. The tragedy bo.ok and contains many valuable o.f the world lies deeper than God like that of Jesus." The note and practical suggestions for this diagnosis. There is such a is the note of that pre-war liber- both churches and Sun day reaUty as sin and there is need alism which defined Christianity schools. Many of the plans are o.f a mQre powerful Saviour and as "the religion of Jesus" and de- very attractive and practical. a more radical salvatio.n than is cried "the religion about Jesus." Little attention is. given to social co.nceived here. R. E. SPEER. It deprecates the relatiQnship of and athletic .equipment and the essence of Christianity to which is so popular today in Guy' Bullen. By his friends. Illus. many churches. Maps. 136 pp. 58. Highway Press, "alleged historic facts o.f debat- able historicity (such as, the Vir- gin Birth, the miracles, the phys- London. 1938. ical resurrection o.f Jesus" the Hugo of the Blade. By Julius F. bodily ascension, the official and Seebach. 271 pp. $1.00. United This biography .of the late Rt.
Rev. H. Guy Bullen, As:sistant authoritative establishment of a Lutheran Publication House, Phil- Bishop in Egypt and the Sudan, Church by Him)." It rejects the adelphia. 1938.
is written by friends and aSSQ- deity of Christ. It accepts what This is a moderately interestciates who. pay tribute to the un- in the New Testament suits the ing novel of the Reformation peusual attractiveness o.f the man's author's o.pinion of essential riod, centering about the life of human chaI"acteristics and to his Chris.tianity and rejects what a printer and his descendants s'implicity and powe,r as a devo.ut does not. who were staunch supporters of Christian. Perhaps the least in- Dr. Angus' emphasis on the Protestantism. The "trimming teresting part o.f the book is the duty of Christlikeness, of obedi- blade," used in book binding, be- first section dealing with Bullen's ence and conformity to the Spir- came the symbol of truth and boyhood where an attempt is it o.f Christ, or unselfishness and freedom. This story won first made to relate youthful inclina- sacrifice and service and love is prize in the "John Rung Legacy"
tions to later powers in the mis- all to the go.od, but his subjective contest for 1938, for the best his- sionary's personality. The chap- humanJsm is a swan song of a torical narrative, educational and ters relating to his far-sighted declining Christism. He has read missionary. H. H. F.
from Many Lands: Stories for GOD'S PURPOSE :h:::'::~
Juniors. Illus. 127 pp. Paper, 50 erery day cents. Morehouse-Gorman Co., New York. 1938. A handy volume of 365 inspirational sermonettes written by distinguished Children will like these stories, clergymen of the English·speaking world. Arranged in calendar form. one and leaders of junior groups will find them helpful in creating an for each day in the year. one to each page. interest in the children of other races and lands and in promoting Cloth,60c; Limp Leatherette, $1.00; Art Leather, $1.50 a missionary spirit. In addition to the stories about children in COD'S MESSACE COD'S MINUTE far-away lands, there are tales about American Indians, Ne- 365 prominent clergymen have Here is a marvelous collection of groes and Mountaineers; also about ohildren of island depend- chosen their favorite Scripture pas- 365 Daily Prayers. each 60 seconds encies-Porto Rico, Hawaii, the Philippines. Following the fif- sages. With each as a text, they long. written by 365 of the most teen stories are six biographical sketches, in language children have written a Message that quick- eminent preachers and laymen in can understand, of stalwart Christian leaders, such as Bishop ens faith, and brings comfort. the world. Azariah of India. Cloth, 6Oc; Limp Leatherette, $1.00; Art Leather, 51.50 HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON. THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bldg., Phila. Master Thoughts for Victorious Liv- ing. Edited by Dumont Clarke. 72 The Spirit of the Shepherd. By M. Life's Cricket Match. Reginald pp. 25 cents paper; $1.00 leather- P. Krikorian. 8 vo. 125 pp. $1.00. Wallis. 43 pp. 6d. Pickering & ette cover. Paul M. Hinkhouse. Zondervan Pub. Co. Grand Rapids, Inglis. London. New York. 1938. Mich. 1938. Master Thoughts for Victorious These 285 quotations are from The Twenty-third Psalm is Living. Edited by Dumont Clarke. many different sources from the immortal and seems to be inex- 72 pp. 25 cents; $1.00, Leatherette. Bible to Mohandas Gandhi and haustible. The present inter- Paul Hinkhouse. New York. from John Keats to Robert E. pretation is by an Armenian Speer. They naturally form a shepherd who became a spiritual The Missionary Significance of the great mixture on over fifty topics shepherd and Christian evan- Lord's Prayer. Lee S. Huizenga. and are of varied value. Most gelist. His emphasis in this ex- 84 pp. Eerdmans Pub. Co. of them are very brief-one sen- position is on the revelation of tence – but they offer food for God as the Jehovah who pro- Revealing Christ. Percy Hortill. 71 thought and come from experi- vides, guides, gives peace, over- pp. Is. 2d. S. P. G. London. ence. To many public speakers comes and gives His people a they furnish material for apt Home forever. These character- Studies in Popular Islam. S. M. quotations. istics are all referred to in the Zwemer. 148 pp. $2.50. Mac- Hebrew names. The study is millan. New York. All Around the City. By Esther Frei- practical and interesting rather vogel. Illus. 95 pp. 50 cents paper than unique. The Turkey of Ataturk. Social Prog- and $1.00 cloth. Friendship Press. ress in the Turkish Reformation. New York. 1938. New Boole. Donald Everett Webster. 337 pp. $2.50. Academy of Political and Here is an attractive book on Christian Home Making. (Prepared Social Science. Philadelphia. the city for primary children. A for the Madras Conference of the "Primary Teacher's Guide" is I. M. C.) Edited by Mrs. Robert They Dared to Live. Robert M. Bartalso obtainable at 25 cents a E. Speer and Constance Hallock. lett. 135 pp. $1.25. Association copy. Miss Freivogel describes 141 pp. $1.50. Round Table Press. Press. New York. how children move to the city New York. from the country, their experi- The World's Religions. A Short Hisences at Christmastime, at the Canadian Journey. H. P. Thompson. tory. Charles S. Braden. 256 pp. Neighborhood H 0 use, church 69 pp. S. P. G. London. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Nashville. school and at play. Pen and ink drawings and the story are de- The Church Faces the World. (Pre- Welcome House. Jessie Eleanor signed to interest children. The pared for the Madras Conference of Moore. Illustrated. 95 pp. $1.00, incidents of life will help them the I. M. C.) Edited by Samuel cloth; 50 cents, paper. Friendship understand other children, and McCrea Cavert. 133 pp. $1.50. Press. New York. to sympathize with many who Round Table Press. are undernourished both physi- John Wyclif and the English Bible. cally and spiritually. It is a Christians in Action. A Record of Melvin M. Cammack. 288 pp. $1.75. good book for children from Work in War-Time China. By American Tract Society. New York. seven to ten years of age. Seven Missionaries. 115 pp. $1.00. Longs, Green & Co. New York. Tales of a Waste-Basket Surgeon. Gordon S. Seagrave. 265 pp. $1.50. Green Timber. Esther Gerberding Judson Press. Philadelphia. Hunt. 220 pp. 75 cents. United Lutheran Pub. House. Philadelphia. The Two Ways. A Play in Six Epi- sodes. A. L. E. WilIiams. 53 pp. Hugo the Blade. Julius F. Seeback. Is. S. P. C. K. London. 271 pp. $1.00. United Lutheran Pub. House. Philadelphia. The W orId's Great Religious Poetry. Compiled by Caroline Miles Hill. The History of Christianity in Amer- $1.69. Macmillan. New York. ica. Frank Grenville Beardsley. 244 pp. $1.50. American Tract Why Be Good? James Reid. 191 pp. Society. New York. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Nashville.
Historical Atlas of the Holy Land. The Holy Bible. Illustrated by Wil- Maps. 62 pp. $1.00. Rand Mc- liam Hole. 8vo. 1,252 pp. Eyre Nally. New York. and Spottiswoode. London.
Men of Power. Vol. III. Fred East- man. 197 pp. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Nashville.
State Population Census by Faiths: Meaning, Reliability and Value. H. S. Linfield. 72 pp. $2. Hasid's Bibliographic and Library Service. New York.
'I(~ ,tI1zS .11WiteJ to. ,tItienci
THE NORTHFIELD MISSIONARY CONFERENCE JULY 3-10, 1939 A PIONEER PROJECT in Interdenominational Fellowship on the beautiFul CAMPUS of Northfield Seminary EAST NORTHFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS HUNDREDS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS have received inspiration and training for service in their home churches, their communities and beyond the SEAS Denominational Camps for the Girls SEPARATE CLASSES are held for GIRLS and WOMEN In Bible Study • Mission Study • Leadership Training A FEW OF THE LEADERS WHO WILL TAKE PART Miss Ruth Isabel Seabury Miss Hazel Orton Miss Marguerite Hazzard Miss Alice Murdock Miss Nona M. Diehl Miss Sue Weddell Miss Gertrude Schultz Mrs. Walter C. Stevens Miss Christine Wang Dr. Caroline Palmer Dr. Emily J. Werner YOUR CHURCH SHOULD BE REPRESENTED YOUR LEADERS SHOULD FEEL THE POWER THAT COMES FROM MEETING TOGETHER WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST For further information address—MRS. WARREN C. TAYLOR. 38 Union Avenue W., Schenectady, N. Y.
THE MOILEM WORLD PUBUSHED BY THE HARTFORD SEMINARY FOUNDATION Editors: SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, EDWIN E. CALVERLEY Some Articles in the April Number Religion and Life • • • Edwin E. Calverley A Protestant View of Moslem Missions Julius Richter The Missionary Conviction and Approach • Robert E. Speer The Law and the Gospel • • • Laurence E. Browne Al.Ghazali and Arabic Versions of the Gospels Constance E. Padwick A Modern Revindication of Islam H. Kraemer Qualities of the Planets D. M. Donaldson A Variant Text of the Fatiha Arthur Jeffery The Traditions of An.Nawawi .. Eric F. F. Bishop The Moslem Doctrine of Sin E. E. Elder Book Reviews Current Topics Survey of Periodicals Sue Molleson Foster +0(-._ _.-~» SUBSCRIBE NOW 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 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.
mediate Jesus Christ to men and women and to bring them into
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The Missionary Review of the World — January 1938
1938
Influence of Christ in History Kenneth Scott Latourette From Mine-Boy to Moderator Life and Character of John McDowell Modern Dem~nds for Foreign Missions Charles E. Maddrj The Missionary Message for Today – Julius Richter Medical Work in Arabia w. Harold Stonn The Bible and Koran Contrasted E. w. G. Hudgell Christian Morale in War-Tom ,China Frank W. Price 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember wealth, religion
January 2-9-Universal Week of All Missionaries Try to and other topics. Some of these Prayer. Follow the Nevius Methods ideals which made him success- January 4-6 – Foreign Missions Con- But many miss the dynamic of them ful are: ference, Toronto, Can. an. which is I have always indulged the hope January 9-12 – Annual Meeting of BIBLE EMPHASIS that I should be able to establish effi- the Home Missions Council and t~e The Korean Presbyterian Church has ciency in giving, so that wealth may be of greater use to the present and 'i Council of Women for Home MIS- gained 180,640 new believers net in futu-re generations. sions Marble Collegiate Church, 9 years. This is the equivalent of New'York City. 70 new parishes of 300 believers ••• every year. Last year it had: January 11-I4-General Missionary One of the most important. of the Council Methodist E pis cop a I 2,844 Week-Long Bible Classe•• elements which go to make up ~ivilh:a Church, South, Savannah, Ga. (178,315 attending.) tion is the progress of moralIty and January 12-lnter-seminary Confer- 10,000 in Bible Correlpondence. the Christian religion. ence on Human Relations, ChicH¥o 844,268 in Sunday Schools. But I am never a pessimist–I never Round Table of Jews and Chris- 55,075 iu Bible D. V. B. S. despair. I believe in man and the tians, Chicago. brotherhood of man and am confident 4,509 in tHO Week Bible Institutes. that in the end everything will come. January 19-An~ual ~eetin~, Anier-. Read ti.e Story in the New Boo" out for the good of all. iean Waidensian AId SocIety, St. Nicholas Collegiate Church, New "THE NEVIUS PLAN FOR MISSION Do all the good you can. WORK IN KOREA" (370 pages). Be earnest. . York City. . Do not be afraid to work. By CHA.RLES A.LLEN CLARK, Ph.D•• D.D. January 19-Feb~uary 18-FI<?ri~a (35y….. inKorea) Persevere. If you make a mistake, Chain of MissIonary Assemblies In remember that it is human to err. 15 centers, beginning at Deland and CHRISTIAN LITERATURE SOCIETY. Try again and try harder. ending in Tallahassee. Seoul, Korea. postpaid, • – – – ·Y5.00 Sons of wealthy parents have not January 31-February 6 – Founder's E. C. HEINZ, the ghost of a chance compared with Week Conference, Moody Bible In- 3624 5th Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn., boys who came from the country with stitute, Chicago. postpaid, – – • – • – – – – – $2.00 the determination to do something in February 9-: Annual. M.eeting, Mis- 1927, she taught at Huping Agricul- this world. sionary ReVIew PublIshmg Co., New tural Normal School. . Live within your means. One of York. the swiftest toboggans I know of is •*• for a youn,' man just starting in life March 4 – World Day of Prayer. to get into debt. Rev. Yaroo M. Neesan. in charge of the Assyrian Episcopal Church in A clear conscience is worth more Flint, Mich., died in November at the and is a greater comfort than is a age of 84. He was born in Iran, at- great fortune. Obituary Notes tended a Presbyterian School at Mar- There is nothing in the world that gawar and at 21 was selected by the can compare with Christian fellow- Mr. Marshall Broomhall, who had America)l Bible Society to sell Bibles ship; nothing that can satisfy but been connected with the China I~la~d in Assyrian, Arabic, Hebrew, Persian Christ. Mission for nearly fifty years, died In and Turkish-all tongues which he England on' October 24th, in his 72d spoke fluently. He was a man of keen If you use year. He was a nephew of th~ la~e intellect, rich background of experi- Hudson Taylor and went to China In ence and unusual Christian character. PRINTING 1890. In 1900 he was appointed Edi- torial Secretary of the Missi~n, which ••• YOU Will profit from an ac- position he filled with effiCIency for quaintanceship with us. We twenty-seven years, until his health Dr. Chas. W. Gordon, better known do the Job complete in our own compelled him to re~ire. La~r" he r~ as Ralph ConnQr, died at his home in plant, whether it be large or sumed the editorshIp of Ch'tna 8 Md- Winnipeg, on October 31st at the age smalL lions and wrote a lar~E! n~mber. of of 77. Dr. Gordon won fame as the valuable books on missIOns In Chma. author of "The Sky Pilot" and other While our specialty is Boob, popular stories of missionary work MagatiftU and Pamphletl, yet ••• and life in the Canadian Northwest. we have a variety of modern He was the son of the late Daniel and equipment to meet all the ~ Dr. R. A. Hutchison, for thirty Mary Robertson Gordon. He was born quireanentl of your particular years General Secretary of ,the Board in Indian lands, Glen County, On- job. You will find our eervice of American Missions, United Pres- tario, September 13, 1860. His father prompt, careful and courteous. byterian Church, died in Pittsburgh, was the missionary of the Free Pennsylvania, on December 11th, of a Church of Scotland and after the son Will you allow UI to estimate heart attack. Dr. Hutchison was was graduated from Knox College, on your neztprintingl We be- born seventy-five years ago and after Toronto, he became a missionary to lieve you will be delighted with being graduated from Monmouth Col- the lumber, railroad and mining camps our product, price and service. lege and Xenia Theological Seminary, at Banff. In 1894 he became pastor Ohio, became pastor of the First Unit- of St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church The EVANGELICAL PRESS ed Presbyterian Church at Altoona, in Winnipeg and in 1921 was moder- Pa. He was moderator of the Gen- ator of the Canadian Presbyterian Print",. of eral Assembly of his church in 1926. General Assembly. T.M Mulionary Revie", of the W Ot'ld ••* John D. Rockefeller's Philosophy PLANT AND MAIN OrneE . Mrs. Mary B. Hoy, a missionar~ in ThIrd ad Reily SIr…. Hao.." " , .. Japan and China for the Evangelical The late John D. Rockefeller,. and Reformed Church for more than Baptist layman and founder of a half century, died at Hankow, the Standard Oil Co.,. at various China, Nov. 5, in her seventy-fifth times made known his views of year. She help~d to found the girls' school now known as Miyagi College. .In 1900, Mrs. Hoy established the girls' school at Yochow, China, and later devoted herself to women's work at Huping. After Dr. Hoy's death in
MISSIONARY the condition of war in China making PARENTS
REVIEW OF THE WORLD it unwise to plan for it in Hangchow. In the Foreign Mission Field DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor The special Home Mission Study Number (June) will deal with Christ Endorse Calvert School VOL. LXI JAN., 1938 No.1 and American Cities; the Foreign Home Study Courses Mission Study Number (October) Publication and Business Otll.ce– will deal with the important topic: For Children Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. The Christian Cwmpaign in India. Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- Editorial and Executive Otll.ce– In the other months THE REVIEW tion Department, will give your child a 156 B'ltth Avenue, New York City. covers the world, home and foreign, superior elementary education … by mail, Entered as second-class matter at and keeps our readers in touch with regardless of where you may live. Mod- the main current events and mission- ern, approved courses from this famous Post 01flce, Harrisburg, Pa., under ary problems, great personalities, the school are being used by parents all .over Act of March 3, 1!l79. progress of mission work, the unoccu- the world with outstanding success. pied or neglected field, the best meth- 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. ods for promoting interest and the Give your children the advantages of these Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. current missionary literature. interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, Publisbed monthly, except August. and attractive materials. Instruction is All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. *** under the personal guidance of teachers in B"ltlsh agents – Marsball, Morgan Calvert's prominent and successful private and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, One reader writes: "There is no day school in Baltimore. London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, piece of literature that I get that has 10 shillings a year. great value as a source of illustra- Write today for booklet of complete in- tions of what the Gospel is doing right formation. Costs are low. MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- now in our world than that section of LISHING CO., INC. THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE CALVERT SCHOOL , WORLD called 'Our World-Wide Out- BOARD OF DIREC'l'ORS look.' "-W. E. Forsythe, Caledonia, IBOW. Tuscany Road Mo. ROBERT E. SPEER, PreSident Baltimore '<- Maryland A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President Personal Items ican Board of Commissioners for For- VALTER MCDoUGALL, ~,J.1rea8urer Dr. Conrad Hoffmann began his eign Missions in West Africa for duties with the Board of National nearly 20 years has become director DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary Missions of the Presbyterian Church, of Lincoln Academy, Kings Mountain, U. S. A., in charge of Jewish Evan- N. C., a work conducted under the PAUL J. BRAISTED gelization, on SeptemJer 1. Dr. Hoff- auspices of the American Missionary SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT mann will give nine months to this Association. Kings Mountain is called work, and by a special arrangement "The Negro Northfield" and is a D. J. FANT the remaining three months will be boarding school for Negro boys and MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD spent in Europe on behalf of the work girls. In the summer the campus is of the International Committee on the used for conferences. WM. B. LIPPHARD Christian Approach to the Jews. ERIC M. NORTH *** SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Dr. and Mrs.* Fr*ed *MacCallum are Dr. William E. Doughty, formerly Editorial Chat retiring after 40 years' work under one of the secretaries of the Laymen's the American Board in Turkey. They Missionary Movement and later of The New Year dawns with many plan to spend their remainin'" years the Near East Relief, has been made clouds overhead and on the horizon, in the Levant. One son is a mission- Grand Commander of the Greek Order but the sun still shines-the Sun of ary in Constantinople; a daughter is of the Phoenix in recognition of his Righteousness-on the world of time college librarian in Smyrna. twenty years of service to the people and nature that God made, and on the of Greece and the Near East refugees. world of men whom Christ came to *** The decoration was conferred by the save. The Editor and the Board of Greek Minister to the United States. Directors extend their very hearty Dr. and Mrs. John E. Merrill, Christian greetings to all the readers American Board missionaries at AKEEN That priceless of THE REVIEW and to the mission- Aleppo, Syria, have retired from ac- possession is aries and Christians in every nation, tive service. Through four decades race and tongue. There is evidently they have interpreted the Christian within YOUT more need than ever to spread the missionary spirit among churches of Good News of the love of God and the Cilicia and Syria. MEMORY reach! Follow salvation offered through Christ. This the simple, sen~ is the work for which THE REVIEW *** sible rules in was established sixty years ago and for which it is conducted today. We Dr. D. C. Henry is one of the mis- "HOW TO MEMORIZE" work and pray together for this end. sionaries of the United Presbyterian By Dr. William Evans Church still able to live and work in *** Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mrs. Henry The Possibilities of the Memory, and her children have received per- Principles of Memory Training, and A new Director has been elected to mission to return. step by step instruction on the fun~ THE REVIEW Board to take the place damentals of application. of our beloved friend and fellow work- *** er of many years, the late Dr. Wil- Many gladly paid $5.00 for this liam I. Chamberlain. The new Direc- The Rev. Mark A. Dawber, D.D., material in a correspondence coUrse. tor is the Rev. Paul J. Braisted, Ph.D., Superintendent of Town and Country Now compiled in a single volume the recently appointed Secretary of Work of the Methodist Episcopal bound in handsome cloth covers, the Student Volunteer Movement. It Board of Home Missions, has been gilt stamping, 95 pages, complete is especially fitting that Dr. Braisted elected Executive Secretary of the for 75c. and 6c. postage. should serve the missionary cause. Home Missions Council to succeed the through THE REVIEW since his wife, Rev. William R. King, D.D., who is BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE ASS'N Ruth Wilder Braisted, is the grand- resigning because of serious illness. daughter of Royal G. Wilder who Dr. King has been the efficient and 848 N. Wells St. Chicago, Illinois founded THE REVIEW and owned and loving Executive Secretary of the edited it for ten years. Dr. Braisted Council for the past ten years. is a graduate of Brown University and served as a Baptist missionary in *** India and Burma for about ten years. Dr. Henry McDowell, a colored *** missionary working under the Amer- Our year's program includes a num- [ 1] ber of articles preparatory to the next International Missionary Conference to be held in Madras next December,
by kind permission of the London Missionary Society
AN AFRICAN'S AWAKENING INTEREST IN THE HOPE OF THE WORLD REVIE ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 1 JANUARY, 1938 Tapies of the Times CLOSED AND OPEN DOORS labor warfare and anti-religious activity in some Looking back over the past year we see many circles. Mexico is still holding doors closed against missionary activity from outside countragedies, disappointments, lost opportunities and tries but is easing up on regulations against the doors closed or closing to the messengers of Christ right of religious assembly. Other Latin Amerand to true religious liberty. There is Korea and ican countries still seethe with unrest but open the Japanese effort to force Christians to take part in obeisance at Shinto shrines; there is conflicts are prevented by strong men in power. China, with the Japanese invasion, bombing of All over the world the greatest obstacle to the hospitals, schools and villages, the diversion of progress of Christian life and activity is in the lifeless or lukewarm churches, that have "a name money and life from a constructive program and to live but are dead," and in the divided, lifeless the efforts to destroy a truly efficient Chinese government; there is Japan with its strong mili- and stony-hearted Christians who are so only in name. The scandals on Christendom are always taristic party in control and their determined the greatest obstacles to Christian progress. effort to stifle freedom of thought and expression on the part of the people. There is Iran where But on the other hand, all is not dark and lifethe shah, Riza Pahlavi, has made himself dictator less as we look back nor as we look forward to the and is clamping down on religious freedom and New Year. What gloriously bright gleams there on all effort to oppose his selfish and narrow- have been in the faithful Christian life and testiminded program. There is Palestine, with the mony in every land – in Japan and Chosen in bitter conflict between Arabs and Jews and the spite of government regulations; in China in the still unwelcome British proposal to make separate midst of invasion, bombings and death; in India Moslem and Jewish states. There is Turkey, with where political strife has brought unrest and "units more enlightened dictator but prohibiting the touchables" are seeking social and religious freeteaching of religion to all youth under eighteen, dom; in Iran, Arabia, and Mesopotamia where thus handicapping the home and the school, the Christians are constantly being born in the midst mosque and even the Church. There is Russia, of fanaticism and in spite of bitter opposition; with its increasingly materialistic program, its in many parts of Africa where the Christian atheistic rules and its anti-Christian propaganda Church is growing through the work of African and its "purging" of the country by the death of Christians; in Germany where Evangelical pasleaders suspected of being antagonistic to the tors and people are ready to suffer imprisonment Stalin government. There is Germany and the for conscience sake; in Great Britain and Europe Nazi government seeking to control the Church, where Christians from all the world and all Protintroduce pagan traditions and worship and to estant and Eastern churches united in brotherly stifle faith in the historic Church and obedience to conference to bring better understanding and Almighty God. There is Spain with its homicidal closer fellowship in faith, life and work. In North strife, the interruption of Christian life and work, America the results of the Preaching Mission and the closing of some partly opened doors by com- Christian Youth Movements are still felt and are munistic, Roman Catholic and military activity, building for the future. In Mexico the evangelical and the impoverishment of the country. In North work goes forward, carried on by Mexican Chris- America there are tragedies in economic life, with tians among the youth and even among the 801- [3]
diers. In Central and South America the Gospel It will continue to prove true in Spain, in Russia, light also shines brightly in many obscure corners. Chile reports effective evangelism among soldiers in Ethiopia and in China. The only way to end and sailors and Indians; Brazil has Evangelical war by murderous warfare is to exterminate all self-supporting churches with over a thousand opponents; even then new antagonists will arise members each. After all, the most effective work and attempt to put down the victor who depends of Christ is carried on not in dramatic ways in on physical force to maintain his supremacy. great assemblies, but through the power of the Spirit of God shining out of individual lives in the A "war to end war" is rightly ridiculed today. homes, the churches and the communities in each It is as futile as is Japan's campaign to cure country. Chinese unfriendliness by a murderous invasion of Chinese territory. You cannot cure hatred by But what of the doors of service for Christ that hatred, or overcome evil with evil. It is nineopen out into the new year? Was there ever teen years since "peace" was declared in Europe; greater opportunity to show what Christ can and the Treaty of Versailles was signed by conflicting will do to set right this disordered world, if only nations; the World War was supposedly brought His followers are ready to leave all and follow to an end; the victors thought that they had been Him? What might not this new year – with able to make it unprofitable, if not impossible, for Christ – show in the establishment of peace in Germany, Austria and Turkey ever again to con- China and Spain; of religious freedom in Japan, sider renewing the conflict. They were believed Chosen, Iran, Arabia, Turkey, Russia, Mexico and to be too weak to take revenge. Germany; in producing the fruits of education, brotherhood and justice in Egypt, Ethiopia and Jesus Christ came with a message of peace to other parts of Africa; in promoting political the world and showed the way to establish and peace in Latin America, and economic peace and maintain goodwill among men. He gave His spiritual revival in North America? life to make peace between men and God and to establish the rule of love, and yet how little we This coming year offers new and rich opportu- have shown our desire for peace and goodwill. nities in the World Missionary Conference at There are still conflicts not only between men of Madras next December; in the coming student different nations, but also between those of differrevival meetings in American colleges; in the ent races, social and economic strata and ideas! revitalizing of churches, Christian organizations and institutions all over the world, but most of all We hate war and yet there are things worse in the opportunity to open individual hearts and than war-even worse than armed conflict and lives to the power and control of the indwelling death. Dishonor, disobedience to the laws of Christ. "Behold I have set before thee an open God, and cruel disregard of human rights are door and no man can shut it. . . . If any man worse than war. A truly righteous and strong hear my voice and open the door, I will come in government must endeavor to put down lawlessto him." ness, even by the use of force. "The powers that be are ordained of God." As long as thugs and "THE WAR TO END WAR" thieves ply their trades, armed police are neces- sary-locally, nationally or internationally. Such There probably never was a period in the his- a condition is not ideal ana does not make for tory of mankind when so much thought and lasting peace, but lawlessness should be made unmoney was being spent on warfare, past, present profitable. and future, as there is today – nineteen hundred years after the coming of the Prince of Peace. There is only one way to end war and that is Instead of peace and goodwill among men, there to establish the rule of love, to disarm the mind are murderous conflicts going on in Spain and and heart by taking away men's desire to fight China and more are threatened in Europe, Asia, one another. There is only one way truly to Africa and in the Americas. There were many conquer an enemy and that is to make him a who believed that the great World War was such friend. We are "more than conquerors" when a deadly and decisive conflict that "civilized" we overcome evil with good. This can be brought nations in future would be persuaded to settle to pass when men give their full allegiance to their disputes without arms. But a "war to end Him who loved us. war" is an idle dream. It is no homeopathic remedy; no inoculation that prevents taking the We hate war and yet there is war in which we disease in worse form. Warfare unleashes human believe. It is a warfare that is in full harmony passions; it stimulates greed, hatred and a desire with the Spirit of Christ and with the Will of for revenge. This has been proved by the course God. It is the Christian war against all evil- .of events in Germany, Turkey and Latin America. the war against selfishness and greed; against hatred and cruelty; against crime and lawless- ness; against intemperance and lust; against sickness and ignorance and degrading poverty.; against godlessness and all forms of evil
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
Men are belligerent by nature. Little children, churches in which they are reported as members.
as soon as they want something they do not His statements as to the decline of Protestantism possess, or find that someone else stands in the in America may not be wholly correct but it is way, fight their battles with a cry, with words, clear to anyone who investigates the facts that or a blow. But children and adults can be taught church and Sunday school attendance and vital a better way than to overcome by physical war- interest in Christian life and service have not pro- fare. There is a conquest by love, by truth and gressed but have declined,-especially in the by surrender. To "fight the good fight of faith," larger ecclesiastical bodies.
we need only courage and the whole armor of Some of the reasons for this d~cline may be God. The moral equivalent of war is the fight briefly stated: against evil, within and without. It is the fight for truth and for righteousness; the battle to 1. Decline of religious interest and responsibility carry out the loving Will of God. This is the in the homes. "war that will end war." When love takes the place of hate, and good takes the place of evil, 2. Increase of rationalism and materialism in the Kingdom of God will be manifest on earth. schools and colleges.
3. Increase of worldliness and self-indulgence in social life, with evidences of insincerity or IS RELIGION DECLINING IN AMERICA? hypocrisy in many professing Christians. 4. Indifference ·to spiritual things on the part of It is difficult to compare one generation with many in the church and out. This is fos- another. Statistics do not tell the whole story- tered by unwholesome fiction, theatricals and as to crime, customs, religious faith or Christian motion pictures.
progress. Each man's vision and information is 5. Increasing ignorance of God and lack of vital limited, especially in spiritual matters. Only God faith among young and old. The Bible is can know man's heart and only He can judge sadly neglected and misunderstood. rightly. Nevertheless air currents, weather vanes, barometers, social investigations, vital statistics 6. Absence of vital spiritual preaching of the and church attendance reveal some conditions and Word of God and lack of effective Christian tendencies. They are worth considering carefully. service in many churches.
There are some conditions in America that are 7. Lack of unity among Christians and failure to show true brotherly love among those of encouraging and there are also tendencies that are disturbing-politically, economically, socially and different classes, denominations and races. religiously. These tendencies downward should be studied carefully and corrected wherever pos- Christian leaders need to recognize these spirsible. Among the disturbing factors are those itual ailments and we should all earnestly and that indicate dependence on physical force rather prayerfully seek the remedy. Christianity, as pro- fessed today, has too often become formal and than on righteousness to settle economic and in- dead. So-called Christian nations have ignored ternational disputes. There is an increase of Christ's teachings as to righteousness and peace. divorce and a lowering of moral ideals; the Larger church attendance, better preaching, even growth of the gambling spirit, the development of Bible teaching and social service, do not in themlawlessness and the spread of intemperance are selves provide the remedy. We are coming to disturbing. The progress of atheism and material- recognize more and more that the first need is ism are evident, especially in some colleges and personal spiritual revival, with surrender to God among those with radical ideas. There is a de- and a vital relation to Christ; second, there is crease in Sunday school and church attendance need for new, more earnest and intelligent study among all classes. In general the growth of ex- of the Bible as the Word of God; third, we need travagance and self-indulgence is coupled with true prayer and obedience to the revealed will indifference to the revealed will of God as the of God. Finally, Christians must unite more standard for faith and life. At a recent National whole-heartedly in loving fellowship, in witness- Laymen's Conference it was pointed out that ing to Christ and in devoted service to mankind.
Christian church membership has declined in pro- There is power in Christ and His Gospel to portion to the growth in population. Mr. Roger transform the world. There is evidence of spir- W. Babson, former moderator of the Congrega- itual vitality in the Church and in multitudes of tional Council, has said that Protestant church Christians. They are still the "salt of the earth"
membership is declining to an alarming degree. but too much of the salt has lost its savour or is Others believe that he has based his statements confined in salt-cellars, not scattered to counter- on incorrect or insufficient data, but Mr. Babson act corruption. Christians are still the "light of states that official church figures include millions the world," when Christ loves and shines through who have now no vital connection with the them, but too many are hiding their light or it
burns dimly, in a small circle, with a poor dying Roman Catholic Church, with special privileges flame that cannot lighten even their own homes, as the National Church, then, in addiltion, the much less the dark corners of the earth. Waldensian Church, the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist Churches, the Friends, the Seventh Day An observer at the recent conference on Evan- Adventists, Plymouth Brethren, the Salvation gelism, held at Northfield, Massachusetts, reached Army and the Spezia mission. No other denomthe following conclusions: (1) We must recog- inations are allowed in the country. nize that the desperate situation in the world today cannot be remedied by reformation but only It is common rumor in Italy that the Vatican by redemption and regeneration. (2) Definite helped to finance the Abyssinian war. In return, decision must be made to accept redemption in it seems to have demanded that the civil authori- Christ producing a new character and not merely ties should restrain all Protestant denominations. improvement along the old ways of life. (3) To The first result was the disappearance of many accept Christ means to adopt His teachings as the independent missions and churches, which were practical plan of life in social, industrial, and in- merely extinguished in conformity with the law. ternational relationships, as well as in personal Particular attention has recently been paid to one conduct. (4) A definite Biblical foundation is independent work estimated to number some needed in thought and preaching. (5) Evan- 50,000 adherents but one that has been a pargelism must be carried to the people wherever ticularly aggressive and successful evangelistic they are and applied to their needs. This involves movement, and was spreading rapidly. A short street preaching, personal interviews, pastoral time ago no less than 1,000 of these people were contacts, clinics for personal problems, etc. placed under "house arrest," not allowed to leave (6) This is the work of the laity as well as the their village or town, and being obliged to report ministry. (7) Evangelism must be world-wide, themselves daily to the police. Nevertheless they not merely local. manage to hold meetings in caves and other secret places. EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS IN ITALY Attention was next given to those denomina- The British Weekly says that "so far as liberty tions recognized by the State, whose status is nomof worship is concerned matters are worse for inally guaranteed. The country is governed ac- Evangelicals in Italy than in Germany." Under cording to the exigencies of the moment. The a law promulgated in 1929, the following religious Vatican seems just now to be directing its activity organizations were recognized by the State and chiefly against three organizations-the Waldenallowed to conduct worship in their own way: the sian Church and its missions, the British and For- eign Bible Society and the Salvation Army.
RUSSIA'S NEW DRIVE AGAINST RELIGION Press reports from Moscow state that a new drive against religion took place in the Soviet Union to prevent the December influence of the Church or the clergy on the more susceptible voters in the elections. The first elections under the so-called Stalin constitution, now a year old, were held December 12. The clergy were accused of conducting an insidious propaganda campaign for the revival of the sorely oppressed Church. It was charged that their aim was the election of friendly deputies in the local Soviets and in the chambers of the new Supreme Soviet.
Trade unions, in particular, were urged to revive the fight against religion. Their news- paper, Trud, re-emphasized its purpose "to expose the counter-revolutionary machinations of the clergy and believers." The clergy of Russia, whether they are Evangelical pastors, Ortho- dox or Catholic priests, Jewish rabbis, or Mohammedan mullahs, are openly called parasites by the official organs of the Soviet Government and the Communist party and are designated as actual and potential enemies of the regime. Though the trade unions were enlisted in this new campaign against the churchmen, the drive aimed most particularly against the Church's in- fluence among the peasants since the Government seems to have had more difficulty suppressing religious expression among the peasants in the rural areas than in the cities.
Recent indications point to a determined revival of religious interest in Russia in spite of the most persistent efforts on the part of the Government. An indication of this trend is the fact that four years ago the Militant Godless League numbered 5,000,000 members. At pres- ent there are only 2,000,000 enrolled. Dispatches also note that in Russia today there are more than 30,000 religious organizations of various faiths.-Lutheran News Bureau.
Influence of Christ in
By PROF. KENNETH SCOTT LATOURETTE D. Willis James Professor of Missions and Oriental History in Yale University, Author of "The First Five Centuries of Christianity"
W HAT has been the influence of Jesus upon generation and even more than two or three cen- the human race? Is it waxing or waning? turies to determine trends. These are crucial questions. Upon the an- In general, the history of Christianity falls into swers which we give to them depends in part- three main epochs. First are the initial five cen- although by no means entirely-our attitude to- turies, in which the faith had its inception and in wards Jesus. Out of the~, too, arises to a large which it won the population of the Roman Empire.
degree our attitude towards Christianity and to- Then, second, approximately a thousand years in wards the outlook for civilization. If Christian- which geographically about as much territory was ity is losing in vitality, if it is a declining factor lost as was won but in which Christianity had a in human history, then the prospect for the future large share in shaping some new cultures. Third of the faith is dark, and if the human race goes and last, a period which began about the year 1500 on, its civilization will depart farther and farther and which is still with us (although some suspect from ideals which we think of as Christian. If, that it is now coming to a close), in which Chris- on the other hand, Christianity shows more vigor tianity experienced fresh internal life and ex- as the centuries pass and leaves a broadening and panded geographically beyond all previous limits. a deepening impress on mankind, then we can The first period is often regarded as the great- have more confidence as we face the future, both est in Christian history. The achievements were for Christianity and for civilization.· indisputably remarkable. In it the Church came Any full answer to these queries would require into existence, became second in strength only to a much larger space than the editor could permit. the state, and proved so vigorous that it survived Even a full summary of an answer would demand the state. In it the New Testament was put into a volume. However, it is possible to sketch in writing, and Christianity, beginning apparently brief compass the broad outline of a summary. as an obscure sect of Judaism, spread until it be- In general the answers can be stated as follows: came the religion of the vast majority of the Ro- (1) (This may seem so obvious as to be a banal- man Empire. The effect upon thj:! culture of the i.ty.) Through the centuries the influence of Jesus Roman world was profound. The ancient cults has been potent and beneficent. (2) (This also of the gods, to which the state had given its is a commonplace.) Never in any age or in any powerful support, were erased. The deities of large group of humanity has that influence been pagan antiquity remained merely as memories dominant. It has been one among many. Always and the ancient mythologies survived only in the it has met opposition. Always it has had to con- literature of the pagan ages and as literary allu- front elements in human nature and in society sions and devices. Laws were modified to take which are in complete opposition to it. Indeed, account of Christian principles, although not as the influence of Jesus has grown, the antago- greatly until after the end of the period. A new nism has become more pronounced. (3) In each literature was created, that of Christian devotion, of its major periods Christianity has successively apology, and theology, and new philosophies – if had a more profound effect upon the societies in one may so designate Christian theology – came which Christians have been numerous. (4) Never into existence. A new art and a new architecture, has Christianity been quite so vigorous and never although often incorporating pre-Christian forms, has the influence of Jesus been more widespread were created: Christianity aided in the processes and more effective than in the past century and which brought about the disappearance of certain a quarter. amusements, notably the combats of the arena.
The substantiation of these answers, as we have As its most outstanding contribution, the Chris- suggested, would require a volume. Here we can tian faith gave rise to transformed lives. A Paul give it only in the broadest outline. We must and an Augustine of Hippo are only the more disproceed chronologically. What is re$luired is his- tinguished examples of those who through a cata- torical perspective. We need to see more than a clysmic experience passed from moral and spir- [ 7]
itual defeat and impotence to triumphant living. out Roman rule and with it much of civilization. An Origen of Alexandria and an Ambrose of From the Southeast came the Arabs, carrying a Milan are, in turn, better known instances of those new, vigorous faith, Islam, and occupied Syria, in whom the change, while real, was wrought in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Persia, all the northern less spectacular fashion-in an Origen by Chris- shore of Africa, and practically all of the Iberian tian nurture. Peninsula. In the lands conquered by the Mos- lems the churches shrank in membership and in Great though the changes were, most of the some places disappeared. main outlines of Grreco-Roman culture were but little altered by Christianity. The vast majority Yet, in spite of this threat, Christianity not of Christians entertained no thought of destroying only survived in many of the areas which it had the existing order or even of withdrawing from formerly occupied, but, winning the pagan barit or of thoroughly reforming it. Many of the barians who threatened to overwhelm it, it also early Christians partly separated themselves from spread into Northern Europe far beyond the forthe world. Some sects, such as the Marcionites, mer borders of the Roman Empire into vast rewere pronouncedly ascetic in matters of sex. Dur- gions which before the year 500 had never heard ing its earlier centuries the Church tended to be the name of Christ. made up of communities apart-of the world but not fully in it. Before the first five centuries were New cultures arose in Northern Europe. They done an appreciable minority had entered the mo- grew up partly under 111e regis and inspiration of nastic movement, thus, in theory and to a large the Church and in them Christianity was more extent in practice, renouncing secular society and potent than ever it had been in the Roman Emembarking upon what appeared to them to be a pire. The Church became the vehicle by which purely Christian life. Moreover, in the first five much of the culture of the Grreco-Roman world centuries after Christ the structure of Grreco-Ro- was transmitted to the peoples of Northern Euman society and of the Roman state underwent rope. It was the nourisher of arts and letters. extensive modifications. However, in the main, Under it the universities of Northern Europe most of these modifications were not due to Chris- arose. Princes called themselves Christians and tianity. The vast majority of Christians more took oaths at their coronation which obligated nearly conformed to the world about them than them to rule as such. The Christian conscience they or that world were transformed by their did not fully accept war, as it had in the fourth faith. After Constantine the state controlled the and fifth centuries, but through the Truce of God Church much more than the Church controlled the and the Peace of God strove to regulate it 'and state. After originally holding themselves aloof reduce it. In chivalry a combination of Christian from the army, Christians reversed their attitude ideals wi,th the warrior's profession was made in and saw no inconsistency between their profession the attempt, probably seldom consciously exand service in the legions. Nor did they make pressed, to Christianize the 1<atter. The family any great effort to mitigate the horrors of war. came more fully under the control of the Church Slavery largely disappeared, but chiefly from than it had under the Roman Empire. The relief other reasons than repugnance to the institution of the poor, the sick, and travellers, and the proon Christian grounds. Some of the traditional tection of widows were largely through the Church amusements, such as the theatre, while still un- and were almost entirely the outgrowth of the purged of many features contradictory to Chris- Christian conscience. As in the Roman Empire, tianity, were as popular with the nominally Chris- so in Northern Europe, the pagan cults disaptian populace of the fourth and fifth centuries as peared. As in the Roman Empire, moreover, they had been with pagans of earlier days. Even popular religious movements broke forth from in the realm of religious practices and beliefs time to time, evidence that the impulse which many attitudes and some customs carried over came from Jesus was still fresh, and noble spirits from pre-Christian days. arose who bore unmistakably the peculiar impress of Christ. Threatened Collapse of Society Even in lands under the control of Moslems, In the next period, that from A. IT. 500 to A. D. Christianity was not without its effect. To be 1500, the story is somewhat different. From the sure, where Moslem law against apostasy was ensixth through the ninth century the very existence forced, as it was in regions in which the state was of Christianity was threatened by the collapse of Moslem, any extensive leakage from Islam to the society with which the faith had come to be Christianity was impossible. In such lands, moreclosely associated. The Roman Empire dwindled over, the Christian churches, on the defensive, to the Byzantine Empire. In Western Europe in- slowly lost ground. However, wherever Christian vasion after invasion of pagan barbarians wiped rulers permanently regained possession from Moslems, Islam disappeared more completely than
THE INFLUENCE OF CHRIST IN HISTORY
did Christianity in many a region permanently had the Christianity of Western Europe been so under the control of Moslems, Then, too, in Mos- vigorous or so far advanced towards the New Teslem lands Christians often had a profound influ- tament standard. ence. Moslem mysticism, or Sufism, came into existence and was molded in contact with Chris- In Europe the influence of Christianity became tian monks and hermits. Christians in Mesopo- probably greater than in the Middle Ages-"probtamia translated into Arabic the works of the ably," because precise measurements as the necesgreat Greek philosophers, so that Aristotle, who sary basis for exact comparisons are impossible. reached Western Europe in part through the Mos- The numbers who entered deeply into a Christian lems, had first come to the Moslems from Chris- experience appear to have been much greater. In tians. It was from Christian physicians tha,t society as a whole Christianity became the chief Moslem Arab physicians first learned much of the impulse back of the formation of international law lore which made them famous. What is called -an effort to put on a basis of peace and justice Arabic art appears largely to have been at the the relations between the rising nation-states. It outset the creation of Christian artisans in Egypt. also gave birth to fresh works of charity. It was the inspiration of the first pure democracies which At the close of the fifteenth century Christian- the world had seen. It entered as a major factor ity again appeared to face a dark future. From into the formation of the national traits of such the outside it was menaced by Moslem Turks. The peoples as the Scotch, the Dutch, and the Scandi- Turk, indeed, took that ancient bulwark of Chris- navians. It was potent in the genesis and fortianity against the Moslems, Constantinople, and mulation of the ideals of some of the most highin time overran Southeastern Europe. In Western minded leaders of the early stages of the French Europe, where Christianity retained its greatest Revolution. stronghold, the faith seemed threatened by internal decay. Medieval culture, largely the prod- Outside of Europe, Christianity spread more uct of Christianity, was disappearing. With the widely than had ever any religion or, indeed, than had any set of ideas, religious or secular. It was Renaissance came humanism, much of it pagan one of the causes of the discovery and exploration and hostile or indifferent to Christianity. A large of America, of the discovery of the sea route to part of the clergy were morally corrupt and a hiss- India and the Far East, and of the trans-Atlantic ing and a byword to all honest folk. For a time settlements of European folk. Christian missionthe Roman Catholic Church was divided through aries penetrated to the farthest confines of the an unseemly schism over rival claimants of the Americas, to the great nations of Asia, and to papal chair. In land after land the Church was various places in Africa. In all of these regions placed under the control of the secular authori- converts were made. ties-a process which continued in the sixteenth century with the further growth of monarchical Achievements of Christianity states. At the close of the fifteenth and in the Moreover, Christianity served to ameliorate the early decades of the sixteenth century the Throne impact of European upon non-European peoples. of Peter was occupied by a succession of thor- Much of the exploration and conquest was accomoughly worldly men. The sad state to which the panied by unspeakable cruelties of nominally leadership of the Church had fallen was drama- Christian Europeans on non-European peoples. tized by the martyrdom of Savonarola, with his Again and again missionaries protested against passion for spiritual and moral reform, through these iniquities. They appealed to the Christian the opposition of the Borgia Pope, Alexander VI, conscience of Europe and in consequence in edict the most infamous of the pontiffs of that low after edict the Popes came out against enslaving moral ebb of the papacy. the Indians and for generous treatment of the aborigines, and the Spanish monarchs enacted- Yet Christianity came back, and with unprece- but did not always enforce-the remarkably hudented power. In the succeeding centuries it mane Laws of the Indies. Missionaries, too, colexercised an influence on mankind far more wide- lected the Christian natives into settlements spread and profound than ever before. A series where they attempted to give protection against of revivals unequalled in the past purged organ- the rapacity of their exploiting fellow-countryized Western Christianity of many of its abuses men. and lifted it to a new level of moral and spiritual earnestness. Some of these revivals contributed In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries Christo what we know as the Protestant Reformation. tianity became especially vigorous. The eight- Others led in the old church to what Protestants eenth century witnessed the dying down of the usually call the Counter-Reformation but to what fires of religious enthusiasm in Europe. At the is more accurately known as the Catholic Refor- end of that century the French Revolution and mation. In spite of palpable weaknesses, never the wars of Napoleon threw all Western Europe
into turmoil and in places dealt serious blows to education in Africa, in much of A,sia, and in many the Church. Yet, even in the eighteenth century of the islands of the sea. In China under Chrisrevivals were in progress in the Pietist and Wes- tian auspices a new medical profession came into leyan movements and in the Great Awakening in being. In their day of transition huge civilized the Thirteen Colonies. In the nineteenth century nations, notably the Indians and Chinese, had they became more numerous and more wide- their ideals profoundly modified by Christianity. spread. Always in Protestantism deeply reli- In the Occident, Christianity, far from losing its gious strains had existed. However, political mo- power to mold collectively the life of man, gave tives had been almost as potent as religious in the birth to movements for the abolition of the Negro formation of Protestantism, and the various state slave trade and of Negro slavery. The Red Cross churches in which until the nineteenth century by its very name and symbol bears witness to the most Protestants were found, suffered in their Christian origin of this most noteworthy of atspiritual life from the control exercised by their tempts to heal the wounds of war and of natural respective governments. Now, in the nineteenth disasters. In the OcCident both the menace of century, the Christian motive became more nearly war and the efforts to prevent war assumed undominant in Protestantism and the Christian ex- precedented proportions. Most of the latter had perience more widespread. New denominations Christian roots. The list might be greatly lengthcame into being to express this experience. Great ened to include prison reform, efforts to better movements and organizations-among others the the lot of the blind, the deaf, and the insane, and Sunday schools, the Young Men's and Young the founding of scores of colleges and universities Women's Christian Associations, the young peo- and of hundreds of hospitals. ple's soCieties, and the student Christian movements-arose to meet particular needs. Within As we have suggested, never in any age or peo- Roman Catholicism a new burst of life gave birth ple has Christianity been the only influence at to more new orders than that ancient Church had work molding the life of man. Chronically it has known in all its preceding history. Both the Prot- been vigorously opposed by tendenCies and tradiestant and the Roman Catholic foreign missionary tions which spiritually and morally are its exact movements expanded to unprecedented propor- oppoSites. Always a tension has existed. Always tions. In the new nations formed by peoples of where the light has shone there has been darkness European stock in the United States, Canada, -but the light has continued to shine and the Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, Chris- darkness has not overcome it. If in our present tianity not only held the settlers, but, at least in age the forces of darkness seem to' be espeCially the largest of these nations, the United States, the aggressive, powerful, and perilous to the highest proportion of the population who were members interests of man, we need to remember that never of churches actually increased. has the light shone farther or more brilliantly than in the past century and a half. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the influence of Christianity became more widespread What the future has in store no one of us ought and more potent than ever. Millions from scores confidently to predict. History does not necesof different races and peoples entered to a greater sarily repeat itself. If, however, past experience or less degree into the Christian experience. warrants any prophecy, it is that the light will Scores of tribes in Africa and the islands of the continue to shine, beneficently and more strongly. Pacific reconstructed their entire corporate life So far as we can see, for an indefinitely long peand their customs under Christian auspices. riod to come the darkness will also be there. How- Through Christian missionaries more languages ever, the light is there and we can be confident were reduced to writing than by all other agencies that the darkness will not extinguish it. Always, in all the preceding history of mankind. Chris- as in the vision of Bunyan, the oil of grace contians pioneered in introducing new systems of tinues to be poured and all the efforts of the enemy do not put out the flame.
THE APPEAL OF CHRIST TO MEN The more pagan people are the more Christ's message appeals to them as Good News. But go to people who term themselves Christians, who believe themselves within Christ's fold, and yet are really pagan in life and character, and you run your head into a stone wall.-Prof. Gonzalo Baez Camargo of Mexico.
*** Christianity is a life-a life of fellowship with God in Christ Jesus. All else that is Christian flows from that experience. Doctrines define and formulate that experience in in- tellectual terms.-Thomas Reeve of England.
Mine–Boy to
The Remarkable Achievement of John McDowell, Late Associate Director of the Department of So- cial Education and Action, Board of Christian Education, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
-"I By DELAVAN L. PIERSON I!B- __ J~==============~ ~==========~ TODAY most American parents seem to think not an easy job for a lad of eleven and he still had . that they must supply their children with all to rise early and work hard all day. Again he the education, the comforts, the amusements was faithful in that which was least, and he was and other advantages that their money can buy; cheerful and uncomplaining. Two years later the even then they tremble lest their boys and girls boy was promoted to be a "mule-boy" down in the may go astray and fail to make good in character damp, dark mines. His job was to hitch the mule or achievements. to the coal cars a·nd drive the animal to the shaft What chance of success has a lad of fourte~n, where the coal was hoisted to the surface. Here with only one arm, his remaining hand injured, was more responsibility and more risk to life and a broken leg and a wounded knee; moreover, a limb from accident, cave-in or explosions, but not lad who had received only a meagre primary much money and not very elevating or amusing school education, living in a miner's cabin sur- to a boy of thirteen! But again Jack was faith- rounded with many evidences of extreme poverty? ful, cheery and undefeated. He made friends with Such a number of handicaps would seem almost his mule and with the miners among whom were insurmountable. Not so were they accepted by strong, God-fearing men.
little Jack McDowell. The boy was made of What could John look forward to in life? Must sterner stuff, and did not know what it meant to he always be a poor miner, even if he survived the accept defeat because of adverse circumstances dangers which made the average age of miners and so-called handicaps. at death only about thirty-two? John's father John McDowell was born in DaIry, Scotland, wished better things for his son and, since times on September 24, 1870, and was brought to Amer- were a little easier, asked the lad if he would like ica by his parents when he was two years old. to go to school. It was an opportunity and the The father secured work as a miner in the an- boy had some ambition. In Miner McDowell's thracite coal mines near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl- home the daily fare included oatmeal, and the vania, but the money he could earn was very in- Shorter Catechism. The children were taught to adequate for the needs of a growing family. believe in and practice hard, honest work, self- Every cent was needed that could honestly be respect, honesty, reverence for God and human gained and at eight years of age little Jack went sympathy. But the opportunities for financial or to work as a "breaker-boy" at the mines. He had intellectual advancement were very limited. John to get up before daylight-not in a steam-heated told his father that he wanted to enter an engiroom-eat a hurried breakfast of oatmeal, and be neering school and become an engineer. It seemed at the mines at seven o'clock. There he sat all like a high ambition. Could he achieve it? Then day, in the heat of summer and the cold of winter came the catastrophy!
with coal dust filling eyes and lungs, picking out One day, down in the mine, on his last trip, the pieces of slate from the coal as it came down the coal car started on the down grade, caught Jack chute from the crusher. Not much freedom, fun in the machinery, dragged him along, tore his left and opportunity there for a growing boy's mind arm almost off, broke his leg, put a spike through and body. But he was faithful, and uncomplain- his knee and endangered his life. The boy had ing. His help was needed to meet the household presence of mind to put his foot with its heavy expenses. boot in front of the wheel and stopped the car.
Three years later, Jack was promoted to be The mule went on alone and miners came to see door-boy in the mines. His daily routine was to what was the trouble. They found the bruised open the doors at the foot of the shaft to let the and bleeding lad and took him home, where he mules and coal cars pass through, and then to shut hovered between life and death. His ambition them again to keep out the draft from the mines to be an engineer was spiked; but John was un- deep down in the bowels of the earth. This was daunted. When the doctor said: "Well, my boy, [11 ]
you won't have much more than your brain left In Mount Hermon, John came to know and love to work with," Jack decided that he wanted an D. L. Moody and was known and loved by the education. But how was that to be obtained? great evangelist and his family. He heard some When he had recovered sufficiently, he started to of the world's great Bible teachers and preachers attend the public school, and he soon showed signs at the summer conferences and was moved by ap- of a clear, undamaged brain and a determined peals to make full surrender to Christ and to give spirit. his life to Christian service. At Northfield, too, About that time the great evangelist, D. L. he met a girl student-refined, attractive, sweet Moody, came to Wilkes-Barre. He told of his in disposition and strong in Christian character. school, recently founded at Mount Hermon, Mas- Minnie Fowler saw in the Mount Hermon youth sachusetts, where boys with little cash but much the signs of true nobility and promise. Those who earnestness might work to pay part of their way knew these two students then, and have followed and obtain an education. That was the place for them ever since, know what a perfect comrade- Jack. A friend who recognized the boy's worth ship has marked their life together-each conoffered to pay $100 toward the first year's ex- tributing rich stores of understanding love and penses if he could earn the remainder. The next talents to make their lives a united success.
September he went to Mount Hermon-a frail slip From Mount Hermon, John McDowell went to of a lad of fifteen, apparently with serious handi- Princeton University where he was graduated in caps-but again he was faithful, intelligent, dead 1894. He earned his way through and at the in earnest, cheerful and uncomplaining. He same time helped a younger brother to obtain an gladly began to work at his books and at the education. After leaving Princeton he spent a daily tasks assigned to help pay his way. But summer in mission work in New York's East Side, what could he do? Not drive a plow, work on the largely among foreigners. He showed himself a road, or even wash dishes; but he could work in friend to the poor and to handicapped workers the school office and in the summer time he could and gained a keener sense of the prime impor- sell newspapers at the Northfield Conferences tance of winning men to God as He has revealed -and he did. Himself and the Way .Of Life through Jesus But there was another and even greater handi- Christ. As a result John decided to enter Prince- cap from which he suffered. He studied hard but ton Seminary to prepare for the ministry-again though he answered the questions in his written paying his own way through, and using all the examinations, his marks were too low to pass. time he could spare for evangelistic work. He What was the trouble? The teacher told him was called to be pastor .Of a church at Steelton, that he could not receive better marks because he Pennsylvania, in a region not far from his old had failed in recitation. But did not the teacher home. There he came to know the miners and know the reason? Jack stuttered s.o that he could their problems still more intimately as their not recite-especially in translating Latin and in friend and spiritual adviser. But the field was too pronouncing unfamiliar names in history? The limited for his talents and he was soon called to teacher was sorry but firm-boys were required be pastor of Park Church, Newark. There, with to recite. "All right," the boy said, "I will recite his faithful and devoted wife at his side, he made next time." And he did, although he took the full his mark, not only on his congregation but in the lesson period to get out the words. At first the city, serving on juries and on commissions, set- class laughed and the teacher told him he could tling labor disputes, working for social justice sit down. But Jack set his jaw firmly and con- and seeking to exalt Christ and to show the impli- tinued the battle royal. Then his classmates were cations and application of His message for this silent and moved to tears-but tears of sympathy world and for the world to come.
and admiration. Finally they applauded. Jack After ten years in Newark, there followed other sat down a victor. He never stammered again. important pastorates in Detr.Oit and Baltimore, The lad discovered that he need never accept where he ministered to both rich and poor, win- defeat and he acquired a taste for overcoming. ning friends among all classes, in all denomina- He wanted to enter into athletics, but how could tions, in all political parties and among represen- he? Football and baseball seemed out of the ques- tatives of both capital and labor. But he never tion, so he took up tennis; he kept persistently at was willing to compromise or to win friends at it until he became a champion player. It was a the expense of truth or of his fidelity to Christ, great sight to see him toss a tennis ball in the air his Master. During the World War he rendered for a serve, with racquet held in his one hand, and noteworthy service as Y. M. C. A. Director of Re- then give it a smashing drive. He played with his ligious Work among industrial workers in the head and won many matches by out-maneuvering Eastern district. From this he was called to be his opponents. Secretary of the Board of Home Missions .Of the
FROM MINE-BOY TO MODERATOR
Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. (now the Board of standing, John McDowell never knew defeat. He National Missions), later serving as associate di- was never embittered in spirit and never lost his rector of the Committee on Social and Industrial courage, his optimism or his love for his fellow- Relations under the Board of Christian Education. men. He never sought to make capital of what He became president of the Home Missions Coun- others might look upon as his "handicap"; he cil, uniting all the evangelical churches, prepared ignored it and used his one hand more efficiently the annual Labor Day messages which were scat- than many men could use two. So normal and tered all over the land, working to settle labor complete was he in spirit and body that friends disputes and to establish principles of brother- even forgot he had only one arm. hood, justice and Christian love in the economic realm as well as in the Church. He was an able Almost the last public service that Dr. Mcand popular speaker at Northfield and other con- Dowell rendered was in organizing and directing ferences, and rendered important service at the the D. L. Moody Centennary meetings at the Charlottesville Institute of Public Affairs. He Northfield General Conference in August, 1937. was the author of several valuable and influential The general theme of the addresses, "Christ and books which set forth clearly the Christian faith the Bible," was chosen by him as these were the and the principles of social justice-"Dwight L. two main themes and sources of power on which Moody, the Discoverer of Men and the Maker of the great evangelist had built up his educational Movements," "Christian Essentials," and "Fellow- and evangelistic program. The meetings, preship of Toil." He sometimes said that while the sided over by Dr. McDowell, were a fitting trib- "Church has use for a one-armed preacher, it has ute to the man to whom he was so deeply atno use for a one-armed Gospel." tached and to whom he owed so much.
Many true and striking statements were made It would be difficult to point out all the factors in his addresses, books and published articles. that accounted for his success as a man, a life- These always breathed a Christian spirit of fair- partner, a friend, a servant of mankind and as a ness and wisdom, such as are evidenced in the follower of Jesus Christ. His courage, his faith following: in God and in man, his sacrificial spirit, his un- tiring industry, his intelligence and astounding "What industry needs is not better methods but memory, his fairness, sense of justice, good cheer better motives; not more perfect machinery but and keen sense of humor-all helped to make the more perfect mankind; not more laws but more man and servant of God. He owed much to his life, that 'abundant life' that Christ offers and Scotch inheritance; he owed more to his father's that Christ alone can give." faith in God and to his religious training in his home; he owed something to the fact that he knew "Labor belittles no man; wealth-owning be- the discipline of poverty and hard work; he owed littles no man. 'A man's a man for a' that.' much to his experience and to his ability to make There should be no classes-no laboring class, no friends; he owed more to his contact with D. L. capitalistic class. Laboring men? Yes, they are Moody and to his training at Mount Hermon, and the world's enterprise builders. But the laboring Princeton; he owed much to his faithful wife, man and the capital-owning man is each a man." but he owed most of all to the new life he received through Christ, to his daily study of the Word of "From the Christian point of view the primary God and to his fellowship with the Son of God. question in industry today is-shall the symbol of our industrial life be the dollar mark or the Cross? One of the finest tributes ever paid him was by Shall our ambition be self-seeking or sacrificial Dr. Robert Freeman of the First Presbyterian service?" Church of Pasadena, California, when presenting Dr. McDowell to the president of Occidental Col- The height of Dr. McDowell's career in the lege, Los Angeles, California, for the degree of Christian Church was reached when, in 1933, he LL.D. in 1932. Dr. Freeman spoke of him as one was elected Moderator of the Presbyterian Gen- "who for fifteen years has been the spokesman of eral Assembly. This is the highest honor in the our denomination wherever social adjustment was gift of the Church of two million members. He lacking or industrial justice imperilled; who in filled the position with great effectiveness, travel- the day of honor and influence has not forgotten ing from coast to coast and from Canada to the the boys who have succeeded him in the choking Gulf, the former breaker-boy speaking sometimes dust of the coal breakers and along the slimy corthree or four times a day to churches, preachers, ridors of the mines, or the multitudes who have students, college professors, men's clubs, confer- trusted him to champion the fair claims of the ences, business executives, labor unions and other class from which he sprang; nor even feared to industrial workers. While at times physical weak- demand justice from them as he claimed justice ness and weariness overtook him and he suffered for them; one who blends evangelical fervor with from more than one accident; and while he often encountered criticism, opposition and misunder-
social passion; who treasures the heritage of the when he was a boy of fourteen but his soul lived old land and the old order and the old faith while on. Later he accepted the gift of Eternal life catching and pursuing the vision of the new through Jesus Christ and he lives today in the heaven and the new earth: John McDowell, presence of the Master whom he served so faithwhose name is a test of romance, a symbol of fully, and in whose promises he believed with all consecration, and an epitome of service." his heart. His memory will be honored by men and women of all creeds and classes; his influence Like the Apostle Paul, John McDowell fought will continue to bear fruit. His labor was not in a good fight, he has finished his course, he has vain for it was "in the Lord." John McDowell kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for him expressed his confidence in the Life Eternal when a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the he wrote of Jesus' attitude toward death. He righteous judge, will give to him and not to him said: only but to all those that love His appearing. He fell asleep in Christ on November 13th after a Christ never spoke of His death apart from His resurmajor operation which he faced with courage, rection. He never thought of His death as the end of His knowing its possible unfavorable outcome. But career; it was only an episode, and an episode opening up he is not dead. A part of his body was discarded the way for the larger part He was to playas the spir- itual leader of men in the Kingdom of God.
A Faithful Friend and True Christian From an Address by Dr. Robert E. Speer, Given at the Funeral Service, November 16, 1937, in Park Church, Newark, where Dr. McDowell was Pastor for Ten Years JOHN McDOWELL was one of the dearest business of the Church, and about God's relation friends, one of the best men, and one of the to man and man's relation to God, and man's rela- noblest Christians we have ever known or ever tion to his fellow men. Just as he sought to know can know. His character and his career is occa- the truth so he sought to speak it. No one ever sion for deep thanksgiving to God for the man found him equivocating or accommodating or that He made. His life is a fountain of ins·pira- using words with reservations. It was in love tion and a call to boundless hope for ourselves and and good will that he spoke and what he spoke for other men. His career reveals to us the un- was the truth. And he thought and spoke truth limited opportunities in our American life for because he was true and genuine. He sought such a boy as this Scotch miner lad; his life ex- wholly to follow Him who said, "I am the Way of emplifies the duty and privilege of ever-expand- Truth and the Life" and to be faithful to God, in ing thought and influence, and the full meaning whom "is· no darkness at all." of the Christian Gospel. No man can be faithful to truth as John Mc- But we are thinking here not so much of John Dowell was and not be a brave and courageous McDowell's career but of his character, and of man, either fearless or victorious over fear. that which was basic in him as it is basic in all John's career was a brave and courageous career. life and character, truth. God, who desires truth He never surrendered to his handicaps. He turned in the inward parts, we may reverently say, found them into resources. He could do with one arm and its maimed hand more than some men can do His desire largely fulfilled in John. He used to with two sound arms. He was an excellent tennis like to quote Mr. Moody's familiar aphorism, player, holding the ball on his racket and tossing "Character is what a man is in the dark." In the it into the air. He astounded a small boy in a dark or in the light, by night and day, John Mc- home where he was staying by speed of unlacing Dowell was unqualifiedly and uncompromisingly and relacing his shoes. He never asked for sym- and steadfastly true. pathy or allowance. He carried his full load. And in all his work he carried truth into action – in His thoughts were true. Paul's admonition was speaking and doing always what he believed to be . not second nature, but first nature with him. right. We have seen him tested in the matter of fidelity to what he believed to be true and right in "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things the midst of difficulties. As Chairman of the are honorable, whatsoever things are just, what- Graduate Advisory Committee of the Philadelphia soever things are pure, whatsoever things are Society of Princeton University, when there were lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if some hard problems in the religious life of the there be any virtue and if there be any praise"- University, and conflicting opinions, he never John McDowell thought on these things. He sought to find the truth of the Gospel, and the truth about his duty and about the nature and
flinched. He and Bishop McConnell bore the and self-control. I never knew him to be fretful brunt of the attack on the report of the Inter- or impatient or irritable, to bear a grudge, to re- Church World Movement Committee, of which sent anything personal, to be anything but steadthey were members, in the matter of the steel fast and straightforward. strike. John has now gone on beyond all the earthly confusions to the pure peace and effortless Professor Royce has made both a philosophy joy of a richer service. I do not think he will be and a religion out of loyalty, and all that there is reproached there, as he was reproached here, nor in loyalty for philosophy and religion John knew. will he need in that happy fellowship the grit and His loyalty to Mount Hermon and to Dwight L. tenacity with which he met his reproach here. In Moody was one of the brightest and most blessed recent years, in the difficult problems which had things in his bright and blessed spirit. As chairto be met in connection with the Seminary, how man last summer of the National Committee on clear were his convictions and how fairly but un- the Centennial of Mr. Moody's birth, he did a yieldingly he maintained them. And to cite but one more instance of his brave and courageous JOHN McDOWELL AS MODERATOR mind and spirit, we will all recall his true prophet's mission in the matter of human relations in noble piece of work. Noone has written articles the field of industry and the fearlessness with or made addresses on Mr. Moody more full of inwhich he spoke his mind, with no partial interest, sight, of true estimate and appreciation, of deeper truckling to no one class or group., but asking only love and loyalty than those that came from John what was right, and in consequence, commanding McDowell. One likes to imagine the meeting of the respect and confidence of all honest men. We the two in the Land Beyond. Mr. Moody, with thank God today for this memory of a good, brave the well-remembered twinkle in his eye, might man. reproach John for his over-praise and John might answer· him without a syllable of retraction. And it rests us to recall his quality of justice, Happy, happy must be their meeting in the Imof sound-mindedness, of fair and kind and reason- mortal Love and the Celestial Light of Paradise. able judgment. There was never any harsh or The loyalty of that friendship was the loyalty of intemperate speech. No one was left in doubt as all John McDowell's many friendships. I speak to his mind. His words were unmistakably clear out of the understanding of a great love. John and pungent but we never knew him to be illtempered or uncharitable. He kept his balance in a world of excesses and partisanships. He knew how to combine and proportion the personal and the collective aspects of Christianity and life. He saw the right place and relations of persuasion and authority, of private action and of legislative enactment. He was a good guide and counsellor in his just discernment of the true functions of the Church in its spiritual mission to human hellrts and wills, and its ministry as an agency of the Kingdom of God.
The rule and joy of John McDowell's life, its formulating principle, was unselfish service. He was the disciple of One who came "not to be ministered unto but to minister." He had no pride which could (be offended and no vanity to wound. He never sought anything for himself. While he was honestly and justly pleased at his election as Moderator and fulfilled the duties of his offioe to the delight of the Church, he did it without any ostentation or parade. Whatever he could do to help people he did with a happy, genial heart. He went in and out among us as one who served.
And it is a joy to recall his good temper, his humor. Again and again he would relieve the tension with some apt anecdote or illustration. Grave situations were lightened by his evenmindedness, his quiet voice, his fullness of poise
was a friend. It is not necessary to say "a true rity." "Uprightness, virtue, honesty, soundness"- friend." There is no other kind of friend. One these are the synonyms. "He that overcometh I knew that it was possible to put full trust on him will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and be safe. and he shall go out thence no more, and I will write upon him the name of my God." That was Supremely John McDowell was loyal to our John McDowell- a pillar, clean, upright, unde- Christian faith as passed down to us from the faced; he was white and true. He is described New Testament and from our fathers of the Re- for us in Mrs. Kingsley's exquisite dedication of formed tradition. He knew the words and he held the life of her husband: fast to the great formularies of our Church as they are, without glosses and unauthorized addi- TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF tions or subtractions; but he knew the love and A RIGHTEOUS MANthe life of which the words are only the symbols. He remembered his Master's words, "Not every- Who loved God. and truth above all things; one that saith unto me, Lord! Lord!" He joy- A man of untarnished honorfully said, "Lord! Lord! My Lord and my God." Loyal and chivalrous-gentle and strong- But he said the words with his life and .he vali- Modest and humble-tender and truedated them by love and truth and life. Loyalty Pitiful to the weak-yearning after the erringwith him meant not only assent to sound opinion Stern to all forms of wrong and oppression, but also the glory of an obedient will, a gentle Yet most stern towards himselfspirit, the love of the brotherhood, and the com- Who being angry yet sinned not. munion of the saints. Whose highest virtues were known only To his wife, his children, his Sl!rvants and the poor. But our words multiply beyond the need. It is Who lived in the presence of God here enough to sum all up in one word alone, "integ- And passing through the grave and the gate of death, Now liveth unto God forevermore.
AMERICAN YOUTH SEEKING The Lutheran News Bureau says, as the result of a recent comprehensive survey under- I taken by the National Lutheran Council in an effort to refute claims of waning interest: :. "Young men and women in American Churches today are demonstrating a broadening and deepening interest in religion. Distinct evidence is the fact that they are turning in ever-increas- ing numbers to the Church, swelling the membership rolls of the various youth organizations in a most remarkable fashion. National leaders of a few of the Church youth organizations report that membership and interest has fallen off to an alarming degree during the past few years, and attribute that decline to an over-strong emphasis on the social aspect of their groups.
Already, however, they announce plans to effect a complete reorganization with a renewed emphasis on the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the essential element of all Christian activity. They express confidence that this return to the fundamental purpose of the religious youth movement will create a thorough revitalization. Various youth groups have sought constantly to give primary emphasis to Christ and His Gospel. One organization reports a membership increase of more than 300 % during the past twenty years, and a youth leader of another Church states that 'during the year 1936-1937 we have grown faster than during any year since 1922. This is exceedingly encouraging since we have a very definite program built on spiritual values.'
"Stress the fundamentals of Christian faith; teach the regenerating Gospel of Christ; emphasize the challenge to decide on a life for Christ; instruct young people regarding the work of the Church and the extension of Christ's Kingdom; encourage Bible study; these ele- ments are basic in the programs of the successful; vital youth organizations and are offered as the only rules for success in appealing to the profounqest interest of young men and women.
"Evidence of the growing appeal of religion to American youth is the fact that attend- ance at their conventions-district, state, and national-is increasing rapidly. Bible camps, too, are gaining attention, and reports of activities during the past two summers indicate that it was impossible to accommodate the thousands eager to attend. Pocket Testament movements, Bible study groups, and various young peoples' service organizations have also developed and increased in significance during the past few years. Countless indications point to a renewed interest in the fundamental Christianity taught by Jesus Christ. There is a more vital interest in religion and the Church than we have had for some time."
Demands and Foreign
By the REV. CHARLES E. MADDRY, D.D., Richmond, Virginia ExecutitJe Secretary, Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention A FTER months of careful study and extensive and a host of pioneer missionaries have sowed the .l'" survey of mission work in thirteen coun- Gospel seed beside all waters. tries in which Southern Baptists have Then came the second stage of cooperation in work, we are more firmly convinced than ever before that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the growth and development of foreign work, the one and only hope of mankind. The funda- when the native Christian constituency and the mental missionary motives are eternal and un- growing churches worked with the missionary, changing. As long as the curse of sin and death under his direction and supervision. The sup- porting boards in the homeland still supply most holds the race in bondage, just so long will the of the funds for the growing work. During this good news of salvation be imperatively necessary period the missionary was the official pastor, di- for the redemption and restoration of the fallen recting head and teacher in schools, colleges and race. Man's need for a Saviour from sin has not seminaries. The work on the newer fields is still changed; God's love of the sinner has not changed; in this stage of development. and Christ's power and will to save has not changed. Everywhere in foreign lands, we have Now comes the third and most critical stage of the indigenous church in the development of the seen at close range the Gospel of the first century older mission fields. It is the stage when the miscoming to grips with the degrading heathenism sionary must step aside and work under a native and unspeakable sin and moral leprosy of the leadership. We have reached this period of de- twentieth century and everywhere we have seen velopment in South and Central China; in Japan; the Gospel gloriously triumphant. in Brazil; and in Argentina. The spiritual chil- The motive and the imperative of the Christian dren have grown up and we can no longer keep missionary enterprise are eternal and unchang- them in leading strings even if we wanted to do so. ing. But methods of doing missionary work in all lands, and especially in the older mission fields, Transition to Native Autonomy are changing rapidly. Weare now passing through a very trying and critical transition pe- This transition began in the older mission fields riod in mission work abroad; if we successfully of China twenty-five years ago, but only within pass this crisis, it is going to call for the most recent years has the tendency toward self-support, patient and sympathetic understanding and the self-guidance and equality become a blessed realmost Christlike compassion on the part of our peo- ity. Our Foreign Mission Board is ninety-one ple in the homeland and especially of our mis- years old and this has been the goal of all our ensionaries on the foreign fields. deavors. The business of a foreign missionary is to work himself out of a job, to turn over the Three Stages of Development established and expanding work to growing churches and responsible leaders, and then to There have been three stages in the growth and move on into new and unevangelized regions.
development of foreign mission work. There has been a mistaken tendency on the part First, there was the pioneer stage, when the of most mission boards and missionaries to linger missionary did everything and the supporting too long in the port cities and the older mission boards in the homeland paid all of the expenses. fields. It is always hard for fond and indulgent This period covered the work of Carey and J ud- parents to realize that children grow up and son in India, and of the hosts of other men and should be set free to work out their own destiny.
women, heralds and martyrs in all lands who That same attitude has sometimes been mani- wrought gloriously and triumphantly in this in- fested in the older fields. We are prone to linger itial and pioneer stage of foreign mission work. too long, like the early church, in the hallowed and They laid a good foundation and others have built blessed environment of Jerusalem, and we fail to nobly on this foundation. "The field is the world" realize the call of Antioch for a more aggressive [17 ]
and wider ministry of pioneer evangelism. We capacity and ability with any similar group in welcome with joy and deep satisfaction the fact America. that in many of the older mission fields we have now come to the third stage in our missionary pro- What part does the missionary play in all this? gram of development-the period when the work Well, it began with the Shucks and Roberts, and must be turned over to the native churches and it was brought to fruition by Graves, Simmons, the native leadership that we have won and and Greens, and in more recent years it has been trained for this very purpose. nourished and fostered by a host of younger mis- sionaries, men and women, too numerous to men- Some older missionaries are finding it difficult tion here. to readjust themselves to the new day and to accommodate themselves to the changed attitude of The same process has taken place in Shanghai the new and untried native leaders. The mission- and Central China and the same blessed process aries fear that the new leaders will make mis- is going on in North and Interior China, in Japan, takes, so that the work for which they have given in South America, and on our mission fields in the best years of their lives will be retarded. Of Europe. course, these younger and less experienced Christians will make mistakes and they will not always We are now in the critical transition stage in do things as we think they should. Yes, they will the development of our mission work in Brazil, make mistakes-many mistakes, almost as many Argentina, and Chile. On our recent visit, new as we have made. But they will never learn to agreements and new bases of cooperation were do, except by doing; however painful the ordeal, entered into between the representatives of the we must believe in them and trust them. We al- Mission Board and the National conventions. ready have some glorious examples of what our For the first time, nationals have been placed at young and ardent brethren and sisters in these the head of several of our colleges. There have mission fields can do, when they come to respon- been readjustments and reorganizations and new sible maturity and when we trust them and co- responsibility and support, much of which has operate with them. been assumed by the new and growing churches. The most heartening thing we found in South Native Leadership in Mission Lands America was the fact that many of our churches have come to full financial support and are now We have been at work in South China for a self-directing, self-supporting, and self-propahundred years and God has poured out his bless- gating. ing upon that work in a marvelous way. To those who have not seen it with their own eyes, it is The Missionary's Part almost impossible to convey any adequate conception of what God has wrought in these one hun- What of the future? Is there still a place and dred years. Twenty-five years ago the Leung- need for the foreign missionary in this time of Kwong Baptist Convention was organized. It has transition and readjustment. been strictly Chinese from the beginning and the missionaries had the grace and wisdom to adopt One thing has impressed us, as we have seen the policy and ideal of cooperating with and work- this trend. These younger Christians and growing under the native leadership. What has been ing churches greatly need the sympathetic underthe outcome? standing and loving counsel of the missionary. More than ever before, the missionary is needed Under Chinese leadership, and made possible for guidance and help in organizing the churches, by Chinese financial support, there is today a won- in matters of self-government, of discipline and derful organization and system of boards, com- doctrine. If the missionary, like John the Bapmittees, agencies and institutions equal to those tist, is willing to "decrease" that the native found in any land. There is a marvelous system churches and leaders may "increase," there is a of Christian schools, beginning with the kinder- greater need for his services than ever before. garten and running through the primary, middle school, college, theological seminary, and woman's Also in the matter of training a native ministry training school. There is a separate school for and leadership, there is a greater need than ever. blind girls, an orphanage, and a home for old peo- We can never send enough missionaries to evanple. There is a five-story hospital, owned, oper- gelize all the nations. Our supreme task in the ated, and staffed by Chinese. In the very center new epoch of missionary endeavor is to develop a of all this intense activity is the Tung Shan Bap- native ministry that will evangelize its own land tist Church with three pastors and twenty-five far better than we can. Therefore we are still hundred members. The leaders and directing going to need missionaries-many of them, to heads of all these institutions and agencies are teach in schools, colleges, and seminaries; we will humble and devoted Chinese Christians, equal in need missionary doctors and nurses; and men and women with gifts for writing, translating and creating worthy Christian literature.
But most of all, there is need for God-called
MODERN DEMANDS AND FOREIGN MISSIONS
and Christ-filled men and women who are willing The missionary of the future must be sound in to press out from the port cities and away from body. One who is not physically fit should not go. the beaten track; who are willing to break new We have recently set up a rigid and exacting ground and to do pioneer work in giving the Gos- standard to which every one must measure up, pel to the millions who have never had a chance undergoing physical, mental and nervous tests. to receive salvation offered by Jesus Christ. The missionary of the future must be thor- There are still millions of people and vast areas oughly prepared for service. He must have a that are as yet untouched by the Gospel message. good mind, adequately trained. It is sinful waste Whole provinces in China are almost without the of money to send out a missionary who is unable Gospel. Millions in Japan have never heard of or too intellectually lazy to master a native tongue. the God of love. Great tribes in Nigeria have been begging for missionaries for a decade, and we Most important of all, the new missionaries have been unable to answer the call. Seven great must be spiritually endowed. They must have the states in Brazil are still without any evangelical attitude of Jesus toward the lost and erring. If missionary. Only a beginning has been made in one has never been used to win souls to Christ in giving the Gospel to "all the world." the homeland, a mere change of residence to for- eign land will not make them soul winners. One Missionaries in the days ahead must press out who goes as a missionary to a foreign land, should into fields that are still unevangelized. The port be able to say with Paul: "For I could wish that cities are overcrowded with missionary personnel I myself were accursed for Christ for my brethwhile vast areas are untouched with the Gospel. ren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh." We need today missionary candidates with the The missionary must be one in spirit and purpose sacrificial spirit and holy devotion of the early with Jesus in his statement, "For whosoever pioneers. The call of the lost in the great un- would save his life shall lose it; and whosoever occupied places of earth have entered deeply into shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's our hearts and we are seeking for young men shall save it." and young women willing to go into these needy places and bury themselves for Christ's sake. Today, we must adopt new methods in mission- ary endeavors, but the missionary motives and The Missionary of the Future imperatives are unchanging for Jesus, the author and finisher of missions, is "the same yesterday, What type of missionary should be sent in this today and forever." day of changing methods in mif;sionary work?
ONE OF ISAIAH'S MISSIONARY MESSAGES The Book of the Prophet Isaiah is full of missionary messages, which fire zeal, faith and courage.
Isaiah 49 starts with "Listen 0 Isles!" and "Hearken ye people from afar!" It is His voice sending forth the news of the Gospel to all the nations, to the uttermost parts of the earth. Read the promise to the servant of the Lord. «I will also give Thee for a light to the gentiles, that Thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth." After enumerating many blessings of the Gospel, the prophet predicts that people from all parts of the earth, from all points of the compass, will come to Him-"Behold, these shall come from far: and 10, these from the north and from the west and these from the land of Sinim" (an ancient name for China).
This great and wonderful work of salvation which is going on before our eyes in the uttermost parts of the world, brings forth from the heavens and the earth, and the very mountains, a loud song of praise. It is all the result of the great love of Him whose love is beyond that of a mother's love for her babe. To assure us that He will not forget or forsake us, He says, "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." The word "graven" indicates the use of a sharp instrument, which carves deeply and permanently our names in His very flesh, as the sharp, Roman nails pierced the palms of our Lord's hands on the Cross. How can He forget or forsake us? The sacred work of engraving is done by God himself: "I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." The death of the Cross was entirely voluntary. Can we wonder that such a message attracts the millions of the ends of the earth, even to the jungle people, who sometimes do not seem to have the intelligence of human beings? Many fall down, love and trust, and worship Him. Those from the interior of the remotest isles and from the land of Sinim are "coming, coming, from afar!"
-The Pioneer (Celebes Islands). The Missionary Message for Today By PROF. JULIUS RICHTER, Berlin, Germany Editor of Neue Allegemeine Missions Zeitschri/tj Author of "Missions in India," Etc., Etc.
D URING the last twenty-five years there has uniqueness has been restricted so as to fit into the been a good deal of discussion as to the line prescribed by this or that philosophy of reli- essential content of the missionary message gion. Of course Christian messengers have al- and the methods of its application. The content ways to be on their guard against such shortcuts.
of the Gospel message was set forth in the great Battles have never been won by continuous com- declarations of the Lausanne and the Jerusalem promise or repeated retreats.
Conferences. Some will wish to add particular At other times the greater danger has been to doctrines of their Church, yet all will agree that emphasize particular points of the Message so the main lines are drawn distinctly. The central onesidedly that they were out of all proportion to content of the Gospel message may be expressed its body. Sects generally have the tendency to in two statements: stress their particular doctrines to such an extent First, that in the fullness of time God sent His and in such wise that the message unavoidably only begotten Son that, through His death on the becomes distorted and disfigured. The history of cros!s and by His resurrection, the new era of the the Christian Church and of the missionary move- world was inaugurated in which everyone of us ment is full of examples, such as Christian Sci- is offered justification by faith in Christ and re- ence, Mormonism, chiliasms of different kinds, ceives sonship in God's household. The whole uni- Pentecostal movements, or even disNnct doctrines verse looks forward to the consummation of the of the Church, the Apostolic succession, the sacra- Kingdom of God in glory. ments, or the legitimate offices of the Church.
The other statement is that all New Testament On the other hand the doctrine as an all round writings harmonize in their teaching of the new system of theology, with all its definitions and conception of God as our Father through Jesus scholastic determinations, is pushed into the fore- Christ. There is reinterpretation of the Old Tes- ground so that wholesale acceptance of a partament in the light of the Christian conception. ticular creed has seemed to be all that was asked Jesus the Christ is the Messiah of the prophets for and needed, obliterating the maj or issues of and His sacrifice on the Cross was for the consum- regeneration and of a full-orbed Christian life.
mation of His Kingdom. At the same time He By manifold exchanges and reapproachments lives in His believers and the Holy Spirit is the of the churches at home and abroad, by interde- pledge and guarantee of the divine life. The nominaNonal missionary conferences, by the ecu- Church is the spiritual body of Christ. The two menical movements, by a widespread missionary sacraments are baptism and the Lord's Supper. literature and by maturing missionary experience, We have remission of sins through the Cross of common convictions are growing and, as a re- Christ, and look forward to the resurrection of suIt, we hope that the dangers of adulterating the the body in spiritual form. However we formulate message in one or another direction will diminish. this belief we are able to reach an almost general A danger of a different kind which is becoming agreement. more and more apparent-it has always been There has always been a subtle danger either of present yet we have not always recognized it-is shortening the Gospel by pushing into the back- the radically different character of the Asiatic ground some beliefs which seemed to be at vari- culture religions which renders very difficult a ance with generally agreed upon convictions. The satisfactory approach and a full understanding miracle in any and every form has been an offence by those to whom the appeal is made. Let us to those who regard the law of cause and effect as choose those main religions to make our point the incontrovertible foundation of science. Any- clear. thing supernatural, or anti-rational was relegated Hinduism is a variegated group of religions; to a time when rational minds ruled supreme. yet in almost all of them the pantheism of the Comparative religion has seemed to prove that Brahman conception, the disvaluation of existence Christianity is only one of many religions, though by maya, and the robbing of life of any meaning of course the best and the most perfect. Its by the doctrine of endless transmigrations are [20 ]
THE MISSIONARY MESSAGE FOR TODAY
lurking in the background. Redemption appar- Deep thinking is necessary to understand the ently is the common aim of Christianity and of points of view of those other religions, to value Hinduism, but its meaning is radically different aright the enormous amount of pious meditation in the two religions. In Hinduism it means ceas- that underlies them; to estimate the gulf seping to e}Qist, in Christianity it means consumma- arating them from the fundamental facts and contion of existence. The situation becomes more victions of Christianity; to build a solid bridge difficult and complicated as, in the numberless of clear thought and sound religious experience sects and currents of Hinduism; the variations of across that gulf and to lead the followers of these the foreground and of the background of life are religions carefully and lovingly across. so illusive that one never knows exactly where one stands. The spiritual history of converts of But the question raised was quite different. It first-rate, like Nehemiah Goreh, would be tragic is this: Should the simple Gospel of salvation under this point of view but it is instructive and through Christ be the main content of the misshould be carefully studied by Indian mission- sionary message or should additional teaching be included along more complex theological lines, aries. church polity, social service and other Christian The situation is slightly different with regard obligations? To this question we give fourfold answer: to Buddhism though it participates in all the fundamental errors of Hinduism, pushing the doc- 1. Doubtless the Gospel message must be intetrine of transmigration a disastrous step farther grated in the life of the messenger and in that of by denying any continuity of the soul or any real- the Christian congregation has accepted Christ's ity of self. Splitting into many branches in Hina- message and is sending the messages. The old yana, and even more in Mahayana, Buddhism has Latin proverb is quite right: Vita clerici evanbuilt up a religious structure which enables its gelium popali – the life of the clergyman is the devotees to live on two different levels-there is Gospel read and understood by the people. That the radical nihilism of the sunyata doctrine of the is even more true in pagan countries where the absolute emptiness of the universe and the won- missionaries' homes have glass walls, open doors derfully pictorial imagery of the western para- and windows and are scrutinized carefully, or dise; there is the radical atheism of original Bud- even suspiciously, from morning to night. How dhism and the temples of the ten thousand idols; often one false move of a young missionary has there is the almost superhuman concentration of spoiled his work. It is the same with the Chrismeditation observed by hermits immured in lonely tian congregation growing up under the message. caves in the wilderness, and the blatant sacramen- They must "show forth the praises of Him who talism and sacerdotalism of endless religious serv- has called them out of darkness into his marvelices, prayer wheels, and readings of canonical lous light" (1 Peter 2: 9). They must shine as books by the weeks and months. It is as if a pil- lights against their dark environment. grim were walking through a wonderful paradise, yet a dismal abyss were lurking below engulfing 2. It is unavoidable that the missionary movehim at every step. How extremely difficult it is ment in all times has had its concomitants in faeven to stir up a feeling of that realism with re- vorable or unfavorable contemporaneous currents. gard to religion which is characteristic of Chris- In the three first centuries the six or seven orientianity. tal "mystery movements" were competing with the young Christian religion, all of them equally Or lOOK at Confucianism. Since the brilliant profiting by the decomposition of the traditional expositions of Professor de Groot in his famous religions of the nations within the Roman empire, book, "Universismus," we have become fully con- and by the awakened hunger after the living God. scious of the scope of law and harmony in the On a different plane in the Middle Ages, and again world, the same laws pervading nature and men, in the nineteenth century, Christian missions individuals and society; every trespass troubling were regarded as the outstanding exponents of the harmony having its punishment; sacrifices the highest civilization within reach of their misnecessary for the restoration of the cosmic order. sionary constituency. Such situations are rapidly On this basis, of course, the Christian conception changing; for older Christians it is astounding of the fall, of sin, particularly original sin, of re- how the background has shifted from the general demption by the cross of Christ, of a radical re- admiration for the "Christian civilization" of the casting of a lost universe in the consummation of "Christian nations" to the anti-white and antithe Kingdom of God – all these are considered christian currents of the present time. Christian utter nonsense. Yet how can we convince a well- missionaries need wisdom to keep in view the trained Chinese, immersed from early boyhood in fundamental difference and the dividing line bethe teachings of his classics, that his optimistic tween their Message and their contemporaneous world view is wrong and that the Christian con- concomitants; they dare not confound the ideal ception fully agrees with the real facts of life? of democracy with the Gospel of Christ. If they battle with a united front, they must always march Fourthly, the missionaries are conscious that separately, or the opposite. they are nothing more or less than the channels through which the Spirit of Christ is working in Thirdly, there are situations and conditions of our generation. Their deepest desire is to open misery and degradation against which Christian these channels by keeping their own lives pure, philanthropy cannot remain callous and never has to make them an effective testimonial for this been. If thousands of "untouchables" are losing Spirit. To remove all obstacles which block the their meagre means of existence by conversion channels and hinder the flow of the Spirit is the and baptism, the missionaries would be hard- main content of their missionary meditations and hearted if they were not on the lookout for means planning. of improving their disastrous plight. If the present Bolshevistic communism is offering the hope- In a ruined castle in South Germany I read an lessly impoverished masses of the East a worldly almost vanished inscription: Hic transitat Cmsar: Gospel of a happy classless state, with complete "Here the emperor entered." I was awe-struck, equality of social standard, Christian missions remembering the glorious time of the emperors would be on a lost track if they did not add to and what they meant to my fatherland. I felt their preaching of the Kingdom of righteousness, near to their ancient glories. The invisible insome broad-minded and forward-looking schemes scription over the door of all foreign missions of social help that visibly interpret their Gospel. reads: Hic transit Christ: "Here our Lord Jesus Missionaries cannot remain stolid in view of the Christ invisibly passes through the lands." Only sea of sickness and suffering, particularly if they in so far as all missions follow in His footsteps; remember that European vagrants, colonial in- only so far as missionaries, "with open face befluences, and world commerce have transplanted holding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are new terrible scourges and plagues, and that the changed into the same image from glory to glory, natives rightly would curse the Christian civiliza- even as by the Spirit of the Lord" is their work tion and its exponents, if the missionaries piti- owned by the Lord and produces eternal value. lessly look at their doom. He is the living, life-giving message for all time.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF MODERN CHRISTIAN MISSIONS 1. Modern missions have a more extensive geographic spread than missions in previous cen- turies, as well as contact with a much wider range of cultures and religion.
2. The number of kinds of Christianity propagated is very large in the modern era, because so many different communions are participating in spreading the faith.
3. In spite of the divisions of Protestantism there is very extensive cooperation between Prot- estant missionary forces.
4. Missions are almost completely divorced from the political policy of the lands from which they have come, in marked contrast to what was the common practice in previous cen- turies.
5. Missionaries are protesting as never before against the exploitation by their fellow coun- trymen of the people among whom the missionaries live. This is not to forget the work done long ago by Las Casas in trying to check the Spanish conquistadores. .
6. Missions have a much broader base of financial support, being participated in by a very large number of persons, as contrasted with missions in earlier times when they were mainly supported by the state, or by political or ecclesiastical magnates.
7. The large part played by women is one of the most distinctive features of Protestant mis- sions, women outnumbering men on the field, while at home women carry a large part of the burden of supporting missions.
8. The great number of social and humanitarian activities attached to modern missions is another very distinctive characteristic. Schools, hospitals, famine relief, agricultural improvement and cooperative societies are very common features.
9. The standard for admission to baptism is generally very high. Consequently there have been much fewer mass conversions than in previous centuries. Protestant missions have preferred to have fewer converts than to admit people who were not prepared for mem- bership.
10. Though there have not been many mass conversions there has been a great deal of "mass modification" of the customs and ethical standards of the countries where missions operate, much of such modification being due directly or indirectly to missions.-Prof.
Latourette of Yale University; International Review of Missions.
CROSSI:'-iG A PART OF THE, GREAT ARABIA:-I DESERT IN
Medical Work I• n Arabia W. H. STORM, M.D., F.R.G.S., Bahrain, Persian Gulf.
Missionary of the Reformed Church in America p MO,N,'G m,issionary statesmen, metho,ds of P,ro- In the following words the late Sir William claiming the Gospel are often indicated as Osler has well depicted the unique qualifications of direct and indirect. The direct method' a doctor: means the direct preaching of the Gospel alonl:i,) By his commission the physician is sent to the sick.
while the indirect method aims at reaching the and knowing in his calling neither Jew nor Gentile, bond people through education, healing, and various or free, perhaps he alone rises superior to those differ- ences which separate and make us dwell apart, too often philanthropic works, such as social uplift,,~ll oblivious to the common hopes and frailities which should bind us together as a race. In his professional relations, with varying degrees of preaching and personal though divided by national lines, there remains the feel- work interspersed. ' ','
Missionaries among Moslems are working witli ing that he belongs to a guild which owes no local al- legiance, which has neither king nor country, but whose the greatest social and religious system that has work is in the world. The Aesculapian temple has given evolved ,in the world since Christ. It is the place to the hospital, and the priestly character of the strongest opponent, today, of Christianity. Year physician has vanished with the age; still, there is with after year missionaries plod along using both us a strong feeling of brotherhood, a sense of unity, methods, of missionary endeavor with but little which the limitations of language, race and country have tangible results. The rock of Islam seems impreg- not been able to efface.
nable a.nd' the Christian Church remains asleep When to these qualifications strong missionary to its challenge. Everywhere among Moslems the zeal is added, the doctor then becomes peculiarly mi~sionary doctor has proved himself to be' a fitted for work among the Moslems.
most vaJifable asset in winning friendships and When we analyze our work as medical mis- thus making contacts for otJ:l.er workers ;,~()f br.eak~ sionaries, we ask ourselves the question; Is our ing down prejudice, opposition, fear, anQ super- task, i.e., the task of the medical people, dif- stition; of softening the fanaticism of heart and ferent from that of other missionaries? I think mind; and of opening up closed fields. it is the duty of everyone of us to first lay aside [ 23 ]
the mantle of his profession, and face the task It is too €asy for us medical people to say that in the light of all being first and foremost am- the evangelistic end of the hospital work is the bassadors of Christ. Our work is then what?' pastor's job. There ought to be the highest type In the words of the Master we read the Great of cooperation between the evangelistic worker Commission: "Go ye therefore, and teach all and the doctor, and, if in the hospital wards and the hospital clinics, and on tours, the evangelistic worker sees an opportunity to further his con- tacts and deliver the message of Christ, he should be encouraged. But in no sense does this l€ssen the responsibilities and duties of the doctor.
Let us look at our hospitals as a unit. What do they stand for in the community? Are they places where· medicine is given fr€e, and the doctor is some sort of Santa Claus doling out pills and salts free of char.,ge? Is it a competing insti- tution with other irtstitutions nearby? If so, I am afraid we have little excuse for existing. On the other hand, does it stand out clear-cut as a PASSING SOME OF THE BLACK TENTS OF ARABIA definite witness for Christ both in its ministry of nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, healing and its proclamation of His message? and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." If we cannot see in our hospitals this definite mis- sionary program, then in the name of all that is Our training has been entirely different, i.e., just, have we any right to POs€ as Christian misthe training of the teacher and the evangelist sionary doctors and nurses in a Moslem land? has been quite different from that of the medical person. The doctor can remove an appendix,. or Because of the extr€me isolation of mission stasew up a wound, while the preacher would find it tions in a field like Arabia, it is often necessary to extremely difficult; and vice versa, the duties develop one's own hospital staff. Native boys who. of the preacher and the teacher would be equally show an adaptibility to hospital work are trained.
hard for the doctor. Our applications must of necessity then be different, but is it not entirely true that we are aiming at the same goal and the same ends? What is this goal, and what are th€se ends? Are they not, in simple language, the giving of Christ as Saviour to the people among whom we work?
In the medical field, unquestionably, lies the op- portunity to show our training and our knowledge along medical lines. It is our job to teach, where- ever we can, the principles of hygiene. and sani- tation, and to do all in our power to lessen the spread of dis€ase and to relieve suffering; to put it into one sentence, to uplift the physical and social, and thereby the economical scale of the people among whom we work. Can we stop there and say that we have set a Christian exampl€ and thus take satisfaction in a job well done? In the name of social service, Yes; but in the name of Christian missions, No. Can we stop with the satisfaction gained by having done all we can to relieve human suffering among those with whom we have come in contact? We will have done a Christ-like service and given a picture of Christ in one of his most wonderful aspects. That is most worth while, but surely we cannot stop there.
We must link that s€rvice up with the real mes- sage and our real purpose so that the service and the one who serves will not overshadow the Christ whose ambassadors we are. DESERT URCHINS OF ARABIA
MEDICAL WORK IN ARABIA
Photo by W. Harold Storm A CLINIC HELD BY DR. STORM FOR ARABS OF THE DESERT By daily example of real Christ-like living among the medical and evangelistic points of view. Even those on whom he must depend for his assistants, when these women are interested in a Christ who the doctor has his greatest responsibility. If he would bring hope into their lives, they are forsets the proper example they will follow; if he bidden to attend church where they might hear fails they are in a worse state, for an ideal has more of Him, or if the evangelist is too zealous vanished. A daily prayer meeting to begin the she may find it difficult to gain access to the day's work, attended by all the staff from the women. And here is where the doctor is of utsweeper to the doctor where God's blessing on the most importance. She is too necessary to be forday's work is asked, and where everyone senses bidden to the houses, and so the way remains open the real purpose of the mission hospital, starts the for her to bring Christ into the harems. Even the day in the proper spirit and does much to win the most fanatical Moslem cannot remain too severely Moslem helper. The importance of a continuous antagonistic to the Christian through whom the Christian atmosphere among the hospital boys is life of a favorite wife or child is preserved. evident when' one realizes that they have even closer contacts with the patients than the doctor. In Moslem lands medical tours playa very large Inasmuch as they are natives they can enter into part in our work. The history of the Arabian an inner circle of thought that is well nigh im- Mission is indeed a history of medical tours. At possible for a foreigner to penetrate. A hospital first, tours were made along the coast, then inhelper in Bahrain who was an earnest inquirer land. In 1917, Dr. Harrison was called to Riadh and undergoing severe persecution, was on the and made the first inland tour to the heart of verge of throwing all aside. Because of the per- Arabia. Others followed reaching Taif near the sonal nature of these problems there was little Red Sea and Hail in the extreme north. Then, in that we could do for him except to show love and 1935, I was able to make a tour of 5,000 miles sympathy. One day he said to the doctor, "It is across the peninsula and around the coasts from love that has conquered me." Yenbo to Bahrain visiting all provinces. Thus medical tours have touched many parts of the Perhaps the most useful and necessary medical Arabian Peninsula. work in Arabia and among Moslems everywhere, is that done by the woman doctor. There are From a purely medical point of view and the scarcely any people more in dire medical need frequent discomforts it often causes the doctor, than Arab women and children, and there is also touring is far from satisfactory. But evangelistino work more difficult and discouraging both from cally, the opportunities are unlimited, and for making acquaintances among Arabs their worth
is invaluable. For example, we went to Jahara, taining the doctor and his friend? And so we all a village near Kuwait, unannounced, and in just gather around the coffee cups. a few minutes, despite the fact that we were at first told to go home, there had gathered sixty to I refuse to do more treatment and try to rele- gate myself as much as possible into the back- ground – a difficult and most essential part of every medical missionary's task. The evening clinic then belongs to my colleague. Conversation follows in a free and natural way. Invariably it takes a religious turn, for no one is more religious than our Moslem brother. In his mind several obvious comparisons are at work. He often asks questions. Why did the doctor come today? Why does he treat these people with love and kindness? Why do we not do the same?
He has seen the practical demonstration of the Christian message, and now it is our opportunity to proclaifu£the Good News to an interested audi- ence. Often we show them a beautiful picture such as the Good Shepherd, and follow that by reading to. them the Shepherd's story from the tenth chapter of John. Their Hfe is so wrapped up in their· desert and their sheep that this story registers with real meaning. They love to look and look at the picture. On into the evening we discuss together Christ as the Good Shepherd.
The mejilis breaks up and we retire to our rest under the bright stars of an Arab night. Our PUSHING OUR AUTO OUT OF TROUBLE ON ARABIAN TOUR seventy men. Some we treated with the few med- THE FAMOUS MINARET IN TARIM, HADRAMAUT icines we had brought along. Then they listened to the story of the prodigal son. We left; the casual hearts are thankful that God has given us this observer might say, what is the use of all that opportunity, and our prayers are, that His Spirit trouble? But in two or three days, four or five may speak and work in the hearts and minds of people came into the hospital as in-patients. One our Arab friends. man nearly dead from scurvy and malnutrition was brought in on a donkey the whole twenty miles and we were able to save his life. While he was an in-patient he saw for the first time in his life Christ's love in action.
The method which I have found most satisfactory in presenting the Gospel story to my Arab friends is itinerary village work.
There are many ways in which to carry out village tours, but this way is most effective. The evangelistic worker and I go to a village together. We start out in the late afternoon after the heat of the day has subsided. Immediately upon arriving a crowd gathers upon the shady side of one of their date stick huts, and I hold a clinic. We then eat dinner with one of the villagers. Following the meal, as is customary among the Arabs, they all gather together for coffee and to exchange the day's news. Our host's mejilis (meeting-place) is most popular. Is he not enter-
Bible and the Koran
By the REV. E. W. G. HUDGELL, M.A., Port Said Egypt Secretary of the British and Foreign Bible Society I T WAS a hot afternoon in Cairo. A young mis- him. This "having the mind darkened" is a fair sionary was wrestling with the grammatical reflection of the spiritual state of such men. As perplexities of the Arabic language. His for a copy of the Koran finding its way into the teacher, an Egyptian with a Western education, hands of an unbeliever (i. e., a non-Moslem), that, was patient and sympathetic. too, is generally looked upon with disfavor.
"English is a better language," he remarked. Reverence for Scripture "Why do you say that?" asked the astonished student. There is found in Moslem lands a reverence for "Because," was the reply, "with English you what may be termed "Holy Scripture," i. e. an read in order to know; but with Arabic you know authoritative book, divine in origin and an infalin order to read!" lible guide. This reverence may be regarded as Here is a fundamental difference of concept in exaggerated; but it exists. Not only do Moslems regard to the function of language. An equally display such reverence towards. the Koran, but deep cleavage of opinion exists between the Chris- many of them also include the Holy Bible. tian view of the function of the Bible and the Here is one case out of numb~rs that are re- Moslem view of the function of the Koran. The ported from time to time. "While 1 was waiting Christian will approve when he hears it said, "A for a train at the station, a Moslem approached Gospel is the best tract." For a tract is meant to and in a low voice asked for a Bible. 1 at once be read in order that a man may come to know- opened my bag and handed him one. He took it, may come to know his own sinfulness, his power- looked up towards the sky and said, 'Thanks be to lessness to help himself and "the loving-kindness Thee, 0 Lord, for sending me this Bible.' Then of God our Saviour" who provides a way of sal- he kissed ~t, enquired the price and paid it saying, vation from sin and furnishes men with the power 'I have lived all my life in sin, and have been a to live according to His will. great man only in doing evil. But a year ago a It is this view of the Bible-the view that it has man like you gave me a Gospel according to St. a divine message of its own apart from human John. 1 laughed at him for giving me such a expounding-that a man by reading it may come book, told myself that it would do me no good, and to know the message as .one for his own soul- put it in my pocket. One day while 1 was sitting which led Charles Spurgeon to ask the indignant alone, 1 took it out and began to read it from the question, "Defend the Bible? 1 would as soon beginning. 1 found it very interesting and went think of defending a lion! Let it out! It can take on reading until 1 finished it. Then 1 read it again care of itself!" and again. 1 asked Christians about the things 1 did not understand, gave up the bad things 1 It is this profound faith in the efficacy of the used to do, and became a new man. 1 believe in Holy Scriptures that is the motive that leads the Bible Societies to promote the widest possible dis- Christ that He is my Saviour, because He loved tribution in all languages, in all lands, in all sinners; and 1 always speak with my Moslem hands. brethren about Christ, so that they call me, in our Not so, however, is it with the Moslem and the village, the preacher of Christ.' " Koran. He believes that Arabic is "the language This respect for the Bible on the part of Mosof the angels" and regards it as blasphemous to lems is due in part to a passage in the Koran which translate the Koran out of its original Arabic into says, "We also caused Jesus the son of Mary to any other language. It has been done in some follow the footsteps of the prophets, confirming cases even by Moslems themselves; but only into the law which was sent down before him; and we five or six languages in all; and the .attempt is gave him the Gospel, containing direction and not generally regarded with favor. Such conser- light; confirming also the law which was given vatism towards the language of the Koran leads before it, and a direction and admonition unto to the unedifying spectacle of a Bengali, for ex- those who fear God; that they who have received ample, struggling to memorize it and to repeat, the Gospel might judge according to what God parrot-fashion, words which have no meaning for hath revealed therein." (Sale, "The Koran," p. 79.) [27]
This seemingly favorable passage is somewhat The literary Arabic is much the same in all nullified by one immediately following it: "We countries where Arabic is read, but the colloquial have also sent down unto thee the book of the differs widely from country to country. In Egypt, Koran with truth, confirming that Scripture for example, a request for "leben" brings milk aR which was revealed before it; and preserving the it is commonly understood; in Palestine, the same same safe from corruption." request would bring loppered milk. So great is the disparity between the colloquials of Egypt and PILGRIMS BOUND FOR MECCA Palestine that a scornful maidservant in Jeru- salem once remarked of the writer, "He can't This superiority ascribed to the Koran over the speak Arabic; he can only talk Egyptian!" Law and the Gospel is interpreted to mean that it has superseded them. What little favorable testi- The Bible Societies strive to make use of the mony the Koran does give to the Bible is appealed atmosphere of reverence for Scripture found in to and used, with mutual respect, when the Bible Moslem lands. "They find, on the other hand, obis offered to Moslems and is made a reason for jections to the Bible and seek for the right antelling them that they ought to read it. Often the swers. They also endeavor to surmount the reply comes: "The Bible is for Christians and barriers of colloquial speech by publishing Bible the Koran for Moslems." portions in different varieties of it. The Arabic Bible in literary style, that enduring monument The answer to this objection is, '''The Bible is to the careful and scholarly labors of two great the Word of God; and God means His Word to American missionaries, Dr. Eli Smith and Dr. C. be for all men whether they be Christians or Mos- Van Dyck, is firmly fixed in estimation of edulems or Jews." cated people, and circulates throughout the lands -South America, North Africa, Western Asia, Two Kinds of Arabic Arabia and the East Indies – where Arabic is It ought to be made clear that there are two read. Its potential outreach to people is greater, kinds of Arabic, literary and colloquial. The two perhaps, than that of. the Bible in any language are so diverse as to be almost different languages. save English. The importance of this can hardly A confident graduate of a Western university, be overestimated. But to those of little learning who had studied literary Arabic during his col- it is laboriously difficult to read and often uninlege career, arrived in Cairo and set out at once telligible. For such, therefore, there is a growing alone to buy a few necessities at native shops. His volume of pUblication in the language of everypolished periods, however, produced only uncom- day life, natural and easy, flexible and unstilted. prehending dismay in the faces of the shopkeepers. None of the necessities were produced The chief usefulness of these colloquial texts at until he was rescued by a passing friend who present is for reading aloud to small gatherings could chatter away in "the vulgar tongue." of the illiterate, especially the women and girls whose education is considered of little or no im- portance ! They also find some acceptance among Jews – of whom there are thousands in North Africa and Egypt, to say nothing of Palestine- who, although they may have some knowledge of Hebrew, yet do their trading in Arabic. A col- porteur reported recently, "I entered a Jewish shop where there were three men and began to read aloud to them from the Psalms in Egyptian colloquial Arabic. I noticed signs of delight on the faces of all three. Each of them bought a copy, and one of them added, 'If the Bible Society had not taken the trouble to publish this transla- tion, the Bible would have become to us but a venerable antiquity.' "
Problems of Distribution The great problem confronting the Bible So- cieties in Moslem lands is that of distribution. How can we get the books into the hands of those who can read, and especially those who are not Christians. There are some favorable factors in the situation but the unfavorable ones and the
THE BIBLE AND THE KORAN CONTRASTED
prejudices against the Bible are stronger far than Indeed, he does; and indeed God can through those for it. Illiteracy is general. It is useless to the Word! Several colporteurs are themselves dump books on people who will not and cannot converts from Islam.
read them. Under such circumstances the only For Ohristian Minorities hope of success is to pick men carefully for the personal work, train them in their task, and su- Christians are a minority in all the Moslem pervise them constantly in such a way as to allow lands except in the Republic of the Lebanon, of them freedom of spirit, while maintaining the which Beirut is the capital. It is necessary to level of their spiritual life and business efficiency. Such a ministry by a Bible Society agent forms a have lived with a Christian minority to appreciate very real "cure of souls." That it is done, is not known, as a rule, outside Bible Society circles- "the reproach of Christ" and what a shame (soand not always even within them! But it is done, and it produces results. It gives the colporteur cially) it can be to be a Christian. There is, morean honorable vocation. He is no longer despised over, an impalpable and silent but yet very real as one who has become a colporteur because he is fit for nothing else! "Ambition should be made pressure exerted on the soul by the presence of of sterner stuff." When once the colporteur real- Islam in the mass, and by the spiritual deadness izes that he holds an honorable place among the workers for the Kingdom of God, he gets the right and dryness induced thereby. If this is felt by ambition-the most unselfish and uplifting ambition in the world-to be boundlessly ambitious for missionaries from the West, with all their spir- God. As a Syrian colporteur observed, "I am itual advantages, how much more will it affect the happier at selling a man a Bible than at anything scattered native Christians! There will often be else I know." That same man spent his holiday but one or two Christian families in the whole of last Christmas Day in selling Bibles because, as a big Moslem village. Their lot is hard; for nothhe said, it was a good day on which to offer men ing is quite so cruel and inhuman as "religion" the story of the birth of Jesus. They are drawn without the boundless love and compassion of from many walks of life-weavers, tailors, boot- Christ. A visit from an itinerant Bible seller is makers, carpenters, farm-hands. Many of those often a God-send to people in such a case. Three in Egypt owe their education to the American cases have come to light in recent months where Presbyterian Mission-the largest in the country. such visits, accompanied by the reading of the Bible aloud, have slerved to keep back lonely Chris- What do these men accomplish in Egypt during tian men from apostatizing and denying their an average year? The American and British So- faith. One was in Trans-Jordan, another in a country village of the Nile Delta, and the third in Alexandria.
No less than 80 % of the population of Egypt is afflicted with eye-trouble in one form or an- cieties, both of which are at work in the country, other. It is imperative, therefore, that the Scripemploy about 32 men. The population of the tures should be constantly available in large, bold country is a little less than 16,000,000, of whom type. For those who have quite lost their sight about 1,000,000 are Christians. The total circula- and have to read with their fingers, the complete tion of the two Societies combined, in the year Arabic Bible is published in Braille type and fills 1935 in Egypt, was just under 152,000 books. 32 volumes. Each volume costs an average of In Syria during the same year the total circula- $1.25 to produce, but is sold at a flat rate of the tion of the two Societies amounted to nearly equivalent of 371;2 cents. Where poverty is too 34,000 of which the.colporteurs were responsible deep to raise even that much, a gift is made upon for the sale of 24,000. In Iraq the colporteurs the fulfilment of certain reasonable conditions.
sold nearly 12,000 books out of a total circulation "Drops of water hollow out rocks," albeit they of 15,600. It is not too much to say that the col- take a long time over doing it. Drops of the Water porteur is the backbone of Bible-work in Moslem of Life are being poured onto stony hearts. It lands. They themselves recognize the importance takes a long time to produce appreciable results.
and significance of their work, as is shown by the Who, in view of the method and the problem, following incident. would expect anything else? But there is an ex- A colporteur offered a Bible to some Moslems hilaration, an inspiration, sometimes even an ex- who were sitting in a shop. citement about keeping the drip constant-week "Are you a preacher?" one of them asked. after week, month after month, year after year.
"No," was the reply, "I am a colporteur." Here and there, in individual lives, there shows "Beware!" said another man. "This man is sufficient success to encourage-to counteract the worse than a preacher who speaks and goes away. gloomy entry, "Sold, and no result." Who knows?
This man leaves a book that is able to convert the Keep the drip constant; the results are in God's Moslems !" keeping. Christian Morale in War–Torn China By REV. FRANK W. PRICE, Shanghai Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S.
TETTERS from all parts of war-torn China re- from a well-known Christian educator and church- L veal a marvelous spirit of faith and courage. man in Nanking. He was still carrying on his The Chinese nation and people believe that work and his wife and children were still in the they are fighting a "war of independence" against city, in spite of 65 air raids between August 15 military aggression and oppression. Although and October 20.
weaker in material equipment and arms, China is "The growing interest and sympathy in Amer- strong in purpose and the people are ready for ica at present is in large measure the direct result every necessary sacrifice to win the ultimate vic- of efforts put forth by many friends China has tory for freedom. Missionaries in China are al- among your people. The American sense of jus- most unanimously in sympathy with China's cause tice and humanity is a rich source from which and believe that one of their great contributions will come a strong moral support that will nerve at the present time is to help maintain the morale China in her struggle and hence will bind the two of the people. Chinese Christian leaders are ris- peoples in closer and more solid friendship so as to ing to the emergency and are doing their part protect effectively the peace of the world. . . .
heroically by carrying on their regular work or "China has finally been compelled to defend her- special work in the face of great dangers and by self. She is now staking her all on the tremen- a devoted ministry of relief to the wounded and .dous task of breaking the yoke of oppression, and homeless. This work is winning praise on all of securing the right for independent existence.
sides. These are most terrible days that China has to go Four representative statements, out of a large through but she is quite prepared for the sacrifice.
number received within the past month, show how In no struggle has there ever been a more perfect missionaries and Chinese Christians are bearing example bf spiritual forces against the material.
their witness in this greatest crisis of China's China is opposing an enemy many times better history. armed than herself. It is a wonder that the Chi- lo Christian educational institutions. The fol- nese army has been able to meet the onslaughts lowing statement issued on September 24 by the and hinder the enemy's progress. We cannot forefaculty of Cheeloo· University, situated at Tsinan, cast the duration of this life-and-death struggle, in Shantung Province, is typical of what the but we are convinced of the determination of the Christian schools in China are saying and doing Government and people not to stop short of the in the war situation: achievement of an entire and independent national "The faculty realizes that the time may come existence. The present warfare has done away when heavy bombardment or the approach of the with the distinction of front and rear, of military invading army will make it seem wise for the re- and civilian, of combatant' and non-combatant.
maining faculty and students to scatter. It is The whole nation is bleeding; those who are not important for everyone to understand that such bleeding in flesh are bleeding in heart. The air- a contingency, or even possible destruction of raids make us feel glad in a way that we are shar- some of the buildings, and loss of equipment, will ing in the sacrifice of the nation."
not destroy Cheeloo. This institution consists not 3. Missionaries. Rev. Ronald Rees, secretary so much in land and bricks and tile, as in tradi- of the National Christian Council in China, writes tions, in its records of work, in loyalty of staff and of the changed situations and new opportunities students and alumni, in reputation and support facing the missionary. Speaking of the great mi- in many countries. These things are not easily gration from the coastal provinces to the interior, destroyed, and, from them, if necessary, Cheeloo he says: can rise again, whatever may be in store for her "Northerners have gone on to Sian, Hankow, buildings in the immediate future." Changsha, and many of them on farther. Gov- 2. Chinese Christiq,n leaders. The following ernment and educational organizations are estab-, paragraphs are taken from a letter just received lished now in Hankow, Changsha, Chungking. I [30 ]
CHRISTIAN M'ORALE IN WAR-TORN CHINA '31
think we may expect to see the tide rolling on to that would be heard above the din of battle strife Szechwan, Kweichow, Kwangsi and Yunnan. and reach every member of our home church.
"What effect will these movements have on the "Weare witnesses of the heroic sacrifices and people of China and their future? In the first sufferings of the people to whom we have been place ordinary men and women (not only stu- sent, in their determined oneness of purpose to dents and intellectuals) are conscious as never preserve at all costs their national existence and before of a national emergency and its cause. freedom against a powerful and inhuman military Secondly, national unity is being extended and machine. The bravery of the Chinese soldiers deepened by the common bond of suffering. In commands our admiration, and the patient en- the third place, the intellectual leaders of China durance of the ordinary people stirs our sympathy had been chiefly in the coastal provinces. Many and desire to help. But more than this, we are are now going far inland, perhaps for an extended touched by the turning of the people to us for period. The modernizing and westernizing proc- comfort and encouragement in this darkest hour ess is bound to be hastened in central and west- of their national history.
ern China. "Our Chinese friends in all walks of life were "The people staying in the coastal provinces are bewildered by the very suggestion that all mis- going to need the most tender and faithful sup- sionaries might be withdrawn from China. They port. So, also, those in the northern provinces could not see that it was necessary, and to them torn away from the main body and under foreign it looked like a flight. We have lived and worked (and probably ruthless) domination, if the experi- with them through peace and famine and pesti- ence of Korea and Manchuria means anything. lence and civil wars, and now at the moment of But the center and west of China are going to be their extreme national peril they still look to their open in new ways, for there the heart and mind Christian friends to stay by them and meet what- of China may be centered." ever may come. Their Christian leaders have said The following messages are taken from groups this openly, and innumerable individuals have of Southern Presbyterian missionaries whose said so privately to their missionary acquaintwork in Chekiang and Kiangsu has been acutely ances, and the faces of multitudes express their affected, to their home church. From a group at satisfaction at seeing their foreign friends carry- ing on as usual. Tsingtao: "Our work is slowed down, not stopped. Prac- "When we see these things we are profoundly impressed with the potentialities of these troutically all our churches and institutions are carry- blous times. We are now faced with the greatest ing on in one way or another through the faithful crisis that has ever confronted the Church of cooperation of our Chinese fellow-workers. The Christ in this land. The Chinese word for crisis outlook for Christian work in China at the out- is made up of two words, "danger" and "opportubreak of hostilities was unprecedented. The peo- nity." We are not blind to the dangers, but we are ple were more friendly and open-minded than at thrilled at the thought of the opportunities before any previous time. There was a steady stream of accessions to the company of believers and the us. We appeal to you for your loyal and faithful churches had made marked advance in church support as we face these dangers and opporconsciousness and self-support. They, too, were tunities. getting a fresh and inspiring vision of our obli- "This is not a time to quit, but supremely a time gation and opportunity. . . . At a time like this to stand by. On all sides we see stores with the the influence and opportunity of the missionary fronts boarded up as a protection against bombs who shares the sorrows of the people and com- and bullets, but with the sign on the door, "Busiforts and counsels is greatly enhanced as com- . ness as usual." As Christians in the business of the Kingdom, this should also be our motto. God's pared with ordinary times." work must not and cannot stop."
A group of twenty-three missionaries in Shang- These letters reveal the intrepid missionary hai, many of whom were going back and forth to spirit in China now. their stations in or near the fighting area, wrote as follows: 4. Chinese appreciation of Christian sympathy "With the resounding explosions of bombs and and support. In many ways government leaders shells, the hum of airplanes, and the rat~tat-tat of and the non-Christian public have expressed their machine guns in our ears, constantly reminding appreciation of the stand taken by missionaries us of the struggle to the death in which this be- and Chinese Christians. On September 27, the loved country of our adoption is engaged, we a China Press, a Chinese-owned daily newspaper in company of twenty-three of your missionaries the English language, published the following edi- temporarily in Shanghai, amid all the confusion torial under the title "Christian Loyalty": and misery around us, would fain send a message "Christian missionaries in China have ignored
their government's advice to seek personal safety. being confronted with danger. It might be easy They have been urged to leave their posts and for them to ask their governments to extend a concentrate in sectors from which evacuation paternal hand and deliver them from destructive under the protection of their national forces may forces, and yet to do so would be unchristian and be comparatively easy; and they have preferred unworthy of their Lord.
to remain in this war-torn country with their "Admittedly, the Sino-Japanese war must come Chinese fellow-Christians, unafraid and un- to an end sooner or later. While the missionaries daunted. must look after the present, they cannot ignore the future; By deserting at the first sign of dan- "The action of the missionaries has doubtless ger, they might betray the confidence reposed in been prompted by a sense of duty toward their them by the Chinese converts; by remaining toevangelical cause and toward their fellow men. gether with the converts, they would surely earn To God they have pledged to march onward as undying goodwill as well as affection and lay the true soldiers of the Cross, and to their fellow men foundation for a greater claim to Chinese support they have professed to bring a divine message of in the years to come. goodwill and spiritual comfort. At no other time is the spirit of the true soldier more manifestly "Devotion to a cause, be it Christian or otherbeing placed on trial, and at no other time does a wise, presupposes the willingness to sacrifice. war-torn race stand in more need of the benefits Unless the missionaries were, as they are, preof Christian goodwill and comfort. pared for sacrifices at any cost, it would be hypocritical to talk about devotion, and to claim "It would be highly disloyal to God and to man devotion from others. if the missionaries were to pursue the line of least resistance and withdraw from the field in which they and their predecessors have labored "The firm resolution of the missionaries to ful- so arduously to espouse the cause of the Gospel. fill the demands of the Christian movement in "As the Son of God, Jesus could have asked for China has already won the admiration of the God's hand to stay the Crucifixion, but Jesus the Chinese of all classes, irrespective of their per- Christ remained, to the end of His mundane exist- sonal beliefs. The challenge of Christian loyalty ence, the Saviour of men by giving His life and has never before been more severe, and happily shedding His divine blood for the redemption of it is being met in a true Christian spirit-a spirit man's sins. of which all followers of Christ may well be "The missionaries in China today are, no doubt, proud."
A PEACE HYMN FROM JAPAN Out of Japan came a peace hymn twenty years ago, written by William Merrell Vories, of Omi Hachiman. It is now in the Hymnal of the Presbyterian Church in Japan.
Let there be light, Lo.rd Go.d o.f Ho.sts, Give us the peace o.f visio.n clear Let there be wisdo.m o.n the earth! To. see o.ur' bro.thers' go.o.d o.ur o.wn, Let bro.ad humanity have birth! To. jo.y and suffer no.t alo.ne; Let there be deeds, instead o.f boasts! The Io.ve that casteth o.ut all fear!
Within o.ur passio.ned hearts instill Let wo.e and waste o.f warfare cease, The calm that endeth strain and strife; That useful labo.r yet may build Make us thy ministers of life; Its homes with Io.ve and laughter filled!
Purge us fro.m lusts that curse and kill! Go.d, give thy wayward children peace!
The author founded the Japanese "Omi Brotherhaad," described as "an experiment in establishing the Kingdom of God in the province of Omi, Japan." It has come to be one of the most significant demonstrations in Japan of the Kingdom of God, a combination of business and missionary activity. The architectural department supervises and builds more than fifty structures a year. A publicity department prints books and periodicals. Two factories are operated. They are agents for Mentholatum and other products. The church is composed of four nationalities from nine different denominations. It has overcome the difficulty of getting Koreans, Chinese, Japanese, and Americans to work together harmoniously. Effective educational and medical work are also carried on and. good moving pictures offset the influence of vicious films.
A Miracle-Happy Lepers in
_.~I By R. M. WILSON, M.D.* I Missionary of the (Southern) Presbyterian Church 1 __ __ ~~=-~-===~~==~==== ~~~-J FOR over thirty-five hundred years leprosy has case of erysipelas. After two or three weeks this been considered the most hopeless of all dis- subsides, the fever drops, and then the patient eases, incurable, a curse; yet within the past begins to improve. twenty-five years it has become amenable to treat- In treatment an important thing is to clear the ment, and there is hope for lepers. We may call patient of intestinal parasites, malaria, syphilis, it a miracle, for so it is. or any other complication. Food is an important The Korean has no such view of it. He calls it part of the treatment, as well as exercise and Poong or the "Great Wind." He believes it is a keeping busy so as to occupy the mind. Sand curse from heaven. In desperation some Korean baths in the hot sun, as well as swimming, are lepers even eat human flesh, which they have been parts of the treatment; the daily hot, soapy bath told is a cure. Lepers in Korea taste of the bitter is important.
dregs of life. They are driven here and there, Our colony is as busy as a beehive, for all who sleep in culverts and caves, and often fall down can stir about must do their part towards caring before us saying, "Save a dead dog." So, coming for their gardens and raising pigs, rabbits, or into our beautiful Leper Home they soon find the some other form of the extra food needed in their great Christian hope and abide in its joy. treatment. Blind Pak passes his days by making Our leper colony is a little world in itself. The straw rope, and he can earn three cents a day, lepers have their own mayor and town govern- about our usual wage in the colony. Mr. F. E. C.
ment, and manage most of their own affairs, Williams of Kwangju has been a great help to us meeting annually for the election of the councils in training the lepers to a more scientific farming.
and officers. We have trained thirty who do most He comes every fall with a Korean teacher, and of the medical work and in the future this train- their classes, held for one week, mean a great ing will be an even more important part of our deal. An annual fair is held in the fall when task. Formerly we gave such men a general med- their crops, pigs, rabbits, and produce of other ical course, but now we confine a student to one kinds are displayed and prizes given. line of work; otherwise, some will run away and One of the worst wind and rain storms in years practice medicine! A man named Insune is the struck our colony last year and did much damage, head of the group of thirty. He makes rounds mostly to the roofs. The American Mission to and writes prescriptions; yet he was once one of Lepers sent an emergency fund of one thousand the most advanced cases we had. Another lad dollars at once, which about covered the losses. does most of the simple surgery-amputations of One of the queerest observations I ever made feet and hands. Two boys' time is fully occupied among lepers was when I came upon a man with filling prescriptions. One gives all his time to the sole of his foot in his lap. With a large npedle intravenous injections of glucose, calcium, sal- and thread he was sewing up a great crack in his varsan, and the like. Last year 6,206 of these foot. He had to do this about once a month, he were given, and 65,000 injections of chaulmoogra said, for sand and dirt would crowd in and in- crease the size of the wound. It was about like oil.
Very fortunately the chaulmoogra oil is not sewing up a baseball! very expensive. A pound costs about thirty-five A recent study of our seven hundred lepers cents and will treat a case about thirty weeks. For those who take it by mouth the cost is more showed some curious facts which will give an idea because the dose is larger and taken daily. The of their suffering. In answer to the question, oil apparently has a direct effect upon the bacilli. "What relative of yours was a leper?" sixty- Quite often when a case starts the treatment, one replied, brother; forty-five, father; thirtythere is a severe reaction, as though it were a bad eight, mother. Two hundred and twenty said they had lived with lepers; ten, that they thought they had gotten the disease from a leper's house; two • Superintendent of the Soonchun (Korea) Leper Colony aided hundred and twenty-nine said that lepers lived by the American Mission to Lepers, Inc., 156 Fifth AVe'. , New York, N. Y. in their village as neighbors.
[33 ]
"
As to the first sign of the disease, three hundred feet; two, arms; twenty, legs. In three hundred and fifty-nine saw it in their lower extremities, and sixty-one cases the vision was good, and in and two hundred and twenty-seven, in their arms three hundred and forty-one it was impaired.
and hands. Their chief suffering is from neuritis, Thirty-four had lost both eyes, and twenty-six, and four hundred and thirty (more than half the one eye.
colony) had it at the time of our study. Two The fact that four hundred and three are bap- hundred and eighty had ulcers, mostly on the feet; tized Christians and one hundred and fourteen in one hundred and forty-one were unable to do any the catechumen class shows that Christ is strong kind of work. As to recovery, two hundred and among them. Many of the others are new Chris- fifteen had slightly improved, two hundred and tians, but it takes about two years of study and sixty-six had greatly improved, and twenty-three testing before they are fully admitted to the had grown worse. One hundred and seventy- church.
three stated that the dead spots in the skin had It is a joy to see these wretched, sick, hopeless improved. Two hundred and forty had lost creatures recover and become happy, healthy fingers; two hundred and fifty-nine, toes; eight, Christian citizens of the land.
When Korean Preachers Illustrate* -<Ef I By th, 10" F. S. MILLER of Cho,," I!J;.- T HE illustrations Korean preachers and teach- not come and have lunch with us?' The yangban ers use let in the light not only on their sub- felt insulted by being asked to sit by the roadside jects but also on the inner workings of their and eat with coolies, and gave them a gruff reply. minds and hearts. "Several years afterwards, when the reformed Pastor Yune, speaking of mutual helpfulness: government had come in and the yang bans were "Two beggars came through our village, one was deprived of their especial privileges of living by a deaf and dumb woman and she was leading a oppression of the common people and by extorblind man. Both had happy, contented faces, tion, this yangban, like many of his fellows, was and seemed to get along together well enough. on the verge of starvation. One day he passed the same farmer and his hands, eating by the "Now, if the man had kept abusing the woman roadside. How good that white rice looked; those because she did not tell him .what she saw and she pickles made his mouth water. He hoped they had abused him for not telling her what he heard would ask him again to sit down and eat with they might have lived very unhappily together them but, remembering his former rebuff, they and have sought a divorce. As I observed them I ate in silence, not even saluting him. Going a thought, 'That is the way forbearance with each little further on, he felt so weak from hunger and other's weaknesses makes a couple happy.' the grinding of his stomach that he had to stop and sit on the bank of the stream. How he re- "In the leper asylum you will see those who pented of his former pride and oppressions!" have hands helping those who have none and those who have feet using them for those who are foot- *** less. Each of us has his peculiar gifts, let us use them for those who lack. Let us not despise the Deacon Pak, speaking of God's love for us sinhelpfulness of the weak; the bread and the fish ners, said: "One of the Christians in Seoul had did not belong to a full-grown man." five daughters and one son. One afternoon the youngest daughter wandered off. At two o'clock *** the mother discovered that she was missing and started out to hunt for her. Long after dark she Elder Song, pointing out the danger of pride, found her outside the East Gate. used this, "There was a proud yangban, gentleman, in a village who passed a group of farm- "When the father was returning at sunset, tired hands eating their lunch by the roadside. The and hungry, some neighbors told him of his loss. farm women had brought out a large gourd full So he turned back up the street and searched for of boiled rice, bowls of pickled cabbage and a her till eleven o'clock. When he returned home bottle of soy sauce. and found her safely restored, he wept for joy with his cheek against hers, saying, 'If we had "The coolies asked, out of politeness, 'Will you • From The Korean Mission Field.
WHEN KOREAN PREACHERS ILLUSTRATE
not found you we could not have slept tonight. from her parents-in-law and for the present of bread for her parents she thought she would take Thanks be to God.' . three pecks of rice. As she sat down in the sedan chair she thought, 'This rice, in addition to my "If a working man with five daughters and a own weight, will be heavy for the chair-coolies.' So she placed the rice on her head and carried it son to support by his labor could so rejoice over there all the way, instead of laying it at her feet. We are just as foolish when We carry our worries the return of his smallest daughter how easy it is instead of placing them in God's keeping."
to conceive of God's joy over one sinner who *** repents." When speaking of the way Christians lose their consciousness of the presence of the Holy Spirit *** in our hearts, Pastor An said, "An old man and his son were going to Seoul and lost their ticket Speaking of thankfulness, Leader Yi told of a on the train. The conductor said he would come through again and told them to keep up their pastor in Fusan who was returning from making search. They hunted through their clothing and baggage and scolded each other. Finally the son calls and heard the sound of suffering coming opened up his underclothing and there in a secret pocket, wrapped up in paper, he found the ticket. from under a bridge. He listened and heard a When you feel you have lost God, do not search the heavens above or the earth beneath, just look voice asking that God would send a Christian to in your own heart."
help the sufferer. Looking down, he saw a leper *** with one foot almost gone. When he spoke kindly Helper Kim told how he had been asked to hold revival services in a church. He started to do so to the leper the diseased one asked, "Are you a and they fed him the poorest variety of rice and lent him no covering for the night, so he could Christian ?" "Yes." On hearing this the leper neither eat nor sleep and spent the night in prayer for the church. The next day, praying for began praying the more earnestly as he thought strength, he went on with his instruction and ex- hortation and, though they did not improve the his prayer was answered. rice, they gave him a thin and unclean comforter. Again he was too cold to sleep but went on with The pastor hastened home and told the Chris- his revival services, with the result that the peo- ple relented and fed him on good rice and supplied tians to collect and send food and warm clothing him with plenty of bedding. As usual, it was not that they did not have the goods, but that they to the leper as he was on the point of departure lacked the grace.
for North Korea to lead some revival meetings in He went on to say that it is not always the Pyengyang. During the meetings he told the story of the leper praying under the bridge.
Someone in the congregation, without giving his or her name, placed forty yen in the collection plate marked, "For the leper." Others, hearing of the gift, contributed more till they had enough to send him to the asylum.
When the pastor visited the asylum after that, the joy, peace and thankfulness of this leper touched his heart. Leader Yi went on to say: "Thankfulness is not in the place and circum- stances of the person. Jesus was thankful under the reign of a Herod or when lying in the stern of a little boat in the midst of a storm."
*** Lay pastor An, telling how useless it is to worry, said: "A young woman in our village was preparing to pay her first visit to her own home LIFTING UP JESUS CHRIST There is a theory, held by some, that Jesus of Nazareth was only an extraordinary man, a Palestinian Socrates, a Galilean Francis of Assisi, a first century ethical teacher, a Jewish prophet, a lofty spiritual genius, the founder of a new religion to be ranked among the other religions of the world.
In reality Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life. He is the door. He is the bread of life, and the water of life. He is the vine. He is the morning star. He is the light of the world. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the resurrection. He is the eternal Word. He is the only Saviour from sin. He is God manifest in the flesh. He is the image of the invisible God, the effulgence of God's glory, and the very image of His substance. He is the foundation of the Church, and the head of it.
If any pastor, who feels that his ministry is futile and that his church is losing ground, will exalt the living Christ in his life and his preaching, he will be a winner of souls.-The Christian Observer.
worker who brings revival to the church; some- because it is the beginning of a new cycle. The times it is the church that revives the worker. eldest son usually provides a feast for the parent. There was a woman in a church who had lost her zeal and activity. Her son had gone to Japan to The church people, seeing how sad and lonely find work and when her sixtieth birthday came she was, gave her a better feast than her son could there was no one to provide a feast for her. The have done and she received such a revival from sixtieth birthday is the greatest one in a lifetime this kindness that she became an active worker in the church and well repaid them for their love.
Distributing Bibles to Russians By REV. 1. V. NEPRASH Executive Secretary of the Russian Bible Fund T HE Soviet Government gave permission ten from the police, that meant suffering and financial years ago for the printing of 50,000 Bibles losses to' the Believers, the work of distribution and 50,000 New Testaments under the aus- was organized and 19,966 New Testaments and pices of the Russian Bible Fund. The writer was 2,300 Bibles were distributed to those who wished asked to secure the necessary money and a con- them. Five courses for workers were conducted siderable amount was subscribed in America. daily for about 300 pastors and evangelists. Six Part of the program was carried out when, with- hours were given to instruction in the study of out warning, the Soviet Government cancelled the the Bible, how to organize a church, how to bring permission, and the remaining funds were kept in men to Christ and on the spiritual life of workers. America until there should be opportunity to use Every night large evangelistic services were held. them for the purpose for which they were given. With the help of the pastors, the program of dis- tribution was worked out in detail and it was de- Since Russia is still closed to any Bible distri- cided to give the Scriptures to unbelievers only, bution, the Committee in charge of the fund de- to those who are unable to pay and only to those cided to use the money to make the Scriptures interested enough to read the Book. available to Russians scattered in many places throughout the world. Many were stranded in The distribution was made through Believers foreign lands after the War and when the Com- who, with every copy, gave a testimony concernmunists started a drive for the extermination of ing the Book and the Saviour. the educated Russians, hundreds of thousands fled for life and are now scattered in various parts of One month was spent in Poland, where there the world. are several million Russians and Ukrainians. Services and conferences, with courses for work- Some Evangelical Christians organized the dis- ers were conducted. About 15,000 copies of the tribution in China, Manchukuo and Japan and the Bible are being distributed through the Believers. writer took up the work in parts of Europe where there are large settlements of Russians. Six Danzig proudly calls itself the "Free City." months were spent in Czechoslovakia, Roumania, About 2,000 Russians are in the city and its prov- Poland, Lithuania, Germany and France. The ince. Practically all belong to the former intelresults of this evangelistic work are far beyond ligentsia and many are unemployed, leading a expectation because of the spiritual hunger of the miserable existence. Their hearts are over-burmasses of exiles. dened with the situation. Much sympathy is ex- pressed for Jews who leave Germany and have Eastern Czechoslovakia is populated by over nowhere to go, but there is no mention of almost half a million of Carpathian Russians. Having 2,000,000 Russians who, persecuted by Commurecently traveled in seventeen countries in various nists, had to flee their homeland and have lost parts of the world, I have found nowhere such everything after seeing their relatives massacred poverty as among these people. The Scriptures for no other crime than that they were educated. were received most eagerly. Why is sympathy so one-sided? It seems that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only remedy to heal The eastern province is called Bessarabia, and the wounds. A Russian priest in Danzig was is a Russian province under the Roumanian flag. grateful for the Scriptures offered his poor pa- Three months were spent there with most gratify- rishioners. ing results. In spite of continuous interference
DISTRIBUTING BIBLES TO RUSSIANS
Lithuania is a comparatively small country with crossed himself to express his gratitude to God over 75,000 Russians scarcely touched by the Gos- and almost embraced the writer. pel. Two thousand copies of the Testament are being distributed as a start. When a bishop who has 185,000 in his care was offered the Scriptures, he asked suspiciously: In Germany we found complete freedom for preaching the Gospel and the spreading of the "Why do you do it?" Christian Scriptures. The writer answered that he had been an atheist and was converted through the study of In France there are between 300,000 and 400,- astronomy but had found this a wrong way to go. 000 Russians and about 80,000 are in Paris. Serv- He now knew that the shortest way is through the ices were conducted there every day, two on Sun- Scriptures and so devotes his life to their disday, in the opera house Pleyel, in the center of tribution. the city; they were well attended and the pres- "Through astronomy, you said? Please tell me ence of God was evident. Former colonels, gen- how it happened," begged the bishop with insist- TRAINING RUSSIANS TO BE EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN WORKERS One of Seven "Courses for Workers" conducted recently in different countries of Europe.
erals, doctors, professors, singers, leaders in the ence. When the story was told all suspicion disfinancial world, ladies of society, brought low by appeared and kindness, almost reverence, took its circumstances, listened intently. place, together with gratitude for the books.
The Russian missionary work in France and When a book is given by us to a Russian, it is Belgium (with her 3,000 Russians) is well organ- taken with the suspicion that it may be a sectarian ized. A Gospel periodical is published and 15,000 book, but when the copy comes from a bishop it copies every month go to Russians in all parts of is received as a holy book, is read with confidence the world. A campaign for the distribution of and believed. New Testaments has been begun and from 5,000 to 10,000 copies will be distributed, for the most Pray for the many thousands of New Testapart through individual Believers. In some cases ments and Bibles being distributed throughout the the clergy of the Russian Church are also ap- world, that they may bring a hundred-fold harvest proached. When a priest in Czechoslovakia was for the glory of God. Without God's blessing, the offered copies of the Scriptures for his parish- books may remain only printed matter, or be deioners he gratefully but hesitatingly asked for 100 stroyed; but through the influence of the Holy New Testaments and 50 Bibles. He did not know Spirit they may become a Living Word in the where to obtain the books. When he was asked hearts of the readers and lead them to Christif he would be willing to distribute copies among the Giver of a new Life of which these Russians non-members of his congregation, he gladly are so greatly in need because of their experiences agreed. When 250 Testaments were offered he of the past and hardships of the present, with no hope for a better future.
Youth Looks at
By CHARLES D. HURREY, New York Secretary of the Committee on Friendly Relations with Foreign Students .r-. AMERICA is in the spotlight. World youth is American the Chinese are laundrymen and con- watching us. They are visiting us, criti- sumers of chop suey and chow mein. We have cising us,and praising us. maligned the Japanese as sly and deceitful. For "You Americans are making us go faster," said most of us, the Filipino is still a tree-dwelling a Syrian young man, "but are you making us grow savage. When young Americans are asked t.o de- better? You can .organize gigantic industrial cor- scribe India, they give inordinate emphasis to porations, build skyscrapers and subways, but you caste, famine, and tigers. Our fear of entangling cannot write anything comparable to the 23rd alliances with Europe perpetuates the popular im- Psalm or the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians." pression of the French as gay and irresponsible, "You Yankee Americans built the Panama the British as lordly and "high hat," the Germans Canal, but how did y.oU acquire the Canal Zone?" as warlike, the Italians as "dagoes" and the Rus- was the disturbing questi.on put to me by a bril- sians as bewhiskered and red.
Iiant Latin American student. "You imperialistic To offset these weird and unfair judgments we people of North America think of us Spanish need to discover an that is best and beautiful in Americans as a backward people to be exploited others, and to reveal our best to visitors from for gain; you are not willing to meet us as com- overseas. If I could have my way, the schools of rades on a cultural plane." America would be visited frequently by cultured In far-off Australia some are saying: "You are spokesmen from the Orient, Europe, and Latin rapidly becoming a nation of law-breakers; you America. Our youth should be thrilled by the art condemn banditry in China but daylight holdups and musk and literature of other lands. More- menace your metropolitan areas." over we should receive in our homes, clubs, and The youth of Asia attack our color prejudice churches, these guests of culture and refinement.
and racial discriminati.on. They say: "You Fortunately, our college communities are fa- preach brotherhood but you practice injustice; vored with the presence of over 8,000 students you frown upon the caste system of India but you from all parts of the world; sons and daughters lynch the American Negro. Champions of liberty of high officials and business men abroad are now and freedom, you grant n.o Asiatic the rights of mingling with our youth on the American campus.
American citizenship." With alert and open mind they are studying our European 'youth likewise looks us over. "Why civilization at close range. don't you let us run our own affairs?" says a German youth. "Why do you think you are called On the brighter side, here is how they size us upon to be the moral leaders of the world?" up: British youth declare that we grant degrees to "You are a generous people; vast millions are generous donors to our colleges, who have achieved no academic standing. given annually to education, charity, and religion, not only at home but notably abroad. Your cham- "It is not the business of a student to be work- pionship of public health has overcome contagious ing in factory or harvest field," observes an Ox- disease and has enriched life for all. Under your ford student. "It is the business of a student to leadership warfare is waged against poverty, disbe a thinker and to think things through. You ease, ignorance, and crime in the Orient and Latin have achieved only mediocrity in music, art, and America, as well as within your own borders.
literature because in your devotion to popular edu- "Your technique intrigues us; how you do cation you fail to recognize superior talent and things fascinates us. We are here to discover the ability." secret of your gigantic achievements. After all, If these judgments seem harsh and unfair, let this is a land of opportunity, democracy still pre- us remember that we have brought them upon vails, and the people are free to say and write ourselves by maintaining an attitude of aloofness what they think. Here the humblest can rise to and superiority. Have we not thought of Mexi- the highest position in the land, through sheer cans as bandits and bull fighters? To the average merit and hard work.
[38 ] "Darkness is dispelled throughout the world AWAKE, YE CHRISTIAN MEN and mighty forces are placed at man's disposal Words copyrighted by George A. Brown, Elyria, Ohio. Tune-St. Thomas. S. M. by Aaron Williams. because of the inventions of Edison and other Awake, ye Christian men, Americans. We see you victorious in your strug- Behold the world today; gle to master the machine rather than be mastered Great multitudes, like scattered sheep, From God still go astray. by it. Through labor saving devices you are on Come, with a spirit stirred, the way to release men and women from drudgery Obey your Lord's command; and to set free their spirits for contemplating Pray Him to send forth laborers To ev'ry waiting land. eternal values." . Present your gifts to Him, Youthful eyes from every land are upon Amer- Your ·silver and .your gold, ica. What shall they see? Without our effort But,first of all, yourself He asks, That He your life may mold. they may not discover our best, but may drift Go forth, .ye Christian men, into our worst. The preservation of the noblest Proclaim His name abroad, ideals of American youth depends upon the con- That sinners, far and near, may come. To know the Son of God. servation of our Christian character and at the He gave His life for you, same time we must preserve the heritage of beauty His precious blood He shed; and truth possessed by our youthful guests from Serve Him who saves you by His gracet The Church's living Head. afar.
From the standpoint of the development of the Christian world community, no body of young people offer such opportunities as do the foreigtl students in America. If tactfully approached and enlisted in the work of the Christian churches throughout the United States, these young people will become the equivalent of as many foreign missionaries upon returning to their native lands.
TWELVE BASIC FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL AS A BEVERAGE Whereas the income of people in the United come alcohol addicts; that is, they can dis- continue the practice only at the expense of States has increased 51 % in the past five years, grave discomfort and disturbance. 8. Of those who do not become addicts, the mathe gifts to benevolences have decreased 30% and jority suffer degenerative changes in the the amount spent on alcoholic drink has increased organs and in the vascular and nervous sys- tems. over 300 %. Is it not time we considered the in- 9. The traffic in alcohol is productive of waste, crime, and social deficiency. The social fluence of intoxicants on health and character? burden is comparable only to that of war The following facts are given by investigators: and disease. 10. The alcohol custom and traffic are rooted 1. Alcohol is an irritant, depressant, narcotic deeply in physiological, psychological,ec~ drug. nomic,social, and political motives. .The problem is allied to nearly every other prob- 2. It deprives the tissues of oxygen, hinders the lem, being at once cause and effect. ! functioning of every organ and endangers health by decreasing the efficiency of the 11. The social good can be served only by policies body's defense mechanism. which look toward a diminishing cortsump- tion of alcoholic liquors. Any policy with 3. Alcohol suppresses the higher controls which this purpose and result is acceptable; any are the products of moral and social teach- other ·policy is morally wrong and socially ings, thus causing. disharmony with the disasterous. modern environment. 12. Prohibition of the liquor traffic, by aligning 4. By its effect upon the central nervous system, all of the powers of government against the alcohol slows the reaction time, causing the habit and the traffic, has served the social deaths of thousands of men, women, and good better than any other policy so far children on our highways. tried. There may be better ways of dealing with the liquor traffic and the drinking cus- 5. It decreases physical effidency, impairs the torn; they have not yet been demonstrated. value of mental effort, and disturbs the psychology of the individual.
6. Alcohol is a habit-forming drug. A constantly increased quantity is required to produce a given effect. 7. Because of this habit-forming characteristic, three persons of every ten who drink be-
NEW GUINEA NATIVES HAVING A DANCE FESTIVAL ON A COCOANUT PLANTATION NEW GUINEA PAPUANS AT HOME-PREPARING FOOD
A PEACEFUL SCEKE IN A PAPUAN VILLAGE IN NEW GUINEA, MANDATED
New Guinea Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow -..a{ I By R. R. HANSELMANN I ~- ~==============================~ SLOWLY the wild and unknown spaces of the after the bitter experiences of the pioneers, the world are disappearing. Soon it will no present ten thousand white men are reasonably longer be possible to find a land that mission- safe and comfortable. The one quarter million aries, trade and international politics have not natives of this area have not accepted Christianity penetrated. Outside the polar regions there are as a mere veneer, but have experienced a rebirth but few unexplored areas, and the largest of these of varying degree. The native is pathetically is the vast tropical interior of New Guinea, an anxious to live like a white man, and to imitate island continent much of which is still shrouded both the good and the bad, so that one cannot pre- in mystery, dict the future of the race.
Throughout pioneer days patriots and empire In speaking of the native of yesterday, we mean builders, energetic fortune seekers and zealous the primitive man as he still is in his undisturbed missionaries, were called upon to display a hero- savage life. Possibly a million would be a eon- ism and self-sacrifice perhaps unparalleled in the servative estimate of the population. These naannals of history; and many brave and worthy tives are partly Caucasian, partly Mongolian, lives were as seed planted in the ground, after- with a little Ethiopian blood. Their features are wards to bear the fruits of civilization and right- not as outstanding as the Negro's; their skin is eousness. On a sixty- to eighty-mile border around in various shades of chocolate brown. The men New Guinea, the Christian religion and civiliza- are tall and sturdy, even the pygmies being husky, tion have established themselves securely, for but the women are very small. Men wear tapa [41 ]
cloths and the women grass skirts. Having an promise assistance or protection. When making aversion to water, the primitive man wallows in a new garden, sorcerers are called to drive infilth; fights to protect his clan; cultivates the land sects away. Certain shrubs are planted to attract for food (sweet potatoes, taros, yams, greens and rain and warmth from the sun. Daggers or arrow points are suspended from tree limbs to ward off evil influences. For fighting, hunting, fishing, courting, indeed for every step of life, some sor- cerer plays a role, and each one demands re- muneration. Especially in sickness and death, fear of unseen realities bring terror to the primi- tive man. Gruesome methods are used to scare the captive spirit from a limb or body, and when death comes the whole village laments. In their wailing, they extol the deceased, and try to justify all their past unkindnesses toward him. The widow covers her body with clay to protect her- self from her husband's soul which seeks to snatch her soul away. Suicide is committed, not out of despair or despondency, but out of revenge, for the belief in the power of the departed soul to do evil is real to the man of yesterday.
On the other hand, life in reality is a life of lust. There is nothing to curb desires. The only CANNIBAL PAPUANS CHRISTIAN PAPUANS TODAY (Church Erected by American Lutheran Mission.) bananas); raises pigs, dogs and chickens; and manufactures his own implements and clothing.
Each tribe speaks its own language. The theory is that private contentions caused many separations, and as each ostracized group survived and developed, their language underwent many changes. Unwritten languages are not static. Some tribes suffix their verbs, others prefix them. The irregular verbs in the Amele language number over six hundred. The rules of syntax are almost the opposite of ours. Interpreters that can speak two or three languages are very rare. Their strange melodies reveal an odd rhythm. War and love songs, dance music and mothers' chants are melancholy, like funeral dirges. Fear and superstition leave their indelible traces on the soul, as the weird music bears witness.
Fear of the life hereafter, superstition, and faith in sorcerers make the native of yesterday the most miserable creature on God's earth. A spirit of love and goodness is unknown. By sacrifices or efforts to delude the spirits the natives seek their safety. certain spirits are believed to have their habitation in caves and mountain peaks. There is no trespassing of these premises, and if accidentally or unknowingly entered, fear, or auto-suggestion, would soon claim its victim. The belief that a spirit or enemy may assume another body or form, such as a crocodile or shark, is common.
As animists they seek refuge in sorcerers who
NEW GUINEA YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW
check is the sense of the welfare of the clan, and discover the reality of our God." After years of that is frequently at the expense of the individual. swaying forward and backward, suddenly it is Whatever the majority of the clan decides, the seen that the Holy Spirit has created a new heart, individual accepts. Gluttonous feasting and im~ new desires and lives are changed. After a thormoral dancing carry in their wake physical ough Bible course of two years' instruction, large wrecks. As no primitive tribe has been found that classes are baptized, and out of the night of darkunderstood the physiological phenomena of life, ness and the struggle with the unearthly powers our natives have their erroneous ideas. The girl of evil, children of light and of God arise. to be married is supposed to be a virgin; so rightly we speak of the morals of a primitive people as So it comes about that in the native of today one high, but we must add only in certain respects and sees brighter countenances; cleanliness in private that is due to ignorance and superstition. On the and public life; a lighter rhythm is felt in newly other hand the primitive man is found to reach composed music. Every event and problem of life the very lowest depths. is discussed in the light of God's Word. Public censuring of sin and congregational discipline are We see in the native of yesterday a truly ra~ realities. Church services are crowded, and daily tional human being, imbibed with a spirit created devotions bear witness that religion has com- SOME NATIVE :lEW GUI:lEA GIRLS IX THEIR M'ODERl': DRESS by God, living in constant danger of war, ensnared pletely gripped the masses. A different spirit is in a fearful superstition, given to live a life of astir. There is now no fear of evil spirits; the lust, covered with dirt and groping for a miser- blessings of civilization are self~evident realities. able existence, with the definite doom of falling Baptism becomes a custom. into Satan's hands. But there are influences that pull the other way. But we are thankful to say that many have been The indentured labor system takes the young men saved by the power of the Gospel. This has meant into different surroundings for three years. Over many years of careful, tactful, prayerful work and 33,000 young men are employed by white men, a fierce struggle between God and Satan. The absorbing the virtues and the vices of the white stationing of young Christian native men in bar- man. The native has had no time to adjust- himbaric areas, where in the beginning they are not self to the new mode of life. But always a nucleus called upon to teach and preach, but to live a in the church prays and works to overcome the Christian life, is an effective method, and calls evil influences. for the choicest vessels of God. The devil knows what influence these Christian riatives will exer~ Looking into the future, one sees either a promcise, and he tempts them to the utmost. Every ising nation, or the remnants of a dying race. Bible story is told with this appeal: "Tryout and Clouds are now threatening on the horizon. The Oriental world is making gigantic strides, and
whether New Guinea will remain in the white morrow can be helped to adjust himself to changed man's control is an open question. Japan has re- conditions, a new nation may develop, but if he ceived a lease for an immense area in Dutch New cannot acquire the proper psychological equilib- Guinea. Sea shell poaching between nations is rium, he will succumb. In any case, mission work waged like a little war. White population is in- in New Guinea has a glorious future. The Gospel creasing rapidly. Land is acquired, commercial must, and will be brought to this uttermost part enterprises enlarged, and there is an ever-grow- of the earth, and if the Lord's Word and prophecy ing demand for native laborers. Civilization, find fulfilment with this task, then may the end with its blessings and evils, comes into closer and come. Let us be found doing His will and workeasier reach of the natives. If the native of to- ing while it is day.
A Revival in East"Africa By LUCILDA A. NEWTON, Mabuki, East Africa Missionary of the Africa Inland Mission T HE long prayed for revival seems to be unheard of in this territory. But at our station, breaking upon Tanganyika in such power Nera, the powers of Satan seems to be stronger that it is completely changing the lives of than ever. Perhaps it is because here are gath- ered all the future leaders of the work in the Bible both black and white people. It began in our school and pastors' institute. But the Lord can conquer Nera. Already we have felt the Spirit's Africa Inland Mission teachers' institute in July. power in the giving of His Word such as I have never known before. What years of wasted ef- The native leaders received a real filling of the forts we put forth without His power. In these days, since we have really come to know Him as Holy Spirit, and this spread from them back to the never before, He is bringing us to see the power of His resurrection life. There is a stand of faith white missionaries until half of the Tanganyika where that resurrection power can be continu- ously at work against the enemy. force are so changed that their lives are hardly We feel that this reviving is a preparation for recognized by those who knew them two months something ahead. There is a fellowship of His sufferings that is awaiting us, but we do not know before. The Lord did not pass me by but has the details. With the ,Lord doing such a definite work in our midst, how we need grace, how we wrought such a new work in me that I can truly need humility and continued yieldedness. We feel the Lord has done all of the blessed work of resay that "henceforth I live, yet not I, Christ liveth viving and we cannot take ourselves out of His hand-but we can grieve His Spirit by pride and in me." He has so completely revolutionized my self-sufficiency.
home life that we now have complete unity in the things of the Spirit, whereas for a year we had only misunderstanding. This is happening in the lives of many. We have faith to believe that the work will not cease until every worker has been brought into this relationship with God, through the Spirit. '
We hear from a number of stations that rou- tine work has been put aside and daily souls are coming for prayer and to seek the Lord. It is ANCIENT KINGDOMS IN AFRICA Few people know of the existence of two native kingdoms in the heart of Africa, Ruanda and Urundi, which for centuries had each a line of hereditary rulers. Musinga, now de- throned, was the last of the great heathen monarchs of Central Africa, and in his day had exercised the power of life and death over all his subjects. This power was taken from him in 1916. The two kingdoms are now governed by Belgium under mandatory powers.
The Ruanda General and Medical Mission was founded by the Church Missionary Society. For its work it must depend entirely upon voluntary support, whereas Roman Catholic schools are in receipt of large State subsidies. The Mission has seven stations and nearly fifty mis- sionaries. Each station has its ordained English missionary and its doctor. The native evan- gelists and teachers number about 800; adherents are probably about 30,000 to 40,000. Photo by Mr. and Mrs,. Martin Johnson 'OLD SCH'O'OL AFRICAN WARRIORS-WITH THEIR WARDRUMS NEW SCIJ'O'OL AFRICAN WARRIOR-C'OLP'ORTEUR AT BIBLE DEPOT. KHART'OUM '~ Effective Ways·· of Working r 'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO SUGGESTIONS FOR THAT No.4; "There.'s too much ml;t- New Philadelphia, Ohio, writes "NEW LEAF" chinery! There's too much ma- this Department as follows: chinery!" Do not be content with the Beside our Missionary Society proprogram of activities or the at- No.5; "Women are not inter- grams, and those of the Guilds, we tainments of 1937. Every liv- ested in missions anymore! intend having a School of Broadening ing thing must grow; even a Women are not interested in Horizons – for the children's groups change to a fresh plan in order missions anymore!" during the church worship hour; and to whet the appetites of the for the young people's and adult membership is well worth while. No.6; "No one reads mission- groups during the B. Y. P. U. hour. The material this month is of- ary lIterature anymore! Noone We expect to have one missionary fered to furnish enlargement reads missionary literature any- prayer meeting a month for eight patterns for pastors, Sunday more !" months. Four will be on the Moslem School workers and leaders of World and four on the Rural theme. both adult and junior missionary No.7; "Women are seeking It is surprising how much there is groups. As a keynote, read this honor only for themselves! available for interesting programs digest of a clever skit given at a Women ate seeking· honQr only when one begins to cast around. For meeting of the Methodist women for themselves!" the rural programs I expect to have of the Cincinnati district, at three progressive rural pastors, all Lakeside, Ohio, last summer: Indignantly the leader says: graduates of college and seminary, "They can;t do this to our new alive to present-day problems, come A Study in Ghosts program! Can't somebody quiet in and speak on such subjects as Co- them ?" operatives, Problems of the Rural The leader of a meeting, out- Church, and the Rural Home of Tolining the new plans for the At this seven women from the day. A stereopticon lecture on Colcoming year, was disturbed by audience rush up and reply for- portage Work will complete the Rural confused talking and groaning cibly, in turn. Each objecting programs. I find that within a radius behind the curtain to her rear. ghost repeats her phrase upon of thirty miles are living several mis- She said: being asked what is the matter sionaries on furlough. One is from with her, and is answered in in- Cairo, one from northern India "Somebody seems to be mak- dignant terms: (where the Moslems are strongest), ing a fuss back there. Will one and one from Nigeria. I am asking of you please go back and see "Others are doing this. . . . them to speak especially on their conwhat it's about?" There must always be a first tacts with the Moslems in these widely time for everything," etc. separated fields. I hope to have a According to prearrangement, moving picture on the Mohammedan a member of the audience looked As each ghost is told, in her topic complete this series. behind the curtain and said, turn, to "begone!" she slinks off, looking furtively behind, and the Your suggestions in the M,ISSIONARY "There's a whole group of the sixth speaker says: REVIEW OF THE WORLD are invaluable, queerest looking people back and I am looking forward eagerly to there. I think you'd better see "You're nothing new-you're forthcoming issues. them." all ghosts of creatures dead long ago." These kindly words of appre- The curtains are opened re- ciation are passed along to the vealing seven ghostly figures As the last ghost repeats her constituency, whose materials, in (sheeted and with faces cray- cry that women seek honor only the main, are used in our departoned) , writhing, t w i s tin g, for themselves, the leader looks ment. wringing their han d s, and up and says: groaning thus: Christian Youth in Missionary "Dear Christ, can it be pos- Action No.1; "It can't be done! It sible that this is true of many of can't be done!" us ?" She closes with a prayer Under this challenging title, of repentance and consecration, S. Franklin Mack, authorized by No.2; "We never did it be- while groans continue behind the International Committee of fore! We never did it before!" the scenes. Religious Education and in co- operation with the Missionary No.3; "It costs too much. It This scene is very forcible. Education Movement, has writcosts too much!" Try it. ten a pamphlet for the series is- sued for young people using the A Pastor Includes the Men United Christian Youth Move- ment literature. Rev. Rodney C. Gould, pastor of the First Baptist Church at [46 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
The pamphlet in question out- duce, we have usually come to use for Rally Day. Another was lines "what individual young a home mission play, 'The Mispeople and young people's socie- the end of the course rather sionary Barrel,' found in a colties can do for missions." It exhausted and wondering how lection of mission plays pubgives a brief survey of the voca- much we had accomplished. . . . lished by MacMillan; and tional aspect of missions, with a another was a foreign mission summary of the qualifications With all of our efforts, most of play called 'The Dawning of the required of the missionary of our churches are giving mission Morning,' published by the Abthe future. If your young peo- ingdon Press. ple are not already enlisted, by study to the very people who all means arrange a rally at the "Besides this program in the call of the pastor, Sunday school need least to be worked with, Sunday school we gave three superintendent or the Woman's while few of the great majority Wednesday evening services and society and present the cause in of people whose outlook is cold two Sunday morning church the most forceful way possible. or indifferent to the mission services to various phases of It is suggested that Mr. Mack's causes can ever be dragged to mission interest. leaflet be reviewed as an intro- the classes. ductory feature, and that talks "We found that the people follow on the sub j e c t s of "Last fall we decided to put manifested a spontaneous inter- "Friendship Frontiers – What mission study into the Sunday est in this mission program. We Are They?" "How Does One school. We carried on the reg- used no urgent methods to get Stake a Claim?" "Presbyterian people to come. Yet every de- Leagues That Work," "Maga- ular work of the school, every partment in the school began to zines and Program Booklets," class studying the Bible lessons_ have increased attendance. . . . and the "Youth Budget." Al- More men were reached with ready it is reported from a va- but we also found considerable mission study than ever before riety of sources that missionary time available for mISSIOns. by our church. giving has increased noticeably Class periods were lengthened since the adoption of the plans ten minutes, with the under- "By conducting our mission outlined in the pamphlet. standing that each teacher would course as we did, we accom- spend the extra time in giving plished s eve r a I worth-while For this material and other information missionary information. All achievements. One was the natwrite The Missionary Education Movement, uralness of approach to the mat- 150 Fifth Ave., New York. teachers were supplied with lit- ter and the effectiveness of the erature, properly graded accord- education given on behalf of the For Pastors and Sunday ing to departments. mission causes. Another was School Superintendents the discovery that mission edu- "We also arranged special cation provides a remarkably Rev. William Crowe, Jr., pas- missionary programs for united elastic technique. We believe tor of the First Presbyterian that we have only begun to Church of Bluefield, W. Va., assembly periods that lasted discover the possibilities for wrote recently in The Presby- from thirty to forty minutes delightful entertainment and terum Survey regarding his pas- each. These programs were de- attractive study offered by this torate of a similar church in signed to make as popular an method. Still another accom- Talladega, Ala. His article plishment was the unexpected (adapted) is as follows: appeal as possible. The united effect the program had on our assembly included ages from Sunday school attendance and "We believe that our experi- interest." ence offers at least one ap- junior to adult. The special misproach to the mission-study sion study period began with Sequence in Program Building problem that is elastic and Rally Day and went through adaptable and popular. seven Sundays to November It is scarcely necessary to 15th. stress the value of a dominating "For eight or ten years we topic as a picturesque feature in have devoted one or more peri- "For our assembly periods we a series of programs. It seems ods each year to mission study. used a variety of programs. to be one of those devices that Some years our method has have a universal appeal. This been to have classes for men, There was one address entitled, year the figure of "Windows" is for women, and for young peo- 'Under Seven Flags,' in which played upon in one or another ple. Other years we have had department of nearly all packets completely organized schools of there was given a brief summary of literature sent for inspection. missions with classes for every of our home and, foreign mission age-group. . . . We believe we Following this fig u r e, as have given this plan as com- responsibilities. The other pro- adopted by the Baptist women, plete and sincere a trial as grams were designed primarily for their national theme, the could be given. After inject- to give instruction and inspira- Woman's Society of the First ing into our plans all the inge- Church of Santa Ana, Calinuity and energy we could pro- tion through entertainment. fornia, has incorporated in its beautiful thirty-eight page year "We made arrangements in New York for a series of two- reel motion pictures presenting information or plots relating to the mission movement.
"Some of the most effective work done in the missionary education course was through the medium of mission plays. One was a home mission pag- eant, 'The Living Cross,' se- cured from the Northern Meth- odist Church and adapted to our
book a series of "vistas" as their STAGE SETTING FOR A SEPTE,MBER PROGRAM monthly program topics, with the undergirding idea of opening windows of opportunity for service, as well as placing them where none exists-as in Indian hogans and Moslem purdahs- to let God's love shine in.
Their theme song is, "Let the Blessed Sunshine in," and the devotional hymn, "Open My Eyes That I May See." The membership list is "Viewers at Our Window." A "Memorial Window" records the name of those who have died during the year. The devotional series in- cludes: "Outlook-Skyward" (Psa. 19: 1-3). After this program on "Open- August porch party to which "Outlook – into the Valley" (Psa. ing Our Window," there came: contributions for Christmas 34: 19.22). boxes were made and impersona- "Outlook-at the Fountain" (Deut. "Windows of Opportunity." tions given of missionaries- 8: 21; John 4: 14). "Dingy Windows" (rural work). home and foreign – telling of "Outlook-toward the Hills" (Psa. "Shining Windows" (union evening Christmas on their fields. 121) . meeting with the youthful mission- "Outlook-in the Garden" (Isa. 58: ary groups). "Tower Windows" – a pro- 11). "Desert Panorama." gram on student work at home "Outlook- at the Harvest" (Luke "Rose Window" (stewardship). and in union Christian colleges 10: 1-2). "College Windows" (Christian edu- abroad (Baptist Board of Edu- "Outlook – Looking at the Sun" cation) . cation, 152 Madison Ave., N. Y., (Mal. 4: 2). "Sunlit Windows" (White Cross and The Cheer Leader, Sept., work for missionary hospitals). 1936, put out by the Foreign "Outlook-toward the Cross" (Luke "Walls without Windows" (Moslem Mission Conference of North 9: 23). purdahs). America, 156 Fifth Ave., N. Y.). "Paper Windows" (Chinese work "Outlook-into the Pasture Land" for women). "Cottage Win dow s" – on (Psa. 104: 14). "Closing our Window" (annual Rural Work in America (MIS- meeting in June). "Outlook-at the Shadow" (Psa. The August space was labeled: SIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, 91: 1; 63: 7). "Our Windows Closed, Blinds Drawn." June, 1937; 25 cents). All the monthly programs are Due to many requests In the past for "God's Windows" – women's samples of these lovely annuals, it is stated called "Vistas" and are intended that a limited number of copies are left and prayer meeting for missions may be obtained for 25 cents each. There with special effort to have older to open windows, as stated pre- is evidently no profit for' the compilers. women attend and take part, a Thanksgiving dramatization beviously. The September pro- More Windows ing given (Woman's Missionary Association of United Brethren gram – built around a beauti- The standard Baptist program in Christ, 1412 U. B. Building, built around .this theme includes: Dayton, Ohio). fully decorated stage-furnished "Memorial Win dow s" – a "Shop Windows" – a window a preview of the year's work. study on missionaries who have box opening and program on op- gone out from the participants' portunities for service. The stage was arranged as a own state. "Latticed Windows"-sketches garden and showed a sash win- "Cabin Windows" – migrant of Christian Nationals who are work-with a luncheon of foods witnessing for Christ ("The dow looking eastward. This picked by migrants and imper- Way of the Witnesses"). sonations on "Around the Campwindow, when opened by the fire." "Sunlit Windows" – imper- sonations of missionary doctors president, made way for nine "Stained Glass Windows"- and nurses at home and abroad. an evening meeting on Peace short episodes illustrating the (men of the church invited) at "Barred or Open Windows"- which a pageant, "The Triumph devotional me e tin g inviting phases of work to be emphasized of Goodwill," was given (Coun- women from other churches and cil of Women for Home Mis- presenting a good speaker on in the monthly programs. These sions, 105 E. 22nd St., New "Are Your Windows Open or York; 35 cents plus royalty of Barred ?" Opening of window episodes consisted of mono- $5.00 for each presentation). boxes follows. logues, pantomimes, dialogues, a "Casement Win dow s," an song, skits, and other features.
Through the year the window box will bear its blooms as the gift boxes are opened. At the left of the stage was a cathedral window, the framework of which stood five feet high and was made so that the designs could be filled in with various colors as the money was received. It was very lovely even before the colors were added. . The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~'I~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE PRICE OF SUGAR the greater part of the army of deeper; 1931-lost everything; migrant laborers of the United 1932 – hit the road; 1935- A summer under open skies, serving the farmers of Cali- A child-a thousand children, States. They had come to these fornia as a 'fruit tramp.' " A burning sun, cold rains shores to better themselves. To- -And sugar beets. day the grandchildren of these Where Do They Live? A summer working sugar beets, early immigrants are harvesting And youth – youth pulled and the crops. But even a greater Migrants have to live in all kinds of places, a shack provided topped number of the 2,000,000 and by the employer, a tent on the And plowed beneath the soil more migrant workers today are banks of an irrigation ditch, or -As fertilizer. Anglo-American, forced into mi- just under the trees. In one Youth pulled and topped, and grancy by misfortune. In 1937 camp where shacks were pro- vided by the employer, one fairly granulated, in a camp in Delaware, an ap- large room housed from one to And weighed – weighed out in palling number were people who three families-as many as eight had lost their homes because of people in a single room. In an- bags Florida floods, typhoons and other camp in the East there For us to buy, and please storms. Many had once been ac- were two water faucets for 420 Our tooth for sweets. tive in communities, taking part people. Because of the crowded A summer under open skies, in church work, lodges, and other condition in some of the shan- A child-a future forming; civic organizations. In this ties, straw was strewn over the No schooling to distract group were a trained nurse, an floor with no pretense of mak- From sugar beets. ing a bunk. experienced mechanic, a railroad FRANCES B. WILLIAMS. engineer, a fireman, a plumber. Squatters' Camps-a new de- velopment in the far west, are Father of all mankind, we They felt that all hope of ever even worse. Dr. Taylor tells of pause in the haste of our daily being anything but migrants a tour of these camps. "We lives to come with quietness into found filth, squalor, an entire ab- T'hy presence. May thy strength had fled. sence of sanitation, and a crowdand thy spirit fill us and may the In the West, and Southwest, ing of human beings into totally love which thou hast for all man- inadequate tents or crude struckind flood our hearts. We would refugees from the Dust Bowl tures built of boards, weeds and at this time bring before thee form the greatest part of the anything that was found at hand those men and women and young migrant labor group. "These to give a pitiful semblance of a people who earn their meager home at its worst. In this enliving. by gathering from the people," Paul S. Taylor writes. vironment there is bred a social fields the food that shall feed us; "are victims of dust storms, of sullenness. It is horrible that who bear the heat of the noon- drought which preceded the children are reared in such an day sun, the long hours of labor, environment." and the rush of the cannery serv- dust, of protracted depression ice while we benefit from their which preceded the drought. 'It What Do They Earn? toil. Weare conscious, 0 Fa- seems like God has forsaken us ther, of their longing for per- back there in Arkansas,' said' a "Employment is intermittent, manent homes, of their unful- jobs are often precarious, and .filled hopes for their children. former farm-owner at a San annual income is low. A study Make us eaually conscious of our Luis Obispo pea-pickers' camp. of 165 migrant families showed responsibilities as Christian citi- that 30.9 % received less than zens to mitigate so far as we can 'The cotton burned up' is the $300 annually and 13.3 % less the hardships of their toil. common story. They are largely than $200 per family."
M. KATHARINE BENNETT. farmers who have been carrying Who Wants Them? on agriculture on the family pat- WHO ARE THE MIGRANTS tern which has been so long re- "Only the employer and he TODAY? garded as the great source of wants them only until his crop stability in our nation. One of Twenty years ago immigrants them, recently picking fruit with from poorer countries made up his family in the Sacramento Valley, told succinctly this story of his decline from farmer to farm laborer: 1927 – mad e $7,000 as a cotton farmer in Texas; 1928-broke even; 1929 -went in the hole; 1930- [49 ] is harvested. "The develop- Council of Women for Home the way they used to. But they can't understand why Jesus didn't hate the ment of normal relationships be- Missions tell a story of the 'mean bad men' who killed him. I tween citizens and community, achievement of this Christian told the children that those who and between employer and em- service. wanted Jesus crucified thought they ployee, is not favored by con- In Tomatoes were doing right. This led to a dis- cussion. Charles said, 'If I had been stant movement. 'My father "I don't know if you'll recognize our there, I would have told them a thing was a track foreman at $1.25 a nursery, for now instead of rugs for or two.' Edna said to him, 'Jesus day, but we lived in a house and the toddlers to sleep on we have cribs. would have wanted you to love them.' " everybody knew us,' said a fruit A bureau which I painted cream to tramp. 'This rancher has us for match our green and cream linoleum, In Onions two or three weeks, and then holds the diapers, sheets, etc., on top "At lunch time long tables were athe's thru wjth me. He knows me tractively set by some of the children till he's through with me.' 'Resi- of which is a scale on which the babies and flowers picked for the center denters' look askance at the pieces. A wholesome well-balanced nomads, and treat them as 'out- are weighed regularly every two lunch was served and simple table landers.' Children are stigma- manners taught. When Mary was tized at school as 'pea pickers.' " weeks. Why, Annamae has already seated on a chair made from an orange crate, at the clean simple table, she What the Church Is Doing gained a pound." . . . ' beamed and said, 'My, just like Sun- day!' The hardships of migratory "And our Young People's Club, for life are only hinted at in the "After lunch each child took his above excerpts. Eighteen years youth of 14-20 has been a howling suc- new toothbrush from his own nail on ago the churches began to know about the migrants and their cess. Its purpose is to provide some- the wall, and enthusiastically went needs. It was then that the first through a peppy toothbrush drill. thing worth while for the young peo- After that they all lay down on the thinly covered floor for afternoon ple who are working. A program of naps. Some of the older children were so tired from caring for younger Negro History, Handcraft, and Rec- brothers and sisters, that they thank- reation has been planned. We meet two nights a week.
"A social hygiene forum meets each Monday afternoon and was composed of young men. The average attend- ance was a~out thirty. Some of the subjects discussed were Love, Venereal Diseases, and Marriage."
effort was made to help them. It In Tobacco fully fell asleep on the hard floor. was a unified effort of seven My how good just a small pillow women's denominational home "About twenty came to the recrea- would have felt." mission boards through the tion hall this evening. The group Council of Women for Home "Because many of the children Missions. They sought to im- planned a swim for Monday night. understood very little English, I tried prove these conditions through various ways to help them underthe enactment of protective leg- The group is starting to look on the stand the story. The most successful islation. At the same time they was to make paper figures of people felt responsible for meeting the schedule posted on the porch. Cipus and place them on the table as I went girls brought some Polish records. So along. Afterward they could make their own figures and re-tell the story far the young neople's group has in their own words. When one 10- immediate physical and spir- played darts, bean bag, toss golf, ping- year-old boy was re-telling the story itual needs of the migrants pong and quiet games. Last year of 'Let the little children come unto through public health nurses, me,' with the use of paper people, he recreational directors, visiting about all they wanted to do was said, 'The men wanted to keep the teachers and religious education children away, but Jesus said'-and he leaders in agricultural and can- dance." stumbled over the long verse he had nery areas. Through the years just learned, but finally said, usine: "Alvin came again today. The words of his own vocabulary: 'Jesus the Christian Service in Migrant little fellow asked if he could do the said, "Let 'em come."'" Camps has spread to over fifty dishes and clean the room. I have never seen a child who enjoyed clean- MY CREED ing up a room as much as he does. I wish he could do something in his own home." …
"While I made a game, Selma, who is about ten, read 'Songs from the Slums' by Kagawa. She enjoyed areas in thirteen states. Eight- them very much and from her com- ments I feel that she really under- "The food that I share with een denominations now cooper- stood them. She asked me questions ate. Employers are helping; lo- about him. Later in the afternoon others Is the food that nourishes me. cal communities are accepting a she said that when she read poems The strength that I spend for share in the work as a part of like those and about people who were others their home mission program. so kind she felt sorry for .all the lies Is the strength that I retain. On the World Day of Prayer The freedom I seek for others thousands of groups throughout she told." the country are remembering "As I work I enjoy noticing the Make's me forever free.
growing community spirit among the workers. Almost no profanity. Do a lot of talking about wearing ap- The pain that I ease in others the migrant families in their Shall take away my pain. prayers and in their gifts. The~ parel, menus, clothes, weddings. We The load that I lift from others had craft work. The boys made some Makes my l.Dad disappear. gifts have opened more Chris- checkers. One made a bouquet of flowers out of a tin can and some The good that I see in others tian Centers and sent more Comes back my life to cheer. paper." Christian nurses into migrant The path that I walk with camps. Work is under way in "It has always been considered adthirteen s tat e s, thirty-three mirable here to hit back, and to make others the person cry who is tormenting you. Is the path God walks with more states have migrants but The children favor the idea of loving me."
no work. the one who is mean to you, so he GRACE HILL FREEMAN. The following excerpts from won't want to be mean anymore. I notice them through the day trying it reports of the workers under the out. They don't seem'to admire fights
'~I Our World–wide
i A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events A EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO ~'I================================ MISCELLANEOUS cupied with the war. The hosts nearly fifty officer-instructors, of refugees are spreading infec- specialists in their various de- The Church's Challenge tion and a major epidemic may partments, assist the principal. accompany the turn of the year. United foreign mission boards Typhus, smallpox and meningitis -The Life of Faith. of North America and the Fed- are among the possible dangers. eral Council of the Churches of The Value of Christian Christ in America have formu- This is only an illustration of Colleges lated proposals regarding what how the whole world is influthe Christian Church can do in enced for good or for evil by It is interesting to know that the present world crisis. what takes place in one country. eight of our chief justices were Plague, cholera, influenza, war, college graduates, while seven of 1. Align itself with the condemna- crime, vice will spread if they the eight were from Christian tion of the practices of war as de- are not counteracted by health, schools. Eighteen of our nation's scribed in the words of the World peaceful pursuits, friendliness, presidents have been. college Conference in Oxford. education, morality, and the graduates, while .sixteen of the spirit of Christ. eighteen were from Christian 2. Declare its horror that in these schools. Eighteen of the twentydays any government should resort to Training for Salvation Army five masters of American letters war, "declared" or "undeclared," as a Workers were college men, while sevenmeans of obtaining political or eco- teen of the eighteen were from nomic advantage, or as a punitive The training of Salvation Christian colleges. Of the memmeasure. Army officers is a highly special- bers of our national congress, ized process: it has as much to whose efforts or prominence 3. Lead in arousing public opinion do with personality as with pro- have secured for them a place in to support the government in trans- gram. It is directed to fitness "Who's Who," two-thirds of forming a policy of irresponsible iso- for a keen-edged evangelism. them were graduates of Chrislationism into one of active participa- The original training period was tian schools. tion in the organizing of the political six months, but in 1904 it was and economic forces of tb.e world for extended to nine months. -George W. Truett. the purpose of establishing justice and goodwill. In urging such a proposal, London, England, has a train- NORTH AMERICA we repudiate the thought that it in- ing school which accommodates volves reliance upon military or naval 450 cadets, mostly from Great Paganism in U. S. force, or such measures as are apt to Britain, but there are also at lead to war. present representatives of South The Ministerial Association of Africa, Finland, the West Indies, Los Angeles, California, after 4. RecfJgnize the difficult position Holland and Java. In addition, nine months of investigation, rein which Christians in Japan and three junior officers from Swe- ported 120 pagan societies hold- China find themselves today. den and two native officers from ing regular meetings in and East Africa are taking the about the city. They teach and 5. Understand more clearly the im- course. All walks of life are rep- practice various non-Christian portance of its missionary enterprise resented – professional, skilled faiths, hybrid religions or phiand provide more adequately for its and clerical labor, and almost losophies, largely based upon support. The failure of Christians to every branch of industrial ac- Hinduism. Also it was found witness effectively throughout the tivity. The course include.s that Rosacrucianism has a larger world to the realities of their faith is Bible study, public speaking and nl'mber of followers than any one of the causes of our present dis- preparing addresses, principles evangelical church in the city. tress. and methods of social welfare work, first aid, home nursing -Alliance Weekly. 6. Translate its testimony into deeds and simple medical lectures; of mercy. also practice in house-to-house Religion Through Films visitation. Careful record is 7. Testify to its faith in the reality made of each student's progress, During the recent General of the Kingdom of God. which is tested both as to study Convention of the Episcopal and outdoor activity. A staff of Church held in Cincinnati, dem- -American Board News. onstration was given of a re- [51 ] cently launched plan for "visual A Warning to the World The League of Nations sends a warning that the whole world needs to be on its guard against an epidemic of disease originating in China. The cholera plague is rapidly spreading now in China, owing to the disturbed condition of affairs, the attention of the Government being oc-
religion." A fifteen- or twenty- she will provide an hour of care- Practical Cooperation minute film, to take the place of the sermon at the evening serv- fully planned religlOus nurture The Presbyterian Board of ice, relates to three or four sub- for from 600 to 1,uOO American National Missions has been cojects selected from newsreels youth, one half of whom have no operating with the Board of Forwhich present some phase of eco- vital connection with any exist- eign Missions in providing short nomic or social problems. While ing church or Sunday school." periods of training in National the film is being shown the Missions hospitals for new leader asks questions designed Here we see a new method in to stimulate the thinking of the the field of church work. A nurses under appointment to the congregation. After the pictures number of states provide for at foreign field. This arrangement have been shown, the leader, least an hour of Christian trainpreferably the pastor, would ing each week under the direc- gives the Foreign Board an optake a few minutes in which to tion of the church. In other portunity to tryout new worksummarize the Christian atti- states there is no prohibition .of ers, and gives the nurses experitude toward the problems seen such a plan. ence in extension or field nursing on the screen. The plan has been tried out in Spokane, One such teacher in New Jer- programs which both Boards are Washington, and leaders declare sey spends four days each week carrying on. It also renders the it met with a good response. National Board relief at two in four consolidated r u r a I points where, because of the in- The "Christian Cinema Coun- schools, passing from grade to creasing demand for medical cil" in England is considering a grade each period of the day. – care and the recent difficulty in plan to make religious films of This work is made possible by filling vacancies due to the Govthree types: (1) Films with a the cooperation of the Board of ernment's enlarged activities in moral or reI i g i 0 u s object; National Missions of the Pres- health, the nursing load has been (2) films illustrating the work byterian Church, the Board of too heavy for the staffs to carry. of the Church at home and Home Missions and Church Exabroad; and (3) films for direct -Monday Morning. -evangelism. tension of the Methodist Epis- Gideon Bibles in the Schools copal Church, and the public Stewardship Conference school authorities. A prelim- The "Gideons" of Canada have inary survey showed that many Church leaders representing been at work placing Bibles in of the children enrolled were 23 churches and other religious the Dominion's public schools. otherwise unreached by the bodies in the United States and The Gideon ministry of the U. S. church. Canada, with a communicant has now added this feature to membership of at least 23,000,- their work. Here is a quotation This plan is past the experi- 000, met in Philadelphia in Nofrom an article that recently ap- ment stage. For the millions of vember to search for a realistic peared in The Gideon: boys and girls unreached by a~y and scientific Christian attitude church it offers the only defimte toward money-making, money- The burglary insurance rate is religious training that they are spending and the use of life. $12.00 per thousand in Bos~on; ~22.00 ever likely to receive. The conference the m e was in New York; and $27.50 In ChIcago. "Stewardship as an Approach to Is there any connection between these -Christian Advocate. figures and the fact that the Bible has been read daily in the public Methodist Union Plan Experience and Problem!'." The schools of Boston for sixty-five years, discussions centered upon the for twenty-two years in New York, and excluded for thirty years from Unification of three Methodist principles of the Bible, interthe schools in Chicago? denominations, having approxi- preted in modern economic and Girl + Auto = Christian mately 8,000,000 members in all spiritual terms, the practical ex- parts of the world, lacks only the periences of every day, and Education final approval of the Methodist upon a number of definite rules "A college-trained girl with an Episcopal Church, South. O~ of daily conduct applicable to additional year of special train- cials announce that the ArmIS- every normal relationship of ing in religious education can tice Day voting increased to every human being. teach a junior department of thirty pupils in a Sunday school. nearly 90 per cent the majority Religious Work at Government Seven days later she can bring in favor of the merger. They the impact of her training and Projects personality back to the same said 30 of the 42 conferences task. Give this same welltrained young lady an auto- reported a favorable majority, "United Youth" is the name mobile, set her on the trail of and that approval was practi- of a society of young people in public school groups and, from cally assured. The general ses- the interdenominational work Monday morning to Friday night, conducted by the Home Missions sion of that denomination will be held in Birmingham next Council at Grand Coulee Dam, Washington. About 6,000 men May.
The new unified church, to be are employed by the federal gov- known as the Methodist Church, ernment at Grand Coulee, and will have five geographical juris- the community numbers at least dictions. A sixth jurisdiction 20,000. Three groups of moth- will include Negro churches and ers are organized as a federated conferences. club, and a young mother's club
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
has been organized. About 60 sink and running water, with to all the patients. Tracts and persons attend the morning tow rugs on the floor and cur- Gospels have been given to the church service, and 80 attend tains at the windows. The gar- prisoners in two penitentiaries dens have added all sorts of in near-by cities." Bible school. Similar projects are at Boul- flowers and many kinds of fruits der City, Nevada, where about and vegetables. Helpful as this is, the spiritual improvement Tension Eases in Mexico 180 attend Sunday school; at that has come is far more im- Bonneville Dam, Oregon, where portant.-Christian Advocate. With the exception of the 250 families live in this seven- states of Tabasco and Chiapas, mile-long par ish, and Boy LATIN AMERICA which contain less than five per S co u t s, Christian Endeavor, cent of the population of Mex- Sunday school and church serv- Gospels for Mexico's Soldiers ico, church services are being ice are conducted; and at Ten- conducted normally all over the nessee Valley, particularly Cum- Rev. N. W. Taylor writes that country, and the former tension berland Homesteads, where the the need for buying a new car is eased. Many Mexican priests pastor conducts the equivalent providentially led to a new de- have settled in the United States of an· institutional church pro- velopment in work among sol- near the border, where they are gram, features of which are diers in Mexico. He says: serving parishes of their own interdenominational Sun day nationals. school, worship service and "While breaking in the new young people's organizations. car I could not take it up into Although there seems to be no the mountains and so decided to law on the subject, theological Over the Tea Cups drive down the valley to a city seminaries have not been per- 75 miles away. There had been mitted to function in a conspic- The second annual Christian a few army outposts on this uous way during the past three Friendliness Tea in Seattle was highway and I planned to visit years. The Presbyterian Semattended by seventy-five people, them. The miles sped by with- inary in Coyoacan, a suburb of with G re e k, Spanish-Jewish, out finding any soldiers and we Mexico City, has been closed by Danish, Bulgarian, Italian, Al- began to feel that no work could the government, and it is feared banian, Japanese and Chinese be done. At last we reached an that the Union Seminary in the nationalities represented. The airport on the outskirts of the capital city may suffer likewise. guest violinist was Kosiko Ta- city, where we saw an outpost jitsu, a fourteen-year-old Jap- with a large number of soldiers. -Christian Century. anese girl, who two years ago Approaching the officer I found toured Japan as the soloist of that the adjutant of the battalion Building for Peace in Chile the Tokio Symphony Orchestra. was in ,the camp at that very Her talented thirteen-year-old moment. When he learned what Boys and girls in Valparaiso:s sister played the difficult accom- I wanted to do, he not only gave schools have addressed a peace paniments with skill. The girls me permission to distribute lit- message to all American school are members of the Japanese erature to the men in the outpost children. Congregational Church. The but insisted that I come into Japanese Consul's wife and the town to the barracks. There we Children of America – Again we wife of the Chinese Vice~Consul arranged with the Colonel to re- raise our voices over the mountains were guests of honor. turn on a certain day to give and across the rivers and plains to Gospels and tracts to all the men. bring you our message of peace-:-that -Watchman-Examiner. On that occasion we met the peace which we so much desire and to which the Christ of the Andes, with open arms outstretched over the eter- nal snows, seems symbolically to call us.
Self-Help for Negroes Colonel of another unit, and Children of America! Let us unite when he saw us giving litera- in an affectionate embrace and forget Mary Lee Jones, A.B., Rust ture to all the troops he invited the rivalries which have separated us College, home demonstrator in for so many years. us to visit his battalion. At the Listen – An anxious call comes to the Mississippi Delta:has proved same time an introduction was us from over the sea. It is the call of given to still another battalion our brothers and sisters in Spain. It that one can teach an old dog in a town about twenty miles is the anguished cry of the orphans, new tricks. She finds Negro innocent victims of that fratricidal women forty years old are eager away. struggle.
to learn and are adopting new "Since the first of 1937, twelve In these days of suffering, only our and better ways. Under Miss new regiments or battalions continent, America, conserves its land without war. A great love and a fra- J ones' guidance, eight school have received Gospel portions ternal hope should unite its inhabigrounds and four cemeteries and tracts when in formation on tants. Let us then take care, brothers have been improved; one com- their own parade grounds. In and sisters of America, that this fire munity has bought and installed the offices of three general burns and maintains itself, so that fu- ture generations may enjoy the fruits an eighteen-quart pre s sur e headquarters, New Testaments of eternal peace, which reflects the cooker and six other clubs have have been given to all the staff realization of the sublime desire of the half the money raised for such officers, including the General. Master when he said: "Peace on an installation. Eighty-two cab- Three military hospitals have earth, good will to men." -The Churchman. ins have been improved with a been visited and literature given 54 THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD [January Mennonites as Evangelists sum mer vacation in trekking neva Bible School. By the middle of October, about 3,000 copies in A group of more than 2,000 through the towns and villages fifty-one languages had been sold Russian Mennonites who left in three months. home penniless have lived for of the British Isles, in an effort some years in a colony in the Those in charge of the Kiosk Chaco, Paraguay. These years to reach the unsaved. Their tes- have had many opportunities for have been full of difficulty, partly personal witness and interviews. owing to the difference in climate timony is t hat unscheduled With every Bible sold, one or from that to which they were ac- two leaflets are given as a guide customed, and from the effects events and the consequent alter- to reading, and to the knowledge of the Paraguayan – Bolivian of personal salvation. war. The privileges of religious ation of plans invariably refreedom guaranteed by the Gov- -The Christian. ernment have been faithfully vealed divine overruling. On observed, and the church life of Outlook in Spain this colony is healthy. They are one occasion, finding that they interesting themselves in the Mr. W. C. Edwards, who has spiritual welfare of their Indian had a day to spare, the trekkers spent some time in Spain, says neighbors, and though their op- that the future for Gospel teachportunities of actual witness are pressed on to a town in York- ing in that unhappy land seems limited they have a deep concern very dark; and utterly imposfor their evangelization. The shire they had not intended to sible at present. The Catholic inclusion of an immigrant group Church, wherever it is under of evangelicals in the life of a visit. Holding an open-air meet.. Franco's rule, is all powerful, country has not always had as and every day it is applying the much effect upon the life of the ing there in the evening, they spirit and law of the Inquisition nation as might have been upon the poor terror-stricken hoped, and it is, therefore, an found the people hungry for the people. C r 0 sse s have been encouraging sign that this Men- erected in some central squares, nonite colony is concerned to Gospel, and six decided for and an altar, with policemen witness to the people of their always on the watch, and woe benew home country. Christ. tide the person who passes with- out bowing to it and giving the -World Dominion Press. Another benefit was the prac- Fascist salute. He is arrested at once. -The Christian. • Oonversions in Peru tical experience gained on the As a Militarist Sees Religion Rev. A. C. Snead, of the Chris- trek. Students learned how to tian Alliance, visiting Quechua While Hitler and Mussolini Indians, writes in .the Alliance concentrate in preparation of have fundamentally the same ob- Weekly: jective, the latter is pursuing a addresses when distances re- sounder plan to attain it in at- God is at work here in Peru, espe- tacking one obstacle at a time, cially in faraway mountain and nuired much time on the road. and has not as yet molested the jungle sections. In Tayabamba, Church or ,the Jews; while Hitwhere the first convert was won only Also, they learned how to adapt ler is attacking Jews, Catholics a little more than two years ago, and and Protestants at one and the where six months ago there were only their talks to varying types of same time. A great German twenty professed iJelievers, there are general recently condemned this today more than one hundred and people. -Life of Faith. as short-sighted folly, "because," twenty who show signs of definite con- said this general, "no army that version. Fourteen men walked eleven Missionary-Minded Youth goes into battle without hope of days over the steepest mountain trails, in France a life hereafter will fight sucpart of the way in altitudes where no cessfully." villages or houses could be seen, to The ninth annual conference attend the services at Pachas. of the Congres Missionaire de The Ohurch and Hitler J eunf!!sse in France last Septem- It was wonderful to be at Pachas, ber represented a missionary After failure to achieve Protwith 220 Quechua Indians from eight- movement among French youth. estant church unity by stamping een pueblos on mountain and in The students' Federation and all out opposition, Herr Hitler has jungle, who gathered to sing the youth movements in France sent declared himself tired of the praises of God, and to learn of Christ. delegates to the number of more whole church business. One of In the evening services the attendance than eighty. The vast territories the inexplicable myths which has of others from Pachas (a fanatical of the French colonial empire crept out of Germany has been Catholic center) brought the number will furnish a sphere for this that Hitler wishes to see the in the congregation to about 300. missionary interest. churches in Germany free to do just as they choose, that every EUROPE There is now a unified evan- gelical church in France com- Students' "Summer Trek" prising the Reformed Church, the Ref 0 r m e d Evangelical Students of Highfield Mission- Church, the Free Church and the ary Training Colony spent their Methodist Church of France. Commissions are studying a method of redistributing the congregations in regional dis- tricts in 1938. The evangeliza- tion of the suburbs of Paris constantly preoccupies the lead- ers. An effort is being made to create one new church yearly for ten years.
-World Dominion Press.
Bible Kiosk at Paris People of all classes and na- tions are being reached through the Bible Kiosk at the Paris Ex- position, maintained by the Geman should be allowed to wor- July, the Central Council of God- Most fanatical of the three reliship as he thinks fit. Hitler does less Institutions in Moscow plans gions is that of the false not understand the "church to hold an International Godless prophet. question." To him there is no Congress in London in April, intrinsic difference between a 1938, and has voted 150,000 Still another classification is: church and a skittle association. rubles towards the expenses. first, small groups of believers Hence, he does not understand The Oxford Conference must bearing witness to Christ; secwhy these oppositional pastors have convinced Soviet leaders ond, those who give evidence of should behave as they do. that the Church is a force to be conviction, but are still holding reckoned with, and that an anti- aloof; third, those who have Pastor Niemoeller, in a letter religious drive is called for. heard the Word, and evince a dewritten from prison to a friend, sire to know more. The great says he is not only unbroken, but The plans made to carry out mass of the people, however, are full of joy and gratitude for this propaganda include, among still ignorant and fanatical and God's gracious guidance. "I am other things, a new radio station there are only about twenty now resting in peace," he says, to be completed next year, from workers among 2,000,000 Mo- "after the abundant turmoil of which godless talks are to be hammedans. -The Christian. the last few years and await pa- delivered daily in European lantiently and with full confidence, guages, including English. An- .Capturing Souls should the Lord again need me ticipating that Great Britain for service outside these walls. may ban the holding of a God- African evangelists, elders, When and how? It is not for less Conference in London, the missionaries in Cameroon, West me to concern myself about that. Soviet Council voted that, in Africa, set as their centennial I know that I and many others this eve n t, the Conference goal the winning of 15,000 new whom God has committed to soli- would be held in Belgium or converts: they have won almost tary places are carried by many Holland. -The Christian. 18,00b, and the Good News is prayers." still spreading. But conversion AFRICA was not enough. Each new Baptists in Roumania Christian is being trained, that Waldensians in Abyssinia he may know what his new de- The Baptist World Alliance cision means and learn to live a reports that the Roumanian Gov- The Italian Government has Christian life. ernment seems determined to asked the Waldensian Church of enforce its decree that some non- Italy to send a second chaplain As their African forefathers orthodox groups are illegal. At to help Captain Bertinatti in went out to capture men and present the 70,000 Baptists in missionary work at Add i s women for slaves and wives, and Roumania are not directly de- Ababa, Ethiopia. Sig. Edoardo returned singing from a successclared illegal, but they are re- Micol, a young minister of 29, ful "raid," so these modern capquired to conform to conditions at present in Sicily, (Pachino) tors returned each day to hold which are to them intolerable in has been sent. It means a great a prayer service for those who principle and impossible in prac- sacrifice, from every point of have refused, and those who tice. Unless they conform, they view, for the Waldensians to have received their message. become illegal. This decree is in send more men to Ethiopia, but violation of the principle of reli- it seems a duty to meet the re- -Monday Morning. gious freedom to which Rou- quest to carryon the missionary mania has subscribed as a mem- work in the Italian colonies. Congo Women Send Greetings ber of the League of Nations. There are thousands of Evan- The Roumanian State Constitu- gelical Abyssinian Christians Ma Ngunga, chairwoman of tion also pays homage to reli- who are now like sheep without the Native Council's women's gious liberty. The Orthodox a shepherd. sessions, Belgian Congo, was Church of Roumania was repre- asked by a missionary what messented at the Oxford Conference -Prof. Ernest Comba sage she should send from them in July, and participated in the of Rome. to Northern Baptist women in unanimous decision to abjure America. She quickly replied: connivance with the repression Land of Three M's by the State of religious minori- "Tell the women of your counties. Yet the present crisis has The effective witness of na- try that we thank them heartily undoubtedly been brought about tive converts is one evidence of for sending us women missionby the influence of the Orthodox a new era in North Africa. In aries. At first even when we Church on the Roumanian Gov- Tunis, though political loyalty is became Christians, we were very ernment. divided between Fascism and much afraid to testify or to try communism, fellowship in the to do any work in the church. -Watchman-Examiner. Gospel has enabled many of both But we saw our white mothers groups to lay aside their differ- go about their work just the Moscow vs. Oxford ences. Mrs. E. E. Short, British same as the men. From them missionary who has been in we began to receive courage. Obviously to stage an answer Tunis forty years, says North Now we are no longer afraid; to the Oxford Conference of last Africa is a land of three M's- We still do not feel very strong; Moses, Mary and Mohammed. but we do want to take our share in the school work, in the med- 56 THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD ical work, and especially in the James B. Barton Memorial toward organic unity, but all work of drawing other women work together with one purpose to Jesus Christ. Greet the wom- The Prudential Committee of -Latins, Greeks, Armenians, en of your country for us all." the American Board has hear.tily Anglicans and Protestants. In endorsed the thought of a Me- Christian schools, all the varied – Watchman-Examiner. morial to Dr. James L. Barton classes meet together, and slowly in Istanbul, Turkey, the city that are getting a common educa- Bantus: "Let It Go" spans the closest approach of tional and cultural background. Europe and Asia; the land of The watchword of Bantu Con- his first foreign service. The -The Living Church. gregational Churches is Mali- memorial is to be in connection hambe. What does it mean? with the American Hospital and Pray for Tender Hearts Literally, "Let it go"; that is, School of Nursing of Istanbul. let the evangel go – not let it The Jessie Taylor Kinderalone, not forget it, but release Modern nursing began in Is.!: garten was in the center of the it for its redemptive work. It is tanbul, when Florence Nightin- anti-Christian riots that took the equivalent of Christ's last gale entered the pestilential place in Beirut, Syria, early last command: "Go ye into all the Crimean War hospitals on the year, and the night school is still world." Bosphorus. With the restric- suffering from that antagonism. tions of the veil now removed in But as soon as the day school Malihambe has captuted the Turkey, over 100 young women could reopen, the chi I d r e n imagination, the enthusiasm and nurses have graduated from this trooped gayly back, and the the purse of Bantu Congrega- school since the Great War. school now proudly boasts a tional churches. waiting list. Mrs. J. H. Nicol -Missionary Herald. writes: "The day when the riots -Missionary Herald. seemed most threatening we The Child on the Street closed the school and escorted WESTERN ASIA the children safely home. Be- Turkey's Educational Admin- fore we left one small Moslem Religion in Turkey istration has noted the fact that boy said, 'Won't you please pray children of working families are before we go?' So, of course, I Turkey dealt a body blow to wandering in the streets after would. I asked him, 'What do Islam some years ago, but is still school hours, and it has been you want me to pray for?' He considered a M 0 s I e m land. seeking means to prevent this said, 'Ask God to make people's Among other amendments to the situation, harmful to the chil- hearts tender to each other so constitution last year, the State dren. For this purpose "child- that they will not hurt each is declared to be "laic"; that is, sheltering" rooms will be opened other.' So there were small the Government does not recog- in different parts of the city. heads reverently bowed while we nize an official religion, nor does asked the Father to give us lovit stand to support any par- The Administration has also ing hearts and minds to underticular religion. No one may decided to take strict measures stand each other." interefere with another's reli- to make school attendance more gion; in religion, as in intel- regular. Accordingly, when a Unhappy Assyrians lectual and political matters, pupil does not go to school for fanaticism has given place to one day, notice will be sent to The Assyrians seem to be the mutual tolerance. the child's parent or guardian. forgotten people number one. If a pupi1 is sick, an official doc- There are some 30,000 of them Lest this appear to be more of tor will be sent to his home. in Mesopotamia, the racial reman advance than it actually is, Also, in order to prevent a stu- nant, perhaps, of the great emdeputy Bey Ali warns the Turk- dent from going to the cinema pire of antiquity, and the reliish people that liberty of con- or cafes during the school hours, gious remnant of the greatest science is not a limitless free- such places will be very closely missionary force in the middle dom. The State may interfere controlled. ages, the Nestorian Church. Like in certain situations. For in- so much "Christianity" in the stance, he says, children under -Turkish Translation Near East, the religion has dried eighteen may be subjected to a Service. into ritual, leaving the people alkind of spiritual compUlsion in most totally ignorant of the gosreligion in foreign schools; this Unity Out of Palestine? pel, and many of their priests are already has happened, and will little better. They are a quarrelnot be tolerated. However, after Christian unity coming out of some lot, both among themselves passing the age of eighteen every Palestine is seen as a future pos- and the people among whom they individual is free to choose his sibility by Canon Bridgeman, live. They were staunch and own religion, "provided this does Episcopal missionary in J eru- valuable allies of the British durnot disturb the social order." salem. As the basis for this pre- ing the war; and the British He adds: "Youth must not be diction, Canon Bridgeman cites officially assumed "moral respondragged into Catholicism, and the cordial relationships which sibility" for them as a people thereby a culture foreign to our exist between the representatives when proposing the independthought and feeling be permitted of virtually all communions to spring up in the midst of the working in the Holy Land. Turkish people." There is no specific movement -Alliance Weekly. ence of Iraq to the League of say, "Well, anyhow now I know, ing, and nine the examination in Nations. But here they remain, and shall not spend any more weaving, held by the Committee after a number of unsuccessful time and money looking for a of Direction for Technical Eduattempts to arrange their emi- cure, for if you cannot cure me, cation. The scout organization gration. Six evangelists are at no one can, and I know you are has proved to be of inestimable work among them, patiently folk who do not flatter or tell value in training character and showing by word and deed the lies, but you tell the truth." encouraging the young people to way of the Gospel. be truthful, honest and active. INDIA-SIAM -Presbyterian Board News. -Dnyanodaya. World Conference at Madras Mothercraft in Iran A Requirement for Converts On account of war conditions, Mrs. J. D. Payne of Teheran, the great world conference of the Such a deep impression has Iran, teaches a course in "moth- International Missionary Coun- the Christian religion made upon ercraft" in connection with the cil, scheduled to be held at Hang- converts in India that there is a Woman's Club, which has a de- chow, China, in the fall of 1938, constant demand for teachers in partment of adult education for has been obliged to change its new villages. Before a teacher women. There are about 45 in place of meeting to India, and is sent to a community, at least each of three classes. No text- will convene at Madras Chris- 50 natives must attend daily books can be used; lectures and tian College in Madras, Decem- worship for a specified length of pictures must serve, since the ber 10th to 30th. time. Then the bishop is petiwomen are about in the first- tioned for a teacher. It costs reader stage. Some show inter- Value in Persecution $75 a year for such instructors. est, some indifference, while Instruction for a period of a others are openly opposed to Let no one think the day of year precedes baptism and antaking time to listen to a for- religious persecution has passed other year before confirmation. eigner talk about something of in India. On the contrary, re- Witness is the primary requirelittle value. God gave them ports show an intensified indi- ment of the Christian, and contheir babies, Kismet (fate) left vidual persecution in recent verts are frequently asked as them, or caused them to die, so years. This may even affect they come to church whether or why all this bother? They be- whole communities where new not they have brought others to lieved the world was supported work is being established. It is Christ. -The Living Church. on the horns of a bull; that the still possible to see the crops of sun was a man and the moon a a village being brought in with Christian Character Counts woman; that the foreigner was rejoicing, and those of a recent only to be pitied for her igno- Christian going up in flames. Some villagers in Assam were rance. But most of them ab- compelled by crop failure to try sorbed some of the principles But such persecution has a to get money by arranging with taught. Mrs. Payne writes: value in clarifying individual a timber merchant for a con- "One of the older pupils told me conviction, and the courage and tract. When they approached one day that she wanted another faith of the Christians continues him and asked for an advance baby. She had had nine chil- to make a deep impression in the of several hundred rupees so dren and they all died. I stared community. The revolution they could fulfil their contract, in amazement. 'Why do you created in family life, in cleanli- he was hesitant about giving want another, then?' I asked. ness of person and habits, of them the money. Just then a 'Before I came to your class I growing strength of character, non-Christian forest ranger apdid not want any more, but now are singularly manifest against peared, and after hearing of the I have learned so much from you a background of their previous difficulty said, "These men are I think that I could raise one if life. None can deny that things Christians and they always do I had it. You see, I made mis- have fundamentally changed in their work faithfully. They are takes.' " what, to them, is a miraculous industrious, and once they be- manner. gin to work they will stick to it. "Christians Do Not Lie" lt will be good business for you -World D.ominion Press. to give them the contract and Sufferers sometimes come 300 advance the necessary money." miles or more to the American Uplift for Criminal Tribes This assurance won the day. Christian Hospital in Meshed, Iran; some even come from An important nation-building Gandhi and Prohibition Afghanistan, in spite of the ex- process is going on by means of pense and difficulty of crossing the Criminal Tribes Settlement The prohibition policy of the the national frontier into a for- Work at Sholapur and other new Ministry of Madras Presieign land. Unfortunately, they centers. Eighty-three lads have dency is not mere talk. Gandhi, cannot all be cured, but such is been apprenticed to various in his Rarijan, expresses the the hospital's reputation that trades. There are 302 children hope of "bringing about total when told there is no cure for in the manual training classes in prohibition not later than three t.heir malady, they will sigh and settlement schools. During the years from July 14, 1937, the year, 18 boys passed the exam- ination in carpentry and draw-
date of taking office by the first For Pure Milk for India the interest your people have shown Congress Ministry." He de- in our work, and the concrete part clares fearlessly: They water the milk in India you have played in that work in the too, but Allahabad Agricultural years that are past. I sincerely hope I count the loss of this revenue Institute has found a way to that this cross which you are install- (from the liqu9r traffic) as of no ac- check on village dairymen by es- ing may be the means of linking us count whatever. Prohibition will re- tablishing milk stations, where more vitally, not only in our common main a far cry if Congress is to count the cows are milked before an interest, but also in our common worthe cost in a matter of first class na- inspector, who checks the sani- ship. It gives us much pleasure to tional importance. Let it be remem- tary condition of the animals, realize that Siamese workmanship is bered that this drink and drugs rev- workmen and utensils, weighs to assist the members of your church enue is an extremely degrading form the milk, and delivers it to the in making our common Christ more of revenue. The loss of revenue is Institute dairy. Where cleanli- real. only apparent. The removal of this ness, honesty, and the keeping of degrading tax enables the drinker- records were unknown before, -Monday Morning. the taxpayer – to earn and spend cooperative dairymen's societies better. are being formed. The Institute French Indo-China hopes to build up a system such Then, by way of a Hindu re~ as exists in some parts of the About a year ago a young Anbuke to Christian America, United States, where the cattle Gandhi says: "The American belong to individuals, but the namese evangelist began work example is a hindrance rather milking and marketing are than a help to us. In America, handled by a responsible central among a race of mountaineers, drinking carries no shame with organization. it. It is the fashion there to the Thais, who live in the hills drink." He graciously adds: -Monday Morning. "I do not despair of America north of Laos Province. Alonce more returning, with still Buddhist Worship in Tibet greater fervor and better experi- though these people are highly ence in dealing with it." Theos Bernard, 28-year-old American explorer, is the first intelligent, they are quite unciv- India has made progress when white man to witness, photoshe thus encourages us to try graph and par,ticipate in the re- ilized and untouched by the Gosagain in a moral crusade. ligious rites of the lamaseries and monasteries of Tibet. He pel. In Laos itself there are -Dnyanodaya. took motion pictures of cere- monies which even Tibetans had 60,000 Laotians and tribespeople Practice Training Experiment never seen. who are still in absolute dark- Church workers in Santa} In addition to his phototried an experiment which seems graphs, Mr. Bernard, who has ness, living in constant fear of to promise far-reaching results. recently returned to the U. S., After repe~ted visits were paid brought back a collection of rare evil spirits. Except for the Swiss to definitely Christian villages, a books and manuscripts, includcircular was sent out to clergy ing complete copies of the Kan- missionaries in southern Laos and catechists in charge of con- Gyur, the Buddhist scriptures, gregations, asking for the names and Ten Gyur, or commentaries, there have been no witnesses in of any villagers who would like and other works including 333 instruction in ways of present- volumes printed from engraved that vast, semi-explored district; ing the Gospel to non-Christian wood blocks. These were carried neighbors. Though illness kept in yak-skin bags for hundreds but recently the Christian and away many who sent their of miles by a pack caravan of names, twenty-eight men and mules and yaks over 18,000-foot Missionary Alliance has apeighteen women came. Bible mountain passes and streams. readings and talks on personal pointed a couple for service contacts, how to tell Bib 1e Siamese Present Cross stories, how to speak at a lan- there. tern service, how to teach in A teakwood cross, carved by Sunday school, wi.th practice in a young Siamese Christian, has There is also great need in doing such things, filled the pro- been presented to the United gram. During the last week Church of Hyde Park, Chicago. eastern Siam, with its fourteen end the people themselves sug- Rev. Pluang Sudhikam, of Banggested the following lines of fol- kok, wrote the officers of the provinces and a population of low-up acti,on: Prayer, both church: private and in weekly prayer 4,000,000; only three provinces meetings; Sun day schools; May I as Moderator of the Church preaching bands; personal work; of Christ in Siam take the liberty of are occupied by missionaries. teaching iIliterates to read and expressing the great pleasure and write. -C. M. S. Outlook. gratitude of our Christian people for Two new workers have been ap- pointed for this field, and six young men from the Siam Bible School have gone out on active service. -Life of Faith.
CHINA Who Says Evacuate?
A missionary of the American Board in North China writes the Church in the U. S.: Of one thing we are sure: there can be no abandonment of our work in North China. We have-you have -too large a stake here to think of running off and leaving it. The stake consists of far more than property and institutions. It is a spiritual stake and belongs to a Kingdom of God that still takes precedence over the Im- perial Japanese Government. Barely two years ago, in a personal conver- sation, the American Ambassador told me that he believed emphatically that in the new regime, which he then felt sure was coming, our contribution as Christian missionaries would be needed
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
even rrW're than in the 75 years of our order to win the game, but she among the Wa tribe near the mission's history which had just closed. is getting her pocket drained border of Burma. The Chinese While so many things are crashing every day she lingers in China. soldiers seem intent on destroyabout us, there are other things that She is killing us day by day but ing every vestige of Christianity dJ and must remain. The friendship this act of killing takes much in that tribe. Representations of Christians of the West for the money. Finally she will go through the American Consul stricken Church of Christ in this land bankrupt. We must pray for have proved worse than fruitwill be of enormous value. peace. I do not think all Jap- less. This is not, however, anese people are as inhuman as typical of the attitude of the The courage and good spirit in these war soldiers." Chinese Government, either civil which our Chinese leaders with whom or military, towards mission we are in daily contact are carrying War Impetus to Education work in Yunnan, for in almost on is in itself an appeal for all that every place there is toleration we can do to hold up their hands. Hin Wong, contributor to the and even friendliness. Many of China Weekly Review, says that the officials are either Christians Chinese Appeal to Christians the war now in progress, while themselves, or friendly to Chris- distressing in many ways, is tian propaganda. An open letter to the Chris- beneficial to the Chinese morally, tians of the world, signed by 20 especially to the women folk, in- Although definite statistics prominent Chinese Christians, cluding those in Szechuen, who are not available, it is highly both men and women, declares: now realize their short-comings probable that there are more "The present Sino – Japanese and are not slow to apply a rem- aboriginal Christians in Yunnan crisis may prove a test of the edy. Certain middle schools for than in all the other provinces moral strength of the Christian girls in and outside Chungking of China put together. Amer- Church throughout the world. have decided to use the off-hours ican Baptist workers have bap- Our earnest hope is that the of their students to organize tized over 28,000 aborigines. Sino-Japanese conflict may not mass education for adult women be viewed as a local and remote in order to interest the illiterate JAPAN-CHOSEN quar.rel. . . . We appeal to in reading, and thus in national Christian people all over the affairs. The women's division Shrine Problem Again world, including those in Japan, of the present National Defense, to share with us the sense of re- or anti-enemy, League in Chung- In carrying out the instrucsponsibility in this perilous king, has found itself inefficient tions of the educational departhour, and to adopt whatever and unable to meet the task as- ment of the government that all measures are within their power signed it, simply because of lack common schools in Japan adopt to set in motion the corporate of leadership among the women some sort of spiritual drill, many conscience of the Christian themselves; and all this may be principals take the pupils to a Church." traced to lack of education on near-by shrine once a month and the part of the masses. make them bow before it. The The "Truly True Church" National Sunday School Associa- Revival in Hong Kong tion is seeking to counteract this China is not without sec- influence in the lives of Christarianism. Independent groups Dr. H. Lechmere Clift, of tian pupils, and is endeavoring are springing up in the Chinese Emanuel Medical Mission, Hong- to make special plans to come in Church, and some try to draw kong, writes in The Life of touch with these pupils in some members away from others. Faith: active way. Reports indicate These groups have such names that the Sunday school enrolas the Glory Church, the Inde- The unJelievable has happened. Re- ment is steadily decreasing, due pendent C h u r c h, the Little vival has begun in Hongkong – al- largely to the rising tide of mili- Flock, the True Jesus Church, most the hardest place in the world tarism. Every effort is being and the Truly True Jesus to rouse saint or sinner. Suddenly, made to awaken church mem- Church. Obviously, the Truly with no herald announcing his ap- bers to a realization of their True have left the True. proach, a tall young American ap- duties in connection with this peared at our Mission. He was Mr. important aspect of their work. -So S. Times. Clifford Lewis on his way to Burma, India, Palestine and Britain. How- -World's Sunday School Extracts from Chinese ever, in answer to prayer, the Lord Association. Woman's Letter detained him, and he had more than a fortnight's meetings. Many souls Kagawa's Views Unchanged "Weare unable to send any have been saved and believers brought war news to anyone as mails are into fuller light and into more conse- Asked to comment upon the being censored. . . . China is crated surrender. rumors that Dr. Toyohiko Kagfighting a defensive war. Japan awa had modified his Christian is fighting a war of aggression. Persecution in Yunnan pacifist attitude because of Ja- China will resist to the end. pan's present action in China, China may die in the end but World Dominion Press reports his secretary and fellow worker, Japan will die with us also. that frightful persecution is go- Miss Helen Topping, declared Japan is acting like a gambler ing on against the American that letters she had received playing a poker game. She is Baptist Mis s ion Christians bidding the highest stakes in
from Japan quite recently were Educating Koran Girls from India, Tonga, Samoa, the eloquent witness to Kagawa's Ellice Islands and New Zealand. distress and concern at the pres- Great changes have taken It has been an official leper setent actions of his country. place in all the mission schools tlement since 1911. Since that of Korea. Twenty-five years ago year there have been more than -The Living Church. the average girl was sixteen to 900 admissions to Makogai, of twenty years old when she en- which about 580 remain today. Japanese Speaks Out tered. There were even a few The island is barely two and a married women. Educational half miles long and a mile wide. At a mass meeting in Madison standards were negligible. Most Square Garden, New York City, of the students were from Chris- Lepers able to care for themlast October, Mr. S. Okemoto, a tian homes and had for years selves are housed in one of five Japanese, said: been attending Sunday school, villages, according to their race. as well as Bible classes with Each village is ruled by a head- Enough has been said about the older women. man, responsible to the adminisreal aim of this undeclared war upon tration for its cleanliness and China by the Japanese military Fas- While the objectives have not the observance of health rules. cists who dominate their government. changed, they now enter at All lepers are expected to work, I shall speak about whether the peo- eleven or twelve years of age, if able. Most of them are farmple of Japan want war, whether the and a larger proportion come ers, raising bananas, sweet potapeople of my country wish to murder from non – Christian hom e s. toes, tapioca and kawais. Any helpless women and children. They There is sufficient evidence to surplus crops are bought by the do not want war.. they do not want prove that these modern stu- government and used for feedto murder the peace-loving people of dents when once they have ing the inmates at the hospital. China; nor do they wish to destroy yielded their hearts to God have the old civilization of China. I give the same burning enthusiasm for European nurses devote their facts to prove it. Christian service as have their lives to these sufferers. They older sisters, with even greater perform the minor dressings for First, the working masses of Japan poise and efficiency. the patients and aside from their have to work long hours for miserably aid in medical and surgical treatlow wages. What will they gain by AUSTRALIA AND THE ment .they spend their time engoing into China to shoot the Chinese ISLANDS couraging the lepers in work and or to be shot themselves? Is it in de- play. Besides the inevitable fense of their country? That cannot Sunday School by Mail movies, the inmates have fishing, be, for we all know that no country model boat sailing, cricket and on earth is threatening Japan. The Postal Sunday School native games for amusement. Movement, wit h headquarters Secondly, who is hearing the burden in Sydney, Australia, was started Surprisingly, the visitor finds of the tremendous expense of this four years ago to meet the spir- the whole atmosphere one of warfare? It is the working masses itual needs of young people in cheerfulness. This is due to the of Japan, where the prices of bare lonely homesteads and scattered fact that modern medicine has necessities, food and clothing- have al- settlements. More than 8,000 shown leprosy to be curable. ready risen 80 per cent. The people boys and girls are members, of of Japan cannot afford to pay for war whom 2,718 enrolled during the Women in the Philippines when they earn hardly enough to pay past year. Thousands of isolated for a bowl of rice! It is the military boys and girls still remain to be The U nit e d Evangelical clique, together with a handful of big linked up with the movement. Church of the Philippines' has financial and industrial interests, that just taken a forward step; it is started war, not the Japanese people. Joy Bells, a monthly periodi- the formation of a Woman's cal, is sent to everyone of them Association. Two years ago the – Watchman-Examiner. free, and contains Bible lessons Dorcas Societies of Mindanao requiring study and answers sent a resolution to the General How Churches Start which are sent to headquarters Assembly asking for more par- for examination and correction. ticipation. As a result, women The founding of a Christian Interesting articles in it foster delegates were invited to the church in a heathen village is al- an interest in the Bible among General Assembly last year for ways a miracle. Here is one these children of some 3,900 the first time. These women which had its beginning in the homes in every state of the Com- then got together to consider hear.t of a humble man from the monwealth, New Zealand, Fiji, how Church women could render mountains. He had heard the New Guinea, Nauru and the more effective service. After Gospel for the first time while Solomon Islands. their deliberations, and with the bringing lumber down for the encouragement of Dr. E. C. Sob- Chusil church, and a workman -World Dominion Press. repena, Moderator of the Gentaught him to believe in Jesus. eral Assembly of the United He went home, and succeeded in Leper Island in Fiji Evangelical Church, the Womconvincing four of his six broth- an's Union was organized, with ers of the truth of the Gospel. Makogai is a dreaded spot in Mrs. Julia Yapsutco as first Although he could neither read the Pacific Ocean. It is the president. nor write he bought several island of Fiji to which go lepers Bibles and hymn books to distribute among his brothers and neighbors who could read. He himself is now learning to read. There are about 400 homes in his village; about 45 attend worship services.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Mrs. Yapsutco has been a dy- growing interest in Bible study. Chautauqua World Missions Innamic leader in the churches of All this has challenged workers stitute: "A Moslem world dis- Mindanao, stimulating the de- to broaden their program, and turbed by the forces of nationalvelopment of a number of con- these are the goals they have set ism, social change, and science gregations and becoming pastor for the next two years: and education, was portrayed by of some of them. She is a wom- The Gospel shall be preached for Dr. Young, speaking on 'The an of deep spiritual life, and will not less than one week in every mu- Awakening of the M 0 s Ie m nicipality of the Bicol Region. World.' Approximately 250 milgive this association leadership In every town where there is an or- lion people are of Moslem faith of a high order. today, considerably in excess of ganized church, every precinct shall all the Protestant Christians in -Missionary Herald. hear the Gospel. the world. Dr. Young stated that the Moslem world is seeth- Every member shall strive to win ing with unrest today and turn- ing away from the orthodox Mo- Something New Under at least one soul to Christ. hammedan conceptions. In just Moro Sun what direction it is turning is Every family in the church shall not now evident. It may pos- possess a Bible and every member at sibly turn to a revised Moslem faith, adapted to modern condi- Under the inspiration and di- least a New Testament. tions; or it may turn largely to rection of Dr. Frank C. Lau- A definite work among the Negritos Christianity. bach, a group of young Filipinos (small aborigines) shall be estab- "Dr. Young pointed out that have launched a m 0 vern e n t lished through local contributions the thinking Moslem people can- alone. not reconcile the ideals of Chris- tianity with the practices of supbased upon seven tests of char- Family worshio shall be established posedly Christian nations and acter: (1) Abandonment of evil . in every evangelical home. people, particularly as to the Christian use of force, and alhabits of thought and action. MISCELLANEOUS coholism. The Moslems look to (2) Absolute honesty. (3) Ab- the United States as the most nearly Christian nation in the solute purity. (4) Absolute Missions and Peace world, thus placing upon us a tremendous responsibility in pounselfishness. (5) To be abso- The Federal C 0 u n c i I of lutely loving. (6) Seek and ob- tential power for good. This Churches and the Committee on serve the Will of God in every International Relations of the power can only be exercised if detail of life. (7) Help their fellow men find the "Good Life.'.' Foreign Missions Conference our practices are made to con- Every young Moro who wishes have agreed upon a plan of coto join must pledge himself to operation to relate the mission- form to our ideals." these principles. Over 43 to ary program of the Church more date have done so. Here is a real challenge to the closely to the cause of peace and better international understand- Christian churches of America Goals for the Future ing. It is widely recognized that and to the home missions forces. foreign missions have a part to The non-Catholic population play in the maintenance of world in the Philippines is increasing peace.
rapidly, while the Roman Cath- From a .Summer Oonference olic population is becoming more Notebook broad-minded and, in many cases is asking for Protestant training Dr. Herrick B. Young, Board for their children. .There is a of Foreign Missions of the Pres- deepened spirituality and a byterian Church of U. S. A., PERSECUTION THAT MISSED ITS POINT Christians have always been persecuted more or less in the Bhil country, Western India, but last year concerted effort was made to destroy Christianity in the village of Ubri. So far as can be ascertained, the reason was fear that the Christian community might become dominant. Whereupon the converts were beaten and constantly threatened, and finally given five days' notice to quit the village. Successful appeal was made to the local magistrate who ruled that Christians were not to be turned out of the village.
This organized persecution was not without encouraging results. The persecutors in Ubri were anxious for the persecution to spread into other villages. So they sent word to the head men of villages near by that unless they made it hot for the Christians in their villages, no brides would be forthcoming from Ubri for their young men. The head men responded by summoning the Christians in the various villages to a meeting. Nearly every Christian household was represented. Then such questions were asked as: "Why did you become Christians?" and "In what way is Christianity better than Hinduism?" and so a splendid opportunity for evangelism was given. The meeting broke up in quite a friendly atmosphere, and the attempt to spread organized persecution fizzled out. Not only that, but Christians were bound together as never before.-C. M. S. Outlook.
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I Our Missionary Bookshelf I Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information 1_ ~,~=====-=o…oo=~=======-==,~ The Solitary Throne. By Samuel M. glibly pray the prayer that we The Process of Change in the Otto- Zwemer. 111 pp. ish. Pickering may be filled with the Holy man Empire. By Dr. Wilbur W. & Inglis. London. 1937. Spirit. I shall never forget the White. Map. 314 pp. $3.50. Uni- professor under whom I .was versity of Chicago Press. 1937. The author was formerly a taught theology telling a man to missionary to Arabia, and re- stop as he prayed that prayer" Ranke, a century ago, unravelcently Professor of Christian and the man stopped in the ing the tangled history of Eur- Missions and the History of Re- middle of his petition. 'John,' ope and the Popes, wrote "No ligion at Princeton Theological he said, 'do you know what it history can be written but uni- Seminary; for twenty-six years might mean to your father and versal history." Dr. White, Ashe has been Editor of The Mos- sistant Professor of Political lem World. He has given us mother, to your home-ties, and Science at Western Reserve Unifive addresses delivered at the to your whole life, if you were versity, has well proven the Keswick Convention in England really baptized with the Holy truth of this quotation. In this last summer. The title is taken Spirit?' When we pray that Doctor's dissertation, he shows from a s tat e m e nt by Mr. prayer, it means combustion- hoW the drama of the Ottoman Gandhi: "I am unable to place sacrifice, 'my heart an altar and Empire, though enacted on the Jesus Christ on a solitary Thy love the flame.' " Near Eastern stage, was plotted throne." These addresses on backstage in Russia, Austria, The Solitary Throne, His Minis- The chapter on "The Glory of Great Britain and later Italy and ters a Flame, Photophobia, The the Impossible" is a summons Germany. The book is a mod- Glory of the Impossible, and The more imperative than any Muez- ern tragedy, with its theme the Hinterland of the Soul empha- zin's can to prayer; it is a sum- struggle of a single old Moslem size the finality of Christ, His Empire against new and vigposition on the Throne of God, mons to the exercise of Christian orous empires. His worthiness to open the seals faith, courage and determination of the Book of History, His abil- in carrying the Gospel to the Here is a condensed history of ity to make His ministers a flame Moslem world, where the author Turkey – the first chapter reof fire, and His glory in bringing spent many years of his life and viewing the rise of a military the Light of Life to men. which he knows so thoroughly. Moslem Empire during the Thir- "It is daybreak, not sunset in teenth Century, penetrating all Dr. Zwemer's style is not like the Moslem world" is his in- contiguous territories till in a smoothly running brook, but formed and eager cry. 1774, having attained its zenith, like a stream which is full of the process of disintegration berapids and cataracts. Like The closing chapter on "The came evident. The following Carlyle he is staccato, pungent, Hinterland of the Soul" is the chapters trace the methods used piercing, although the original call of a real leader and a true by European imperialism to and forceful address on "Photo- prophet to all Christians to rouse weaken and encroach on the dephobia" is an exception to this. from lethargy and to take pos- caying Ottoman Empire. There He is nothing if not original, di- session of the things which have is a trenchant criticism of the rect, interesting and often dis- been promised by the Lord. vision of political leaders during turbing. His whole soul is de- the nineteenth century in not voted to the Lord Jesus. First Dr. Zwemer's quotations and understanding the dynamic nahe gives the particulars which illustrations, with which the ture of change. Each step was show the supremacy, uniqueness book abounds, reveal a very considered as final-and no proand finality of Christ and Chris- wide reading, an excellent mem- vision allowed for later modifitianity; second he communicates ory, and a great gift of painting cation of circumstances. Yet to the reader something of the "apples of gold in pictures of Divine fire which has consumed each treaty was but a comprohim in Arabia and at Princeton. silver." Any man or woman who mise and soon after signing of Let the reader think of the pas- reads this book will have his or sage on page 50: "May we never her heart warmed and stirred such treaties, conditions had and inspired and called to deeper love for Christ and to greater changed, making the conditions courage in His service. unbearable to one of the many ROCKWELL S. BRANK.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[62 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
parties concerned. Any effort to Browbeaten by war and illegalities guide-book in the unspeakably from 1774 to 1920, Turkey rested its important work of winning peoaccomplIsh modIfications, trod last stand for national existence on ple to Christ and definite salva- military force-and won. With inde- tion. Packed with Bible referon the privileges of some other power. 'l'hus the only possibility pendence guaranteed by its own abil- of affecting change was by de- ity to protect itself by force, it has ences, discussion of casest and nuncIatIOn of a past agreement helpful directions in this work, and military accion. The history accepted existing peaceful instrumen- it is not dry rea din g, but breathes the holy passion of the of the Ottoman Empire is thus talities for the settlement of sub- sidiary questions. . . . It is interest- ing' that Turkey has been one of the one of continuous "illegality" leaders in accepting the instrumentali- Lord Himself, and communi- ties (of the League) and of the spirit and war. The main method used of that part of Article 19 of the Cov- cates the passion to readers who to break up the Ottoman Em- enant regarding the reconsideration already have a clear faith, and pire, was to fan the flames of a willing heart. Its chapters of treaties, the extension of which is national aspirations in the mi- prerequisite to the avoidance of war tell of "A Concern for Souls," and the development of pe,aceful innority races, encouraging revolt, ternational change. "The Fitness of the Worker," assisting by loaning arms or "The Place of Prayer," "Oppor- forces and making timely in- This book, though brief, omits tunity and Approach," and how vasions from outside, application no important material. It is to deal with various classes. The of diplomatic pressure to assure very skimpy on economic factors author's aim is to give in small recognition of new independent producing change; but is a compass the best instruction groups-till portion by portion political study, well documented, possible out of his own experi- the periphery of Empire (Egypt interesti.ngly written, and adds ence and that of other soul-win- in 1806; Greece by 1829-30; a valuable contributinn to the ners the world over. We agree Roumania in 1856; Cypres and literature seeking ways of peace- with the Foreword, by William Tunisia in 1877, etc.) had been ful change – the author's selec- P. Nicholson, that there never broken off, so that by 1914 only tion of the Ottoman Empire is was a time when such a book central A nat 0 I i a, Iraq and excellent and his treatment is was more needed than today, Arabia remained to the parent careful, just and timely. It is a because many believers have State. These were generously sad "case record" of nineteenth never won anyone to Christ, and disposed of in war promises. century imperialism, with hope are missing the heavenly joy of The Arabs were encouraged to for a better way, in which Tur- it and the reward. It would be revolt, and while France and key leads. EDWIN M. WRIGHT. well for the churches if thou- Great Britain retained important The New Walk. By Captain Reginald sands would read a book like Wallis. 78 pp. 40 cents. Amerportions for themselves, the re- ican Bible Conference Assn. Phil- this and have their heart enmainder was promised to Greece adelphia, Pa. 1937. flamed with a new desire and and Italy as the price of entry purpose really to do the will of on the Allied side. There was Like its predecessors – The Jesus Christ. FRANK LUKENS. but one miscalculation-that the New Boy, The New Girl, The "sick man" might revive and New Life, and other small vol- Notes on a Drum. Travel Sketches spoil the sale. This miracle took umes in the helpful series of in Guatemala. By Joseph H. Jackplace and under Kemal Ataturk, books by the well-known British son. Illus. 8vo. 276 pp. $3.00. the corpse jumped off the oper- evangelist-this is characterized The Macmillan Co. New York. ating table and drove out the dis- by clarity of presentation and 1937. secting doctors. an abundant use of Scripture texts. It is more than just a As the subtitle informs us, Nationalism, the disease which treatise, sprinkled with Bible these notes are not "from a references. There are helpful drum" but travel sketches writhad caused the amputation of illustrations, which add to the ten largely on a Guatemala Turkey's provinces, became the usable quality of the book. It drumhead used for a table. Mr. elixir which revivified her body should do much to clarify the re- Edwards is the author of "The in 1919 and produced her regen- sponsibility and privileges of Mexican Interlude" and is cheereration. The rebirth was more effective testimony for recent ful, chatty and an observing than political or military. It converts, as well as for more traveler. was social as well, reaching into mature believers who have not the religion, economy and life of fully realized the practical im- Guatemala is an interesting every Turk. There is a fine con- plications of the Christian faith. country, the most important of clusion: (page 260) the five Central American re- F. E. G. publics. The people and govern- Within fifteen years, it (Turkey) ment show all the characteristics has cut itself off from its past in al- The Divine Art of Soul-Winning. of Latin Americans; mixed with most every conceivable manner. . . . By J. O. Sanders. 96 pp. Is. Indians, temperamental, excit- Interestingly enough, he seems to have Pickering and Inglis, Glasgow. able, ambitious for independundergone a spiritual revivication 1937. ence and right to rule, but lackwhich is responsible for his physical ing in many elements that make recuperation. This new combination The author is superintendent for stable and wise government. of a vital spirit in a smaller, it is true, but much more homogeneous and ro- bust body has been able to throw off of the New Zealand Bible Train- Mr. and Mrs. Jackson went as the restraints of centuries and for- tourists to see the country and mally enabled Turkey to enter as an ing Institute and editor of The the people, apparently without equal into the family of nations…. Reaper. This is an inspiring
any prejudices and with only a his tragic death for its publica- befallen any other of the group purpose to tell what they saw. tion. Intimate personal ac- on the University campus, but The author tells of the climate, there can be no doubt that C. T. the picturesque scenery, the life quaintance with "Jack" Williams Wang was right in his letters of the people – high and low, gave Mr. Wheeler both a sympa- and his inscribed memorial, in rich and poor, Spanish, ladino declaring that "it was the demise and Indians, urban and rural. thetic understanding of his per- of the beloved vice-president The reports of life in Guatemala sonality and devotion and also which shocked the Chinese au- City, Chichicastenango, Quezal- access to correspondence which thorities into purging the coun- tenango and other cities and vividly reveals the man, his try of the Red Terror and effect- towns give a few graphic ing the union of the distracted glimpses but are very incom- times, his labors and his impress provinces of China." His death plete. There are notes on his- upon the new generation in "revealed the guilt of sin and the tory and architecture, markets beauty of love," and this biog- and slums, parks and flowers, China. raphy should bring to all readers volcanoes and lakes, politics and both these lessons and also the officials, hotels and tourists, Ro- John E. Williams, of sturdy infinite value, for time and eter- man Cat hoI i c priests and Welsh parentage, was born at nity, of every strong life devoted churches, festivals, customs and Coshocton, Ohio, June 11, 18'H. to making Christ known to a costumes, Indian idols and Cath- great race like the Chinese. olic images, superstition and Six years' labor with his father tradition; but there is nothing in the coal mines delayed his C. H. FENN. about the important evangelical schooling, but he took the course Christian work with its schools, at Marietta College and was The Man Who Moved Multitudes. churches and hospitals – all of By R. D. Johnston. 12mo. 138 pp. which are worth noting. The graduated from Auburn Theo- Ish. Pickering & Inglis. Glasgow. only references to Protestant logical Seminary in 1899. With 1937. work are unfavorable gossip. With all it is a readable, though his bride he landed in China on This brief biography of the very scrappy, travel book. the eve of "Boxer Year," and late D. L. Moody is scarcely more was assigned to Nanking. He than a sketch, with tributes to Miracles in a Doctor's Life. By the man from some prominent Walter Lewis Wilson. 121 pp. acquired much of his fluency in people. It is very sympathetic Paper, 20 cents. Bible Institute Chinese by constant mingling with the evangelist's spirit and Colportage Assn. Chicago. 1935. with the people. Charge of a purpose and is interesting to those who are not already fa- Here is a spiritual tonic for small boys' school impressed him miliar with the facts. On ac- any Christian doctor. Many count of its brevity there is work conscientiously and effec- with the call for union of such practically nothing in this rec- tively but they view their work schools, and from this grew the ord except about Mr. Moody''! as though the body were of chief evangelistic work. There is importance and as if man were Union University, of which he practically nothing about his only a higher order of animal. was for twenty years the strenu- home and family, the schools he Dr. Wilson looks upon man as ously promoting vice-president. founded, his work in the army an immortal soul with a body- In 1906-07, eight months were and Y. M. C. A. or the great both of which need to be kept Northfield Conferences. There strong and healthy, but the spir- spent with the many Chinese is no literary merit to the story ituallife being of supreme value. students in Tokyo, and there be- and it is exceedingly "spotty." He tells many soul-stirring ex- gan a strong friendship with One mistake is in saying that periences in dealing with souls Mr. Moody married the "daugh- and bodies and shows the joy C. T. Wang, a leader in the Rev- ter" of Fleming H. Revell. She and gratitude that follows when olution of 1911-12. Half of his was his sister. There are also a patient finds new life in Christ, remaining years, to his death in one or two mistakes in the spell- even if the body must return to 1927, were spent in securing ing of proper names. Neverthe- the earth from which it came. less, young people will find it Read the book and send it to your personal interest and financial easy and stimulating reading. doctor friends. support in America for the Uni- versity. N~w Books John E. Williams of Nanking. By W. Reginald Wheeler. Fleming H. From the beginning he was Accidents Will Happen. W. M. Revell Co. 222 pp. $2.00. 1937. Pearce. Is. 3d. Pickering & Inglis. an ardent advocate of an in- Glasgow. Though "better late than creasing measure of Chinese re- never," it is a pity that this me- sponsibility and authority in the The Approaching Advent of Christ. morial of a strong and success- University. His relations with Alexander Reese. 328 pp. $2.40. ful China missionary had to Marshall, M'organ & Scott. London. . await the tenth anniversary of Chinese teachers and students showed no sense of racial or cul- Congo-Past and Present. Alfred R. tural superiority, but always the Stonelake. 202 pp. 3s. 6d. World heartiest cooperative fellowship. He accepted China's problems as his own and declared his convic- tion that Christianity may yet "find a fuller and better expres- sion in the Chinese Church than it has found in any other land." The Anti-Christian Movement of 1922-25 and the anti-foreign agi- tation of 1924-27 did not shake his optimism. His death at the hands of an ignorant Red soldier, on March 24, 1927, might have
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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 Wh'ite 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 will be ready early in February.
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. A Decisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. From 18;0 to 1855. III. Three Years Abroad. xu. Ten Years of Independent Work. IV. Life in New York, 1840-1844. The Bombay Guardian. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XIII. Relations with the American Board. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XIV. Association with the Methodist Church. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. Bowen as a Writer. VIII. His Missionary Appointment. XV. Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin. IX. The Voyage to India, 1847. XVI. Closing Testimony. X. Beginning Missionary Work. XVII. XVIII. XIX.
This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 186 Fifth Avenue, New York 11f1! 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.
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The Missionary Review of the World — December 1937
1937
A Kurdish Christian Prophet J. Christy Wilson Sermon by a Converted Moslem Sa'eed Kurdistani First Five Centuries of Christianity Kenneth Scott Latourette The Evangelical Church in Brazil Miguel Rizzo, Jr.
In the Midst of European Revolutions Adolph Keller The Dilemma of Japanese Christians T. T. Brumbaugh Faith Working by Love in Japan Winburn T. Thomas 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember Mrs. McDougall was born in Detroit, PARENTS
Michigan, June 13, 1869, the daughter December 12-Universal Bible Sun- of the late Arthur T. Pierson and In the Foreign Mission Field day. Sarah Frances Benedict. Subsequent- Endorse Calvert School ly she lived in Indianapolis, Philadel- Home Study Courses January 2-9-1938 Universal Week of Prayer. phia and Brooklyn, moving to Upper for Children Montclair, New Jersey, in 1917, where NATIONAL PREACHING MIS- she made her home with her brother, Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- SION the Editor of THE REVIEW. She mar- tion Department, will give your child a ried Mr. McDougall in 1928 following superior elementary education … by mail, December 2-S–.Tacksonville, Fla. regardless of where you may live. Mod- a year and a half spent in Japan with ern, approved courses from this famous Obituary Notes her sister, Mrs. Frederick S. Curtis, school are being used by parents all over the world with outstanding success. and with her friends of the Kwato Mission in Papua. For forty years Mrs. McDougall was active in various forms of Christian work in connection Give your children the advantages of these The Rev. John McDowell, D.D., with the Church and various mission- interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, Associate Director of the Department ary organizations. For some years she and attractive materials. Instruction is of Social Education and action of the has been the volunteer Promotion Sec- under the personal guidance of teachers in Board of Christian Education of the retary in America for the Kwato Mis- Calvert's prominent and successful private day school in Baltimore. Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., and sion of Papua. formerly moderator of the General Write today for booklet of complete in- Assembly of the Church, entered into The Rev. Dr. Paul W. Koller, for formation. Costs are low. rest on November 13th after under- nine years executive secretary of the going a major operation. Dr. Mc- Board of Foreign Missions of the Dowell was born in Scotland in 1870 United Lutheran Church, died Noand was brought to America by his vember 11th at Baltimore, Md., at parents when two years old. He was the age of 65. graduated from Mt. lIermon School Dr. Koller was born in Glen Rock, and from Princeton University and after a special course in the Theo- Pa., and educated at Gettysburg (Pa.) ment be extended to foreign lands and logical Seminary was pastor succes- College. He attended Gettysburg Dr. Boville spent a year in the Far Theological Seminary, was ordained East founding schools. sively of churches in Steelton, Pa.; in 1897. After serving pastorates in Detroit, Michigan; Newark, New Cleveland, Ohio; Hudson, N. Y., and *** Jersey, and Baltimore, Maryland. Mansfield, Ohio, in 1921 he was named Canon Streeter, provost of Queen's He was Religious Work Director dur- president of the Lutheran Synod of College, Oxford, and Mrs. Streeter ing the War and in 1919 became a Ohio. In 1928 he was elected to the were killed in a plane crash in Switzsecretary of the Board of Home Mis- post he held at his death. He had erland, September 10. Dr. Streeter sions, later the Board of National served as a member of the committee was a scholar' and theologian of high Missions, of the Presbyterian .Church. of Reference and Counsel of the For- ability. His writings have been He was a popular speaker at summer eign Mission Conference of North widely read in this country. conferences and was author of several volumes, including one on Dwight L. America, and had been a member of *** Moody, one on "The Christian Spirit the Missionary Laymen's Executive in Industry," and one on "Christian Bishop William H. Heard, of the Essentials." He is survived by his Committee and the executive commit- African Methodist Church, died in a wife, and one daughter, Mrs. Robert tee on cooperation in the Near East. Philadelphia Hospital September 12, C. Cory. A biographical sketch of at the age of 87. He had attended the Dr. McDowell will appear in an early He also had served as president of World Faith and Order Conference in issue of THE REVIEW. Edinburgh, and while there experi- the conference of Foreign Mission enced difficulty in obtaining hotel ac- … … … Boards of Lutheran Churches in commodations. Dr. Temple, Arch- bishop of York, offered him the hos- Dr. Frank W. Bible, the Central America. pitality of his home. District Home Base secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Mary *** B. Koller, and a daughter, Miss Kath- erine Koller, Professor of English at Bryn Mawr Co..l.leg..e. . …
Presbyterian Church, died in Chicago, The Rev. Dr. Robert George B.o- .T. Harvey Borton, a Philadelphia Ill., November 15th after an illness of ville, founder of the Daily Vacation business man, well known in religious several months. He was born in Bible School movement in the United circles, died on October 80th in the Milesburg, Pa., July 18, 1877, and States and director of the world-wide Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, after graduation from Park College organization for the religious educa- following an operation. He was born and from Auburn Theological Semi- tion of children, died in Yonkers, N. at Rancocas, New Jersey, sixty-five nary, he went as a missionary to Y., on November 8th. Dr. Boville years ago, and lived at Moorestown, China in 1904. There he taught in lived in Riverdale, N. Y., and was N. J. He was connected with the the Hangchow Christian College for eighty-three years old. Hajoca Corporation, manufacturers fifteen years. On his return to Amer- Dr. Boville was born in Belfast, Ire- of plumbing supplies, and was a ica in 1919, he became associate gen- land, and came to New York from a member of the Executives Association eral secretary of the Committee of pastorate in Hamilton, Ontario, in of Philadelphia. Reference and Council for the Foreign Missions Conference of N. A. and in 1901 to become secretary of the Bap- Mr. Borton was an active member tist City Mission. That same year he 1924 was elected· district secretary. of of the Society of Friends and a frethe Presbyterian Board. Dr. Bible began the nation's first daily vacation made a tour of the world in 1930-l. Bible schools. He found a group of quent speaker at the Sunday services With his extensive knowledge of con- young college and seminary students at Girard College. He was also chairditions both at home and abroad, he who were willing to donate their varendered valuable service in promot- man of the council of the V:ictorious cation time to religious training for ing foreign missionary interest. Life Testimony, which directs the these children. One thousand children * .. * were enrolled the first year. work of the Pioneer Mission Agency, Anna Pierson .McDqugall, the wife Dr. Boville traveled throughout the the Keswick Colony of Mercy Kes- country organizing Bible schools. By of Mr. Walter McDougall for tWenty wick Grove, N. J., and summe'r conyears the treasurer of the Missionary 1916 the movement had spread and ferences held at Keswick Grove' Review Publishing Co., entered into the organization was incorporated as the International Association of Daily chairman of the board of trustees of the Life Beyond on Sunday, November Vacation Bible Schools. Missionaries the Belgian Gospel Mission; and a 7th, following a serious operation. in the Orient requested that the move- member of the board of directors of the Sunday School Times Company.
His wife, Alice McClure Borton and a daughter survive him. '
MISSIONARY Do You When the good
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Read the Old Testament calls you East … sail DELAVAN L. PIERBON, Editor Understandingly? p&O VOL. LX DEC., 1937 No. 12 How often have you longed for This year marks a full century of P & 0 Publication and Business OIDce– a book that service to the lands beyond Suez! Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. would present the historical, geo- Whenever you are called to the other graphical, cultural and archae- side of the world, choose this tradi- Editorial and Executive OIDce– ological backgrounds of the Great tional route. Cross to England by 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Book, and thus make the study Cunard White Star •.. and there Entered as second-class matter at of the Bible more meaningful? embark in a great liner of the P & 0 and British India fleets, led by the Post OIDce, Harrisburg, Pa., under JAMES C. MUIR, noted autltorHy and new 22,5oo-ton Strathnaver, Strath- Act of March 3, 1879. lecturer on the Old Testament has just aird and Strathmore. Regular service completed a new and unusnal book that to Egypt, Sudan, Persian Gulf, India, 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. sweeps away the mists of unreality with Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. which time has enshrouded the old China, Japan, Australia, East and Published monthly, except August. Testament narratives – the title, South Africa, Mauritius. Low rates. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan HIS TRUTH ENDURETH Convenient through bookings can be arranged and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, by your local travel agent or any office of London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Tltls boole Is more fascInating titan fIction. 10 shillings a year. It enables the student to assimilate more CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE readily the backgrounds of the Old MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Testament. Here is the story of the GENERAL AGENTS LISHING CO., INC. rise of civilization, the history of peoples who were contemporary with the chil- 25 Broadway and 638 FifthAve.,NewYork BOARD OF DIRECTORS dren of Israel in Old Testament days, ROBERT E. SPEER, President together with the latest archaeological A. L. WABNBHUIB, Vice-President information bearing on the many sub- WALTER McDoUGALL, Treasurer jects covered in the book. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary You Need This Book SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Buy It Today From Your Bookseller D. J. FANT List Price $2.50 MRB. ORRIN R. JUDD NATIONAL PUBLISHING CO. PHILADELPHIA WM. B. LIPPHARD ERIC M. NORTH 180,640 Net New Believers in 9 Years in Korea SAMUEL M. ZWEMER This is equivalent to Editorial Chat 70 new parishes of 300 helievers each The Editor and Board of Directors year. Some mission fields haven't of THE REVIEW extend very cordial won 20,000 in 50 years. Christmas greetings to our readers, What is the "secret" of it all? missionaries and other Christian friends in every land. The picture of May it be the Bible emphasis? a warring world is a sad commentary on humanity's response to the Gospel Last year the Korean Church held of peace, but the very fact that man- ~,344 Week-Long Bible Conferences. kind shows so little evidence of ac- (J7R,SJ3 attendance.) ceptance of Christ and His Gospel is 10.0oo!n Bible Correspondence. a compelling reason for carrying His message of life and love to every part S4'.~68 III Sunday Schools. of the world by the power of the Holy 55.075 in Bible Vacation Schools. Spirit at Christmas time and without ',500 in 6-10 Week Bible Institutes. ceasing. May this "NEVIUS METHOD" he the This and other numbers of THE Dynamic of All Methods. REVIEW give encouragement by telling how this work is being done and God Honors His Word. how God is making the work fruitful. Read Korea t" Story in the New Book Read the back cover of THE REVIEW "THE NEVIUS PLAN FOR MISSION for our special offer. WORK IN KOREA" (370 pages). *** By CHARLES ALLEN CLARK. Ph.D.• D.D. THE REVIEW is to puhlish Dr. (35 years in Korea.) Speer's new book-a life of George Bowen, one of the most unique and Postpaid-~ remarkable of all the missionaries to India, who died about fifty years ago. CHRISTIAN LITERATURE SOCIETY. Note the announcement on the back Seoul, Korea ~ – – – – – – – Y5.oo cover. E. C. HEINZ, * '" * S6~' 5th Ave. S.. Minneapolis, Minn. $t.OO "I want to congratulate you on [ 561 ] your Rural (June) issue. You have assembled a lot of fine material on the rural church."-Dr. Wm. R. King, Executive Secretary of the Home Missions Council.
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TEACHElRS IN CAMPINAS SEMINARY-FOREIGNERS AND
STUDElNTSAT THE CAMPINAS THE"OLOGICAL SEMINARY, BRAZIL (See Article by Dr, Miguel Rizzo, page 576)
NARY
ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 12 DECEMBER, 1937 Topics of the Times WAR AND MISSIONS IN CHINA dun, the Chinese troops saying "They shall not pass!" and Japan pouring in a continual stream The Chinese armies in the Shanghai area be. of soldiers with superior mechanized equipment. gan (on October 27th) a well-executed retreat Bombing of cities, railways and other lines of from their first lines of defense to a second line south and west of Soochow Creek. This brought communication in this area has been continuous the fighting into areas adjacent to the French for two months. Soochow, Kiangyin, Chinkiang Concession and Nantao, the old Chinese city, and and Nanking have suffered from especially freforced the evacuation of St. John's University, quent and severe air raids. Recently in a bomb- St. Mary's School for Girls, The Seventh Day ing of Sungkiang, 50 miles southwest of Shanghai, Adventist Sanitarium and other institutions. The the splendid center of Southern Methodist miseffects of the severe struggle have been felt on sionary work and lay-training, suffered heavily. the edges of the International and French settle- The Girls' School was set on fire, a missionary ments and from stray shells falling into these residence was demolished and other buildings settlements. Many mission and interdenomina- were damaged. tional organizations were forced for a time to move from their offices near the Bund. Communi· The landing of Japanese troops on the northcations with inland China have been maintained ern shores of Hangchow Bay, south of Shanghai, by bus and motor car service. An increasing may endanger mission centers at Sungkiang, number of missionaries who were sojourning tem- Kashing and Huchow. Christian work is being porarily at other ports or summer resorts have maintained at Hangchow and cities south and been returning to Shanghai and some have gone west. Hangchow Christian College has an enon to their inland stations. A large missionary rollment now of 500, Wayland Academy (Baptist) colony, chiefly mothers and children, is now in has over 1,000 students and the Union Girls' the buildings of the Shanghai American School. School has re-opened. Soochow, 50 miles west The National Christian Council, mission head- of Shanghai, is affected more seriously. The three quarters and other central offices are keeping in Christian hospitals there are crowded with touch with missionaries and churches in the in- wounded and Soochow University is being used terior by means of radio and a limited mail service to house wounded and refugee civilians. Missionwhich has been remarkably efficient considering ary doctors and nurses are staying on. difficulties of transportation. Chinese ~hurches in the settlements and out of the immediate fight- Since the partial destruction of Central Goving zone are continuing their regular services of ernment Hospital in Nanking by an air raid on worship and are undertaking many forms of re- September 25 the University (Drum Tower) lief work. The presence of hundreds of thousands Christian Hospital has had to carry a double burof refugees in Shanghai, who face the winter den of medical aid and relief work. This hospital without food and shelter, constitutes a grave prob- has cabled word of its desperate need for medical supplies, especial anesthetics, tannic acid and anti-tetanus serum. Other mission hospitals in the three eastern provinces of Chekiang, Kiangsu lem. and Anhwei are meeting heroically the emergency Nanking is 200 miles northwest of Shanghai, demands upon their services, with diminished in- come from fees and serious shortage of supplies. Hangchow 150 miles southwest. These three cities form a triangle which is becoming a great Ver- The University of Nanking and Nanking The- [563 ]
SUlIj'UAN JEHOL I.
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PRINCIPAL AREAS COVERED IN THE JAPANESE INVASION OF CHINESE TERRITORY On November 11, the Japanese had moved their armies in the north as far west as Talyuan, Shans! Province. Their line extended south of Pelplng, nearly to Tientsin. From Shanghai they had moved south on the road to Hangchow, and were marching west to attack Nanking. The cities named show the principal Protestant mission stations; the location of other stations is marked by circles. Rail- I'oads completed and under construction are also indicated.
ological Seminary have re-opened in Nanking also an increasing exodus of students from the with about a third of their normal enrollments. coastal provinces westward. So far the Chiriese Ginling College is carrying on some of its work Government has encouraged schools to continue in connection with Hwachung College in Wuchang and students to pursue their studies wherever and St. John's University at Shanghai. Govern- possible, believing that China must keep on buildment educational institutions are more and more ing for the future. As a consequence, Hwachung College, Yale-in-China at Changsha and West moving to central and west China and there is
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
China Union University have enrollments far .is moving part of its work including the Medical above the average. School to west China. The Northern Presbyterians and Southern Baptists have extensive work in The National Christian Council sends encour- Shantung. Some missionaries of these and other aging news from churches all over China, even missions are staying in the interior, others are at those in fighting areas. Christian relief commit- the port of Tsingtau keeping in close touch with tees are being organized in many cities. Mission- their Chinese co-workers and making occasional ary work in central and west China is going on visits inland. The Southern Presbyterian Mismore normally and Szechwan and Yunnan seem sion which works in north Kiangsu still has misto be the safest provinces so far. Air raids have sionaries at Haichow, at Suchow the important extended as far inland as Hankow, Wuchang and railway junction and at Tsingkiangpu. Mission- Changsha. After an air raid on Wuchang which aries are remaining in considerable numbers in reduced a poor section of the city to shambles and Honan Province and the United Church of Canwhich came near destroying the Methodist Mis- ada has recently decided to send some missionsion Hospital, a Hankow newspaper reported, aries back who have completed their furloughs. "Scores of operations and amputations were performed by candle light at the Methodist Hospital Cities in northern Shansi where missionaries owing to the electric light system failing. There reside have been bombed and as this article goes is a lamentable shortage of doctors and ambu- to press news comes of the Japanese seige of lance workers." Taiyuan, the capital. The American Board and Church of the Brethren missions have important Air raids have continued on the coastal cities work in Shansi. Taiku and Fenchow, south of of Fukien and Kwangtung with especially de- Taiyuan, are centers of American Board educavastating effect in Canton, but no serious damage tional, medical and evangelistic effort, including to mission property has been reported. One mis- the Oberlin-in-Shansi schools. Christian work sion hospital in Kwangtung has been struck. Fu- here is much disturbed but a group of missionkien Christian University and Hwanan College aries have refused to leave and are doing what in F'oochow and Lingnan University, Canton, are they can to help alongside their Chinese colopen with limited enrollments but with morale leagues. high. From Great Britain come reports that British Yenching University in Peiping and other missions are holding their own. The China Inland Christian schools in the Japan-controlled area Mission is not returning missionaries or sending have opened and the number of students is steadily new missionaries for the present. Detailed news increasing. Few of these students, however are from inland stations comes through slowly. from central and south China and all educational work is conducted with peculiar difficulties. Busi- On September 21st the National Christian ness has been hard hit in the invaded territory, Council of China adopted the following resolution unemployment is increasing and Christian insti- which was later broadcast from Shanghai, "Along tutions and churches which depend upon con- with the material relief we must give is the spirtributions and fees will all suffer. Letters coming itual uplift of the nation. The soul of China is through, however, tell of great faith and courage at stake. An effort should be made to keep up on the part of Christian groups. Paoting, the the morale of the Chinese Christians, so that their capital of Hopei, an important center of mission Christian faith, hope and love may not be dework of the American Board (Congregational) stroyed by the terror of war. What China needs and Northern Presbyterian Mission, suffered from at present is a reinforcement of spiritual power, a heavy siege and looting as the Japanese line and that power Christianity alone can give. Since moved southward. A small group of missionaries this war is going to put a strain upon the restayed on and ministered to the suffering. Teh- sources of the human soul as well as on material chow, another American Board mission center in resources it would seem important that we should northern Shantung, has been captured by J ap- bring together all Christian forces available for anese troops and Changteh, a mission center of the task of deepening our spiritual resources, the United Church of Canada in northern Honan. leading people to look up and find God a very The Japanese advance will probably be halted present help in time of trouble, assisting the for the time being at the strong defenses along churches and schools in clear thinking about the the Yellow River. The fighting is coming close issues raised by this conflict, and giving them to Tsinan, the capital of Shantung. There are comfort, healing and strength." fears that attacks on ,the Shantung coast may force the Chinese armies to abandon Shantung Dr. E. Stanley Jones, who was in Shanghai province but at the present writing the defense when hostilities broke out there, and went to Mais strong. Cheeloo University at Tsinan, in which nila instead of starting upon his projected six thirteen American and British missions cooperate, months' evangelistic tour of China, has now gone from the Philippines to central and west China
for a month of evangelistic meetings, at the re- refused to allow the facts as to their students to quest of Chinese Christian leaders. be made public.
Chinese leaders, both Christian and non-Chris- In one prominent university, where there is a beautiful $2,000,000 chapel and a college pastor, tian, have expressed in many ways their appre- two-thirds of the students said they had not at- tended chapel once that year. ciation of the service missionaries are rendering The religious influences surrounding students in the present tragic situation, and have urged are of special importance since the United States Government acknowledges God as the supreme that missionary work be continued at all costs. ruler and the students of one generation largely mold the life and character of coming generations. Most of the mission boards are raising special How can our students be reached with sound funds for emergency needs in their own fields religious teaching and won to Christ? The great- est need is for truly Christian instructors, but and are also supporting the general campaigns .there is also a loud call for greater spiritual vital- ity in the college churches, in chapel services, and for relief work in China sponsored by the Fed- in the Christian Associations. There is need for better cooperation between the colleges and home eral Council of Churches, American Red Cross, churches from which students come. Parents and even pastors often seem to be impassive or in- China Famine Relief, and other agencies. different as to whether or not their young people give any attention to spiritual things while in col- Since the war may continue for a long time, possibly several years, mission boards are begin- ning to adjust their policies to the special condi- tions. Whatever changes may be necessary in methods of work there seems to be no plan of withdrawal. Missionaries on the field and mission societies here are determined to carryon in war as well as in peace. FRANK W. PRICE.
lege. Much more interest is shown in their intel- EVANGELIZING COLLEGE STUDENTS . lectual standing, their athletic games and their One of the most serious problems of the present social events such as college dances. How many parents would spend a week-end to attend college day in America and other lands is that of winning chapel?
the youth to an intelligent and whole-hearted alle- In view of this situation it is of especial inter- est and importance to note that the National giance to Christ and enlisting them unreservedly Preaching Mission, which last year toured the in His service for mankind. It is estimated that country without making much impression on the colleges and universities, is this year undertaking there are at least sixty million youth in America a University Christian Mission especially among under twenty-five years of age. Of these not more students. Dr. John A. Mackay, the new and vigthan one half are under any definite religious in- orous president of Princeton Theological Semstruction. The, Sunday schools enroll about inary, is chairman. The following statement retwenty million but much of the Christian training veals the purpose and plan of this Preaching received there is haphazard and very inadequate. Mission. $ome of the. finest youth of the lane. go to our colleges and other'higher educational institutions to Due to the dominance of a naturalistic philosophy in so prepare}ol;' life and work. When they leave home many university centers, unprecedented religious illiteracy most' of' them are interested in knowing God and among students, combined with increasing manifestations they are apt to have an ambition to use their lives of spiritual hunger, the responsibility of the Church is to good purpose; many lose both this interest and ambition in college. A report issued by the "Coun- overwhelming. . . . cil of Church Boards of Education," giving the Aimless liberty is palling upon many who'seek an abidresults of a recent comprehensive survey of college youth in 1,171 American institutions of ing loyalty for their devotion. They are looking for a higher learning, shows that 88 per cent of these Master in whom they may believe utterly, and for a cause to which they; may commit themselves with sacrificial abandon; th~y ~~ek light on the perplexing framework in students acknowledge some religious preferences, which their lives are set; in growing numbers they debut only about sixty per cent of them regularly mand to know what Christianity is and what it has to attended any religious services while in college. offer. Many are indifferent and some state that they are Such a situation is a clear caIl to united Christian action. The University Preaching Mission will undertake opposed to God and religion. three major tasks: It will deal with false conceptions about Christia_nity which .are current in university circles. These facts show a serious situation and a great It must also make plain' that Christian faith is fulfilled need and opportunity, especially since these youth only in Christian life !l,ntl.action, and that it is relevant ought to be future leaders in political, educational, to all issues in society which involve the welfare of human economic and religious life. Twenty-four out of beings. The mission will p.im to bring forcibly to the at- 1,458 institutions in nine states reported that it tention of student.s the implications of the Christian meswas illegal in those states to inquire into the reli- sage for all spheres and phases of life, and to set forth gious preferences of students. Other institutions the vision of a world Christian community as the Role hope of saving a sinful world.
A Kurdish Christian
The Story of Dr. Sa'eed Kurdistani as Told to ,. Christ,r Wilson, Tabriz, Iran W E PULLED our chairs up beside the fire of pure water near us. None of us came down in his Teheran home. I had long awaited with the cholera. the chance for this interview with Dr. "As a boy I was always busy with books. I Sa'eed Kurdistani, perhaps the most noted con- read the Persian poets and was so well versed in vert from Islam in all Iran. The story of his life Arabic and Persian that, when my father died, (here told as nearly as possible in his own words) when I was thirteen years of age, the Imam is a human interest document of importance. The Jumeh placed the white turban on my head and sidelights also show the thoughts and the heart of made me a teacher in the same school where my a true Moslem and how such an one may be led father had taught in the mosque.
to Christ. The beloved doctor began: "My father was a very pious Mohammedan. I "I Was born in the year 1863 in Senna, a city of can never forget his supplications to God at mid- Kurdistan. My father was Mullah Rasul; he was night. He said that he had the promise that, at from the village of Buzan, near Sulemanieh. My the resurrection, he would be raised to the plat- mother's name was Mahenisa, meaning 'Moon of form of Joseph, because as a youth he had fled Women.' For seven generations our people had from the same sin as Joseph, under similar cir- been Mullahs (or Moslem teachers) of the Sunni cumstances.
sect. "Father used to tell us stories of the mystic "My father conducted a school for children saints when we were children. During the famine which I attended. I was known as a very preco- he found a sum of money, but sought out the owner cious child, and at six or seven years of age I was and returned it though we were ourselves in des- reading the Koran. The people thought that the perate need. Years later the great difficulty· of· Angel Gabriel had taught me in a dream. By the my brother Kaka in accepting Christianity wa:~', age of nine I was reading the poems of Sa'di and what would become of father, for he thought· he astonished everyone. must be among the saved. Finally I helped him "When I was about ten, it occurred to me that to solve the difficulty by saying that if we live up it was not right for the Kurds to pray in Arabic; to the light we have, our future is in the hands of and not understand what they were saying so 1 a just God. I had very early acquired from my endeavored to put the regular prayers into Persian father a deep sense of the reality of God.
poetry. When eleven years old I began to study Oontacts With Ohristianity Arabic with men who were more learned than my father. At twelve or thirteen I became a follower "There were seventy or eighty Roman Catholic of the 'Naqshbandi' sect of dervishes and went to Assyrian families in Senna and the bishop used to their meetings. Their leader was named Sheikh come from Mosul to visit them. I got a part of Mohammed. the Old Testament in Persian from an Assyrian "I was very regular in my prayers and attend- Catholic, named Fatah Petros, a deacon who had ance at the mosque. I intoned the call to prayer sympathy with the Protestants. He knew the and also the prelude to the prayers of the leader whole of the Psalms in the ancient Syriac. At one in the mosque. I pursued other studies, the laws time the bishop found some Protestant books in of Islam and religion in Arabic. I still have a copy his library and burned them. I read a good deal of the 'Feq' which I wrote and read as a boy. of the Old Testament but did not get much help "When I was about ten years old a great famine out of it. I did not admire the worship of the came over the country. Thieves broke :into our Catholic church, and put them on the same plane house and stole almost everything we had. My with idol worshippers. I prayed daily for my an- father with my brother Kaka and me started on cestors who had suffered but had accepted Islam, foot on a seven days' journey to the region of and thanked God for the great benefit I had re- Meriwan, west of Senna. There was food there ceived from them. I was devoutly thankful for and we stayed with relatives. My mother re- Islam and considered it the very truth as com- mained in Senna. We returned after a few months pared to Christianity. But I was ever a searcher.
to our home to find cholera raging there. My Finally I obtained a New Testament in Persian mother died a short time later. Our house was at from a man who had been in Teheran. I read it the outskirts of the town and there was a spring and asked the Catholic priests why they had taken [ 567] ..,;
out of it the references to Mohammed. I was in fact quite the opposite of what I saw in our own shown the last verses of Revelation, but I told Moslem religious leaders. My conscience awoke them they had put that in to make people think it and I felt very miserable. I was about sixteen had not been changed. At one time two Assyrian years old at this time. Once I asked Kasha his colporteurs came to Senna, but I did not talk to idea of Mohammed but he did not wish to tell me. them or get books from them. I also taught a boy I assured him no harm would come and finally he whose father was Assyrian, and his mother Ar- gave me some hints. Often as I taught the Koran menian. The more I saw of Christians, however, I saw that the things he had hinted as to faults in the more I was confirmed in my Islamic views. the life of Mohammed were confirmed. I got more miserable and became uneasy about the character "Then Kasha Yohanna of Sulduz came to Senna of Mohammed. One evening, as I was going to with two colporteurs, Shemisha Seyad and his son. the mosque to call the faithful to prayer, the idea Kasha Yohanna asked for a Persian instructor came to me: 'What if Mohammed is not true?' I and I went to teach him. But I did not wish to banged myself on the head with my fist, and said, give the salaam (Greeting of Peace) to an infidel. 'You should be cursed for such a thought concern- Shemisha Seyad told me that they also were 'peo- ing the holy prophet.' I went to the mosque for ple of the book' and that therefore it was lawful the ablutions and prayers but came home very for a Moslem to give them the greeting of peace. miserable. I had no answer, and so, as a hypocrite, I used to greet the Christian colporteurs half under my Mohammed or Christ? breath with the words: 'Sahum ile kum.' This sounded like the greeting of peace but means 'May "In my despair I burned the calves of both legs, a sword come upon you.' so that the scars will be there to my dying day. According'to this Kurdish custom I took an irre- "Kasha Yohanna, whom I taught early in the vocable vow, first, never to go to Kasha Yohanna morning before his school, had the Psalms in again or argue religious matters with any Chris- Syriac and a copy in Persian was given to me. tian; second, to live a holy life. I was ashamed, Shemisha Seyad led in prayer, and I heard a real for I knew that the life of Kasha Yohanna was Christian prayer for the first time. I was aston- better than my own. I gave up going to him but ished to hear him pray for his enemies. There I felt very miserable. Whenever I saw him on the was no swinging censor-just a spiritual prayer. streets he was like Jonah to me, and in my heart Shemisha Seyad and his son went on to Kerman- I knew that I was wrong. His life, so in accord shah and I continued teaching Persian to Kasha with what he believed and taught, had affected me Yohanna. I wanted to learn other languages, so so that I could not sleep. At last I went back to he taught me Syriac. We used the New Testament him and renewed my inquiries about passages in as a textbook. the Bible.
"Kasha Yohanna was a very bright man. The "One night I was very miserable during prayers Jews used to come to argue with him. He asked in the mosque. Realizing my sin I went home and me to take the Persian Bible and look up refer- fell on my face in the dust of the hallway. I ences as the Jews looked them up in Hebrew and prayed God to guide me to the Truth, as he was Kasha in the Syriac.1 I was deeply impressed by the Saviour of the lost. Then I went back to the wonderful evidences of fulfilled prophecy con- Kasha and studied both the Bible and the Koran. cerning Christ. When I showed the New Testa- I took some of my difficulties to the Imam Jumeh ment in Syriac to my brother, he was displeased and others, but was not satisfied with their exand told me not to study it. But I continued to do planation of the Koranic passages. After four so in secret. Marking in a Persian Bible the months of such study, the Light broke in upon my prophecies we had read, I showed them to my soul. I can never thank Him enough. brother, saying: "These must be about Mohammed for no one else could be worthy of such ref- "How happy the old man was when I confessed erences. Let me study this branch of knowledge my faith in Jesus as the Saviour. My not going and we shall soon be able to turn all the Catholics to the mosque or getting up early for prayers made and Jews into Mohammedans. I interpreted the my brother Kaka uneasy. Several people came to prophecies according to my own ideas and clus- our home and argued with me but I took the Christered them around Mohammed until I came to the tian side and defeated them. Though I did not words in Isaiah, 'A bruised reed shall he not break, say I was a -Christian, Kaka took up his rifle and and the smoking flax shall he not quench.' I could wanted to kill me. For some time things went on not apply these words to Mohammed. in this way, growing more difficult all the time. People were talking about how to kill me. "Then the life of Kasha Yohanna began to affect me very much. He was truthful, honest-and "At last I felt I must let Kaka know of my new faith and I wrote a letter to give my brother. I 1 Missionaries to Moslems may well note the methods of Kasha feared it would mean certain death and went out Yohanna,–a great evangelist and preacher.
A KURDISH CHRISTIAN PROPHET
in the yard and prayed to God. Then I went back Bible so he took the saddlebags that contained my and gave Kaka the letter. He read it and began books. I went after him and wept. He told me I to tremble. Another man who was there burned must go to the great Sheikh and renounce Christhe letter on a castor oil lamp in the room. I con- tianity; otherwise he would be killed and our fessed my faith again and begged Kaka not to bouse destroyed. Kaka began to torture and beat argue while he was so angry. I would gradually me like a dog. Though I repeatedly kissed his feet explain to him. If he killed me I was a martyr. he would not give back my Bible. How delightful If he let me live I might help him. We went to are Gods comforts! Persecution is the better life, bed under the kurlsi and when my foot touched his, much more wholesome! he roused and said, 'Get away, dog. A dog of a man cannot live in a house.' It was midnight and "My brother saw that I was determined. Both we could hear the wolves howling about, but I had he and my friend wept, but they left the saddleto leave at once. Some of the Roman Catholics knew I had become a Christian, and I went to one DR. SA'EED KHAN KURDISTANI of their houses, but they feared to let me in. At As He Appeared When Winning His Way to Recognition as a last a Catholic woman, named Sherin, took me in. In the morning I went to my school in great fear, Prominent Christian Physician in Teheran especially of Kaka. He thought I would attend He Was Recently Put Into Prison by the Iranian Government prayers in the Catholic church, so he took his gun and sat in a shop across from the church intending for His Christian Faith and Courage to shoot me as I entered. Life in the town was miserable. bags and went away. It was indeed a painful sep- aration. I went to bed and wept bitterly, thinking "About April, in the year 1882, Mr. Hawkes, of that perhaps I would better go back to the village the American Mission, came to Senna with Agha of our relative. I even thought of returning to the Hyeem, the Jewish convert, and a colporteur Sheikh to renounce my faith to bring peace to all named Johannes. One day when I was in his of us. Then like a flash of lightning Jesus' words room, about fifty men ran into the yard to kill me. came to me, 'he who does not renounce . . . even The Lord had so ordered that the son-in-law of the his own life is not worthy of me.' Then I lay down Imam Jumeh was there and he took me home and went to sleep. How I thank Him for the revwithout allowing the people to touch me. elation of His presence.
"About this time Fatah, who had first given me "Kaka went home and said he could not reach the Old Testament, came back from Russia. An me. The people of the quarter collected and a Assyrian preacher in Ardabil had lent him 'Mizan ul Haqq,' 'Tariq ul Hayat,' and 'Meftah ul Asrar,' 2 books that were a wonderful help to me.
"Mr. Hawkes went back to Hamadan, and he wrote me inviting me to come. He would teach me English and I could teach him Persian and Arabic. But how was I to get permission from my brother to go? I showed the letter and told him it was sure death for me to stay in Kurdistan. He knew this was true and at last he accompanied me to a river and carried me through on his back. He deposited me with the muleteers and we started on our troubled journey.
"Later I found that a relative of ours, who owned villages along the way, had told Kaka he would bind me and bring me back, but like Saul he had gone away to hunt his asses. Next day the people wanted to kill Kaka for having sold his brother to the foreigners. So my brother and a bosom friend of mine came on a day's journey after me and found me reading Christ's Sermon on the Mount in Persian to the muleteers. They told me at once that unless I should go back Kaka would be killed and our house would be ruined. I said I would not go. Kaka knew how I loved my • The three great books by Dr. Pfander. Though written a century ago they are still classics in their field.
brave rider was chosen to go after me. He had his I became very homesick and wanted to return. horse saddled and ready to start but at that mo- But I thought, if God would settle my difficulties ment his master sent for him. When the latter and satisfy my longing soul I would go on. The learned what he was about to do he sent him off in answer came that He would. an opposite direction on business connected with "I had a medical certificate from Teheran and his property. had practiced in Hamadan, but I wished to become "I came to Hamadan and there I learned Eng- a really good physician. I was attracted to Sweden by some good people but I could not agree with the lish. In September of 1882, Miss Montgomery views of my friends there in some matters of docand Dr. Alexander and his wife came to Hamadan. trine. So I went to London, still feeling that I With my bit of English I interpreted for Dr. Alex- was in darkness. I read how Agrippa thought ander and so fell into the practice of medicine. I Jesus was dead, but Paul argued that He was also continued to teach in the school and with Mr. alive. I thought: that is enough for me; Christ is Hawkes. People from Senna came and tried to alive. get me out by a trick to kill me. I had many conversations with Bahais and others. I still had dif- "None of the great men in London solved my ficulties with many passages of Scripture but I got difficulties. Then I came among some poor workgreat help from Mr. Hawkes and from the home ers who studied their Bibles, and in their company life of Dr. and Mrs. Alexander. Miss Montgomery every difficulty was solved. God gave me underread and explained the New Testament, Mr. standing of mysteries, prophecies and all. Ah, my Hawkes gave me very helpful spiritual books to soul rejoices in Him. Thank God for all His read, but still I had a thousand and one difficulties mercy. and could not find real satisfaction. I was like a child who loves his parents but is not able to ex- "I studied for two years at Cook's School of plain it. I loved the Lord Jesus passionately. Anatomy and Physiology. I attended post-grad- Often I wished that Mohammed's words were true, uate lectures and demonstrations. In 1895, after that such a beautiful person as my Lord and my studies there, I returned from London to Ha- Saviour was not tortured on the cross. One day madan and took up medical practice. We have had I came across a hymn by Frances Xavier, three children: Sarah, who is now the wife of a Christian physician in Hamadan; Samuel, who 'My God, I love thee not because– married an American girl and mixed the royal I love thee because thou took my place.' blood of the Kurds wi.th that of the Americans; and Lemuel, who died in London. His name means From that moment I knew that He took my sin, 'portion of God' and that he was.S and became sin for me that I should be the righteousness of God in Him. "In Hamadan at one time I took the Dr. St. Claire Tisdall's book, Yanab ul Islam,4 to a Mujta- "After a year Kaka paid me a visit. Later he hid. Many people thought that I had written it, as they thought that no other Christian in Persia came to stay. It is n<it true, as has often been knew enough languages, nor enough of Islam to said, that Kaka came to Hamadan to kill me. We write it. When persecution broke out against me had many long discussic»rs. After several years the Governor Ein id Dowleh took me to his own house and helped me to leave town. I fled to he was converted when t was able to allay his Teheran after the Mujtahid had issued the death sentence against me. Later, after I had become a doubts about my father. He was not sanctified well-known physician in Teheran, I returned to until troubles came and he broke his knee; like Hamadan and this same Mujtahid called on me. Jacob he finally became lame but a true Believer. He said, 'You have made a lot of money in Te- heran. You ought to give me half, because I was "In 1888 I was married to a Nestorian girl, Re- the cause of your going to Teheran.' becca, the daughter of Kasha Shimun of Geogtapa. The whole town made a demonstration during the "The second time I located in Teheran, Ein id month of Moharram and notices were posted on Dowleh was Governor of Khuzistan, where I had the mosques and in the bazaars. The governor been his private physician. I was in Teheran quieted the town by a trick, without my knowl- when Ein id Dowleh became prime minister. He edge. He told the people I had deceived a Chris- wrote a letter to many of his friends saying that tian girl and wanted to make her a Moslem. Per- I had come to Teheran and he wished people would secution finally drove me with my wife to Teheran. give me a trial. When the prime minister says Even there the mullahs of Senna wrote a letter to the Turkish Ambassador to have me put out of the 3 I made two other trips to England for the purpose of further way, saying that I was a blight on Islam. study. On the first of these I took my son Samuel with me. On the second I met Sir Wi1l1am Osler, and some of my letters to him are "In Teheran Dr. Potter, with his beautiful published in his blographY.-Ba'eed. Christ-like life, was a great help to me, as were also the ladies of the mission station. While there • "The Roots of Islam." by Dr. St. Claire Tisdall. I determined to go to Europe to study, leaving my wife and two children in Hamadan. On the way
A SERMON BY A CONVERTED MOSLEM
anything the people are ready to do it in a hurry. matter. When I prayed, I received my answer Sol stepped immediately into a practice with the and wrote that I would come if they would promaristocracy and best families. ise me security from attack. I went and was used to cure the great man of blindness. The mullahs "I was able to speak for Christ to the prime of Senna sent eighteen men to kill me, but they minister and to the leading men of the country. did not succeed. My escort heard of their plans Dr. S. M. Jordan asked me to preach in the church and wanted me to change my cap to disguise my but I asked if he did not think it too soon. He identity. The man who had charge of the attempt said, 'All know you are a Christian.' So I prayed was later brought by the government to Teheran, over it and I think I was the first convert from and showed that he has been very much ashamed. Islam to preach in that church. The greatest He often calls on me and I give him Christian thing I can say is that the Lord Jesus Christ loved books and tracts. a great sinner. He saved a brand from the burning, and He loved me to the end in spite of all my "The missionaries sent an evangelist to Senna, sins and failures. who was no doubt sent to Assyrian Catholics and Jews, but I, a poor Kurd, was most blessed. "In 1912 I made a return journey to Kurdistan. Praise be to God. How wonderful are His ways. While I was in Hamadan a note came asking me I have told you the good things of my life. If I to visit a wealthy man in the mountains. I im- should tell you everything you would not want to mediately wrote saying that I could not do it. But write it down or look at me. But Jesus forgives as I was waving the letter to dry over the fire I me all. How good is the God whom we adore." said to myself that I had not first prayed about the A Sermon by a Converted Moslem Based on the Story of Naaman in 2 Kings, Chapter 5 -. I~I By SA'EED KURDISTANI, M.D., Isfahan, Iran I J;t– J~==============================~I A MAN may have high place in the public eye Leprosy has no cure, but he who suffers from and perhaps may gain a national reputa- it sees it gradually attack all his members until tion; he may through his business exceed his whole body is unclean, full of sores and decayhis highest hopes in accumUlating wealth and ing. His face becomes hideous, his fingers drop property; he may acquire great honor in his own off, his voice is hoarse and weak, and his members country, reaching the highest military rank and lose all sense of feeling. He becomes repugnant, possessing medals and titles from the great na- even to his own brother and sister. And this is a tions of the world. In other words, a man may true picture of the ruined condition of the man reach the exalted position of Naaman, who was of whom sin holds in its power. The unfortunate the first rank and commander-in-chief in the sinner, like the leper, sees that all his efforts and great country of Syria. Yet of what avail was all all his searoh for a cure to his disease of sin are this to Naaman? For he was a leper. In the without avail, and that its horrible results are same way it makes no difference what the rank daily on the increase. and reputation of a man is in the world, if he is a sinner. Ah, this one thing ruins everything for My friends, how awful and accursed a thing sin him; it changes all the joy of the world to sadness, is! Perhaps you have often longed that you might and turns the sweet cup of pleasures into bitter- grow better, but you perceived that you really ness and deadly poison. How unfortunate is he grew worse. In all Syria and in the capital of its who at the time of death owns nothing but money great king there was not found one physician who and fame, when he must undergo the just judg- could cure Naaman's disease. In all the earth ment of God and realizes that he is a sinner and there is no remedy for sin; in no tribe or nation has no certainty! Of what benefit were all Naa- will you find any man who has a cure for it. The man's medals and possessions to him? What joy whole world is a huge leper house with all its indoes he have as he gazes at the signs of his leprosy habitants infected. Both kings and beggars are and watches the exudations from his open sores? sinners.
It is remarkable how God has chosen the weak-
est things of the world for His work. We see that from sin. The command to wash in the Jordan it is a little maid, a captive and servant in the made the leper angry. Man is always displeased house of this great man, who is the means of at the remedy God has chosen for sin and wants bringing a message of .joy to the great general of instead the cure he himself thinks is good. He Syria. She said: "Would that my master could prefers his own worthless prescription to the dego to the prophet in Samaria to be cured of his pendable and efficacious prescription of God. "Are lep.rosy." In the same way I say to you: "WoVld not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, betthat you came to the blessed Jesus that He might ter than all the rivers of Israel?" In the same cleanse you of your sin." way, the unfortunate moral leper says: "Are not the teachings of my own religion better? It says I beseech you, when you hear this name, not to to me: Keep the fasts and all the regulations. be so unpolite as to stop listening to me, but think Complete the ceremonial washings. Pray all a little, and realize that I also, like you, was af- night. Go as a pilgrim to far places. Is it not flicted with the leprosy of sin, yet, through faith better to wash in these great rivers of my own in the expiation and the shed blood of Jesus, and religion than to have faith in this word of God through His resurrection from the dead, I have about the death of Christ?" Very weH, my found eternal salvation, and thousands of others friend, wash, wash, wash in your own rivers, but who were like me have also come to Him in con- among all the millions of men who have done this, fidence and have found a perfect cure. You know show me one person who has become clean from that you are a sinner and that up to now neither sin. With all earnestness I say to you that there you nor a single one of your acquaintances can is not one who certainly knows that he is among make bold to say that you have found salvation those who are saved. and are safe from the just punishment of God. How then is it that I and thousands like me have Naaman's servants said to him: "If the prophet such certainty that we are safe from this punish- had ordered you to do some great thing, would you ment and will forever live joyfully in the holy not have done it? How much rather then when presence of God? Is our confidence without a he said to you: Wash and be olean?" From all foundation? Is our joy purely imaginary? Give the peoples of the world there is evidence of the careful attention and think whether a person has lengths to which men will go in their search for ever found lasting happiness through imagination salvation-long pilgrimages on foot; costly offeralone. And this thought is also worthy of your ings., even of their own children; self-immolation attention, that perhaps you, too, through divine beneath the chariots of the idols. To what exfavor, can find deliverance from the terrible dis- tremes will they not go in the hope that their sin ease of sin and attain salvation. will be forgiven? But God will admit of only one way of cleansing. Naaman finally came to the prophet Elisha, but Finally, Naaman went down into the Jordan notice that he came in the way that man comes, and washed, and his flesh became clean like that standing at the gate with his horses and chariots of a little child. So with those who are washed by Christ. How clean and spotless are these new and bearing gifts. Man likewise thinks that by creatures! Oh, that you would, with the eye of faith, perceive that you may go under the waves his good works and his charities he will be re- of death with Christ and rise with Him from the dead, freed of all the spots and wounds of your ceived by God. He presents to the King with his leprosy. Then will you be able to exhibit to God dirty hands a flower from the King's own garden, and the world the countenance of a new man and show forth heavenly qualities through your words and expects a reward! But Elisha wanted none and deeds. That this is God's remedy for sin and of Naaman's gifts. and praises. One cannot sell your chance of a cure is plain from His own Word, the salvation of God. Elisha sent him a message: where we read: "For if we have become united "Go, wash in the Jordan." He would not go as with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be far as the gate to meet the general, but oontented also in the likeness of his resurrection; knowing himself with a message. Salvation today also this, that our old man was crucified with him, that must be by faith, not by seeing with the eye, for the body o(sin might' be done away. But if we Jesus Christ, the healer of sin, has sent the mes- died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live sage of peace through His Word. Whoever hears with him; knowing that Christ being raised from it in faith receives salvation. the dead dieth no more. Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God The river Jordan is a symbol of death, and for in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 6: 5.). the leper Naaman there was no other remedy but that he dip seven times in the river of death. I can say to you that in all the world there is no other way by which a sinner may find healing but by the death of Christ. His blood alone can cleanse
First Five Centuries of Christianity*
A Review by SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D.
–tEl Professor Emeritus of History of Religion and Christian Missions at Princeton Theological Seminary THIS is undoubtedly one of the great books of The fact that this first volume supplies the an- the year, and if the author completes his am- swers to these searching questions makes it a text- bitious plan, it may well prove the standard book and source-book on the science of early work on missionary history of the twentieth cen- Christian missions, as well as a history of the tury. As now planned, the work is to be incor- enterprise.
porated in six volumes of approximately 150,000 Dr. Arthur J. Brown's masterly volume on a to 200,000 words each. Volume I covers the period Century of Presbyterian Missions is in compari- to the Conversion of the Roman Empire, about the son with the scope of this one volume as a beauti- year 500 A. D. The second volume will cover the fully engraved cameo showing all the particular thousand years between 500 A. D. and 1500; the detail of one Society's work in one century. Here third, from 1500 A. D. to 1800. The last three is a massive canvas not only portraying a pano- volumes are to be devoted to the 19th and 20th rama of apostolic zeal in many lands and many centuries. Volume IV will deal with the general centuries but transfused and transfigured by the movements in Europe and America conditioning miracle of all history-the Incarnation-which at the expansion of Christianity during the last cen- the outset throws its bewildering light on the tury and a half. Volume V will cover the spread whole scene. Miracles in the technical sense, and of Christianity in Latin America, Africa, Asia, according to prevailing Protestant the 0 log y, and the islands of the Pacific. Volume VI will ceased with the Apostolic age.t But in that age conclude with a retrospect of the entire work, and in the message that came from the lips of the summarizing the conclusions. Apostles, miracles had a supreme place; for as Except for its anachronistic jacket (supplied by Archbishop Temple remarks in his latest volume, the publishers), this scholarly production is in Basic Convictions: "The only Jesus for whom every way attractive and worthy of its great there is any historical evidence at all is a super- theme. On the jacket, however, we have a John natural and miraculous figure."
the Baptist figure preaching to a group of men in The literary sources available for the history of Moslem turbans, palm trees and a minaret in the primitive Christianity may be fragmentary, as background, and the whole in a frame surrounded Harnack states in his great work, The Missi,on by heterogeneous crosses! The breadth and scope and Expansion of Christianity. But he goes on of the first volume is large enough to startle the to remark: "How extensive they are compared thoughtful reader at the very outset, for Dr. La- to the extant sources at our disposal for investitourette is dealing with the philosophy of history gating the history of any other religion within the as well as with history itself. He proposes to an- Roman Empire!" swer seven questions in this and the succeeding volumes: In our opinion an anti-supernaturalistic ap- proach to these primary documents in the New (1) What was the Christianity which spread? Testament mars the treatment of the sources both (2) Why did Christianity spread as it did? in the case of Harna«k and also to some extent in (3) Why has Christianity suffered reverses and at times the volume before us. Professor Latourette ex- presses his own evangelical faith in the super- met only partial success? natural character of Jesus Christ and what he (4) By what processes did Christianity spread? (5) What effect has Christianity had upon its environ- ment? wrought and taught, at the close of chapter four, (6) What effect has its environment had on Christianity? in words that seem to conflict with his earlier (7) What bearing do the processes by which Christianity statement in the Introduction and in Chapter One where he "has endeavored to conform to that kind spread have upon the effect of Christianity upon its environment and of the environment upon Chris- tianity? of objectivity extolled by the school of history in • A History of the Expansion of Christianity (Vol. 1): The First which he has been trained." That school appar- Fioo Centuries. By Kenneth Scott Latourette. Harper & Bros., New York. 1937. 412 pp. ,$3.50. t Oounterfeit Miracles-Benjamin B. Warfield.
[573 ]
ently accepted the Evolutionary hypothesis that who had been the intimates of Jesus. Whatever "religion is a comparatively late phenomenon in the cause, that the stream flowed on is clear. It the life of mankind"; that a creature which may . is the uniqueness of Jesus which seems the one be termed human emerged about 1,200,000 years tenable explanation of the fact that Christianity ago (page 2); that "the Israelites thought of is the only one of the many Jewish sects to break Jahweh, their God, as a tribal divinity" (page 33) ; off from the parent stem and outstrip it in size that belief in personal immortality developed and influence. . . . In Jesus, therefore, and in slowly and late in Israel (p. 36); and that "frag- his death and the conviction of his resurrection ments of discourses, pithy sayings, parables, and and of moral and spiritual rebirth and immor- incidents, some of them put together without re- tality through him, is to be found the chief reason gard for the correct sequence, make up large por- for the triumph of Christianity. Without Jesus tions of the first three Gospels and the fourth is Christianity would not have sprung into existence, chiefly an interpretation" (page 46). And we and from him and beliefs about him came its main see our David in Saul's armor again when he dynamic."
writes: "The question is often raised as to what It is cause for regret that in the treatment of was new in the teachings of Jesus. For prac- Apostolic Christianity the historian failed to emtically all, if not all, of the specific precepts and phasize the axiom laid down by Mandell Creighton beliefs attributed to him it is possible to find in his introduction to the Cambridge Modern Hisprecedent in the pre-Christian literature of his tory (Vol. I, p. 5): "In the vast and diversified people. What Jesus did was to penetrate into the area of modern history the point of view deterheart of the moral and religious concepts which mines the whole nature of the record or else the he had inherited from the past and to pick out whole work sinks to the level of a mass of details what seemed to him essential. He performed this uninformed by any luminous idea. The writer not in any systematic fashion. He wrote no book who strives to avoid any tendency becomes dull, in which he attempted to give permanence to his ideas. . . . The novelty of Jesus must be sought, and the cult of impartiality paralyses the judgnot so much in fresh principles, but in his phraseology, in what he emphasized, and espec~ally in ment." what he was as revealed in his words and deeds.~' In the extensive and valuable annotated bibliog- raphies for each chapter we miss, for the earlier chapters, well-known conservative evangelical Naturalistic Explanations scholars both on the history of religion and on the It is refreshing to find the author himself Apostolic age while the extreme liberal school of wholly dissatisfied with such naturalistic explana- thought is conspicuous. One receives the imprestions when he sums up the reasons 'for the tri- sion of a certain lukewarmness that is incon- gruous in the portrayal of Christ our Lord and umphs of the Gospel at the close of chapter four: Paul his great missionary Apostle. There is no "The more one examines into the various factors substitute for the missionary passion even in mis- which seem to account for the extraordinary vic- sion history.
tory of Christianity, the more one is driven to No reader will find the style of this work dull search for a cause which underlies them. It is or the treatment uninteresting. The only other clear that at the very beginning of Christianity history of missions comparable to it is that of there must have occurred a vast release of energy, Harnack which covers only the early centuries and unequalled in the history of the race. Without it has long been out of print in America. The chief the future course of the faith is inexplicable. value of these scholarly chapters on the early his- That burst of energy was ascribed by the early tory of Christianity lies in the interpretations disciples to the founder of their faith. Something which Dr. Latourette makes of the facts so care- happened to the men who associated with Jesus. fully collated and documented. It is a philosophy In his contact with them, in his crucifixion and in as well as a history of missions. What the Roman their assurance of his resurrection and of the con- Catholic historian, Schmidlin, indicated in a para- tinued living presence with his disciples of his graph is here expanded and illuminated, namely spirit, is to be found the major cause of the suc- the difference between early, medieval and mod- cess of Christianity. That experience and that ern missions. During the first five hundred years assurance were transmitted to succeeding genera- the area cove_red by Christian missions was the tions. Why this occurred may lie outside the Mediterranean basin and the Church had a narrow realms in which historians are supposed to move. and insecure base for a wide ·field of action. Dur- One reason is probably to be found in the contin- ing the medieval period the area included all .ued study of the earliest written records of Chris- Europe from a broader and firmer base. Modern tianity and in the effort to preserve intact the missions has crossed the. seven seas and reached belief and the experience of the circle of apostles out to all races. Early missions were largely spon-
THE FIRST FIVE CENTURIES OF CHRISTIANITY
taneous, incidental and individual in their method; councils, although both have their place. It is not medieval missions conducted by a church hier- concerned primarily with the decline of the Roman archy were cooperative and social; modern mis- Empire, nor with the result of Gothic invasions. sions, both Catholic and Protestant, are both indi- It traces the mighty work of God's Spirit through vidual and social. Early missions had for their the Church and individual believers to the conobj ect peoples of like race and culture; medieval summation of His eternal purpose. The end of missions dealt with like races but of lower culture; the first five hundred years is prophetic of the modern missions have approached all races of onward march. Dr. Latourette says: every level of culture. Early missions aimed at the conversion of individuals; medieval missions In our hurried pilgrimage through the first five censought the conversion of the masses; modern mis- turies of the spread of Christianity we have watched that sions deal with both and with the social structure faith moulded by element after element of its environment. of society. Left to begin its career with a minimum of organization, without a literature, and with no formulre with which to The periods into which this magnum opus is di- define and defend its content, and thrust into a world in vided are therefore logical as well as chronolog- which syncretism was the fashion, Christianity might well ical. The author has the rare talent, exhibited in have seemed foredoomed to absorption and to lose whathis earlier History of Christian Missions in China, ever distinctiveness it may have inherited from the teachof an unprejudiced judgment together with true ing and the story of the life, death, and resurrection of catholic sympathy for all sorts and conditions of its founder. . . . Christians. Amid the mass of factual detail he never loses hold of his central theme and argu- At the close of its fifth century of expansion Christianment, namely, the gradual expansion of Christian- ity was in a very different position than at its outset. ity as Divine light and leaven in the world. This From being one of the smallest of Jewish sects, it had beis not a history of dogma, nor of ecclesiastical come the religion professed by the majority in the most populous of the cultural areas of mankind. Never in the history of the race had so complete a religious revolution been wrought in so short a time among so large a propor- tion of civilized man.
MY AFRICAN FATHER* My father's children did not love him. They feared him very much. My sisters feared him even more than we boys. If we offended him, such as drinking the dregs of his palm wine or standing near any of his wives, he thrashed us unmercifully. We dared not lift our eyes when he was near.
When he was a young man he became a hunter. After he excelled in shooting he swore an oath that he would not marry until he had killed a man of the Bakembe clan; so he went to the witch-doctor whose advice he followed. After he had prepared the war feast, the war- riors, the only ones invited, ate and danced in their ceremonial dress. Then my father took his gun and crossed the river to the Bakembe clan. He stealthily walked to a certain hut and removed the bark that closed it. There lay a man and his wife, fast asleep. He prayed to his gun, "Oh gun, pick off this man and this woman!" The gun sounded. It killed the sleepers. Immediately the hut caught fire and the whole family perished-not one was left to plant a lily bulb (commonly used to exorcise evil spirits). When he returned to his village he danced and sang the songs of warriors for which he was given much goods. With this he obtained his first wife.
Later, my father became a great "medicine man" and a priest of both the Nge and Urn cults. He sacrificed his mother to become a priest of the Nge.
Father married twenty-four wives, but he allowed only one of them to cook his food for fear of poisoning. When the sun was high in the heavens his favorite wife would set a stool out in the street of our village. There my father sat down while she brought hot water, bathed and rubbed his body with redwood powder. One day he killed his brother because he took from him one of his wives.-Zacheus Body-hardened.
i * Drum Call, West Afl'ica i_______.._______________________________ _
Work in
The Rev. MIGUEL RIZZO JR., Sao Paulo, Brazil Pastor and Recently Moderator of the Presbyterian Church ~._ of Brazil; a delegate to the Centenary Celebration of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A.
T HE history of the evangelization of Brazil Presbyterian Church, in the capital of the country, could be divided into three phases: first, has been one of the greatest missionary agencies efforts made by 'the French in the sixteenth of South Brazil. He organized the first theological century; second, beginnings made by the Dutch class from which came three preachers who did in the seventeenth century; and third, the definite a very considerable amount of work. He wrote establishment of the work started by American sermons which fed the piety of the first converts.
missionaries in the nineteenth century. He published a journal which is yet a model The first two attempts would furnish abundant worthy to be imitated by the modern evangelical material for many very interesting narratives, but press. All this work was done in the short period the specific purpose of this article does not permit of eight years. He died when he was thirty-four me to write more than a .few words on that sub- years old, but his blessed memory is still highly ject. venerated by all evangelical workers of Brazil.
The first evangelical preachers and lay workers Many other American missionaries have folwho landed in Brazil were sent by the Reformed lowed and have been working earnestly at the Church of Geneva. The French Government was side of national preachers for years. The work then in possession of the country, recently dis- established on such solid foundations has reached covered. These pioneers were martyred by Vil- considerable proportions. The Presbyterian legagnon, a cruel adventurer who found that the Church of Brazil has now 1275 preaching stations Protestant preachers, whom he himself had called with 330 church buildings, 294 organized to Brazil, were not servile instruments to carry churches, and 144 ordained preachers. It receives, out his political program of oppression against the on an average, 2500 new members every year and inhabitants; he therefore persecuted and put has 35,199 communicant members and 30,114 chilthem to death. dren on its rolls. The Sunday schools include 3183 teachers and 39,476 pupils. The theological semi- The record of the noble courage and unbroken nary in Campinas has 37 students and seven fidelity of these preachers, although written in teachers, while more than 80 other students are blood, is one of the brightest pages of the religious preparing to go to the seminary. For many years heritage of Brazil. the Presbyterian Seminary of Pernambuco has The efforts of the Dutch Christians were more been sending many preachers to northern Brazil.
successful. They organized a Synod with more Almost all churches and missionary stations under than twenty preachers, established schools and the control of the Presbyterian Church in central did much social service on behalf of the poor and and south Brazil are now supplied by graduates sick. When they were expelled from the country of the seminary at Campinas.
by the Portuguese all the evangelical work they A missionary society, sponsored by the Church, had built up vanished. The Jesuits who came after supports a missionary in Portugal and hopes to them have tried to defame them and to discredit send another to that country next year.
the great work they established. When the history In order to understand the real opportunities of the nation is written from a critical and un- and the great needs of the Brazilian evangelical partial point of view their work will appear in a field, we must have in mind, among other things, clear light. The rehabilitation of their memory the following facts: is already being promoted by expert historians. In many regions of the country new areas are After these two unsuccessful efforts in estab- being populated so that the traveler who a few lishing a permanent evangelical work came the years .ago passed through some of these regions American missionaries. The first of them was the will be surprised to see the hamlets and villages Rev. Ashbel Green Simonton, who landed in the where previously he had seen only forest. A field he had chosen in 1859. There he organized a popular expression in Brazil is that, in certain really great work. Through many years the First zones, "cities are sprouting out quickly." This [576 ]
EVANGELICAL WORK IN BRAZIL
growth offers a great opportunity to the churches. ficult part of the Gospel. His letter shows clearly In many of these regions the Roman Catholic that his mind is preoccupied with religious prob- Church has not the same influence it exerts in lems.
other places. When this church begins work at Another fact: a few months ago I was inviter!
the same time as the Protestants we generally to visit an engineer high up in one of the depart- have advantages. Experience shows that many ments of the Government. He wished to present people, moving into a new place, are more ready a subject which could better be studied at his to hear the Gospel. Some of the settlers of new home. I went to his house and he explained that regions have lived in cities whe"'e it was n.ot easy before her marriage his wife had intended to be a to hear a Protestant preacher because they had nun and that all her family were very devout.
to face the criticism of friends 'and relatives who He had in his library a Bible which she read; im- could not understand h.ow anyone could leave the mediately her conception of religion changed. She religion of his father. Moving to a new place, was in great trouble because she could n.ot now these people find themselves in a new environment accept the teachings which for so long had been in which the obstacles to hinder attendance at the guide of her life. She even thought that her Protestant services are much fewer than where spiritual trouble must be a temptation of the they formerly lived. In regions recently opened devil. She went many times to see her priest but up, evangelical work is growing c.onsiderably. If he could not answer her questions satisfactorily.
we can use efficiently such opportunities as these, She finally asked him about her new view of the new cities now being organized will be very Christ, and he said: "The Christ you are intro- different spiritually and morally from the older ducing to me is a Protestant Christ." She had cities where it is so difficult to preach the Gospel never talked with a Protestant but now she be- because the people are proud to be "tl'!aditional" came curious to meet one. That was the reason I Roman Catholics. had received the invitation to visit the husband.
1. Brazilian evangelists are working actively She and her children are now connected with my in some of the new areas. Many Presbyterian church and, through her, the door seems to be missionaries are opening the way into the far in- opening to many .others in high places in the city.
terior and are establishing work even in places Still another fact: at a religious meeting in where the population is very scattered. one of the churches of Sao Paulo a lady was taken 2. Another fact worth while considering is that ill during the service. We found that there were many years ag.o great numbers .of German im- six medical doctors in the audience. That is remigrants came to Brazil and brought their pastors markable when we remember tha;t the Roman with them. The religious service was conducted Catholic Church is doing all it can to prevent in German, which now, in many cases the children people from attending Protestant churches.
do not understand. They are Protestants but they The manager of the largest bookstore in the cannot understand the service conducted still in city where I live is a regular attendant at our the language .of their fathers. In one region oc- meetings. He told me that now they are selling cupied by our missionaries there are tens of thou- more religious books, imported from France, than sands of people in such condition. One of the ever before. Most of these books are written by missionaries, Rev. Harry P. Midkiff, has now Protestant preachers. , thirty-five congregati.ons in .one of these new I could state many other instances, but theRe areas and many more places offer opportunities are sufficient to show that among the intellectual f.or preaching; but a man must not attempt to classes of Brazil there is now more interest in cover too much ground. Can the Church be in- the religious question than ever before. Even different to the spiritual destiny of such a multi- in the Roman Cattholic Church we can observe a tude? change in the attitude toward the evangelical 3. The intellectual classes of Brazil are now churches. There are, of course, still many perse- cutions. A few months ago two of our buildingR more inclined to listen to the Gospel. A few months before leaving Brazil, I received were burned-one in Alpinopolis, Minas, and the a call from a person sent by one of the intellectuals other in Pinheiros, Pernambuco. But generally of the country who had been president of the the educated priests do not now use against the State and is recognized as an outstanding de- Protestants the expressions they formerly did. fender .of the Roman Catholic Church. He sent Recently one of the outstanding priests delivered his representative to ask me to interpret a passage a great eulogizing speech about Erasmo Braga, a of the Bible. He explained that he had already very well known minister, before a selected audimade the same request of many of the cultured ence in the Municiple Theatre of Sao Paulo.
priests of the city and they had not succeeded in 4. Besides the Presbyterian Church there are giving him a satisfactory explanation of that dif- many other Protestants working in Brazil. The
total constituency,according to the last statistics people is remarkably developed. The Sunday is 200,000 communicant members; generally there School is generally very wen attended by young are families and relatives and friends who through people and adults. Many of the churches have a them receive their religious influence, so that it very well organized work in religious education. seems to me that it is not an exaggerated The habit of family worship is not so widely estimate to multiply that number by five. This spread as it should be, but many families are very makes a million persons in Brazil under indirect scrupulous in maintaining it. There are in all the influence of the Gospel. The population of Brazil churches groups of strong Christians and they is over forty-two millions so that the quantity of have a blessed influence on the whole. salt is yet very little in proportion to the mass it must season. If we want to win the country to The ancient name of the country of Brazil was Christ we have before us a task of gigantic pro- "Land of the Holy Cross." We hope that this name portions. But we surely will face that duty. in the future may be applied to it, not as a geo- graphical designation, but as a symbol of the Such facts speak for the spiritual life of the power of the Christ of the Cross to redeem the Church in Brazil. The missionary spirit of souls of its children.
Forty Miles from a Hospital-in U. S. A.
FIFTEEN years ago, fired by the needs of a The story of those adventurous years can only remote neighborhood in the Tennessee hills, a woman opened a two-bed "hospital" in an be hinted at here. There were day and night calls unpainted shack without furnace or plumbing. The little village was far from railroads, and the in all weathers; swollen streams that must be main highway was a hog-wallow after rains. But there were wild trails and one-room cabins forded on horseback or muleback; canyons too DR. MARY CRAVATH WHARTON steep and rocky for even a mule to find footing.
aplenty, with typhoid, tuberculosis, pellagra and Patients were brought in from long distances on hookworm,burns, broken bones and gunshot wounds. extemporized stretchers; babies were delivered Pooling her resources with those of two by the light of log fires. Many homes lacked the friends, she put up a $6,000 building-chartered under the State Charities Act and irrevocably most primitive conveniences, or what we call nededicated to public welfare and community service. Everything was very simple and plain. The cessities; yet out of such homes are coming back country was still "the wilderness"; the nearest hospital was forty miles distant. splendid specimens of young manhood and wom- anhood.
Working under its own Board of Directors, Up- lands-for so the institution was christened-has undertaken a many-sided piece of definitely Chris- tian rural betterment work at Pleasant Hill, and has carried it on with unflagging zeal in the face of formidable difficulties. Clinics and dispensaries, public health teaching, inoculations, the care and feeding of babies, first aid, home nursing, and the growing and canning of vegetables to correct the traditional diet of dried beans and cornbread -all have a place in its constantly expanding program. What this harbor of refuge has meant to hundreds, stricken by sudden illness or in- volved in the accidents common to the mountains, can never be told. The work is Christian but non- denominational, and supported largely by volun- tary contributions. It has grown to a health cen- ter with ten buildings, thirty hospital beds, an x-ray machine, and a corps of trained workers.
It is still c-arried on by its founder, Dr. May Cravath Wharton, whose ability, devotion, and vision, together with her record of achievement, are convincing evidence that its work has only begun. DORA READ GOODALE.
Pleasant Hill, Tennessee.
the Midst of European
By PROFESSOR ADOLF KELLER, D.D., Geneva Secretary of the Central Bureau for Inter-Church Aid for the Evangelical Churches of Europe T HE peace and tranquillity of the Christian in labor circles, an anti-god or godless movement Churches have come to an end in Europe. has sprang up, as one can see in Russia and Spain. The Church idyll is over. It may still exist in some hidden corners, in remote villages, in What does this mean? It means that the Church countries far away from the thoroughfare of of Christ is no longer made up of the majority of modern ideologies and conflicting political powers. the population in modern nations, but represents On the crossroad of the life and thought of the again, as in the time of the Roman Empire, the European nations the Churches have to fight for liWe flock, a minority struggling for its life their material and spiritual existence. against modern indifferentism and secularism. This minority is ridiculed by the modern skep- There are only a few countries on the European ticism which prevails in many of the cultured Continent where nation and Church are more or class as well as in labor circles; the masses are less identical and where most of the citizens also advised by them to "leave heaven to the sparrows members of the churches. This may be the case and to the parsons." in certain Roman Catholic states and in the Scan- If Christianity is no longer a predominant dinavian countries. In Norway, for instance, the Church Government or administration is identical power in many countries, it becomes again, as in with the State Department. In Sweden nobody primitive Christianity, a missionary group. The could, until recent times, just leave one Church missionary task disappeared or was forgotten without entering another one. In Finland, 99% where the Church comprised a majority of the people, where everybody by birth or by custom of the nation are members of the National Lu- was a more or less active or convinced member theran Church. The relation between State and of the Church. Today the Church is again con- Church is hardly a problem or a conflict in these fronted in the midst of "Christian lands" with her countries. original missionary task. The Gospel must again But even in certain Roman Catholic countries be preached, not only to the heathen in dark con- like France and Italy, a large part of the nation tinents, but to millions of modern heathen who has given up church membership or active par- have been baptized or educated as Christians, but ticipation in church life. In France, for instance, for whom Christianity has lost its meaning. the Roman Catholic Church claims not more than The new missionary task with which the Church ten millions out of forty-one millions of the inhabitants; the Protestants count hardly one mil- is confronted is taken up afresh by the Churches lion. Where are the other thirty millions of the themselves and by religious groups who undertake French people? Germany counts officially forty a preaching mission similar to that sweeping over millions of Protestants out of sixty-five million the United States. The Confessional Church in inhabitants. But before Hitler came into power Germany actually considers ,the German people as her first missionary field. A special committee one could count sixteen millions of Socialist and under Herr von Thadden is organizing "Evan- Communist votes and it is well known to what gelical weeks" in the large cWes for bringing extent the Christian Church lost membership in again the Gospel to the land of the Reformation. continental Labor. A French student of theology, These gatherings draw new thousands in the A. Reymond, lived six months as a worker in fac- largest churches and assembly halls who wished tories of French industrial cities and made a study their evangelical witness to off-set the vague naof the religious conditions in the labor class. His tional religion which hardly deserves the name of impressions were that the large majority of the being an offspring of Luther's faith. These French labor classes not only have given up church "Evangelical weeks," the largest missionary propmembership but they no longer know what :the aganda undertaken in Germany, were continued Gospel is or what Christ means for mankind. until the Government forbade them and put the leaders in prison. Wherever Marxism and Bolshevism, with their materialistic philosophy have become predominant The voice of the German Churches could not be [ 579 ]
silenced by such administrative measures. The the thesis that confession is allowed but that pub- Christian people hear the Evangelical message lic discussion and propaganda of religion is forfrom the pulpit, in private assemblies and by a bidden. living and encouraging witness mouth to mouth. The Church in Germany shows in these times of The same thesis is found in the Bolshevist reliconflict that she lives alone on the Word of God gious legislation and its interpretation by the Boland recognizes no other Sovereign than her Lord, shevist party. Religious propaganda, therefore Jesus Christ. The former compromise between evangelization and missions, are prohibited in Church and State which led the German theo- Russia while atheistic propaganda is allowed. logian Richard Rothe to the thesis that the Church This prohibition is only one aspect of a religious would be dissolved in the State, has come to an persecution. The law, especially the new constiend and now the Church is drawing a clear bound- tution, does not speak of it. Religious liberty is ary line between her divine message and its im- granted on paper, but in practice the elements of plications and the claims of Caesar. The Church a religious persecution are seen in the following recognizes the State as a divine order to which facts: The importation of the Bible into Soviet she owes obedience according to God's law, but Russia is prohibited; the free preaching of the she refused to betray the Gospel to a State phi- Gospel is prohibited; thousands of priests, bishlosophy or a modern pagan or half-pagan myth, ops and Protestant ministers have been killed, such as it is developed in Rosenberg's "Myth of banished, or sent to the concentration camps in the Twentieth Century" and in other modern na- Siberia and near the White Sea. All religious tionalistic religious movements. education before the eighteenth year is forbidden. Innumerable Church buildings have been alien- Evidently, it needs that peculiar courage which ated from their religious use and are transformed faith has always shown to defy a totalitarian into museums, cinemas, assembly halls, variety State and to remind the omnipotent State that the theatres or are so heavily taxed that the congre- Lord is God and the Supreme Sovereign. This gation has had to give them up, as is the case courage has awakened new leaders like Barth, with the last Reformed Church in Odessa. Of Dibelius, Koch, Niemoller and many others who two hundred Lutheran pastors working in Russia say again with Luther: "Here I stand, I can no before the Revolution, today only five or six are other." They prefer to go to prison rather than still in their villages and nearly every week their betray their faith. Persecution has quickened the friends in Western countries receive letters aclife of faith and isolation gives back to the Church cording to which new arrests take place. her original independence from the world. From an external point of view the Church in In Italy a similar philosophy of a Fascist State Russia has come to an end although hundreds of seems to have concluded a compromise with the church buildings are still open in the large cities Roman Catholic Church which has a privileged and are crowded on Sundays. The official strucposition and accepted a large endowment of 1700 ture of the Church is shaken; the patriarchate, millions lire in the famous Lateran Treaties of the Synod, the Episcopate, the theological acad- 1929. But a compromise in spiritual matters al- emies, the influence on public life. But it is a ways contains germs of future conflicts. Already wonderful and paradoxical experience that the it becomes manifest that Church and State in Church today is saved by the Russian Christian Italy are becoming two rival and competing pow- mothers. They are the most influential and faithers in the sphere of education and marriage. Mus- ful missionaries of the present time. They teach solini tried to escape a conflict by establishing his their children, often in a very elementary way, doctrine of the "two sovereignties"-that of the what the Church can no longer teach and they State for temporal matters and that of the Church continue the faith and Christian tradition of that for matters spiritual. He has shown much diplo- deeply religious people. These simple farmersmatic skill in meeting the spiritual claims of the poor, uncultured, despised people–have a large Church and not only granted her the privilege of share in the spiritual revival which exists among being the national religion, but introduced the the Russian people today. The Russian writer, New Testament into the schools and concluded a Berdjaev, declares that Bolshevism is the child favorable concordat with the Vatican. At the between Marxism and the deep religious mystisame time he granted religious liberty to the cism of the -Russian people. Marxism is an out- Protestant minorities, especially the Waldensian, come of Western culture. Mysticism is the natin the treaty, "I Culti Ammessi" in 1929. The ural life of the Russian people and it seems that question today is whether Mussolini can protect Western influence has not been able to overcome for the future the Waldensians from the conse- the great natural gift of religion, even in a crude quences of an unfavorable interpretation of the form, which the Russian soul has maintained for treaties by the Roman Catholic clergy defending centuries. It is to be hoped that the time will come
IN THE MIDST OF EUROPEAN REVOLUTIONS
when the Russian Church can again undertake the The fourth window may be seen in a beginning greatest missionary enterprise in Europe – the of social work within the Orthodox Church. Such evangelization of the Russian people by the Bible social interest in the former mystical, hierarchic and the preaching of the Word of God. and sacramentarian Church might have spared Russia a revolution, as Methodism did to England Already four windows are opening in the Or- in the Eighteenth Century. The beginnings are thodox Church towards Western evangelical Christianity. The first is that the Orthodox weak, but hopeful. Church begins to preach. At our ecumenical con- The Church of Christ is going through dark ferences we have heard more than once a sincere evangelical witness from the mouth of an Ortho- times in these European countries shaken by revdox preacher; where the priests remain silent, olutions, but the Divine light shines in this darkthe laymen, simple men and women, begin to ness and the Church is again going through that preach. In the former Raskol, through the marvelous experience which St. Paul expressed Stundist Movement, the Russian Orthodox Church in the words: "When I am weak, then am I has had a Reformation of her own which could not strong." The revolution has revolutionized men's be quenched and is still alive among the Gospel- inner life and martyrdom, wherever it happened, Christians. has again proved to be the real seed of faith in The second window opens through the theo- Christian churches. logical studies which Orthodox theologians began The Church of Christ has again become the at Western Theological Seminaries. Following little flock, but this little flock is a real Church of such studies these Orthodox theologians have faith. The Church is becoming poor like her shown a remarkable independence. They have not founder who had not whereon to lay his head, but only learned from Protestant theology but have she has become spiritually blessed. She is per- secuted in many places but she feels again that defended and expounded their own faith with an she is bearing the Cross which her Master has original theological skill and sincere conviction. Men like Father Bulgakow, Florowski, Wyszes- carried. lavzev, Cassian, Zander and Zenkowski at the Or- These European Christians are suffering in thodox Academy in Paris, and such theologians as Zankow in Bulgaria, Arseniev in Konigsberg their terrible poverty, in their isolation and perseand Alivisatos in Athens have the merit to have cution. They are the "unknown Christian," opened a new understanding of the Orthodox which the wealthy, powerful and busy Churches Church to Western Protestants. in the West so easily forget. Their answer to the world is silence and martyrdom. They can hardly The third window is opening in the present-day speak. It is, therefore, the task of their happier Youth Movement in the Orthodox Church. It be- but perhaps, less blessed brethren, to speak to came hopeful with the fact that the Western them, to comfort them in their terrible loneliness, Christianity refrained from proselytizing the Or- to strengthen their faith in their vicarious sufferthodox Church, at least that part of it which is ing and to show them that evangelical solidarity collaborating with that Church in the ecumenical which is a privilege and a necessity of the Chrismovement. tian life. Such solidarity was recently declared at Oxford and Edinburgh to be one of the urgent ecumenical tasks of present-day Christianity.
SHALL WE KEEP ON ASKING GOD?
By THE LATE JAMES H. MCCONKEY More than half a century ago George Muller, that prince of intercessors with God, began to pray for a group of five personal friends. After five years one of them came to Christ. In ten years two more of them found peace in the same Saviour. He prayed on for twenty-five years and the fourth man was saved. For the fifth he prayed until the time of his death, and this friend too came to Christ a few months afterward. For this latter friend Muller had prayed almost fifty-two years!
But someone says: "How long shall we pray? Do we not come to a place where we may cease from our petitions and rest the matter in God's hands?" He alone, and not we, must decide when we shall cease from petitioning. We may stop praying for someone because we receive the answer or we stop because we believe God has given His answer. The faith of our heart is as sure as the sight of our eyes, for it is faith in God. More and more as we live the prayer life we come to experience and recognize this God-given assurance, and know when to continue our petitioning.
Dilemma of Japanese
_.•..gf By the REV. T. T. BRUMBAUGH, Tokyo, Japan r;;,··- Missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church Since 1924 C HRISTIANS and idealists of Japan are "on This is not only a wholesome change from the the spot" of public scrutiny even more at attitude of Christians in all other wars to date, home today than abroad. Every Japanese but it is in great contrast to the positions taken by is required by his Government, and the people who other religious and cultural bodies in Japan.
support it und.er the Constitution of 1868, to give Without exception, Japan's thirteen religious sects absolute and unquestioning obedience to the na- of Shinto have been vigorously supporting the tion and its rulers. The highest moral principle nation's military policy on the Asiatic mainland; in the Japanese code of ethics is loyalty to em- they have indeed been centers of the combative peror and empire. Consequently when his gov- nationalism of the past half-dozen years. Bud- ernment, in a crisis such as the present, seeks to dhism also, while never so unrestrained in grati- obtain assurances of loyalty from the various reli- fication of desires, has given unquestioned support gious bodies functioning in the land the National to all Government policies and certain sects and Christian Council of Japan, representing two hun- Buddhist groups have by popular subscription dred thousand Christians of various affiliated de- raised large funds for the purchase of airplanes nominations, feels obliged to assure Government to be given to the imperial army and navy.
and rulers that the Christian Church "pledges it- In Christian circles the Roman Catholic Church self … to render faithful services to the State." has also recently been very active in assuring the None who read farther into this recent declara- authorities of its unswerving loyalty to the Gov- tion of the Japanese National Christian Council ernment in all temporal affairs, this being an can fail to note, however, that there is deep regret effort to overcome the suspicion that has rested in and chagrin that Sino-Japanese relations have Japanese minds ever since Catholicism was drifted into the sorry mess of today. Japanese stamped out of Japan in the sixteenth and seven- Christians feel their own share in responsibility teenth centuries for alleged connivance with Rome for all this; they call for a movement of spiritual and other capitals of temporal power in Europe.
regeneration within Japan, one which may bring Protestants have occasionally taken up the cudgels Christians and non-Christians alike to conscious- for nationalistic expansion on "Deutschland-iiber- ness of guilt as well as to a sense of God's will in alles" patterns; but the unprejudiced observer the present situation. As regards the crisis within cannot fail to observe a much more moderate and Japan they are determined to show the nation and international attitude throughout C h r i s t ian those in the empire's military service that Chris- groups and "spheres of influence" in Japan than tians minister to all those in need, whether physi- is found elsewhere.
calor spiritual, and they join fervently in prayer Christians and other advocates of world fellow- that the conflict may speedily be ended and in ship in Japan today are in a serious dilemma.
such a way as to make for permanent peace and They have been drawn to the Christian faith and friendship between China and Japan. its humanitarian ideals because it seems so ob- All this may sound pitifully inadequate to those vious that only such a world community under a hoping to hear a more positive voice out of Chris- unitary and loving Divine order can solve the stu- tendom; yet anyone recalling the attitude and offi- pendous problems of life in the modern world- cial statements of Christians in America and personal, social, economic, and others. But they Great Britain during the World War may find in are puzzled and baffled by the fact that European this declaration some reason for gratification. and American social and national life, in spite of There is here no breath of hatred for China, no many centuries of Christian background, is not suggestion of national glorification, no attempt to actuated by Christ-like motives. The JapaIese sanctify war. There is, rather, a deep sense of feel themselves the victims of white supremacy remorse that, in spite of Christian and other ideal- throughout the earth, and Christians cannot deny istic efforts for peace, open warfare has come be- it. They see that this form of white imperialism tween Japan and her neighbors, and there is a has been built up htrgely by military power and desire to mitigate the horrors of war while pray- that, whereas certain groups of Christians have ing for its swift conclusion. in recent years been renouncing further aggres- [ 582)] sion by such violence, not one "Christian" nation, ness; considering thyself, lest thou also be or even one sizable group of Christians, has re- tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens and so pudiated its nation's obvious determination to fulfil the law of Christ." keep for 'itself all the advantages acquired so largely by force. This not only applies to the land It is to Christianity's eternal credit that by and available resources of Christian nations, evangelization, education and the natural penetrawhich compare so to Japan's disadvantage with tion of the humanitarian ideals of Jesus the people its vast population and narrow confines, but it is of Japan, China and all other as yet non-Christian especially clear when one compares the standards lands have been awakened to their need of a more of living of Christian peoples in the West with abundant life, material and spiritua1. It will be a those in the Orient. hard blow to Christian prestige if now awakened Japanese decide that Christianity cannot or will The gist of the matter is that Christians in these not undertake to provide for these needs. We may favored lands do not concern themselves with the condemn as unchristian and immoral the methremoval of obvious inequalities and injustices, and ods that Japan is employing in China in her efforts that they and their governments have deliberately to attain her own economic salvation; but if set economic obstacles that hinder the efforts of Christendom cannot indicate and demonstrate a the Japanese to solve their own problems by peace- better way, then our testimony will be to them as ful means. The charge of Japan's nationalists can sounding brass and clanging cymbal. The Christscarcely be refuted, that Christianity and interna- spirit, even when exercising moral restraint as in tional idealism have not been concerned with a the present effort to restrain Japan in Asia, must practical and just solution of Japan's stupendous be redemptive. Let American Christians not problem of feeding seventy millions of people from overlook or neglect the redemptive quality of their a tillable area in Japan proper equivalent to the faith. Western two-thirds of Ohio. WHAT CHINESE CHRISTIANS SAY Christians in Japan also find it difficult to understand an attitude of mind on the part of Western Dr. Chester S, Miao of the National Christian peoples which will complacently tolerate the vast Council of China says: (1) Everyone should do extent of both economic and political imperialism his best to steady the morale of his community that obtains today in China under European and and help to secure peace and order. (2) We American responsibility, and at the same time re- should endeavor to carryon our daily work and gards with such horror all Japanese effort to solve help others to do their regular work. (3) War Japan's economic problem by similar though per- conditions are a breeding ground for rumor and haps more thorough-going methods. Here we note propaganda. Let us do our best to act as agents the difference, if any, between expansion by the for reliable news and for the dissemination of usual methods of economic penetration and that truth. (4) There is no better time than this to openly supported by military force. Japan cannot bring home to our people the Christian message forget that only ten years ago America and Great of the cross of suffering, We need faith to sus- Britain requested Japanese naval cooperation in tain our hope and to endure suffering. (5) Let Nanking to save our nationals and our property us launch a movement in every city for raising from the confusion attendant upon the northward relief funds and needed materials for suffering advance of Chiang Kai-shek's armies. Artillery people. (6) Let us pray for peace and the adbarrages were then laid down around the Stand- vancement of the cause of Christ. (7) Let us ard Oil compound to protect Occidental lives and show that we love justice and seek to manifest the property with a disregard for Chinese life and love of God. interests not unlike that for which Japan's army and navy are condemned today. The Chinese Christian leader, Mr. C. K. Lee, gave this answer to a student who asked why we In brief, Japanese lovers of peace and world fel- should teach Christianity to China when it has the lowship are in a tight place. They are opposed to ethics of Confucianism: any blood-thirstiness in their national program but they are truly and proudly Japanese. Perhaps "There are three reasons. First of all, Conwe have expected too much of a nation only sev- fucius was a teacher and Christ is a Saviour. enty-five years out of feudalism and a careful China needs a Saviour more than she needs a pupil of western forms of national development. teacher. In the second place, Confucius is dead It would seem to one acquainted with the New Tes- and Christ is alive. China needs a living Saviour. tament that Western Christians might well recall In the third place, Confucius is some day going to Paul's injunctions to the Galatians: "Brethren, stand before Christ to be judged by Him. China if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are needs to know Christ as Saviour before she meets spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meek- Him as Judge."
Working by Love in
The Story of the Omi Brotherhood I _•..e/ By WINBURN T. THOMAS, Tanaka, Kyoto, Japan I Ji.- O NE of the most interesting places to visit in Christian work. This might have sent other less Japan is a small village in the province of enterprising evangelists back to America; but Omi, an hour from Kyoto. While the not so young Vories. He determined to give up country is rich in picturesque scenes and in his- his teaching salary and to remain in Hachiman toric treasures, many tourists, with only a few until he had helped his young disciples to a,ttain days to spend in Japan, take time to visit this spiritual maturity. The situation forced him to town on the shores of Lake Biwa. These visitors become an independent, self-supporting missioncome to see the Omi Brotherhood, "a nonsectar- ary. ian experiment in rural evangelization." A Yale University professor, who had seen the work, ex- Some of his young Japanese friends stood by claimed, "It is one of the most interesting social Vories, sharing their school allowances until outexperiments in the history of Christianity." An side aid arrived; one of the young students American philanthropist said, "This is the most shared his room with his teacher. Some of these interesting missionary story I have ever heard." young men are today active members of the A French atheist after spending several weeks in Brotherhood; their fidelity is much like that of the village wrote, "I have never seen or heard Japanese retainers for their lords.
anything like this. You really believe. Although I haven't yet a consciousness of God or an understanding of Jesus Christ, I could join your Broth- hood today, believing in you."
The Omi Brotherhood is no new form of monasticism, for it is very much a part of the world's life. It conducts a successful business; its mem- bers speak over the radio; it carries on evangel- istic work over a large area. Instead of being wholly Japanese, it includes among its workers, Americans, Koreans, Chinese, and nationals from other countries. While members of the Brother- VORIES, YOSHIDA, NURATA, H. SATO, MIYAMOTO, KOGHO hood refrain from the use of tobacco and alcohol WHO WERE TOGETHER IN THE ACADEMY IN 1905 stimulants, they are not ascetic. In a country (Photo taken in 1930) where even Christianity is too often looked upon Fortunately Mr. Vories had studied architec- as a festal observance, a life insurance for the ture and it was not long before he received some future world, theological speculation, or a matter small commissions to design and erect mission of sectarian loyalty, the Omi Brotherhood repre- buildings. Later he became so busy that he was sents Christian life and the purpose of the group obliged to engage a staff of assistants. In the is experimentally to demonstrate the power of thirty-two years since the establishment of this Christ in daily life and conduct. Brotherhood, Mr. Vories and his assistants have Over thirty years ago, William Merrell Vories designed over a thousand buildings, including came to Japan to teach English in a government some as large and well known as the Daimaru de- academy at Hachiman. Not content with in- partment store in Osaka. A score of draftsmen structing the boys in his native tongue he started are busy in the Omi Hachiman office and branch a Bible class. This move went unnoticed until offices are maintained in Tokyo and Osaka. The some of the boys decided to become Christians. vast evangelistic program centered about this vil- Later money was provided for the erection of a lage has been carried on with the aid of Vories'
Y. M. C. A. in which to carryon Christian activi- "little pencil." Not only has the income from this ties. When the building was nearly completed branch of the work enabled him to finance its the opposition was so great that Mr. Vories was evangelistic program, but the office has intro- asked to resign from the school or to give up his duced many badly needed housing reforms.
[584 ] The next project undertaken was to provide vised by Dr. Vories, all strictly observe Sunday, a building materials and equipment. This neces- practice hardly known in Japan. In some cases sitated the organization of the Omi Sales Com- this has resulted in one day in seven being granted pany which imports and manufactures hardware, as a holiday for all employees, notably in the case refrigerators, household furnishings, and other of one of the large department stores. The Brotherhood factory at Omi Hachiman demon- LUNCH TIME AT THE KINDERGARTEN, OMI MISSION strates Christian commercial principles. Em- ployees are treated and paid as though they were modern equipment. Probably the most profitable children of God rather than as economic slaves venture was acceptance of the Oriental sales to be exploited. The workers receive the benefit agency for Mentholatum. Japanese druggists at of city wages while remaining in the country. first refused to handle ,the product, but it has now become almost a household necessity throughout Some results of the mission work of the Broth- Japan. Two small incidents show how wide- erhood are seen in its churches, Y. M. C. A., gymspread its use has become. One day while the nasium, and sanitorium. One of the finest tuberwriter was visiting a movie studio, a leading lady culosis hospitals in Japan, conducted by the misfell and bruised her arm during the "shooting" sion, is located at the foot of a hill overlooking a of a scene. Immediately one of her fellow ac.tors plain that leads to Lake Biwa. One day a memcalled to the "makeup" girl, "Bring the Menthol- ber of the Brotherhood was told that he had tuberatum." Again, at a country hotel, when a mem- culosis. To care for him and similar cases the ber of our party accidently slipped on a rock and first section of a sanitorium was constructed; bruised his hands, a maid produced a small can this has now developed into a modern hospital of this salve and all was well. When the packages with thirty workers and eighty-five beds. Docof Mentholatum are put up by the Brotherhood, tors estimate that one person in seven (some say a Bible verse and an invitation to correspond are as many as one in three) in Japan is a tubercuincluded in each package. As a result many Jap- losis case, but many have good prospects for reanese have been led to Christ. covery.
Evangelism and business are united in the The Brotherhood is non-sectarian, and its memmembers of the Brotherhood, and the two forms bers are free to join any denomination they of work are carried on side by side. On the sec- choose, but the local Congregational church is ond floor of the general offices in Omi Hachiman, the newspaper evangelism and publication depart- THE TUBERCULOSIS SANITARIUM-OMI HACHIMAN ments are conducted. Several full-time workers are busy preparing Christian magazines and most closely connected with the work. This conbooks, and in sending out Bible lessons and litera- nection dates from Dr. Vories' earliest days in ture to those who inquire about Christianity or Japan when he was invited to speak on Sunday who are taking correspondence courses. mornings to a small group of persons who gath- ered in a private home for worship. Within a These various business enterprises, begun only as a means of financing the evangelistic work, have been the direct means of promoting evangelism. Even in the building operations,super-
few years this group was able to erect a chapel One unusual feature of the work is the "Galiand to call a minister. One of the unusual things lee Maru," a motor launch used on Lake Biwa. about the work is that a collection is never taken About 100 Brotherhood workers carry their acat the meetings; those who wish to contribute tivities into six other places around the lake, condrop their offerings into a small receptacle at the ducting church services, Sunday Schools, Y. M. rear of the auditorium. The congregation has C. A.'s, kindergartens, cooperatives, and agriculgrown so that the worship services were recently tural conferences and experiments. transferred to the large gymnasium of the community house, in the front part of which there is The Omi Brotherhood expresses William Mera day nursery and a kindergarten. rell Vories' dream of a "complete independent mission enterprise, of such a variety of activities as will reach all classes of people in a given local- ity and will develop its own support on the field." In the Omi-Hachiman area of 1,616 square miles, with a population of 700,000 living in one city and 1,376 towns and villages, the Brotherhood's aim is- IN THE MENTHOLATUM PACKING ROOM 1. To preach and practice the Gospel of Christ without reference to denominational differences. A comparatively recent innovation of the Brotherhood work is a girls' high school. The 2. To completely unify the work in a fellowship of all higher education of Japanese boys has been taken workers, regardless of nationality or race. care of by government institutions, but girls have been left to shift for themselves after graduation 3. To evangelize communities unoccupied by any other from grammar school. To care for their needs Mission, and under no circumstances to overlap with the in Omi province a former residence was remod- work of such a Mission. eled and a girls' high school begun with an enrollment of about fifty young women. Three separate 4. To evangelize rural communities, as the most conbuildings house the dormitory, dining hall and servative element of mankind and the most probable source class rooms. of leadership.
The most recent building is a new Y. M. C. A., 5. To seek, enlist and train leaders and Christian workwhere the work is in the hands of a full-time sec- ers. retary and where classes are conducted for the village and Academy boys. 6. To promote social betterment-including temperance, social purity, Christian marriage customs, industrial, physical and sanitary reforms, and definite work for the neglected classes.
7. To study and experiment with new methods of Chris- tian evangelization.
The Japanese authorities that formerly perse- cuted and opposed the work of the Brotherhood are now loudest in the praise of Dr. Vories for through his efforts, he has put Hachiman on the map, has employed a large number of its people, and is gradually raising the economic, moral and religious level of its citizens.
"GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY!"
Some years ago a prominent French jurist was attorney for a murderer. In his final address to the jury he said: "Gentlemen of the jury! My task is very easy. The accused has confessed; a defense is impossible, and yet· I want to add a .few words. There, on the wall, I see the picture of the Crucified Ch:rist and I pay homage to Him. There hangs the picture, in this hall of justice, where you condemn the guilty. But why do we not hear anything of Him in our public schools to which we send our children? Why does the murderer, for the first time in his life, see the Crucified One here in this hall, wh~re the law will punish him? If the attention of my client had been directed to the Crucified when he sat on the benches of the school, he would not now sit here facing disgrace and infamy. Yes, it is you, gentlemen, whom I accuse. You that brag, with your education and your culture, and yet are barbarous, who spread atheism and lust among the people, and then are astonished when the people reply with crime and vulgarity. Condemn my client, gentlemen. You have a right to do it. But I accuse you; that is my duty."
Naturally Love to
By the REV. JAMES F. RIGGS, New York Field Committee on United Promotion, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
W ITH rapt attention the children listened. plan for such instruction, and make it interesting The speaker knew children's interests. He by calling attention to what it does to character, was fascinating. In closing his address he the child responds naturally and gladly. This asked if anyone present wanted to help the cause does not apply to money alone, but to any service of Christian education to continue the work de- rendered as well. Money is merely the tool most scribed. Eagerly the hands went up. Then the frequently used. Stewardship both in theory and minister rose and said, "These children are poor. practice covers many aspects of the Christian ex- They have no money except what working fathers perience.
or mothers provide for them. It is not reasonable Schools of stewardship with classes for youth, to ask them to give to any cause. In fact they stewardship dramas, interesting biographies of need many things themselves." generous givers are all assets in the development The speaker was surprised, as well he might be, of true Christian stewards. Youth learns from since the children did not appear to be in need or them that the giving of self, service, substance, for impovished. However, with a smile he inquired the propagation of the Gospel is not a matter of if he might ask a question. When this permission likes or dislikes. It is an imperative. When was granted he said, "How many of you children properly taught this conception becomes as nat- go to the movies?" Every hand was raised. ural as it is beautiful in the child.
"How many of you go on an average of twice a One church quickened this sense of obligation week?" Many hands shot up. "How many go at to the causes represented by the church program times more often than that?" A few hands were through the making and showing of a set of slides held aloft. Then turning to the pastor he re- on giving. These revealed in the form of charts marked, "I feel sure that it would be no hardship and graphs what the average person spent for for them to share in Kingdom enterprises." luxuries like amusements, tobacco, candy, as con- trasted with the amounts contributed to Church, But two long, searching thoughts filled his mind. Sunday school, Christian Endeavor, etc. The ef- Why do adults deprive children of the privilege of fect of these slides was very convincing. When giving? And why do older people so often pre- this was discussed in Sunday school classes and sent vital work in a manner uninteresting to age groups it resulted in a number of increased youth? pledges accompanied by heightened interest in the cause. Children love to give. They give to what they are interested in. The Church however very gen- Conventional giving is not only w:ithout thrill; er.ally expects interest, but often does not work but is likely to be very short-lived. It will cease creatively to generate it. Usually young people at the first opportunity. The child's money will have not the remotest idea of what they are giv- be absorbed by any secular cause or object which ing to when they drop their offering in the blue is appealing. Children are eager to do what is Sunday school envelope, or in the church collec- interesting. They are right in expecting, if not tion plate. Like their elders they give as a matter requiring, that they should get some degree of of course, as a bit of church routine. Consequently. satisfaction out of the causes which they help to they do so without any enthusiasm.
The Theory and Practice of Stewardship support. They ought.to know why they give, as well as what they give to in supporting church Usually stewardship is not taught in any prac- work. If the basic reasons presented to them are tical way. As a result the rising generation real- stated in terms of life, alert in meeting human izes only in the vaguest possible manner that God needs, the children will respond wonderfully.
is the source of all blessings through the years, There is nothing which appeals more deeply to a including the gift of life itself. As a result all the child than to know that he is meeting a real need.
daily benefits are accepted as a matter of course. Sympathies are ever ready and near the surface It is necessary that stewardship should be taught, in childhood. Youth yearns to do worthwhile and practiced too, if it is to mean anything vital work to help others.
to the child. When parents and teachers have a A far more wonderful response, than is gen- [ 587]
erally the case, will be generated if the principle John D. Rockefeller, Jr., say that in the next genof learning by doing is used to acquaint the on- eration we shall have no more concentrated coming generation with the causes to which they wealth, it is essential that the Church build up a contribute. An intermediate group was expected multitude of small but vitally interested givers. to aid in the support of the mission boat "Prince- In days to come their interest will make them ton," which ministers in so many and varied ways "pillars" of the Church. on the tooth-like Alaskan coast. As the youngsters knew very little of the "Princeton," or the Young people today are more versatile and more work it was doing, their giving was sluggish and mature for their years than in any previous genhad never reached the amount pledged. Often the eration. Youth marches on! May it be with the offering was "forgotten"; or just a few pennies Church – because their imaginations and hearts were given. However, when a manual training have been captured by the challenge of bringing teacher agreed to help the group to make a small the abundant life of Christ to underprivileged peomodel of this boat out of scrap materials from the ple. Thus youth may learn to identify itself with department stores, the change in attitude was Kingdom causes. amazing. Boredom and lethargy gave place to the keenest interest. Attendance became almost 1000/0 MESSAGES FROM D. L. MOODY even at week-day meetings. The group devoured eagerly stories of the service rendered by this If you cannot do some great thing, you can do boat. The giving came up without any visible ef- some little thing for Christ. fort or special pledging in excess of the amount pledged. To these intermediates giving became God is ready and willing to work, if we are "alive." It is spontaneous when interest is hehind ready and willing to let Him, and to be used by it. Jesus' words were once more fulfilled, "Where Him. your treasure is there will your heart be also." What we want today is the spirit of consecra- Tested and Helpful Methods tion and concentration. May God pour out His Spirit upon us, and fill us with holy. enthusiasm. Among the other helps in developing interest in benevolences are moving pictures showing the Many people are afraid of the word "enthusiwork supported. These may be secured at nom- asm." Do you know what that word means? It inal expense from many of the Mission Boards. means "in God." The person who is "in God" Dramatic presentations of evangelistic, medical, surely will be filled with enthusiasm. educational work, carried on by children's gifts are also valuable. Missionary progress may also If the Lord sees our faith for those whom we be portrayed dramatically. Animated biographies wish to be blessed, He will honor it. He has not of famous missionaries are often used with excel- disappointed the faith of any of His children yet. lent effect. There are in addition exhibits of curios; and costume meetings in which the cloth- It is far better to get one hundred men to do the ing of the country aided is used by the speaker work than to do it one's self. Only when the rank and ushers.. These educational settings have a and file of the Christian churches are enlisted in very great appeal. active service for Christ will His Kingdom ad- vance as it should. Hand work is always alluring to active boys and girls. Sometimes stories are told while the work In all ages, God has delighted to use the weak is going on. Or the young people may carry out a things. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that GOd visual program in the form of exhibitions of what uses foolish things, weak things, base things, their money accomplishes. One church put on a and things which are not. But if we are leaning series of tableaux of this sort. Another wrote up on God's strength we have more than all the and acted out its entire hooevolence budget with strength of the world. the aid of the young people themselves under the direction of two or three adult advisers. Medical Compare our opportunities of serving God with service was shown by a hospital scene with the those of the early Christians. Look at the mighty children impersonating the doctor, nurse and pa- obstacles they had to encounter and surmount. tient. Education pictured a teacher cooperating Let us grasp these opportunities to serve Him; with a class in working out a special project. then we may expect great things. He will not disappoint us. All these are but forms of the practice of Stewardship. This is essential to the present-day Let us lJot give heed to gloomy and discouragchurch in a changing world. In an era when men ing remarks; in the name of our great Comprominent in financial circles, like J. P. Morgan, mander, let us march on to battle and victory. "Be of good courage and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people and for the cities of our God; and let the Lord do that which is good in His sight.
African Bishop in
The Story of a Missionary's Journey By R. R. WRIGHT, Jr., Woodstock, Cape Province I Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 1Ja- ~=-=-=-=-=-====================~ C OMING to South Africa a total stranger to stantly, walking many miles each day. We took people, language and customs, I found it tea in his small cottage, which was a marvel of highly necessary to acquaint myself as cleanliness. quickly as possible with my work, and decided that the only satisfactory way was to travel by Here Mr. Gordon left us and we proceeded to automobile. I was fortunate in getting as chauf- Beaufort West where I was to lay the cornerstone feur a young Zulu, who spoke very correct Eng- of a new church. We found the ceremony post- poned because of the sudden serious illness of the !ish, also Afrikaans, Sesutho, Xosa, Zulu and two aged minister. We visited him and spent the or three other dialects; an expert driver, a good night in the home of an old colored seaman, who mechanic familiar with the geography of South looked like the old-time pirates we read about Africa. We took with us maps, guide book and when we were children, but who, in spite of other books and references; an Afrikaans gram- tattooed arms was indeed a kindly old gentleman mar, dictionary and Bibles in Afrikaans and Eng- and an elder in his church. This was our first lish. We drove from beautiful Capetown through experience of sleeping in a "location"-an area the grape-growing districts of Paarl and Well- just outside a city, set apart by the municipality ington to Bain's Kloof, where we gradually rose for the habitation of natives, and sometimes other to a height of 2,000 feet above sea level. This colored persons; the ground is owned by the city, gave us a fine view of ocean and mountains, and which often builds the houses and the people pay villages lying in the gorgeous valleys. We de- rent to the city. These houses are usually two or scended amidst even more beautiful scenery to three rooms, built of mud in the crudest fashion. Worcester, 82 miles from Capetown where we The supervision is usually in the hands of a white lodged with the Rev. D. P. Gordon, who went as "location manager." As there are over 200 "lo- a missionary to this place thirty-two years ago. cations," one can find all types of character in The result of these years of labor are partly seen these managers, from outrageous exploitation to in a comfortable church building which can seat kindly paternalism. In some "locations" there are 400 people, a three-room school building with 215 a few beautiful homes which the people were alpupils, four teachers, and a mission house of seven lowed to build for themselves. But the fact that rooms. The school is now recognized by the Gov- they cannot own the ground and that they may ernment. Mr. Gordon is now 69 years of age, have to move at any time, is most discouraging. and is honored by all for the Christian service he "Locations" were originally designed for natives has rendered. who were brought out of the country districts, Accompanied by Mr. Gordon, who also has away from their native tribal life to work for the whites, and. whom the whites would not allow to supervision of churches on many farms in the live in their cities. This forced segregation has vicinity, we visited the school at De Wet. Here brought on many problems for which have been were two teachers, with 110 pupils in the one- found no adequate solution. The municipality room church building, which had a dirt floor and gives to each church a plot on which it may build benches for about half the children. All seemed an edifice to be used as a church and school. Naunderfed. I had prayer, said a few encouraging tive education is in the hands of the church at words, consulted with the principal and departed present. With all the efforts of the churches there for De Doorns, fifteen miles away. Here again are hundreds of children out of school and it is I found the same type of building, teachers, equip- estimated that 2,000,000 native children in South ment and pupils. The pastor, Mr. Legolie, an Africa do not go to any school. The problem of earnest man past middle age, with little education, education is indeed large. but with great zeal, had not only organized this little church, but churches on six farms. He had At Kimberley, the diamond city, we found an over 200 members to whom he ministered con- intelligent pastor who had built a new church and [589 ]
planted flowers around it, a very unusual thing. in the South African Council, the South African The churches all joined in welcoming us, and I Institute of Race R~lations, the Bantu Men's SJfound here, as everywhere else, a close bond cf cial Center, and in nearly everything that CJn :-;ympathy between denominations. An Anglican cerns the welfare of the natives around Johannespresided, the white Dutch Reformed minister burg. made the principal address of welcome, and the Dutch Reformed colored band played revival In the Johannesburg gold mining center, called hymns to dance rhythm. Brother Nantlahla gave the Rand, from a third to a half of the world's us the manuscript for the African Methodist gold supply is mined. Here are over a third of a Hymn Book on which the Rev. C. Nyombolo, now million natives taken from every tribe in Sou.h deceased, and he had worked for twenty years. Africa, detribalized, underpaid, underfed, living Our next stop was at Wilberforce Institute, our in the world's worst slums-a contrast of poverty leading educational institution in South Africa, and wealth, ignorance, superstition and enlightfounded in 1909 and named for the famous Eng- ened ,Christianity, perhaps nowhere else seen. lish antislavery agitator, William Wilberforce, Here the churches have their hardest task, and and for Wilberforce University in Ohio, whose the A. M. E.'s are trying to do their part. At early graduates are now leaders of our church several places in this gold mining region I called here. together the ministers and discussed educational work and the extension of our church work. We After devotional exercises at the Institute, I have over 125 preaching points on the Rand and left for the administrative capitol at Pretoria. Transvaal. Here I met officers of the Native Affairs Department, of the Department of Education, and of the When I preached I usually had two interpret- Immigration Office; I explained my work and the ers, one each for Xosa and Sesutho, sometimes purpose of my presence in South Africa. I found three and once four. Many Moody and Sankey all the officers without exception not only cour- hymns, as well as the great hymns of all churches, teous,but sympathetic with my plans, although are translated into these tongues and sung to when I expressed my intention to build a Teacher familiar tunes. "Praise God from Whom All Training College in the Transvaal, one said it was Blessings Flow," may be sung to the tune of "rather ambitious." Since then, however, a "Old Hundred" in English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Sesu- 12-room building has been started in faith, and tho, Xosa, etc., at the same time. Nearly every workmen are going forward. Our members hav2 Africanin the Rand understands simple English, themselves given me over £750 ($3,750) in sup- but is at home in the vernacular. The African port of this effort, notwithstanding their poverty. native does not "shout". as does the American We proceeded to Johannesburg next day and I Negro. He listens very attentively; he prays ferconsulted with business firms as to materials to vently, always sings all the verses of a hymn, start our building. Thank God, I succeeded in get- assembles for worship promptly and does not ting credit for more than £600 ($3,000) worth of want to stay too long. material from one firm, whose managing director said, "We have never let natives have more than On the Rand I met all types of natives, the lowly £50 or' £60 credit; but I am impressed with your and highly intelligent. There is only one native purpose, your plan and your organization, and physician who was educated in America, one, will take the risk." My next discussion was with lawyer, no dentists, one accountant, many prithe Inspector who had expressed doubt that na- mary teachers, a few nurses, a few politicians, tives could erect such a school building. In fact, editors and business men. All were anxious to the specifications read, "All skilled work shall be hear about the American Negro, and I was kept done by Europeans; i. e., white mechanics." I, from morning till night answering que.tions about however, got permission to have it read, "By com- America. petent mechanics-," and am proceeding with mechanics of my own race, much to the surprise and In all, I spent ten days on the Rand. My nex'; satisfaction of the Inspector, who has publicly stop was at Bremersdorp in Swaziland, where at praised the work. midnight, under a perfect African starlit sky, I met King Sobhuza II, Paramount Chief of the I conferred with Dr, J. Dexter Taylor, of the Swazis. He gave me a hearty" welcome to his American Board, at his home in Johannesburg. country. Far through the night we discussei re- He is, a member of our Board of Trustees of Wil- ligion, education and the general economic ani berforce Institute and I have found in him a true social life of his people. I shall never forget this friend and guide. He has been in South Africa meeting~. ,nor the man, still under 40, a philosoover 30 years and he is loved by the natives and pher,scholar and statesman. I met the Qm:en respected by the Europeans., He is a: leading spirit Mother in her kraal, consisting of over 400 huts of thatched roofs, surrounded by high cane fences. She received me seated on the ground, encircled
AN AFRICAN BISHOP IN AFRICA
by her advisers. Our interview lasted nearly an the marriage ceremony for Chief Seiso Maama hour. I was guest in the kraal of Chief Ben and remained for the festivities. Mrs. Seiso Nxumalo, uncle of King Sobhuza II. The Chief Maama is a woman of beautiful character and went to America in 1928 as a delegate to the high ideals. Her husband, unlike many other A. M. E. General Conference, and got many mod- chiefs, has only one wife and is a devoted Chris- ern ideas, some· of which he has tried to put into tian preacher.
practice. The National Training School is a new At Morija is the hundred-year-old French mis- venture of credit to the Swazis. sion which has done more than any other mission We have fifteen schools in Basutoland, but the to develop the Mosutos language and literature. government gives grants only to the older We visited its famous printing plant where more churches-the French Mission, the Anglican and than twenty-five natives do printing for all de- Roman Catholic churches; all are doing such nominations in South Africa. The French misgood work that Basutoland, I was told, has the sion encourages native African initiative in a way largest percentage of native school attendance in worthy of imitation. At Maseru we saw in the all South Africa. Some of the most powerful . Government offices the first black stenographer chiefs are members of our church and have given .and typist since we left America. land and buildings for schools, which we have We saw very few naked natives, except chilbeen inadequately supporting. I was guest of dren. We met none who had not heard of Jesus.
Chief Seiso Maama, who gave the ground for We heard testimony to the two hundred years of Maama Memorial Church which I dedicated in the heroic missionary endeavor, and also the great inpresence of 1,000 people who had come from fluence of a recent visit of Dr. John R. Mott to mountain fastnesses to witness the ceremony and South Africa. I have met most of the outstanding partake of the chief's hospitality; he killed sev- leaders of all denominations, and all seem coneral oxen for the occasion. As we were leaving, scious of the great work still before them, not the chief and his wife asked me to join them in now so much of securing acceptance of Christ but holy wedlock after the Christian fashion; this I of putting Christianity more into practical life. promised to do when I returned to Basutoland. We who know how hard this is in America, espe- We proceeded to Johannesburg and to Evaton to cially where the darker races are concerned, can inspect our new building. At the insistence of one 'imagine the task before earnest Christian leaders of my presiding elders I visited the Western in South Africa. As much work needs to be done Transvaal. At one place, I was surprised to find among the whites as among the blacks, if there is the most prosperous looking natives I have seen. ever a satisfactory answer to the question, "Shall My host owned in his own right 1;800 acres of Africa Be Christian?"
land, and I met a group of men who owned or I have repeatedly asked myself during this leased over 10,000 acres. They were anxious that journey, "What can the American Negro do?"
the church purchase several large plantations and The answer is, "Much." Wherever I have gone move the people on them, thus giving them better people have said, "Tell us about people in Amer- protection and a better chance for worship, edu- ica," no matter what the occasion. So the Amer- cation and economic improvement. While their ican Negro is an inspiration to the African-he argument was apparently sound, I was not able to wants improvement in living and an outlet for the give them much hope, so far as the church is con- "more abundant life." The rapid growth of the cerned. I sincerely hope that some Christian or- A. M. E. Church is due to this fact. However, ganization may become interested in the economic very few American Negroes are in South Africa.
imprqvement of these people. I have not met a dozen who came here during the After a brief rest we returned to Wilberforce past twelve years. American Negroes trained in to hold the executive board meeting of the wom- social work, in agriculture, as well as in religion, en's missionary organization, headed by Mrs. could help the native and the country at large, if Maxeke, a graduate of Wilberforce University in they come under cooperative, rather than under Ohio. With her husband she has labored nearly denominational auspices. The task is far too forty years in South Africa. I was pleased with great for the individual church.
the earnestness and intelligence of these native I have supervision of over 430 preaching places, women. Next day I laid the cornerstone for the separated by nearly 3,500 miles and reaching new building at Wilberforce Institute and received every .tribe of .Africans, representing the work of contributions from the natives of nearly $500. forty years. But I need helpers. The harvest Two thousand people attended and it is estimated truly is plenteous but the laborers few. Pray that that 90 '10 of them contributed. The inspector of God may move the hearts of more Americans of native schools was the only white man present. African descent to come over and help their be- Then we returned to Basutoland and performed nighted African brothers and sisters.
A Ponca Breaks Paths for
A Chapter in Rural Education for Indians in Oklahoma By the REV. COE HAYNE, New York The American Baptist Home Mission Society SCORES of young Christian Indians are ac- which the Choctaw church worshipped. The old cepting positions as teachers in schools in shack of a building had been given to the Indians most difficult communities, amid desperate for a schoolhouse. And Louis Rhodd had arrived poverty and privation, which they must share, to open the first school for the Choctaw at Bas- that they may be of service to their people in the come. One side of the building, lacking window name of Christ. Going to their stations under ap- frames as well as window panes, was open to the pointment by the Department of Education of the weather. There were cracks an inch wide in the Indian Service, with foreknowledge of the condi- warped and decaying flooring. There were no tions they must confront, they endure the cold in seats or desks in the building. A small platform poorly equipped school buildings and the loneli- at one end of the room indicated that it had once ness in remote places without complaint. In many been used for public gatherings.
localities Indian children would be without school Asked whether or not he felt like turning his privileges today were it not for the enlistment of back on such a school equipment, Mr. Rhodd said: these young Indians in this pioneer educational "I was glad to have such an opportunity."
enterprise. Soon the Ponca was joined by a young Choctaw The Special Indian Day Schools in Oklahoma who from his home a quarter of a mile distant, are served by one teacher each. In these schools had seen the automobile stop in front of the old they find that "teacher" includes many profes-· church building. The Choctaw introduced himsions. Often they are asked to give advice in self by saying that he suspected that the newcomer native disputes; their judgment is sometimes fol- was the man who was to teach the school. He in- lowed and sometimes not. They assist at times vited Mr. Rhodd to go home with him assuring of birth, illness or death, not only the Indians but him of a lodging there over night and possibly also the whites within the community. They offer longer. The father in this Choctaw home did not plans on how to run a home, farm or chicken give an immediate answer to Mr. Rhodd's request hatchery. They are athletic directors in the com- for a permanent abiding place. During several munity. You find them some evenings within minutes he gave no sign that he had heard the their schoolhouses cutting the children's hair. question. When he spoke it was to speak dis- Wherever aid is needed these teachers are called paragingly of the food his home could offer. When upon to help. Mr. Rhodd assured his host that he would be glad The experiences of Louis Rhodd, while conduct- to share with the family whatever comforts were ing a rural school in a neglected Indian neighbor- available and to pay for same, the desired per- hood in Oklahoma from 1934 to 1936, bring into mission to board and lodge in that humble home sharp relief the spirit with which many forward- was granted.
looking Indian youth are meeting their Christian Mr. Rhodd began at once to repair the old responsibilities. Mr. Rhodd, whose former home church building for school purposes. Although was Pawnee, Oklahoma, was educated at Bacone under appointment by the Indian Office he did not College and the University of Oklahoma, the first hesitate to appeal to Mr. Walter Haggard, Pitts- Ponca Indian to obtain a college degree. He was burg County superintendent of education, with appointed by the Office of Indian Affairs to con- offices at McAlester, Oklahoma, for assistance.
duct a school among the Choctaw Indians at Bas- Mr. Haggard had a new floor put in the school, come, Oklahoma, in September, 1934. the doors, windows and steps repaired and the From the Agency of the Five Civilized Tribes schoolroom painted white. On opening day thir- in Muskogee, Oklahoma, he was conveyed by auto- teen pupils were enrolled -later the number mobile to the location of his prospective activities. reached nineteen, all members of the Choctaw The Agency man drove away, leaving the Ponca tribe, twelve of whom were fullbloods. Of this and his traveling bags in front of a dilapidated group only three had been to school before. The little Methodist meeting house, abandoned these ages ranged from four to seventeen years.
many years. Nearby stood a newer edifice in During the first two weeks Mr. Rhodd did not [592 ] have textbooks suitable for beginners. There I have visited Indian homes and seen school children was a total lack of paper, pens, ink, pencils and that were five and six years old correcting their parents' blackboards. For classwork he depended upon table manners. the children's experiences and knowledge of the country and his own resourcefulness. He told Good habits such as inhaling pure air, refraining from stories and encouraged the children to talk con- spitting on the floors, coughing or sneezing in the faces cerning their people and their surroundings. He of others, adequate rest and food, and in general a wellconducted hikes; names of trees, rocks, crops and regulated life will do much to prevent T. B. towns in the locality were listed; maps of the neighborhood were drawn; health topics pertain- In another important matter the cooperation of ing to school and homes were discussed. At the the parents was secured. As the Indian child is end of two weeks each pupil was supplied by the extremely shy and self-conscious the lack of county with textbooks, writing tablets, ink, pen knowledge of good English is a real handicap to points, pen holders, pencils, erasers and crayons. him. In all the homes the native Choctaw lan- The schoolroom was equipped with blackboards. guage was spoken when Mr. Rhodd arrived on the The Indian agent had sent some government books field less than three years ago. The aid of the that were used as supplementary material. The parents was gained to increase the use of English equipment sent by the county included a basket- within the homes. In the Choctaw Indian lanball, two soft balls, bats and some lumber used in guage there is an order opposite to that of the making see-saws and backboards for basketball English. The children had a tendency to speak goals. the English in the same order but they worked hard with the language and by Christmas time The first community gathering at the school was the second, third and fourth grade pupils were an old-fashioned pie-supper given to raise funds writing letters to friends in English. to purchase baseball equipment. The ball games that followed brought the Indians and white peo- Within the schoolhouse has grown a small liple together in clean entertainment, promoting a brary consisting of books on history, poetry, bulbetter understanding between the two racial letins pertaining to farm and home, newspapers, groups. magazines, and also religious reading material. Both the state and national governments issue The parents were unable to provide proper diets bulletins on various subjects that are always oband clothes for the school children. Money ap- tainable free of cost. The Department of Agripropriated by the Indian Service and Pittsburg culture tells the farmer how to fertilize the soil, County provided hot noon lunches for all enrolled. select seed, fight insects, pests and plant diseases, The clothing collected by Bacone College students plan farm buildings, care for stock and poultry came as welcome Christmas gifts. and market their products. Bulletins are also issued in behalf of the housekeeper, telling her Four families moved from a distance of twenty how to care for the health of her family, feed chilmiles or more, leaving fairly comfortable homes dren, preserve fruits and vegetables for winter to live in hastily built shanties so that their chil- use and how to take care of perishable food. By dren might attend school. The winter of 1934- collecting these pamphlets and making them avail- 1935 was a cold one but during the severest able, Mr. Rhodd helped the Choctaw people to weather no family moved back to a warmer house, obtain expert advice in many situations confrontpreferring to endure hardship with the school ing them in their isolated communities. Once a children. Mr. Rhodd helped to seal the shanties month the people come to the community house with building paper. to discuss the problems within the community, and especially the work which the school is try- Adult education was made possible through an ing to accomplish. alliance between the homes and the school. Through the cooperation of the children health Concerning these community forums Mr. Rhodd instruction was transmitted to parents. reported: This Ponca instructor has something very defi- Such problems as conservation and prolongation of life; nite to say about health: knowledge and control of domestic life; knowledge and control of physical environment and creative activities Good health gives better character, greater usefulness, are discussed with much spirit within the school, church increased anility to perform our daily tasks. To let a and homes. Such discussion of problems provides an acchild suffer from ill-health when he might have a strong, tivity that has a permanent and far-reaching result. We healthy body is foolish. are gradually laying a suitable foundation for the day when this community will insist that all its members con- One of the first centers of interest around which useful form to certain standards. learning may start is the school lunch period. This provides an activity that has a permanent and a far-reaching The Choctaw church board, at Mr. Rhodd's reresult. He is taught the proper posture at the table, the quest, consented to have lessons of the Sunday correct use of the spoon, knife and fork, and other de- school taught in the English language. sirable habits. The older children are given an opportunity to wash the dishes and clean the room after lunch.
Missionary
By M. E. RITZMAN, PH.D., Reading, Pa.
Professor of New Testament and Missions, Evangelical School of Theology DR. A. J. GORDON used to say that he not? What is his supreme purpose regarding His stopped praying that the Lord Jesus would Church? We find it summed up in that cate- have compassion on a lost world. "I seemed gorical imperative, "Go ye." Jesus' first command to hear him say to me," said this man of God, "I to his disciples was, "Come ye after me, and I will have had compassion on a lost world; now it is make you fishers of men"; .his last was: "Go, for you to have compassion. I have given my make disciples of all the nations." Discipleship heart; give your heart." and apostleship are one and inseparable. We learn but to teach; we know of Jesus but to tell Dr. Gordon was right. Christ came into the of Jesus; we commune with Him but to comworld, a missionary from Heaven to earth, to show municate Him. Only so far as His Church acus God's infinite love and compassion. He lived cepts her responsibility for teaching all nations to and taught and spent His days in blessing the observe all things whatsoever He has commanded humble poor and His nights in prayer. The Evan- her, may she experience the fulfilment of His gelist tells us that "when He saw the multitudes, promise, "Lo, I am with you always." He was moved with compassion." That was the mind that dwelt in Christ. But He was rejected Some are prone to think that only the more by His own; betrayed by priest and disciple. He pious and zealous Christians need be witnesses. agonized in the Garden and confronted there the But to make Christ known must be the commandarchenemy of our souls. He bore the scourging, ing purpose of every Christian. The early Christhe hissing, hooting, and spitting. He staggered tians understood their Master's meaning, and under the weight of the cross, died on it, went when they were scattered abroad, they went into our sepulchre and rose more than conqueror. everywhere preaching the risen Lord. Now He stands on Olivet. Angels beckon Him. The Father is waiting for Him. With outstretched Because Christ's heart longed for the salvation hands He tells to His disciples that all power is of all men, because He died on the cross to save His, and bids them, therefore, to go everywhere every man, Christianity is distinctively and essenand tell the Good News to all the nations. Then tially missionary. The missionary enterprise is the heavens receive Him. All power was His, not a by-enterprise, a mere incident in our modtherefore they were to go. That was before ern life in which a few enthusiasts take an inter- Pentecost. The missionary idea came into the est and of which they are making a fad. The misworld with the birth of Christianity. sionary work of the Church is not secondary, but primary and supreme. It is not a work which In spite of these "marching orders," in spite of must take its place among other works, that may the missionary enthusiasm of the early Church, be done or neglected according to our mood. If we have the staggering fact to explain that though it is true that the eternal Son of God took upon more than sixty generations have come and gone Himself man's nature and lived on this earth and since our Lord gave His message, out of every died upon the cross for the sins of mankind, there three persons in the world, two are practically is no other fact in history to equal it, and it must without knowledge of Jesus Christ. The need of be told everywhere. these hundreds of millions is indescribably great. Most of them are living in ignorance and dark- It is therefore impossible for the Church to live ness, steeped in idolatry, superstition, degrada- in disobedience to the last command of Christ, tion, and corruption. While the so-called non- and remain Christian. Obedience to Christ is not Christian religions furnish some moral principles less an essential to salvation than trust in Him as and precepts of value, they do not afford adequate the atoning-Saviour. Christians should live up to standards and motives by which rightly to guide their profession by making it their first and highthe life, nor power to enable one to take the step est concern to "preach the gospel to every creabetween knowing duty and doing it. ture." They must either be missionary Christians or they will soon be missing Christians. Tested What is the great thought of Christ with refer- by the words of Scripture, the Church is Christian ence to this great mass of people who know Him and Christ's so far, and so far alone, as it has [ 594 ] obeyed and is obeying the Lord's last and supreme salem never seemed to catch the world-wide mis- command. In this day too many feel they can sionary vision, never seemed to apprehend that obey whatever command of Christ it pleases them the Gospel is for everybody and everywhere. They to obey, and disobey whatever command of the wanted to keep their best workers at home, and, Master they do not choose to obey. so far as we know, never sent men or money to '
It is a historic fact that the Church has pros- evangelize the heathen. While it weakened and pered according as she has cooperated with God's declined, the Antioch church flourished like a plan to give the Gospel to every creature or has green bay tree until in the time of Chrysostom declined to do so. Individual churches and whole half of the city of more than 200,000 population denominations are examples of this. Weak was Christian. What was the difference? One churches with missionary zeal soon become strong fell in line with God's plans for the world-wide churches, whereas a strong church that is an- propagation of the Gospel and God blessed and tagonistic or apathetic toward missions, finally prospered and gave it mighty power. The other becomes a weak church. Nor is this strange, for did not fall in line with God's plans and he withwhat interest can Christ have in the declaration held his power and the church suffered and at last of a man or a church that they believe in Him disappeared.
as the Son of God and the universal Saviour, when There are other reasons that compel me to be they repudiate that confession by denial of that missionary minded. There is no place where one Saviour's mission to the race? Dr. James 1. Vance can invest his life where it counts for as much as has well said, "The church that ceases to be mis- in the mission field. Shortly before Dr. John E.
sionary can no longer be evangelistic; the church Williams met his death at the hands of a Chinese that ceases to be evangelistic can no longer be soldier at Nanking on March 24, 1927, he was evangelical; and the church that ceases to be asked by his wife, as they stood one evening look- evangelical may well doubt whether it is Chris- ing at the lights of Nanking University to which tian." Dr. Albert Schweitzer, of Germany, one of he had given so many years of missionary service, the great Christian philosophers of today, and now "Jack, if you had known all you know tonight, serving as a medical missionary in the heart of would you do it over again?" Quick was his an- Africa, says that our Western civilization is swer: "Yes, a hundred times over! Where else doomed without a dominantly unselfish world in- could I have invested my life in a way that would terest. How much more necessary is it that the have brought me such large returns?"
Church have such an unselfish world interest! Is it not the irresistible logic of the Christian Yea, verily, it is utterly impossible to separate conscience that we are bound to share what we Jesus Christ from this world-wide missionary in- have which we know to be universally good? The terest, and the church that tries to do so may well better it is the more we are bound to share it; write "Ichabod" over its door, for its days are and since Christ is infinitely the best we have, we numbered. are more bound to share Him than by any other The loss of its world vision will more quickly obligations in the world.
bring death to the church at home and obedience Paul felt this when he cried, "I am debtor both to our Lord's last command will vitalize and to Greeks and barbarians." Why? Paul felt he quicken her life. If the church of today would had something which the rest of the world needed have the power of God come mightily upon her, and must have for its redemption. What a chal- if she would know her Lord's intimate presence, lenging motive this should be for us! We have she must receive it in the pathway of larger obe- received more than millions upon millions of our dience to the missionary command of Christ. Cut- fellows. Therefore, according to the Christian ting down our missionary force, closing up fields, principle, we should give more. We are "debtors."
reducing our missionary work to a minimum to If we believe that in Christ alone is found the save expense, is no way to receive God's blessing. truth that satisfies the intellect, the power that re- Only as the Church makes heroic sacrifices to meet generates the life, and the hope that illumines the its missionary obligations, only as her member- future; if we believe that to men's need of Christ ship has something to sacrifice for, only as we there is no exception, and to His power to save give our best, can we expect the Christ of God to them there is no limit: if we believe that He is the walk with us in the way of blessing and pros- gift of the Father to all, that He died to make perity. atonement for the sins of all, that He has been The church at Antioch was an informed and lifted up to draw all men unto Him – then we obedient church. They fasted and prayed and must believe that our first duty is to give the sent forth the best they had, and as a result the knowledge of this Saviour to all mankind. Verily, church became one of the greatest churches of we are "debtors." Are we ready to pay our debts?
the centuries. The old mother church at Jeru- The Apostle Paul meant much the same thing
when he said, ~'We also believe, and therefore also and at last dying the martyr's death? He says it we speak." He who has convictions of any truth was the love of Christ that constrained him. important to others, is ever moved to make that What was it that drove David Livingstone through truth known. You can judge of the sincerity of a Central Africa again and again? What was it man's convictions by the ardor of his proclama- that kept John G. Paton in the South Seas when tion. In this there is nothing peculiar or arbi- the savages again and again tried their best to kill trary. The astronomer discovers a star, and him? What was it that impelled Adoniram Judstraightway desires to give his discovery to the son in his heroic sacrifices for Burma? What was world. The honorable medical man who discovers it that steadied Robert Morrison, during the long a sure prophylactic during the progress of an epi- years when China resisted like a rock? What was demic, would be insanely selfish if he did not pro- it that drove Dr. A. L. Shelton repeatedly to Tibet claim it. As soon as any conviction of important until he lost his life at the hands of a bandit? truth becomes central and vital, there must come Their abiding motive was the love of Christ which an immediate and irresistible desire to utter it; constrained them. Does it constrain us? Do we then sacrifice is gladness and service is joy. The love Him with a love that surpasses all human early Christian Church believed in the sinfulness of man's nature, in the atoning power of Christ's loves? sacrifice on the Cross, the regeneration of the soul Some years ago an American young woman was of man by the Holy Spirit and in the judgment to come, the issues whereof are eternal. Under the called to China. She was the only child of her pressure of these truths, the early Christians could father, precious to him beyond expression. After not but speak, for the truth was a fire in their a tremendous struggle with his own heart, that bones and neither dungeon nor stake could turn father gave up his daughter for China. On the them aside from their purpose. Neither austere night when she was bidding farewell to church climate nor violent opposition could restrain the and friends, the father was asked to say a few medireval missionaries who believed these same words. At first he could not speak; then he said: truths and they went forth to Hun and Goth and "Friends, you all know me, and you all know my Teuton. Because our forefathers in America and Susie, and you all know what she has been to me the early pioneers of our own church, believed all her life, the very light of my eyes, the joy of these fundamental doctrines of the Christian my heart. Jesus Christ wants my daughter in faith, they went forth with heroic sacrifice to China and she is going. All I can say about it is preach the Gospel in our western states and then this-I have nothing, nothing too precious for my on to China and Japan and other lands. Men may Lord." say that they were mistaken, but there is the fact -they believed, and therefore they also spoke. Have you? Have I? Have we anything in Can we do less than they; or are we doing Tess heart or life today that we cannot willingly, because we believe less? gladly, give up to win men to Christ? May God bring us all to that heaven on earth, where, look- But above all,_ there is driving power in the ing into His face, we can truly say, "I have nothlove of Christ. What was it that drove Paul from ing too precious for Jesus Christ, my Lord." the Eastern end of the Roman empire to the When all who profess His name can say that, Western, preaching and teaching and suffering there will be no more missionary debts, there will be no lack of volunteers; our missionary prob- lems will be solved.
A PRAYER FOR MISSIONARIES o Lord Jesus Christ, the desire of all nations, who didst come down from heaven to seek and to save the lost; grant Thy blessing, we beseech Thee, upon thy missionary servants who are carrying the light of Thy Gospel to the dark places of the earth. Preserve them from every danger to which they may be exposed; from perils by land and sea, from persecution and pestilence, from discouragement in their labors, and from the devices of the adversary. May they see thy work prospering in their hands; and do Thou hasten the time, 0 gracious Saviour, when the multitude of unbelievers shall be gathered into Thy fold, and when all in- every land who neglected Thy salvation shall be converted unto Thee. And to Thee, Lord Je- sus, be the praise, unto whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be an honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
of Converts from
I 1I)It- -sf Sent by STEPHEN o. KOOBYAR, Tabriz, Iran Il====~~ "I WAS formerly a very bigoted Moslem and that if Islam were true I should see the proof in had a reputation as a woman of religious my dreams, and if Bahaism or Christianity were zeal. I had made a thorough study of the true that I might see other evidence. It so hap- rules and ritual of Islam and spent my time day pened that my dream that night pointed to Chris- and night in keeping those things which I believed tianity and the next night the same thing took to be my duty, especially in fasting during the place. Still I was not convinced.
special month and daily prayer and almsgiving. "Later I went into a closet to change my clothes.
At the same time I continually implored God to It was dark and the feeling came over me that I save me. must fall down upon my knees and pray. I did "Nearly twenty years ago severe family trouble so, not being able to resist the power that impelled came upon our home, so that I had to flee and me. I poured my heart out in prayer and then found shelter with a widow who had formerly came a vision of Christ. It was as though I were worked with us as a servant. At this time one of drawn to Him by a power above my will to resist.
the American missionaries opened a small school From that moment there was not the slightest in our district, which was entirely Moslem, and doubt in my mind that the claims of Christ were became a teacher there. For the first time I found true. I told my mother and asked her to make and read the Old and New Testament. My condi- arrangements for me to study and be baptized.
tion was changed and finally the light dawned in She asked whether I were certain that Christ was my heart. I accepted Christ as my personal Sav- my one and only Saviour and my ground of hope iour. It was my need that first led me to Christ. for time and eternity. I replied fervently that I "After I was forced to leave my home I was had absolute assurance. Her beaming face showed most despondent and lived a life of gloom until I me that she was praising God. found Christ and this was changed to continual joy and happiness and assurance. Just as the "I began to study the New Testament with a sun is not appreciated until one has known the new spirit and, after a period of probation, I was darkness, so it took trial and trouble as a back- baptized. Christ has sustained me through all ground to make me appreciate the light of Jesus my trials and I know that He is the highest rev- Christ."-From a lady who has been a Christian elation of God. There are many great things in for fifteen years. Christianity, but the greatest is that Christ is able to change life and make a new person; all things *** become new in Him."-A young lady, twelve yearts a Christian. "Fourteen years ago there were six people in our family. My mother had become a Christian *** and the others were all Moslems. I was by far the most zealous of the whole family in the Mo- "This servant was born a little more than fifty hammedan faith and during the month of fasting years ago into a village family. My parents were godly people though neither of them was able to I would arise before daylight to prepare my own read or write. My father had made several pil- food as I would not eat during the day. At times grimages to the Shiah shrines of Islam. I was I argued with my mother to persuade her to re- especially beloved, as I was an only child. My turn to Islam. She did not ask me to become a parents were neither very rich nor very poor, but "Christian but urged me to read the New Testa- wanted to give me every possible advantage. ment. This made me even more fanatical. I went When I was six years old they placed me in the to the mosque and sat at the very foot of the pUlpit village school. when the mullah preached and joined in the prayers very earnestly. I had some very close "They wanted me to learn to read and write. friends who were Bahais (a reformed Moslem If they had a child who could read the blessed sect) and they urged me to attend their meetings Koran it would be a great act of merit for them in and presented the claims of their faith. I became this life, and they believed that the reading of the Koran after their death, would atone for their very unhappy and, being little more than a child, sins. From earliest childhood I had a desire for my mind was filled with superstition. I prayed religious things and my talents seemed to lie along [597 ]
this line. When I had passed the first grades in captured my attention and interest in spite of mythe village school, the teacher suggested to my self. I was miserable for a time, wondering parents that I was worthy of all the education they whether truly salvation were in Islam or Christ. could give me and asked them to send me to the Finally the words of Jesus came to me with specity school. I went there and did well in my les- cial force, 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are sons until I was considered worthy to study the heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' I found the higher branches of Islamic law and religion. I truth of this promise in my own life. I came to entered with zeal upon these studies. Him and found rest. From the day that I gave myself to Christ my troubles became less and my "After some time I heard that certain mullahs heart became joyful; my load became light, and and mujtahids were not true in their faith. I found myself making progress in joy that Christ Though they kept up the appearance of being true alone can give. I believed in the God who gave Moslems it was rumored that they did not be- His only begotten Son to be the atonement for the lieve the very things they taught and that their sins of the world, and in Christ who bore the lives were not in accord with their doctrine. I burden of our sins upon Himself and died upon went to a leading priest who was said to be a 'lib- the cross to ransom us, to save us from destruction eral' and asked him a number of questions. His and bring us salvation and life everlasting. answers only served to increase my doubts and I Among the race of men there is no other free from worried more and more about my faith in which sin who could save us from its guilt and power. I was supposed to be a teacher and leader. Salvation and forgiveness is found in Him alone. Christ took up His abode in my heart and I found "The thought came to me, 'How can it be that comfort in every trouble. He gave me salvation the most educated people of the world in Europe and freedom from the death of sin. and America, with all of their science and invention, can be mistaken about their religion?' My "So I give praise to God that He has led me out first contact with Christianity at this time was of the darkness into His eternal light and has prothrough a Christian priest. Later I met a mem- vided a Saviour who has made perfect atonement ber of the Evangelical church who received me as for my sins and those of the whole world."-A a real brother. Our hearts became knit together and I became his disciple. I learned from him of 1foung mother. my own sickness of sin and the remedy in Jesus Christ. From that time to the present every ad- THE TOUCH OF CHRIST TODAY vance in spiritual truth has shown me in more bold relief my own shortcomings. It is only in Among the hills of Galilee, Christ that I have found peace in my heart; He Through crowded city ways, has shown me my sin and need and also the atonement for sin through the sacrifice of His cross. The Christ of God went forth to heal And bless in olden days. "I should be happy at some time to set down in detail my experiences, that perchance this road The sinning and the sad of heart which I have traveled, from a priest of Islam to In anxious throngs were massed one who has surrendered all to Christ, might help some brother to find the Way."-A former Mo- To catch the great Physician's eye And touch Him as He passed. hammedan Mullah. We have not in our hours of need *** His seamless garment pressed, "I was born in a family which was not religious. Nor felt His tender human hand Even as a child I had yearnings for spiritual op- On us in blessing rest; portunities which I saw meant much in the lives of other people. When I was young my mother Yet still in crowded city streets died and my father placed me in the dormitory of The Christ goes forth again, the girls' school of the American Mission. Later my father died and I was left an orphan. Whenever touch of human hand Bespeaks goodwill to men. "In the school there was a Moslem girl who constantly kept asking me why I did not perform Whenever man his brother man the stated prayers and read the Koran and keep Upholds in helplessness; the fasts. I had never learned to do these things as I had not come from a f3mily that paid much Whenever strong and tender clasp attention to religion. We had Bible lessons in the A lonely heart doth bless, school, and this girl and I read these merely because we must, but we did not pay attention. As The Christ of God is answering time went on certain things in the New Testament A stricken world's demands And leading back a wandering race By touch of human hands.
New and Old in Moslem
ByA. T. UPSON, Rayleigh, England I !ie– I Author of "High Lights"; Former Secretary of the Nile Mission Press I D URING the thirty-seven happy strenuous as that?" Yes; but look at their surroundings in years spent among the Moslems of the Near which they have been reared. Most of the villages East, there were many signs that "The old there have two water-holes, one for humans, and order changeth, yielding place to new." During the other for cattle which they befoul as beasts the last few years, the pace has quickened and will do! But the village referred to has only one tendencies are now more clearly seen. water-hole for cattle and men!! Is it any wonder In recent years certain things have passed away. that typhoid fever is rampant there? Is there any We have great sympathy with the Eastern demand worse sanitary condition in any part of the world?
to abolish "Foreign Privileges." But as the East Yet the local people say that they absolutely refuse grows more nationalistic, what will be the fate of to come under the rule of Damascus, some eighty such encouraging meetings as one held in Iraq, miles off!
when about fifty men listened to an address on Opportunities Remain: The Nile Mission Press "Christ, the Ransomer by His Blood"? What colportage car still goes to the south of Algeria, would have been the fate of my oldest colporteur, and Miss Grautoff, of the Algiers Mission Band, Yaqub? * What would have happened to the seven still goes to an oasis 380 miles to the south to do converts from Islam in those days? Ere a dozen "men's work." The colporteurs in Egypt are still years are past, we shall be discussing "The Pass- plodding on. And in spite of the nationalism of ing of the Foreign Missionary" from all Moslem Iraq and Iran there is more receptivity among the lands. What a call to us to "Work while it is Shiah Moslems than in some lands.
called 'Today.' " Further, some new opportunities seem to be de- But Islam remains; in fact, is more active than veloping. For instance, the German Carmel Mis- sions hold an annual conference for Arab priests ever. In Egypt Islamic broadcasts are made, by of the Greek Church. For several years a wellradio, twice daily. For the first time, they have known Moslem convert has been greatly used of legalized preaching in the open-air, i. e., in the God there. squares of Cairo. But on what subject? The claims of Christ? Certainly not; Islam, and Faithful witnessing remains. Not only is it Islam only, is to be preached. Does one wonder true that "When God buries His workers He carthat the annual drift from the Coptic Church to ries on His work" but also, when political condi- Islam, which was 1,000 a year in my day, is now tions render it unwise for the foreigner to remain 1,500 a year? in a country God carries on His work. How? He has His 7,000 that "have not bowed the knee to Bigotry and Persecution Remain: The expulsion Baal." One still tours Lebanon and North Syria, of Dr. Liley from Tripoli, Barbary, and the half- and most Moslems know that he is a convert from dozen workers from Abyssinia are fresh in our Islam. There are other Moslem converts holding minds-perhaps because the victims were Euro- meetings in Egypt. peans. But what of the native believers in Morocco and other lands? Even in England, an over- A very remarkable testimony was, unwillingly, seas student refused recently to accept a copy of perhaps unconsciously, borne by a Moslem conthe New Testament because of persecution. vert, a former friend of mine. On leaving the Protestants, through marrying a Roman Catholic, Disease and Sin Remain: For the first time in and drifting into unbelief, he still watched us. In thirty-seven years' service, I was recently pelted 1931, when I went to Jerusalem, he wrote a fourwith clods of dirt in a Syrian village. I was not page article warning the people against me, and hurt, though hit with dust and earth about seven saying, "The reason this man (Abdul-Fady) is times, yet it was an uncomfortable experience. dangerous is that he belongs to a group of people The reader may ask, "Are they still as backward • His striking story is told in Mr. lipson's book. "High Lights in who never know when they are defeated, but just fight. on !" the Near East," 2/G )1. M. & S. London; $1.00 Zondervan, Grand Rapids, :lIich.
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Effective Ways of Working i 'fested Methods far Increasing Interest at Home I I s. EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~=~====================~==-, Missions and World Peace readily available. For older The Far Eastern Crisis, by Henry Thus far only incidental ref- groups, for the wee~ly pra;v:er L. Stimson. Harper Brothers, $3.75. erence has been made in this Department to the third mission meeting, contests, ralbes, specIal A Place in the Sun, by Grover study theme for the current year -World Peace; but its great emphasis programs, contests, de- Clark. Macmillan Co., $2.~0. . importance needs no added em- We or They, by HamIlton FISh phasis in the .setti~g of the present world sItuatIOn; nor can bb aetset s~faadldl,r epsasneesl and, probably Armstrong. Macmillan, $1.50. any argument fo~ its fundam~n discussions in tal connection wIth the foreIgn Vital Peace, by Henry Wickham missionary enterprise be required when we consider the which a group seated on the Steed. Macmillan, $2.75. devas:tated properties and im- On the Rim of the Abyss, by James paired personnel in many. evan- rostrum converse informally gelical missions which It has T. Shotwell. Macmillan, $3.00. taken centuries to build up. after an opening lead by a chair- And We Are Civilized, by Wolf- Practically every denomination which has sent its new mission- mdiascn~sasinodn,, avoiding pro and con gang Ackerman Covici Frie?e, $2.50. ary literature to the Dep~rtment exploit various sides War-drawings and etchmgs, by Editor for inspection maJors the theme. Earnest preparation has of a subject previously well pre- Kerry Eby. Yale University Press, been made to implement the purposes and sentim~nts of ~he pared upon, in conyersational $2.V50ic. tories of Peace, by GI·11 and Christian Church m Ame~ICa. Pullen. Friendship Press, $1.00 and As the birthday of the Prmce style, the audience bemg all~w~d of Peace draws near, the time is 50¢W. orld Peace and Chns.t.H~n M.1~- particularly opportune to stress to participate after the tOPIC IS sions, by H. E. Fey. FrIendshIp the plans and literature. A few sample programs, alone, in our well opened-through an these Press, 35¢. pages would be quite inadequate to the need. Every church means inclusive of pastoral ser- Educating for Peace, by E. M. and should approach the considera- J. L. Lobengier. Pilgrim Press, $1.50. tion of the subject with broad, emnoends~npdulirnpeoss·eosf may be awakdeep preparation and plans laid activity mapped America Must Act, by F. B. Sayre, for a coordinated effort among Asst. Secretary of State. World all departments of activity, f~om out to make the world peace- Peace Foundation, 75¢. primary department of the BI?le school all the way through semor minded. Community rallies and Highways to International Good and adult organizations and in- Will, by Walter W. Van Kirk. Abingclusive of the pulpit. contests in speaking or essay don Press, 50¢.
For younger children we have writing are inva,luable and lend What Can Christians Do for already referred to "Ship East, Peace? by T. A. Green (syllab1!s ~or Ship West," by E. M. Lobengier themselves particularly to an en- church discussion groups). PIlgrim (Friendship Press, N. Y., or Press, 25¢. your own denominational litera- deavor whose motif must be ture bureau; $1.00 and 50c) , giving the choicest of stories and Christian Brotherhood and its facts on world peace; leaders among junior groups may wen method cooperative. For adults Write to the Foreign Policy Asmake this a starting point, following wit h other material a very effective plan is the circu- fsoorciatoitohn~r8 West 40th St., New York, special pamphlets. The lation of standard books on the subject, a regular church library Women's International League for being a worth-while investment Peace and Freedom, 1924 Chestnut of the Lord's money. It is a St., Philadelphia, Pa., and Th~ Na- cheap move to pass the responsi- tional League for the PreventlO~ of tWona,r' D5.32C1., 7 tahlsSo t . ,h aNv.e.W.th.,~,Wgarseha~mesgt- bility for the outlawing of war onto munitions makers, "capital- profusion of "ammullltlOn agamst ists" and that ambiguous group war, much of which the Editor has called "the moneyed interests." used or inspected and found well They have their part in the con- adapted to its purpose.
tinuation of the war game; but Your own publisher will doubtless be glad to order any they are at most only a symptom of the foregoing books for you.
of a much deeper malady in the heart of humanity-self-seek- PICTURES, STORIES, PLANS ienrhg~opdr.idTe haendfotlhloewliancgk of broth- Friends in Everyland-12 pictures listing of with story on back of each, 25¢.. available material is only p&.r- Never Again-group o~ elg~t tial but will at least pave the Everyland stories of world frlendsh.Ip way to a larger ~onsi<;lera~ion of and peace–printed and bound smt- the subject WhICh lIes m the ably for any library. 50¢ per copy.
very heart of Christ's mission: Suitable for gift book. .
Friends of All the W orId Series: Book 1~f for children eight or nine BOOKS years age, Children of Other oLfanadg~s, 85¢. Book 2, 10 to 11 years Why We Went to War, by Newton The Way of Friendship, 85¢. D. Baker. Harper Brothers, $1.50.
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EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Book 3, 13 years of age, Heroes of at the church (or otherwise) tion of women of Islam. The Friendship, 85¢. and invite the men to attend. 16mm. film rents for $1.25 and Make it "strong meat," not the 35mm. for $2.00. Friendship Paper Dolls-Four dolls wishy-washy sentiment such as eight inches high, like real children of does not appeal to "the breth- "Padre Sahib"-a new study Korea, China, Japan, India. Change ren." of the Moslem world, produced of costume for each doll, in three by William L. Rogers and wife, colors. 25¢. If you value the well-being of with advisory service from the your own children and those of Motion Picture Committee of Order foregoing from Women's Mis- others; if you would make our the Missionary Education Movesionary Society, United Lutheran country a shining example of ment (4 reels, 16mm., silent) is Church in America, 723 Muhlenberg the effort to live the peace a story of everyday missionary Building, Philadelphia, Pa. teachings of Jesus ChriJst; if life in northern India. It offers you would remove the greatest vivid insight into the problems Graded Foreign Mission Stories present obstacle to the pr.ogress and needs of all Christian mison Missions and W orId Peace. Bap- of foreign missions, do some- sionaries. The action of this tist Board of Education, 152 Madison thing at your earliest opportu- picture centers in a typical com.. Ave., New York, 15¢. nity and follow it up with more munity of Moslem Indians. A education and more practical Moslem woman rebels when her A Junior Teacher's Guide on proje,cts. husband brings home a new W orId Peace-projects and program wife, taking her small daughter, activities. Friendship Press, 25¢. Missions in Moving Pictures Zebada, whose eyes had been healed by the doctor. She seeks Children from Many Lands-post- The H arm 0 n Foundation refuge with the missionaries. ers of children of 10 countries with (with which the Religious Mo- Later action of the ,picture is appropriate verse for each. National tion Picture Foundation was concerned with the efforts of Council for Prevention of War (ad- merged) has among its declared Zebada's father to force the dress given above), $1.00. purposes: "To produce socially marriage with Karam Bege, to valuable motion pictures for whom he had betrothed her in Graphs, Program Materials, Illus- educational and church use" and return for 500 rupees. The trated Booklets and Discussion Mate- "to serve as a clearinghouse for action of this picture gives an, rial. Foreign Policy Association, 8 information on the most effec- opportunity to develop the daily W. 40th St., New York. Headline tive use of motion pictures and activities of the Christian misbooks, 25¢ each; program materials, other visual aids in church, edu- sionaries in this atmosphere. 15¢ each. cational and related fields." Its Rental, $4.00. Order all films, catalogue ~hows a most compre- as well as complete catalogue, Posters on World Peace–"The hensive library of silent films- from The Division of Visual Ex- Better Way," 24 x 36 inches; "Se- educational, dramatic, mission- periment, Harmon Foundation, curity Through Federation," 18 x 12 ary, on religion and life, life 140 Nassau St., New York. All inches. World Peaceways, 103 Park situations, social and economic the new films may be purchased Ave., New York, 5¢. studies, the arts, etc. The very in copy by church boards for use large list on "The World and Its in churches of their own de- American Posters on World Peace, Peoples" and "The Church in nomination, prices to be quoted five titles, size, 12 x 12 inches. Amer- Action" co ve r s missionary on request. ican Friends Service Committee, 20 themes. Those which the De- S. 12th St., Philadelphia, 10¢ each. partment Editor has used in Helpful New Literature s.chools of missions proved ex- English Posters on WorId Peace- cellent. They are usually made The Woman's Missionary Soover 30 titles, size, 22 x 30 inches in cooperation with missionary ciety of the Evangelical and Re- (imported by Friends Service Com- authorities, and each year lead- formed Church, 416 Schaff mittee) ; sets of 13, $1.50; each ers on the current foreign study Building, 1505 Race St., Philaposter, 15¢. themes are brought out. As delphia, Pa., has recently sent mentioned previously in this de- for inspection some leaflets and How Shape the Future for Peace? partment, "Islam in Egypt" fits pamphlets which will be helpful -excellent program analysis and the study of Mohammedans. It in any denomination. plan on page 13 of How Can We depicts the mysticism and Shape the Future?-a discussion learning of Mohammedanism in A stewardship packet containcourse for young people by Margaret Egypt, the intense loyalty of its ing a variety of leaflets: Holley Tuck, based on Basil Mathews' followers, its strong customs Shaping the Future. and laws of life. Exteriors and "What's in a Chance?" (leaflet interiors of various mosques are against gambling), 4¢. That's a Dream-similar plan and shown, the call to prayer is outline, page 10 of We Can Change given and "the faithful" shown "Alcohol Advertising Appraised," the World, for Women's Societies responding. The freedom of girls 4¢. and Senior World-wide Guilds, based in an Egyptian school is conon Mathews' Shaping the Future. trasted with the degraded posi- "What Price Repeal?" 5¢. "There Lies the Way," containing Both the foregoing to be ordered instructions for anti-war instructions from the Baptist Board of Education. for children, 6¢. These four Christian Citizenship PAGEANTS AND DRAMATIC leaflets sell as a packet at 15¢.
SKETCHES A Peace Program for Juniors, by Jane Gilbert. Baptist Board of Education, 5¢ each, or three for 10¢.
Send to The National Council for the Prevention of War (address already given) for a long, very complete list of pageants and plays on Peace, for children, young folks and adults. Write your own literature headquarters for many others we cannot list here.
It is suggested that each woman's society should prepare an especially worthful program inclusive of a convincing pageant, if possible; have a supper
"The Rainbow Pageant," a thank- grounds have few real contacts. When they arrived, we found offering service, 15¢. Our series of Public Nationality they had packed their car with Nights, intended to promote a treasures of silk, china, wool "For Such a Time as This," pag- world point of view, started embroideries, pottery, etc., for eant presenting the United Christian when we suddenly realized that which they had combed their Adult Movement, 10¢. though our denomination works congregations. We spread out among Hungarians in New York their beautiful things alongside "The Call of the Hills," play pre- and New Jersey, we knew noth- the collection from New York senting scene in mountain ca0in ing about them-actually less (which we had insured for one (mistakenly accredited in a former than of the Arabians and East day for $200). issue to the Lutherans), 5¢. Indians whom it serves far away. So we set about prepar- About 150 attended our Hun- Woman's Missionary Society ing a Hungarian evening. garian evening on a snowy of the Evangelical Church, Third night. The program came first, and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa.: The Hungarian-American So- interspersed with readings and ciety, Radio Center, New York musical numbers, then our pas- "Men Discuss Missions," a heart- City, arranged to let us have a tor introduced the brother searching demonstration to be staged valuable display of embroideries clergymen, who brought greetby the best men of the church, 5¢. and other handwork. A leaflet ings from their churches. As a from them gave material for a thrilling close, all stood while "Leaven on Noisy Creek," a dia- brief reading on "The Hun- the little orchestra played the logue by two mountain women, 5¢. garian Love of Art." Etude, Hungarian anthem. Oct., 1930, and a bibliography Dramatic plan for Mother-Daughter from the Foreign Language In- Opportunity was given to view 1lanquet, 3¢. formation Service, 222 Fourth the remarkable exhibit of hand- Ave., New York, listing Na- work and to talk to the visitors. Story leaflet, "When the Prince of tional Geographies with articles So on 15-cent admission and 5- Peace Won," 3¢. on Hungary, provided data for cent cafeteria refreshments we another article on "The Hun- made friends and cultivated "Going Farther with the Master," garian Love of Music." Our friendly attitudes, and took in an excellent devotional series of 12 church board sent material for over $20.00; for, passing along leaflets, 15¢ per set. a third short paper on "Our the tables displaying the art Church and the Hungarians." works, one came naturally to a "They Also Wait," a mountain long table filled with cake, sandsketch in two acts and with 10 char- Local resources were used wiches and coffee and a cashier acters, 12¢. next. Two of our melPbers had at the end.-FLORENCE GORDON, their piano teacher give them Weehawken, N. J. "A Mountain Woman's Fight for Hungarian duets. An organiza- Life," a missionary pantomime, 15¢. tion of church singers, invited ("An Evening in Japan," by to prepare two numbers, chose "Suggestions for Creating Atmos- Lis z t 's "Liebestraum" and this same writer, will appear in phere in Program on Southern Brahms' "Around the Gypsies' an early issue.) Mountains": in Japan, in China, in Campfire." A young woman of Nigeria, West Africa, and among Hungarian descent agreed to How MISSIONARY INTEREST Italians in America, 5¢ each. teach the girls the national folk . BEGINS dance, the czardas, and a lovely The Baptist Board of Mission- folk song, "The Old Gypsies" One of the greatest givers of ary Education, 152 Madison (Marks Music Co., 225 W. 46th our generation was asked how it Ave., New York, has brought St., New York, victrola record happened that he made such out the following excellent pro- 20749, Arten Cigany). She sang large gifts to missions. "It grams and study outlines for the last verse in Hungarian. She didn't hap pen," he replied. adult and young people's< groups: also danced the czardas with the "When I was a boy my mother girls, wearing her picturesque taught me to give a part of every "The Way of a Witness," a Project costume in red and green, the dime and every dollar. The only Course in Personal Evangelism, by Hungarian colors. A local music thing that has happened is that Margaret Holley Tuck, based on "The school taught a small orchestra I have more dimes and more dol- Way of the Witnesses," 25¢. of its students a Brahms dance lars now!" and the national anthem. "How Can We Shape the Future?" Katherine Scherer C ron k -a Discussion Course, by Margaret Letters explaining the plan said: "We might say to the hosts Holley Tuck, based on "Shaping the were sent to the two Reformed of church members who are in- Future," 25¢. Hungarian pastors in another different to missions, 'How did county, with a request for infor- it happen that you took no in- "The Future of Missions," a Proj- mation about their congrega- terest in missionary work?' ·'It ect Course in World Evangelism, by tions. They offered to come per- didn't happen,' they might truth- Margaret Holley Tuck, based on sonally, bringing art objects fully reply. 'When we were chil- "Missions Tomorrow," 25¢. from the homes of their people. dren there was no missionary training in our Sunday school "We Can Change the World," five and no missionary society in our programs by Anna Canada Swain, church.' " based on "Shaping the Future," 15¢.
"Six Programs," by Dorothy A. Stevens, based on "Rebuilding Rural America," 15¢.
The following are for 'teen age young people: "Seein' Things," by Mabel A. Silke, 25¢.
"Hills and Veils," by Irene A. Jones and Mae Deal Shane, based on "Highland Heritage" and "The Young Moslem Looks at Life," 25¢.
Nationality Nights A HOME-FoREIGN PROJECT We live across the Hudson from cosmopolitan New York, in a polyglot community, but those of different national back- The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~,~~====~~~~~~~~~~====~=~~ Peace in Our Time militant nations in utter disre- zations participate,and the Na- gard of their commitments tional Peace Conference which God of the nations, near and far, through treaties and peace pacts, includes more than forty peace Ruler of all mankind, and at a time when the United societies and organizations with States is feeling its way toward departments of international re- Bless Thou Thy people as they strive a renewed sense of its responsi- lations, such as the Federal The paths of peace to find. bility to share in the world effort Council of Churches and the to prevent war as the only sure women's interdenominational The clash of arms still shades the sky, way to permanent peace, it is agencies. Thus a certain unity King battles still with king – well to remember that there are has been given to the peace organizations and groups of movement and a great force has Wild through the frighted air of night people who are actively engaged been created which should ul- The bloody tocsins ring. in building the peace movement timately, in spite of discourage- in this country and in trying ments and set-backs, lead the o Father! from the curse of war to find a way to banish war from people of our nation towards the the earth. goal of a warless world. We pray Thee give release, And speed, 0 speed the blessed day The churches are taking an in- New Materials for Peace Education Of justice, love and peace. creasingly active part in this 1. Marathon Round Tables -Presbyterian Hymnal. movement, condemning war as 1937-1938.
Compassionate Father, whose sin and utterly futile as a means The National Committee on eyes are in every place and the Cause and Cure of War has whose heart is burdened with to settle international disputes. prepared the following courses the sin and suffering of Thy chil- for use by those who wish to pardren, while we go forth in safety The organized women of the ticipate in Marathon Round and comfort to our work, we re- Table Discussion Groups: member our brethren in lands churches are also working for where war is bringing anguish Plan A-"United States and and poverty and pain and death. peace in ever increasing num- the World." God of justice, deal sternly with them who have drawn the sword, bers, and are making their in- This is the basic course for those and bring home the guilt and who wish to study world peace mafolly of violence. God of pity, fluence felt in their communities. chinery and the relation of American look in mercy on the helpless foreign policy to such world organivictims of strife and on them Believing war to be destructive zations. who are made to slay those against whom they have nothing. of all those forces which make Individual kits $.75. Make sensitive our consciences to Group kits $2.50. know ourselves involved in and for human brotherhood, and the responsible for a world where Plan B-"Adequate National greed of gain and lust for power bringing in of the Kingdom of Defense-What is it?" move us and our brothers in every land. By the shame and God, they are working to create This course considers national demisery of strife, lead us to re- fense in terms of moral, political, milipentance. By the persuasions of a public opinion opposed to war, tary and economic armaments, and the cross draw all men to the is linked up with the Campaign for more excellent way of love, and and in favor of peaceful methods World Economic Cooperation of the lead the nations in paths of National Peace Conference through righteousness for His name's to effect needful changes in in- the use of the Headline Book of the sake, who is the Prince of Peace. Foreign Policy Association "Peace- ternational relations. . ful Change-An Alternative to War," -Henry Sloane Coffin in which is the basic book for that cam- the Presbyterian Tribune. Church women find their place paign. Through the use of these in the peace movement through Marathon materials church groups Church Women in the Peace their connection with the Council will be cooperating not only with the Movement of Women for Home Missions, National Committee on the Cause and Cure of War, but with the Na- In these days of "undeclared the Woman's Committee of the tional Peace Conference' Campaign wars" and acts of aggression by Foreign Missions Conference, and the National Council of Fed- erated Church Women, all of which have departments, or com- mittees of international rela- tions, and through these repre- sent church women in certain of the national peace organizations. Most important among these are the National Committee on the Cause and Cure of War in which eleven women's national organi- [ 603 ] for World Economic Cooperation, and State, to acquaint church people people throughout Europe and it is hoped that great many of these Marathon Round Tables will be with the struggle through which Asia who are working together formed this year by churches, clubs, and community peace groups. their brothers are passing and for peace. The World Alliance its relation to international re- for International Friendship Individual kit '$1.00. lations. Price 40 cents, Foreign through the Churches is a mem- Group kit $3.50. Policy Association, 8 West 40th ber of the American Committee Write for further information Street, New York. and the Council of Women for to the Council of Women for The International Peace Home Missions has also signi- Home Missions, or to the Na- fied its intention of joining in Campaign tional Committee on the Cause this movement believing that the and Cure of War, 70 East 45th In the year that has inter- work for peace should be world- Street, New York City. vened since the Brussels Con- wide and that there is strength in uniting with the people of 2. "Peace in These Times," is gress when the International the title of a series of four pro- Peace Campaign was organized, other nations in this great cause. grams of worship and discus- many of the countries of the sion on the causes of war and From time to time the women the way to peace published by world have, through their peace of the churches will hear of the the Presbyterian Board of Chris- organizations, joined in this work of the International Peace tian Education, Philadelphia, movement, and today there is Pa. The four programs, "Jesus, a t r u I y international peace Campaign and those who are in- Christians and War" ; "The movement, which through Peace terested in keeping in touch with Way to Peace"; "Nationalism VB. rallies, National Peace Con- it may subscribe to the bulletin Patriotism" ; and "What Can gresses, and public meetings of sent from Geneva every few Christians Do?" are intended to many kinds, is trying to bring weeks to tell of the work being arouse church people to a will to peace and a determination to pressure upon governments in done in all the countries where work for peace, and may be used the International Peace Camas the basis for group discussion, favor of peace; believing that if paign is functioning. Write to or as four consecutive programs the people of the world unite for meetings of church groups, for peace no ~overnment will the International Peace Cammen or women. They are espe- dare to lead a nation into war. paign, Palais Wilson, Geneva, cially good for a Woman's Mis- Switzerland. The subscription sionary Society. Price 25 cents. Weakened by the absence of the rate is three Swiss francs. peace societies of Italy and Ger- 3. Another new set of pro- many, the people of the other At this Christmas season there is fighting and death by violence countries of Europe where the in China, Spain, Ethiopia and International Peace Campaign is strongest, are nevertheless work- perhaps other places, and men of goodwill seem powerless to grams is that published by the ing together for peace by col- stem the tide of hate and selfish- Council of Social Action, 289 lective action ana are a mighty ness which lead to war. Yet Fourth Avenue, New York City, force in building public opinion millions of men and women hate under the title "World Peace." in their respective nations. The war and are working for peace, This is a packet containing a churches have a leading part in and have faith enough to bestudy outline, a Worship Service, this movement, bringing the in- lieve that eventually goodwill pamphlets and reprints, among fluence of the Church to bear up- will triumph and international these being "Five Sectors .of the on this problem. justice put to an end some of Peace Movement" by Fosdick, In the United S tat e san the "sore spots" which lead to an article on "Neutrality or Col- American Committee to cooper- war. lective Security" and one on ate with the International Peace The women of the churches in local Peace Councils. T his Campaign has been formed. This missionary societies and in other packet is arranged for church Committee consists of those or- church organizations, believing groups, men or women. Price, ganizations which favor inter- as they do in human brotherhood 25 cents, plus postage. national cooperation to prevent and in goodwill between men and 4. Of special i n t ere s t to war and believe that the United women of all nations, all of church members is one of the States should participate in such whom are equally children of headline books of the Foreign international efforts within the God, the Father, gladly share in PolicyAssociation called "Church limits of its commitments under this work for peace with their and State" with the Study the Kellogg Pact, and that the brothers and sisters in other Course which accompanies it. four principles adopted as the lands, and pray with them for For those who are concerned program for the International the realization on earth of the wit h the situation i nth e Peace Campaign must be inter- Christmas message: "On Earth churches of Europe in such preted in the United States in Peace, Goodwill to Men." . -Elinor K. Purves.* countries as Germany, Italy, the light of our national policies.
Spain, and Russia, this study has The American Committe is plan- • This Bulletin has heen prepared by Mlsb Elinor K. Purves, Chairman, Cooperating great value. It is written in col- ning to enter into such activities laboration with some of the as may fit into the American Committee on International Relations for the leaders at the Oxford Confer- peace program and thus to join Committee on Women's Work of the Foreign Missions Conference, the National Council ence on Church, Community and hands with the thousands of of Federated Church Women, and the Council of Women for Home Missious.
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L= = =O= u-= 1=E=:;=~=·s =:~=:=~=R;=.:=~=d=~ =:=st;w=: =e=~ =of=G~=~=~=,?=x~=~=;~=:=o~=}=~O=ts=o=k= = = I~ EUROPE the Roman Catholics, 10 per Bible Society is gIvmg aid to- cent, out of a population of about wards the translation, printing Bible Reading in France 1,000,000. and circulation of the transla- tion. A hymn book in the ver- The Societe Centrale Evan- Protestant w 0 r k is repre- nacular is also being compiled. gelique reports 17,527 Protes- sented by a small Evangelical mission at Kortcha. Its particu- -The Christian. ro tants in its various preaching lar work of preaching, Sunday schools, circulation of the Scrip- AFRICA centers, a 15 increase over tures and religious literature en- 1935. joys the benevolent regard of Southern nlorocco the authorities. The mission, It is interesting to note that however, has no legal status. Someone has said that to offer when M. Chasles, a Roman Cath- Albania recognizes that national the Gospel to a Mohammedan is olic, an archivist and well-known stability and progress is best as- "to ask the proudest man in the scholar, paid a chance visit to a sured by granting wide liberty world to accept something he small Protestant chapel in Paris, for religious instruction and hates from someone he dehe gained such an interest in the helpful spiritual influence to spises." In the face of such op- Bible that he wrote a book, The youth. The immediate strength- position as this, workers in the Bible for Catholics, which has ening of evangelical work is now Southern Morocco Mission have had a wide circulation. He has possible, if the men and the proclaimed the Gospel for fifty also been lecturing at the Sar- means are available. years. bonne on the Bible, and earnestly recommends the reading of -World D.ominion Press. Morocco – 0 n I y three-and-a the Bible to his large audiences. half days' journey from England "Remnants" in Eastern Europe -used to be a Christian land, The Bible in Germany but is now in the firm grip of Protestants have a constant Islam. It is peopled by those The conflict between Chris- struggle to maintain Evangeli- who pride themselves that their tianity and Nazism goes on, with cal work against the fanatical religion wiped out Christianity. more church leaders arrested foes of all religion on the one An encouraging sign of progress from time to time. For over six hand, and unfriendly govern- today is the eagerness of the months in 1936 the colportage ments on the other. Lutheran children to. learn to read and of all religious literature, includ- and Reformed are minority write. The wo.rk of the missio.n ing Bibles, was forbidden, the groups, in some countries "rem- centers in boys' classes, a book secret police giving as the reason nants," often desperately poor; shop and preaching in Moroccan that communLsts, under cover of but they are not only holding market places. selling religious books, were dis- their own, they are winning contributing their propagandist ma- verts by thousands, notably in -Life of Faith. terial. Only in parts of the coun- the Ukraine (Southern Poland), try where the prohibition was Austria and Czechoslovakia. A Step Toward Temperance not strictly enforced were col- Most of the people are simpleporters able to continue more or hearted, unlettered land work- In South Africa a British less their usual activities. Yet ers, scattered thinly over the Commission has ordered that in spite of this, and the growing country. 202 of the 220 saloons be closed propaganda against the Bible in in Mcordance with the Liquor the press, the total number of The greatest need is for com- Act of 1928, a measure which copies circulated by the British petent leadership. The Central provided that after ten years the and Foreign Bible Society col- European Bur e a u of Inter- licenses of no saloons were to be porters, was considerably higher Church Aid, an <ecumenical com- renewed unless they had been than in the previous year. mittee of which Dr. Adolph Kel- converted into restaurants or -W.orld Dominion Movement. ler, of Geneva, is secretary, is hotels. Few have been so con- doing much to organize the con- verted. Unfortunately, the legis- Opportunity in Albania verts and provide such leader- lation allows them to continue as ship. A prime need is to provide wine and malt houses. Never- In Albania Moslems consti- a Bible in the Ukraine vernacu- theless, the closing of such places tute 70 per cent of the people; lar and the British and Foreign to the sale of whiskey and next come the Orthodox, num- brandy is regarded as a step tobering 20 per cent, and lastly [605 )
ward temperance. Church and gathered to watch something.en- Christians there; they were all social organizations are hailing tirely foreign to them-the BISh- outside, having given up their the move with satisfaction. op laying the cornerstone. The places in the chapel to t~eir ground plan of the church was friends, so that the latter mIght -Alliance Weekly and Chris- drawn with the help of a Nuba hear the words of life. Already, tian Advocate. Sheikh, whose workmen dug the more than 20,000 have signified foundation. In the evening, aft- their wish to become Christians. Sunday Schools in South Africa er the laying of the cornstone, The next problem is to train a mud wall had been built, about them in Christian living. More than half the total in- two feet high. The walls grew crease in the membership of the daily; they were molded in red Spanish Guinea Is Quiet world's Sunday schools has been mud one day, the workers patin Africa. In the Union of South ting the mud gently with stones Moorish troops have gone AEufrroicpa~anse,sptehceiaSlluyndaamy osnchgootlhies to prevent cracks. When the from Spanish Guinea, since a live and progressive institu- walls were finished a special pol~ there is nobody left to kill! Comtion. This is one of the reasons ish consisting of a thin layer of munication with Spain has been why South Africa has been mu'd rubbed with a wild nut, reopened; Spanish steamers chosen for the next World's Sun- was applied. come and go, but business is day School Convention. practically at a standstill. . "Meantime, arches for the The Wayside Sunday school roof were being made. Some The attitude of the authOrIhas grown tremendously during brought grass for thatching; ties to the Evangelical missionthe past two years, and reaches others long poles on which to aries is favorable. There is no thousands of children who would rest the arches, and still others official frowning upon the 35 otherwise be outside the influ- made palm leaf ropes to tie the catechetical schools, as the Govence of the Church. It is esti- roof. The old men hacked long ernment thinks that results simmated there are 2,250,000 chil- tree trunks into seats, these to ilar to those in the Cameroun, dren in South Africa who do not rest on mud pillars a foot high. where missions have produced attend Sunday school, largely Ninety people can be seated." thousands of literates, will be because of the distance to the The church was dedicated with desirable in Spanish Guinea. nearest church. these words: The centenary of the Mission -South African Outl.ook. "We here dedicate to the glory of Evangelica de Guinea Espanola God this building, to be called 'The is being celebrated by a joint Italy Controls Ethiopian Church of Christ, the Good Shep- campaign of the mission and the Church herd,' to the extension of His King- Native Church to win 15,000 na- dom to be the place where the Sacra- tives to Christ. Three months The Italians have announced ments are administered, and to be the were spent in preparation and that the Coptic Christian Church House of Prayer for all the peoples of prayer. During the succeeding of Ethiopia i.s no longer under these hills, in the Name of the Father, three months 11,000 men and the control of the Coptic Patri- and of the Son, and of the Holy women turned to Christ. Nine archy at Alexandria, Egypt. Ghost." new communities have been sup- plied with evangelists in the past Corrado Zoli, former gover- -C. M. S. Outl.ook. two months, who are fully supnor of Eritrea, announced that ported by the native church. bishops of key cities of Ethiopia, A Worthy Centennial Goal such as Addis Ababa and Ak- -World Dominion Press. sum, will either be named by the African Christians in the Coptic Church of Ethiopia and Cameroun are out to win 15,000 Self-Support in Africa confirmed by the Italian Govern- new believers as their contribument, or be named directly by tion to the centennial observance There is a steady movement the Government. The announce- of the Presbyterian Board. In toward self-support in the Afriment further stated that it is some of the village chapels, can churches. The Methodist possible that the right to crown writes Dr. W. C. Johnston, sec- Church of South Africa is now the Emperor of Ethiopia will be retary of the Mission, the Chris- independent, so also is the Bapgiven to the Roman Catho~ic tians have given up the long an- tist Church. The Bantu Pres- Apostolic delegate to Add 1.s ticipated privilege of hearing byterian Church is moving in the Ababa instead of the Coptic visiting evangelists and mission- same direction. Last year the Bishops of Addis Ababa and Ak- aries and sit outside after bring- Dutch Reformed Church consum. ing their non-Christian friends tributed over £96,000 for mis- to the gathering. At the close sions, and its mission churches -The Living Church. of one meeting, the missionary and native Christians raised asked Christians to leave,- so £20,000 and £2,375 respectively. First Nuba Mountain Church that he could talk further spe- It is making every effort toward cially to the non-Christians. No reviving family worship. Illit- Pioneer Christians i nth e one moved. He repeated his re- eracy is the outstanding hin- Nuba mountains have completed quest, urging the Christians to drance to Christian work. their first church building. withdraw. Then someone ex- plained that there were no -World DominIon Movement. "A group of interested Nubas
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Sunday School Convention- lend a hand to. uplift their peD- in the CDurse Df the wsaeyrvitche~ 1940 pIe. -World D01ninion Press. shDwing in a striking Great inter&<;t ,is manifest in u.nity and diversity Df Chris- eastern and sDuthern Africa in New Clinic in Baghdad tIans. The invDcatiDn was given the prDspect Df having the One might suppose tahanwD6~0a0n0 in English, the language Df the patients wDuld keep WDrld's Sunday SChDDI AssDcia- ch.ief missiDnary sending CDun- tiDn meet at Durban in 1940. doctDr busy enDugh, but Dr. trIes, and Df the cDuntry giving Durban's climatic gactDutnarvarecantniitDeenne~eDisft·s~ Abushadid Df Baghdad is ask- the. invitatiDn to. this service. accessibility and ISaI~h.53d was read by a Jewish also. the financial ing fDr mDre by Dpening a clinic ChrIstIan elder in ancient He- fDr WDmen and children. brew, the tDngue in which Dur fered by its mayDr all pDinted to. Dr. Abushadid is a graduate Maste~ must have read and pDnthe wisdDm Df the choice. Df the Presbyterian MissiDn dered It. Prayer was Dffered in FollDwing the precedent set SChDDI in Beirut, and was asked Syriac, by an Assyrian elder in fDrmer wDrld hacvDenvaepnptriDDxnis~ by the Iraq GDvernment to. Dr- SDuth Africa will Syriac being the nearest living ganize health wDrk fDr WDmen language to. the tDngue in which mately fifty per cent representa- ~nd gi.r1s in that cDuntry. Start- Jesus spDke and in which he tiDn in the cDnventiDn, the Dther mg wIth the six thDusand girls prayed. A passage frDm 1 CDr. fifty per cent cDming frDm Dther in the public SChDDls, she is de- 12 was read in Armen itahn~ this parts Df the wDrld. It is esti- velDping the wDrk still farther language being that Df first mated there will be 2,500 dele- in the recently Dpened clinic. In natiDn in histDry to. becDme a gates. PrDbably Africa will have the SChDDI Df HDme ECDnDmics Christian natiDn; and finally, mDre representatives in this she gives her students practical prayer was Dffered icnDuIrnatnryiain~ the. language Df .the wDrld gathering than have been experience in the care Df chil- fDund in any similar wDrld CDn- dren by cDnducting a nursery WhICh the meetmg was being clave in previDus years. where the girls are respDnsible held, a cDuntry that is learning fDr the day and night care Df a to. sing His praises.
WESTERN ASIA number Df babies; thus carrying Educational Project in Syria DUt the traditiDn Df the SChDDI. Arabia's Slaves To. prDmDte a cDnsDlidated Peace Pact in Near East A recent repDrt ShDWS that plan Df educatiDn in Syria, plans aTe under way fDr the Drganiza- Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Af- Arabia has at least a milliDn and tIDn Df the Evangelical CDllege Df Aleppo., Syria, a jDint prDject ghanistan, in a dDcument Df ten a half slaves. A large prDpDr- Df the American BDard and Presb~terian MissiDns, and the Sy- articles, have undertaken to. keep tiDn Df this number came frDm rIan and Armenian Churches. It is hDped the SChDDI will be- peace amDng themselves and to. the Sudan and Abyssinia. CDme indigenDus, making bDth suppDrt and administratiDn the assist Dne anDther in all matters Slaves are Dpenly bDught and respDnsibility Df the IDcal Christian grDUps. ?f cDI?mDn interest. The pact sDld, the markets fDr WDmen Df IS ~ahd fDr five years, a periDd beauty being specially cDnducted WhICh may be renewed indefi- and develDped. A recent edict ni~ely, and it will be registered Df Ibn SaDud, king Df Saudi wIth the League Df NatiDns. Arabia, fDrbids the impDrtatiDn The pact dDubtless is a respDnse of slaves by sea, and even by to. movements tDward wider lib- land, unless it is proved that the erty, mDre religiDus tDlerance impDrtee is al read yslaavesslaavre~ Children bDrn Future of Transjordan and general prDgress. I ran Df If the partitiDn Df Palestine is might be called the key to. the themselves slaves. ~arried into. effect by the Brit- Ish GDvernment, TransjDrdan arch which suppDrts the MDS- -Christian Century. ,,:ill c 0. m e into. prDmmence. Smce 1921 the cDuntry has made lem edifice in the rMeaidl drleeliEgiaDsUt~· INDIA, BURMA, SIAM rapid prDgress, and the Dfficial yet there is mDre attitude to. missiDnaries, dDctDrs Missionaries Not Wanted? and educatDrs has been unifDrm- liberty in Iran at the present ly appreciative. The Arab GDV- A new regime in India seems ernment has Dffered generDus mDment than in any Df its neigh- certain to. affect missionary financial help to. rebuild the hDS- wDrk there, according to. a World pita;l Df the Church Miss,iDnary bDring cDuntries. A MDslem in Dominion bulletin. A reformed SDcIety at Es-Salt, and will give Hindu paper, the Arya Samaj it a free hand. Iran may becDme a Christian recently issued a statement that India dDes nDt want Christian . MDslems send their bDYS and nDt Dnly wthitehDuuntcshuafnfgeeridngMDdselaeth~ missiDnaries any mDre. It adgIrlS to. the missiDn SChDDls at which is mits the present prDgress Df Amman, and the gDDdwill of the Christianity and declares that Emir and his cDunsellDrs can be law, b1;'t t~e civil pDwe~ will prD- the strDng religiDus fervDr Df cDunted upDn by all who. will the missiDnary is the mDst im- tect hIm m the exerCIse Df his pDrtant Df the variDus reaSDns for his success. It laments the individual liberty Df cDnscience.
-World Dominion Press.
One In Christ-Iran At the wDrld-wide cDmmuniDn service held in Hamadan last year, five languages were used
materialism of many Hindus, ary women, "we'll use our own school and have made it more and appeals for a new realiza- houses as classrooms. If there's worthy of the church. tjon of the Hindu faith. no money to spare for teachers, VVorkers in Karachi are con- we'll do the teaching ourselves. vinced that bazaar preaching is If there's no dormitory for the a real test of a church's life. Changes in 20 Years women they can fit into the girls' boarding school somewhere." So Thirty-five I n d ian student the school has begun: a two- Usually, crowds are so interested teachers were recently asked year course for training village they refuse to disperse. Last what noteworthy changes had women in home making, child year fifty non..:Christians were taken place in South India in care and Christian living. baptized, in contrast to the one the past twenty years. The first or two baptized four years ago.
eight changes which follow are -C. M. S. Outlook.
arranged in the order of the An Answered Call Indian Preachers' Conference strength of the vote; caste dis- Anglican church funds, on betinctions are disappearing; un- half of Mass Movement work, In an effort to encourage pertouchability is being rapidly dis- will be used first to send teach- sonal testimony and more dy- ers to villages that have been namic preaching, a "Preachers' carded; child marriages are de- begging for them; next to procreasing; female education is vide for the intensive training Conference" was held at Bareilextending; co-education is be- of volunteers and others to equip ly, in September. Two groups coming more common; the pub- them to deal with new inquirers. were invited-a large group of A third item will be to provide lic is taking much more interest houses for pastors and teachers, pastors from the main pulpits in education; the demand for and help towards the erection and a small group of good home rule is more widespread of headquarters' churches; a preachers. Each day there were .and insistent; work for rural fourth item is the extension of reconstruction is multiplying; medical service. two sermons in Hindustani and one in English, as well as a epidemics are being mastered; Great care will be taken to round-table dis c u s s ion on Indians are replacing British of- avoid using this money to build preaching. Thus by example up work which could not be ficials ; India has come into the maintained by the Indian church and precept something definite bicycle-bus age; Gandhi cannot in the future. was done in inspiring and instop the whirl of machinery; houses are improving; women -C. M. S. Outlook. structing preachers. In order are entering public life; person- that the results of the confer- al habits are changing; the ence may be available to those Christian community is steadily who could not attend, and be preserved for future reference, growing and taking much more· it is planned to issue a printed responsibility; and socialism Opportunities in Sind report, incorporating a synopsis and communism are spreading. of each sermon and a gist of each Last year was memorable in statement made in the discus- -World Youth. the history of Sind, not only in sion.-Bishop B. T. Badley.
School for Home Builders that it became a province but Progress in Toungoo that the Christian Church scored At Toungoo, Burma, the out- "The case for village girls is advance. Money was raised by standing piece of work for the hopeless," bluntly said a student sacrificial giving for an enlarged year was a Daily Vacation Bible in the missionary's Bible class and beautified church. school in the village of Kelinsait. An old Christian living in that in Allahabad, India. Unques- The greatest advance is in the village had a son and three tionably, village houses were un- fact that the Karachi congrega- daughters who had attended the sanitary; there was too much tion of the Church of England mission school at Toungoo. They asked the mission to open a vacajewelry and too little water; Mission has accepted responsi- tion school there and gave all the support they could. As a result there was sickness, unbalanced bility for the maintenance of all five people were baptized at the close of the school, and five more feeding of the household even the evangelistic work at present acknowledged their faith during the services at Christmas. VVithwhen poverty did not preclude being undertaken in the district. in nine months this village has variety; there was quarreling, Members of the pastor's commit- indecent talk, and a stolid indif- tee have taken a keen interest ference to conditions. Such was in the leper asylum at Mango the background against which Pir, twelve miles from Karachi, missionary wives at Allahabad and for three years have visited Agricultural Institute h a v e it regularly, preached to the pa- started a school for village home- tients, and shown their love in makers. No such school exists many practical ways. Others gained ten Christians, and Qthin the United Provinces. Neither have gone in the evenings to the ers are convinced of the truth of building, money nor staff is many quarters in the city where Christianity. available. But the school has the poorer Christians live, and Much of the credit for this bebegun. "If we can't find a corner have taken part in regular serv- longs to two Christian Burmans, in the Institute classrooms and ices for them. Others have be- a preacher and a Bible woman. laboratories," said the mission- gun to teach in the Sunday – Watchman-Examiner.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
New Bible School in Siam operation at Pitsanuloke. A Nearly seventy per cent of the Five-Year Plan of Advance has men who are now determining The need for native evangel- been adopted. -Siam Outlook. the policies of modern China are graduates of Christian colists in East Siam has been keen- OHINA leges. ly felt for some time. Accordingly, a Siamese Bible School was Progress in Ohina Education is one of the chief established last year in Korat. aims of the present government, A group of six men and one When I went to China fifty which has accepted the responsiwoman comprised the first class. years ago the period of early bility of providing universal ele- The beginnings were neither seed-sowing had not entirely mentary education for 70,000 sensational nor pretentious. passed away. The difficulties children. This, however, is bare- Lacking a class room, students were numerous and visible re- ly one-tenth of the school-age suits were few. The people were population. met under the missionary's still conservative and did not home. There were no dormitory welcome new ideas. But the pe- About fifteen per cent of the accommodations, s 0 students riod of sowing produced great higher education in China is had to be quartered in various results. The Church in China handled by Christian colleges places about town. These ar- has not grown and is exerting and professional schools. Nine rangements were inconvenient every effort to become self-reli- per cent of the college students, ant. It is willing to assume re- and twenty-four per cent of the and far from satisfactory; but sponsibility and desires to in- professional students a t ten d a very profitable seven months crease the Chinese ministry. Christian institutions. of study were passed together. There are Christian congrega- tions of one thousand people -Christian Advocate. This project is an outgrowtH. that are entirely self-supporting. Oommunion Under Difficulties of the keynote "Go Forward," -F. L. Haws Pott, St. John's University, Shanghai. The Rev. David S. Tappan, of adopted at the Siamese Regional the American Presbyterian Mis- Mission Situation sion in Hainan, tells of a com- Conference. -The Call. munion service in the mountains. Most of the missions in China Faith with Works expect to car r y forward as "To prepare the communion much of the work as can be help- elements we were at our wits' Three years ago the Church fully continued. Missionaries, end. There stood the crude taof Christ in Siam was organized. especially men, will remain at ble but for a cover all they could Ninety-nine and a half per cent their posts so long as they can find was bed drapes not yet used; of the Siamese Christians had serve those in distress. The no cups but some made for wine no real idea what it was all Boards at home will accord them and used in heathen idol worabout, but those who did com- a large degree of discretion, and s.hip. Pastor Wu pointed out the prehend the significance of it in case of danger they may with- verse in 1 Cor. 10: 21: 'Ye canhad faith and were ready to back draw to safety. not drink the cup of the Lord it up with works. The church and the cup of devils,' and apconstitution was two years in The Presbyterian Board au- plied it instantly. But when it the making. thorizes the withdrawal from was proved the cups had not yet danger zones of aged and in- been used in idol worship, they An outstanding move of 1936 firm missionaries, of mothers were accepted. was the appointment of a Re- with children, and of all those vival Committee of two, whose not suited to serve under hard- "No tray for the cups, so a mission it was to visit as many ships that may be inescapable. huge wicker sieve used for siftas possible of the churches, to The· China Council and the mis- ing rice was brought in. No hold meetings and stimulate sion executive committees are bread, so the missionary took Christian life and activity. The expected to make wise allocation some of his supply of twice American Bible Society paid the of the reduced personnel. toasted bread from his lunch expenses of a third member of (fresh bread would have been this committee. Stewardship Evacuated and furloughed mildewed in the dampness). No was their major theme. The re- missionaries, prevented from re- grape juice, so a tin of Amerisults were astonishing. Tithing turning to China, will be used can orange juice, also from his was started or increased in many to strengthen temporarily the lunch, was stirred full of native communities, and the spiritual understaffed missions in neigh- brown sugar and answered the life of many individuals was boring countries until they can purpose. greatly stimulated. return to their own fields. "Nearly one hundred moun- . A second advance step has Educational Missions tain folk caught a glimpse of been the adoption of Pitsanuloke their Lord that day, and some- Station by the first General As- Fifty-one per cent of all the how I feel that He was as much sembly as its own project under Chinese college graduates listed at home at that table as at any a wholly national staff. The in the Chinese Who's Who are communions in America with Church in Siam has also as- products of Christian colleges. their perfect appointments." sumed full responsibility for the work of the Charles T. Santvoord Hospital for three years on a contract similar to that in
Chinese Medical Association of the vast Buddhist and Shinto for one month, and 405 women constituencies. for two and a half months. At The Chinese Medical Associ- Pyengyang Institute, 80 men enation was formerly made up al- Salvation Army Rift rolled for nine months' study. most entirely of foreigners, but The Presbyterian Theological as fast as Chinese doctors be- A rift in the Army has become Seminary also reports one of the came qualified they were ad- an open break. A group of offi- largest first-year classes in its mitted. Now the percentage of cers, representing the younger history. Two young men have Chinese members is very large. leaders, but themselves men of been commissioned as foreign At the last conference about 70 mature age and rank, demanded missionaries; one is laboring in per cent of the 900 attending drastic changes in the Japanese Shantung, and the other in Manwere Chinese, states Dr. John organization. The revolt is defi- chukuo among Chinese and Chi- E. Lenox of Chengtu, West nitely a nationalist movement, nese-speaking peoples. China. protesting against what is al- leged to be a condition of sub- A Korean named Chang, who, JAPAN-CHOSEN servience to the control of the as a boy of 12 watched crew and foreign headquarters, and com- passengers of the steamer Gen- Masses Want Peace mand in London. It is also a eral Sherman struggle out of protest against the Salvation the water, only to be beaten to S. Hirakawa of Tokyo, speak- Army's military organiz'ation, death by the mob, is now an old ing recently before the Friends' with its uniform, its army ter- man over 80. Last year he stood World Conference in Philadel- minology and its dictatorial sys- QY the same Pyengyang River phia, declared that 90 per cent tem. Also it is a demand for and showed to one of the secreof the Japanese are opposed to more emphasis upon the reli- taries of the British and Foreign the war with China. The pres- gious aspects of the work, and Bible Society the place where ent invasion is motivated by a less upon the social and relief one of the passengers, Mr. militaristic clique which is try- phases. The recalcitrant officers Thomas, a colporteur of the Naing to protect the Manchoukuo have been dismissed or have tional Bible Society of Scotland, venture, an experiment that has wit h d raw n, and have now threw to the crowd copies of "a thus far proved a colossal fail- formed one more Christian de- red-bound book"-the New Tesure. Japan is spending much nomination, the "Japan Gospel tament in Korean. He also more money in Manchoukuo Evangelistic Association," mod- showed him a beautiful Thomas than she is getting out of it. eled after the two branches of Memorial Chapel, marking the Another speaker, R. Yamano, the Holiness Church. place of martyrdom and told said that the only place in which how, in his own lifetime, there desires for peace may be pub- -Christian Century. had sprung up a Christian comlished is in the Christian denom- munity of over 260,000 with inational press. Remember the Frogs 4,200 places of worship.
-Christian Adv.ocate. A solemn service in commem- -World Dominion Move- oration of the sacrifice of 100,000 ment. Conditions in Japan frogs which had been used in the past year in biological and ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC A correspondent from Japan anatomical experiments, was says that the absence of civilian held in Tokyo in July. Sixty Spiritual Currents in Java hatred is one mitigating feature professors from Keio University of the grievous war situation. participated and a monument According to the Evangelical Chinese by thousands are still representing two bullfrogs in News Bureau of Holland, three living in Japan and going about stone, with a tribute to frogdom outside factors have influenced their work unmolested and in in general, was unveiled. ·The the spiritual currents in Java in perfect safety. According to a service was held in a Buddhist the last decade: first, the awakrecent report not more than cloister with much incense and ening in Eastern Asia after the 6,000 out of the 30,000 living in beating of gongs. Japanese victory over Russia, Japan have yet returned to and the national-cultural inde- China. By way of contrast the British pendence efforts in B r i tis h and Foreign Bible Society have India; second, the influence of But the dilemma of a Chris- celebrated the translation of the politico-religious movements tian Church in a country at war Scripture into the one thou- in Egypt, Arabia and British is pressing with peculiar inten- sandth tongue, a feat that out- India, seen in the existence and sity upon the Christians. Insig- does anything any single uni- development of trade societies nificant in numbers, and with versity has done. that have become more political the onus of a long inherited sus- organizations; and third the picion of disloyalty still bitterly -So S. Times. influence of communism. Ever held by many people, the Chris- since 1917, the comintern has tian movement now for the first Bible Reading Koreans striven to connect the classtime in a national crisis finds its struggle with the nationalist leaders called in council on equal Bible Institutes are popular movement in the East. Its revoterms with the representatives in Chosen. At Chai-Ryung last winter, 455 men were enrolled
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
lutionary propaganda activity mission spheres and the need for many needy, and the clinic was first reached Java via the na- an adVisory committee to work crowded each day. tive students' union in Holland. toward closer cooperation of Vigorous action on the part of government, churches and mis- Congregational Work Grows the government during the last sionaries. It is hoped that a four years has largely put a stop policy may be adopted broad The American Board reports to this undermining force. enough to cover the different a very successful conference of conditions in the various states workers in Dansalan, Mindanao, The attitude of missions to- on the protection and control of P. 1. There were 130 delegates. wards these spiritual currents the nomadic tribes, their grad- Much time was given to prayer, cannot be merely that of an in- ual development and restoration meditation and praise. In the terested spectator. They will of racial pride and confidence, business sessions much attenhave to deal with the great com- the uplIfting of the half-caste, tion was paid to the extension pleXIty ot moral quesdons wich the suppression of abuses and of the Kingdom in unoccupied which the people of Java have "CO protection from exploitation. areas. A real Home Mission wrestle in these days by preach- program was adopted. Statising the Gospel of God's King- -Anti-Slavery Reporter. tics revealed marvelous growth dom. during 1936. Twenty years ago Education in the Philippines there were three congregations Character of the Papuans and two Sunday schools in Bishop Mosher of the Philip- other places. Today, the North The Evangelical News Bureau pine Islands, who attended the Coast Conference alone has 48 in Holland says there are two ~piscopal General Convention churches and chapels and gave opinions about the Papuans of in Cincinnati, said: $5,500 for the work of the Dutch New Guinea. One is that Church. In all three conferthey are heartless, cruel and Now that the Philippines are inde- ences of Mindanao about 1,000 murderous; the other, that they pendent, they need an army and must new members have been added are good, friendly and even get the money for it somehow. It is education that will pay the price.
pleasant people; those who know The government has closed the 5th, to the churches. them best agree with both opin- 6th and 7th grades in the public ions. The Papuan has really scho lIs. This throws out great num- Filipino Evangelical Strength two sides to his character. One bers of boys and girls. We have is human, that is why the Pap- From the beginning, Filipino 1,200 pupils in our day schools. After the children finished the 4th grade, uan is hospitable, friendly and they formerly went to the public Protestant churches have emdesirous of peace. The other schools. Now the Roman Catholics phasized the value of the Gosside is demoniac, devilish. Some- are getting them; they have the pel in their hospitals and dispentimes, however, the Papuans' funds to have dormitories and to saries; Boy Scouts and Camp equip their schools.
acts are bad only in our eyes, Fire Girls; services for pris- but are good in their own opin- Clinics Had to Be "Sold" oners, for lepers and relief of ion. They, themselves, feel the various kinds. The most potent conflict in their being. They Dr. D. J. Ago, Filipino physi- influence in winning people to know the difference between cian at the mission hospital in Christ has been the private life good and evil. Legaspi, P. 1., could give some and character of Protestant practical suggestions on "sell- Christians, and their public Effective missionary work is ing" a new idea to backward stand on moral issues. The lives not possible without an accurate people. Wishing to establish of both the leaders and the memknowledge of the people. There- clinics in a new area, Dr. Ago bers of the churches have furfore the first demand is: get to first called on the local church nished the strongest testimony know the people, their language, members, taking plenty of time ethics, laws and religion. With- to explain his plan. to the truth of their message. out winning their confidence, Evangelicals also have a good far-reaching influence over them Then he had to persuade the record in public morals. The is impossible. municipal authorities that he fight against alcoholism was was not trying to undermine started and carried on almost Australian Aborigines their prestige. ' Next, the local entirely by them; pro t est s drugs shops had to be convinced against public dance halls and Missionary leaders in Aus- that the clinks would help, not prostitution come largely from tralia are considering the prob- hinder, their trade. The dentist the same source; campaigns lem of the 77,000 Aborigines had to be drawn into the project, against the cockpit and other with great care. This is attrib- and lastly, each of the above had forms of gambling originate uted to a change in public opin- to be persuaded to serve as ad- with the Protestants. ion. vertisers of the proposed clinic. Other elements favoring Prot- Some of the questions that When all this was done, the shy- estantism are the general adhave come up for discussion have ness and fear of the first ven- vance of education, the large to do wi,th aboriginal customs- turesome patients had to be dealt number of educated, liberal nomwhat should be allowed and what with. Then, at last, word spread inal Roman Catholics who have forbidden; the overlapping of abroad that here was help for no vital church membership but
believe in God, and the strongly To Raise Standard of Ministers writes the Pocket Testament anti-Fascist attitude of Evan- League of the religious work gelical Christians. They offer a After a two-year study, a carried on at the prison. reasonable faith to hundreds of commission of the Disciples' thousands of young people in Church introduced a resolution There is an organization here in the schools. at the International Convention the West known as the "Fellowship in in Columbus, Ohio (October Bible Reading," whose aim is to get -Christian Century. 28) , proposing the following as many Bible readers as possible minimum requirements for min- each year during the month of Oc- NORTH AMERICA isterial ordination: tober to concentrate in reading a cer- tain Book of the Bible each day dur- Students As Evangelists 1. Good moral character and per- ing the month. This year the Book sonal fitness for the ministry. of Romans has been selected for spe- Because they feel that a true cial reading and studying. Those Christian life is the only answer 2. A full college course or its equiv- joining agree to read at least four to the problems facing college alent and, if possible, graduate train- chapters a day in Romans during Ocstudents everywhere, the stu- ing in religion. tober, or as another choice they may dents of Wheaton College, Illi- read Romans through in one reading nois, have sent 15,000 copies of 3. Experience in Christian work at least once a week during October, St. John's Gospel to the students which shows real leadership, vision, or they may agree to read Romans of the University of California. pastoral qualities and preaching abil- through daily during October. Here Each copy is inscribed with the ity. in the prison 143 have signed up to statement: "This little booklet join the Fellowship in concentrating will help us all to win in the As matters now stand, a per- on the book of Romans during Ocgame of life." son without even a high school tober. Six of those signing up are education may be ordained in inmates on the condemned row, who Theodore Benson, senior at the church. Opposition to these are facing execution shortly. The Wheaton College and president requirements is expected from a number of inmates who have joined of the Scripture Distribution So- group of conservatives who will the Fellowship by no means takes in ciety there, says: "Our purpose contend it would be a step away all those in the prison daily reading is to discharge our responsibil- from the church's historical con- a portion of the Bible. There is a ity as Christian students to these gregationalism, and toward ec- lot of Bible reading here in the prison our fellow students. We know clesiasticism. Furthermore, be- by the inmates. of no more effective way to reach cause of their independence local the student world than to pre- congregations would not be Religious Radio Programs sent them with the Word of bound to observe the require- God." ments. The Federal Council is spon- soring a new program of radio Survey of American Girls Juvenile Crime Deterrent religion. In addition to the two regular programs of religious A composite picture of the Here is a suggestion in the worship on Sunday which have American girl, 1937 model, is field of crime prevention. Juve- been broadcast for several years presented by General Foods, nile court workers have discov- there will now be a daily pro- Inc., as the result of an effort to ered that many children who are gram of a rather different chardiscover facts about future brought into court are charged acter from 12: 00 to 12: 15 homemakers. From a question- either with stealing toys or steal- every weekday of the year. naire, submitted to shoppers in ing money to buy toys. Out of These noonday messages will be half a million retail food stores, this grew the idea of establish- inspirational and educational in it appears that six out of every ing a toy-lending "library." One character, addressed particularly ten American girls between the has been operating for several to the public. The same speaker ages of 18 and 25 attend church months in Kansas City, Mo., and will be heard each Monday for a regularly. a second one is now being pre- period of three months; another pared there by women of Grace speaker each Tuesday, another Reasons given for non-attend- and Holy Trinity Cathedral. each Wednesday, and so on ance were: through Saturday. The play room in the parish Too lazy …………….. . 36.5% house is to contain the collection The Foreign Missions Confer- Lack of interest ………. . 28.5% of toys, new and "recondi- ence is cooperating in this Too busy ……………. . 19.0% tioned," which the women have presentation. Inconvenient …………. . been collecting. Any child in the 9.2% neighborhood may have a "li- America's Spending brary" card, signed by parent or In answer to the question: guardian, entitling him to bor- The National Committee for "Do you consider it more desir- row a toy. When it is returned Religion and Welfare Recovery able or less desirable, than it in good condition, he may take has prepared a chart to show was in your mother's day, to out another. The toys will be that the American public gave take an active part in church af- sterilized on return. fairs?" replies were given: 30 % less to churches, 29 % less "Fellowship in Bible Reading" More………………… 37.3% to general benevolences, 24 % Less ………………… 26.30/0 The chaplain of California Same………………… 35.70/0 State Prison at San Quentin less to community chests, and 18 % less to colleges in 1936 than was given from the smaller in- comes of 1932. On the other hand, expenditures for jewelry,
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
theaters, cigarettes, automobiles. Creek Indian Christians race are characteristics of the army and navy, whiskey, radio Indian people. The Indian has come a long and beer increased from 25 % to way in spiritual development, as Their belief that, although life 31 rtf). -The Living Chu,rch. evidenced in a recent meeting of is mysterious in all its manifes- 1,000 Creek Indians near Eu- tations, yet it can be trusted if Land of the Unexpected faula, Oklahoma. The preacher human beings act in cooperation was Roly Canard, chief of the with it, may be the secret of the Think of a church service at Creeks. Although a university Indian characteristics of poise which every inhabitant of a vil- graduate and a master of Eng- and restfulness, quiet strength lage is present; where every lish, Canard preferred to speak of character, a keen sense of huworshipper sang all the hymns in his native tongue, as do most mor and delight in the gay and from memory! Rev. C. O. of the Creeks both in private and joyous. Unhurried by life's de- Weber, Moravian pastor of Win- in public. Only the text, which mands, they take time to think ston-Salem, N. C., found this was repeated many times with clearly and concretely. Expectamong the unexpected experi- emphasis, was spoken in Eng- ing its constant changes, they ences of a visit to Alaska. lish: "Behold, how good and face the world with courage.- how pleasant it is for brethren The National Board Y. W. C. A. When he arrived in a village to to dwell together in unity!" speak in a church, the bell was Health Education at Sitka, rung long and vigorously. To Around the tabernacle and his delight he found the congre- church building were smaller Alaska gation eagerly drinking in every arbors and sheds under which word of the message and no were long dining tables. Beyond A new departure in health watches pulled out to check the these outdoor dining and cook- education for both boys and time. He was amazed to hear ing quarters were the tents of girls at Sheldon Jackson School, Eskimo Christians pray in pub- the hundreds of families who Sitka, Alaska, has been more lic fluently, and to note the ex- had come for the four-day meet- thorough testing for tubercupressions on their uplifted faces. ing. losis, which is greatly on the in- This is his answer to the ques- crease among the native population he is often asked: "Are re- Without a leader, one Indian tion of Alaska. In Sitka governsults worth the time and money after another starts a hymn if ment school last year, 78 per spent?" he feels the urge and others join cent of the children were found in. Another common practice to be infected. This is partly -Moravian Missions. is for all to pray aloud at the due to poor living conditions; same time. Often this unison of partly to the lack of recreational From Communism to prayer is for some common ob- facilities, but alcohol is probably ject, such as the recovery of a the largest contributing factor. the Church sick brother, or the missionary work of the association. After One phase of this health ex- A. J. Muste, who has recently a few minutes all voices are periment is the isolation and become minister of Lab 0 r silent save one, and the prayer special care of a group of twelve Temple, New York, succeeding is concluded by this one peti- tubercular suspects. This group Edmund B. Chaffee, has issued tioner. has a special table in the dining the following statement: room. Their dishes are segre- -Southern Baptist Home gated and sterilized. Each sus- I return from the left wing political Missions. pect is isolated in the dormitory movement, from radical Marxism, and is given a special rest each from passionate secular idealism, The Gifts of the Indian day. -Presbyterian Banner. which made me condemn the Church People as conservative, as retarding prog- United Christian Council ress, as martyring free spirits. I re- Because the Indian people of Alaska turn to the Church! Why? Because have felt that usefulness without these years of experience have taught beauty is not enough, they have A United Christian Council of me that the Church of the redeemed created beauty in design, sym- Alaska wit h representatives is the only great redeeming agency. bolism, color, rhythm and poetic from the Congregational-Chris- The nucleus of any effective movement thought. For our use they have tian Churches, the Metlakatla against war, against a social order brought corn and other foods Christian Mission and the Methbased on the spirit and method of and herbs, they have broken odist Episcopal Church has been war, will have to be composed of trails for us and taught us ways organized and incorporated in those who by the grace of God, and of living in the out-of-doors. the State of Illinois. insight into the meaning of the Cross, have renounced the spirit of war; To value character above pos- Formed on July 10, the Counfirst in their own hearts and then and sessions, to consider one's tribe cil will be an elastic, interdenomtherefore, in all relationships of life; above oneself, to appreciate the inational group designed to proof those who know the overcoming achievements of others, to wel- mote closer cooperation among power of prayer and humility and come the stranger, to respect the participating denominations sacrifice; of those who are not led childhood and age, to feel al- at work in Alaska. The sponastray by the will to dominate or de- ways a self-respecting pride of sors hope and expect that other stroy anyone, because Christ lives in them. The Church often fails in this, but I see no other agency doing it at all. That is why I return to the Church.
-Federal Council Bulletin.
denominations willJater join the diers to buy copies of the New Matto Grosso, Brazil Council. It marks a.:distinct ad- Testament and ask for prayer. The definite aim of the Inland vance in a cooperative approach to home missionary tasks. Uther mIssionaries keep in touch South America Mis s ion a r y Union is to reach the Indian Among the practical develop- with college students. Full use world, and its purpose is to carry the Gospel to tribes not ments that have resulted is the is made of the press and book -The Christian. shops.
launching of the Alaska Marine Forward in Colombia included in the plans of other Mission to serve the vast, hither- organizations. One can scarcely to neglected territory in Alaska. The Synod of Colombia was believe that regions on this earth duly organized in Bogota on still exist where men live as July 29, a milestone in the his- "Children of Eden," ignorant of LATIN AMERICA tory of Presbyterian missions in the existence of a world outside that country. Rev. Julio Her- their own. The heart of MaUo Sunday School Influence Brazil, Argentina, Chile and nandez, pastor of Sec 0 nd Grosso, Brazil, is such a region, Mexico have each their own na- C h u r c h, BarranquiIla, was and its evangelization has for tional Sunday school missionary elected moderator; Rev. E. G. years been the hope of the Inengaged in developing Sunday Seel, secretary, and Rev. Gus- land S. A. Missionary Union. school work. Textbooks in Span- tavo Villa, treasurer. Delegates The first missionary expediish and Portuguese are being from the three presbyteries, with tion of the Mission was launched prepared for the training of the help of a map, indicated their in 1926 when possibilities were Sunday school teachers. In Ar- fields of activity and the limits gauged. In 1934 another start gentina alone over 2,000 young of their territory, also the re- was made. A third expedition people have undergone training gions to which they hoped to ex- resulted in the erection of a misfor Sunday school and Bible tend the preaching of the Gospel. sion station. This third expediclass work. From the start, the It was shown that if the work tion covered 2,000 miles in 75 Sunday school, for both adults is continued with enthusiasm, days. Thirty-four days were and children, has been one of soon no one will be able to pass spent in canoeing. The main the most successful agencies of through Colo m b i a without purposes of the journey were: touching some evangelical terri- to visit the circuit of Indian vilthe evangelical movement. It is estimated that there are tory. lages and to introduce the pionow more than 2,000,000 people 'l'he importance of having a neer missionaries – the Big connected with Pro t est ant well-organized seminary for the White Chief and the White churches in South America, and theological and pedagogical Mother; to choose a site suitfreedom of thought and expres- training of national workers was able for the mission station and sion has been greatly increased. made clear; in fact, all the pro- to devote some time in building posals, plans and projects were a mission house; to reestablish Work Goes on in Mexico directed toward a great central friendship with the fierce Ka- purpose, and gave the idea of In spite of restrictions, Prot- the different pieces of a jig-saw mauras, whose hostility had been estant missionaries remain in puzzle which only needed to be of nine years standing, due to a Mexico, doing effective work, in fitted into place to reveal the or- breach of promise made by an dered whole. some respects even better than explorer. They had closed their before. Here are some new -Colombian Clippings. tribal portals to every outsider, including foreigner and Indian. methods that have been adopted. Cuban Schools In one of the best restaurants Requests are now coming The educational problem in of Mexico City, "Wednesday Cuba has yet to be solved. Gov- from the Indians themselves ask- Breakfasts" are arranged by ernment high schools and uni- ing for the "good people," mean- Dr. Wallace, a Presbyterian mis- versities are closed, and a few ing the missionaries, to come in sionary, and Professor Baez and live with them. Camargo, Secretary of the Na- -Amazon Valley Indian.
tional Council of Evangelical mission schools have been the Fascism in BTazil Churches. Members of the in- only secondary schools open durtellectual classes are invited to ing recent troublesome years. Evangelical churches of Bra- the breakfasts, and invariably Among the boarding students zil are thoroughly alarmed over listen with deep interest to mes- this year at the Baptist Colegio the increasing menace of Fassages on vital topics by Chris- Internacionales are Carlos Man- cism. Organized about five tian leaders. uel and Flavio de Cespedes, two years ago, mainly with Italian Mr. Norman Taylor, also a grandsons of a former president and German descendants or .nat- Presbyterian missionary, is do- of Cuba and great-grandsons of uralized citizens, Fascism soon ing splendid work among sol- the Cuban patriot and first revo- gained the support of many libdiers. He visits the camps in lutionary president, Carlos Man- erals and young leaders in the his motor-car, entertains the uel de Cespedes. This is a tes- Protestant churches, who not soldiers with a port.able wireless timony to the confidence placed only came out openly for the set, and then gives a Gospel talk. in the school. cause, but distributed literature -WatchrYUJ,n-Examiner. among fellow churchmen. It is usual for many of the sol-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Methodism voices its appre- MISCELLANEOUS Anti-Semitism hension in the Expositor Christao: Church Council Discusses War A conference held at Prince- ton, N. J., in September on the "Every Protestant or Evan- Should America go to war Jew and the Pre s b y t e ria n gelical is, by nature, a liberal with Japan? Is China guiltless Church went on record as urgdemocrat. It follows, therefore, in the present slaughter? Will ing the Presbyterian Church to that Fascist violence will be dictator nations crush democ- speak out clearly on the dangers aimed against the physical life racy? These questions were of anti-Semitism to the Church of the Evangelicals, in case it put to Methodist leaders in Chi- itself, and to take its full share wins out in Brazil. Millions of cago recently. Bitter condemna- of responsibility for the relief of Brazilians are under this threat, tion of the smugness of democ- the social, human and spiritual among them the great majority racies in not considering the eco- needs of the victims of antiof the Evangelicals." The two nomic needs of over-populated Semitism, wherever found. branches of Presbyterianism- nations now enslaved by dicta- Independent and Synodical- tors vied with vehement denun- The purpose of this Conferhave condemned all extremist ciation of the bombing of Chi- ence was to appraise the work regimes. nese cities. Some advocated for the Jews now being carried swift and complete embargoes; on by the Presbyterian Church The Congregational Church others saw embargoes as useless through the community 0 r went farther, and adopted the and vicious. A II inveighed neighborhood c en t e r, and following resolutions: "(1) No against America resorting to through the parish approach, pastor shall be permitted to af- arms to curb Japan in China. whereby churches are urged to filiate himself with the Fascist extend their services and welparty. (2) All churches which Dr. Elbert M. Conover, of come to Jewish neighbors; to' have members who are already Philadelphia, advocated a light- consider the problems arising in Fascists shall exhort them to ningembargo on war material, connection with it; and to deabandon such a doctrine; but including oil and other elements velop a more adequate and efif they persist in remaining vital to fighting, while Rev. N. fective program. such, they must be cut off the A. Christensen of Oakland, Cal., church rolls. (3) Any church was just as positive that an em- -Monday Morning. which allows Fascists in its bargo is useless, dangerous and membership, shall be excluded evil, because it imposes the pun- Problem of Mission Property from the union." ishment on the people least re- sponsible for war, and leads al- One of the problems of the es- -Christian Century. most inevitably to war. Diplo- tablishment, and relationships matic and social ostracism even- of an independent national Demand for Books tually can apply sufficient pres- Church to the home board has to sure to break any nation's ruth- do with the fact that in almost Dr. R. E. Diffendorfer says lessness. Such ostracism is every mission field new national that in South America the rapid slower, but more' drastic in or ultra-nationalistic regulations progress in secular education effect. are affecting the tenure or title has gone far beyond the ability or terms of mission property of the Evangelical churches and Sacrificial Giving holdings. In Mexico many clear the missions to follow the new titles have been simply wiped intellectuals with an adequate Missionaries see the world's out by the Government, with no Christian m e s sag e. These desperate need at close range. remuneration or redress. Elsegroups know philosophy, politi- Nearly $5,000 out of their per- where increments of value have cal economy, economics and sonal incomes has been contrib- been denied or imperilled. In sociology, educational theory and uted by Presbyterian mission- many lands the nat ion a I practice, and especially the aries to the Centennial Fund of churches are disposed to argue physical and social sciences. To the Board of Foreign Missions. that all mission property is held reach these groups by the sole If their average gift were in trust for them, even though method of preaching and organ- equaled by each of the 2,000,000 it was wholly provided from the izing churches is to lose the op- Presbyterian church members at west, or by people who gave it, portunity. Books need to be home, the reply of the Church to not for the endowment of the written by Latins or translated the General Assembly's urging Church in some one land, but from English, and from other "that the churches and individ- for use in the evangelization of languages on the Christian mes- uals make a sacrificial response" the whole world. sage of the world today. He to the appeal for a $1,000,000 further says that the scarcity of Centennial Fund would make a -Presbyterian Banner. reading material in some lan- total response of at least $10,- guages is so great that many 000,000. Every member of the "To myself a heart of steel; boys and girls lapse into illit- Board and of its executive and To my fellows a heart of eracy after havirig completed clerical staff has contributed to love; the work of the primary schools. the Centennial Fund. To my God a heart of flame." -Christian Advocate.
~'====""==",==========~'~
i Our Missionary Bookshelf I I Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~,===—–==——–=======""",-,==~,~ A Bible Believing Church. The gives new courage; greater zeal is the result of painstaking Nevius Plan for M.ission Work, Il- study, marked by discerning lustrated in Korea. By Charles and stimulates faith in spiritual a n a I y s e s. The journalistic Allen Clark. 8vo. 370 pp. $2.00. Christian Literature Society. Seoul, methods. The work is one of the sources which underlie the body Korea and E. C. Heinz, 3624 Fifth most outstanding examples of of the text have this unique fea- mission work in the world. It is ture that they present the co- Ave., So., Minneapolis. 1937. well organized but does not Are missionary executives spend its strength on machinery. temporaneous opinions of the proven to be too satisfied with There is life in the organizm. editors. Rather than say that conservative, old-time methods? Every missionary in every the book is well documented, it .Are they and the missionaries field will do well to read this im- should be said that it is in the portant report. The methods main-and professedly so-doctoo hesitant to break loose from need not be slavishly copied but conventional lines and to pioneer they teach lessons that could be uments with interpretative comin missionary activities? As a put into practice in other fields ments. also. Churches at home would matter of fact most modern mis- also profit by a fresh study of The history sketches for the sionary work has broken away these ideals and by adopting reader Japan's emergence from many of these methods. from Apostolic New Testament her centuries of seclusion and methods and has attempted to Japan in American Public Opinion. proceeds to detail what she establish occidental institutions By Eleanor Tupper, Ph.D., and learned from the West-the way George E. McReynolds, Ph.D. 465 in lands where life is more pp. $3.75. Macmillan. 1937. we live, what we know, what we simple and primitive. Dr. John believe and how we fight. What Some time ago it was pointed we condemn in Japan's use of L. Nevius, for many years a mis- out that history centered first in modern engines of war, on the sionary in China, strongly ad- the Mesopotamian region, then earth, in the air, and under the around the Mediterranean basin, vocated a return to apostolic then on the Atlantic coasts, and sea, she learned from the West. methods; this was forty years finally in our day on the Pacific. In condemning her appropriatago. He emphasized evangelism This progress westward fol- ing policy, we condemn our- lowed the migration of the J arather than institutionalism; an phetic races. There was also a selves. great migration eastward, unindigenous church with early til now mankind has almost The volume, in conducting us filled the earth. Japan and through the phases of the probself-support and self-government America are turning back on rather than continued foreign themselves. It would be well if lem of the Japanese in Califorcontrol; and spiritual emphasis each could do the turning grace- nia and Hawaii, the wars with fully; it would be better if they China and Russia, the annexaon Bible lines rather than could do it in the Christian way. tion of Korea, through questions higher intellectual training to "Japan in American Public of immigration and n a val reach secular standards. The Opinion" recounts the way J a- Presbyterian mission in Korea pan has been turning for the quotas, the Japanese Monroe last few decades, as observed by Doctrine, the 21 demands, the early adopted the Nevius ideals authors and editors in America. Lytton Report, and the like, and methods and the results The book is an encyclopedic have been among the wonders of source book of facts concerning leads us up through the intricamodern missions. Dr. Clark de- political changes in China and cies of Japan's operations on the Japan, and in America vis-a-vi:s continent of Asia to the summer scribes these methods, how they of 1937. have been applied and the effect. Numerical results show 180,640 .To statesman, merchant, and new converts to Christ in nine years. This is equivalent to 70 missionary the volume is a valu- able storehouse of information. new parishes, each with an aver- It presents both sides of the sitage of 300 believers every year. uations and should have on both Here is the story of how this was ,sides of the Pacific a wholesome done without a large staff of foreign workers or the expenditure influence on those to whom facts have the major appeal. of large sums of foreign funds.
It is a thrilling story that these two countries. The volume G. P. PIERSON.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[ 616 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
Then and Now in Kenya Colony. of nature and of man's place and the facts stated. The index is By Willis R. Hotchkiss. 160 pp. purpose in relation to God. confined to names of authorities Price, $1.50. Fleming H. Revell quoted. A bibliography of ref- Company, New York, N. Y. 1937. Dr. Morrison is one of the out- erence books would be exceed- standing Christian scholars of ingly helpful. "It is given to few men in this Great Britain. He is too big a wonderful century of develop- soul and too sane a thinker to be Definite Experience. By A. S. Wilment to have witnessed the son of New Zealand. 128 pp. Margrowth of a colony from relative classed either as a Fundamen- shall Morgan & Scott, Ltd. London. savagery to a high degree of talist who defies or ignores civilization." That privilege has science, or a Modernist who ab- In our daily experience and been enjoyed by Mr. Hotchkiss jectly surrenders to science and teaching we are prone to emphain Kenya Colony on the East ignores the evidence of God's size faith, if we are introspec- Coast of Africa. He went to tive in our thinking, and works Africa forty years ago "not be- revelation of truth. The dictum if we are retrospective. In his cause men were heathen and in of authority "Men of science tell timely volume Mr. Wilson brings need of civilization, but because us" is but a poor substitute for faith and experience, or "faith men were sinners and needed a and works," into a beautiful and Saviour." "Thus saith the Lord." convincing harmony. He shows that to be filled with the Spirit In the process of presenting These seven studies were in is not only a privilege of the that Saviour the missionaries part given as Cunningham Lec- Christian but is necessary for a have found that Africans, ac- turers in New College, Edin- fruitful Christian life. cepting the Christian way of life, have assumed many of the burgh, in 1936. They take up On page 74 we find this harmore desirable qualities of our mony brought out clearly. Mr. civilization. The author shows the wonders revealed by the mi- Wilson says that Romans 8: 13 also that the white man's ideas croscope, the telescope, radiation is "one of the deepest teachings and methods are not always and chemistry, the mysteries of of the Word on sanctification. helpful. Often Africans who science, the supernatural, evolu- Sin remains in the body to the have come in contact with the end. The deeds of the body, each new environment of the cities, tion and the "ascent or fall of sin, as it seeks to rise up, can be far from the restraints of vil- man." They are interesting and put to death. It is the presence lage life and tribal connections, of Christ, through the Holy Spirfind it difficult to withstand the clear, scientific and reverent, it that does this." temptations and are greatly de- sane and honest. The most emimoralized by influences which nent and up-to-date scientists Holy living is emphasized they do not understand and to are freely quoted. Many of them throughout the book. Chapter which they cannot adjust them- seven on "Be filled with the Spirselves. honestly admit that "science is it" should be noted as outstand- completely baffled" to explain ing. The author's use of the The effectiveness of Christ in such things as whence came phrase "Bringing in the Kingchanging the lives of men is dis- dom," is post-millennia1. closed when Mr. Hotchkiss says: matter, motion, life, and man. "One conviction alone has re- His view of miracles is that they A. H. PERPETUO. mained not only unaltered, but confirmed with cumulative force are not contrary to nature but Men of the Outposts. The Romance throughout the years, and that transcend our knowledge. He of the Modern Christian Movement. is that the Cross of Christ is the views Christ as unique, "a By Herbert Welch. 8vo. 261 pp. all-sufficient answer to the prob- veritable incarnation of God." $2.00. The Abingdon Press. New lems of Africa, as to the rest of York. 1937. the world." He believes that evolution is only a theory and has been very There is no more stimulating CLARA L. BENTLEY. much overworked, is often mis- reading than good biographies- history teaching by examp~e. Christian Faith and the Science of understood and takes too much The life stories of great and Today. By J. H. Morrison. 8vo. for granted. "Redemption, not godly men and women reveal 228 pp. $2.00. Cokesbury Press. God working in human life. Nashville. 1936. evolution, is the Christian watch- Here are twelve fascinating sketches and interpretations of Here is a book that will repay word." He holds that the "Chris- nine men and three women who any intelligent man or woman tian doctrine of the fall of man gave their lives and used their for reading. Ministers, teach- is not necessarily in conflict with talents sacrificially to advance ers, missionaries, and others who the findings of modern science. the cause of Christ among manare sometimes disturbed by the kind, especially in mission lands. claims of modern science, or ill- . . . When man sinned he fell, They include pioneers – Xavier informed or half-baked expon- and suffered a permanent moral and Livingstone; evangelistsents of scientific theories, will disablement. . . . Christian op- John Wesley and William Tayfind here a scientific but sane lor; educators·- Wm. Clark of . and reverent study of the facts timism is based on redemption, Japan and Isabella Thoburn of not on development; on the di- vine grace that sends help from above, not on any power in man to evolve."
This volume would be a good antidote to the false and hasty conclusions of science (falsely so-called) as taught in many of our schools and colleges. Ex- tremists on both sides will no doubt disagree with some con- clusions but they cannot dispute
India; doctors-C h r i s tie of 000 Negroes out of 11,800,000 dently writes with the Lutheran Manchuria and Schweitzer of (or about 50 per cent) are not constituency especially in·mind.
Africa; Christian soc i a 1 re- members of any church." The The book, however, has a timely formers-Verbeck of Japan and percentage is larger in urban message for evangelicals of Mary Slessor of Calabar.; and centers. "This constitutes a every name. The pOSition of the home base leaders-Bishop Wm. challenge to the churches for a author will be regarded by many M. McDowell and John'R. Mott. united march against sin and as extremely conservative, but Only two of the twelve'tare still for the salvation of souls." it is temperate and scholarly. living and working on ·'earth. Among the religious sects re- He does not contend that the The least known is William S. ported are "Black Jews," Mos- writers of the Bible were mere Clark; all are worthy of more lems, "Faith Eternal" (Father amanuenses whose personalities intimate acquaintance. There is Divine), and Moorish sects. The were submerged in the commu- variety in their characters, their largest ,number of Negroes are nication of the divine message.
fields of service, their types of members :of the Negro Baptist What is insisted upon is that the work; all were actuated by de- Church (1,950,296 members). writers were preserved from er- votion to Chrisf"imd by a desire Other churches with over 100,- ror of statement and that no to help theiriellow men and to 000 each are African Methodist view of inspired communication bring them into harmony with (6 branches) and white Meth- can be intellectually sound in the will of Goo. odist Episcopal. which inspiration does not ex- Dr. Welch is a bishop of the The section on "The Negro in tend to words which correctly Methodist Episcopal Church and Poetry and Fine Arts" is very express the truth. To hold that was for sixteen years in Japan. interesting – including "the ori- only the thought is inspired These studies, given as lectures gin of the tango." raises the serious difficulty as to at Drew University, are well More might be said to advan- whether the mind is capable of written; they offer valuable il- tage on the Negroes' missionary entertaining any intelligent conlustrative material for sermons work at home and abroad. as well as interesting half-hour ception which does not take form in words. .
fireside readings. The index re- Mann of the Border. By D. Emmett The most valuable portion of Alter. 188 pp. $1.00. Wm. B. veals a wealth of topics and per- Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand the book, however, is not the dis" sonalities that have contributed Rapids, Mich. 1937. to the onward march of Chris- cussion of varied positions touchtianity. This story of a medical mis- sionary on the Northwest Fron- ing the question of inspiration, Negro Year Book. An Annual En- tier of India, among the wild cyclopedia of the Negro. 1937-8. tribes of the Afghan borders, is but the author's careful exam- Edited by Monroe N. Work. 8vo. written by a missionary of the 575 pages. $2.00. Tuskegee In- United Presbyterian Church. ination of the internal evidence stitute, Alabama. He does not make clear whether the stirring incidents described which the Scripture itself af- This ninth edition of the year are based on fact or whether book is exceedingly valuable be- they are oniy fiction. The cham- fords. We could hardly suggest cause of its comprehensive and pion for Islam, a fanatic Mullah, up-to-date information on the meets the Doctor at first by open a more painstaking and satissubject and the arrangement of opposition and violent words and topics which make it easy for threats; then they meet at a factory digest of this evidence, reference. wrestling bout where American dash and jiu-jitsu overcome the unless it be found in the large Both students and general readers will find it good reading volume by Gaussen bearing the title "Theopneustia." In the light of powerful evidence the open-minded reader will realize how much more consistent and logical is the author's view than are any of the prevailing alter- natives. HUGH R. MONRO.
and worth owning. For example, brawn and weight of the stal- Scripture Calendars for 1938. Pick- wart Afghan. Finally the Mul- ering & Inglis. London. the section on "Some: Achievements of the American Negro" lah's followers are won by Each of these calendars carry a daily Bible message and some shows their ec9nomic progress, Christlike love and service. The of them have also helpful comtheir intellectua] and cultural ac- story is well told but the miscomplishments, their inventions sionary approach is not ideal. S. M. Z. ments by s u c h well-known and standing in the field of preachers and authors as Bishop sports, as well as in business, The Foundations Must Stand. By P. Moule, C. H. Spurgeon, D. L. E. Kretzmann, Ph.D., D.D. 123 pp. politics and religion. On the Concordia Publishing House, St. Moody, Arthur T. Pie r son, other hand, the Negroes' crime record is not ignored. The Louis, Mo. – James Stalker, C. I. Scofield, F.
famous "Scottsboro Case" is This small volume dealing R. Havergal, J. R. Miller, Adolph dealt with impartially and' its with the inspiration of the Bible Sophir and Alexander McLaren. is a veritable arsenal for the de- They are mounted on attractive, significance is indicated.
In the section on the "Church fender of the faith. Its author lithographed picture cards made Among the Negrot!s" (30 pages) is a professor in a seminary of for hanging on the wall. They we read that "more than 6,000.- the Lutheran Church and evi- make very acceptable gifts, rang-
ing in price from 1 shilling to 2 life and progress of the people Hallock Johnson suggests in his shillings, 6 pence. each. of India. Reports on cholera, introduction, in the manner by smallpox and plague show an in- which the argument in each There are also almanacs with crease. Leprosy, venereal dis- chapter is turned into an appeal. Scripture texts and "Golden eases and tuberculosis are also Grain Diaries (Is. to 6s. 6d. studied. The information on J. WESLEY INGLES. each), and Christmas cards 15 Government education is meager. for Is. 9d.). Ali Lives in Iran. By Caroline Singer The Heart of the Christian Faith. and Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge. Illus. A Mighty Winner of Souls: The Life By Francis Shunk Downs. 209 pp. 72 pp. $1.75. Holiday House. of Charles G. Finney: A Study in $1.50. American Tract Society. New York. 1937. Evangelism. By Frank Grenville New York. 1937. Beardsley, Ph.D. 192 pp. $1.50. This fascinating story of a American Tract Society, New York. This little volume deals with little boy and girl (Fatima) who the cardinal verities of the lived in Iran, as Persia is now ~…. 1937. Christian faith, making its ap- called, is based on firsthand ob- No man was more used of God peal to the heart more than to servations made during a motor journey of 5,000 miles in Iran. in his day and generation than the head. The book is most attractively the subject of this biography. Dr. Downs, as a preacher in printed, and illustrated with Tens of thousands of people marginal drawings. Children throughout the United States the First Presbyterian Church who read will be captivated by were brought to Christ through of Berkeley, California, minis- it and will learn to understand his preaching. He reminds one ters to large bodies of university their Iranian brothers and sisof the Scripture that says: "His students, and gives here a series ters better through their lives ministers a flame of fire." The of sermons on doctrinal themes. pictured here. Jewish Isaac, author was Professor of The- His chapter on "The Inspired Zoroastrian Cyrus' and Chrisology and is now Chaplain of the Book" dismi,sses apparent dis- tian Luke are also introduced Missouri Society S. A. R. His crepancies as due to errors in with good effect. knowledge of Church History is translation or errors in transadequate for a proper presenta- mission, and meets not at all the Full Assurance. H. A. Ironside, D.D. tion of this life and its back- problem of an inspired and in- .125 pp. 75 cents. The Bible Instiground. He portrays Finney as fallible Canon without an in- tute Colportage Assn. Chicago. a winner of souls, as an evan- fallible Church to select it. The gelistic leader, as pastor of a book moves into a much stronger 1937. church and also tells of his con- position in the second chapter nection with the founding of on "The Person of Our Lord One of the largest Protestant Oberlin College. In the words Jesus Christ," where Dr. Downs congregations i n America – of the Preface: "Nothing will lays his finger correctly on "the more than three thousand-regserve to promote an interest in central issue of controversy in ularly attend the ministry of the evangelism more than a study of our generation." Here is a the lives and measures of the cogent array of testimony to the author of this book at the Moody men who were successful in win- deity of Christ. Memorial church, Chicago. This ning souls in the past, not that we may attempt to reproduce It is both the strength and small volume of sermons extheir methods, but that we may weakness of the book that it is plains this remarkable interest; catch something of their spirit filled with quotations, many of it deals with a vital truth in and discover those principles them marked by vigor, beauty, terms which are readily underwhich underlie all true evan- and truth. In some places the stood. Dr. Ironside is an able gelism." Well worth reading, frequent selections are like and full of inspiration. pearls gathered from many expository preacher and the wide sources and strung on the thread influence of his sermons sug- S. M. Z. of the author's argument. gests that this type of preaching has sustained interest beyond India 1934-35. 8vo. 145 pp. 50 cents. In the midst of an unoriginal Government Press. Delhi, India; treatment of great Biblical other more "modern" types. British Library, 270 Madison Ave., themes, 'are found illustrations New York. 1937. that hav~ne11ing force or clarify- The aim of the auth{i'1"'iri the ing power. Dr. Downs shows present volume is to le'M:Chris- This official report, presented his homiletical gift and ability to to the Indian Parliament, deals organize his material. tians into an experience of enwith agriculture and industry, t ire assurance of salvation commerce, finance, communica- Laymen who have had little through Christ-a high objections, defence, politics, health evangelical teaching and young tive. Each of the ten chapters and education, and scientific sur- people who need aW'arm and is founded on one of the great veys. The wealth of information concise antidote to the popular assuring promises of Scripture gathered is especially important and superficial lectures of some and there is pointed illustration for the Government and those iconoclastic professors that tend and searching comment to bring engaged in education. Nothing to weaken faith. will find much is said about religion but all the help in this little volume. Its the truth home with power. The topics are closely related to the chief virtue lies, as Dr. Wm. popular essays on ethics and so- cial behavior are shallow sub- stitutes for the satisfying spir- itual realities presented in this book. H. R. MONRO.
The Parables of the Gospels: And Those Who Would Enjoy the Their Meaning for Today. By Hugh More Abundant Spiritual Martin, M.A. 251 pp. $2.00. Life Must Seek It Daily Abingdon Press, New York. 'Cb¢ Upp¢r Room This interesting interpretation of the Parables, by a leader in JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, 1938 the Student Christian Movement Now Ready for Distribution of Great Britain, approaches the subject from the standpoint of Jesus taught his disciples to ask only a daily portion from present-day needs and issues. Heaven's inexhaustible store-"daily bread"-"daily forgive- His purpose is to furnish a book ness from sin"-"daily deliverance from temptation." suitable for teachers in the classroom and the pulpit, and not to It has been the sole purpose of THE UPPER ROOM from supplant larger standard works the beginning to endeavor to re-establish in the minds of on the Parables. An introduc- Christians, regardless of faith or creed, the necessity of some tion, on the character of the form of daily devotions, out of which will most surely come Parables is followed by a treat- a new spiritual vitality for both individuals and church conment based on the translation of gregations. Dr. Moffatt which is used as the text. It is always reverent, Many pastors and group leaders will want to use copies of sometimes incisive and fre- the January, February, March issue of THE UPPER quently portrays a canny insight ROOM as a Christmas gift to members of Bible Classes, into the application of the Par- Young People's Groups, Missionary Societies, and to inables to our own day; for ex- dividual members of the congregation. Special Christmas ample: "Weare still building on envelopes, in two colors, will be furnished at one cent each, sand. The Great War saw the postpaid, in quantities of ten or more j plain, unprinted, at collapse of the imposing edifice fifty cents per hundred, postpaid. of nineteen centuries of 'Progress.' And so little have we Use one of the order forms below. learned the lesson that the few slender gains we thought we had CONSIGNMENT ORDER INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIPTION' wrested from the wreck, are now disappearing." Issue for January, February, March THB UPPBR ROOM, Our chief criticism is due to (For use of Pastor or Group Leader. Doctors' Building, the brevity of some chapters. Nashville, Tenn. Only three pages are given to the Order ten or more copies.) Gentlemen: Unjust Steward and seven pages to the Prodigal Son. This means THB UPPBR ROOM, I am inclosing herewith thirty cents (foreign, a very inadequate treatment of forty cents) for which please send me T he Up· the greatest of all our Lord's Dodors' Building, peT Room for one year, postpaid, beginning with Parables. On the other hand, Nashville, Tenn. the book abounds in careful Gentlemen: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~quarterly is.uc. exegesis. The parable of the Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ leaven is held to refer, not to Please send me copies of T"e evil, but to the Kingdom of God. Street or Route _______________ Upper Room, postpaid. I will sell these for five S. M. ZWEMER. Post·office __________-"State'_ __ cents per copy and pay for same when sold. It Twelve Clever Girls Who Became *A sin~le copy by mail anywhere 10 cents. Famous Women. By H. A. W. is understood that I have the privilege of return- Hamilton. Illus. 12mo. 95 pp. 1s. Pickering & Inglis. London & ing at your expense Bny unsold copies. Glasgow. 1937. Name _____________________ Some of these women are widely known-like Queen Vic- Street or Route ________________ toria, Frances Ridley Havergal, Post·office _ _ _ _ _ _State'_ __ Mary SIessor, Mrs. Ann H. Judson, and Florence Nightingale. Others, not well known in America, will also repay closer acquaintance. They were all remarkable for their nobility of character and for their useful service. Their life stories will be especially inspiring to young girls.
Books A Christmas Present FOR SALE-3l new white
$2.00 each; 19 new black pleated choir Apostle of Japan, Samuel Isaac . for Your Minister Joseph Schereschewsky. James gowns, $3.75 each. all or part. L. J. Arthur Miller. 264 pp. $2.50. Give a subscription to Morehouse Pub. Co. Milwaukee. LINDNER, 42S-MRvV Seventh Ave., New CHURCH MANAGEMENT York City. Daily Guidance. Fairlie Thornton. 31 pp. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. "Found in Prosperous Churches" Orient-three in India, three in China London. and one in Japan. This is perhaps 1 year, $2.50; 2 years, $4.00 women's greatest and most practical Everyday Life in Burma. Pictures enterprise in Christian international- to be colored. Is. S. P. G. London. CHURCH MANAGEMENT ism.
India in 1934-35. 50 cents. 145 pp. Auditorium Building Now, after twenty years, Mrs. Pea- British Library of Information. body goes to the Orient again as an New York. Cleveland, Ohio ambassador of friendship. This is a great work for the emancipation of Japan in American Public Opinion. Year Book of the Society for Propa- women, begun under the "Treaty of Eleanor Tupper and George E. gating the Gospel Among the Bethlehem" through the Saviour of Reynolds. 465 pp. $3.75. Mac- Heathen. 120 pp. S. P. G. London. women. One hundred million women millan. New York. of India are still without expert med- Personal Items ical aid. The demand for graduates Japan Today. T. T. Brumbaugh. of Vellore Medical College make Mrs. 500 pp. Kyo Bun Kwan. Tokyo. Rev. Irwin W. Underhill, Jr., the Peabody's trip of special importance. only Negro missionary in the foreign Men of the Outposts. Herbert Welch. service of the Presbyterian Church, *** $2.00. 261 pp. Abingdon Press. was recently elected a fellow of the New York. Royal Geographical Society for his Dr. E. Stanley Jones will be back splendid work among the pygmies in in India at the end of this year and Miracles in a Doctor's Life. Walter Africa. He is a graduate of the will be available for service in the Lewis Wilson. 122 pp. B. 1. C. School of Finance of the University Indian churches from the beginning Assn. Chicago. of Pennsylvania and of Princeton of 1938. On account of the trouble Theological Seminary. He received between China and Japan it is not The Nevius Plan for Mission Work. the degree of doctor of divinity from possible for him to continue his work Charles Allen Clark. 372 pp. $2.00. Lincoln University recently. in China. Christian Literature Society, Seoul, Korea, or E. C. Heinz, 3645 5th Dr. James K*elly*, s*ecretary of the *** Ave., South, Minneapolis. World's Sunday School Association, Dr. and Mrs. Fred H. Hope, mis- Negro Year Book-1937-38. Monroe recently visited Bulgaria in the in- sionaries of the Presbyterian Church N. Work. 575 pp. Negro Year terests of religious education. He in Cameroun, West Africa, have re- Book Publishing Co. Tuskegee, Ala. also visited Jugoslavia t;) confer on cently returned to Elat where they the reorganization of Christian youth have been engaged in missionary work On the Holy Mount. Joseph Pearce. work so as to place it on a more stable for over twenty-five years. Dr. Hope 95 pp. Is. Pickering & Inglis. basis. is superintendent of the Frank James London. Industrial School, a very effective *** mission enterprise. Twelve Clever Girls Who Became Famous Women. J. A. W. Hamil- Dr. John H. Finley, editor of the The Presbyterian ton. mus. 96 pp. Is. Pickering New York Times, and Dr. Arthur H. & Inglis. London. Compton, winner of the Nobel prize A weekly religious newspaper in for physics in 1927, and professor of its lo6th year of continuous pub- Under New Management. Raymond physics at the University of Chicago, Iication under the same name. H. Benton. 128 pp. Is. 3d. Pick- have been appointed co-chairmen of ering & Inglis. London. the laymen's committee of the $10,- It is conservative and evangel- 000,000 sesquicentennial fund for The W orId from a Window Garden. Christian Education. This fund is to ical, gets its news by telegraph Grace E. Pulling. mus. 90 pp. stabilize the financial situation of 54 S. P. G. London. Presbyterian colleges and 52 univer- and keeps abreast of the times. sity centers where the Presbyterian John Wesley's Awakening. James Church through its Board of Chris- It goes into every state of the Richard Joy. 50 cents. 124 pp. tian Education maintains pastors. Methodist Book Concern. New Union, the District of Columbia, York. *** and U. S. possessions.
Ali Lives in Iran. Caroline Singer Mrs. Henry W. Peabody, formerly It goes to Asia and Africa, South and Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge. mus. a missionary to India and of recent 72 pp. $1.75. Holiday House. years well known for her effective America, Canada and New Zealand New York. activity in behalf of peace, temper- and into twelve countries of Eu- ance and missions has been requested rope. Religion on the American Frontier. by the directors of Madras Christian Vol. II, The Presbyterians, 1783- College for Women, Madras, and the Subscription Price, – 1840. William Warren Sweet. 939 directors of the Women's Christian Ministerial Rate, pp. $3.50. Harpers. New York. Medical College, Vellore, South India, to go to India for the celebration of 50e. extra—Canadian postage The Study of the Bible. Ernest Cad- the twentieth anniversary of Vellore man Colwell. 184 pp. $2.00. Uni- Medical College of which Dr. Ida $1.00 extra—foreign postage versity of Chicago Press. Chicago. Scudder is president. In 1920 Mrs. Peabody was chairman of the Promo- THE PRESBYTERIAN Stocking Tales. Stories for Children. tion Committee for securing buildings J. T. Stocking. $1.25. 119 pp. and equipment for seven union Chris- 1217 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Pilgrim Press. Boston. tian colleges for the women of the Three Typical Beliefs. 115 pp. $1.50. University of Chicago Press. Chicago.
Why Worship. Muriel Lester. 25 cents. 43 pp. Cokesbury Press. Nashville.
LIFE OF GEORGE W
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 GlIardian. 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.
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 GlIardian. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. Relations with the American Board. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XV. Association with the Methodist Church. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. XVI. Bowen as a Writer. VIII. His Missionary Appointment. XVII. Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin. IX. The Voyage to India, 1847. XVIII. Closing Testimony. X. Beginning Missionary Work. XIX.
This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 156 Fifth Avenue, New York fI abrf~tma~ 6fft @uggt~tfon Remember at Christmas time, with a gift that comes every month, some Missionary, Pastor, Teacher, Sunday School Teacher or other Christian Worker. You cannot do better than to send each one a year's subscription to THE MISSIONARY ~~WORID This illustrated evangelical missionary monthly will keep them in touch with the need of men for the Gospel and the progress of missionary work in all lands. $2.50 a year.
OUR SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFER is good only until December 25th. We will send two annual subscriptions-both new or one new and one renewal-for one year for $4.00. (Regular price $2.50 each.) Among the coming articles are papers on these topics by How CAN WE IMPROVE MISSIONARY ADMINISTRATION? . . . . . . . . . . . . William Paton THE OUTLOOK FOR CHRISTIANITY TO-DAY …………………… Julius Richter THE PLACE OF CHRIST IN HISTORY …………… " ……. Kenneth S. Latourette ENCOURAGEMENTS IN THE EVANGELIZATION OF MOSLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . George Swan How MAKE EFFECTIVE MISSIONARY ApPEALS? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cleland B. McAfee Is THE DAY OF PIONEERING OVER? . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth G. Grubb S-a-v-e-$-1-.0-0-.–Ta-ke-a-dv-an-ta-ge-o-f -thi-s -of-fe-r N-O-W–. -T-w-o -Tw-el-ve–M-on-th-S-ub-sc-ri-pti-on-s -fo-r -$4-.0-0 MIssIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING CO., Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa.
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The Missionary Review of the World — December 1936
1936
A Young Church in Old Egypt E. E. Elder What Results in Central Africa?
Virginia M. Clarke The Evangelistic Value of Medical Work Rolla E. Hoffman Wanted, A Demonstration of Unity John J. Banninga Sen Lai Tsang, Missionary to Korea Mrs. C. S. Deming Home Missions in Modern America E. D. Kohlstedt Roman Activity in Pagan Africa Kenneth G. Grubb 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember CHl1Rc:H Here Is t:he
M"N"GEMENT> Christ:mas Present: for Your December 9-11 – Biennial meetiDg, Federal Council of Churches, As- Past:or and Missionary bury Park, N. J. '::~::."~: ,. ~~: :.W GIVE him a year's suhscription to Church Janu.ary 4-6–Committee on Women's Management. A hright, dynamic profes- Work of the Foreign Missions Con- ference of North America, Asbury sional magazine for clergymen which keeps Park, New Jersey. them in touch with the newest developments January 6-8-Foreign Missions Con- ference of North America, Asbury in the home field. Park, New Jersey. A recently added "Minister's Wife Department" brings in material January 11-14, 1937 – Annual Meet- on programs and methods for the women's activities in the church. ings, Home Missions Council and The Council of Women for Home $2.50 per year; $1.25 for six months Missions. Asbury Park, N. J. (We will send an attractive gift card to your heneficiary if you so request) February 8-13-International Council of Religious Education, Executive CHURCH MANAGEMENT Committee and Associated Meetings. Chicago, Ill. Auditorium Building :: Cleveland, Ohio NATIONAL PREACHING Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- Mrs. A. L. Wiley, Presbyterian MISSION sions. For almost 60 years, Dr. Mc- missionary of Ratnagiri, India, on Afee has maintained some form of June 23, received the Kaiser-i-Hind Nov. 29-Dec. 2-Philadelphia. official connection with the foreign medal, third class, in recognition of Dec. 3-6–Boston. missionary enterprise of the Presby- her faithful work among the children Dec. 6-9-New York City. terian Church in the U. S. A.-first as in that area. Many tiny tots have Foreign Missions chairman of his grown to Christian manhood and FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- presbytery and then, in succession, ARY ASSEMBLIES synodical chairman, Board member, . womanhood under her care. October, and for the past six years, one of its January 16-19, 1937-Jacksonville. 1936, marked the end of 41 years of January 19-20–Lake City. • • • secretaries. service which she has given in India. January 20-22-Daytona Beach. Dr. John A. Rodgers, Secretary January 20-22-DeIand. for Annuities and Special Gifts on the … … January 23-27-Miami. Presbyterian Board of National Mis- January 26-27-Ft. Lauderdale. sions, retired on October 1. .T~e Rev. Charl~s Hodge Corbett, January 27-29-Palm Beaches. mInIster of educatlOn of Bay Ridge January 30-February 2-Orlando. ••• Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., February 2-4-Winter Haven. has been elected to succeed the late February 4-5-Ft. Myers. Dr. Edmund B. Chaffee as editor of February 4-5-Sarasota. The Presbyteri4n Tribune'. He was a February 6-11-St. Petersburg. missionary in China for seventeen February 7-1o-Clearwater. years, teaching in the North China February 10-12-Tampa. Union College. He returned to Amer- February 13-16–Tallahassee. ica in 1925.
Dr. Charles E. Maddry, a secretary of the Southern Baptist Foreign Mis- Personal Itellls sion Board, is home after a tour of Rt. Rev. Frederick Rogers Graves, the Board's missions in South Amer- ica. of the American Episcopal Church, • •• has been asked to continue hiB service in China where he has been for fiftyfive years. He had submitted his Mrs. A. K. Reischauer, of the Pres- Obituary Notes resignation because of advancing age byterian Mission in Japan, has been (now 78) but the House of Bishops awarded a special diploma for distin- The Rt. Rev. HoefnrMy eDxaicmo,eredlieAdveis~ asked him to hold on until the general guished service to the deaf. She was retired Bishop the pioneer in introducing oral educa- Houston, Texas, September 20, in his • • convention. • tion for the deaf in Japan, and 83d year. He had retired in 1928 founded the deaf-oral school, "Nippon Working quietly and steadily for 20 Geo. Evangeline Booth left Lon- Rowa Gakko," in Tokyo. years, during a period of one revoludon in November to undertake a world campaign, calling first at Port Said .::sFREE FOT tionary ~risis after another, Bishop to inspect one of the newest Salvation Min;"eT. Aves guIded the struggling missions Army centers. She expects to spend of the Episcopal Church in Mexico more than a month, including Christ- Why God Used D. L. Moody isnatmoestoilmidearmitiyniasntedrinsgtretnogtthh~' at the mas, in India, and conduct no fewer By R. A. Torrey British than sixty-five public gatherings at and American colonies in the critical various centers. The General will The Shorter Life of D. L. Moody years when open warfare was an al- Itllend six days in Ceylon, thence to By Paul R. Moody and A. P. Fitt most constant threat. Java, Singapore, Hongkong, Shanghai and Peiping. She will go on to Th_ two hooks will he given [0 the fint 1000 * … … Korea, reaching Japan on March 10, miniatere who will agree to conduct a "'Moody Day" and return to England across the lervice on Sunday, February 7, 1937, and win Dr. Bruce Kinney, recently retired preach an appropriate message in oheenance of the as on!! of the representatives of the United States. .> . . CeDtenary of D. L. Moody's birth. ~merIc~n ~aptist Home Mission So- CIety, dIed In Cleveland, Ohio, on Oc- Dr. Cleland Boyd McAfee reached W,.ite A. F. GaylorJ. Director tober 15. He was for 43 years a minhis 70th birthday on September 26, D. L. MooJy Centenary Celebration. ister .of Christ and 38 years ago was and on that date retired from the secretaryship for Japan, Siam, Chosen The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago w: appomted as a frontier missionary in and the Philippine Islands under the 153 INSTITUTE PLACE CHICAGO. ILL. the e~ whe!e he was superintendent of mISSIons In Utah and Wyoming (Concluded on 3d CO'IJer.) REVIEW OF THE WORLD High Speed DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor at Low Cost VOL.LIX DEC., 1936 No. 12 Speed is often so important when crossing to the Orient. That's-why Publication and Business Office– busy travellers go by Empress. You Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. go faster . . . in maximum comfort . . . and at surprisingly low cost. Editorial and Executive Office- 156 Firth Avenue, New York City. Only 10 days to Yokohama by Entered as second-class matter at Empress of Asia or Empress of Russia. Or via Honolulu in just 3 Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under days more by Empress of Japan Act of March 3, 1879. (largest, fastest liner on the Pa~ific) or Empress of Canada. 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. low round-trip fares . . . First, Publlsbed monthly, except August. Tourist and Third Class. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. British agents – Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, When your Call London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy. 10 shillings a year.
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by Willard
LISTENING TO THE GOSPEL ON THE BANKS OF THE NILE (REV. OSCAR BOYD PREACHING FROM THE IBIS) Photograph by Willard Price EAGER LIDARNERS IN THE BOYS' SCHOOL, ALEXANDRIA BUILDING MATERIAL FOR THE CHURCH IN EGYPT
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 12 DECEMBER, 1936 Topics of the Times THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE OF PEACE sponsible for the war spirit. Russia, the commu- nistic Union of Soviet Republics, denies God's au- Thousands of sermons will be preached in thority and ideals and depends on armaments to Christian pulpits on Christmas Sunday, advocat- maintain peace with neighbors and within her own ing "Peace on earth, goodwill among men." But, borders.. Japan, the militaristic monarchy, seeks while God is the God of Peace, and the Gospel is to attain her ends by regimentation and force of the Gospel of Peace, Christ distinctly said, arms. Germany and Italy, the fascist totalitarian "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; states, declare for an "armed peace," with their I 'came not to send peace, but a sword." This armaments able to defy all antagonists. Even startling statement has been proved true, for England and America are joining in the race. strife has characterized national life during the There may be an armed truce, and a restraint whole Christian era-though war is contrary to from active warfare, but it is due to fear of force Christ's mission of peace. and not to the spirit of friendly harmony which Look over the world. Never were nations so fe- underlies all true peace.
verishly arming themselves and preparing for war What then is the Christmas message of peace?
as they are today; never was so much spent on It is that Christ came to proclaim God's love and armaments and war materials; never have there His desire that men should cease from rebellion been so many wars and rumors of wars-political, against His will and should be at peace with Him.
economic, social and religious. This is in spite of This is the only effective basis of "peace among the influence and ideals of Christ and the peace men." The sword of strife will be sheathed, or propaganda and pacifist movements. There can turned into a plowshare of peace, when men join be no doubt that Christ desires peace, but if He in allegiance to Christ and yield their wills and came to establish general peace among men and their lives and their possessions to the Will of nations, there does not seem to have been much God. There is no other way ; all peace movements progress toward reaching His objective. Never- promoted on any otlier basis are futile. As long theless God is the God of Peace; Christ preached as men fight against God they will naturally fight peace and bequeathed His peace to His disciples, against one another, if they can and dare. "There and they "preached peace by Jesus Christ" (Acts is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." God 10: 36). and the State cannot both rule supreme over men's What, then, is the answer to the present prob- wills; neither can both God and self be supreme.
lem ·of disunity and strife in the world? The an- The most effective emissaries and promoters of swer is that there is only one basis of human peace on earth today are not "pacifists" who decry peace and that is "peace with God." The reason all conflict, or social workers who merely seek to for the "sword" that divided households as the bring about better living conditions. but they are result of Christ's coming to earth over nineteen the peacemakers who are recognized as "children hundred years ago-and that still divides families of God"; they are the Christian missionaries and and nations-is the fact that men are out of har- others who are seeking to win men to Christ and mony with God., We have neglected the one neces- to a life in harmony with God's will. Christ came sary basis of unity. As long as we-as individuals primarily to save men from sin-the sin of disoor as nations-are each seeking selfish ends, so bedience to the Will of God. He proclaimed for- long will we fear one another and put our trust giveness and peace by His sacrifice on the Cross in armaments. No one form of government is re- and so opened the Way of Life in God.
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Christmas is a time to preach peace, but only ity, must be taught in the home, the school, the the peace of God based on loving obedience to His church and the place of business. Law must be revealed will and manifested by love to our fellow shown to be not an enemy to liberty but a protec- men. It is love that brings peace because love tion and an ally to progress.
works no ill to one's neighbor. The Star of Beth- (7) Belief in God as a loving Heavenly Father, lehem and the Cross of Calvary are both the Chris- . and the just Ruler of human affairs, must be tian symbols of peace. taught to children from their earliest years. The movie and the streets often make crime seem easy, STILLING THE CRIME WAVE pleasant and profitable. Self-control and rever- ence for God must be shown by precept and ex- The government, social reformers, parents and ample as the Way of Life that brings happiness Christians everywhere are greatly disturbed be- and success. cause of the extent of crime and its spread in all Public libraries must be purged from unwholeparts of the world. The cost of crime in the some books and newsstands must be cleared of United States is estimated at thirteen billion dol- papers that present low ideals and lawless heroes. lars a year, seven times as much as we spend for Good reading is more influential than most forms education. The number of condemned criminals of good advice. It is a matter of record that only in penal institutions runs into hundreds of thou- two per cent of criminals!, when brought to trial, sands and lawbreakers out of jail are even more have been active members of any church. numerous. The worst feature of the situation is that youthful criminals are increasing. In Great As the basic cause of crime and lawlessness is Britain, a recent report states that forty per cent sin, so the only cure for these evils is a. turning of the crimes were committed by persons under to God and an intelligent regard for His laws. twenty-one years of age; and the situation is even The New Testament gives us three definitions of sinworse in America. The chief causes of crime and lawlessness are (1) "Sin is transgression of the law"-a posi- tive disobedience to the revealed Will of God. idleness, ignorance, lack of high moral standards, broken homes, a desire to obtain money for power (2) "Whosoever knoweth to do good and doeth and: self-indulgence, and· an antipathy to all re- it not to him it is sin" ;-it is failure to follow the straints. But the basic causes of lawlessness are light we have. selfishness and a disregard for God as the Heavenly Father and Lawgiver. (3) "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin"-it is doing what we believe to be wrong, and failure What then is the cure for the present-day law- to live in harmony with faith in God as He is relessness and crime? Prof. Robert H. Miller of vealed in Jesus Christ. Manchester College, Indiana, gives a seven-point program: It has been the experience, both of individuals and of communities, that when the Gospel of Christ is accepted, and men take Him as their (1) Increased appropriations for education. Saviour and Lord, crime and lawlessness disap- Chicago has established a special school for "in- pear and men become good neighbors and good corrigible" boys-a school that instructs and citizens. This is evidenced in the word that has keeps them busy with wholesome technical train- recently come of the transformation of a very ing and recreation. . primitive, lawless people of Papua (in the South (2) Keep young folks busy. Do not let them Seas) . These people were sorcerers and took a be idle and out of work. Six million between the pride in murder. Their women all refused to acages of sixteen and twenty-one are now out of cept a man as a husband until he had murdered school and out of work. someone. They were superstitious and ignorant (3) Vocational training-teach every child to in mind and filthy of body. They were shiftless use his or her hands and mind in some useful em- and poor, and filled with fear and enmity. The ployment-something creative in which he or she Australian Government attempted to control. to can find satisfaction. discipline, to cajole or to punish offenders but (4) The Church must increase her ministry to without success. All the men served jail sentences youth-in the home, school, church and business. and then returned to their old life. Then came Environment must be improved and leisure hours messenger§ of the Gospel of Christ-people of occupied to profit. their own race who had experienced Christ's (5) Punishment for wrongdoing must be made transforming nower. These messengers did not more sure. swift and fitted to the crime. Senti- begin by teaching the savages to build better ment must not interefere with justice. Youth houses and to make better gardens, nor did they must learn that crime does not pay but that crimi- begin by teaching them the evils of crime and adnals do. vantages of law observance. They simply told (6) Respect for law, and for those in author. them of their own experience of Christ, the Son
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
of God, who so loved them that He came to give 800,000 people in Travancore moving Christward. His life for them; they revealed the effect of His The leaders express a desire to see their whole love and His power in their own lives by their un- community embrace Christianity and a large selfish, joyful service. The pagans were astound- body of Indian Christians have offered to give ed at this new way of peace and power and they their services as volunteer evangelists and teachresponded to the teaching. Before long they de- ers for this ingathering. The difficulty is to care stroyed their paraphernalia of sorcery, gave up for their transportation and training. "Hundreds their evil ways and began a new life. Crimes of of villages are crying out for teachers and tens violence and theft and sins of impurity have now of thousands are seeking Christ." The awakening been discarded. Of their own accord whole vil- is reported also in the Punjab, the United Provlages now rise early in the morning, go for their inces and elsewhere. The Bishop of Dornakal bath and have their "quiet time" to learn God's estimates that in his district alone one million will. They have discarded fighting and send their people are moving Christward. children to school; some have built new, clean villages, with communal gardens, and live as one The opportunity and challenge is likely to grow great family. during the coming months as the disillusioned Untouchables seek some escape from the oppres- Here is an example of the natural fruit of Chris- sive bonds of Hinduism-already they are turntian teaching, without any attempt to coerce or ing to Christ and asking for baptism at the rate persuade the people to accept any specified rules of 15,000 every month. This is influencing the or regulations. These former savages are al- caste Hindus also as they see the new birth and ready an example to civilized America and the re- new life of those whom they have despised. sults have astounded government officials. Where are teachers to be found to train these "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is lib- open-minded seekers? The Indian churches are erty." He who stilled the stormy waves on the poor and the mission boards are still short of Sea of Galilee is the One who can still the crime needed funds. There is still money available for wave today, if men will but obey Him, as did the the things men want most. The boards at home winds and the sea. might unite in presenting the facts to Christian stewards at home and offer, if suitable teachers MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF INDIA are found who will volunteer to give their time, to finance one-half the expense for their board Because of its ancient culture, the number of and travel for a five year campaign if the Indian religions, the size of its population and the multi- churches will care for the other half. The mistude of its unevangelized villages, India presents sionary forces in these areas also need strengtha peculiar and powerful challenge to the Church ening- and new vernacular literature must be supof Christ. The first Christian testimony is re- plied for the growing churches. ported to have come to India nearly 1900 years ago and Christian missions have been carried on It would be unwise for American and British there for the last six hundred years. Protestant Christians to assume the whole financial responsiwork began in 1706 and the first British mission- bility and control but they can still act as true aries entered one hundred and forty years ago; partners of the Indian churches in the work of yet today not more than one in one hundred of winning and training these under-privileged the people are even nominal Christians and the classes for Christ. Prayer circles should also be number of non-Christians is at least double that started in churches at home and in India. The of 100 years ago. The encouraging fact is that National Christian Council and the National Misthe knowledge of Christ and His teachings has sionary Society of India might be the clearing permeated India and the general attitude of the house for a united campaign that will be cooperapeople has changed from one of bitter hostility tive and will avoid waste and overlapping effort. to one of respect and inquiry. "The task before the Church in India. is tremen- dous," says the Bishop of DornakaI. "It will tax Christian missions are largely responsible for all our available resources; but God is our partner the development of modern education in India, and will not fail. In the work of His Kingdom for the advance in modern medical service and nothing is impossible." for the elevation of women and children. The British Government has promoted peace, justice, DISAPPOINTED CANDIDATES education and economic betterment. Candidates for political office are not the only Great mass movements toward Christ have been ones who suffer disappointment when election reported in many places during the past fifty time passes. Missionary candidates are also too years, with whole villages of the Depressed often disappointed-sometimes even after their Classes ready to come under Christian instruc- election, but more often because of failure to be tion. Today the Rev. T. G. Stuart Smith reports selected and given a field of service.
Among the elect some are disappointed when mission field. One applied who had nursing qualithey reach their field, because they find that they fications, but not the spirit Of Christ. She was are not adapted to the work or field assigned. sent at large expense but within one year had In spite of carefully prepared candidate papers to be recalled after having done harm rather than and examinations, their physical, mental or spir- good. A lesson was learned. When a doctor apitual equipment may be inadequate. Others, who plied for the same field, a frank letter was sent have an ambition to devote their lives to preach- to him, setting forth plainly the difficulties of ing the Gospel to the unsaved, are sometimes pioneering without much modern equipment; he called upon to fill vacancies in schools or colleges was warned of the financial sacrifices necessary, to teach purely secular subjects-and little time the problems involved in living in a small intimate and strength is left for evangelism. One mission- circle, the need for vital prayer life and Bible ary in India bewailed the fact that an under- searching, and the fact that evangelism by word staffed teaching force in the mission college neces- and life is the primary work of the mission in sitated his being called to teach and to neglect which all were expected to take a part. That evangelistic work for which he had volunteered. doctor went prepared for what he was to face. Or the business or executive end of the mission may be so absorbing that there seems little or no Disappointments of candidates and in canditime for purely Gospel work. dates, and disappointments on the mission field and at home cannot always be avoided but they Disillusionment also sometimes comes because can be greatly lessened by greater care in the of false ideas of missionary life gained from ro- study of the fields, more frankness in dealing mantic authors and speakers who present the with candidates and more earnest prayer and cause at home. The needs, opportunities and sacrifice, with a determination to know and follow rewards, of field work are sometimes so attrac- the spirit and mind of Christ in the work to tively presented that young men and women vol- which He has called us. The missionary enterunteer who are not ready to endure the hardness prise is not a human undertaking but a divine of pioneering, who do not realize the difficulties calling to follow a divine Leader. No man or of the field to which they are going; they are woman, called of God to work for Jesus Christ in not prepared for the disappointments due to work- the salvation of men, need be idle or disappointed ing with and for uncongenial and unresponsive because of lack of support and opportunity. Even people, or to live without the comforts and cul- invalids may have a great part in the work tural opportunities of the homeland. through prayer and gifts and personal testimony wherever their lot is cast. "For if there be first Other disappointed candidates are those who a willing mind, it is accepted according to what never reach the field because no one will take the a man has, not according to what he has not." responsibility for sending and supporting them. But at times general appeals come from the field D. L. MOODY CENTENARY which arouse interest that cannot be harnessed to action. A recent article appeared in THE REVIEW The life of D. L. Moody, the famous Evangelist, which told of the religious destitution in many finds its lengthening influence in the Moody Bible districts, in Maine. Two missionary-minded Chris- Institute of Chicago, founded by him fifty years tian teachers wrote to the author of the article, ago. The year 1937 will witness a world-wide offering their services freely to conduct summer celebration of the centenary of the birth of the Daily Vacation Bible Schools. The reply failed great Christian evangelist and educator. His to mention any needy towns or any way of serv- ministries in Great Britain and America added ice. Disappointment and failure was the result. many thousands to the ranks of those accepting A similar experience is noted with regard to of- Christ as Saviour and awakened sleeping profers to help other churchless communities in the fessors of the Christian faith to vital action. United States. The Hartford Band has offered to go to any needy field but no one is ready to On February 2, 1936, nearly six hundred send them. churches in the United States and six other lands, celebrated "Moody Day" with heart-kindling serv- What is the remedy for these disappointments? ices that resulted in the winning of many to Christ Is it not first to be found in accurate information? and in aw!kening or deepening interest in the The fields must be studied in detail, as Robert study of the Word of God, and the winning of Arthington studied them, so that the facts will souls. Another "Moody Day," with a much wider be known; the candidates must be studied indi- observance, will be celebrated on the centenary vidually as to fitness and they must be fully in- of Mr. Moody's, birth, February 7, 1937. It is formed as to facts. There is no excuse for hoped that more than a thousand pastors and knowingly sending out unqualified candidates churches will join in prayer and action for the merely because a place needs to be filled. One spiritual good of all who participate. case in point-a nurse was sorely needed on a
A Young Church in Old Egypt*
By the REV. E. E. ELDER, Cairo Missionary of the United Presbyterian Church T HIS young Protestant Church in Egypt, the Christian church as the ultimate aim. The city cradle of one of the oldest civilizations, has of Assiut, 250 miles south of Cairo, and a strong passed its seventy-fifth birthday on April 13, Coptic center became his base of operation. A last year. The first American missionaries ar- number of vigorous churches sprang up in the rived in Cairo a little over eighty years. ago. In southland and by 1885, a year before his death, five years portions of Arabic Scripture and reli- there were in all Egypt nineteen organized con- gious books were dirstributed, a few mission gregations-six of them having pastors of their schools started and religious services organized. own. Most of these congregations were in the In September, 1859, the Lord's Supper was first immediate vicinity of Assiut, although there were administered by missionaries using the Arabic also mission workers in Alexandria and Cairo.
language and the first four converts were received The total membership was about 1,700.
into the evangelical fellowship. These included During the second quarter century many other a Coptic monk, an Armenian, a Syrian and an towns and villages further north in the neighbor- Egyptian. The first Evangelical congregation hood of Minya and al-Kom al-Akhdar, towns midwas organized in Cairo in 1863 and that- same way between Assiut and Cairo, were opened to year the Presbytery arranged for training classes evangelical preaching. The number of missionto prepare young men for Christian service. aries connected with the American Mission in- From these small beginnings, three-quarters of creased about threefold, some of them being loa century ago, there has de,veloped a church which cated in the great unevangelized centers of the numbers over 21,000 members, meeting in 143 Delta where more than half the population of organized congregations and 201 unorganized Egypt lives. Struggling churches, dependent circles. Of these congregations 114 have their largely on the encouragement and guidance of the own ministers; fifty-nine are self-supporting, and missionary, were organized in the provincial capcontribute to the general work of Synod. itals. A few months ago the editor of one of the prom- During this middle period the number of stuinent religious weeklies of America visited the dents in the Sunday Schools grew steadily until seminary for the training of pastors and was in- in 1910 there were almost 17,000 enrolled. At terested to learn that the building was erected al- the turn of the century the presbytery was dimost entirely from funds collected in Egypt by vided into four presbyteries and they in turn were the Egyptians. He was happily surprised to find organized into the Synod of the Nile. From the that the inscription over the building did not read, very early days of the American Mission's efforts, "The Seminary of United Presbyterian Church of Egyptian cooperation and leadershiJf had been the North America," but "The Theological Seminary longed for goal. By the close of these twenty-five of the Evangelical Church." years a plan had been formulated looking to finan- The seventy-five years of the Evangelical cial independence of the EgYl>tian Church. Church's history may be roughly divided into By 1910, seventy-two organized churches with three equal periods. During the first twenty-five many other centers could boast of more than years the dominant figure in the development of eleven thousand members. Twenty-two were self- Evangelical Christianity was Dr. John Hogg, a supporting.
Scotchman who believed that the method of win- The third quarter of the church's history conning the Moslem population to Christ was to evan- tinues the increase in organizations in the southgelize the Coptic Christians. Often a stumbling- land, but the remarkable growth again moved block to Moslems, they had long since lost under northward. At the opening of these last twentypersecution any incentive to preach the Gospel. To five years there was but one ordained Egyptian gain Egypt for his Lord, Dr. Hogg thought not pastor in Cairo. In March, 1912, just seventeen only of converting individual souls but of planting years after his ordination, another minister was an independent, self-sustaining, self-propagating called to become the pastor of a second congrega- • See Frontispiece. tion in the capital city. In March, 1929, the Prot- [567 ]
estant leaders of Cairo were gathered for the or- pose for His Kingdom knows no boundary of dination of another Evangelical pastor over a geography or race of social position or former church newly organized. One of the speakers re- religious loyalty. Facing the 13,000,000 Egyptian minded the audience that during the seventeen Moslems, we know that the work is far from be- years seven more congregations had been organ- ing completed. Just now the great problem of ized. If one is surprised at the remarkable our American economic life is the reemployment growth of these seventeen years, he may be of people without work. No one would consider amazed to learn that in the six years that have that the problem for 13,000,000 unemployed was since elapsed five other congregations have been solved by putting a meagre 50,000 to work. The formed, thus bringing the total of Evangelical present Evangelical Church in Egypt is only the congregations in Cairo and suburbs up to four- "seed corn" of an abundant harvest.
teen. All but four are financially independent. The young church, with all its strength and One of them, in addition to supporting the usual leadership, is still weak because of the conditions church work of a city congregation conducts a that surround it. Christians in America, although thriving day school for girls, and gave in 1934, largely outnumbering the Jews, have had little $850 to the mission work of the Nile Valley. success in persuading them to acknowledge and Many movements in the Church show that the follow as Lord One who was of their own race.
aim of the early missionaries for a self-govern- In Egypt the small Evangelical Church, drawn ing, self-propagating church was being realized. largely from the ancient Coptic race, is confronted A Laymen's and Elders' Society, organized in with an overwhelming Moslem majority whose 1918, contains the following paragraph in its first history is full of bigotry and persecution. How annual report: much more difficult is it to persuade members of The work in the cities and districts has steadily pro- a proud majority to accept teaching presented by gressed. There have been fruits of a spiritual awakening, a vigorous yet suspicioned minority of a despised the grace of giving, and"the spirit of brotherhood. May we not be able to prove to America that we are a worthy people. It is hard to find a strong enough analogy child able to carryon the plans of the church by the to picture the extreme difficulty of winning Mosstrength we have gained from her. Our Egyptian Church lem Egypt to Christ. Imagine what would be the now spends $75,000 annually on its work, why should it situation in America if the Negro population were still continue to beg $5,000 from the church in America commissioned to win the white people to a differfor the work of Synod when by fostering the Laymen'~ ent religion than that which they now profess. It and Elders' Movement we may be able to arrive at self- would be twenty times harder if only one in support and progress towards the greater work of reach- twenty of the Negroes had even a slight conceping the millions of unsaved in Egypt for the glory of the Lord. tion of the reality of their commission. Add to In 1926 the Synod assumed full responsibility that what would be the case if the convert must for the education of its ministry and the new not only change his religion but his social posi- Seminary building was occupied. One of the tion, his family relations and even his race. We missionaries has acted as chairman of the faculty might say, "We know the Negro has deeper reliand another serves on the Board. In Basil Mat- gious emotions than white men, but must we bethews' "Forerunners of a New Age," an inter- come Negroes in order to follow his religion?" pretative report of the 1934 Conference on Train- The thinking Moslem may admit the excellence of ing of the Ministry of the Younger Churches, he Christ's teaching, but very often he questions its expresses an fdeal that fits the situation in Egypt. application to him.
The real shaping of the life of a seminary-if it is to Missionary retrenchments and withdrawals of produce a life-giving ministry~must be in the hands of workers have led the young church in Egypt to the people of that lang. The control must be national. wonder how keenly America appreciates the crit- But to concentrate on control as such is not the Christian ical situation in Moslem lands. The attitude of way, for fellowship is the root of the ministry, and fellow- Americans seems often to be expressed: "In sevship transcends the chasms of East and West. enty-five years a church should reach maturity.
In spite of its seventy-five years the Evangelical 'It should now be left by itself to finish the work Church of Egypt is a young church. The task so well started." The ministers of the young of bringing the teeming population of the narrow church, almost to a man, believe that foreign mis- fertile valley of the Nile and its delta into fellow- sionary help is needed to complete the work so ship with Christ, the Saviour, has only begun. well begun. The Cairo Ministers' Association On the other hand a church with a community of gave to a missionary going home on furlough the 50,000 members and adherents, with an educated following message for the church at home: "Sup- ministry and its own church buildings, is well ad- port your work abroad; send out more mission- vanced towards the Christian ideal. Christ's pur- aries."
Results in Central Africa?
By VIRGINIA M. CLARKE, Bolenge, Africa Teacher in the Congo Christian Institute JOHN A. MACKAY has said that, "the evangel- brotherhood, a deepening of their characters and, istic task is, therefore, to make infinitely above all, a growing church which is rapidly be- meaningful and inescapable the heart of the coming more truly indigenous and has a real con- Gospel, God's revelation of Himself in Jesus viction of the need for a continued spread of the Christ in such a way that personality in its whole- Gospel by means of a more adequately trained ness shall respond to God." Innately religious, Christian leadership. the African has responded to the stimulus of God's love by becoming a Christian who is con- In the Mondombe field Bontamba Mark was scious that his whole life should be influenced by sent as an evangelist to a remote village. After Christ's principles. The Bible has become for only one year the things he had accomplished were him an inspired Book, guiding his thoughts and very evident. Seventeen new houses of better conactions through every hour of every day. This struction and with more adequate ventilation had consciousness of the impelling power of God's been built in the Christian village, sanitary con- Word has resulted in many changes in the Afri- ditions were improved and a clean water supply can's heart, character, attitudes and environment. was assured. A new church building had been erected, two schools were flourishing and fifty- The particular Africans whose progress we are three inquirers were ready for baptism. In the now considering belong principally to the Bank- Bolenge Christian village a number of wells have undo tribe dwelling in the Belgian Congo along been dug, many of them with good clear water. the equator where the Congo River crosses it for New little houses are being built of brick which the second time, in a territory which extends east each home builder has shaped and burned himfrom four to five hundred miles, and reaches self. An ingenious method of building is often north and south about two hundred miles. Living followed. While the family continues to live in grouped together in villages ranging from two the old mud house the brick walls are erected hundred to a thousand people, these Congolese are around the house. When the new roof is in place hearing the Gospel story from teacher evangelists the old home is torn down and the new house entrained in one of the six principal mission stations closes the family. Mark Njoji, the pastor of the which are seeking to serve this great field, Bo- Bolenge church, has just completed a fine brick lenge, Coquilhatville, Lotumbe, Monieka, Wema house, well pointed with cement on the outside and Mondombe. Although many of these evan- and the inside walls smoothly plastered with white gelists have received as yet only a quite limited clay. There he can shelter the many friends and education, their few months or years at the mis- relatives who seek his "house by the side of the sion station in close contact with the missionaries road." and other leaders have resulted in a zeal to win their people for Christ, a desire to improve their In Congo from time immemorial the birth of moral, physical and economic conditions, and a twins has necessitated a complicated ritual, but feeling of brotherhood with all rather than with one year twins were born to a. Christian couple just one closely affiliated group, such as the family attending the Congo Christian Institute at Boor clan. lenge. The parents were brave enough to disobey the heathen superstitions. The mother went to Because of the consecrated efforts of the mis- the mission hospital for the confinement. and sionaries and the native Christian workers rested quietly in bed for ten days instead of takthroughout more than thirty years of this mis- ing a twin on each hip and dancing the length of sion's existence some very definite results of the the village the day after their birth as custom dicimpact of the Gospel on the lives of these particu- tated. These twins were bathed and fed like reglar Congolese are now becoming evident. These ular babies and were not forced to fast at interresults encompass the whole life of the people, for vals. Each baby had a basket bed covered with a we are finding not only better homes, hygiene, piece of mosquito netting. The father actually sanitation, gardens, but also an increasing respect continued to go to school and to study as though for womanhood, a larger measure of charity for he were the father of only one. those outside the family, an expanding feeling of In addition to these exterior aspects of better [569 ]
hygiene and better homes there are more subtle "The women here are the rej oicing of this changes. There is a growing companionship be~ church!' That is very unusual praise for a tween husband and wife and a mutual respect for Congo man to give to women and so marks an each other's personality. One elder in the Lotumbe advance in the men's attitude. As a result of the church and his wife always begin and end the day continued spread of Christian ideals throughout by praying together. Numbers of young couples the Congo its womanhood is being gradually en- are learning through their association in the Sun~ nobled.
day school class, known as the Brave Hearts, to In a heathen society the Congolese feel no reeat together and to share their joys and problems sponsibility for those outside their own immediwith each other. No one who has not known ate families. But after they have heard the story Africa intimately can realize how radical is this of Jesus they learn to care for others. As a change in attitudes and customs. The establish- church or as a missionary society they share troument and development of the Christian home, as bles of their members and try to help them. The the parents learn to nurture their little ones in church at Lotumbe took up a collection for some the faith, is one very outstanding result of the of their members whose houses had burned down, Gospel in Central Africa. they paid for medical treatment and finally burial What About the Women? for a friendless old man who had wandered into town; they brought food and clothing for a sick Someone has said in substance, that no nation and crippled woman who was without a home, and can rise higher than its womanhood. In Congo they gave money each week to a former evangelthe woman's place has always been a degraded ist of the despised Batswa tribe who was ill with one. She is considered a piece of property, a tuberculosis. These are only a few of this housekeeper, a gardener, the bearer of children, church's charitable deeds, and they might be dubut never as a loved companion to be respected plicated in every church in Congo.
and cherished. A Congo proverb says, "To eat The Women's Missionary Society of the Bolenge with a woman is to eat with the devil himself." Church decided to give some gifts of food to one In spite of these traditional attitudes, Christ's of their members who had recently been left a love and principles are resulting in an increased widow with nine children. They brought live fish, respect for women, their personalities and abil- dried fish, manioc, onions, plantains, palm nuts, ities. Manners and little courtesies are often in- two kinds of cakes made of sweet manioc, corn dicative of an inner spirit or attitude, as in a and other food as well as a money gift of fifteen situation which occurred at Lotumbe two years francs (about fifty cents). On their regular meet- ago. A number of the young married couples had ing day the women gathered at the church with just finished a feast in the open air. The Sunday their gifts in large baskets and basins and went vesper service was soon to be held there. Before singing to her home. She had been warned in ad- the meeting the young men were sitting together vance so was wearing a clean dress for the first visiting while the women were putting things time since her husband's death. The house was away in a nearby house. When the women came freshly swept and the children were clean. One out of the house most of them took places some of the women made a little speech presenting the distance away, but the wives of the graduates of gifts and two others prayed. The widow was the Congo Christian Institute came over to where so moved by this expression of their Christian their husbands were sitting. There were not love that tears came to her eyes. The women had enough chairs so those husbands stood up cour- to explain to her that these were outright gifts teously and gave their chairs to their wives. Of and no one expected to receive anything from her, course that little incident doesn't sound a bit for in Congo a gift means that something must strange or unusual to the American woman who be given in return.
is accustomed to every courtesy, but for a heathen The Gospel has meant to the Congolese that in- Congo woman-well, it is simply unheard of. stead of being members of many unrelated tribes Some missionaries were going up the Ubangi with fierce jealousies, hatred and strife predom- River on the mission steamer, "The Oregon." They inating, they now belong to one fellowship with reached Bobolo, where there is an evangelist and love, loyalty and mutual helpfulness as their a good church. Captain John Inkima told them watchwords. This idea has been very aptly ex- about the church there and how the women had pressed by the students of the Congo Christian In- done most of the work of building it. He said stitute, a secondary school established seven years that at one time the men all went back to heathen- ago at Bolenge for the training of a higher type ism, but some of the women kept the church go- of Christian leadership. To that school come stu- ing. Later an evangelist was sent to them and dents of many tribes whose fathers and grand- the church reawakened. Then Captain John said, fathers were traditional enemies. In one gradu-
WHAT RESULTS IN CENTRAL AFRICA?
ating class of fourteen there were nine distinct ries on the affairs of the church with only occatribes represented. From the beginning of the sional counsel from the missionary. To attend the school they have marveled at the strong bond of Sunday morning service at this church is a real Christian love which bound them together and experience; for the pastor, the choir of ten male made them as one tribe. One student in writing voices and the audience join together to make a home to his parents said, "Here we do not belong truly inspiring and reverent period of worship, to different tribes, but to one tribe-the tribe of of which the celebration of the Lord's Supper is God." made the climax. Churches like this one are being duplicated by the score in many outstations This unity was put to the acid test when the throughout the Congo. very first Batswa students entered the school. The Batswa constitute the semi-pygmy slave tribe of Fortunately many government officials realize Congo which for generations has been despised the importance of the Christian evangelist and by the Bankundo and with whom no social inter- give him their support. One government official course was possible. But when these Batswa stu- after visiting with an outstanding evangelist of dents stepped off the boat they were greeted as the Lotumbe field aoout how best to stop some long lost brothers by those in the upper classes. objectionable heathen practices, said to him, Later when one of the Batswa wives was ill and "After all, one of you evangelists can accomplish could not go to the garden and prepare food for more than many soldiers because the people have her husband and four children one of the Bank- learned to respect and love you." Undoubtedly undo women volunteered to help her. She had a the lives and work of some of these earnest nabusy day, for there was water to carry from the tive evangelists, as well as the growth and despring, cassava to dig in the garden, bread to be velopment of the Christian Church in Congo, are made, and greens to be prepared. Having finished outstanding results of the Gospel in Central the household duties she sat down and visited Africa. with the sick mother, telling her all that had been done in school that day. What a revolutionary In the final analysis the very finest results of thing it was for her to have such close contact the Gospel are to be found in the changed lives with a woman of the Batswa tribe! The Gospel and characters of the people who have been message is being exemplified in these young folks' touched by its power. It is impossible to mention lives as they daily practice actual Christian all of the splendid Christians whose lives have brotherhood. been an inspiration to others, for their number is legion. Elima Salome is a deaconess in the Lo- A Phenomenal Growth tumbe Church. Her husband, Mbomba David, is an elder. For years they have kept their Chris- Thirty-one years ago an early missionary of the tian light shining before all people. Elima is a Disciples of Christ Mission, who was leaving leader among the women and was president for a Congo to go on furlough, left one mission station, long time of the Missionary Society, which sup- Bolenge, and about two hundred Christians. To- ported an evangelist in a distant village. She is day there are six stations and over forty-two thou- a Sunday school teacher as well, giving every Sunsand Christians. In the whole of the Congo the day of her radiant personality and Christian ex- Protestant Christians and adherents number more perience to the little ones of Lotumbe. Visiting than a million. All of these, of whatever mission, the sick, sharing with others her food and her belong to one church, L'Eglise du Christ au knowledge of Christ's love, Elima Salome exempli- Congo. This forward step has meant a great deal fies what a true Christian should become. to each individual Christian, for now each one feels more closely bound to his brothers in Christ Among the graduates of the boys' boarding throughout Congoland. This union has likewise school in Bolenge in the early days was Mpoku been a challenge to the Christians to continue Enoch. Early in 1908 he became a Christian and their efforts for a more truly indigenous Church has never once wavered in his faith since that in the Congo. day. A week after his baptism he went to a dis- tant village as a school-teacher. The next year At Coquilhatville, one of the provincial capitals he returned to the mission station and learned to of the Congo, there is a splendid Protestant set type and finally became foreman of the mission Church group which is an inspiration to all be- printing shop. Later Mpoku became enamored cause of the fine way these Congo Christians are of machinery and spent several years as an enconducting the work of their church. The board gineer on river steamers. When he returned to of elders, deacons and deaconesses called as their Bolenge in 1920 he was made a deacon of the pastor Bokomboji Pierre, a graduate of the Congo church. Then while acting as foreman of the Christian Institute, who is one of the five ordained sawmill he was chosen as assistant pastor of the ministers in the Bolenge field. This church is Bolenge Church and in 1927 was ordained to the now self-supporting, and the board of elders car- ministry. While continuing his pastoral duties
he attended the Congo Christian Institute and There are many more in this fine company of graduated in 1933. Since his graduation Mpoku's Congo Christians. There is Lokofe Moses and ministry has been continually blessed. He travels his wife, Weci Marie, who are both supervising for months at a time through the back country schools in Lotumbe; there is Imbanda Joseph villages, strenthening the churches, encouraging who, although holding a government position, is the evangelists, preaching the Gospel and building finding time to build a church in a village where churches. Everywhere Mpoku Enoch goes his there was none; there is Litele Samuel, who is winsome smile, his loving character and powerful the first traveling Sunday school secretary of this words bring many of his brothers to Christ. particular group of churches; there are innumer- able others, men and women, preachers, teachers, A young school-teacher, a graduate of the nurses, carpenters, brick masons, mechanics, Congo Christian Institute, went home and began hunters, fishers and clerks who are living changed his work. Perhaps he expected to find conditions and more abundant lives because of the redeeming very different, for he wrote the following to his power of Christ's Gospel. However, these Congo white teacher: "I am weary in spirit because I Christians and their missionary leaders have a wanted to begin teaching and preaching at once. certain worry deep down in their hearts as they see the present shortage of missionary funds with r find there is no house in which I may live, no its corresponding shortage of both missionary and native leaders to guide the ever increasing numchurch in which I may preach, and no school in ber of young Christians along Christ's difficult which I may teach. Now I must start right at the path. One of Congo's proverbs is, "Bambola very beginning. I have labored in the forest itswa, ioiya, wijima." (Light the lamp, put it bringing in poles for building, and I have cut out, darkness.) The Church of Christ has lighted boards for blackboards. I can't open my school the lamp of God's love in those hearts. Is the materials for there is no place to keep them, and Church in America going to let them drift into they would soon be spoiled. How much there is darkness again for the lack of sufficient guidance to do! We write the lessons on the sand of the and counsel? Or will the Church at home supply village path." What a strong spirit that young the lamps to enlighten Africa? teacher must have! Although he is disappointed in his situation, he is going to work to do and dare for Christ whom he serves.
Into the Forests of Central Africa* What a Pioneering Trip Means to a Missionary REV. A. G. MILL and his wife have lived in his wife have held this fort. Several times a year the Upper Congo for the last twenty-six he makes long trips into the dense forests back years as respresentatives of the English of the river. In a recent letter to his sister he de- Baptist Missionaty Society.. Fifty-five years ago scribes one of these journeys: ThOl:'):las J. Comber and George Grenfell started "As you know there is no summer and no winter in Africa in the generally accepted sense of these work'on the mighty Congo. In his little steamer terms. We made preparations for our tour in June when the intense heat is tempered by the the "Peace," Grenfell explored the Congo Basin heavy rains. We had no road maps to consult and wd~ the discoverer of the great Ubangi trib- since there were no roads. We lra-d no worries about taking dress-up clothes since we would have utary.N'o;wmission .stations, not only of the no social functions to attend-no grand churches in which to worship and no high-class hotels to English Baptist Society but the Disciples of patronize. All our baggage must be carried on the bare backs of the natives and our meals found Christ, the Atnerican Presbyterian Church South, as we went through the forests. We were going back from the great river highway-back into the the Methodist,(:Episcopal Church and the Congo hinterland tribes, some of whom had never seen a white man. Balolo Mission, are working harmoniously. "My wife and r went on bicycles and the na- Mr. Mill is Ideated at a small village situated at tives on foot. Back there tucked away in the the confluence of the Lomami and Congo Rivers. jungle are people with no civilization and with- About ten years ago he asked leave to push for- ward one hundred miles and plant an outstation at Yalikina, his preseJltstation, ,He realized that this was a sttategic lotation if the peoples on the banks of the great !Lomami were ever to be reached with th~ Gospel. Single ,handed he and . t! 1 '. '" .'.
• A letter seDLly, Aofrs. Cla,ra.' Anna Sinclair, of. Caldwell, Kansas.
INTO THE FORESTS OF CENTRAL AFRICA
out knowledge of the heavenly Father. Our faith- started out, the traveling adding to the pain of ful boys led the way, carrying packages. Soon the the injured wrist. road became narrower till only a path was left. Camping for the night under our mosquito net- "On our arrival at the appointed meeting place ting, we were up bright and early the next morn- we found the doctor had not come. We waited all ing. We traveled for several hours when the that afternoon and till the next morning. Our winding trail suddenly became a steep descent. supply of provisions was exhausted by this time Not only so but the ground under us turned into and we were obliged to eat the native roasted loose sand and before long my wife was going monkey and cassava. Suddenly the steamer headlong down the incline gaining momentum at rounded the curve of the river and our hearts every turn. She was thrown forcibly from the leaped for joy. The doctor advised that my wife machine at the foot of the hill, saving herself go back with him. At my wife's request I resomewhat by throwing out her arms as she was frained from going with her, but put her on board pitehed over the handlebars. As I picked her up in the care of our best boys, and with a prayer I could see that her wrist was limp and knew my left her to be taken down river to the mission fear of a fracture to be confirmed. The pain was hospital at Yakusu, 150 miles south, while I reconsiderable. I tried my best to knit the bones traced my steps. With a lonely feeling I ate supbut was not successful. Where should I turn for per and retired, giving instructions for the mornhelp? Behind us there was no doctor for the gov- ing's march. We were plunging into dark forest ernment doctor had left for the upper river some land and soon came to the first of the isolated vildays befoJj'e. Before us there was less hope. The lages. The sight of a white man terrified the only· thing I could think of to do was to send out natives and,· my wife not being with me, made it S.O. S. messages to the government doctor by a harder to reach them. Like frightened children few trusty native carriers. they had to be coaxed out of their grass huts. God's palaver was explained to them and the chief "Off they went while our caravan waited; my passed on the message as he alone knew the trade wife in great discomfort. After five long days language. the messengers returned with the news that the doctor would meet us at a certain point on the After three months Mr. Mill returned to his river in two days. Taking two boys with us we station to find his wife recovered but with a more or less crippled hand.
AN ADVANTAGE OF THE NATIVE PREACHER The color of the preacher weighs far more with the native than we realize. Even in the .. mind of the best natives, even in the hearts of those most warmly attached to us, there is a definite though perhaps often subconscious prejudice against our color; I know of many in- stances where a message full of urgency and power has produced very little effect from the lips of a missionary while that of a native has produced immediate results. A native listen- ing to a moving and powerful address from a white man can quiet his conscience and harden his heart simply by saying, "That's all very well, that's a white man's point of view. It may .0 impress you like that but it is not what we blacks need." But when he hears a black preach with conviction, he is driven from this refuge and has to face the message on its own merits.
Again and again I have come across instances where the final link in bringing a native to Christ has been supplied by a native. He has listened to the white man for years and seemed little affected but one simple remark from a fellow native has gone home like an arrow. I would not belittle the white man's influence but it is unquestional;>le that the native evangelists have advantages over us.
Native preachers are often greatly improved and their value added to by thorough train- ing. In my experience this has been under the three headings: Bible knowledge, general knowledge, the missionary's example.-Rev. W. Singleton Fisher, in Congo Mission News.
Evangelistic Value of Medical
By ROLLA E. HOFFMAN, M.D., Meshed, Persia, On the Staff of the American Christian Hospital DURING my first years on the mission field I they have been reached? "Medical missionary was expected to draw large crowds of pa- work," said Dr. Dugald Christie, of Mukden, "is tients and friends of patients to whom our no mere adjunct to the work of preaching, but is senior clergyman could sell Scriptures and preach an essential and integral part of the work of the the Gospel. This was in the most fanatical Mos- Church." Our Presbyterian Board Manual says, lem city of Persia. The best strategy seemed to "Medical work is not merely a key to open the door be to push forward the medical work and to ac- into non-Christian communities, but is an integral company it with as aggressive preaching as the part of the missionary enterprise." people would tolerate. I was expected to draw the crowds, and the evangelistic missionary was to We have been thinking of the medical work too preach to them. He was treasurer of our little much in its relation to outsiders. We must realize hospital and I occasionally preached and led daily that its usefulness to professing Christians should prayers so that our pioneering went on happily. be no less, especially in the midst of a non-Chris- tian society. Even after fanaticism is dead, and Later the clergyman died, the medical work in- the church has become popular and men flock into creased and a second doctor was sent out. One of it and want to be known as Christians, medical our clergymen expressed the hope that instead of work will still be needed as an integral part of the taking on more patients, the medical staff would work of the church, as a continuous expression of now do more evangelistic work. Instead of that the healing love of our Lord. The new church will we find that the medical work has more than be far stronger, more practical, truer to Christ, doubled, so that now a third doctor has come. The more useful to the nation, if it grows up in close clergymen have most faithfully carried on evan- cooperation with a genuine Christian medical gelistic work in the hospital; the church has been work, which becomes more and more a part of the born and other openings for evangelistic work work of the Church. Perhaps a medical man's have thrust themselves forward. Finally we are antipathy toward doing more "evangelistic work"
advised that "the entire work of healing, both arises from holding to the old idea that it is to conphysical and spiritual, should be carried on by the sist in spending an hour or more a day reading the doctors and their assistants." Scriptures to and haranguing men, pleading with them to "flee from the wrath to come," and, since While this view may not quite represent the our time is limited, neglecting medical treatment attitude of most of our clerical missionaries, it has rather depressed me to realize that our hos- to do it! pitals are looked upon as not such alluring places We might analyze the function of medical misto work. As one of the missionaries puts it, "Given one hundred well men as against one hun- sion work, as composed of its influence upon undred sick men to preach to, I would choose the evangelized outsiders, and its influence upon the well men every time." The preaching mission- members of the church; but after all these ex- press to man the love and spirit and healing of aries' task is to build up the church and more and our Lord, and so bring them to the knowledge of more of their attention is demanded by the prob- Christ. The medical work reaches people who are lems of the growing church and the instruction of not touched by our schools or "direct" evangelistic inquiries. For the rest, the Gospel can be preached workers. They come from conservative Moslem openly through the land; the day of pioneering families, driven by pain and despair; also from has past. Yet at the meeting of medical workers the ultramodern class, who have lost faith in all some years ago in Teheran, protest was made religion. – Men who would never darken the door against the failure of our clerical brethren to ap- of a Christian school, or of a clergyman's house, propriate the .fine opportunity for evangelistic lay aside their pride and come pleading and be- work in our hospitals. seeching for that which they believe Christian doc- What is the exact purpose of our medical work? tors are able to give. It is true that they are in Is it merely a means of attracting people within spiritual need also, and no doubt doctors often range of the Gospel message, or is it useful after miss the underlying spiritual disease, and give [574 ] cascara when what the patient really needs is a with a course in chemistry; an essential part of "mental cathartic." No doubt we often fail to the course, a place where the things explained in add to our medicines the skilful spiritual touch lectures are actually carried out in life. that would remove the real cause and bring a per~ manent cure. We are apt to think too closely merely of the evangelistic effect of our medical work upon pa- For some have more sin than fever, tients; it should be looked for rather in the com- And some have more grief than pain. munity. The great spiritual value of our Lord's healing did not come to those actually healed, but God help me make whole both body and soul to the healthy who beheld the Power and Spirit of Before they go out again. what was done. Men who come to us for physical healing are not often seeking spiritual healing. We must remember that a host of Christian For this reason the work seldom yields spiritual t~rms carry to the Moslem mind a far different results in proportion to the effort expended. The meaning from what we intend. If, as we are fact that our hospitals render a valuable physical sometimes urged, we "joyfully give to them the service in the spirit of love, which requires no mamessage of eternal Life in Christ, through whom terial reward, not even gratitude, shows the peoalone they can attain to perfect harmony and ple that this is Christianity in life, and that Christ health," we shall be merely casting our pearls be~ is not a dead prophet but a living force in the fore swine, with the usual result. How will they world today. This is a very important factor in understand our earnest evangelistic appeal? The the Christianization of the land. It furnishes a man whose disease has not been entirely cured good background for the preaching of the Gospel will put us down as charlatans, trying to cover up in reading room, chapel, school and private conour inability to cure him by introducing another ferences. It softens hearts, not so much the hearts subject! Many a one who has been healed will of the physically ill as the hearts of the commusay to his friends: "Bah! Sons of dogs! These nity's healthy, thinking men. They thus come to Christians treat the sick, but why? They first see the religion of Christ as something living, cure your disease to put you under obligation to vital, essential to their own welfare. Let us emthem, then they insult you by insisting that you phasize anew our real evangelistic task. ought to turn your back on Islam and the greatest of the Prophets and join them with their corrupted Indispensable Elements and altered gospel, with its talk of three Gods, the Son of God (Who begets not, neither is begotten, There are three definite and indispensable elepraise His Name!) and other notions as ignorant ments in a hospital as "an integral part of the and ridiculous. They want to foist on us their missionary enterprise" – efficient medical treatpig~eating and wine-drinking, their immorality of ment, including good nursing; the spirit of Christ women who go about half dressed and with shame- throughout; the simple verbal explanation that less open faces, their money-worship, and denial this is Christian, that He is our strength, and that of the oneness of God !" He is to be praised and thanked rather than the doctors. Is this out of date? Not at all. This is true of many who find their first Christian contact in our With the rapid advance of Persian standards of hospitals. Any attempt to force spiritual results medical work and the passing of the pioneer stage, here results often in the enmity of the patient and we need improved equipment, better laboratories, his friends. Seed sown upon hard, impermeable better assistants; and must limit ourselves to ground will not grow. One task of our hospitals fewer patients. The standard for the hospitals of is that of ploughing, breaking up hard clods, win- Syria has recently been suggested as thirty outning confidence by deserving it. Persistently urg- patients and twenty in-patients per doctor! ing men to become Christians carries to their minds the suggestion that we are getting paid so Our hospitals must be different from the govmuch per head by our government or supporting ernment hospitals, in the Christian love manisociety. Our definite contribution is to bring men fested among ourselves and our helpers. We to the knowledge of Christ; not to persuade them must be the fathers and mothers of our helpers, to become professing Christians. and must teach them Christian principles of life and work. They must learn to serve the poor as In our treatment of professing Christians, it is well as the rich, to be careful, thorough, truthful, our task to lead them to a better knowledge of the sympathetic, clean, patient, cheerful. We need to riches of love in Christ Jesus. We must do a lot develop helpers who are not only efficient in medof teaching and explaining; but we must avoid ical technique – a formidable task in itself – but mere "proselytizing." We need more faith: hav- who will enter into the Christian spirit of the ing ploughed, and sown a little seed, we must work. From the time when a patient enters our await the harvest, not trying to force it. The hospital until he is dismissed, we must make all medical work is like the laboratory in connection contacts with him courteous, patient, Christian.
To this end some form of daily "family" prayers individuals, and the nurses would do more and is essential, when all the hospital force come to- better religious talking with the patients. gether, preferably in the morning, for a few minutes of quiet thinking and worship. Most of our Copies of the Gospels should be available for the Presbyterian hospitals in Persia do not have daily patients to read in the language they know. Often prayers of the whole staff. one man will read to a room full which may be better than for an outsider to do much reading. This is not enough. While showing men the We have found a small cupboard useful as a de- Spirit of Christ, they must be told that this is pository for the books along with various other Christianity. Otherwise this fact, so obvious to books in charge of the senior ward nurses. If the us, will not occur to them at all! Obviously, their Christians are nurses and reasonably intelligent, preconceived ideas of Christianity are not very they will explain passages as patients ask quesfavorable, else many of them would already have tions. The doctor also may occasionally explain a been Christians. Here careful definition is neces- passage. sary. Our task is not to persuade them to become professing Christians, in order to "flee from the A certain amount of social service work is wrath to come," by the magical Name of Jesus, greatly needed, and it sometimes seems that spebut they must learn that it is He who has equipped cial workers ought to be available for it. Without and empowered us for this task. In all fairness this, the medical work often fails to do quite we must give Him the praise and glory for what enough. For example, a young, illiterate daywe are able to do, as much for the sake of our own laborer suffered from a broken leg when a wall integrity as Christians as that they may thank fell on it. He was in the hospital seven weeks, Him for their cure. making a satisfactory recovery. He was well fed and nursed and heard the Gospel explained daily; As to the technique of this, opinions will differ. but he seemed depressed and apathetic. Some- We must appear frankly and openly before our thing else was needed that the hospital was unable helpers and patients as Christians. We may lead to supply. The meagre family income was suda prayer service, preach occasionally, make it a denly cut off and his wife and two children were practice to have a word of prayer before each op- destitute. When he went home he found that one eration, or in other ways reveal our dependence on of the children had died, and his wife had wan- Christ. But in praying for patients we should dered away to another city with the other child. avoid praying before them that they become He was unable to work for a week after his dis- Christians. That will spoil things and lead them charge, as the leg was stilI weak. Had his family to think that after all we are not so much inter- been relieved during his illness and had he been ested in healing their diseases as in trying to given some hand work to do to earn a little money proselytize them for the sake of the bonus that while recovering, and had he been taught to read, our government gives us. This was reported in using the Gospel of John as a textbook, he might Meshed a few years ago to be $400 a head. We have been definitely enriched instead of embittered should pray for their recovery; that the blind eye toward life. Here is a problem that frequently may be made to see, the pain and disease removed, presents itself in a land where the wolf hovers too and the heart made perfectly happy by finding near the door. What a service the Persian Church real peace. might render the community by tiding such folks over their time of need! A clergyman should be connected with each hospital, for several reasons. The teaching possi- In every station where there is medical work bilities of our hospitals have been largely lost there should be a committee on evangelistic work sight of because too much time has been given to in the hospital, consisting of the medical staff and trying to "win" men to an open profession of a man and a lady evahgelist to plan the work and faith. This teaching work is properly the task of draw the general picture. The medical workers the clergyman who should plan it and carry out should be members and attendants of the local a schedule of addresses, lantern talks, etc. He church. A clergyman and a lady evangelistic could profitably make rounds with the doctors worker should be assigned to evening work in the once a week, thus appearing before patients as hospital on a more definite schedule. The evanone in real sympathy with them. He would thus gelistic work should consist in instruction rather keep in touch with the medical work, see any of than "proselytizing," and special care should be his friends who happened to be patients, see the exercizea. to avoid injuring the sensibilities ef even Christian members of the staff at work, and keep the most fanatieal patients or their friends. The the evangelistic side of the work regularly before whole missionary effort should be directed toward .the doctor's mind. He should also stand ready to making the medical work genuinely and wholly talk with any who ask for him. The doctor would Christian, in spirit and in fact, an "integral part have occasional suggestions to make about certain of the missionary enterprise," and a part of the coming Christian society in Persia.
Are Jews! *
The Challenge of American Jewry to the Church By the REV. JOHN STUART CONNING, Secretary of Jewish Evangelization, Board of National Missions "WHY, they're Jews!" was the astonished What America Means to the Jews exclamation of an urban pastor when re- America, however, has spelled more than oppor- tunity to the Jew; it has signified a new environ- minded that he had probably several ment and all the things that go with it-adapta- tion, modification, change. Things are not as they hundred members of the race of Jesus living in were among the Jews. The traditional Jewish life of Eastern Europe has gone beyond recall. Under his parish to whom he might be spiritually help- the constant pressure of American industrial and commercial life, traditional Jewish customs are ful. Another pastor,. in response to the same re- generally disregarded, while the acceptance of modern scientific and philosophical concepts has Tmhineydegr~ said: "We have no contact with Jews. robbed the ancient faith of its sanctions. The their way and we go ours." A third re- Saturday Sabbath no longer dominates Jewish communities. The dietary laws are less and less plied: "Really, I 'have never thought of that!" rigidly observed. Inter-marriage is on the in- crease. And what is giving Jewish leaders grave And this last reply is doubtless the reason so many concern is the disspiriting drift from the syna- gogue. Rabbi Goldenson, of Temple Emanu-el, pastors and churches are not Jew-conscious and New York City, recently expressed his disappoint- ment that in a city with two million Jews, not have not sought to share with their Jewish neigh- more than fifty thousand were in regular attend- ance at synagogue services. bors the spirit and faith of Jesus as Saviour and Side by side with these trends away from the Lord. And this is the reason also why there has ancient Jewish heritage and the decline of the old reverences there has been observable in many grown up in this country a Jewish situation that areas of Jewish life a real yearning and search for spiritual satisfaction. The Jew today is openchallenges the best thought and statesmanship minded as he has not been for generations. He will listen to anyone who offers surcease from perthat the Church can command. sonal or social ills. Christian Science has won so large a Jewish following that a movement within The situation has grown upon us so gradually. Judaism called "Jewish Science" has been devised to stay the drift. Socialism with its doctrine of The few thousand Jews in America at the middle human brotherhood and practice of social equality has enlisted in its ranks tens of thous'ands of of the last century have increased through immi- young Jewish working people. Every modern cult has a Jewish following. gration, mainly from Eastern Europe, until ~o~ay Christianity, too, has its chance. There is a we have in the United States nearly five mllhon spirit of inquiry among Jews which is leading them by thousands to read the New Testament, Jews, about one-third of all the Jews in the world. visit Christian churches, listen to sermons over the radio and give consideration to the claims of New York, with its two million Jews, is the larg- Christianity. There is an encouraging response of Jews to the Gospel when presented with symest center of Jewish life known to history, while pathy and understanding. The neighborhood house approach has been found particularly ef- Chicago has more Jews than Warsaw, and Phila- delphia than Vienna or Kiev. And here the Jews have prospered phenomenally. They have taken commercial and educational advantages to the full and have come to the fore in many de- partments of our American life. The clothing, jewelry, tobacco and other industries are largely in their hands. Their influence is felt in the pro- fessions, in law, medicine, education, journalism, art, literature, wherever the call of opportunity appeals to their eager, restless spirit. The amuse- ment business, as represented by the theater, mov- ing picture, and radio are largely controlled by Jews. And when we look at our public life and think of such names as Lehman, Morgenthau, Brandeis or Cordozo, we realize the high place occupied by Jews in national affairs. We have here not only the largest Jewry in the world, but the most influential. What happens to the Jews in America will effect every Jewry on the globe. Is not this a challenge to the Church?
• From The Presbyterian, Philadelphia. fective. When Jews are dealt with as friends and [577 ]
neighbors with whom it is a privilege to share the way of Pharaoh and Haman, of deTorquemada through the fellowship of daily association the and Pobyedonostev. But it is not the Christian Good News concerning God's love in Jesus Christ, way. His Son, there are spiritual results that gladden the hearts of all who are concerned for the re- The challenge to the Church is clear. Christians demption of Israel. Not only rabbis and orthodox must rebuke racial prejudice and create Christian Jews, but atheists, radical socialists, and commu- attitudes toward the Jewish people. We have in nists have come under the spell of Jesus Christ our hands the key for the solution of the Jewish and have yielded their lives to Him as Saviour problem. It fits every ward of the complicated and Lord. lock. We possess a Gospel, born of infinite love for all mankind, which can subdue prejudice and The First Hebrew Christian Church, of Chi- ill will and conquer all aversions and hatreds. To cago, organized last year, is a demonstration of apply that Gospel to the healing of the world's the fact that Jews can be reached with the Gospel sorrows is the task of the Church. It must be and that they are willing to share in the extension applied to the healing of the age-long sorrows of of the cause of Christ, not only among their own the Jew. The place to begin is in the Church itpeople, but throughout the world. The minister, self. Little progress can be made in commending officers and members of this church are all Jews, the faith of Christ to His own people if those who as are the officers and teachers of the Sunday are its witnesses deny its fundamental ethic. school. Each individual has come into the church through a definite religious experience and can This is a time of crisis for the Jew. It is a time bear personal testimony to the reality of the faith of testing for the Church. If the Church awakes he has confessed. to its unparalleled opportunity a work may be done here in America for Christ's own people far There are many pastors who have discovered transcending anything that has been attempted that Jews are not only approachable, but respon- since the days of the Apostles. sive to the claims of Christ when presented with a loving heart. More than two thousand mem- "BY HAND PICKING" bers of the Hebrew race are now connected with the Presbyterian Church as ministers, mission- There is much significance in these sentences aries, church officers, and members, loyal in her from Bishop John M. Springer's account, in The service and generous in the support of her work Christian Advocate, of recent widespread converat home and abroad. The fact that there are sions in Africa: over 3,300 Presbyterian churches alone that are located in places where there are Jews, and have "All we students at the theological seminary the opportunity to render them service, calls us recently went to Maranke for ten days, and there to accept this God-given opportunity to share we had a wonderful time in our camp meeting," with our Jewish neighbors, as with other unevan- Demas Chama, of the Congo, student at Old Umgelized people, the Gospel of divine love, God's tali, Rhodesia, wrote me recently. answer to the cry of every human heart. Demas continues: "Then we went to Gandan- Not the least part of the challenge that comes zara, where we had another chance, and spent ten to the Church in relation to the Jewish people is days preaching to them the word of life and the the rising tide of anti-semitism in America. Hith- everlasting Kingdom. . . . We all came closely to erto, this country has been singularly free from Jesus, our Saviour; the people numbered 2,500. organized anti-Jewish movements. What little we have had has been short-lived. Prejudice has ex- r saw an old woman stand up and begin to preach, isted, but has found little expression beyond the utterances of individuals. Now, however, anti- and another old man did the same, till all the semitism has become a menace, not only to Jews, camp meeting became on fire for God the Father but to American ideals and the peace and harmony of all nations. There were three great chiefs, of our people. Jew hatred that has spread its Gandanzara, Mukahanana, and Chikuruwo. These blight over Germany, Poland, and other Euro- Christian chiefs stood and said that their feelings pean countries has made its appearance in our were no more as great men we call chiefs, but as own land. Nazi propaganda has planted its cells the servants of Jesus Christ." … in many American cities. Other anti-semitic movements bear the brand, "Made in America." It is During the past five years, in spite of the wholesaid that no fewer than six hundred centers of sale depression which the French more aptly call .anti-Jewish, propaganda exist to foster prejudice :;tgainst the Jews and impose upon them racial a La Crise, there has been what might· well be 'disabilities. It is the old, old way of meeting the Jewish problem, the way of hatred and oppression, termed "mass movement" of converts to ·Christ in all of our African Conferences. But it has come about in the natural way prescribed by our Lord: the going out by the converts to tell the good news to others. This great harvest has not been brought about by a windfall but by hand picking.
Catholic Activity I•n Pagan
I By KENNETH G. GRUBB, Survey Department, The World Dominion Press, London -··~t I ~========================~ THE Roman Catholic Church has been giving in the Belgian Congo, speaking reeently at Leo- constantly increasing attention to missionary poldville, said: expansion. The Church is no longer content to remain within traditional bounds, if she has The Catholic Church is not Belgian, or French, Eng- lish, Italian or American; it is Catholic; Belgian in Bel- ever been. The passing of centuries has witnessed gium, French in France, Italian in Italy…. In the Congo the stay of the advance of Islam in Europe. The it must be Congolese; in the construction of sacred ediweakness of the (Greek) Orthodox Church has fices, in the manufacture of objects for use in liturgical long been apparent. The Protestant churches functions, lines and colors and all the elements of Congo- lese art must be scrupulously observed. . . . When the have been hampered by the catastrophe of the natives are in church they must not feel that they are in World War and the limitation imposed upon Ger- a strange house; they must feel that they are in their own man missions for economic and political reasons. church.
The chaos of the times has thrown into strong The year 1936 marks the tenth anniversary of relief those advantages which accrue to central- the publication of the encyclical Rerum Ecclesiae,: ized control, while concealing the disadvantages. in which world-wide evangelization was stressed, Under these circumstances the Roman Catholic with special emphasis on the training of native· Church in recent years has rightly seen an un- clergy and a general "indigenous" policy.
precedented opportunity for expansion. The The Propaganda controls considerable financial whole administrative machinery of the Vatican, resources. The financial settlement which was a headed by the Pope, is known as the curia, the part of the Lateran Treaty in 1929 between the highest body of which is the College of Cardinals. Italian State and the Vatican involved the pay- The political affairs of the curia are handled by a ment to the latter of about $87,000,000, and it is Cardinal Seeretary of State, and the spiritual af- understood that the greater part of this is to be fairs by eleven congregations or councils. One of devoted to missions. As Catholic clergy areceli- the latter is the Congregation de Propaganda bate the expense on personnel is relatively light.
Fide, known as the Propaganda. It was organ- Extraordinary efforts have been made to arouse ized in the seventeenth century, reorganized in the interest of the faithful in the cause and thus 1908, and is the missionary arm of the Church. to gain their support. The union of clergy on It meets twice a month and has charge of those behalf of missions has been recommended in the regions where the hierarchy is not established. most authoritative quarters, and regional con- Its auxiliaries, or mobile forces, are the various gresses are held to concentrate attention on the religious orders, and it has its own funds. appeal and the opportunity. Along with "Catholic The first advantage possessed by Roman Cath- Action," the mission field has been the cause olic missions is unity of control or direction, in- which has most often been kept before the troducing co-ordination into the work of the re- Church.
ligious orders which otherwise would consume These considerations naturally constitute a their energies in mutual jealousies. It is quite background to all Roman Catholic expansion in possible that a certain amount of flexibility and the mission fields of the world. In reeent years spontaneous spiritual impulse is lost through this especial attention has been given to Central unity of direction, but its advantages must be ad- Africa. Of the funds which the Propaganda con- mitted. Not the least of these has been that the troIs about one-quarter has been devoted to Africa well-known missionary interest of the present -equal to the amount allocated to China, and Pope has been reflected in an increase of activity. twice that given to India.
The Roman Catholic Church is also following The expansion of Roman Catholicism in Cen- a policy of "nationalization" designed to harmo- tral Africa has been great, although it would be a nize the development of the Church with the cul- mistake to exaggerate it. It is helped by certain ture and outlook of each land. A number of in- powerful factors in the political situation. In digenous bishops have been consecrated, although British Africa the Roman Catholic missions are not, as yet, an African. The Apostolic Delegate on the same footing as other religious bodies; [579 ]
they receive, for example, educational grants-in- frequent. But Protestanism rarely benefits to aid, provided their schools reach the requisite any great extent from a political hostility which standard of efficiency. Their standing before the is directed primarily against the Catholic Church.
law is the same as that of Protestant missions; Governments should treat all churches alike under they are treated with s.crupulous fairness and a legislation which is really intended only to re- impartiality by administrative officers; and it strain offenders. If, therefore, Protestants do not should also be added that the fact of the Anglican suffer from political pressure on the accusation of Church being an established Church in England "denationalization," they are apt to be ground brings no appreciable advantage to Protestant between the nationalist policy of governments and missions. No discrimination is made against mis- the interests of the dominant Church which are sionaries of any religion on the ground of their opposed to it.
nationality, now that the postwar restrictions Italian Africa against German missionaries have been removed. In January, 1936, the departure of the last of the Swedish missionaries from Eritrea was an- It is unfortunate that, in the colonies of powers nounced. Their home going was undoubtedly acwhose religious traditions have been molded by celerated by the international situation; but for the Papacy, the same fair treatment has not al- many years it had been clear that, unless the sitways been given to Protestant missions. Roman uation changed, the work would be closed. The Catholic spokesmen have sedulously inculcated the Swedish Mission was founded in 1865, before idea, in season and out of season, that Catholicism Eritrea had come under Italian control. The early is the hallmark of good citizenship; and that, as Italian governors viewed the mission with favor a consequence, not to be a Catholic is to fail in and benevolence. A church with a Christian comloyalty to the State. Telling examples of this in- munity of some ten thousand souls was built up; sidious propaganda are given below. Thus Prot- a notable literary activity was developed, to which estant missions are attacked on the grounds that the native Christians made a solid spiritual and they "denationalize" the native, and pressure is intellectual contribution; and a chain of schools exerted to compel local administrations to impose was established. But these very activities, linhampering conditions on their activities.
Moreover, the colonial policies of Great Britain guistic and educational, provoked official hostility.
and of the Latin nations are different in their gen- They were precisely the activities which, from eral outlook. The "Dual Mandate" fostered by one point of view, hindered national assimilation, Britain in Africa, and so successfully tried out in placing membership in the Kingdom of God above Nigeria, provides for a proper recognition of the' that in the Kingdom of Italy. About 1917 the constructive ideas in native social customs, and Italian attitude to Protestant missions changed; encourages the use of native languages when they missionaries on furlough could not return and are widespread and obviously of general utility. new recruits were not admitted. The Italian The policy of assimilation followed by most Latin Franciscans were able to strengthen their staff, governments, notably the French, Italian and and Roman Catholic propaganda increased.
Portuguese, is inimical to the perpetuation of Portuguese Africa tribal identity, and seeks to supplant native cus- toms and languages by those of the colonizing For a long time a systematic attempt has been power. Protestantism, with its emphasis on the made in both Portugal and its African colonies Word of God, has tended in its mission work to to discredit Protestant missions. The Angola make much use of the presentation of Christian press, especially in Luanda, is constantly publish- truth in the natural language of the people. The ing articles setting forth the necessity of Catholi- result is that Protestant missions in the colonies cizing the colony. Statements, manifestly devoid of "Latin" nations are open to a double attack. of foundation, are continually made in Portugal The Roman Church attacks them on the ground to the detriment of Protestant missions, and the that Catholicism best ministers to the religious widespread medical, educational, social and evan- and cultural traditions of the State; political gelistic work done by the Protestant missions is pressure is apt also to bear adversely on them on completely ignored. Here is a recent example.
the ground that they are instruments of "dena- At a pub.Iic meeting on colonial questions, on Feb- tionalization." When, therefore, the interests of ruary 20 of this year at the Geographical Society Catholicism can be made to agree, if only tempo- of Lisbon, which was reported at length in the rarily, with those of nationalism, as in Portugal papers; the lecturer opened by quoting the Min- today, Protestant missions are faced with a grave ister of Colonies in 1935 to the effect that Prot- issue. Nationalism, however, is fundamentally in- estant missions were working against Portugal, compatible with the ideals of Roman Catholicism, whereas the pupils of the Catholic schools of Ben- and clashes between the Church and State are guela were proud to repeat, "Weare Catholics and
ROMAN CATHOLIC ACTIVITY IN PAGAN AFRICA
'Catholic' is synonymous with 'Portuguese.'''* Christ. On the outcome of this struggle will de- This kind of thing could be multiplied indefinitely, pend the type of Christianity which is to prevail with examples from both the East and West Afri- in this great area of Central Africa.
can possessions of Portugal. In 1934 121,109 adults were reported baptized Roman Catholic baptisms in Angola numbered in Catholic missions. There are 805 foreign and 43,000 in 1934, and the number of adherents is 37 native priests, in addition to numbers of lay put at 425,000. The figure of 291,000 was given brethren and sisters. The total missionary force in 1931. If these figures are accurate, it is evi- already numbers over 2,000. From one boat dent that a notable increase has taken place. The which arrived at Matadi in November, 1935, 80 prelature of Mozambique, which owing to special disembarked, representing 19 orders. Over 1,200 circumstances does not depend on the Propa- young native men are in training for the priest- ganda, but on the Congregation of Extraordinary hood. Pupils in Catholic schools number 454,969.
Foreign Affairs, reports only 9,250 Catholics in Ruanda Urundi is mandated territory, where 1932. The subsidy of approximately £40,000 is conditions are somewhat different. Article 8 of given to Roman Catholic missions in Angola, with the Mandate binds the mandatary to ensure "comprivileges, such as workers' exemption from cus- plete freedom of conscience and the free exercise toms dues and hut taxes. No subsidies are given of all forms of worship which are consonant with Protestant bodies. public order and morality." There has been some Belgian Africa controversy over the nature of the rights thus guaranteed, and the question was recently raised The difficulties of the last few years in the at the Permanent Mandates Commission in Ge- Congo have received much attention, but the pres- neva. The Governor-general of the Congo has ent Governor has shown himself well disposed to decided on a policy which should insure to Prot- maintain the provisions of the Colonial Charter estants the liberty to which they have a clear title.
and the Convention of St. Germain-en-Laye, guar- Spanish and French Africa anteeing freedom of conscience and the free exer- cise of all forms of religion. In recent years The trend of events "in this limited sphere illusgrave cases of abuse have occurred, whereby trates the other tendency, namely, the determina- Protestant natives have been subjected to unfair treatment, and even physical violence. But the tion of the government to limit some of the pre- tensions of Roman Catholic missions. A o.ecree real question has been educational. The situation was issued in 1935 in Madrid which has also limis peculiar in the Congo inasmuch as all education ited the activities of some of the Protestant misis left in the hands of missions. There has been sionaries. But as some of these questions are now no legislation against Protestant schools, but no being considered, it is not wise to discuss them government grants have been available for them, and few, if any, government posts have been open in print. to their graduates. The educational system set up in 1927 recognizes. only "national," which in There is evidence to show that, although in cerpractice means Roman Catholic, schools, and con- tain regions of French Africa the Roman Catholic fines all government eoucation to Roman Catholic Church is making great efforts, its success will teaching orders. Any capitulation to the threat depend on the legitimate use of its own energies contained in this situation on the part of Prot- and resources. If local authorities show bias, or estants would have the effect of leaving all educa- favoritism, this is generally due to local circumtion in the hands of the Roman Catholic missions. stances, and receives censure rather than en- dorsement from higher officials and from the colonial ministry when the circumstances are ex- The Annuaire des Missions Catholiques au plained. Nevertheless, perhaps in. no part of Congo Belge states that Catholics in the Belgian Africa is it so necessary that missionaries should Congo and Ruanda Urundi now number 1,232,018, have an adequate knowledge of the language of and catechumens 1,032,660, making a total of over the governing power, and a proper acquaintance two and a quarter millions. In another article in with the colonial traditions which have molded this report it is shown that there are about a mil- French policy in Africa. For this reason all mislion Protestants in the Congo; three and a quar- sionaries are advised to study in Paris, if possible ter million Christians therefore exist in the region for two years, and certainly not for less than six today, among a population of some fourteen mil- months. A more detailed discussion of consideralions. Ten and three-quarter millions are still tions which affect all intending missionaries and in paganism, and the struggle which lies ahead all secretaries and board members of missions will be an effort to bring to these spiritual life in which carry responsibilities in French territory • As reported in the Diario de Noticias. Lisbon, February 21, may be found in a paper by M. Leenhardt, of 1'936. Paris, Initiation des Missions Etrangeres en
Colonie Fran~aises. The essential points raised ture will lie in one or other of these directions. by M. Leenhardt are being set out in the review, This article should not be construed as a po- World Dominion. lemic against the Roman Church. That Church Although we may consider that Catholicization has every right to use all the legitimate means is a superficial form of evangelization, and is, within her power to advance her cause and the therefore, of little importance to us, its impor- Christianization of pagan peoples. But it is evitance arises precisely from its superficiality. The dent that the Protestant and Catholic communions point at issue is, whether we shall regard the hold ideas of liberty and tolerance which differ in evangelization of Central Africa as that of a theory and clash in practice. Further, to the expagan people whose grosser superstitions are tent to which modern governments are influenced bound in any case to disappear; or must we, in by these ideas, to that extent do they embody a years to come, contemplate a Catholic-pagan pop- broad-minded or a narrow policy in colonial legulation and expect either a Reformation such as islation. It may yet prove possible to resolve Europe experienced in the sixteenth century, or some of these differences in a spirit of Christian the type of evangelization that now characterizes charity. In the long run, however, it is as well Latin America or southern Europe. If we con- to remember that Christian love alone can claim sent to the present rapid spread of Roman irresistible power; without it the attempt to move Catholicism in Africa the prospects of the fu- mountains by faith is but wasted labor.
What Christ Has Done for Banyankole ANKOLE is only a small district of the Uganda who still follow that custom, but there are many .r. Protectorate, and the writer belongs to this Christian men having each but one wife who are living pure lives. Children who used to grow up country. The Banyankole, the inhabitants in their heathen homes and so learned all the evil of this district, are divided into two tribes: Aba- of such homes are now taken to school and are hima, the cattle-people, and Abairn, agricultur- taught about Christ and His love. ists. The former is the ruling tribe. To estimate what.Christ has done and is doing for my people, As already stated, Ankole is only a small dis- I must touch nearly every department of their trict of Uganda Protectorate, and there are many lives, and compare it with the pre-Christian state such districts in Uganda. There used to be conof things. The government used to be despotic. tinual wars and disputes between the various dis- The king had all power in his hands, and had some tricts, and even among the people of the same chiefs under him. Most of the kings were cruel district. The Abahima despised the Abairn and tyrants, and the chiefs who ruled under them were could not even eat with them. Now the love of very much influenced by their king in the way Christ has been shed in their hearts and the wars, they treated their people. One is likely to at- disputes and all other things which separated peotribute the good government of the country, since ple are ceasing. I am writing this article while Christianity came, and the peace and satisfaction on a mission of preaching the Gospel with a team in the people's hearts only to the British govern- of friends, some of whom have traveled over three ment. There is much truth in that view, but it is hundred miles, and the team is made up from difnot the whole truth. I know that the rulers have ferent tribes, a thing which my father some forty feelings of their own, influenced by their belief in years ago would not have dreamed of. Christ. Now there is still a king who rules the country, but not despotically, and he and the chiefs Several things are greatly needed for winning are quite different from their predecessors. There Africa for Christ. We need keen missionaries, are many chiefs who are honest, truthful and just, men and women who are out and out for Christ and who sympathize with their poor people. and the Africans. We need money to help with the work. People have not yet learned to give as The next thing to consider is the religion of the they ought, and in many of the districts of people. In olden days they worshiped the evil Uganda- people are very poor. But I think the spirits and the spirits of their ancestors, and were greatest need is to get Africans who are really very superstitious. Today there are thousands who converted and on fire for winning their brother have become Christians, and to these the time of and sister Africans to Christ. These would know spirit worship and superstition has passed. the difficulties of their' people, and they could deal with them and show them how they themselves In home life Christ has done and is doing much have been helped to conquer those same difficulties. for the people. Men used to have several wives, and even today there are many of the Christians REV. ERICA SABITI, Ankole, Uganda.
I Am a
By FLORENCE WALNE, Shimonoseki, Japan T o STAND at a crossing where all the road- full measure of the skepticism which has this peo- ways of the world come together to follow ple in its grip; a meeting of mothers who have them with the mind to those far corners to no conception of the meaning of a home with God which they lead-across the shining waterways in it (though gods they may have a-plenty!); an of the earth-to lands unseen and peoples unmet: organization of young girls so apt to go adrift to know, somehow, that one of those roads is with nothing by which to steer their course. I yours; to definitely set your face in the direction stand before them with the Bible in my hand- in which it goes; to companion by the way with mine the privilege, mine the sacred duty, mine Him who said, "Let us cross to the other side," the high honor of interpreting the Message of all and to find at the end that one service you were men's Father to these His children who know Him put here to find I-Who but a foreign missionary not. Mine the Bread of Life to give, mine the Liv- can know what it is like and what foreign mis- ing Water, mine the Abundant Life which comes sionary can really tell anyone about it? with the possession of Christ. Like Frederic My- "Why do you do it?" an English neighbor in ers' Paul, Shimonoseki (Japan) used frequently to ask me. Then, with a rush, the intolerable craving The question was accompanied by a deeply puz- Shivers throughout me like a trumpet call, zled look which indicated the sincerity of the ques- and the desire to give them something, something, tioner's desire to know. She was a former actress before they go away-some of them never to reon the London stage, whose life had held no place turn-amounts to a passion terrific and exhaustfor religion in any form, and in Japan only be- ing. cause her husband was in business here, chafing constantly at the necessity which kept her in this And how could I tell of that joy,-surpassing part of the world. My being here as a matter of other joys in depth and solemnity-which comes deliberate choice was something utterly beyond with the knowledge that God has let me lead one her grasp; how could I tell her so that she could of His seeking children to where He might be understand? That understanding in some meas- found. The illuminating effect, in one's own spirure, did come to her, as she told me in a letter after itual life, of such an expe~ience is beyond the moving to another town. "I went to a reception power of words to convey. I never felt this more recently," she wrote, "and met only one woman strongly than when one of our loveliest girls died, whose face attracted me. I was not surprised a little over a year ago, very soon after she had when I learned that she was the only missionary found Christ.
present that night. I think that before I left Until a few short months before she died, Shimonoseki I got a glimmer of why you are over The Christ to her was all unknown. here and why you are happy to be here and no But she made such haste to open wide where else." How that glimmer reached her I do Her heart, and sweep it clean of faiths outgrownnot know, for truly one does not, cannot, speak Legacies of a pagan age, far past and dim, of the great forces which wrestle with one's soul Of quests for the truth her forbears sought to knowwhen once the hand of God has fallen upon it. And give all its generous room to Him, Whose beauty in that first hour filled her so. There is the silence of a spiritual crisis, That when (so soon it seemed to us) there came Through which your soul, exquisitely tortured, That last great call from Him-to leave all on earth Comes with visions not to be uttered And earth itself-it was with just that same Sweet readiness, that quick response to worth Into a realm of higher life. Revealed in Him-the Bridgegroom of the soul- That she obeyed. And tired young body all forgot, How could I, for instance, ever communicate Pain all forgot, in garments, shining, whole, that feeling which comes over me with a rush Bride-like, her spirit went to Him, tarrying not.
some ntiomnebse1wl· ehveenrsI -satacn1dasbsefoofreyoaugnrgoumpeno,f Japa- While I, who on a darkened way nese eager Sought to give a fellow-traveler light, and thoughtful regarding life, but endowed with a Sharing the strength of my own dim ray, [583 ]
Find the road grown luminous and bright ,happy, beyond words, that it led me to Japan. I With a radiancy which far outshone have found, I know beyond all doubt, my service My own! here. The sense of belonging is so complete and satisfying. There is no question of sacrifice. That Not that a missionary is a constant dweller on would come in having to go away, leaving my task unfinished. To retrace one's steps over one's road, rarified spiritual heights! I wonder if it is possi- away from "that one service" in which one found so much joy-that would be a sacrifice which I ble to imagine blacker des-pair than I have known pray may not be asked of me.
in hours of questioning my fitness for the task to When Time's little day has slipped away into the shadows of a forever-closed past-when the which I am committed? I heard Dr. Speer say, endless Tomorrow has dawned for souls at home with the Father, I fancy that a large company at a Student Volunteer Convention many years will gather about the Master, and, just as the dis- ciples did on their return from missions upon ago, that a missionary's preparation for his work which He had sent them, they will tell Him, each one, of what happened on the one road each had consists in getting possession of the Gospel Mes- taken, of what each had seen, and felt, and said, and done! How free then will be the talk-of forsage. (1) In his mind, "he must know what he is est trails and lonely huts in Africa, and of black men joining the "Tribe of God"; of how India's to say and be clear that he believes it, for the day many faiths and creeds gave way before "The Christ of the Indian Road"; of how China broke will come when he will stand with it,all alone, through a fog of bewilderment and uncertainty, superstition and strife, to the light shed by the speaking to men who are absolutely secure in their personality of the Prince of Peace; of how all the many "systems" in Japan-the social and indusposition of challenge and of doubt." (2) In his trial, educational and religious, bec'ame permeated with the spirit and thought of Jesus; of how He life, ". . . for the people to whom he goes can- was made to walk again in Bible lands, under- stood, received and adored; and so on around the not see a Christ who is not incarnated for them." world which God so loved that He gave His Son to save. How easy it will be then to break the Doubt as to whether one has the first of these silence of years and how sweet the understanding and fellowship! I would rather have a seat in two qualifications may, perchance, never trouble that gathering of "returned missionaries" than a throne in the greatest kingdom on earth! one, but how often the doubt as to whether one "PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER" can lay claim to the second requirement brings JAMES 5: 16 on sleepless nights and hours of agony! If we I cannot tell why there should come to me missionaries were only more completely in pos- A thought of someone miles and miles away, session of the Message in our lives, the peoples of In swift insistence on the memory- Unless there be a need that I should pray. these lands to which we have come would not be Too hurried oft are we to spare a thought, so long in opening their hearts to receive the For days together, of some friend away, Christ whom we preach and then deny! Perhaps God does it for us, and we ought To read His signal as a call to pray. Another difficult but, to my mind, very essen- Perhaps, just then, my friend has fiercer fight, tial thing in a missionary is the ability to give his Some overwhelming sorrow or decay life to the people and to the particular task to Of courage; darkness, some lost sense of right; And so, in case he needs my help, I pray. whom and to which it has been dedicated and, at Friend, do the same for me! If I, unsought, the same time, keep a place in his heart for fields Intrude upon you, on some crowded day, and phases of missionary endeavor other than his Give me a moment's prayer, in passing thought, Be very sure I need .it: therefore, pray. own. A missionary should be the most broad- MARIANNE F ARNINGHAM. minded, the biggest-hearted, the most widely and deeply sympathetic man on God's earth. How can a true missionary be otherwise? The missionary vision must necessarily include a world won for Christ. The Master's thoughts were never only for those to whom He happened to be ministering at any particular time, but "other sheep have I which are not of this cfaorled,"trHemeesnadi~dusalnYd embraced all in His love. To about the world, even as P·aul, and Livingstone, and other great missionary souls have done! "Read your home letters first," said Stanley. "You must be impatien.t for them." "Oh," said Livingstone, "I have waIted for years for letters. I can wait a few hours longer. No, tell me first, how's the world getting on?"
Forbes Robinson, in his Letters, s'ays that his father on his death bed cried, "If I had a thousand lives to give I would give them all all to the min- istry!" If I had a thousand lives to give I believe I would want to give them all to missionary work for Christ. But since I have only the one, and so could follow only one of the many roads, I am
Christ Found Me in
The Story of Ajitadass, Translated by MASON OLCOTT, Vellore I WAS born a Jain in Banyan Village, six miles shady place where with great joy I prayed, was from Tindivanam, South Arcot District. My quiet and read my Bible. I carried my school family are the strictest of vegetarians, eating textbooks outside of my Bible and used to read no meat, eggs, onions or radishes. They never eat them when anyone came near. During the year I after dark and strain all they drink, so as not to used to walk every Sunday to attend the mission kill any animal life, however small. They gave church, six miles each way. I made no distinction me the name Ajitadass, Servant of Ajita, the Un- in my treatment of Untouchables and was deconquerable, the second of the great Jain saints. spised for doing this.
I was scrupulous in performing all my religious The following June I was allowed by my family duties. to return to Tindivanam and went regularly to Up to the third class I studied in the Banyan church. One Sunday I decided to remove my Village school. Then I was sent to live in the Jain caste mark and sacred thread; even when the Dis- Hostel at Tindivanam where we learned Sanskrit trict Educational Officer came to our hostel, I reand studied the sacred books of my religion. At fused to wear a caste mark. For this the J ains that time I joined the Arcot Mission High School. troubled me. Once I returned late from a Chris- I now rejoice that I had this chance to study Eng- tian meeting and ate food after dark, for which lish and hear of Christ. But for years it was only I was severely reprimanded by the hostel superin.. out of compulsion that I studied the Bible. One tendent. Cast out by my own people, I went to day when I made up my own verses and pretended live with a Christian teacher. The Jains tried to they were from the Bible, I was severely punished put me to shame but I took courage to read the because I had failed to study Christ's words. Bible in their presence. I failed in my college entrance examination partly because of severe iB- When I was in fifth form, my Bible teacher was ness from typhoid fever two months earlier. I Mr. Sundaram, the Headmaster. At 11 o'clock on went to Madras where I completed my eighteenth the morning of September 24, 1932-1 was fifteen year and the next few months were spent at Katyears old, and I remember the time since it was padi and Chittoor. Then I wrote a long letter to the turning point of my life-he told us how Jesus my family explaining why I had confessed faith was scourged 39 times, was spat upon, tortured with· a crown of thorns and nailed to the cross. in Christ. He also read Isaiah 53: 4-7; "He was wounded In September, 1935, Mr. Archibald's Gospel adfor our transgressions. . . . By His stripes we are healed. . . . When he was afflicted, He opened dresses in Vellore made me want to hear further, not his mouth." so I went to Trichinopoly. Missing the train and being delayed, for two days I went without food; When I heard this, tears came to my eyes and but Christ sustained me and gave me peace. On my heart was deeply stirred. Without speaking to hearing Mr. Archibald speak on Jesus shedding anyone, I returned to the Hostel stunned, not his blood to give us the Water of Life, my heart knowing what to do. As I read frOom the Bible, was broken and I found fuller peace and joy. This peace came to my mind. I spent so much time on was the second great change in my life.
the Bible that I neglected my other lessons, about Later, going to Madl'as, I preached Christ to the which the Headmaster warned me. Two mOonths despised and neglected, going to the Outcaste later I went secretly to him and said that I wanted quarter with Christian friends. Hindus started to become a Christian. He replied, "You are only to insult and stone us, and I underwent other per- 15. Wait for three years until legally yOou can secutions, having my box, some books and my make your own decision. Then we shall see. In Bible fOorcibly taken from me. A preacher sent the meantime, don't tell anyone." Before I was me to Chittoor by a roundabout way and there I 18, Mr. Sundaram had died. Gradually the Jain coached some Christian young men in the songs religion lost its hold Oon me. Many noticed this for a Christmas drama at Katpadi, and gave a but of the inner change of faith they did not know. kalatchebam (songs and explanation) on "The . The next school year, my uncle took me from Other Wise Man." Thank God for giving me His Tindivanam High School to shield me from Chris- joy, courage and power of speech.
tian influence. But every day I used to go to a In January, 1936, false charges were brought [ 5851
against me but I opened my Bible and read the to identify the guilty person and their description words, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, did not at all fit me. Because of the delay in my whom shall I fear?" Several police officials came reaching Trichy the end of October, I had not to the house to take me in a car to the police sta- been there when the forgery was committed. tion. Before leaving, I prayed in their presence. Thus God guided me and delivered me from these They accused me of having obtained Ros. 250 on false charges. false pretenses from a Jain abbot and of having forged a police inspector's signature. They asked Going to the Bible Training Centre of the Interme to admit this crime and promised that, if I did Varsity Fellowship in Madras, I awoke at 4: 30 so, my uncle would come to my rescue and pay the one morning for my devotions, and was in the money. I asserted my innocence and when they courtyard when two rowdies broke in and put a asked me to go back to the Jain religion, I an- cloth round my neck. I said, "If you do me no swered that I had come to Christ trusting Him, further harm, I shall go with you." They covered and would not leave Him, even at the risk of my face and' put me in a jutka and took me death. They kept me locked up from 4 p. m. on through the streets for two hours. When day beone day until 10 p. m. of the next, asking me many gan to dawn they took me out and walked by my questions, mostly about my personal life, to which side. When two motors passed, the men crossed I answered nothing. I spent my time reading the the road, and I was able to escape from them. I Bible and praying. There were no bounds to my stayed in a mango orchard until noon and finally joy, for like Paul I was considered worthy to suf- was sent back to the Training Centre. Next year fer for Christ. Men came later from Trichinopoly my hope is to study the Word of God, for I have learned that He alone is the Unconquerable.
Wanted, a Demonstration of Unity By REV. JOHN J. BANNINGA, D.D.
M.issionary of the American Board, Pasumalai, South India T HE Church of Christ throughout the world should have churches expressing their faith in desperately needs an actual demonstration of Chr,ist in their own national ways. what union in spirit and service can do for the extension of the Kingdom of God. In a mul- Especially since the Great War, these Christitude of ways the Church seems to have reached tians have realized that Christianity is not. the a deadlock in spiritual power, in social activity, product of western civilization, but that Jesus and in world fellowship. Something desperate Himself was born in Asia and that therefore the needs to be done to break this deadlock, or correct people of Asia need not go to Europe for their this atrophy. On the foreign mission fields the Christianity but that they can go straight to the work has largely been carried out by division of New Testament for it. Perhaps a new, direct apthe territory into mission areas so that each proach to Christ, by those who have not been Church has practically had a field to itself. bound by all the graveclothes of European tradi- tion, may enable them to follow Him better than Bishop Azariah, of South India, saId at the they would if they followed European churches Lausanne Conference in 1927, that most Indians first and Christ second. are members of one Church or another, not because of theological opinions, but because of geo- India has been cut up into innumerable divigraphical location. He said, "I am an Episco- sions by all the forces that have entered that counpalian in the first instance because my father and try. Not only has the caste system divided India mother lived in a district where the Church of into very throughly segregated groups, but her England took up work. Had they lived one hun- religiol!s differences, even within Hinduism, have dred miles further north I would have been a made them go further in those separations. In member of the American Congregational Mis- South India the division of the followers of Vishnu sion.'" Since that is true the Indians, as well as into the Cat-doctrine and the Monkey-doctrine the Chinese, Japanese and other national Chris- schools has brought great bitterness. Even at the tians, feel that they should not take the denom- annual festivals at Conjeeveram the followers of inationalism of western countries but that they the one doctrine are ready to fight those who hold the other for the honor of certain positions near
WA.NTED, A DEMONSTRATION OF UNITY
the temple car as it is dragged around the city. others see it. We are wrong in our differences Denominationalism is known within Hinduism and separations. We will find ourselves more and this gives all the more surprise to the Hindu nearly right in our agreements and in our unities. when he finds the same in Christianity where he expects to find unity and peace because of the his- For some fifteen years the churches in South toric character of its Founder. Not a few Chris- India have been working on this problem and tian converts today are hesitating to join any they have evolved a scheme which seems pracchurch because they say that by joining one ticable to the representative Committee. Each church they cut themselves off from communion group have given to the Scheme what they thought in another. They feel that the followers of Jesus best in their experience. The Methodists (for- Christ should all belong to one great fellowship, merly English Wesleyans) have insisted that in and that a Christian in one place should be wel- all parts of the Scheme and in the duties of all its officers and church bodies the spirit of winning comed as a: Christian in another. When one really men to Christ (Evangelism) must be dominant. The Presbyterians have said that, in their expericomes to look at it, how terrible it is that we fol- ence, the position and work of the Presbyter (or lowers of Christ have such exalted opinions of Elder) and that of the Presbytery have been of ourselves and our ancestors that we think we great value to the Church. The Episcopalian says have the real truth in Christ while all others have that throughout their history the position of the at most only partial truth. Would it not be much Bishop, as the Father in God of the Flock and the better if we all would unite into one great body leader in spiritual and administrative work, has and recognize each other as fellow-Christians, fol- brought unity within and effective work without lowers of the one Lord, and sharing with each the Church. While the Congregationalis:ts have other the gifts that God has given each of us. felt that Christian forces can best work when each What a rich body the followers of Christ would local group find themselves free from all outside be if they would share their visions and their ac- authority and carry the full responsibility and encomplishments with each other. The prayer of thusiasm for founding the Church in that locality Christ would then be answered soon, "that they and there setting forth Christ as the Saviour of all may be one – that the world may know that men. In this South India Scheme these various Thou didst send me." elements 'have been brought together in a plan that the Committee believes to be harmonious and And why does each denomination assume that well-balanced. No one of the elements of the it is right and all others wrong? I recognize that uniting churches has been taken over in its origithat feeling is slowly dying out, but there are still nal form, but each gift from the churches has many who essentially hold that they are right and been so modified that it fits into the whole Scheme. that, therefore, all others are wrong. What is the basis for such a feeling? It seems to me axio- There are still many minor details that must be matic that worked out and time and again the Scheme has been submitted to the governing bodies of the 1. All denominations are essentially equal in intellectual churches concerned; then it has been brought back to the Committee for rewording or rewritability. ing, It is hoped that no Council will repudiate the Scheme or vote to stop negotiations. It is 2. There is no essential difference in the denominations in recognized in South India, as well as in other parts of the world, that there must be a definite setting their loyalty to Christ. . forth in actual practice of what can be done to bring the separated branches of the Church of 3. All are practically equal in their spiritual insight and Christ closer together.
their resultant devotion to God through Christ. The Next Step 4. All denominations try to work out practically in their What then should be the next step in the Church Union movement? It seems to me that the thing daily lives what they have seen in Christ. we all want is some actual demonstration which will reveal to us what is possible in this great There is no great difference between the Evan- movement. We have so long lived in our separagelical denominations in intellectual, moral, so- tions that we scarcely believe that union is poscial, or practical understanding and application sible. In the San Francisco Bay, engineers are of the principles of Christ. Why then should any building two great bridges across the waters. denomination assert that their interpretation of After the engineers had prepared their plans and a particular doctrine is the only one that is cor- estimates, after all their scientific research work rect. The very fact that other intelligent, devoted had been done, neither they nor the general public Christians can interpret some doctrine differently from the way I interpret them gives me pause in asserting my interpretation. Perhaps there is something that I have not yet fully understood and perhaps I ought to fellowship more with those who differ from me in order that I may learn from them. The trouble is we have all built fences around ourselves and have carefully protected ourselves and our followers from seeing truth as
were willing to go forward with this work until perfect the Scheme are satisfied that they have models had been made to show how the bridges found a way in which this work can be begun. would look and how they would be able to stand They all agree that great improvements are still up against the weather, and the traffic that would possible in that experiment, but they also realoperate on them. When these models and experi- ize that something must be done besides Wk. ments had been completed, then construction on There has been plenty of consultation and discusthe bridges themselves began, with the absolute sion. What we want now is something that we assurance that the bridges would accomplish the can see with our eyes and handle with our hands purposes for which they were built. -something that will be really a working model. If that proves successful, well and good, others In the same way we need an experiment in can follow its example. If it proves faulty then Church Union. We need to have a model set up, changes can be made and failure prevented. so that we can see what it would look like, how it While unions have succeeded where there were would work, and what may be wrong with it. similarities in polity and doctrine, we must now Then larger and better models can be built until go further and unite those that differ in these the fundamental laws of such union are discov- things, and by actual union we will learn how to ered and we can go ahead and complete the great unite, until all Christians can again live together work. in one family. Yes, that is a hard task. That is an impossible thing for men. But it is not im- South India seems nearest ready to adopt such possible when the· Spirit of the Almighty finds a model. Both the Christians who are directly concerned in that union in South India and all men and women that are willing to be led into the those in authority in the home churches of which fulness of His truth. He cannot have two truths these mission churches are offspring, should feel or two interpretations of truth. But He can show the great responsibility that rests on them and forth a great spirit of love that will level all should endeavor to consummate the present move- roughness, and straighten all crooked ways. ment. Those who have spent years in trying to Missionaries as Seen by a Zulu By JOHN L. DUBE, Founder of Ohlange Institute, Natal U P TO the present time the missionary in nomic resources of a State. It provides larger this country has taken upon himself the markets and greater skilled labor. task of educating, civilizing and Christianizing the Bantu. This race looks upon the mis- Some races are inferior, but their inferiority sionary as Christ's messenger, and not only the is a matter of comparison. Missionaries are not teacher of the people but as a father in whose frightened by theories of inferiority, for their steps they walk to the enlightenment which is his work among primitive races has borne good fruit. through Christ. Missionaries educate and Christianize all races, for they have been charged to "go and teach all Although missionaries work under different nations." To them primitive races and those comgovernments they have a brotherhood which is paratively in a lower state of civilization receive not subject to the State government. The law greater sympathy because they deal with all men and example of Christ are theirs, and this is the not according to nationality, but as followers of basis of the stability of their policy. They are Christ. not obsessed with a fear complex, for they know that even primitive people, under good intl.uence The hardships missionary work has to encounand guidance, can reach a state of responsibility ter, with the meager support it gets, are well and peace to all men. known, but undaunted the missionaries have pressed forward, opening schools and churches Christianity raises the status of a man, and in and repdering sacrificial service to the people. this manner increases his needs with regard to There is a great need of this spirit among our health, food, occupation and recreation. It, there- own people, for the time is ripe when the Bantu fore, cannot be regarded as endangering existing should shoulder greater responsibility in Chrisgovernments by inj uring their economic resources tianizing and educating their own people. The by raising an inferior race to the plane of a need for the extension of missionary work within higher; but it increases and stabilizes the eco- the Union of South Africa and the Protectorates is great.
Memories of Jean
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T HERE was great rejoicing in our West into practice. Meeting a native boy she innocently Africa Mission when in 1904 we learned of said, in a friendly way, "I am going to hell, will the appointment of a new young woman mis- you walk with me?" The affrighted boy said, "No. sionary to our field. One of the senior workers, I refuse to go with you." Somewhat puzzled at having just returned from furlough, recalled this attitude, she reviewed her words and found meeting her in the United States. She had ap- the mistaken name of the place she intended to proached him with questions about the work and visit. When this was corrected the boy gladly had expressed a desire to join us. In time Jean joined her and they journeyed together to the town.
Mackenzie came and began her Adj ustment to the food of a work for Africa. Since then new country is always difficult she has been a blessing to two and the new missionary missed whole continents. Trials as her American favorites. Coffee well as her joys began imme- was felt to be a necessity and diately upon her arrival on on a long "bush" trip, when shore. Her trunk was wet with very hungry, she espied a sea water and we all knew the trader's house and shop on the results that would follow. The top of a high hill. We remem- colors of a little silk American ber how she wondered audibly flag that a friend had given her whether he might have some ran through her wardrobe, coffee. The house cook was with the result that African wont to tell us how fond she women received gifts of the was of his cookies. I remember variegated cloth. Jean took her a time when we were rooming disappointment as a part of together that I was awaked by African mission life. Jean one night asking if I sup- Being assigned to the first posed we could find something inland station, she made the to eat. A midnight prowl re- jungle-trip by hammock and sulted in a "find" in the host- afoot, and then settled down in ess' cookie jar.
one of the tiny rooms of a bark- Jean once told of a long, walled cottage. Here she be- weary day in the jungle, when came intimately acquainted Bachrach physical strength was over- with the family and loved them JEAN KENYON MAOKENZIE taxed. Upon reaching her desdearly. When some sympa- tination she called for a pan of thizing friends in America offered to sponsor the water, removed her shoes and stockings and building of a little house for her to occupy alone plunged her poor, aching feet into the water, and she realized that this sacrifice would involve a in her own words "wept into it too."
sac:dfice of time needed for the evangelistic work At one time she was assigned to one of the coast and she dismissed it with the same fortitude that stations where the contact .with the white man she had shown in the loss of her clothing. had changed the people from the ignorant type of Jean Mackenzie began immediately to adapt bushmen. She spent long hours with the old herself to the place, the customs, and language of pioneers gaining folklore and many reminiscences.
the people and spent many hours in visiting huts She had remarkable ability to construct most in- and villages where she acquired the language teresting stories from a little material. She con- firsthand. How the people learned to love her! fided to us one day that sometime she would write One day, after having spent hours in language a book. Faithfully and well she has used her won- study, she sallied forth to put her new knowledge derful talent as the Church at home well knows.
[589 ]
Her story about writing her father's biography to see her "walk and not faint." Surely the words is unique. She quietly questioned him at inter- of her Saviour to Mary of Bethany may be said vals about his early life, he never suspicioned her of our Jean, "She hath done what she could."
motive. One day when the Atlantic Monthly came Jean Kenyon Mackenzie – Interpreter* to her father's home she saw him don his glasses to read it. Covertly she watched him from behind Jean Kenyon Mackenzie was for eleven years a her book, saw his gaze at the title-"The Story of missionary in Africa. a Fortunate Youth"-scan it a minute and then She was born in Elgin, Ill., the daughter of began to read. With riveted and dilating eyes he Scottish parents, Rev. and Mrs. Robert Macread and then began to frown, smile, chuckle, and kenzie. Her school years were spent in San Franfinally he called her a rather uncompli.mentary cisco, and later she studied at the Sorbonne, in name. Their love and mutual understandmg were Paris. Her father, who came to America when he great, and finally they had a good laugh together. was nineteen years of age, became pastor of Rut- When the monthly mail steamer arrived in West gers Presbyterian Church in New York, and dur- Africa everything else gave way to the reading of ing his pastorate his daughter volunteered for home letters. How she did enjoy them and the service as a missionary in West Africa under the magazines! Some will recall Jean's style of pen- Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. . manship, with her broad pen and lines written at In 1904 she went to what was then the German wide intervals on thin stationary. Once when colony of Kamerun (Cameroun), where she saw visiting a neighboring station, she sat by a co- service for the next ten years in four different worker and both were busily engaged in writing for the outgoing mail. Suddenly Jean paused and stations, all but one "bush" towns in the interior. Thirty years ago this equatorial section was still asked, "When your letters arrive home,. do .y.our "darkest Africa." Gorillas and elephants were people send them over the country to mqmrmg friends?" Upon being answered in the negative, common, travel was on foot or by canoe, or at best in the one-wheeled chair called a "push-push," or she said: "Well, mine do but they will not do so with this one." Then taking her blunt pen she in a hammock swung from a pole borne by porters. printed across the page in a horizontal line, in In 1914, because of ill health, Miss Mackenzie large letters, a slang word sufficiently prohibitive retired from service in Africa and devoted herself to writing about that part of ,the continent which to prevent broadcasting. . is still so little known. After the outbreak of the World War, however, and with the capture of We ever marveled at her self-control; but once, Kamerun by French forces, her return was asked by the mission staff. In the transfer of property when overexasperated at a coworker of the sterner and the establishment of missionary work under a new regime, Miss Mackenzie's fluent French sex she shook her little fist at him and said, "I and her experience on three continents would be of value. The submarine danger was at its height, am'very angry at you." The argument closed im- but by going via Spain and the Canary Islands she made her way eventually to the African coast. mediately. Perhaps the brightest spot in her fir~t This emergency year of service ended, Miss term was the visit of Dr. A. W. Halsey and hIS Mackenzie returned to New York, settling down to a career of writing. The vivid recollections of wife to our field. This was our first secretarial her experiences in Africa resulted in a series of articles and essays in the Atlantic Monthly. She visit and we all greatly enjoyed his season with also wrote several books: "Black Sheep," "An African Trail," "African Adventures," "African us, but no one so much as Jean. Clearings," "The Story of a Fortunate Youth" (an account of the early life of her father), "The . Great was our sorrow when she returned home. Venture" (poems.), "Friends of Africa," "The Trader's Wife." Later how deeply we appreciated her heroic and In 1923 Miss Mackenzie was elected a member brave service as she again heard the call to Africa of the Board of Foreign Missions, and three years later was appointed as its speci.al representative and answered it during the World War. She told Le to the international and interdenominational conus of being alone in the lower part of that big ference held in Zoute, Belgium, which discussed ship, in the submarine zone, and we knew that the future of mission work in Africa in view of only He whom she served had kept her for us.
The results of her services are written in our Mission's war history. When she again left us, she explained that she had promised her father that when he called her she would return, and the time had come. But orice when I was on furlough she confided to me her great desire to return to the field. Each time she followed a company of coworkers to the steamer to say "Good-bye" her streaming eyes followed the boat, as it wended its way Africaward.
. The home Church and literary world knew how, in the words of the Prophet, she "mounted upon wings" but to us who knew her there, it was given • Condensed from Women and Missions, October, 1936.
INTIMATE MEMORIES OF JEAN KENYON MACKENZIE
rapidly changing economic and social conditions realm of human nature. We often saw through over the continent. Here her gift of understandingall sorts and conditions of people came into a her eyes and felt drawn with her nearer to tpe full play. Out of this conference grew many of the most valuable modern developments in African mind and heart. No one else served Christian work in Africa, including the founding country or people more wholeheartedly, or re~ of a committee to provide Christian literature. Miss Mackenzie died in New York City on Sep- dered more acceptable service to her Lord and tember 2d of this year. Master, than did our coworker, Jean Kenyon Mac- Recollections of a Fellow Missionary kenzie. (MRS. W. S.) ANNA M. LEHMAN. Of the many high recommendations proffered at the time of Jean Mackenzie's 'appointment to A Tribute from a Friend the West Africa Mission, one given by her own father spoke of Jean's "adaptability." Jean Mackenzie was the gifted daughter of a gifted Scotch "domsie," a real child of the manse. Traveling with her down the West Coast, trek- She was as Scotch as if she had been born in king through the bush for days in the rain, living Thrums. Her father never outgrew the traits with her under the same leaky roof, experiencing which made him so definitely a Scot, and Jean intogether a smallpox epidemic, only served to illu- herited from him his rare and delicate humor, his minate her many choice characteristics and to keen insight and lofty imagination, his deeply make us value more and more our new friend and spiritual nature. They looked alike and thought fellow worker. Sympathetic and understanding alike, and in her later years, as she grew older, she was, practical and efficient, ready to share she had so perfectly his ruddy color, his round with black or white not just things alone but her face crowned with soft white hair, and his serene philosophy and attitude toward life, her friends blue eyes, that the resemblance was very striking. and family, and her findings in the African heart Her "Story of a Fortunate Youth" is a beautiful and forest. All who have read her writings know tribute to him. how keenly observant she was, and how much she got as well as gave during her sojourn in Africa. When she came back from Africa on her first furlough, in the fall of 1906, she, who was never Arriving at her station, she gave herself scant very strong, during that winter in New York she three days to unpack her small iron trunks, to establish herself at a rough homemade desk and JEAN MACKENZIE TOURING IN AFRICA arrange her belongings in a third-hand chest of drawers. In the cramped space of a 10 by 14 did a good deal of work and speaking. Among room, she allowed herself but one or two at a time of her treasures and bits of art, living through other duties, she taught a class of girls in the Sabthe calendar with now a brass bowl, next a "Boy and Violin," or some hand-catved panels. bath school of Rutgers Church. It was a rare Self-discipline ranked high in her catalog of privilege for those girls to have such a teacher! virtues. She disciplined herself to a routine of hours and days, sometimes stepping out and fac- One can easily believe that the fascination, the ing "right about" in an opposite direction from that in which the precious monthly foreign mail charm, the devotion of that frail, earnest young was expected. What a wealth of love and friendship, of warming one's self at ,the home hearth woman lent a compelling force and an unforgetthere would be in store for her, with the opening of that tin hamper of mail from across the sea! table impression to the message she taught, which One has only to read her "Exile and the Postman" to know what it meant to her. Yet we saw her has had an influence beyond computation in that deliberately walking away from it, to return only after her self-appointed task of the day was done. mission in Africa. She always schooled herself to the more difficult way. If perchance there was some individual We of Rutgers Presbyterian Church had the who just naturally "rubbed the wrong way," then it was her practice to make an especial effort to rare pleasure of seeing her frequently as she came be friendly or do a favor for that one. to the meetings of the Women's Guild, and other She was a sharer of good things-as much as one can share of family, privilege, appreciation of church services during her first, second, and third beauty, and happy discoveries one makes in the furloughs. She brought the story of God's love to eager listeners, and through her the Sun of Righteousness began to shine in many darkened hearts and home1l ' ..
Of all the missionary speakers I have ever His love, gentle in her own indescribable way, cheerful as she made her efforts for the happiness heard, no one has ever so moved me with the feel- of others, but above all, as a creative mind at work, enriching and interpreting human life. ing of the world's need and the power of God's "The Word of God is a real word," she would love. With such extraordinary gifts of mind and often say. She heard it in the creative process of the natural world, for her it was hidden in the heart and tongue, it has been hard to understand course of things. She heard it in her girlhood, in the African forest, in her home in Riverdale. She why she was not given commensurable bodily recognized the word of God in the Bible. "I found in the Biblical stories, while at work in Mrica, the strength to use her powers to the utmost. She actual word of God to those people,"· she said.
always worked to the limit of her strength, and She shared the sufferings of the Master. When she was writing the devotional studies for Women when she found herself unable to do much speak- and Missions, she worked in great weakness and almost continuous physical discomfort. She ing she gave herself to writing as long as she would come down the stair, obviously pale and worn with her wrestling in prayer. There was in could. A large audience, in secular and religious her studies, in consequence, an almost angelic tenderness and heroism. There was in them the magazines and in her books, have felt the spell adoration of one who had met the Lord in the flame, and been marked with the secret fire. of her pen. GEORGE M. DUFF. In her the natural body could change to the spiritual body with less change than for most of us. (MRS. JOHN H.) MARTHA B. FINLEY.
A Word from Her Pastor Jean Mackenzie meant to the Church what high talent dedicated to a high task can mean. During the more than twenty years that she lived in Riverdale after her return from Africa, she appeared as a shining being amid the daily round of duties-reticent as one truly absorbed in God and Signs of Progress in West Africa By REV. R. S. ROSEBERRY, Kankan, French West Africa "CUT her throat! Cut her throat!" was the ered by this account, namely, Senegal, Guinea, command of the slave driver more than a Sudan and Ivory Coast. These colonies have a hundred years ago, as the long caravan of population of approximately ten million people.
slaves wended its way across the Sudan to Prior to the forward movement of missions, Gambia. The little slave girl could no longer keep Mohammedanism had captured the territory along up with the caravan that Mungo Park was ac- the banks of the Niger westward to the Atlantic.
companying on his return trip from his first visit Entering this region from the north about the to the Niger. The slave girl's throat was cut, and eighth century, they had hundreds of years to the scanty clothing that covered her body sal- press their conquest before the advent of the mis- vaged. It might be said that Mungo Park's first sionary of Christ. Rome had also followed closely trip to the Niger was the beginning of the over- the French conquest and was installed in a num- throw of the slave traffic in West Africa. The ber of pagan centers.
advent of civilized government accomplished it. The great Harris mass movement had stirred The hinterland was held by powerful Mohamme- the southern part of the Ivory Coast, carrying dan war lords who did not yield without many a everything before it like a hurricane. Pushing battle. The closing years of the nineteenth cen- back from the coast about three hundred miles, it tury saw these conquered and the land opened to had turned many people from their fetish wor- commerce. ship, leaving them, however, with very little con- French West Africa, a colonial empire of vast ception of real Christianity. In many places extent, borders the Atlantic Ocean on the west where instruction failed to arrive in time they and stretches east to the Egyptian Sudan, reach- drifted into other forms of paganism.
ing from the Mediterranean on the north to the In 1918, at the close of the World War, the Gulf of Guinea on the south. Only four of the evangelical advance into the interior was begun.
colonies comprising French West Africa are cov- A line of stations was opened from Faranah, near
SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN WEST AFRICA
the source of the Niger River, down to Timbuctoo books which mean to them a new life. They in and across the buckle of the Niger to Gao. This turn become teachers to help others. The call move placed us in strategic centers, giving us a comes from far and near for help to reap the har- working base in at least twenty-five of the more vest. In order to meet the emergency workers than one hundred tribes in this territory. The have been shifted from less responsive Mohamme- number of tribes, increased the usual language dan tribes to the awakened areas. This has some- barrier. Here were many distinct languages, times meant leaving good buildings vacant, but some of them subdivided into dialects, a decided what is a building in comparison with an oppor- obstacle to rapid evangelization. By evangelizing tunity? The missionaries are willing to live in we do not mean proclaiming the message in a ter- grass hut training camps that they may teach the ritory once or twice and then passing on to the needy ones. What a pleasure it is to visit these next district. True evangelization raises up and same sections where the devil reigned so long, and establishes groups of believers who can carryon meet earnest followers of Christ who sit by the for themselves. This was the New Testament hour and listen to the Word! Oftentimes many method. It is not the drilling of men and women tribes are represented in these gatherings, all in a creed with the hope that they will gradually meeting at a common mercy seat.
develop into a Christian community. Evangeliza- Pagans and Ohristians tion means the transformation of men and women by the direct power of God. Anything short of The way has not been easy. Persecution has this is a waste of time and money. broken out which has shown the intense hatred Fortunately the major part of the societies that that always follows a real work of God. The entered this territory belong to strong funda- pagan forces have rallied in some sections to drive medal groups, with a resulting unity of program out the native workers. In one town especially which greatly aids in the evangelization of the their hatred became so intense that they not only territory. Beginning with two workers in 1918, drove the native teacher away, tearing down his the Christian and Missionary Alliance, before the house, but even threatened the missionary with close of 1928, had placed a force of sixty on the violence. The native teacher was not to be so field. Other societies soon entered, so that now easily set aside and returned again and again more than one hundred and thirty missionaries until they beat him severely. He told them that are at work, representing at least eight societies. a beating on the left side was silver money, on The larger language groups have been entered, the other side, gold. He became rich in that kind and much has been accomplished toward giving of money before they grew tired and let him go. them the Word of God in their own tongue. His face shines with an inner light as he tells of Translating has been, for the most part, pioneer his experience. work and consequently has required much time and persistent effort. Into at least four of these In order to encourage these tried ones, conferlanguages the entire New Testament and a part ences have been convened in different districts of the Old Testament have been translated. Other with profit. This affords them an opportunity to pagan tribes have one or two Gospels and the get together and talk over their difficulties and story of some of the Old Testament portions. recite their victories over sin. It shows their strength as a body of believers and encourages After ten years of plodding and sowing the them to press forward through trials and suffergood seed the awakening came. It swept almost ing. It also provides an opportunity for Bible inlike a wave over the entire field. Section after struction and prayer for the isolated ones who section reported a turning to God from dumb do not have the privilege of a great center where idols. Paganism began to break and crumble on continual instruction is carried on. In a recent a wide front until it became exceedingly difficult conference the Spirit came upon those gathered to care for the instruction of inquirers, and many in prayer until strong men called aloud upon God fine opportunities were lost for the lack of to have mercy upon them. It is in hours of this reapers. kind that a new vision is imparted that gives the In order to take advantage of the movement, work new vigor and strength. Many of these training camps have been opened in many parts simple-hearted folk travel miles to attend such of the field to teach the people to read the Word gatherings. The Christians are encouraged to of God. It has been no small task to teach grown bring a love offering, which provides for those men and women from illiterate, pagan tribes. who are called of the Lord to go as evangelists After a busy day on the farm they come from and teachers into the district. The offering con- their fields to study the simple primers printed sists of grain, peanuts, and cowerie shells, which for their benefit. Their goal is a New Testament take the place of money in the more backward all their very own. How they treasure these districts. Many of the Christians are very poor,
and consequently their offerings are not large j did not grasp the message until I heard the Evan- gelist Bokari." This fiery evangelist makes Christ but they are a great help to their spiritual life. real and causes them to fear the wrath of God that will come upon them if they do not repent. No man can make progress in his spiritual ex- In order to get a sick man to a recent native con- ference he loaded him on his horse while he perience who does not bring an offering to the walked beside him, footsore and weary, over the hot, sandy trail. To hear him pray, "Lord, call Lord. forth shepherds to feed the sheep; call them, Lord, black or white! the sheep are many, but the Our hope for every town is to get at least one shepherds are few," is an inspiration indeed. One can well understand the burden that rests on his man to stand true to his faith. He becomes a heart.
rallying ground for others who perhaps are weak- While the results among the Mohammedans have not been as great as those among the pagan er in faith and not so courageous. The great work tribes, yet, strange to say, our foremost evangel- ists, men who have been trail blazers among the of the missionary at the present time is the train- pagans, were formerly bigoted followers of the false prophet. Is there not a lesson in that fact ing of native men and women as leaders. A cen- for us? The strongest fortifications once won in turn make the best strongholds. The Touaregs tral Bible school is being erected in the Sudan for and Arabs on the borders of the great Sahara, the pagan cliff dwellers of HabM land, the Bambaras this purpose. This will not replace the short term and Miankas with the Black and Red Bobos, the great Mossi tribe of the central Sudan, with the Bible training camps already established, but will Kissien, Toma, Gberese, Baouli and other tribes of the forest country, are forming to raise a supplement them. It is not proposed to give them chorus of praise to the Lamb of God who has re- deemed them. These delegations will hail the a higher education, which often seems to unfit King's arrival. Faithful God-ealled men and women are on the march over the burning sands men and women for real village work. Rather we of the desert, on the great open plains of the Sudan, in the somber forests, ever going forward would that they have a thorough knowledge of the to reach the last tribe with the message. Toiling on translation work at night, teaching men and Word of God, with a heart set on fire by the women to read, helping to build houses and chapels, bridging streams, opening new roads, Spirit. . slowly and oftentimes with breaking hearts, the Gospel army presses on to a sure success. The second session of one of these Bible train- ing institutes in HabM land was convened from March 24 to April 19 in 1936, with an enroll- ment of thirty-five regular and eight special stu- dents. Thirty-two of this number took the ex- amination at the close of the session. The course was not conducted without opposition from Satan which threatened at times to disrupt it altogether j but prayer prevailed, and not one left until the close. One can understand the urge that seizes the native to go back to his farm when a heavy rain falls and prepares the soil for sowing the seed.
Only the Lord can impart faith on these occasions and cause them to wait a little longer at the Mas- ter's feet and learn more of His Word.
A true and loyal native worker is a priceless boon to the missionary. The only hope of West Africa is men and women of this type. Again and again we hear the testimony of the natives: "I A TRIBE OF GOD In his letter to the Romans Paul writes, "And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my children; there shall they be called the children of the living God" (Romans 9: 26).
This prophecy is surely coming to pass in Africa. For many generations her people have been abused by all other nations. They have been harassed by merciless slave traders, ex- ploited by ruthless traders and industrial organizations, and divided up among the various nations of Europe. With the downfall of Ethiopia, Liberia is the only bit of independent ter- ritory in all that great continent. But God has blessed the Africans with a spirit of hope and optimism so that they have endured persecution and oppression, patiently awaiting the day of deliverance. That day is dawning now, for out of every tribe in Africa God is calling forth a people for Himself and through these people Africa will be delivered out of her age-old bondage. One old woman made the remark, "A new tribe is arising in Africa in our day- the tribe of God."-Clarence E. Carlson, in Gems of Cheer.
Lai Tsang, Missionary to
I _oo-lflf By MRS. C. S. DEMING, Seoul, Korea I fB.- ~==========================~ SOME years ago we first made Mr. Sen's ac- I thanked God, and took courage. Then it quaintance. Our little mission to the Chinese seemed not right to send a young man like that in Seoul had been opened only two Sundays alone into a hard place, for the Lord sent out the and, when passing through town on his way to disciples two by two. I prayed that some Chris- the steamer at Chemulpo, he came to morning tian might be found at Chemulpo, who would be a service. He was a member of Dr. Mateer's church help to him. The very next prayer meeting night, in Shantung, and had been engaged in a little a young man appeared in foreign clothes who said bakery, but as business was bad he was returning that he had served his apprenticeship at Chemulpo home. Just a young lad, insignificant looking, we as a tailor, and then returned home to Shanghai.
did not expect to see him again. His family were all Christians, and he became a Years passed. Our hearts became heavily Christian also, and had been baptized. Hearing burdened for Chemulpo, the nearest port to Che- that we had started a church in Seoul, he had foo, China, with its large Chinese settlement, for come to join us, having returned to Chemulpo nothing was being done for them. We had to start in business for himself. He told us that neither man nor funds to start this new work, but the other half of the house he occupied was vawe had God who hears and answers prayer. It cant, and that we could probably get it for our was not long before I saw Mr. Sen at one of our work. We went to Chemulpo the next day, had a evening prayer meetings in Seoul. He had just re- time of prayer in the tailor's shop, then rented the turned from China to try his hand at the bakery next door place for a little church. business once more and he was asked to bring a It was wonderful to see how the children flocked around Mr. Sen. He taught them to pray word of greeting from the home church. sentence by sentence, and got them to pray at It was a remarkable story he told. On going to home morning ar..d evening and at their meals, out China, he had met with a certain evangelist who loud so as to influence their parents. The children had been in an important position in a consulate spent so much time at the mission that the schoolbut reading the war news in the papers, felt con- teachers complained that they were neglecting vinced that it was one of the signs of the Lord's their lessons. Mr. Sen told them to come to the speedy return. He gave up his post, and set him- church after school and he would help them preself to do the work of an evangelist, trusting en- pare their home work, after which they had their tirely to the Lord to supply his wants and those daily Christian Endeavor service. He taught them of his large family. Mr. Sen joined him and in to pray over their lessons, so that one boy who preparation for his work, spent hours studying was bad in arithmetic, got 100 in his examination. God's Word and praying for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Before long the answer came and When the influenza epidemic was about, Mr. the evangelist went out to do a great work for Sen was taken sick. His friend the tailor was God. away at the time and there was no coal. The weather was bitter and he was too ill to move. After speaking, Mr. Sen led in prayer, the most The children came and found the doors locked. wonderful prayer I ever heard. As he was pray- Mr. Sen called to them that there was no coal, so ing, the Lord said to me, "He is the man I have they would not have their r.egular meeting. When sent you for Chemulpo." they came the next day, and heard the same thing After the service, I asked him, "Are you will- they knew that something was wrong, and asked ing to go and start work for God in Chemulpo?" him why he was not up. When he told them that It was a hard task. He said, "I will pray about it, he was too sick and could not move, one of the and see if it is the Lord's will." The next week boys climbed to a second-story window and man- he told me that the Lord had appeared to him in aged to get in. Some of them went to their homes the night, telling him to be strong and of a good and brought wood and coal while others brought courage,' that He would stand by him and food. Others carried water, as he had had noth- strengthen him, and that he had called him to this ing to drink. Some mothers came around also work at Chemulpo. and cared for him.
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Mr. Sen spent his mornings visiting in the Korea to our knowledge, when marriage brought homes and places of business, preaching Christ a China missionary to Korea. His prayers that everywhere. There was no place in Chemulpo someone might come and start work among his where the name of Mr. Sen was not known and people in Korea were answered by our coming, loved. The girls and boys would go out with him, and I believe were the cause of it.
preaching after school hours or on Sunday after- Through the years, Elder Chee, and Mr. Sen are noons. They became splendid little workers and the two men who have felt the burden and re- then the parents began to get interested. One sponsibility for the whole Chinese work. Every whole family was won through him and many week the officers of the church would meet with others. them. Down on our knees, we would each one Mr. Sen had great power in prayer, and a pray in turn over the matters coming up for de- simple childlike faith in the power of God. There cision, so in an unusual way felt we had the mind was a young man in town who had terrible pain of the Spirit,because of our unity. Shoulder to in his ear for a fortnight and could neither eat shoulder we have carried the burdens and re- nor sleep for the pain. He went to the hospital sponsibilities in a fellowship that has been most but could get no relief. A church member, a young precious. We have sorrowed together, and re- blacksmith, said, "I will take you to Mr. Sen and joiced together. In time it was felt that Mr. Sen he will pray for you and you will be healed." He should be ordained, and at the request of the went to the evening service with the man, but Union Chinese Churches in Korea, now grown to found that the tailor was about to conduct the five in number, the Synod of the Union Chinese service. He had come in and found Mr. Sen over- Christian Church of China ordained him in Mouk- come by the fumes of the charcoal stove he was den. Having started the work in Chemulpo, he using to cook his food. He was lying unconscious became its pastor, but was later called to the pas- on the floor. The tailor put him in bed, with torate of the Seoul Chinese Church, where he is plenty of fresh air in the room, but Mr. Sen was now carrying full res.ponsibility together with El- too sick and weak to move when it came time for der Wang.
meeting. The blacksmith came and said, "I have In the fall of 1929 we were transferred to North brought you a man who is sick; we want you to Manchuria, the mission field of the Korean Meth- pray for him to be healed." Mr. Sen replied, "I odist Church. It was hard to leave the fellowship am too sick to get up." Then it occurred to him of the churches in Korea, but Miss Quinn who how foolish he was not to trust God for his own retired from work in China had been asked to healing also. He asked God to heal him, so that help with the work up the east coast, and was he might go upstairs and pray for the sick man. asked to reside in Seoul, and help all the Chinese Immediately the sickness left him and he went up churches. Pastor Sen worked with her loyally for and knelt beside the sick young man in prayer. five years, during much of which time her work When the young man went home, the pain had had to be done from her bed.
gone. He had a good night's sleep and in the The young Chinese carpenter has developed morning a great abscess burst in his ear and he into Manager Wang of the Gospel Building Com- had no further trouble with it. pany, started to help support the church. Ten Mr. Sen used to get up at five in the morning per cent of all profits go to the church. He is now to study the Bible. While we were on furlough Elder Wang. Recently in building the Music he studied for a time in the Korean classes at the Building of Ewha College, he found he had over.
Pierson Memorial Bible School. A letter from estimated the cost of the building. An improved Mother who visited him, reported that he had price of building material had reduced the cost.
started a Bible class with his classmates, a per- Without being asked, he returned several thou- sonal work prayer group, and an evangelistic sand dollars, which were more than legitimate band. A man who was won by him was a young profits.
carpenter named, Wang Kong En, who suddenly Miss Quinn died on August 31, 1934. That day came under convicti6n of sin as Mr. Sen was ill health necessitated my starting for America.
praying, and gave himself to God. Standing on the platform at the station among Later Mr. Sen went to Nanking, and after Chinese, Korean, and foreign friends, Pastor Sen graduating at the Theological Seminary, returned and Elder Wang stood as the two pillars of the to be the Chinese evangelist for the whole of Chinese Church, clergy and laity. The two moth- Korea. He opened the work in Pyengyang, and ers of the church had been removed by God. The in Fusan also. churches could walk alone, under the direct guid- Thirteen years. have passed since the above ance of the Spirit. Thank God for both these men.
story was written. Sen Lai Tsang has proved Dr. Chee retired to Peiping. Pray for them as himself indeed called of God. Dr. Chee, a Chinese they carryon, and send them help for entering herb doctor, was the only Chinese Christian in new areas when God so guides.
HOIl1:e Missions' in Modern America*
_.46t Ii By the REV. E. D. KOHLSTEDT, D.D., Philadelphia I Secretary of the Board of Home Missions, Methodist JB- Episcopal Church I~==~======================~'
T HE United States of America is an excep- sions, than to develop constructive citizens. tional field for Home Missions. No other Specialists sustain our contention that, without nation can duplicate the intricate, exacting discounting the effectiveness of what Government task that confronts organized Christianity in this men were doing toward the suppression of crime country, with its unique historical heritage, reli- and criminals, the cause and cure of crime in the gious background, territorial expansion, govern- United States is a matter of more immediacy; mental development, racial mixtures, cosmopolitan that preventive rather than punitive phases of sopopulation, changing economic and social situ- cial service demand major emphasis; that Chrisations. Constructive statesmen remind us that no tianity has no more imperative obligation than a nation can hope to withstand the test of time that faithful ministry to child life. lacks at least three fundamentals to perpetuity: The late Senator Long said, concerning the solu- A capable foundation of race; tion of criminal problems: A high standard of private and public morals; A spirit of fidelity to tried and long-established institu- "I understand that crime is costing our country $12,000,000,000 annually. We spend about $40,- tions. 000,000 a year on the prosecution of federal crimes alone. The approach to this problem of Despite gratifying gains, Christian constitu- reducing crime should begin with childhood, in our encies record a disproportionate ratio of our total public and private schools, where children should population. Mindful of the variable value of sta- be taught a greater respect for law. There should tistical summaries, we marshal the most depend- be a revival of religious training in the home, a able data available, as a reasonably reliable yard- reorganization of our correctional institutions, stick with which to measure religious progress, with a revision of our judicial methods. We want and to determine the validity of missionary re- to punish, rather than to correct conditions by sponsibilities. using common sense in administering justice."
Missionary Review of the World (June Issue) Home Missions and National Life 1935: Present population of the United States …. 134,000,000 Secretaries of American missionary agencies Pre-High School Group, no Church Contacts 13,400,000 record seven facts that magnify Home Missions: Non-Church Members, including children … 75,000,000 1. Democracy may be a promise or a peril: without reli- The International Council of Religious Educa- gion, a peril.
tion estimates our United States youth population 2. The utter failure of substitutes for religion. (ages 5-17) to be 30,034,308, and the number in 3. Applied Christianity solves social problems. that classification unreached by the Christian 4. Increasing recognition of the Christian Church. church, 15,000,000-a tremendous challenge to 5. The national significance of Home Missions. 6. The challenge of unmet missionary needs in America.
Home Missions! If the Federal Government 7. Christianity's ability to survive depressions.
deems it advisable to spend millions of dollars on Home Missions and Social Safety emergency education and student aid, the Chris- tian Church must undergird that program with an Economic security and social safety are the adequate religious ministry. rightful heritage of humanity. The supreme pur- Social education and crime prevention was the pose of our Master's ministry to mankind was "A theme for a series of discussions in the White more abundant life." A progressive realization House at Washington, May 17-18, 'participated in of that objective is one of the major responsibiliby 75 mission and social agency representatives. ties of Home Missions. Methodism's ministry to Juvenile delinquency is a social problem that can- the masses has always been characterized by a not be solved by punitive methods; such a pro- tender solicitude for their physical, social and cedure is more likely to engender antisocial obses- spiritual welfare. Her concern for the totality of life is convincingly stated in a challenging docu- • Condensed from The Pastor's Journal, January. 1936. ment: The Social Creed of the Church!
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Sincerely appreciative of Federal Administra- relief work, care of the handicapped and unfortunate, will tion efforts to stabilize chaotic conditions in this be greatly expedited by sympathetic encouragement on the country, and with absolutely no thought of any part of the great body of the church who, I believe, are political emphases, the results fro~ several.years for the social gospel, if they can see that its feet are on of experimentation ought to convmce well-mten- practical ground. tioned economic experts of the futility of a philosophy of scarcity that involves: the destruction The Consumers' Cooperative movement, conof food stuffs and supplies in certain sections, for cerning which much has been written, is based want of which humans are suffering in other parts upon these principles: a democratic organization of our fair land; substantial subsidies to a selec- of economic processes; an unrestricted membertive list of actual and absentee agriculturists as a ship; a limited rate of return on caI;>i~al inve~t reward for nonproduction, while grain, meat and ments; one vote for each member; dIVIdend dISmilk-product imports show percentage increases; tributions, determined by patronage. The Coopthe twofold delusion of drinking and spending erative League.of the U. S. A. claims to have 6,600 ourselves into prosperity, regardless of social lia- societies; 1,800,000 members, and an annual bilities. Our Government's main problem is not business of $365,000,000; to reverse our economic the disposition of a bugbear surplus, but a justifi- order by paying profits to the buyer, producing able allotment of the available necessities of life. goods in the interest of the consumer, instead of the promoter, taking out of business the elements Federal Social Security legislation embodies of speculation, in the hope of eliminating peaks several humanitarian proposals, which merit sym- and depressions, the despair of our present syspathetic consideration. tem.
The Social Security Bill is the first law of such scope to Every major Home Missionary project in our be enacted in this country, although Great Britain, Ger- program is an attempt to meet urgent needs in many, France, Austria, Bulgaria, Irish Free State, Italy, some actual area of human life: ministries to neg- Poland, Russia and Switzerland have long had some such lected or underprivileged communities throughform of protection. out Continental United States; in allocated sec- tions of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the The bill includes these items: Dominican Republic; specialized evangelistic and social services to bilinguals, Indians, Latin Amer- Old-age Pensions, Unemployment Insurance, Dependent icans, Migrants, Mormons, Mountaineers, Ne- Children, Health, Clearance of Slum Residence Areas, and groes, Orientals, Polyglots. Share-Croppers Rehabilitation. Methodist social service proposals must, of The Exaltation of governing principles is a mat- course, accord a primary place to that outstanding ter of moment to the Christian ministry; the busi- humanitarian enterprise initiated thirty years ago ness of blueprinting procedures belongs to special- by Dr. E. J. Helms, founder and director of the ists, who have earned the right to be heard and heeded in this phase of civic responsibility. That Goodwill Industries fact stresses the significance of services that ought to be rendered in the field of statesmanship by which furnish a fine foundation for the developthoroughly equipped churchmen. But direct hu- ment of cooperative economic and social life, man contacts in the realm of religious activity particularly among groups that have much in comought to enable discriminating ministers to say something tangible about the application of Chris- mon, whose interests readily respond .to constr.uctian principles to the business of life. United annual conference sessions afford a real opportunity tive efforts toward economic and soclal securIty. for joint appraisals of economic and social situa- This Christlike project is a convincing, composite tions. expression of practical Christianity.
The Gospel of Christ proclaims a complete sal- The Quadrennial report: vation: enrichment of life in all of its essential relationships-physical, social, spiritual. Scores For opportunity wages to handicapped people, of sincere lay leaders are as anxious as any of us Goodwill Industries paid $1,628,486.11; for servto find a satisfactory solution to this intricate ice wages, $392,920.97. The following service has problem, but cannot see the advantage of tearing been provided: down the superstructure in order to make needed repairs. Different persons employed ……………. . 46,510 Hours of employment ………………… . 6,580,495 Senator C. O. Holmes of Gary, Indiana, says: Sales in Goodwill Stores ………………. . 3,315,376 Goodwill bags filled ………………….. . 2,733,709 The church must make greater social contributions than Homes from which bags and furniture came .. 1,333,642 ever. Some of the success that ought to be made possible Aggregate attendance daily Chapel service … for social security measures in State Legislatures, for in- Adults enrolled in community service activities 545,596 telligent use of employment exchanges in coordination with Children enrolled in community service activities 5,862 12,306 Superintendent R. E. Scully says: "Everybody knows that only by the help of the Board of Home
THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL IN JAPAN
Missions would we have been able t'O continue the were effected between the colonial settlements of religi'Ous work in the Cincinnati Goodwill Indus- Salem and Plymouth, characterized by divergent tries." creedal concepts, local leaders discovered the real- ity of a practical basis for Christian fell'Owship. Social situations in America threaten the de- Puritan Governor John Endicott wrote to Pilgrim struction of fundamentals to the perpetuity of our Governor William Bradford: national life. Christianity is challenged by: a slump in ethical ideals; an indifference to cardinal God's people are all marked with the same mark; they virtues; the propagation 'Of pagan phil'Os'Ophies have the same heart, guided by the same spirit of truth; 'Of life; the ravages of an uncontrolled, federally where this is, there can be no discord, but sweet harmony. fostered liquor traffic; the menace 'Of m'Ovies that May we, as Christian brethren, be united by unfeignetl persist in the unpatriotic pastime of disc'Ounting love, bending all our hearts and forces in furthering a their country in the eyes of the world by mag- work beyond our strength. nifying the worst features 'Of American life, idealizing crime and criminals, caricaturing Christian Federal Church and Home Missions Councils leadership, c'Onfusing the ethical ideals 'Of impres- were organized in 1908, when a new spirit 'Of cosi'Onable children; the divorce evil, with its tragic operation among our evangelical communions and trail from Reno to Hollywood and Washington. their respective missionary agencies began to reg- ister. We have witnessed practical applications Cooperation and Church Comity of the principle of cooperati'On until office files are cluttered with c'Onvincing cases 'Of progress. More Christian cooperative movements in America has been accomplished during the past twenty are a fulfilment of early ideals. When contacts years than in all the earlier years of American church history.
The Handwriting on the Wall in Japan A Story Told by A. E. AURELL, Tokyo Agent of the American Bible Society T HE following story is told by a Japanese "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavily young man who was discouraged and planned laden and I will give you rest."
to commit suicide. Those gr·acious words of Christ made me recon- N'Ot being able to see eye t'O eye with my father sider indeed and almost unbeknowingly my feet there was often strife leading to divisions in my began to take me to the Christian church, the home. In moments of quiet reflecti'Ons it did seem address of which als'O was given on that wall. awfully regrettable that a son should be so obstinate.. It was ruinous not 'Only to me but to the Upon arrival at the church I was kindly welwhole family and an annoyance to the neighbor- comed by a man 'Of G'Od, and, to make the story h'O'Od. One day in desperation I decided to run short, I was born again! What an experience! away from home and day after day without rest It seemed to me I had awakened from a bad and sleep I traveled afoot till I reached Atami, dream! By the P'Ower of the Holy Spirit obstinacy the place widely known for "casting away 'Of life." and wickedness were removed from my heart. For a few moments bef'Ore taking the fatal jump Bitterly crying over the good-for-nothing past into the deep water at the f'O'Ot of the famous cliff life I repented fr'Om my innermost being, and the s'Omehow I was able t'O control the terrible feel- bright star of hope shined forth on the pathway 'Of ings of excitement of my heart while I took paper life. and pen out of my pocket to write a farewell note. In anguish I flung my head back and what should I was awfully ashamed 'Of the way I had treated happen but that my eyes fell on the words written my parents, and at once I set out 'On the way home on the smoothly cut mountain wall to the very detouring a bit to see an uncle in Tokyo. Finally, right 'Of me: in true humility and shame, in torn bodily garb, I "Wait a m'Oment! Reconsider!" returned t'O the presence of my longed-for parents. Reading those words again I read what followed I had run away hoping to wash out sin and un- righteousness in the ocean waters at Atami but them. instead of that mistaken attempt I met J €Sus Christ who renewed and clothed me with the robe
of His salvation. What a joy has come into my Word of God, written on the above mentioned heart! wall about twelve years ago–rewritten many times since-by an elderly Japanese man of God. "Next I called on the pastor of the church in His implicit confidence in the saving power of the our community and met with wonderful kindness. pure Word of God has been abundantly honored Now I am praising God for the power of the Gos- and he and his wife have had all they could do pel of Jesus Christ which was first brought to in dealing with the lost who have come to them my attention on the mountain wall at Atami." for instruction and guidance into the restful peace of Christ which He promised in Matthew 11: 38. This is one of hundreds of similar stories of lives that have been saved by the reading of the Korean Christian Te'stimony By F. S. MILLER, Chungju, Korea W HEN one of the Korean evangelists was interest in the Bible, their Sabbath observance working among Chinese across the border and their zeal for souls. in Manchuria, a Chinese woman asked: The Korean Presbyterian Mission in Shantung "Are you preaching what these Koreans be- Province, China, has helped to change the neighlieve?" borhood and has proved that self-support will work in China as in Korea. Reports come also "Yes, the same Jesus." that Korean Christians who migrated to Mexico have wielded the same helpful influence there and "Then I want you to tell me more about it. I a missionary in India recently translated and have been to their church to find the secret of their printed stories of Korean experience to stimulate happiness and peace but I cannot understand the Christians of his own province. what they say."
After listening to the Gospel she started home- A former Jewish rabbi writes in a recent book ward. The evangelist visited her on the following that one day he entered a store in Philadelphia and day when the woman gathered all the family to saw two Koreans in very earnest conversation.
listen to the Christian message. He asked what the trouble was and was told of In the early colonial days in America, the the struggle of the Koreans for freedom. The story won his sympathy and he invited the Ko- Scotch-Irish scattered through the forests of the reans to his home to talk further over the matter. new territory built churches and schoolhouses When they met, one of the Koreans said, "Let us everywhere. In the same way the Koreans are pray first." As the rabbi listened to that prayer scattering their churches and schools over Man- he became convinced of the power of Christ even churia and East Mongolia. As in America, many in the non-Christian world and eventually gave leading men in business, politics and the profes- himself to the Master. sions came from those little log churches and schools so we confidently expect that the young The Korean Christians take their new faith now being trained in the Christian churches and seriously and simply. Prayer is a real and regschools of Manchuria will take a leading part in ular part of their lives. They have their faults, the development of Eastern Asia. Some years ago and we missionaries, with thirty generations of a young Korean who moved to Manchuria from a Christianity behind us, may expect too much from Choong Chung church became a magistrate and first generation Christians, but we thank God for boys reared in the first Christian schools of Korea their genuine qualities and for their widening inhave become physicians in Manchuria. fluence. The story of what Christ has done in Korea has given new faith, courage and hope to As God chose little Judea, set in the midst of Christians scattered all over the world. what were then the world's largest nations, to be The results of Christian missions in Korea are His seedbed from which He sent evangelists to all the fruit of conservative, spiritual Christianity the known world, may He not have chosen Chosen which accepts the Bible as the Word of God, beto be His seedbed for the Far East? Japan has lieves in the miracles as the workings of an everalready felt the influence of Korean Christians and present and active Creator, and is convinced that Japanese Christians say that they have something there is "no other name under heaven, that is to learn from the Korean Church – from their given among men, wherein we must be saved" prayerfulness, their liberality, self-support, their than the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Missionary and His Native
FIFTY or more years ago it was comparatively His own people are beginning to attain to easy to lead and guide a people newly con- heights in education and scholarship which were quered, not only in warfare and material regarded by his forefathers as only the rights of things, but also in those deeper spiritual beliefs the white man. He is therefore becoming very which had been there since time began. The white conscious of these achievements and is beginning man and his science had brought doubt to the to wonder if he really needs the white man to minds of even the most conservative as to the work out his salvation, whether the trust he has reality and truth of his own magic, his religion, placed in him so long has not been in vain, in the and his ancestor worship. The white settler be- real things of his everyday life. He is beginning side him was uninfluenced by his superstitions; to look to his own black fellow men for guidance he prospered in spite of his unbelief and his jeer- and help, and the white man at the head becomes ing at the much feared witch doctor; his cattle a mere figurehead to whom only certain things increased; his fields were fertile; his children can be told and the rest left untouched. He is lived and were healthy, without his depending in literally becoming "difficult." He is learning every any way on those things on which his black neigh- day to be like his white fellow worker, outwardly bor depended. This was bound to affect the Bantu polite and civil, hiding a great deal of what he adversely and make him doubt very seriously his thinks of him, but nevertheless seeing through a own background and his ways of living and think- great deal and despising much, thus creating a ing, and an almost complete lack of confidence in state of affairs in which real harmonious and cohimself and his fellows was sure to take place. operative effort is an impossible task. He and his fellows discuss fully what they think of their The missionary, in his most admirable zeal and white colleagues, their work amongst them and ardor to civilize and Christianize, helped to in- their influence, but it is in very rare cases that crease this doubt, and in breaking down as savage the Bantu worker will be frank enough to tell his and barbaric all native institutions and customs, white fellow workers what he and others of his helped to increase this ever growing lack of con- race really think. They have found to their sorfidence in what belonged to the people and was row that such frank declarations on their part are part of their life. This process has gone on for greatly resented. They are considered inferior, over a hundred years in some parts of South and any suggestion of criticism of their superiors Africa. But now the Bantu has got used to the is considered altogether presumptuous. The relanew ways. Many of the young people of today tions between the two parties are therefore so have grown up knowing no other life but that strained and stiff that very seldom do you find which the missionary preached so well to their real intimate friendship existing between white great-grandfathers and their sons. He has grown and black in our native missionary schools and up with a clearer vision of what life really is and churches. If this state of affairs is as I have has been able to view his white neighbor, not as pictured it and as m~ny others know it to be, the some wonderful god who knows all, but as a inevitable question amongst Bantu youth workhuman being with faults and misdeeds like his ing under such conditions is, UApart from his own. Hence the old state of worship of the white man because he is white is fast dying off, and the academic qualifications, which he uses within the Bantu is becoming more critical and ever so much precincts of his classroom and therefore to a very more "difficult to manage." He is becoming mis- limited group, what is the gain in having white trustful of even the best .amongst his white friends teachers in our native schools? Is it not far betbecause he has so often trusted and been disap- ter to have men of our own race, perhaps not so pointed. He is suspicious, and is more confident well equipped academically, but yet giving of their in himself and in gui'ding his own life. His secrets all, being one with their fellow workers and with are now his own and not to be shared with the the students and making life much more natural missionary who used to be his father's trusted and easy, as the Bantu like it to be." This quesguide and helper. He is becoming race conscious tion will have to be faced more and more in fuand nationalistic, nor does he now hide his head ture and resentment on the part of either white in shame when the "immoral customs and habits" or black over frank discussions of some of these of his race are mentioned, because he has learned topics will only help make the situation more that such customs and habits are to a greater or lesser degree the heritage of all people, his white acute. neighbors included. MRS. F. Z. MATTHEWS, a member of the Xosa race, wife of a native professor, and her- self a teacher.
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Ways of
'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO World Peace and Evangelism results, this statement is ac- feres with missionary endeavors. cepted by many as even more Thinking Christians are aware Never before was the subject true than it was fifteen years of Peace and War so integral a ago. If there ever was a time that the last war dealt a severe part of the Christian program when warfare was necessary or blow to the churches and mission for World Redemption as now. desirable, that time is now past. work. How can we, as disciples The testimony of missionaries is The peoples of the world are of Christ, send the Gospel of love universally to the effect that ov- waking up to the fact that twen- to other peoples and at the same ergrown nationalism and its off- time condone and support the spring – the war spirit – are tieth century warfare no longer destruction of our neighbors and well-nigh insuperable obstacles exemplifies the spirit of glory, of ourselves by prejudices, lies, to progress in spreading the Gos- discriminations and violence? It pel of Christ, the Prince of patriotism and supreme sacrifice is difficult to conceive of a more Pe'ace. Without exception the that has characterized past wars insincere or two-faced situation. missionary plans and literature of humankind. War today is a of the denominations that have "racket"; and the sins of greed, It was proclaimed that the sent material for use in this de- falsehood and suspicion, hatred World War was going to make partment give a prominent place and murder are its very lifeto endeavors for shaping up the blood. If wars are still inevita- the world more "safe for democ- Peace Mind. It is especially fit- ble it is because people are unting that in this month which racy," but the opposite has been commemorates the birth of Je- willing to abandon selfishness, or proved more nearly true. Not sus Christ and echoes the An- are blinded by greed and profit, gels' Song of "Peace on earth: or crazed by racial prejudice and only have dictatorships flourgood will to men" we should pre- false propaganda, all of which ished since the conflict but relisent materials majoring upon gion itself has been jeopardized. that great theme. Your Depart- are at variance with Christian In addition, nationalism with its ment Editor's earnest injunction teachings. The time has come is that every reader should do deification of the State is becomsomething to stimulate the pur- when the Church must choose ing so nearly a substitute for repose and forward the plans of between Christ and Mars, for the Mind for Peace. We are glad war is everything that Chris- ligion that, if it continues, govto present herewith an article ernments will take precedence written especially for the depart- tianity is not. over the claims of conscience and ment by an outstanding leader in The deep abiding spirit of this line. of faith in God. Christians must Christ and His way of life is ex- not allow patriotism to degener- CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY FOR pressed in the word "love." It includes not only love for God ate into selfish, un-Christlike na- PEACE and love of neighbor but love for tionalism.
Fifteen years ago the former one's enemies. Out of this fun- We should be reminded of the American Chief of Staff, Gener- damental spirit of IQve spring existence of a peace movement al Tasker H. Bliss, said: "The within the Church. Three deresponsibility is entirely on the two Christian concepts: first, professing Christians of the belief in the supreme worth of nominations-the Church of the United States. If another war every human being; and, second, B ret h r e n (or Dunkards) , like the last one should come faith in the brotherhood of man they will be responsible for without regard to race, color or Friends and Mennonites are every drop of blood that will be known as the historic "peace shed." Now that we know more political state. In contrast war churches" because from their beabout how wars are made and ginnings they have opposed" war, understand their far-reaching thrives on hate. It violates hu- man personality and regjments upheld freedom of conscience and have placed allegiance to human beings. Because of the new hatreds and new problems God above allegiance to ea.rthly it creates, war is the relentless rulers. Members of the s e foe of human brotherhood. churches who refuse to partici- pate in war are called "consci- Not only must followers of entious objectors." Very reluc- Christ oppose war because of its repudiation of His teachings, tantly other denominations, in- cluding the Methodists, Congre- but because it seriously inter- gationalists and Christians and [ 602] the Unitarians have asked that
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
the same exemption from com- tion, not a decision, and often that several were on their feet to batant service be accorded their achieves its results better by be- speak simultaneously until time conscientious objectors. The ing an indirect appeal, in the had to be called and the meeting spirit of the early Church, up- form of a discussion among a closed. The participating panel- held by the small historic peace platform group, talking as if ists then took their places at a churches during centuries of spontaneously a m 0 n g them- peace literature table and dis- strife and persecutions, bids fair selves. Sending for an abund- pensed free leaflets and pamph- to become the prevailing force ance of varied peace literature, lets and recommended pay ma- of modern Christendom in its organizing and assigning it to terials to an eager throng. In turn toward the nonviolent way several good woman speakers at the foregoing, the speakers had of Christ. the Lakeside, Ohio, chautauqua, notes (but no manuscript) con- With the coming Christmas last August, the Editor led such cealed beneath the fancy work season it is incumbent upon a panel after this fashion: in their laps. Comments and re- churches and missionary organ- Everything was carefully pre- marks were made all through izations everywhere to make pared but not memorized or redefinite provision in their pro- cited as in a dialogue. Five the talks but not in such a way grams for the proclaiming of women entered and sat down in as to throw the speakers off their a living room scene to do fancy line of thought, as, "I believe Christ as the Prince of Peace. work under soft shaded lamps that too"; "I don't quite agree Every church should have a with you"; "That looks feas- peace committee headed by a while they talked as if sponta- ible," etc. wide-awake, interested chair- neously. The leader explained man. Encourage your paster to her motive in calling these The following literature is preach peace on Armistice Day friends together to counsel with recommended: Sunday, Christmas, Goodwill her on the peace-and-war situa- Day and other appropriate tion, expressing her own trou- The W. I. L. discussion group out- bled confusion of mind. She line, "World Peace the Responsibility dates. First there must be the called on Mrs. A- to give the of the Church," with study packet, will for peace. If your church gist of a private conversation 35 cents. they had had the other day, and has been slow in teaching peace, the latter responded in an eight- "Publication List with Prices," free. minute talk covering the peace "World Citizenship and the Relistrive for an impressive Christ- educational plans mnd methods. gious Program," free. mas program on international "Women's International League for goodwill and for at least one Mrs. B- breaks in at a pre- Peace and Freedom – Programs and program on peace each quarter arranged point and says that is Policies," free. all very well but something more The foregoing may be ordered from during the coming year in the p r act i c a I – something with The Women's International League, 1924 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. church school. The young people "teeth" in it-must be done. She "What Can Christians Do for talks for another brief period on Peace?" by Theodore A. Greene; a will enjoy giving one of the many auxiliary political, legislative sylla.JUs prepared for use by church and organizational methods. discussion groups. 25 cents. excellent peace plays now avail- "Is War the Way?" by John L. Mrs. C-is so full of enthusi- Lobingier; a six-session course for inable. If the will for peace is well asm she can hardly wait to tell dividual reading and church study established in your congregation, of ways for attacking the subject groups. 25 cents. from the purely religious side. then embark upon a plan of ac- "Proposed Roads for Peace," by tion. Study groups are recom- The leader then asks Mrs'. Richard M. Fagley; adult education mended among young people and D-, who has been listening in- series. 35 cents. tently and taking notes from adults to make clear the social time to time, to give the group Order the above three from The Piland economic causes of war- the benefit of her tabulative, sys- grim Press, Boston, Mass. fare and suggest peace action tematic mind; whereupon Mrs. programs and projects. The D- partly talks and partly "The Price of Peace," by E. Guy reads a well organized outline Talbott; a handbook on America's need is great for intelligent international relations. 25 cents. Na- Christians to pioneer in this vi- tional Council for Prevention of War, tal and urgent field of goodwill 532 17th St., N. W., Washington, D. C. among nations and help the idealistic lovers of peace to keep "Thinking It Through," by Evelyn R. their feet on the gI'ound through Nicholson; a discussion on World practical achievements. Peace. 10 cents. Methodist Book Concern, New York. MRS. OLIVE SMITH BOWMAN, of the things churches, young people's groups, Sunday schools, "Youth Action in Building a War- Pennsylvania State Chairman of women's missionary organiza- less World." 15 cents. International Religious Contacts Committee, Council of Religious Education, 203 Women's International League tions, clubs and community citi- N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill. for Peace and Freedom. "What Shall We Do About War,"
zens in general can do. by Sherwood Eddy and Kirby Page.
The leader then rises and ad- 15 cents. Eddy and Page, 347 Madi- son Ave., New York. dresses the audience for the first PLANS AND MATERIALS time, asking them f,or their re- List of Material and Suggestions The Department Editor has for Exhibits, free. found the panel discussion one "Peace Action" – a monthly paper of the best ways of arousing in- action upon the subject. giving news and suggestions for prac- tical action. 5 cents per copy. Order the above two, also a variety terest and spreading informa- The Lakeside audience as rep- of plays and pageants, from The Na- tion. This form of discussion resented in the women's club, tional Council for the Prevention of aims at education and inspira- was so enthusiastic and eager War, 532 17th St., N. W., Washington, D. C.
"Suggested Selections for Programs Prevention of War (address as pre- God's great gift to us. (The use of a for Armistice Day, Good Will Day viously given). Christmas tree on which each story- and Other Peace Days," for Sunday "Christ Is Born in Bethlehem"- teller places a large gold star to repschools, elementary schools and high beautiful nativity play introducing resent her field adds to the interest.) schools, free. American Interracial prophets, shepherds, kings, angels and For a woman's missionary meeting. Peace Committee, 20 S. 12th St., Phil- a chorus singing familiar carols. Open meeting by singing "Hark, the adelphia, Pa. Three scenes, 16 or more characters. Herald Angels Sing," followed with 50 cents. Woman's Press, 600 Lex- prayer. Christmas carols played on Much is being attempted by ington Ave., New York. "Eagerheart"-Christmas play suit- the Qrgan are echoed to adjoining lec- able for use on Sunday evening. Fifthe Youth Division of the Emer- teen or more characters. 1% hours. ture room where audience is seated. gency Peace Compaign, in which Chappel and Co., 41 E. 34th St., New Devotional period culminates in cornet solo, "Silent Night." Van Dyke's more than 225 college men and Christmas story, "Let Us Go Even women spent two months last York. unto Bethlehem," is told or read; summer organizing, instructing "Long Ago in Judea" -unusual then a mother holding her baby reads working over of the Christmas nar- a Christmas poem. At this time the and stimulating people all over rative. Two scenes. Seventeen char- room is darkened and a star shines the U. S. to work for peace. acters. 30 cents. Samuel French, 25 out revealing the spirits of Christ, They tried to "strengthen the W. 45th St., New York. Love and Service bringing gifts. A pacific alternatives to war, make Similar list of 60 good Christmas lighted cross brings to view a small political and eoonomic changes dramatizations, also lists of Easter, Christmas tree covered with tinsel but Children's Day, Thanksgiving, tem- no ornaments. During singing the necessary for a just and peace- three spirits distribute to audience ful world order, and unite in one perance, stewardship, Mothers' Diy, tiny white stockings. Place offerings dynamic movement all those in- Home and Foreign mission and gen- in these and marching to the tree, dividuals and organization.s will- eral plays and pageants in a pamph- hang stockings on it, thus decorating ing to work against war . . . tree and receiving the offering. A SQ- let entitled "Catalog of Plays and cial hour mav follow. They plan to work on 1,000 col- Pageants," a veritable treasure house lege campuses in the U. S. Twen- of usable material. 10 cents. Send "Christmas Around the World." to The Baptist Board of Education, This program consisted of tableaux Department of Missionary Education, behind a large veiled frame, giving the ty-five field secretaries covering 152 Madison Avenue, New York. appearance of a picture. A chorus of every state in the union will re- women sang the accompanying carol . cruit volunteers for next sum- Program Suggestions: while tableau was being shown and mer's program – peace patrol between tableaux. (1) Carol, "God "The Life of Christ in Song." teams to do work in the commu- Hymns and songs given by young Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen." Tableau, nities surrounding the colleges." people, with appropriate Christmas (Woman's Home Missions.) Try readings between each two numbers. six carollers grouped around tall Eng- lish lamp post, holding books and ap- "Tuning in on Christmas." Plat- pearing to sing. (2) Carol, "Tannento have your church young peo- form arranged to represent broadcast- baum." Tableau, The Home of the ple link themselves up with this ing studio with microphone, etc. Christmas Tree. A little German boy Leader taking part of announcer and girl, each with a toy, stand near promising movement. stands at microphone as program be- lighted tree, a table, chair, etc., add- PLAYS AND PAGEANTS gins, her opening announcement in- ing home touch. Joy is the theme. cluding call letters suitable for the (3) Carol, "Silent Night." Tableau, particular group and statement that a Among suitable plays and pa- Christmas program is about to be A Christmas Eve Midnight Service in geants for Christmas meetings broadcast from the studio (place of France. An altar with cross and are the following: lighted candles in center of picture meeting) . As each number is an- suggests cathedral interior. Worship- nounced the person taking the part pers kneel in prayer. (4) Carol, "A Christmas Car 0 1" – original should be ready to step to the micro- "While Shepherds Watched Their dramatization of Dickens' charming phone that there may be no awkward Flocks by Night." Tableau, Christstory portraying the true Christmas pauses. Announcer reminds audience mas in a Chinese Mission. American spirit. 20 characters. 1112 hours. 35 at the start that there can be no missionary seated holding open Christcents. Christmas obt':ervation where the mas box from which she is handing Christ story is unknown and that the out gifts to Chinese girls grouped "Christmas for All Nations"-intro- program will bring messages from around. Use Chinese costumes, furducing children of all nationalities our representatives who are telling nishings, curios. Fine for stressing who describe their customs and be- the Story around the world. (This White Cross gifts. liefs. 15 or more young folks. 40 plan fine for incorporating material minutes. 25 cents. (5) Carol, "Up on the Housetop."
Order these two from March from THE REVIEW and denominational Tableau, Christmas in the U. S. Little Brothers, 208 Wright Ave., Lebanon, missionary magazines.) boy and girl in night clothes peek Ohio. "The Real Christmas Tree" (Tree through door watching Santa Claus "A Christmas Mystery"-finest of of Life). Its branches spread over empty his pack in front of fireplace. Christmas songs and carols sung by all lands and its leaves are "for the Lighted tree at side. (6) Carol, "The audience while Christmas story is healing of the nations." After song First Noel." Tableau, Unity in presented in pantomime culminating service of the familiar music, read Adoration. Manger scene. Carol is in final tableau. 15 cents. Isaiah 9: 6 and the Christmas story sung as introduction preceding show- as told by Luke, followed by the sing- ing of picture. When curtains are "At the Door of the Inn" – good reader and 30 or more characters. ing of "Hark, the Herald. Angels drawn at close of scene, audience joins 1 % hours. 20 cents. Sing." Leader points out that as our in singing "In Him There Is No East Order these from The Pilgrim missionaries tell the Christmas story Nor West." Press, Boston, Mass. . they see the fulfilment of the promise, All the foregoing suggestions are "Around the World with Santa "light and life to all He brings." Sev- taken from "Progr~m Pointers," a Claus"-American boy and girl per- eral members then tell (not read) mimeographed sheet issued monthly suade Santa to take them on his jour- stories of the work at home and by Miss Elizabeth I. Fensom, Program ney around the world, a typical scene abroad (see THE REVIEW and denom- Secretary, Baptist Council on Finance in each country thus visited being inational leaflets). Close with hymn, and Promotion, 152 Madison Ave., shown. Four adults, 10 or more chil- "In Christ There Is No East nor New York City. Subscription price, dren. 10 cents. National Council for West" and prayer of gratitude for 25 cents per year.
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BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK Bring an Old and Crippled Prayer home life, why Mary and the Child '!When wilt Thou save thy peo- angels sang, why the Shepherds ple, Lord?" When we behold and wise men came bringing Alfred Noyes in "A Spell (An gifts. May no Christmas gift of Excellent Way to Get a F'airy)" the wonder of the Christ-child, ours to the children be unworthy leads one through man's various born among good, poor folk and of thee, the gift from God. For attempts to capture the quality the sake of the little children of in life often symbolized by "a outside an inn, and consider the world, help us to consecrate fairy." Each unsuccessful trial, what the life of our Lord Jesus ourselves to Thee and thy Way he concludes with the words, Christ has meant to us and of Life. Amen. myriads like us, and then re- If this fail, at break of day, member before thee, our sin Call to the Twelfth Conference There remains a better way. against thy love and sin against on the Cause and Cure of War our fellowmen – yea, neglecting The "Spell" is concluded by The Twelfth Annual Conferwords, the wisdom of which even the little ones of our own neighborhood, we cry for thy cannot be escaped, and the coun- loving kindness! "Be merciful ence on the Cause and Cure of sel of which few persons accept unto us, and bless us." War will take place in Chicago, lest someone call them "foolish!" Cause us to see and serve the at the Palmer House, January But during the "Christ-child" children, Lord, not only those of 26-29, 1937. The theme will be festival, we seem more free than our own household but even "Today in Peace and War" and at other times. Our hearts are these little old ones who are crip- delegates from the eleven namore gentle and our wills are pled and wizened at seven. Keep tional organizations of American more swift to perform lovely us from shirking our responsi- women participating in the Conacts. The poet in his "Excellent bility for these hurt children. ference will consider the barriway to get a fairy" suggests that Make us see the futility of bring- ers to international cooperation, we act so- ing children into the world only and the building up of effective Bring an old and crippled child to spoil and despoil them. Help peace machinery. Some of the Ah, tread softly, on tiptoe!- us to do what we can to feed highlights will be the "Interro- them-clothe them-leave them gation Luncheons," the Univer- Tattered, tearless, wonder-wild, "for an hour alone." Teach us sity of Chicago Round Table, and From that underworld below, how to tell them aright the the Marathon Round Tables Bring a wizened child .of seven meaning of this saying, We will luncheon. The number of dele- Reeking from the City slime, Out of hell into your heaven, Set her knee-deep in the thyme. listen, Lord. Thou art the Way gates allocated to the church Feed her-clothe her-even so! -the Truth-the Life! Thou groups, is only two hundred. Set her on a fairy throne. hast said we all must be more Register early. The fee is $5.00 When her eyes begin to glow childlike in order to enter payable at the Conference. For Leave her for an hour-alone. Heaven. Teach us the stories of the first time the Conference is And then Noyes concludes "A the Christ-child, of his early to be held in the Middle. West thus enabling many Spell" with the assur- ance that women to attend who Though her head have been unable to be old and wise, got 0 Washington.
You shall know Please write immedi- that she has ately either to the For- seen them eign Missions Confer- By the glory in ence, 156 Fifth her eyes. Ave., New and that ….. ———– York, N. Y., or When she lifts her THE ONLY CHIUSTMAS THIS MIGRANT FAMILY WILL HAVE The Council of head and sings, ., Women for Home Mi s- You shall h ear sions, 105 East and un der- 22d St., N. Y. stand.
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Introducing Miss Lowry old friendships strengthened. remedied the difficulty or made And I thank you one and all. On October 15, your editor the matter understandable as a "The work lies in what I call closed gently the doors on the the religious-social area, diverse part of the process of growth last five years of "life and work," enough in factors and flexible and turned toward the new paths enough in form (although thirty and change. True, there has not ahead. Of first importance is years old) to be considered a the remarkable fact that on the genuine 'laboratory' for effective been eough financial resources to same day Miss Edith E. Lowry, Christian service. In this area my associate in the work of the of service are definitely new care for advance in work which forms of cooperation among Council of Women for Home quite different church groups; seemed essential. That has MissioLs, became Executive Sec- also, there are unified programs retary, and the new Editor of caused the Executive Secretary the Bulletin, and Miss Charlotte EDITH E. LOWRY Mary Burnham became 'concern' both in the general and Associate Secretary. secured through the coordina- tion of varied social skills and the Indian work. Nevertheless, What may be called resources, and other programs in the making; and the cowork- each year has seen advance in "full tide of life" moves ers are consecrated Christian through all the work of leaders. If asked to do so, I the conception that this interdethe Council of Women for could make specific the descrip- Home Missions. It seems tion of the area just given. nominational work is denominato the Editor, signs of tional responsibility. Many good health that her resig- "The program of work places nation could take place in ~ clear emphasis on the functions -, of you receive me as a June, that a Committee on of the Christian Church _with a program rather than per- mission to proclaim the Gospel member of your own de- of the true way of life. Organi- nomination, reporting to sonnel was named, that zational difficulties, personality the new Executive Secre- clashes, financial worries, have your membership either tary could accept a ready during the years found secondadjustment to be made in ary emphasis, except occasion- in person at Annual Meetthe set-up of the work ally, and then the good spiritual ings or Institutes, or by (Miss Lowry continues to health of the whole work SDon direct the Migrant Work) written reports. And this and that the farewell has greatly helped in the luncheon was also the wel- work of the Council .of come luncheon to the newly elected secretaries. Women for Home Mis- The last days were like a sions. prolonged festival wit h friends – flo w e r sand "The work is one of ingifts, laughter and tears, creasing com i t y among and altogether of more significance t han words the Boards. It was thrill- ing to come into a work can tell. In response to the gra- which was closing a Five- Year Period of Survey cious and witty expression of appreciations at the Luncheon and Adjustment (and adfollowing the last Administrative j ustments had actually Committee meeting, your Editor gave briefly an explanation of taken place); and now to her personal satisfaction in the have participated in a secresponsibilities that had been ond period of five-year hers since January, 1932. planning known as Strat- In introducing Miss Edith Lowry to you, the brief explana- egy and Planning for adtion is again given on request: vance on the whole task "The work of the Executive of the church. Then, too, the beginnings of coordi- Secretary of the Council of Women for Home Missions has nation in pro g ram of been one of teaching, preaching, w r i tin g and administrative four interdenominational work, both on the field, as we bodies as shown in the acsay, and at h e a d qua r t e r s. tive Inter-Council Fie I d Through this work, many new friendships have been made, and Committee indicates, at the very least, the will to good spiritual health of Protestant church forces. And this took place when national life was characterized by what we call 'the depres- sion.' " You will find the Editor at home, The Westchester, 4000 Cathedral Avenue, Washington, D. C. ANNE SEESHOLTZ.
*** The Annual Meeting of the Home Missions Council and the Council of Women for Home Missions, including the National Conference on the City Church will be held at the Berkeley Carteret Hotel, Asbury Park, New Jersey, January 11-14, 1937.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO NORTH AMERICA single persons; and single lower Scripture Hunger in Virginia Cutting Suicide Rate than' widowed or divorced per- A group of Christian workers last year opened a Sunday school Some one in the United States sons. -Literary Digest. in an abandoned church near commits suicide every half-hour. Beldor, Virginia, in the Blue Annually, for thirty years; 20,- Boys' Gospel Team Ridge mountains. Last May, ac- 000 persons have taken their companied by a minister, they lives; 40,000 more have tried The Asheville Farm School for held a service at the mountain and failed. But The Spectator, Boys has a Gospel Team. Five home of a cripple, when 66 were insurance agents' magazine, es- active, and eleven associate present. This cripple promised, timates that suicides had ebbed members have divided into three if he knew when the minister to 17,000 in 1935, lowest number groups for the work for the fol- would return, to have 100 presin ten years. Next to economic lowing month. One group is ent. Two weeks later, 104 came. upturn, the chief factor in this working on the morning devo- The next visit, a week later, was decrease is the National Save-a- tions program, the second group rewarded with an attendance of Life League. Ministering to 400 on the program for the young over 150. People came from would-be suicides. a month, Doc- people at Marshall, and the third various directions, while only tor Harry W. Warren, the presi- on the program for the mission- one house is visible from the dent, has saved 30,000 persons ary society at Farm School. The place where the meeting is held. since he founded his organiza- boys have set a definite goal to tion thirty years ago. work toward, and are trying for One family living more than vast improvement over last year. four miles away has not missed Some cases require medical or a service since the work began. psychiatric treatment; others -Owl and Spade. The parents and two of the chillegal or financial aid. Last year, dren walk, while the three staff workers called on 1,387 Helping the "Share Croppers" smaller ones are placed on an old Greater New York homes where mule, which the father leads. suicide had been committed, Moved by the suffering of the 1,991 homes where it had been "share croppers" in the South, The best pew is a flat board attempted. Sherwood Eddy, from funds about six inches wide, and many raised by appeal, purchased over in the audience are seated on Dr. F. L. Hoffman, statistician 2,000 acres of rich delta land in round poles about six or seven attached to the University of the State of Mississippi, and has inches in diameter. The work- Pennsylvania, has clipped sui- invited dispossessed families· to ers say they have never seen cide items for 25 years and come and settle, in cooperative such a hunger for Scripture makes the following deductions: communities. These poor peo- truth. the west coast had a rate nearly ple, largely Negroes, who have double that of the New England cultivated small sections of land -Moody Institute Monthly. states. of large owners under a share system, have been so systemati- Increased Gifts Suicides, depressed by winter cally ground by the owners that discouragements, tend to pick they have joined hands in self- For the first time since 1929, summer and late spring for their defence, and have as a result one year's contributions of the acts. been evicted from their tenan- local churches of the Presby- cies. The whole South seems to terian Church in the U. S. A. Men make up three-quarters be suffering from the evils of showed an increase of more of the deaths. Main cause: busi- this sharecropping system, and than $1,000,000 during the year ness failure. But girls, more this effort to help them on a ending March 31, 1936. The often than boys up to the age of large scale on a cooperative plan 8,975 local churches contributed nineteen, take their lives. Main is described by one expert as $36,801,474. This is a gain of cause: unrequited love. Up to "on the verge of the biggest $1,082,943 over the preceding thirty-nine, only one-half to one- thing in human welfare in this year, which had registered an third as many women commit country. The possibilities of increase of $421,304 over the suicide as do men; beyond forty, this constructive program are year ended March 31, 1934. only one-sixth. Married people staggering." From 1929 to 1934 an annual show a lower suicide rate than decrease had been reported. -United Church Review.
[607 ]
More communicant members bution of higher education un- paths to that highway and the were added during the year, der Christian auspices to such outside world. There are almost both on profession of faith and conservation; the responsibility no doctors, only a few schools, on certificates of transfer from of the Presbyterian Church in and only six churches, three other churches, than in the pre- the U. S. A. to play its part in Baptist and three Catholic. Lack ceding year. Additions on pro- making this indispensable confession totaled 78,207 and on tribution to the conservation of of Christian education have left certificate 43,940. these spiritual values." these people debased and degen- erate in the extreme. Of the $36,801,474 contributed -Presbyterian Banner. by the local churches, $25,539,- -So S. Times. 999 was used for local congregational expenses. Gifts to benevo- A "Million Unit Fellowship" Moody Still Speaks lence causes made by living givers amounted to $4,852,481. The Methodist Episcopal About forty-two years ago Per capita the church gave for Church, comprising 4,000,000 Dwight L. Moody founded the all purposes $19.18, which is 62 communicants in the U. S. and Bible Institute Colportage Assocents more than during the pre- I,UOO,OOO in 40 mission fields, ciation of Chicago. The extent ceding year. is launching a new movement to which this service of the to be known as the "Million Unit printed page has grown is shown -Presbyterian Tribune. in the latest annual report of the Fellowship." Plans for Presbyterian association. During the past fis- Centennial The purposes are: (1) the in- cal year, the association has pub- spiration and renewal of per- lished and distributed no less On June 24th the Presbyterian sonal devotion to the ideals, life than 4,184,357 copies of its own General Council, meeting in pUblications, (a gain of nearly Philadelphia, adopted several and social standards of Christ; basic principles to be followed (2) to mobilize the resources of 450,000 copies over 1935), bein the raising of $1,000,000 or sides the sale of thousands upon less for the world-wide work of the church for study of, and ac- thousands of Bibles, books and the church and $10,000,000 or tion· upon, the social and eco- magazines printed by other less for Christian higher educa- nomic problems of the day; (3) evangelical publishers. All this tion; among them the following: the stabilizing of Methodist literature was dis t rib ute d opinion in support of the "Chris- throughout the United States (1) That the centennial cele- tian Way" and (4) the renewal and several foreign countries as bration of the Board of Foreign of personal devotion among a missionary effort. Those re- Missions is primarily inspira- ceiving free literature include tional and educational, and that Methodists to the world mission prisoners, patients in federal, the financial aspects of the cen- of the church. state and city hospitals and santennial will be subordinated to atoriums, children in mountain these primary purposes. (2) Bishop Frederick T. Keeney, and pioneer schools, seamen on That during the calendar year . ocean vessels, young men in CCC 1937 the Board of Foreign Mis- who is Director of the new Fel- camps, and the neglected peoples sions in presenting its financial lowship, says: of Alaska, Africa, India, Latin program will make reference to America, the Philippines, Spain the "Capital Purposes Fund" of "So far as the 4,000,000 comthe Boards of Christian Educa- municants of the Methodist and French Louisiana. Teachers tion and National Missions Episcopal Church are concerned in 115 mountain counties rewhich is to be raised in the three ceived during the year 210,696 following calendar years, 1938- and three to four million other copies of the Gospel of John 40. (3) During the calendar persons who are the natural conyears 1936 and 1937 a publicity stituency of our church, we are approach to the church will be going to try for the spontaneous, made by the Boards of Christian creative and internal type of or- Education and National Mis- dered living." sions in reference to the "Capital Purposes Fund" which is to The Sabine Field (with helps) for their scholars, be sought in the three years fol- together with 82,881 colportage lowing. This approach will be against a background of "con- An area known as the "deep books and 72,858 Evangel book7 servation of the spiritual values woods of the Sabine River bot- lets, and to those scholars who which are necessary to the pres- tom," lying between Louisiana read the Gospel of John and ervation of American democ- and Texas, has a population al- memorized selected passages, racy; the free church in the free most as needy as the dwarfs of 47,561 New Testaments and state; the indispensable contri- darkest Africa. On the Texas Pocket Treasurys were given as side of the Sabine River the rewards. These teachers re- Spanish language is spoken; on port about 250 conversions, and the Louisiana side there are some many others have been estab- 6,000 people speaking English. lished in their faith.
They are a people apart. The Gospel car "Evangel" has There are settlements in the visited sixty-seven cities and "deep woods" that are only fif- towns of Florida, Georgia and teen miles from the highways, the Carolinas during the year, but in which are men and women traveled over 5,000 miles, and who have rarely, if ever, ridden participated in 238 services.
or walked through the wood -The Presbyterian.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK '609
Carville Leper Hospital Weare not faced with illiteracy- and asked for prayer that they nearly all can read. TJley seem to Dr. H. E. Hasseltine, Director have learned to read in some extraor- may find Christ. of the Leper Hospital at Car- dinary way – how, I do not know. -So S. Times. ville, La., says that a leper can Weare working among a people who come anonymously, change his cover an area greater than that of Seven Year Campaign name while at the Hospital, and, the British Isles, where there is only if cured, leave the place to re- one Mission Station working among The Latin American Prayer sumehis real identity, his ex- two or three thousand people, the maperience never to be known out- jority of whom are inaccessible. Yet Fellowship is undertaking to side of the hospital's secret a large proportion of them come to records. When patients wish to the Mission Station at least once a place a Gospel and a tract in conceal their identity, the hos- year when in the city to obtain suppital authorities cooperate. plies. Then we bring to them the every home in Mexico, in a syste- Word of God. We do not yet have the Since. the founding of the in- whole Bible in Eskimo. . matic house-to-house visitation. stitution, 1,130 lepers have been sent (or gone voluntarily) to They expect to complete this Carville. The inmates are :from 37 states. Four states have each task within seven years. The furnished more than 100. These are: Louisiana, 507; California, work began with three weeks of 158; Texas, 121, and New York, LATIN AMERICA prayer and preparation. One 10l. SJnce 1921, 196 lepers have leader tested the plan in the been paroled, apparently well. Conversion of a Merchant fanatical town of Patzcuaro. Thirty others, also apparently cured, remained voluntarily. Of Don Feliciano is a general In two days over two hundred these.;sent out apparently well, Dr. Hasseltine said, 23 have re- merchant in the Indian village homes were visited, and men and turned with active leprosy. women gladly accepted the Since 1921, 235 have run away. of Cacahuatepec, in an isolated Eighty-five of these are recorded Word. -So S. Times. as still "out," Dr. Hasseltine section of Oaxaca, Mexico. To said, although it is known that some of them have died. get needed medical treatment he Ingathering in Guatemala traveled by airplane and bus to Marked advance is reported in the work among the Quiche Puebla, and during his stay Indians of Guatemala. Las t February there were twenty- started reading a book that eight professions of faith. Two weeks later, at Huehuetanango, gripped him. After returning more than fifty Indians joined the church. During the week home he wrote to Dr. F. L. preceding Easter nineteen more Meadows (medical missionary, became active Christians. In May there were thirteen at in Puebla), asking for a copy Barillas, twenty-one at Retal- hulen, and seven at the dedica- of this book. It was a transla- tion of a new chapel. In three tion of Paul Kanamori's "Three months Rev. Paul Burgess saw 167 publicly dedicate themselves Hour Sermon," which covers to Christ. His own congrega- tion, at Quezaltenango, became the whole scheme of salvation. so large that a new church edi- fice had to be built. Other books followed this one. -The Presbyterian. Czechoslovak Center-Chfcag9 He wrote that he had been a slave to his own ignorance, but At the annual Czechoslovak that now he was free and could Baptist Con v e n t ion of the talk to others on religion. A United States and Canada, held year later Don Feliciano re- in a Czechoslovak church in Chi- turned to Puebla, and on a Sun- cago, several thousand dollars day night in the Baptist church were collected for missionary publicly accepted Christ as his work which the Convention is Saviour. He has now asked an un~ertaking in America, Can- evangelist to come to his little town. -Missions. ada, Czechoslovakia and Poland. Evangelical Work in Paraguay This meeting commemorated 40 Hopeful Signs years of Czechoslovak Baptist It is hoped that the end of the Senor Gonzalez, the secretary Chaco war will allow Christian work in America. to President Cardenas, in an enterprises to go forward un- open letter to Mexican Catholics, hamperea, but the chan,ge to Chicago is a great Czecho- insists that the Catholic clergy military government may cause are inconsistent in demanding some embarrassment to evanslovak center, as 300,000 Czecho- liberties that they cannot, ac- gelical missions, and there is a cording to their dogmas, grant possibility that the religious slovaks live there, and there are to others. He says: "The gov- question will be handled after ernment guarantees to every- the Mexican model. On the seven Czechoslovak B apt i s t body the free exercise of his re- whole, 'however, Evangelicals are ligious beliefs." satisfied with the favorable aschurches, with eleven meeting surances that have been given -Missions. Christian work is now permit- them. Evangelical work in places. ted among "the 5,000 prisoners Paraguay is limited in extent, of the penitentiary in Mexico. but that among the Indians in In Baffin Land One visitor has a list of 120 who the Chaco has acquired :awide have 'accepted 'Gospel potitions, Baffin Land, probably the northernmost of all missionstations, is one of 128 countries to which tl1eScriptureGift Missitm has sent the Bible. Speaking of Scripture distribution there, Mr. Duncan says:
reputation. Evangelistic effort, eign territories, notably in Sene- mit. In these there are more social activity and a mission gal, New Caledonia, Tahiti, than 1,500 scholars, and over among lepers are all represented, and the Loyalty Islands in the 150 teachers.-The Christian. and the International College in South Seas, where, as in Madathe capital is one of the best of gascar, it took over the missions Protestants in Bulgaria such institutions in South Amer- founded by English, American ica. and Norwegian Societies. After Protestantism is stronger and the War, it shared with Amer- more progressive in Bulgaria Vital Work of Bible Societies ican missions the German mis- than in any other Balkan state. sionary work in the mandated The Bible School grew out of a The British and Foreign Bible Cameroun territory. Some of Bib 1e Conference supported Society has been at work in its missionaries labor in Togo- annually for twenty-five years Chile for almost a century; the land and on the Ivory Coast. by the Bible Lands Missions' Aid American Bible Society joined Society. It has two sectionsthem later. Their remarkable -The Life of Faith. one for the training of Biblecirculation of the Bible has led women (some of whom are pasa zealous priest, the Rev. Cosme The Bible in Germany tors' wives); and a three-year Julien, to urge the Archbishop Biblical Theological Seminary of Chile toward a nation-wide The German Bible Societies course for pastors. In the five campaign of preaching based on had a remarkable year in 1934. years of its history, fifty-five stuthe Bible. A Chilean correspond- Persecution has driven the peo- dents have enrolled, and many ent for the Presbyterian Banner ple to the Scriptures. In face of are now working effectually for says: "I have just received a repressive measures of the Hit- Christ as ordained pastors, itin- Roman Catholic edition of the ler regime on churches and the erant evangelists, or lay workfour Gospels which bears the ministry, the Bavarian Society ers. imprimatur of the Bishop of issued 15,269 Bibles as against Argentina. In the introduction 11,970 the preceding year; the There is an annual summer to this attractive little Biblical Saxony Society, 46,994 against school, to which over 100 pasmanual the Bishop writes: 'To 31,062; the Prussian, 169,762 tors and Christian workers make the reading of the word of 'againist 138,990, and the Wurt- gather for a season of Bible God easy is to prepare the way temberg, 844,383 against 715,- study and Christian fellowship. of the Lord. Heaven grant that 542. -Christianity Today. it may reach the hands of the -The Christian. people and great numbers of The Church in Poland them. There is no other way of Polish Jews' Demands reconquering the w 0 rid for The annual conference of mis- Christ.' " sionaries and delegates from the The Jews of Poland have re- indigenous churches in Poland, cently made ten demands of the EUROPE connected with the Russian Mis- government. Among these de- sionary Society, was held this mands are (1) That the name Paris Evangelical Society year at Lutsk. "Christian" shall not be used in any inscription where Jews and For the first time in thirty The conference, which is held Gentiles live side by side; (2) years, with the exception of as much for the teaching and in- that the Jewish Sabbath shall be 1915-16, the Paris Evangelical spiration of the workers, and for officially recognized and that the Foreign Missionary Society has the preaching of the Gospel, as Jews shall have the right to conclosed a year without a deficit. for the conduct of business, cov- duct their businesses on Sunday Pastor Andre Monod writes: "It ered a full week. as if it were a workday; (3) is no longer a question of ampu- that schoolbooks objectionable tating our work; we are able on The record showed that over to the Jews shall be prohibited the contrary to send out all our thirty mission stations had been from the schools; (4) that the missionaries on leave and to send opened during the year, and that title "Christian" as applied to out the indispensable reinforce- there were thirty-four new land, nationality, or church shall ments." workers. The total membership be totally prohibited. is now over 9,000, and the num- This Mission has a long his- ber of evangelists, preachers -World Outlook. tory behind it. At a time when and workers is about 250, most Protestant missions were for- of whom are supported by in- AFRICA bidden in French Colonies the digenous churches. During the Society, founded in 1822, was year these raised a large sum of Cooperation in Egypt given an opening in British money for the support of the South Aft;ica, where it estab- workers, and the maintenance of Rev. E. G. Parry, of Cairo, lished stations in Basutoland, the girls' orphanage at Constan- writes in the C. M. S. Outlook and later in Southern Rhodesia; cin. Sixty-nine Sunday schools that churches in Egypt are beand when the way was open, are now established, but there is coming more and more unity started missions in French for- need for many more, which can conscious, and that so fal:! as pos- be opened as soon as funds per- sible the two great missionary societies in Egypt, the American
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Presbyterian Mission and the Literacy-Test of Progress further training before being C. M. S. have so arranged their in Egypt placed in little churches in the work that there shall be no over- Illiteracy in Egypt is slowly district." -C. M. S. Outlook. lapping. decreasing. In 1917 the census The E gyp tInter – Mission showed that less than 10 per cent New Church at Nshinga Council, formed in 1920, has of men and only 5 per cent of done most valuable work and, women could read. Ten years Christians of Nshinga, Portuthrough its Committee on "Mis- later (1927) the census showed guese Congo, now have their sions and Government," has that 17.5 per cent of men and 2 own substantial house of worbeen able to present a united per cent of women were literate. ship. In 1932 there was but one front on many questions. Today Egypt has a national Christian there; today there are eighty-eight loyal followers Under the inspiration of the An- school system largely through of Christ. At the first service in glican Native Church, effective work the new building four hundred is being undertaken with members of the generosity and interest of the late King Fuad. Thirty-nine and fifty people were' present to the Coptic Church among both Moslems, and Copts. This is chiefly a lay dailies and 257 journals are pub- share in the dedication of this movement, led by the Secretary of the new church. Several incidents C. M. S., an Egyptian priest and an lished. A new book comes off gave the occasion special signifievangelist from Old Cairo Hospital. the press every day. Illiteracy is A group of Anglican and Coptic lay- not an unsurmountable bar to in- cance. A boy of about twe!ve men are being trained to preach and struction, for, as in seventeenth- recited the whole of the Scripto conduct services in village homes ture lesson faultlessly in excelin districts where there is no church century Eng 1and, the fluent lent Portuguese, and a woman within close distance. The work is shared with four men in the extending, and there is a children's reader reads aloud to illiterate singing of a special hymn. meeting run by English and Egyp- groups in coffee houses, shops, private houses, or even in the tians from the Old Cairo Hospital. street. The desire for general The service was not without literacy is growing, and Egyp- its touches of African humor. Fellowship of Unity tian women are demanding The paramount chief was pres- It is some seventeen years schools, equal educational privi- ent, and expressed in a speech leges for girls and marriage re- the joy of himself and his people since the Fellowship of Unity forms. The Egyptian Univer- at possessing at last a prayer- sity has 2,500 students; Govern- house of their own. "But our was inaugurated in Egypt as a ment secondary schools, 16,000 bell is cracked and won't ring. students; high schools, 4,100 What about a new one?" he means of cooperation for the students, and Al Azhar Univer- asked. Quite determined to members of all the Christian sity, 2,600 students. strike while the iron was hot, a communities. It has regularly little later he preferred another -World Survey. request. "What about a docheld services where all the Chris- tor?" He seemed to' think that tian churches, with the exception A New Opening one could produce a church bell of the Roman Catholic, have and a medical man at will. worshiped together. Three years New work has been opened up in Kibondo, an isolated place -C. M. S. Outlook. ago the united service was cele- about 150 miles from Kigoma. brated in the Armenian Church The people are primitive, but Quick Results in Nigeria in Cairo, in 1934, in the Greek ready to listen to the Gospel. Orthodox Cathedral and in No- The ruler of the district is a A native evangelist has revember, 1935, in the Coptic Or- woman, very intelligent, and cently started work among the Eggon people in the district thodox Cathedral of St. Mark. No less than eight Archbishops and Bishops were present on this last occasion, and clergy from French, Lutheran, Anglican, friendly towards the mission- around Lafiya, connected with American, Greek and Scottish aries. She and her husband are the Sudan United Mission. One Protestant churches. The Cop- Moslems; but she is a "hearer," of the first results appeared tic Choir opened with a hymn, although her husband at present when a great man among the which together with the thanks- shows no interest in the Chris- fetish worshipers cam e, and giving prayer that followed, de- tian message. One of the work- with his wife asked the evanlivered in Arabic by the Coptic ers writes: gelist to help him to burn his Bishop of Beni Suef, are from "We have many out-schools idols. After this open profession the ancient Coptic Liturgy. All with African teachers in charge, of faith in Christ, the convert joined in the Lord's Prayer, and we are hoping to train asked that his son-in-law, who made unusually impressive by young evangelists each year. lived two days' journey away, the unique appeal of French, Only this week eight young men might be visited and told. As a English, Armenian, G r e e k, have been placed with good result he, too, asked that his Egyptian and German spoken teachers for twelve months' ex- fetishes should be destroyed, simultaneously. The address perience, after having had three while yet a third idolater folwas given by the Wakeel of the months' training. When they lowed suit. In this district a Patriarch on the subject of the have gained this practical ex- number of raw pagans who are reunion of Christendom. perience they will come in for being trained by the Government
as schoolmasters, are attending the spiritual life inth~ . whole enable the Protestant churches the missionary meetings. sec t ion has been. g rea t I y strengthened and· enriched ; to present a united front in their -The Life of Faith. many have been restored and many: others have been encour- governmental and other public Appreciation of Missions aged· to desire to return to the relations, and to unify the treat- Lord. -Congo Mission News. ment of legal matters. In eccle- The Governor General of the siastical and doctrinal matters Belgian Congo has expressed his WESTERN ASIA the different units composing the sincere appreciation of the excel- synod will retain independence. lent work performed by Prot- Christian School Contacts estant missions, and emphasized Social Changes in Iran the importance of their medical Two of the six members of the work done in cooperation with graduating class at Aleppo, Mrs. Cady Allen, Presbyterian the Government. He thanked Syria, Presbyterian High School missionary in Kermanshah. tells missions for the service they are girls. This may not seem how radically social life has were rendering to the colony, worthy of mention, but probably changed in Iran. and commented on the fine no, other high school in Syria Christian character of many of can make the same boast. Also, Men and their wives call and rethe Congo converts. He further two are Moslem boys; both will ceive callers to gether. At first it all assured the Council that no con- be speakers on the commence- seemed delightfully new and interestfessional discrimination would ment program, one in Arabic and ing, out I soon began to realize that be exercised in the choice of can- the other in French. Th~ father the men made most of the conversadidates for the medical schools of one of· them was a prisoner tion, the hostess was always too busy at Leopoldville or elsewhere, and during the recent nationalist serving the guests to sit down and Protestant boys attending these demonstrations in Syria. The really visit with us. Lately I have schools would be able to follow other is a nephew of one of the been to several parties where just their own religious instruction. high officials in the Department ladies were present, and they have all of Education. One of the great- seemed to enjoy the greater freedom The Governor does not con- est. ~periences these two Mos- and informality, for as yet they are sider the Evangelical Church in lemboys have ever had is their not at ease in mixed crowds. I am the; Congo strong enough to being in a class with two very glad for the removal of the veil be– $tand on its own feet. If, for nice Christian girls. cause I have felt quite a change in aIiy reason, the missionaries some of my friends-it seems as were recalled at this time to Moslem Morality League though they feel closer to us, more their own countries, leaving open and ready to take us into their their converts to struggle alone, A Morality Lea g u e, with lives, more ready to share with us native Christians would not long branches in the towns and vil- their problems. When I visited one withstand the backward pull of lages of Palestine, has been of my veiled friends, or walked with paganism. formed by Moslems under the her on the street, however near and name of "Do and Don't," to dear we might be to each other, there Church Discipline in the Congo maintain the purity of public was a difference. But now we visit morals and insure proper be- each other, or walk together on the Perhaps if the church at home havior in public. The league has street – the difference has disapwere as strict in discipline as the asked the Palestine Government peared. Congo .Church there would be to ban immoral theatrical perfew left on the roll. Native pas- formances. Doctors Go to Church tq1".S and elders are even more s~yere in such measures than ·:",Toward a United Front Here is a church with 10% of are the missionaries. its membership in the medical A plan of organization has profession. In Hamadan, Iran, Because of these very strict been agreed upon by the is a Protestant church with 150 rules about Christian life and churches at work in Syria. members, including Iranians behavior there are necessarily Churches affiliated with the who were former Moslems, Asmany backsliders. At Luebo, a British Reformed Presbyterian syrians, Armenians, Americans personal workers' class has been and the American Reformed and Jewish converts. Fifteen of organized, and each week every Presbyteri3n . miss ion s, the the members of this church are worker is given a list of five or Frie.nds' Yearly Meeting, the doctors and three of the four ten people to hunt up, talk with, Damascus Church of the Irish elders are doctors. This is partly pray with and endeavor to bring Presbyterian mission, the Lu- explained by the fact that in the back to the Lord. Responsibility theran churches connected with earlier years of medical mission for a neighbor's spiritual life is the Danish Mission to the Orient work,; before there was a gova new idea in the Congo, but it and the Evangelical Synod, are ernment. medical school, ambiis growing, and young men, represented in this move toward tious. young men were taken into working with pastors and .evan- unity. The chief purpose is to the mission hospital, and trained gelists, have Peen literally comb- as physicians by the medical ing Luebowith the ,result that missionaries. Most of· these young men, through their Chris- tian contacts and training, be- came earnest Christians them- selves, joined the church, and take an active part in the vari- ous departments.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
INDIA tian children, making it possible lems of Christian literature in Oonverts Among the Bhils for rural children to attend India is that of distribution, and school. Opposition has arisen to do this more effectively vari- The Bhils of Central India of- to the use of this grant and the ous experiments have bee n fer special opportunities for Legislative Council has voted to tried; among them is a motor evangelization. Their homogene- suspend all payment under the caravan provided by friends in ity and, comparative isolation present terms of the resolution. England. Throughout 1935 the make less difficult the spread of the Gospel; their concepts seem The fear has been expressed that caravan was touring India. It to have no subtleties that re- it would operate as an induce- started in the Madras Presidenquire explaining away before ment to members of the De- cy in January and during its they can accept the truth in pressed Classes to become Chris- two-and-a-half months there it Christ, and they respond eager- tians in order that their children sold 10,369 Scriptures. It spent ly to the Gospel. Furthermore, might receive a grant. Under April in the Mysore State, with the acceptance of Christ means the present agitated state of af- a circulation of 2,694 portions. no very great change in their fairs in India regarding the con- Then during May, June and general life. Simplicity is the v e r s ion of the Depressed July it was in the area of the order of their being. A change Classes, it is easy to understand Bombay Auxiliary, finishing in of religion is mostly a change that both Hindus and Moham- the Central Provinces. It was of loyalty; there is no social up- medans would oppose such a hampered by monsoon condi- grant. tions both in actual traveling heaval. and in its selling work, but 7,529 It is characteristic of the At present Hindus and Mo- portions were sold. It then hammedans are receiving over spent August and September in Bhils that so many new converts a hundred thousand 'l"Upees a the area of the North India Auxare eager to carry the message year in the United Provinces for iliary, with sales of 9,155 porto other members of their fam- the support of their communal tions. During the last quarter ily scattered over the villages of schools. -Indian Witness. of the year it was in the Punjab. the area. The need for arousing interest no longer exists; but Triplets in India One Ohamar's Witness teaching is required. The arrival of quintuplets The C. M. S. Outlook has an Where the question of a school would not have been welcomed account of a Chamar, who, two building has been raised, the at this Chamar home where a years ago had been led to Christ people themselves have come Bible woman reports that when through a Christian sweeper, triplets came the caste relatives and started a movement among forward with an offer to erect said: "No woman should have his own class. Through this it, and plans are being made to triplets. The mother must be man's testimony, C ham a r s secure a group of promising punished." The babies all died from neighboring villages be- Bhils who will be fitted to give in a few days, yet the punish- cause inquirers. A group of ment was given. The mother about fQrty";men and women elementary education. S u c h was ordered to bathe in the from two, villages expressed teachers will serve a group of sacred Narbudda River in order their desire to become Chris- to help atone for the sin she tians. Later, fierce persecution villages. must have committed in a past from the caste people partially At a conference, arranged by incarnation. The Panchayat stamped out the movement; but (council) of five demanded during the past year it has rethe Mid-India Christian Coun- twenty rupees, which the family vived and has spread from vilcil, it was decided to make an was too poor to pay. Then they lage to village. ' put the mother on a donkey and effort to secure the cooperation made it run to the home of its Many new Christians are of all Missions working among owner, a washerman. The par- learning to pray; the few who ents were informed that the bai can read are not only feeding on Bhils, with a view to coordinating methods of work, pooling experiences, and establishing common centers for training along special lines, wherever this may prove possible.
-National Christian Coun- could be rescued by the payment the Word of God themselves, but cil Review. ' of any amount which the wash- are teaching others; they are erman demanded. That, too, learning to give t,o God's work Rural Education Problem would be difficult. In vain the out of their, ,qeep poverty, to Bible woman tried to make them The Christians of India are stand persecution, and to win, greatly concerned because of the see the Christian ideal. difficulty in providing primary -World Call. others for Christ. None of them has yet been baptized, except education for the rural Chris- Literature Oaravan' the original Chamar. tian community. In the United Provinces the Government set The year 1935 brought a new Lucknow Ashram aside a sum of ten thousand venture in the work of the Brit- The latest development of the rupees (about $3,300) to be ish and Foreign Bible Society work, which Dr. E. Stanley used as scholarships for Chris- in India. One of the great prob- J ones has been doing among ed'-
ucated Indians for 22 years, has asked to be supplied with equip- Ohefoo School for Deaf been the founding of an Ashram ment for home treatment. This at Lucknow, from which medi- gave the missionaries the idea Those who contributed to the cal, educational and social work of establishing clinics in various Chefoo School for the Deaf have of various kinds is carried on. districts. Twenty of these have made it possible to keep in lt grew out of the Ashram which been opened, all under the super- school fourteen children from he had founded in the Himalayas vision of former leper patients, destitute homes, ten 0 the r s where some 200 people live to- treating more than 500 patients. whose relatives cannot pay more gether in Indian fashion. They The only cost involved is that of than five or ten dollars towards include, he said, Europeans and medicines, but no medicine is food, and fifteen who cannot pay Indians, Government officials given any group which fails to more than one-half the cost of and ardent nationalists, funda- report monthly on the number food. Fifteen of the children mentalists and modernists, con- of injections given. Practically come from homes where one or servatives and radicals, high all clinics show increased at- both parents have died. Fiftycaste and low. "Leave behind tendance, in some instances over five deaf children, eleven girls all race and class distinctions, 100%. and forty-four boys between the all ye who enter here," is one of ages of seven and seventeen, the mottoes on the wall. "Chris- One of the most important have made satisfactory progress tianity has many critics," says and encouraging features of the in learning the language neces- Dr. Jones, "but no rivals in the work is the evangelistic oppor- sary to communicate with their work of human redemption." tunity offered by these estab- home people. lished clinic groups. All the pa- Under the supervision of Dr. tients come from non-Christian An hOUl; and a half is spent on E. Stanley Jones and those as- homes, but the majority, upon Saturday mornings in preparing sociated with him in the Ash- leaving, have accepted Christ. for the Bible lessons which they ram, a series of pamphlets and Christian centers have thus been have on Sunday. One little boy tracts on the Christian message established and two churches from a very poor home in the is being prepared for mailing, have been built. country asked for a Bible when month by month, to the leaders leaving for vacation. As he had of the Depressed Classes and the -Siam Outlook. been in school only two years, aboriginal tribes of I n d i a, his ability to read it was quesgroups numbering perhaps 70,- OHINA tioned, but when by the use of 000,000 people. speech, writing and pantomime, Successful Preaching he made it plain that he would Among the first materials not knock his head to idols and printed and mailed are: the Rev. R. W. Porteous, of the he wanted to learn how to pray Gospel of St. Luke, with helpful C. I. M. Bible Training Institute to the true God in Heaven, he comments and the story of Ditt, at Nanchang, reports that a new was given a copy of the Gospels, a humble Chuhra convert, who Gospel Hall has been opened and and his delight was unbounded. refused to be segregated in the a chapel seating 200. The Gosmission compound, and led, un- pel message has been delivered -Chefoo School Report. der God, a mighty movement of there to attentive crowds almost his former caste fellows into the every night for four months and OhTist Speaks Through the Christian Church. hundreds have indicated their East desire to accept Christ as their -Christian Advocate. Saviour. This provides oppor- An American woman who has tunity for students to do per- lived fifteen years in China, Leper Olinics in Siam sonal work. Two student bands Miss Helen W. Dutton, testifies were assigned to evangelize two to the contributions which that Various estimates of the num- neighboring markets and as a country has made to her life; ber of lepers in Siam have been result several families destroyed best of all, she says, her discovmade from time to time, but their idols. ery of the Christ of the East, none of these is accurate. Fear the Jesus who bade men go the of discovery, leading to ostra- Mr. Porteous writes: second mile; who bade men forcism, persecution, and much give their brother unto seventy suffering, causes large numbers God has been doing a great work times seven; who told men to to go into hiding or to cover all among the wounded soldiers in the love God and their neighbor as signs of their affliction as long military hospitals in the city. Many themselves, who told the rich as possible. However, an esti- have responded to the Gospel appeal, man to sell all his goods and feed mate of 20,000 is approximately though quite a number who, we be- the poor if he would gain the correct. lieve, were saved, did not have an Kin g do m of Heaven'; who opportunity to De baptized before sou g h t the lost sheep and The number of patients being they were called to rejoin their regi- brought it to the fold again; who treated at present in leprosy ments, be discharged. or return to bade men lose their lives for hospitals in Siam is less than their homes; we had, however, the others that they might save 1,000, or only 5% of the esti- joy of seeing 114 baptized in the them – this Jesus the East unmated leper population. For C. 1. M. Church. These have all left derstands and will accept. "The the past three or four years for other provinces or different parts most of the patients on leaving of Kiangsi, and some to their homes, but each with aNew Testament or Bible in his kit.
-The Christian.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Oriental is truly a literalist," Christian training to the chil- Chinese democracy, which is so real as to be unconscious, all meet together says Miss Dutton. "He expects dren and youth of China. Their not only for service but enjoy meetto see in an individual who calls pupils represent 950,000 Protes- ing afterwards, and do so with great himself Christian those qualities tant Christian families. savoir taire. The group is often which Jesus called 'blessed.' Let Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, in joined by lamas, some of whom come him exemplify those traits in his his report on financial conditions from very distant lamaseries in Tibet.
daily living-he will have no in China, fully corroborates the Students' Problems substitute. . . . I see more of report of the American Econom- the gentle, patient Jesus in these ic Mission that "a vast change Prof. D. L. Phelps was recent- Eastern friends of mine. I am is coming over China, a modern- ly asked to address a mid-week glad for my years in China, ization that as compared with assembly at West China Union where I have come to under- ten or even five years ago marks University, Chengtu. He asked stand bet t e r the Oriental many centuries." This opinion the students to send in questions -Advance. is confirmed by those familiar about religion in advance, and Christ."
Child Slavery Today with conditions in widely sepa- in the hour allotted, attempted rated provinces; beyond ques- to answer them. So many ques- It is thirteen years since Mr. tion, China's youth is in the fore- tions were handed in that Prof. Winston Churchill told the front of the struggle for prog- Phelps was given the following House of Commons that he in- ress. week's assembly hour.
tended to abolish child slavery The determined attack upon Dr. H. Bruce Collier of the in the British possession of the opium scourge is part of this faculty analyzed these questions Hongkong within one year-and effort for national salvation. and found that they could be distill the evil continues. A spe- Mr. Hoo, the Chinese delegate vided into five groups: funda- at Geneva, stated last May that mental questions of God, prayer, cial commission has now been nearly 1,000 drug addicts, and meaning of religion, 29 per cent; sent out from England to look drug traffickers were shot in doctrines, miracles and superinto the whole problem. It is China last year. The life of the stitions, 23 per cent; personal doubtful whether there is any- Chinese nation, he added, de- relations to religion, and personthing within the realm of slave pended upon victory in this fight systems so revolting as child again opium. -World Survey. al benefits, 20 per cent; necesslavery-the sale of thousands sity of religion, and uniqueness of little girls say of five years of "Central Asia Trio" of Christianity, 14 per cent; poage, at half-a-crown apiece- litical problems, 14 per cent.
bought for "appreciation" – The British Weekly publishes The largest percentage related bought for sale again at eight to to the nature of God and prayer. ten years of age, for drudgery- a letter from Miss Mildred Ca- Typical questions were: ble, written July 1 from Kansu or worse, without the glimmer province, where she and her col- "Why do you believe in God 1" of an understanding of what leagues, the Misses Francesca "What is the real meaning of awaits them. The cruelties im- and Evangeline French, have prayer?" "Can religion really posed upon them are of such na- arrived after their journey ture that pUblication of them through the Gobi desert. She discover the 'way out' that is the would be prohibited in the Brit- goal of all life?" There were ish press. writes: several very searching ques- tions: A wealthy Chinese gentleman, We have left the "great and terrible "Jesus said that 'whosoever desert" behind us for the fifth time. shall smite thee on the right who has decided to devote his As Christ's ambassadors we have been life and means to the abolition able to tell the Good News in every cheek, turn to him the other alof this gigantic evil, declares oasis on the main trade route. We so.' Now Japan has occupied by that there are more than 4,000,- have had a most touching welcome force our three eastern prov- 000 pitiable little slaves within everywhere. The people last saw us inces ; should we not take the China proper; probably there hurrying away from the "Thunder- five northern provinces and give bolt" and his troops, and many saw are about 10,000 in British me on that same journey with my them to Japan, too?" And "The head bandaged, after the bad kick Powers of Europe and America Hongkong and Malaya. It is which a donkey belonging to a Moslem the job of this new commission gave me. The fact that we have re- are nations that worship God. turned after all this has made many Why, then, are they guilty of to discover their numbers and whereabouts, and to propose to realize. the urgency of our commission. acts of aggression toward the Weare now once again in Tunh- weaker nations?" the government means for put- wang, the City of Sands, and have ting down the unholy traffic go- been able to revisit the beautiful Lake The experiment revealed the ing on between Chinese in China of the Crescent Moon and the Cave of type of religious problem wmch and Chinese inhabitants in Brit- the Thousand Buddhas. occupies the student thought.
ish territories. Every afternoon we hold a service -United Church Record. -The Chronicle. in the large room of our rented house Difficult Mongolia -we call it the Blue Palace. You Changes Show Progress would be interested in the crowd which Seventy-nine missionary soci- gathers there. It always includes a Work among Mongols was strange variety of listeners, from beg- started about a century ago, and gar maids to the wives of the prineties are engaged in giving cipal military officials. Thanks to taken up afresh by James Gil-
mour in 1885. A little over a prohibition was continued for blow to the propagation of civic year ago the new capital of In- another five years, which came idealism; but many older, exner Mongolia was opened at to an end on March 31, 1936. perienced missionaries hold that Pailingmiao formerly a caravan During that period it is esti- "preaching, teaching and philancenter, but nothing more. Mis- mated that the village has saved thropy" sum up the missionary's sionary work had never been 173,000 yen, although most other whole duty, and they disapprove carried on there, but Prince Teh villages have "gone into the all activities capable of arousing Wang granted permission on red." Of this sum, 45,000 yen political suspicions. this occasion. The opposition was spent on the new school, from the lamas caused the lib- 50,000 yen on new homes, 74,000 -New York Times. erty previously granted to be re- yen was invested in cooperative stricted, but good s e r vic e s associations, and 4,000 yen in Rural Newspaper Evangelism among the Mongols, and much the postal savings bank. In adinterest in the Gospel are re- dition, the mayor proudly re- Dr. Daniel C. Buchanan of ported. For several months a ports that the children of the vil- Kyoto finds a wide field for rural Bible Class was carried on lage are better fed and clothed, new spa per evangelism. He among government secretaries, that the children's death rate as writes: and medical treatment has been well as the general death rate given. Today, Pailingmiao is has decreased, that the number The personal interview is the methdeveloping rapidly and boasts a of persons seeking medical at- od par excellence in our work of newstemple, with more than 1,000 tention has decreased 40ro, that paper evangelism in rural districts. lamas. lawsuits, illegitimacy, crime, If a member lives in another part of gambling, police court cases and the Empire, too far away for us to JAPAN election offenses have been done call on him when the time seems away with. propitious, we send his name and ad- "Year of the Monkey" dress to the nearest missionary or -Japan Christian Quarterly. Japanese pastor with the request that Once every twelve years comes he call on the inquirer and try to get the "Year of the Monkey," when American Missionary him linked up with some church. young people ask "whom shall I Excluded Those members who live in our field copy this year?" with a some- we try to call on as often as possible. what sincere belief that thus The refusal of the police to We also encourage them to come to they may improve. The seventy- readmit into Japan Rev. Dr. J. our office whenever they visit the city, five children in the Morning Spencer Kennard, American Thus we have found that the best Star Kindergarten at Yamagu- Baptist missionary, is in the na- way to win a man for Christ is to chi do not wait for the twelfth ture of a bombshell. It is have heart to heart talks with him, year. When they "play kinder- thought there may be a blacklist pray frequently with and for him, garten" there is the piano teach- of other American missionaries and love him into the Kingdom. er, the teacher who leads the cir- suspected of anti-war or labor cle hour and the one who con- sympathies. These missionaries Newspaper evangelism is es- 'ducts the prayer period. The do not expect to be deported, but tablishing groups which willlatlittle mimics do not forget to be fear their next furlough may er develop into churches. The gentle and smiling; the three terminate their careers in J a- work is carried on through ad- 'real teachers looking on are pan. They are social workers of vertising in newspapers and struck by the skill in mimicry, Kagawa's type, but the police mag a z i n e s, correspondence, smiling as they see themselves draw a distinction between a na- monthly magazines sent free of so perfectly portrayed with all tive, like Dr. Kagawa, and for- charge to all members of the their little mannerisms. It is eigners who come on what many church and for three months to not to be wondered at when they Japanese consider the superflu- all inquirers who have not joined say to one another. "Well, if ous mission of bringing Japan a the church, by tract distribution, they copy even us as closely as new religion. and through a loan library, as that, we'll have to see to it that well as through the use of sterewe lead them to copy in all seri- There is no fear that any mis- opticon and moving pictures, ousness the One who is Best." sionaries will run personal risk and personal interviews. or find their freedom of preach- A Model Village ing interferred with, but in the Christian Literature future they will have to' avoid . .A notable experiment in tem- quasi-political activities, such as A group of far sighted misperance was made by the village the propagation of peace or in- sionaries and Japanese Christian of Kawaidani. In 1925, the ternational idealism of the type leaders began in January, 1935, mayor proposed that the village represented by the Fellowship of as one of the activities of the "go dry" for a period of five Reconciliation and kindred or- Christian Literature Society, a years in order to rebuild the vil- ganizations. They may preach Central Christian Library to lage school, which had been de- their faith and teach English, house a collection of Christian stroyed in a fire. So successful but nothing more. A number of books, especially those published was the plan that the term of younger missionaries regard the in Japan since the beginning of police action as a shattering Protestant work. About 4,000 columes have been purchased or received as gifts to date and cat- alogued, the expenses being met largely by Japanese Christians.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Some of the books assembled are voted to intensive. teaching of safe now," but really because of records of martyrdoms, others what the Christian life means. their deep-rooted pagan fear tell of methods of expressing the that if they move away, the spir- Gospel. A reading room well – Watchman-Examiner. supplied with reference books in its of the 73 who were killed will English for the use of clergy, ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC pursue and punish them. Bible students and evangelists; commentaries, dictionaries, etc., Samoan Schools Due to the perseVerance of and a loan library by mail for the Rev. Clifford Nobes, the prodistant workers is part of the For nearly a century the peo- vincial government has taken a ultimate plan. ple of Samoa have been able to hand and by the latest report read and write their own lan- has given the people thirty days Another timely piece of work guage, through the untiring ef- to move away, promising help in Christian literature is the ag- forts of their own Samoan vilgressive program of the five- lage pastors, who have acted al- in moving expenses and in getyear-old Brotherhood of St. An- so as village schoolmasters. In ting new land. The situation is drew in Japan. More than 22,- addition to ordinary school sub- really perilous for there are big 000 copies of the Forward Move- jects the boys are given practiment booklets, adapted and cal training in agriculture, car- new cracks in the mountainside, translated from the American pentry, music and craft work. waiting for a typhoon to start series, have been printed and It is the secret desire, however, more slides. distributed throughout the 271 of nearly every schoolboy to beparishes and missions of the come some day an ordained pas- Protestant Strength in Episcopal Church. tor. Philippines -The Living Church. There are two schools for The National Christian Coun- girls; the one at Papauta ac- cil of the Philippines gives the Result of Teacher's Testimony commodates 150, who enter only on recommendation of village following numerical strength of Mr. Sakata, Principal of the pastors. The school itself is a Protestantism in the Islands: Mary L. Colby School for Girls village where all food supplies in Yokohama, arranged a series are grown on the hillside planta- United Evangelical Church 42,910. of evangelistic meetings with tions and the girls take their (including all members in 82,910. Mr. Kimura. Thirty-five years part in caring for the gardens. regions w her e Presbybefore, Mr. Sakata, a young sol- All practical training can be car- terian, Congregational and 18,0.0.0. dier about to be called into serv- ried out by the girls in their own United Brethren mission- 15,0.0.0., ice, was converted by Mr. Ki- homes when they leave school, 10.,0.0.0. mura and made up his mind that after four or five years' resi- aries are serving) …… . 8,0.0.0. instead of spending his life kill- dence. Methodist Episcopal …… . ing people he would spend it 2,50.0. showing them how to live. Al- Atauloma school has the three- Iglesia Evangelica Metodista most immediately he was called fold aim of helping the students, en las Islas Filipinas …. 250. to Manchuria and was there for finding ways for them to help the ten years. When he came back school and of keeping in touch Iglesia Evangelica de Cristo he trained himself to become a after they leave. Graduates Christian teacher. work to give financial aid. By Baptist ..•……….•….. bazaars or direct giving from Mr. Kimura told of going to their funds they have raised Disciples of Christ ……. . see the young man off when he enough to give four Aladdin was about to leave for Man- lamps for the main hall, £14 to- Association of Baptists for churia. He clasped his hand, ward other improvements. Evangelism in the Orient never expecting to see him again, but God had work for him -L. M. S. Chronicle. Philippine-Borneo Faith Misand brought him back. sion …………..•….. Typhoon Damage The effect of this story was Total …………….. 179,570. direct and fruitful. Almost the With the return of typhoon whole school stood to indicate season in the Philippines, it will "God Hath Spoken" that they too wanted to follow be recalled that last year a great Christ. Mr. Sakata had them landslide buried 73 people in the In a letter received recently go to their class rooms and town of Balogang, near Sagada. from a worker in the Philippine there, if they so desired, they At the time and ever since then Islands, the following story is were to write out their decision, the missionaries at Sagada have told: signing their names. When they been trying to get the remaining were counted there were 307. people of the town to move to a "Soon after our arrival here Committees set to work imme- new site, but the old men, domi- we came across a young man diately and the result is that nating the situation, have re- who had no other book except there is one period a week de- fused, ostensibly because "it is the booklet 'God Hath Spoken.' In all his conversations with his friends he always tried to find God's guidance in this little book, so much so that his friends gave him the nickname An Dios Nag- yakan. Needless to say he soon became an Evangelical Chris- tian, and the proud possessor of aNew Testament." This booklet is issued by the Scripture.Gift Mission in many languages.
-Life of Faith.
MISCELLANEOUS pointing out that the Bible is not those in Japan, Canada, Aus- Faith Missions· merely a Protestant book, as so tralia, South Africa and other often alleged. The remarkable countries. A large proportion A recently published pamphlet thing is that her work is com- of the South African police are summarizes the service of pop- mended by the Cardinal Arch- members of the Association, and ularly called Faith Missions. bishop of Paris. The movement about 1,000 joined last year, The Interdenominational For- had its origin in Italy, where a while more than that number of eign Mission Association of Waldensian pastor describes it New Testaments were circulated North America was formed in as a real Reformation within the among the men, besides thou- 1917 by a group of foreign mis- Catholic Church. Roman Cath- sands of tracts and leaflets. In sionary societies that were not olic writers have also been draw- Japan the work has gradually denominationally related, but ing attention to archreological been becoming more difficult, which held identical doctrinal discovery and its bearing upon chiefly because the police are convictions and adhered to sim- the truth of the Bible. under the military authorities. -The Christian. Each week Captain Gerrard ilar missionary principles and visits the Tokyo Police Training practices. Prayer fellowship, Jews of the World School, where he distributes conferences concerning mission- tracts and Testaments among ary policy, and united appeal for Jews throughout the world to- 200 men. When the men leave world evangelization are aims day number 16,291,000 as com- they are often drafted to remote of the organization. pared with an estimated 4,200,- country villages, and may be the 000 in 1850, according to a sum- only possessors of God's .Word Listed in the order of their in the place. inception, the sixteen societies mary of the work of the noted Jewish statistician, Dr. Erwin There is also a work for wives that are now members of the Rawicz, appearing in the C.-V. of policemen.-The Christian. Association are: The Woman's Zeitung, of Berlin. The rapid Union Missionary Society of America, the China Inland Mis- increase coincides with the A Century's Achievements sion, the India Christian Mis- emancipation of the Jews in sion, the South African General most European countries and the The American Baptist For- Mission, the Central American growth of industrialization, it is eign Mission Society sums up Mission, the Sudan Interior declared, following a heavy de- its achievements of the past cen- Mission, the Ceylon and India crease in the Jewish population tury in a comparison of figures General Mission, the Africa In- in the previous twenty or which include the work of both land Mission, the Bible House of twenty-five centuries. Since the General and the Women's Los Angeles, the Inland South 1800 the general population of Societies: America Missionary Union, the Europe rose from just below Number of missionaries 1836 1935 Bolivian Indian· Mission, the 190 millions to some 500 millions on the foreign fields. 46 590 today. The summary shows Number of organized 3,226 North East India General Mis- 352,413 sion, the Evangelical Union of that there were about three Jews churches ……….. 9 South America, the American per thousand in 1800, about Members of churches abroad …………. 888 European Fellowship, the Ori- seven in 1900, and about eight Number of schools of all 4,372 in 1935. grades ….•…….. 11 noco River Mission and the 10,529 The Jewish population of Number of native work- 32 Latin America Evangelization Great Britain, according to the Campaign. ers ………..•..•. Number of hospitals .. , '" The pamphlet contains a list survey, is 340,000. The Jewish NumiJer of dispensaries … 55 of the officiary of each Mission, population of Germany is given Patients treated …… '" 344,560 and a brief statement concern- as 400,000, compared with an The number of baptisms by ing each society's origin, aim estimated 550,000 at the time of decades indicates the steady and ministry. Copies of the Hitler's advent to power. Jews growth on the mission fields: pamphlet may be secured with- in Palestine numbered 395,000 in 1935-1844 ………•……. 6,653 out cost from the headquarters 1855-1864 …•………•… 12,617 1935. By continents, there were 1875-1884 …………….. 42.,762 of the various mission agencies 1895-1904 …………….. 68,375 listed, or from the Secretary of 9,736,000 Jew in Europe, includ- 1915-1924 …………….. 125,743 the Association, George H. Dow- ing Turkey in Asia and Russia; 1925-1934 …………….. 187,536 knott, 113 Fulton Street, New 560,000 in Africa; 936,000 in York, N. Y. Asia; 5,031,000 in North and Many churches have developed -The King's Business. South America; and 27,000 in their own leadership; among Australia and New Zealand. these are the Chekiang Shang- Bible Reading for Catholics hai Baptist Convention, East A "back-to-the-Bible" tend- -The Jewish Chronicle. Japan Baptist Convention, the Convention of Philippine Bap- International Christian Police ency is noted among Catholics. Founded 53 years ago the In- tist Churches, Inc., the All- A noted archreologist's wife- a ternational Christian Police As- Burma Baptist Convention and Roman Catholic-has published sociation is now world-wide in the Bengal-Orissa B apt i s t some booklets, commending the its activities, and binds the Yearly Meeting. -Watchman-Examiner. reading of the Word of God, and Christian police in England with Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Indian Thought and Its Development. its world- and life-negation in If we must look for another, By Albert Schweitzer. Translated its later development. The book by Mrs. Charles E. B. Russell. pp. is thought-provoking, and is what about the thought of Jesus 272. Price, $2.50. Henry Holt and Company. New York. 1936. packed with accurate informa- Christ? Paul's philosophy was tion regarding the philosophy Dr. Schweitzer has distin- and history of Indian thought. based on it and is still valid and guished himself as philosopher, musician, and doctor in the equa- We believe, however, that the potent. S. M. ZWEMER. torial primeval forests of Africa. author does not place due em- He tells us that Indian thought phasis on the debt of Western Levucka Days. By C. W. Whonsbon attracted him from his youth, es- thought to Christianity. The er- Aston. pp. 95, Paper, 40 cents. pecially through the writings of ror of Hinduism and Buddhism Society for Promoting Christian Schopenhauer and his conviction is not world- and life-negation Knowledge. London. that Indian ethics were con- only, but the denial of worldcerned with the behavior of man and life-reality. In Jesus Christ This small book recounts the in relation to all living beings we have both the affirmation and experiences of a clergyman of and not mer~ly to his fellow negation. His disciples are not the Church of England who man. to be taken out of the world, but spent three years in the Fiji to be kept from the evil that is Islands. The Bishop of Polyne- He speaks of in the world. The Son of Man sia writes a commendatory in- came eating and drinking. The troduction. The narrative illus- "the difficulty of describing defi- world and life in the New Testa- trates the various interests and nite lines i)f development in a ment are not maya, illusion, but problems which face a missionphilosophy which possesses in so re- a great reality. We are not to ary in a field which includes numarkable a degree the will and the leave the world, but to overcome merous islands separated by ability not to perceive contrasts as the world. Weare not to sup- broad ocean spaces in which such, and allows ideas of heteroge- press life, but to seek its fullest navigation is rendered dangerneous character to subsist side by side development. The things that ous by currents and coral reefs. and even brings them into connection are seen are real, but they are with each other. But I believe that also temporal. The things that A. J. BROWN. we, the people of the West, shall only are not seen are real and eternal. rightly comprehend what Indian There is only one reference to Korean Young Folks. By Frederick thought really is and what is its sig- Paul's philosophy and ethics, and S. Miller. pP. 189. $2.00. Fleming nificance for the thought of all man- the author always uses the word H. Revell. New York. 1936. kind, if we succeed in gaining an in- Jesus, not Christ, when referring sight into its processes." to our Lord. These glimpses of life in Ko- rea are not dry descriptions but Beginning with a comparison At the close of the preface the are a series of interesting of Western and Indian thought, sketches of real young people. Dr. Schweitzer sketches the rise reader is told that neither in With such quaint names as of world- and life-negation in Western nor in Indian thought White Dragon, Great Mountain, the Vedas, the teaching of the Seven Stars, Jewel and the like, Upanishads, the rise of Jainism, do we find the ideal or the final- these young folks figure largely Buddhism and its later develop- ity. in the stories of country and vilment outside of India. There are lage life. The reader learns also chapters on present-day "For there must indeed arise a about rice farming and fuel cut- Hinduism, the Bhagavad Gita, philosophy profounder and more liv- ting, paper-making and house and modern Indian thought. ing than our own and endowed with building, how candy and puffed greater spiritual and ethical force. In rice are made and how kites are The basic distinction between this terrible period through which flown; about weddings and fu- Western thought and that of In- mankind is passing, from the East nerals and ancestor worship. dia is that the former makes th~ and from the West we must all keep affirmation of the world and life, a lookout for the coming of this more We read about Seven Stars while the latter makes its nega- perfect and more powerful form of who butted the goat; about Pigtion. This negation, he holds, is thought which will conquer the hearts gie who rolled off the bridge in void of ethical value, and there- of individuals and compel whole peo- his sleep; about Skylark the donfore Hinduism itself, and more ples to acknowledge its sway. It is for this that we must strive." key who could bray noiselessly especially Buddhism, modified and helped distribute tracts by holding them in his lips; about Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the RllvIllW publishers on receipt of price.
[619 ] Kim the gambler and how he ficial relationships brought him ger. It is a true picture of that knew he was a Christian; the into contact. ARTHUR J. BROWN. heroic type of work which has narrow escape of Pak who wouldn't hit back, and a score of Christian Giving. By Clarence Ed- been done in Brazil for more than ward Macartney, D.D. 15 cents. other stories of humor and Zondervan Publishing House, Grand half a century. The author, Wilpathos, rascality and heroism Rapids. 1936. liam Anglin, himself a legiti- mate descendant in the long line and victorious Christian living. Children and adults alike will This is a sermori-;nd – the of missionary pioneers, has writ- ten these simple stories of conread with profit and pleasure preacher being Dr. Macartney- version to give a fresh sense of how a missionary works, how the saving grace of our Lord and Gospels and tracts are distrib- it is in approved sermonic style, the wonderful power of His Gosuted, how Christ changes lives, pel. It will inform, and inspire how Christians testify to non- Scriptural, clear, cogent. It is the reader and stimulate a great- Christians and how and why the er missionary passion. Gospel spreads in a foreign well that it has been published, land. J. E. MORELAND. so as to reach a wider audience. Those who have been enter- Ethiopia. By John H. Shaw, Consul tained and instructed by reading Giving is, of course, only a seg- General of Ethiopia. HOur Korean Friends," by the same author, a veteran mission- ment of the circle of Christian This paper-covered booklet on ary in Korea, will need no urg- Ethiopia, comprising ninety-five ing to secure his new book. Stewardship which Jesus pre- pages, is, as the author states ir his Introduction, an attempt "to WALTER C. ERDMAN. sented whole in his teaching, but portray an honest, truthful pic- ture of this comparatively un- Across the Years. By Charles Sted- giving is the trait Hlikest God known Christian empire, with a man Macfarland. An Autobiog- short outline of the historic raphy. pp. 367. $2.75. The Mac- within the Soul," and it deserves background, the natural re- millan Company. New York. 1936. sources, the people, the govern- to be stressed in "at least a ser- ment, and some of the undercur- Dr. Macfarland was for sev- rents that have led to the preseral years secretary of the Fed- mon every year," as Dr~ Mac- ent difficulties." The aim is too eral Council of the Churches of broad to be carried out success- Christ in America, a post to artney plans, making this the fully in so short a volume and which he was called from a Con- the book as a result is very gregational pastorate in 1911, first of the series. D. McC. sketchy. when forty-five years of age. The Federal Council was then a new A Story of Child Life in Old Peking. The author is very open in his venture, small, weak and with By Margaret Rossiter White. pp. pro-Ethiopian sympathies and no dependable revenue. It was 91. $1.0Q, cloth. Fleming H. Revell makes many statements highly strenuously opposed by some de- Ci. New York. 1936. commending the Emperor Haile nominations and by many min- Selassie The First. Had it been Every child who likes a good story will find this one of the best. In picturing the home life of a well-to-do Chinese family the author gives the pattern of Chinese culture and civilization in a way that the grown-up, as well as the child, will find inter- esting; and the result cannot but develop a bond of under- standing between the races.
H.B. F.
isters and I a y men in the Stories From Brazil. By William possible for the author to place churches which gave it scanty Anglin. With eleven illustrations. this book on the market before support. But its secretary 96 pages. $1. Pickering and Inglis. proved to be a born promoter, London, Glasgow, Edinburgh. the cataclysmic downfall of the: Ethiopian Empire the book and was strongly reenforced by In Brazil there are two dis- would have filled a greater need the growing demand for unity tinct types of missionary work. than at present. Events moved and cooperation in Christian The first is carried on in the so rapidly that even this booklet, work. By his energy and execu- great centers of population and published in 1936, is out of date. tive ability Dr. Macfarland de- at certain points along the At- The predictions made, such as veloped the Council into a large lantic coast where civilization "this nation of warriors would and influential organization. and customs are only slightly fight to the bitter end. The After twenty years, he retired dissimilar to those of North Ethiopian Empire can only be in 1931 as Secretary Emeritus. America. The second is being subdued by killing every man Now, at the age of seventy, he carried on, for the most part, and woman in it" ,have proven reviews his life's work, describ- among the more backward sec- false and the author is no doubt ing his early career and varied tions of the population. as keenly disappointed in the personal experiences, and the These "Stories from Brazil" unexpected collapse of the mocontroversies in which he and relate distinctly to the second rale of the Ethiopian army and the Federal Council were often type. They bear the authentic the flight of Emperor, and as involved. Of special interest is stamp of pioneer missionary ex- disillusioned in the outcome of his account of the various inter- perience, including travel after the struggle and the altruism of denominational and internation- the most primitive fashion and protector nations, as is the al movements of recent decades preaching the Gospel to under- writer of this review, who has and the eminent men in America privileged people, despite 'Perse- himself spent five years in and Europe with whom his of- cution and ever imminent dan- Ethiopia. STUART BERGSMA, M.D.
Booles Popular Commentary on the Interna- An Unusual New
tional Sunday School Lessons. As I Saw Africa. Eva Alice Springer. 1937. 90 cents. 224 pp. Revell. MY BELOVED ARMENIA 243 pp. }>owell & White. Cincin- New York. By MARIE S. BANKER nati, Ohio. . The King's Palace. Pen Pictures A thrilling testimony of her jrirlhood days Almanacs-Daily Light, 13hd.; Our from Ephesians. H. E. Anderson. in the caves of Armenia hiding from the Home, 1d.; Bible Almanac, 2d. 125 pp. 18. Pickering & Inglis. Turks, the suffering of her people in the Pickering & Inglis. London. London. deserts, her remarkable escapes from death, her perilous trip to Smyrna at the time of China Year Book. Edited by H. G. With Christ Into Tomorrow. Hunter the World War, the loyalty of her parents Woodhead. 510 pp. North China B. Blakely. 1GO pp. GO cents. Pres- to Christ, and the persecutions whIch the Daily News and Herald Co., Uni- byterian Committee of Publication. Armenians endured even unto death. Cusversity of Chicago Press, Chicago. Richmond, Va. toms of the Turks described and their hatred of Armenians revealed. Remarkable an- Christians in Other Lands. Compiled China Calling. Frank Houghton. 200 swers to prayer recordet!. How Got! supby Dorothy M. Horne. lB. 6d. pp. $1.00 cloth; 50 cents paper. plied her needs folt!. S. P. G. in F. P. London. China Inland Mission. Philadelphia and Toronto. Intensely Interestln,. and unusually Informing. True to life but reads Calendars-Daily Meditation~ lB. 6d.; The China Inland Mission. like fiction. Stimulatinl to faitb and Golden Grain, lB. 3d.; Golaen Text, By Love Compelled. The Call of the Christian fortitude. lB. 3d.; Daily Manna, lB.; Grace & Trust, lB.; Young Folks Calendar, China Inland Mission. Marshall Beautifully bound in blue cloth ,gold letter- lB.; Pickering & Inglis. London. Broomhall. 12G pp. 85 cents. China i1B, tinted edges; attractive two-color jacket; Inland Mission. Toronto and Phila- illustrated; photo of author; 208 pages; The Church and the Churches. Karl delphia. $1.25. Barth. 92 pp. 75 cents. Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., Grand Rapids, Obituary Not.. YOU WILL APPRECIATE THIS Mich. OUTSTANDING BOOK!
THE BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE ASS'N 848 N. Wells St. Chicago, Ill. David and Jonathan. Lucy Laing. (C01UJluded from sd cO'IJer.) 9G pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. and director of Indian missions. He Dr. William S. Bovard, Secretary London. was the author of "Mormonism, the of the Methodist Board of Education from 1924-1932, and since then the Golden Grain Almanac. Small-type • • • Islam of America" and other books. head of the Board's promotion work edition, 2d. and Gd.; large-type Bishop Wilbur Patterson Thir- until his retirement last June, died at edition, ~d. and lB. Pickering & kield, retired, of the Methodist Epis- Sierra Madre, California, on Septem- Inglis. LI. ~don. copal Church, leader in Negro educa· ber 16. tion in the United States, died on ••• Golden Grah'. Diary. Vest-pocket November 9th, after several months' edition. lB. to G8. Gd.; Standard Hon. Hampei Nagao and Rev. M. Edition, lB. t<. GB. Gd. Pickering & • • illness at 82 years of age. Inglis. Londoh. Akazawa, two Japanese Christian • High Lights in the Near East. leaders, died recently. The former Reminiscences of nearly 40 years' Col. George Wingate, the founder used his political influence to further service. Abdul-Fady (A. T. Up- of the Central Asian Mission, and a the temperanee cause; and the latter son) • 128 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall, highly honored Christian and promot- was Bishop of the Methodist Church. Morgan & Scott. London. er of Christian work, died recently in England at the age of 84. He was Mexico Today. Col. Irving Speed a member of the board of the Regions Wallace. 364 pp. $2.00. Meador Beyond Missionary Union. Pub. Co. Boston. JUST OFF THE PRESS! My Robber-Captain. C. G. Kilpper. 166 pp. $1.00. Wm. B. Eerdmans The Presbyterian .!,mn~ Pub. Co. Grand Rapids.
New Testament Principles and Mod- A weekly religious newspaper in of tbt ern Missions. By a Missionary its lo6th year of continuous pub- Secretary. Gd. 22 pp. World Do- (!Cbri~tian minion Press. London.
New Testament Commentary. Edited lication under the same name. 1Lift by Herbert C. Allerman. United Lutheran Pub. House. Philadel- It is conservative and evangel- ell BOOK of worship in song, com- phia,l'a. ical, gets its news by telegraph bining a hymnal for general and keeps abreast of the times. church use, and a song book for evan- Portuguese East Africa-A Study of gelistic purposes. Owy songs sound Its Religious Needs. Eduardo Mor- It goes into every state of the in the faith and inspirational-in char- eira. 104 pp. 28. Gd. World Do- Union, the District of Columbia, acter included•••emphasizing Evangel- minion Press. London. and U. S. possessions. ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Many of the new._.the best of the old. Reftections of a Pioneer. W. R. S. It goes to Asia and Africa, South Miller. 58. 22G pp. C. M. S. Lon- America, Canada and New Zealand don.
The Silent Oak. Armine Gabriel. 298 pp. $2.50. RevelL New York.
What Maurice Found. Laura A. and into twelve countries of Eu- Barter-Snow. 189 pp. lB. Gd. rope. Pickering & Inglis. London. 504 Songs Responsive Readings Why Quit Our Own. Geo. N. Peek, Subscription Price, • • .' $2.50 Samuel Crowther. D. Van Nos- Ministerial Rate, • • • $2.00 Topical Index Gold Embossed trand Co., New York. Published in round notes and Roxite cloth Christmas in Other Lands. Compiled 50e. extra..·Canadian postage by Dorothy M. Horne. Illus. 63 $1.00 extra•••foreign postage edition only at $65.00 per lOQ….·an especially pp. lB. Gd. S. P. G. in F. P. Lon- low price. Single copy, SSe. postpaid. don. THE PRESBYTERIAN Write todal/ fOT .etumable sample cop, 11'11 Through the Eye to the Heart. 1217 Market: St:reet, Philadelphia, Pa. j Edited br Hy Pickerin~. 28. 1G4 CHRISTIAN PUBUCATIONS. pp. PIckering & Ingbs. London. INCORPORATED Third and Reily Streets Harrisburg, Pa.
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The Missionary Review of the World — June 1936
1936
?2e QmefticaK 9ftO ?2umbeft BEACON LIGHTS OF NEGRO PROGRESS Charles H. Wesley HELPS AND HINDRANCES TO PROGRESS Reverdy C. Ransom TWO GENERATIONS SINCE EMANCIPATION Monroe N. Work SOME OUTSTANDING NEGRO CHRISTIANS Channing H. Tobias THE GREATEST NEED OF THE NEGRO C. L. Hill DANIEL PAYNE: CHRISTIAN EDUCATOR Josephus R. Coan NEGRO YOUTH AND THE CHURCH TODAY Martin L. Harvey WHAT NEGROES ARE DOING FOR NEGROES L. L. Berry EXPERIENCE IN WORK WITH NEGROES Frederick L. Brownlee OTHER LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE John Little NEGRO YOUTH CHALLENGES WHITE YOUTH J. S. Ledbetter 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a YeaT
to Remember Mt. lAke Park, Md.–July 10-16. eial weekly periodical of the Meth-
Mrs. B. H. Sincell, 103 2d St., odist Episcopal Church, is one of a June 4-9-General Synod of the Re- Oakland, Md. number of Advocates published in dif- formed Church in America. Ro- ferent parts of the country with a chester, N. Y. Northfield, Mass.–July 6-14. total circulation of 170,000. Dr. Joy Miss Amy Ogden Welcher, 796 is seventy-two years of age, having June 10-17 – Ann u a I Conference, Prospect Ave., Hartford, Conn. been born in Groton, Mass., and was Church of the Brethren. Hershey, graduated from Yale University in Pa. Southern California (Los Angeles)- 1885. He is still in good health and September 21-25. wields an effective pen. His successor, June 16-24-General Council of Con- Mrs. H. M. Horn, 1965 Carmen Dr. Harold Paul Sloan, was elected at gregational and Christian Churches. Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, ., . . the Quadrennial Conference of the Mass. Warren, Ohio-October 6-7. Mrs. George Konold, 314 Scott Methodist Church held in Columbus, June 23-28-Christian Youth Council St., N. E., Warren, Ohio. Ohio, early in May. of North America. Lakeside, Ohio. Rev. F. W. S. O'Neill, missionary Winona lAke, lnd.–June 24-30. in Manchuria since 1897, will be the June 27-July 4-Geneva Summer Mrs. Lulu C. Hunter, 1021 So. moderator of the general assembly of School for Missions. Lake Geneva, Elmwood Ave., Oak Park, Ill. the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Wisconsin. this year. Mr.- O'Neill is the author The Gospel in Print of several books which are a distinct June 29-July 10 – Indian Missionary contribution to missionary literature. Conference and Annual Meeting of Sound Evangelical Literature the National Fellowship of Indian for the Million ••• Workers. College of Agriculture, Rev. William C. Kerr, who has Madison, Wis. Books, Pamphlets, Tracts and Wall Mottoes served as Presbyterian missionary in Jor .11 .g••, cl……nd n••d., also Seoul, Korea, for 18 years, has been July 6-12 – Twelfth World's Sunday' Bibles, Testllments, Gospel "portions" honored with the decoration of "the School Convention. Oslo, Norway. fourth order of merit with the sacred lind Hymn Books. CI. Suppli•• Eor Chri.- treasure" by Emperor Hirohito of July 9-August 12-Winona Latte' Japan. School of Theology. Winona Lake, ti.n Worlc.r.-colporters and eVllngelists ••• Ind. Rev. Nelson Bitton retired on April .specillily. CI. Book Mi..ion.ri•• w.nt.d 30th from office as Home Secretary August 16-23-World Missions'Insti- of the London Missionary Society tute, Chautauqua, New York. in every community, for entire or pllrt time; fllir finllncilll remunerlltion. CI. Work after thirty-eight years' service as missionary and secretary. One of the CONFERENCES AND SCHOOLS Jound.d by D. L. MOODY in 189lJ. special'services he rendered was his OF MISSIONS -Th. M….g•• oJ Good Book. H.v.r visit to Samoa in 1932. Other activi- Die.- ties included participation in the Affiliated with the Council of Women L. M. S. China Council, the Anti- for Home Missions and the Com- Write to", Opium Campaign, associate editorship mittee on Women's Work, For- of the Chinese Recorder, as well as the eign Missions Conference Bibl. Inll:. Colportag. AII'n work of the Christian Literature So- • ciety of China. • • Baltimore, Md.-October 19-21. 843 N. w.n., Chic.go Mrs. David D. Baker, 410 N. Cal- Per.onal Item. Dr. David McConaughey, vicehoun St., Baltimore, M,d. chairman of the World's Stewardship Dr. M. T. Rankin. missionary Bethesda, Ohio–July 20-24. teacher in the Graves Theological Union, is now in Europe, having been Seminary at Canton, China, has been invited to address a series of steward- Miss Mary I. Scott, 310 Tomlin- elected secretary for the Orient of the shi:p "clinics" with church leaders in son Ave., Moundsville, W. Va. Southern Baptist Board, to serve as SWItzerland, France and Great Brit- a connecting link between the mis- Boulder, Colorado-June21-27. ain. Among the other gatherings he • • sioJts and the Board. is to speak on stewardship before the Mrs. Henry F. Hoffman, 741 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Adams St., Denver, Colo. • Church of Scotland.
Cha,utauqua, N. Y.-Institute of Dr. Roy G. Ross, a missionary sec- World Missions (August 16-23). retary of the Disciples' Church, has been elected executive secretary of the Mrs. F. C. Reynolds, 309 Wood- International Council of Religious land Road, Roland Park, Baltimore, Md. … Education, to fill the position made Eaglesmere, Pa.–June26-July 3. vacant by the resilPlation of Dr. Hugh THAT TEACH Mrs. E. B. Breeding, 24 Rugby S. Magill. Lane, Scarsdale, N. Y. THE BIBLE , Used in thousands of Sunday Schools Houston, Te~~ – September 28:" Oc- where leaders believe in the inspira- tober 2. ' , Miss Lillian Nichols, head of Hols- tion of God's Word. ton Institute, Songdo, Korea, has been Dean – Mrs. A. B. Hynes, 618 cited for 26 years of meritorious serv- FREE PROSPECTUS of department Highland, Houston, Texas. ice to this Methodist School. in which you are interested and sam- ple lessons (Graded or Uniform) will lAke Geneva, Wis.–June 27-Jrily 4. *•* be sent on request. Desk MR-6. Mrs. T. A. Freeman, 427 Green- wood Ave., Evanston, Ill. Dr. James R. Joy, for 21 years Editor of The Christian Advocate of Minnesota, (Minneapolis,-St. Pa'l!-l)- the Methodist Episcopal Church, and September 21-25. ' previously eleven years assistant edi- tor under the late Dr. James M. Bulk- Ex. Sec. – Mrs. C. E. Heard,' ley, has announced his retirement 3020 Colfax Ave., Minneapolis, from editorial work on June 1st. Dr. Minn. Joy has held a position of large re- sponsibility and wide influence in the Mt. Hermon, Calif.-July '25-Aug- church. His paper, which is the omust 1. '
Mrs. N. J. Forsberg, 325 Dorantes Ave., San Francisco, Calif.
MISSIONARY Obituary
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Mrs. Dan Crawford, widow of the .When your Call DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor famous Central Africa missionary who was author of "Thinking Black" comes from the East … VOL. LIX JUNE, 1936 No.6 and other volumes, died on April 13th. Mrs. Crawford went out with her SAIL BY P&O Publication and Business Office- husband 37 years ago to Luanza, Cen- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. tral Africa, and there did effective Choose the convenient and traditional pioneer work. She was a wise coun- way, to whatever part of the East the Editorial and Executive Office- cillor and a remarkably able worker work of the Faith may take you … to 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. in Bi10le schools and in Gospel evan- Egypt, Sudan, the Persian Gulf, India, Entered as second-class matter at gelism which helped to transform so Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, many lives. The work is still carried China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under on as an independent mission, most East or South Africa. Just cross to Act of March 3, 1879. of the workers being associated with England by Cunard White Star and the Plymouth Brethren. sail from there in any Liner of the 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. great P & 0 fleet … including the new Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. *** sister-ships Strathnaver, Strathaird Published monthly, except August. and Strathmore. You'll enjoy the ut- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. Dr. John C. Berry, distinguished most comfort of this western world, British agents – Marshall, Morgan medical missionary to Japan, who in- all the way East! and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, troduced the first trained nurse into London, E. C. 1 shilling pel' copy, that country, died in Worcester, Convenient through bookings can be arranged 10 shillings a year. Mass., February 8th, at the age of 89. by your local travel agent or any office of In addition to his medical work, Dr. MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Berry was instrumental in effecting CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE LISHING CO., INC. a comprehensive and permanent work of prison reform in Japan. At a re- General Agents BOARD OF DIRECTORS cent convention of social workers in 25 Broadway and 638 Fifth Avenue, New York ROBERT E. SPEER, President Tokyo, attended by 3,000 delegates, he A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vioo-President was hailed as the "Founder of Social WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer Service in the Nation." DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary Dr. Judson C*. K* ing*, Baptist med- SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT ical missionary in the Belgian Congo, WILLIAM I. C'HAMBERL,oUN died March 27th, at Sona Bata. The crowning achievement of his mission- D. J. FANT ary service was the founding of Sona MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Bata Medical School in 1932.
WM. B. LIPPHARD J ames Cruic*ksh*ank*, of Cairo, as- Emc M. NORTH sistant to the Chief Mechanical Engi- SAMUEL M. ZWEMER neer of the Egyptian Railways, died February 10th. Mr. Cruickshank was Editorial Chat (Conc:uded on 3d Cover.) Here is our special number on the American Negro. It has food for The Presbyt:erian thought and prayer. Our readers will appreciate the ready response of the A weekly religious newspaper in authors who have contributed these papers in response to our invitation. . its lo6th year of continuous pub- It will lend additional interest if the reader can try to distinguish, from lication under the same name. the style and spirit and thoughts expressed, which are white of skin. It It is conservative and evangelwill be seen that color is only skin deep, provided that the soul has not ical, gets its news by telegraph been oppressed or embittered by injustice or lack of opportunity. and keeps abreast of the times.
Some of the important promised It goes into every state of the articles, we regret to say, have not reached us in time to be included. Union, the District of Columbia, These may be looked for in later issues of THE REVIEW. These articles and U. S. possessions. are intended to supp:ement the textbooks published by the Missionary It goes to Asia and Africa, South Education Movement for adults, young people and children of various America, Canada and New Zealand grades. They offer a large and rich and into twelve countries of ~u assortment. rope. *** Subscription Price, – BOUND VOLUMES WANTED Ministerial Rate, The library of Emory University, 50c. extra—Canadian postage Emory, Georgia, asks for the follow- $1.00 extra—Foreign postage ing numbers of THE REVIEW to complete its files: THE PRESBYTERIAN November and December, 1925. 1217 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa. January, February, May, July, 1926. January, 1927. December, 1929.
They might be interested to secure the entire years 1925, 1926, 1927 and 1929 in bound volumes.
Kindly write to Miss Elizabeth Royer, Librarian, Emory University, Emory, Georgia.
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"Harper's Weekly" Drawing by 801
TYPICAL SCENE FROM NEGRO' CAMP MEETING IN THE SOUTH SIXTY YEARS AGO'
EAGER SEARCH FO'R KNO'WLEDGE~LO'RIMElR SCHOO'L, ED~STO' ISLAND, SO'UTH CARO'LINA EVIDENCES OF PROGRESS AMONG AMERICAN NEGROES REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 6 JUNE, 1936 Topics of the Times OUR INTEREST IN THE NEGRO The Negro is a living soul made capable of re- ceiving the impress of the likeness of Christ. There are more Negroes in the United States What then is the great hindrance to Negro dethan comprise the population of Egypt or Ethio- velopment in America? Undoubtedly it is racial pia or Siam. Many of these Negroes are as poor, prejudice and discrimination. We may not apas ignorant and as spiritually destitute as are the prove of it theoretically, or be ready to acknowlunderprivileged of many lands to whom we send edge it, but practically every white man is inmIsSIOnaries. Christians in these United States fluenced by this prejudice, especially in communihave a special responsibility for helping Amer- ties where Negroes are numerous. The reason ican Negroes since these people are descendents of for this discrimination is another matter. It is men and women who were taken from their na- not innate; children have no such prejudice until tive land by force and were brought to this coun- it is put into their minds by their elders or by try against their will to work for the white man some unpleasant and unreasoning experience.
without pay. Many of them were treated worse Negroes have racial characteristics which have than cattle. As a result of prejudice and lack of proved valuable assets to State and Church.
opportunity, multitudes of these Negroes are still Their natural good cheer and sense of humor, subject to unfair discrimination and their phys- their music and other talents, their ability to ical, mental and moral welfare are neglected. work, their devotion to those who show them kind- These conditions form a menace to health, social ness, and their religious sense and response to security and Christian progress in the communi- the Gospel of Christ, are all evidences of God in ties where these people live, not because they are them. Negroes but because their ignorance and the crowded, unsanitary, one-room cabins cannot but The study of the Negro is worth while. The spread physical and moral disease–whether they mission books of the year and this number of are inhabited by white folk or black. THE REVIEW provide the opportunity. Here are set forth the characteristics of the race, the prog- But such a condition is not characteristic of all ress made in the past two generations, the great Negro communities today. With good, steady achievem~nts of individual Negroes and the posjobs, an opportunity for education, and fair treat- sibilities for advance. Such a study will increase ment, the Negro has proved his ability to advance interracial understanding and sympathy and and to serve his generation unselfishly and effec- should stir Christians with a determination to tively. Such men of African descent as J. E. K. give adequate economic and educational oppor- Aggrey, Chief Khama, Bishop Samuel Crowther, tunities, to promote social justice and to recog- Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Booker T. Washington, nize the Negro as a brother man. There is no Richard R. Moton, and hundreds of other Negro reason to obliterate social barriers or to advocate men and women, are proof of what valuable an interracial marriage. The most intelligent Neasset to humanity the African may be. America groes do not desire such a movement but they ask, is indebted to the race for service in many lines and have a right to expect, equality of opportuand everywhere they may be an asset to the nity, impartial justice, friendliness and Christnation. like interest in their temporal and eternal wel- fare.
[275 ]
ETHIOPIA – A PREY solini has proclaimed religious liberty, as Haile The Empire of Ethiopia, practically the last in- Selassie had done, but experience in other Italian dependent African-ruled territory, has finally be- colonies does not give great encouragement to come a prey to the Roman Eagle. With the fall hope that the ten Protestant societies, with some of Addis Ababa, the capital, on May 3d, and the one hundred and forty missionaries working in flight of Emperor Haile Selassie to Palestine, thirty stations, will be free from interference or Ethiopian independence came to an end and discrimination. No Protestant missions are per- Premier Mussolini has declared the country to be mitted in Italian Somaliland or in Tripoli and Italian territory. The victory, after seven the few mission workers in Eritrea have been exmonths' warfare, brings no honor or credit to pelled. If the Italian Evangelical churches were Mussolini and the Italian armies. A strong na- strong enough they might be able to establish tion, with an effective army and navy, equipped work in Ethiopia. with modern guns, tanks, airplanes and gas bombs, has indeed overcome a weak but brave The unofficial plan, outlined in Rome for the nation which had an untrained army, no navy, conquered territory, includes the following proand almost no modern military equipment. The visions: Italians have descended like wolves upon a sheepfold. This conquest of a weaker member of the 1. Native chiefs, with Italian civil commis- League of Nations, by an aggressive and self- sioners and district military commanders, are to seeking conqueror belonging to the same League, be set up in each province. There is no thought has again revealed the ineffectiveness of the of continuing an even nominal native dynasty, as League and their inability to cooperate unselfishly the Japanese have done in Manchukuo.
2. Civil and religious liberty is proclaimed, with the abolition of slavery.
in order to stop a strong nation from violating 3. A native mercenary army, under Italian of- covenants. Partial trade "sanctions" and moral ficers, may be organized to police the country as disapproval have not been effective, but a united in other colonies.
stand by members of the League, backed by mili- 4. Roads, airports and a new railway will be tary measures, would no doubt have put a stop to built, and commerce will be developed.
Italy's program. America, like the other Euro- Dr. Charles J. Rolls, a representative of the pean' nations, was unwilling to resort to war to Sudan Interior Mission, who recently visited make the League covenants effective. Ethiopia during the Italian invasion, writes as follows in the Evangelical Christian: The rainy season and the roadless mountains were Ethiopia's best natural defences but these Italy deems the best course to take for reforming failed to stop airplanes equipped with machine Ethiopia is to conquer its people by atrocious warfare guns and bombs. Without respect of persons, that violates more princip:es of righteousness than all the non-combatants and Red Cross units suffered wrongs she declares need to be eliminated. . . . The Di- along with the military forces. Two missionaries vine method of transforming a people is not by bombs and were killed accidentally-Dr. Hockman by a bomb, ·tanks and by turning machine gun-fire from airplanes on villages and Red Cross units, but by opening up wells of and an Adventist, Mrs. Stadin, by a stray bullet. Salvation. Several Red Cross workers were also killed or wounded. WHAT IS WRONG WITH AMERICA? The terms of conquest have not yet been pro- claimed. Italy has promised to give Ethiopia a Views as to the present situation in North more stable modern government than was pos- America, and in the world at large, vary accord- sible for Haile Selassie and his tribal chiefs. This ing to the chief interests and viewpoints of critics.
will depend on the Italian's ability to win the co- Newspaper and magazine articles, sermons and operation of the people and their ability to pay the addresses are full of warnings or optimistic state- cost of good colonial government. Their experi- ments as to the political, economic, social and re- ence in Eritrea, Somaliland and Tripoli does not ligious outlook. That many things are wrong and give much reason for confidence. Slavery has should be corrected all will agree but there are already been abolished by Italian decree, as Haile differences of opinion on the causes and the rem- Selassie had already attempted to do. Lake Tana, edy. Those who are committed to God and His the headwaters of the Blue Nile, will be a point standards for-life, as ~evealed in the Bible, gen- of friction with Egypt and Great Britain and in- erally agree that there has been a great lowering ternational trade presents many a problem. The of moral standards and a disturbing failure in nations of the League have thus far refused to religious education of the youth of the present acknowledge Italian sovereignty. generation. The results are seen in many ways, The effect of Italian occupation on Protestant especially in the lawless attitude of youth, even missionary work, it is difficult to foretell. Mus- of the so-called "best families," toward all restric-
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
tion in what they consider personal liberty-as to are expected to include the following speakers- speed limits, use of intoxicants, marriage and sex- Dr. E. Stanley Jones, of India, author of "The life, property rights, tax returns and the laws of Christ of Every Road"; Dr. T. Z. Koo, the well- God. The best thing about the youth today as a known Chinese Christian leader; Dr. George W.
whole is probably their frankness and readiness Truett, of Dallas, Texas; President Albert W. to risk all to carry out whatever ideals they have. Beaven, of Colgate-Rochester Divinity School; But one of the greatest needs of the day is the Dr. George A. Buttrick, of New York; Dean Lynn training of the youth in respect for law, in rev- Harold Hough, of Drew Theological Seminary; erence for God, in knowledge of His revealed will, Dr. Ivan Lee Holt, of St. Louis; Bishop Arthur J. and in self-discipline and the putting of first Moore, of San Antonio, Texas; Rev. Daniel A. Poling, of New York; Miss Muriel Lester, of things first. Dr. William Merrill Vories, founder of the Omi- London, and some twenty others. Hachiman Mission, Japan, has recently revisited The purpose of the Mission is stated briefly as America and has traveled extensively over the follows: country. Like Mrs. E. Stanley Jones, he is dis- The Mission shall therefore seek to teach and preach in turbed by the signs of retrogression in the spirit- its fulness the Gospel of our common Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; to confront through group contacts and uallife of the people-especially in women. Form- public meetings as well the clear thought and courageous erly they were the moral backbone of the country, will of the American people as their finer feelings and the spiritual strength of the Church and the chief best tradition; in a civilization which irreligion is on the promotors of its missionary work. Today Dr. verge of destroying, and in the midst of which it has Vories sees them generally spending lavishly on become an imperative necessity in the high cause of the cosmetics, cigarettes and strong drink, talking future that Christianity shou:d gird itself for a real freely of sex, living loosely and devoted more to struggle, to stress once more the reasonableness of the "bridge" and the theater than to children, their Christian faith in die Personal God, its aptness to the deepest needs and farthest aspirations of human life, and homes, or the church. He sees many churches life- its redemptive, creative power in the organizing and shaping of a bewildered society toward the standards and less and preachers too often seeking popularity ideals of the Kingdom of God. with men, rather than desiring to be true prophets of God; he notes the absence of a clear and effec- The emphasis will be upon the Gospel of Christ tive message of salvation for this sin-sick and dis- as the unchanging need of every age and espetracted world. Even Christians are charged with having forgotten their chief business in life-the cially needed to solve the problems of the present carrying forward of Christ's work-and of being day. guilty of settling down to ease or hopeless discouragement. Christians everywhere are requested to pray earnestly that the blessing of God shall be upon But in the youth of today and tomorrow we the undertaking and the workers; and for the find cause for real encouragement-if they can be revival of true Christian faith and spiritual life turned Christward. There are signs of awakening in this time of crisis and the world's need. here and there among them, bOut with powerful materialistic forces holding them back or drag- Preparations for this Preaching campaign will ging them down to ruin. The youth of today need be followed with prayerful interest. Clearly the new life, vision, an incentive to sacrificial service, Gospel of Christ needs to be preached more faithand wise, inspirational Christian leadership. The fully and powerfully than it is preached in most remedy for present evils can only be found in churches today. His power needs to be mani- Christ. fested by regenerated lives for more than is evident in most Christians in America. But a re- vival cannot be "worked up"; that experience must come by the power of the Holy Spirit, work- A NATIONAL PREACHING MISSION ing through lives surrendered to God. The suc- America needs a spiritual awakening. That cess of this or any other work for spiritual cannot be denied; but how is it to be brought awakening will not depend on organization or on about? In the autumn, between September 13th famous speakers; it must depend chiefly on four and December 9th, the Federal Council of things: Churches is planning a united campaign to deepen 1. The character of the messengers-whether Christian faith and life throughout North Amer- they are truly Spirit-filled men and women, with ica. A team of preachers will visit some twenty personal experience of Christ, a passion to win of the larger cities, spending four days in each men to Him, and a whole-hearted belief in the city, and holding popular mass meetings and power of the Gospel. .
smaller conferences in order to make an impact 2. The message they reach-whether it is truly on the spiritual life of the community. The teams the Gospel of Christ, unclouded with doubts, and
mixed with a discussion of international ques- sonal talks, (5) lantern lectures on the Life of Christ. Results were reported to be remarkable. tions, economic problems, social service and other In Hyderabad and elsewhere teams of preachsecondary considerations. ers and lay workers have distributed Gospel por- tions at melas, a cinema projector has been used 3. The receptive attitude of the audiences and to attract people and the Gospel was proclaimed in song. Many villages were visited and even the zeal of local workers-will their expectation those from high castes were reached in large numbers. be a thrill from eloquent preachers or will they The main points of the program for the movecome hungry for the Word of God and an ex- ment are: the observance of a special time of preparation, annual "Weeks of Witness," and the perience of new life in Christ. setting aside by each Council of two workers to forward the work; newspaper evangelism, Bible 4. The power of the Spirit of God must be evi- and tract distribution and preaching missions.
dent in speakers, committees, personal workers The Chhindwara Retreat for Prayer and Con- sideration of Mass Movements in Mid-India, held and hearers. Prayer and the "still small Voice" in 1935, calls attention to eleven principles to which they subscribe. It is possible today for in this enterprise are more important than preach- whole castes to be won for Jesus Christ. "We hold that the present situation is nothing less than ing. Vital personal work is more effective than a call from God to disciple entire castes number- ing hundreds of thousands of souls." Large popsermons that draw large crowds. The tfme to ulations have been christianized, not through the conversion of the upper castes first, but through begin to pray and prepare for a revival is now, that of the Depressed Classes. It is, therefore, wise strategy to concentrate attention on the more not next September; and the place is not in large approachable castes. To do this a greater mo- bility of missionary forces is needed. There meetings but in individual homes and hearts, on should be cooperation in revival, a reallocation of resources, and, in some cases, of territory. our knees. . Dependence must be placed on the preaching of FIVE-YEAR EVANGELISM IN INDIA God's Word. "We believe that merely living the Gospel, and mere humanitarian projects to relieve Christian leaders in India have united in a call human ignorance or suffering are, when taken for a definite Five-Year Evangelistic Forward alone, entirely inadequate to bring men and Movement, inaugurated by seven weeks of prep- women into the great salvation." At the same aration, in each district, with the following topics time, the convert must be enabled to give proper suggested, one for each week: expression of his new-found spiritual experiences among his neighbors. Following baptism, ade- 1. The primary duty of Christians to witness. quate instruction and guidance must be given to 2. Successful personal evangelism. new converts. Finally, the present opportunities 3. Churches and United Witness bearing. constitute a great call to all Christians for new 4. Witness of the Christian home. consecration. 5. Evangelism by literature. 6. Education and evangelism. The editor of The Indian Witness writes: 7. Evangelism and social service. "Everywhere Christians are found to be deeply This movement is being promoted by the Na- concerned with their own spiritual condition and .tional Christian Council of India, Burma and Cey- that of those around them. Everywhere we hear lon, which is calling all churches to witness in the hope expressed of a spiritual revival among their own areas. A definite aim and program is Christians…. Reports reach us of awakenings advocated "to enlist all Christians – men and in many place-s-in schools and churches and rewomen, students and officials, boys and girls – in treats. . . . If the Christians of India everyone great army of volunteer evangelists, each where will show the love of Christ in testimony bringing his or her own talent to the task. Some and through their lives, the blessings to themwill preach, others will sell Gospels, some will selves and to others will be innumerable." sing, still others will do personal work with individuals."
A special "Witness Week" has already been held in Dornakal, after which the field was divided into six parts under the care of six groups. Each had a leader and the congregations were divided into four age-groups. Children had banners made with these words inscribed in Telugu: "The Lord Jesus, the Saviour of the world." The leaders met each morning for prayer and consultation, and in the evening went in groups to the villages assigned. The work consisted mainly of (1) distribution of handbills and tracts, (2) sale of Gospel portions, (3) witness bearing, (4) per-
Lights of Negro
By CHARLES H. WESLEY, Washington, D. C.
Professor of History in Howard University NEGROES have been associated with the changes, economic, religious and educational achievements of the American people from trends and cultural progress. These are beacon the earliest years, both as individuals and lights which point the way through the maze of as a racial group. One of the noted early explor- complex changes. ers and pioneers was Estevan who led an expedi- Population Changes-During the 'one hundred tion in the sixteenth century from Mexico into and forty years from 1790 to 1930 the Negroes the territory of the Southwest and discovered have increased from three-quarters of a million what we now call New Mexico and Arizona. From to nearly twelve millions. The increase from this period to the time when Matthew A. Henson, 1920 to 1930 was greater than the entire Negro a Negro, accompanied Commander Peary in his population in 1800. In 1860 the total number discovery of the North Pole, Negroes have been of Negroes was 4,441,830, and in 1930, it was associated with some of the outstanding American 11,891,143. In the meantime the percentage of pioneer efforts. From the time when twenty Ne- the Negro to the total population has shown a groes were brought to Jamestown, Virginia, in decrease, from 19.3 per cent at the first census 1619 to the most recent of the developments in in 1790 to 9.7 per cent in 1930. the South, the Negro has helped with his labor in producing the agriculture and the economic Prior to 1910 about 89 per cent of the Negro and social life of the Southern states. From Cris- population lived in the South Atlantic and South pus Attucks, a Negro who shed the first blood Central states. A majority of these lived in the so-called Black Belt. In several counties the Ne- for the American cause in the Boston Massacre groes outnumbered the whites. In 1930 of the in 1770, to the Negro soldiers who fought in the total Negro population, 78.7 per cent were in the Civil War to the number of 178,000, the courage Southern states, whereas in 1910 they constituted of Negro troops has been highly praised. 90 per cent. In the last twenty~five years over In literature, song and cultural progress Ne- a million Negroes have left the farms for the cities groes have made distinct contributions to Ameri- of the South and over a million and a half have can civilization. They had also improved their migrated to the urban centers of the North. economic status and were engaged in numerous The greatest change in the distribution of the gainful pursuits prior to 1865. There were 59,557 Negroes came in the decade 1920-1930, during free Negroes in America at the first census in which there was a shift northward. This migra- 1790 and in seventy years this number increased tion began with the opening of the World War to 488,070. Contemporary observers stated that in 1914, and continued with the cessation of imthere were among them persons of "education, migrant labor and the rise of the demand for refinement, sound sense and correct morals." This Negro labor. The peak of this migratory moveis corroborated by the historical facts. ment was reached in1~17-1921. More than two- thirds of the increase in the Negro population It is absurd to assume that all the Negroes during the last two decades has taken place in the were degraded until the issuance of the Emanci- Northern states; but the percentage of Negroes pation Proclamation and the passage of the Thir- teenth Amendment. There were inefficient and in the North in 1930 was only 3.3 per cent. At unworthy Negroes just as there are the same the- same time over 40 per cent of the Negroes types in any group today. By their own efforts, were still in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, North and with the aid of sympathetic friends, indi- Carolina and Texas. The largest number of Nevidual free Negroes were attaining economic in- groes in the North are in Pennsylvania, New dependence and making personal progress before York and Illinois. 1865, when the group as a whole was made phys- Many believe that this newer distribution of ically free. Decades prior to this period, thou- Negroes will make the problem of their presence sands had freed themselves from human slavery among Southern whites less acute, but others and economic want. maintain that it has added to the strained race relations in some of the Northern and urban The Negro's progress since emancipation centers. Wherever toleration and Christian inshould be examined as it relates to population [279 ]
fluences have been at work the change has been cent were Negroes, the percentage of Negroes on ultimately beneficial to the Negroes and the com- relief in proportion to the population, being almunities have registered no loss by their presence. most twice that of the whites. In January, 1935, The dangers have been found to be more imagi- there were 3,500,000 Negroes in families receivnary than real. ing relief or 29 per cent of the entire Negropop- ulation. This is an indication of the deepening of Economic Progress-The aggregate wealth of the economic plight of black Americans. While the Negroes has increased from 1860 to the pres- 20 to 25 per cent of the white workers are un- employed today, from 40 to 50 per cent of the TYPICAL HOME OF A NEGRO TENANT FARMER Negro workers are unemployed. There has been IN THE SOllTH progress, but there has also been retrogression.
ent time from about $20,000,000 to perhaps $2,- Just after emancipation there was only one 000,000,000 or about 100 times. There were about bank in which Negroes were active as workers 20,000 farms operated independently by Negroes and depositors. The Freedman's Savings Bank in 1865. Now they operate about 880,000 farms. had white officials until the last year when it was In 1920 there were 925,608 Negro farmers who almost ready to fail and Negro officials were inoperated 41,432,182 acres, 23.6 per cent being troduced. In 1924 there were 73 Negro banks owners. Ten years later (1930) the Negro farm- with $6,250,000 in capital and $20,000,000 in reers had decreased to 882,850 and their acres in sources. Some of these banks are still in active operation had decreased to 37,597,132. operation, although they operate on small capital. Negro life insurance companies have enjoyed un- The depression, together with the accompany- precedented growth and expansion from 1920 to ing hard economic times, was responsible for these 1929, when difficulties began. Fifteen companies decreases in the usual upward trends in Negro operated old line legal reserve insurance in 1920, agricultural life. The crop reduction program, with policyholders' surplus in excess of $100,000; tenant evictions and unemployment for Negro in 1935 these had decreased to eight; seven had agricultural workers have made these conditions disappeared, three had failed, three had amalgaworse, especially among sharecroppers and tenants. Negro land tenantry as a result of fore- MODERN TYPE OF NEGRO HOME IN THE CITY closures has influenced the formation of sharecroppers' unions and of cooperative associations mated, one had changed to a mutual company. upon racial and interracial bases. The capital and surplus of these fifteen companies in 1929 was $2,903,228 and in 1935 was $2,046,- Of the gainfully employed Negroes in 1930, of 214. These companies have given opportunities whom there were 5,503,532, there was 36.1o/e to Negroes for experience in business managewho were engaged in agriculture and 63.9 per ment and control, and have given employment to cent in industrial and urban occupations. There hundreds of young Negro college graduates. has thus developed a trend towards industrial life. The factory workers have increased continuously, and the period since the World War has brought about a more extensive increase of semi-skilled and skilled workers. The labor unions, however, have not welcomed Negro workers and some unions have excluded them.
Since the economic crisis of 1929, the numbers upon relief have increased so that in 1933, there were approximately 13,600,000 persons on relief, of which 81.3 per cent were white and 16.7 per
1936J BEACON LIGHTS OF NEGRO PROGRESS
Negro retail business has greatly increased College graduates continue to enter the ministry, since emancipation. In 1865, it was estimated and while there are relatively more Negro min- that there were 2,100 Negro business concerns, isters than white, in proportion to the popula- and in 1936 there were over 70,000, with sales tion, it is also a fact that there has been an ad- amounting to over $100,000,000 in 1930. The vance in the intelligence of the Negro ministers.
principal businesses were grocery stores, 'filling However, only 38 per cent of the pastors of Negro stations, restaurants and lunch rooms, tobacco churches are either college or seminary graduates.
There were 42,585 Negro churches at the last religious census. The Negro membership was 5,203,487, or 9.5 per cent of all church members in the United States. These members were dis- tributed among the denominations as follows: Negro Baptists, 61.4 per cent; African Methodist Episcopal Church, 10.5 per cent; African Meth- odist Episcopal Zion Church, 8.8 per cent; Epis- copal Church, 6.4 per cent; Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, 3.9 per cent; Roman Catholic Church, 2.4 per cent; Protestant Episcopal, 1 per cent; and all other denomihations, 5.6 per cent.
These churches contribute annually over $250,000 to home missions and over $150,000 to foreign missions. There are large denominational publi- cation houses furnishing these congregations with RURAL NEGRO CHURCH RECONSTRUCTED religious literature. FROM AK OLD BARN Education-In 1860, the vast majority of the stores', and barber shops. These serve especially Negroes were illiterate. Decade by decade, this the Negro communities of the large urban centers has been reduced so that by 1930 Negro illiteracy and give employment to hundreds who would find was only 16.3 per cent. Of these illiterates, 93.6 difficulty in obtaining employment in similar fields per cent were in the South. This reduction in in the older American stores. illiteracy has been made in spite of the fact that the Negro separate schools have been invariably In spite of numerous handicaps Negroes have inferior to the white schools in the same areas. become a part of the economic life of the nation. Nineteen of the 48 states provide by law for the In agriculture, industry and business they have separation of the races in the schools; this has become more important factors with the passing years. Whether the present economic changes will make their lot better or worse is problemati- cal. It seems clearer each day, however, that their economic status is closely allied with that of the whites and that the interracial relations of whites and blacks on the lower economic levels are as important as these relations are for the higher levels.
Religion-It is difficult to chronicle the advance in religion, which is often personal in its opera- tion rather than organizational. There are fac- tors other than numbers which deserve considera- tion. The total number of Negro church mem- bers, according to the most recent figures, is a 5,187,500 in a total Negro population of 11,891,- 143. This leaves non-church population of 6,703,643 Negroes. All agree, however, that as a group, Negroes have been fundamentally religious A MODERN NEGRO RURAL CHURCH and have responded readily to religious appeals. resulted in gross inequalities in expenditures and There has been a continuous advance since free- equipment. For instance, in 1930 the per capita dom in the methods and improved practices in expenditure for the average white child enrolled religious worship. Less emotion and more rea- in schools where separation was mandatory was son are shown today. $44.31, while the per capita expenditure for the The Negro ministry has improved in quality average Negro child was only $12.57. During as well as in numbers since the days of slavery. the past 30 years these disparities between ex-
penditures for the education of whites and Ne- is regarded as the highest degree conferred by groes have increased more than fourfold. These any university. There were 16 of these degrees increasing inequalities are reflected in Negro given in the natural sciences, 15 in the social sci- crime, delinquency and maladjustment. It is un- ences and 14 in the languages including English.
fortunate that these are placed to the Negro's White friends have contributed directly and discredit as a race rather than to the conditions indirectly to the progress of Negro education, and out of which these results arise. In spite of this seven educational foundations have worked for discrepancy, there has been remarkable improve- the advancement of Negro education in the South ment and cooperation between white and colored since the Civil War. They are the Peabody Edupeople in the extension and development of Negro cation Fund, the John F. Slater Fund, the Geneducation. eral Education Board, the Anna T. Jeanes Foun- There are about 25,000 Negro students in insti- dation, the Phelps-Stokes Fund, the Julius Rosen- tutions above high school; 22,500 are in Negro wald Fund and the Commission on Interracial institutions, while there are about 250,000 white Cooperation. These foundations have brought students in the colleges of the South where the inspiration, expert direction and material support average ratio of whites to Negroes is about 4 to to the education of Negroes when it was greatly 1. It should be especially noted that there is not neglected.
one state-supported institution in the Southern Negroes have contributed more than $3,000,000 states in which Negr~es may be admitted to pur- for the support of their schools, it has been esti- sue either graduate or professional education. mated, yet this is only a fraction of the pos- Due to court action, brought last year by the Na- sibility. The Negro religious denominations sup- tional Association for the Advancement of Col- port about 175 schools; the African Methodist ored People, a Negro student was admitted for Episcopal Church contributes about $500,000 an- this school-year to the University of Maryland nually to its schools and colleges. Assistance is Law School. State support of Negro mechanical also given by the Negroes of local communities and agricultural state colleges and normal schools to the building and maintenance of schoolhouses has been increasing year by year, although'their and social organizations.
support is by no means proportionate to the taxes Cultural Progress-Politics, literature, art, mupaid by Negroes or to their educational needs. sic, amusements and organized social efforts have Advance in Education shown a marked advance. Though at first wedded to the Republican party by tradition and by an In spite of these limitations Negro education acknowledged debt, the Negroes today are voting has continued to advance. In 1865 there were and working for every ticket as American citi- very few schools for Negroes, but there are today zens. There are some so-called radicals who are about 25,000 elementary schools, 1,400 high stimUlating the thought of Negro life as never schools, 500 universities, colleges and normal before and a Negro was selected as the candidate schools. There were less than 600 Negro teachers of the Communist Party for the Vice-Presidency in 1865 but today there are more than 50,000 of the United States in 1932. But there are rela- Negro teachers with approximately less than 500 tively few Communists among Negroes at present.
white persons teaching Negroes exclusively. Col- In literature, there is a Renaissance of producleges for Negroes are gradually being placed un- tion which since the WorId War is most noticeder the control of Negro officials and teachers. able. Poetry, novels and volumes of serious In the days immediately following the Civil War, scholarship are pouring off the press, until the white teachers volunteered for service in Negro few published prior to this period may seem very education and through the subsequent years there small. In art, always the last of civilizing activihas been a continuance of this service, but as ties to appear, individual attainments are beginemployment for Negroes becomes more restricted ning to be made. The names of H. O. Tanner, E. and opportunities for whites among their own M. Bannister, R. S. Duncanson, William Edward group are more general, there is a tendency to Scott, Meta Warrick, May Howard Jackson, Aureplace white presidents and teachers with Ne- gusta Savage, Edmonia Lewis-these are the new groes in Negro schools. evidences ot distinction in this field. In music, In the decade 1860-1870, there were only 44 attainments were made prior to freedom in the Negro college graduates; but from 1900 to 1910 folk melodies, the work songs, the minstrel songs there were 1,613 and in the one year 1925, there -which are the original contributions of the Ne- were 675, who received the bachelor's degree. gro to American life. Negro musicians, among This number has steadily increased. Prior to whom are H. T. Burleigh, Roland Hayes, Marion 1931 sixty Negroes (52 male, 8 female), have Anderson, J. Rosamond Johnson, Nathaniel Dett, gained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, which William Dawson, William Grant Still and others
BEACON LIGHTS OF NEGRO PROGRESS
are using these themes very effectively in public A MODERN NEGRO CHURCH RElCREATIONAL CENTER presentations.
Great advances may be noted in the publication of newspapers and magazines. One has only to look at the Negro newspapers of twenty years ago and the same papers today, or to have visited the pUblication plants of twenty years ago and then compare them with the plants today in order to note the advance.
Many eloquent white spokesmen and courageous leaders have shown the measures of the Negro's advancement. They have spoken with great respect of Booker T. Washington who has left a deep impression upon American education. Richard Allen, Frederick Douglass, James Varick, Daniel A. Payne, J. W. C. Pennington, Soujourner Truth, Harriett Tubman, J. C. Price, M. C. B. Mason and hundreds of others, in the church and in public activities of various types, have demonstrated the capacities of the Negro for citizenship and the privileges within the gift of the nation.
Behind these individual leaders, there are the masses who, through social organizations such as the Y. M. C. A., theY. W. C. A., fraternal organizations and welfare associations, are giving continuous evidence of a progressive advancement. These beacon lights in Negro life should not be neglected. Let us face these neglected beams of light as we express the fervent hope that the spirit of Christian brotherhood may make possible greater achievements by the Negro and by.all minority social groups in American life.
The Word of God as a Missionary Man is sometimes bound, "but the Word of God is not bound"; the restrictions and restraints which limit and fetter man do not touch the Book. The lapse of time and stretch of space do not affect it. It utters no unwise word, takes no wrong step, forms no indiscreet alliances and lowers itself by no political entanglements or worldly compromises.
This Missionary is never weak nor weary, needs no rest and is unaffected by climate, diet or local surroundings.
A stranger alike to external hardship of internal disquiet, this Messenger of God never halts in obedience, hesitates in aim nor stumbles in action. It speaks as powerfully to the ignorant as. to the educated, the poor as the rich, the low-born as the high-born; is not intimidated by threats, dismayed by persecution nor destroyed by violence.
It claims to have in it, as His Living Book, God's vital power and to be life-imparting, so that men are born from above through it as God's "seed." (Acts 7: 38; Hebrews 4: 12; 1 Peter 1: 23; James 1: 21.) The history of missions puts these claims to the test and proves God's Book to be his chosen channel whereby his Spirit pours life into human souls. Hence, even where living men have not yet borne their witness, his Word has often won its triumphs.
-Arthur T. Pierson.
THE BOOKER T. WASHINGTON AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL ON WHEELS Reaching the Negroes where they live and teaching them how to live better THE STRONG GO ON!
By EDWARD E. BLAKE, Washington, D. C., in Twentieth Century Progress In the fight 'twixt Truth and Error when the As the surging battle thickens, and the cohorts of Right opposes Wrong; the foe When the friends of Light seem weakest and the Make assault with seeming triumph dealing heavy hosts of Darkness strong; blow on blow; When the way grows harder, rougher, and the 'Spite of darkness, doubters, weaklings, and cor- clouds are black ahead; ruption's sordid crew; When the timid doubters question, and the weak- 'Spite of greedy, trimmers, traitors; with cour- lings stop with dread; ageous faithful few -the strong go on! -the strong fight on!
Though the Church deserts her standard and be- Still with faith in Truth triumphant and in Right. fore strong Error quails; dynamic, strong; When allies desert, surrender, and expected suc- Like the pow'rful few of Gideon crushed the many cor fails; weakly wrong; When the sneering liquor foeman hurls his shafts Mighty as the pen of Lincoln 'gainst dark Slav'ry's of bitter hate; futile sword; And through servile venal parties overwhelms the Ever forward, ever onward, battling Rum's sa- Ship of State; tanic horde; -the strong march on! -the strong go on-to vict.ory!
Helps and Handicaps to
By BISHOP REVERDY C. RANSOM, Wilberforce, Ohio President of the Fraternal Council of Negro Churches N EGROES and their white fellow country- twenty-four Negro religious denominations in the men are so closely bound together in the United States, not counting the hundreds of store- currents of our national life, that it is diffi- front churches and missions scattered through- cult to specify the "helps and handicaps" that out the country. These denominations have ap- may not apply equally to all groups. proximately six million members, but more than As a result of his inheritance from American six million Negroes in the United States do not chattel slavery, as well as from his present social belong to any church. These constitute both a and economic plight within the nation, the Negro problem and an opportunity, not only for the is encumbered with certain handicaps which, Negro church, but for all American Christians.
either through circumstances or design, apply Many grave problems confront both the Amer- particularly to him. ican government and the church, but none is more No nation, not even in the days of the Apostles, serious and challenging than that which relates has ever had laid upon the steps of the altars of to the social, economic and political status of religion a race as susceptible to the appeal of the Americans of African descent. This question Gospel message as is the case in the United States. strikes at the heart and spirit of both American The Negroes brought here from Africa were in- democracy and American Christianity. The prob- deed crude material, fresh from the jungle and lem is not so much one of evangelism as one of the desert, with no sacred books, no written sys- freedom, justice and opportunity. American tem of ethics, science or philosophy. They were Christians must face the question of applying the a highly emotional people of vivid imagination, Gospel of Christ to uphold the spirit of 'American warm in their friendships, eager to respond to democracy in the vital test of the social status cordial overtures, and filling with music, laughter and economic opportunities of our Negro popula- and song the days of their captivity in a strange tion. It strikes a disturbing note when, either land. Within the past three hundred years, what from the rostrum or the printed page, this whole is the harvest of souls gathered from a so-called question is stripped of its disguises and we are "heathen" or "inferior" people by American forced to look upon it as millions are compelled to Christians? The American Indian has given see it for what it is, every day of their lives.
Christianity a negligible, a cold and indifferent Americans at heart desire the progress and response; on the other hand, in the face of denial well-being of all groups of citizens; and in the in the beginning, the Negro, as a slave, almost spirit of Christ, particularly in the case of the immediately sought to become a baptized member Negro, we have gone far to assist that progress.
of the Christian Church. It seems a providence There is nothing more beautiful in history than of God that the Negro, among the most backward the service rendered by the consecrated white of the races of men, should be linked, almost from men ap.d women who went south at the close of the beginning, with the birth of American de- the Civil War, under the auspices of the American mocracy and should be brought under the in- Missionary Society and boards of some of the re- fluence of American Christianity. ligious denominations, to prepare the recently lib- The Negro population of the United States to- erated slaves for the duties and responsibilities of day is three times larger than the entire popula- citizenship. Many of these young men and wom- tion of the United States in 1787 when our Fed- en, in complete self-forgetfulness, remained until eral Constitution was framed. Today, Negroes they grew gray in that constructive service. Their in North America number about twice the entire action touched the heart of philanthropy, it en- population of the New England states. There are couraged statesmanship, it stirred aspiration, three times as many Negroes in the United States and gave hope and courage to an aspiring race.
as there are Jews. They make up a population As the result of this Christian service, we have six times larger than the Indian, Mexican, Jap- in the United States today 118 Negro colleges, anese, Chinese and Filipinos combined. There are where, in the year 1933, there were 54,166 stu- [285 ]
dents. In 1935, the degree of B.A. or B.S. was braries in some of the states, and in but few granted to more than three thousand Negroes. places may they have free access to witness the There are more than four thousand practicing best plays, hear the 'best music and see the great Negro physicians and surgeons, and more than works of art. All of these handicaps are being fifty thousand Negro school teachers in the United increasingly overcome by efforts on the part of States. This is but a part of the leadership being Negroes through the churches, schools and social furnished within the race to permeate and uplift agencies as well as through a growing culture the entire mass of the people. Of course, it is and a freer expression of the mind and spirit in inadequate, but is none the less a miracle wrought the realm of music and the arts. by the Christian spirit and cooperation of white men and women who started the work amid the "For" or "With" the Negroes wreckage of slave-pens and the dying embers of the Civil War. The schools and colleges established by white philanthropy for Negroes have been of inestima- 'Negro Christian Leadership ble value in assisting them to achieve a higher and better life, but today they fall short of the Negro Christian leadership, today, through mark by only doing things "for Negroes," instead catering too largely to the religious forms and of doing things "with Negroes," in the spirit of customs of the era of slavery, is losing its hold Christian cooperation and friendliness. The Neand influence over the growing body of intelli- gro educators may train the mind, but they cangence in the race as a whole. This group is not free the spirits of their people unless they largely drifting, without spiritual chart or com- are taught to openly challenge, by peaceful methpass, in peril of shipwreck, upon the rocks of in- ods, the degrading social and industrial conditions differentism, atheism or communism. They are that are thwarting or hindering their progress. the most fruitful soil in America for the seed of any doctrine that promises to give them social We should have some choice white men and and economic deliverance and opportunity. women on the faculty of every Negro school and college. Among the religious denominations, each Negro Christian leadership has not seriously one of their general boards, agencies or organizaassumed responsibility for the fact that almost tions should include some Colored men and womthe entire load of the social, moral and spiritual en of intelligence and understanding in its memrescue and guidance has been placed upon their bership and thus lead the way to unified shoulders.' Sympathetic friends may pray for cooperation and sympathetic understanding. them and extend material aid, but the actual personal contact and service must be performed by The most hopeful and forward-looking movethemselves. ment among Negro Christians is the "Fraternal Council of Negro Churches in the United States" If the Negro youth is to be educated in schools which was organized more than a year ago by and colleges, separate and apart from the white some of the leading representatives of all the youth,. and if religious training in Sunday schools distinctly independent Negro denominations. and the various young people's Christian organ- Without attempting to duplicate or parallel the izations is also the responsibility of the Negro work of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ teachers and leaders, a people so recently removed in America, some aims of the Fraternal Council from slavery, and still largely submerged in ig- of Negro Churches are, as stated in its "Annual norance and poverty, presents a problem and an Message to the Churches": opportunity sufficient to engage the heart of an angel. It seeks to become a rallying point for fearless action in behalf of the interests of our people where religious There are today approximately 1,500,000 -Negro beliefs and denominational interests and ambition shall youths in the United States between the ages of not be permitted to enter to divide our councils, and where ten and nineteen years. These bring us face to partisan and political divisions shall have no place. face with' the question of recreation and amusement. It is here that religious training and in- If the Negro Church is to survive, it must offer the :tfuence meet one of their earliest as well as se- Negro youth of today something more than a home in verest tests upon the life and character of the heaven. We urge our ministers to study their Bibles with youth of today. The common recreational facili- particular reference to the presentation of the teachings ties and outlets provided by public parks, swim- of Jesus, regarding social justice and brotherhood, and ming pools, bathing beaches and other centers of we call upon our own people, the Negroes of America, to recreation are denied to Negroes in the southern be more loyal to their churches of whatever denomination, states,.and they find themselves either unwelcome, to attend their services and abide by their rules. or flatly excluded, in other sections of the country. They may not have access to our main public li- We call upon ministers and lay members in all the churches to cross the boundary lines of their denomina- tionalism, to join the common task of working in the pres- ent to secure the future peace and justice, not only of our race, but of all underprivileged and oppressed. We aI'ilo urge that our people be encouraged to organize, wherever they can, to study and be instructed in the fundamentals
SOME HELPS AND HANDICAPS TO PROGRESS
of our social, political and economic life that they may do not touch his political disfranchisement or his properly understand their relations to American and world life. economic disinheritance. They hope to do so in Negroes left to themselves cannot assure the the long run, because they have the usual faith spiritual and moral future of the tens of thousands of Negro high school and college graduates in the power of education and moral suasion to who are to have the moral, social and spiritual leadership of this people in the next generation. soften the heart of the white man. This faith is As I see it, the question comes back primarily to one of social justice and economic opportunity. filled with many illusions, as such expectations To show to a people the fruits from a land they are not permitted to enter, to lift them up to heav- always are. However large the number of indien where they may see all the glories of business and economic opportunity, and then to cast them vidual white men who identify themselves comdown to the bitter hell of exclusion and denial intensifies the seriousness of America's most vital pletely with the Negro cause, the white race in problem. Unless the white American pUlpit rids itself of its silence and timidity and boldly faces America will not admit the Negro to equal rights the situation in the name of Christ, it is but a cross upon the backs of Negro Christian leader- if it is not forced to do so. Upon that point, one ship, the weight of which may cause them to faint, if not to despair. may speak with a dogmatism which all history We have among Negroes "a spiritual leadership justifies. that is intellectually weak; and an intellectual leadership that is spiritually weak." If we would If present conditions continue, both Commusee China, India and Africa brought to Christ, our Christian faith and service should first achieve nism and Socialism will increasingly appeal to the test of permitting six million Negro Christians to stand erect in every section of our com- Negroes, the people farthest down, and the most mon country, free to go forth unhindered and make their contribution to our national well-be- flagrantly disinherited. Communism offers racial, ing, unhindered in the avenues of social and economic opportunity and freedom. social and economic equality, and in Russia, it is The reason that Negroes are not a disappearing attempting to practice what it preaches. Chrisrace in America, but increase with each succeeding decade (Negro population census 1790 was tianity is founded upon the doctrine of goodwill, 757,208; in 1930, it was 11,891,141) is because both in slavery and freedom they have attained brotherhood, peace and love among all men. a fine technique in practicing non-resistance, without resorting either to noncooperation or violence. Never before in the history of the world was Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr in his book, "Moral Man and Immoral Society," says "It is hopeless for Christianity furnished with so complete a laborathe Negro to expect complete emancipation from the menial, social and economic position into tory for demonstrating these doctrines. All of which the white man has forced him, merely by trusting in the moral sense of the white race. the human ingredients are here, only awaiting The Negro schools, conducted under the aus- the kindling spark which alone can be struck by pices of white philanthropy, encourage individual Negroes to higher forms of self-realization; but the followers of Jesus, submitting themselves to they do not make a frontal attack upon the social injustices and political rights for the Negro with- God's transforming and overcoming power out arousing the antagonism of the whites. They try to enlarge, but they operate nevertheless with- through faith in Jesus Christ. The task and the in the limits of the "zones of agreement." test of Christianity in America is to absorb the This means that they secure minimum rights for the Negro such as better sanitation, police Negro into the' body of our society on the basis protection and more adequate schools. But they of justice, righteousness and good. will. Negroes are a peace-loving people. The spirit of the good neighbor pervades the race. How far mutual dependence and common poverty are responsible for this, I do not know. But grasping greed and insensibility to the condition of the weak and unfortunate is not a characteristic of the Negro race. The thing that sustained the Negro in slav- ery, the thing that brought him through the pe- riod of Reconstruction and the thing that chiefly sustains him now, is faith in God, faith in his future and faith in himself. Like Abraham, he has gone forth and continues to walk by faith, believing that God will give him a better heritage and a brighter day.
The Christiari hosts that are on duty all along the firing line against social, moral and spiritual.
foes, have in the Negro division a great army held in reserve. These soldiers of the Cross should be thoroughly trained, equipped and armed for active service in a battle that must be fought to a de- cisive conclusion. It may be, in the providence of God, the spiritual reinforcement they shall bring will strike the decisive blow to the forces that openly challenge the authority of the State and the strength and influence of the Christian Church. .
NEGRO POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES-1900 TO 1930 Section 1930 1920 ,1910 1900 Total ……………………….. . 11,891,143 10,463,131 9,827,763 8,833,994 The North ………………………. . 2,409,21S 1,472,309 1,027,674 880,771 The South ………………………. . 9,361,577 8,912,231 8,749,427 The West ……………………….. . 78,591 7,922,969 120,347 50,662 30,254 TOTAL AND NEGRO POPULATION BY STATES AND PER CENT OF NEGRO POPULATION IN EACH STATE IN 1930 States Total Negro Per Cent Negro PerCent Population Population Population Illiterate New England 1,096 0.1 4.8 890 0.2 3.9 Maine ……..•……………………. 797,423 568 0.2 4.9 1.2 5.4 New Hampshire …………………… . 465,293 52,365 1.4 8.1 Vermont ………………………. , .. . 359,611 9,913 1.8 4.9 Massachusetts …………………….. . 4,249,614 29.354 3.3 2.5 RhQde Island ……………… , …….. . 687,497 412,814 5.2 5.1 Connecticut …….. , …. ' ………….. . 1,606,903 208,828 4.5 4.2 431,257 Middle Atlantic 4.7 6.4 309,304 3.5 6.0 New york …………………………. 12,588,066 111,982 4.3 3.6 328,972 3.5 3.0 New Jersey ………… " …………… 4,041,334 169,453 0.4 4.4 Pennsylvania ………………………. 9,631,350 10,739 0.4 2.0 0.7 5.4 East North Central 9,445 6.2 8.8 17,380 0.1 3.4 Ohio ……………………………. . 6,646,697 223,840 0.1 2.2 Indiana …………………………. . 3,238,503 1.0 3.9 Illinois ………………………….. . 7,630,654 377 3.5 5.9 M~chiga~ ….•…………………….. 4,842,325 646 13,752 13.6 13.2 WISconSIn ………………………… . 2,939,006 66,344 16.9 11.4 27.1 4.1 West North Central 32,602 26.8 19.2 276,379 6.6 11.3 Minnesota ……………………….. . 2,563,953 132,068 29.0 20.6 Iowa …………………………….. . 2,470,939 650,165 45.6 26.9 Missouri …………………………. . 3,629,367 114,893 36.8 19.9 North Dakota …………………….. . 680,845 918,647 29.4 18.8 793,681 South Dakota …………………….. . 692,849 1,071,125 8.6 15.4 431,828 18.3 Nebraska ………………………… . 1,377,963 35.7 14.~ Kansas ………………………….. . 1,880,999 226,040 50.2 477,646 26.2 South Atlantic . 944,834 25.8 23.2 1,009,718 36.9 Delaware ………………………… . 238,380 J 6.1 478,463 7.2 23.3 Maryland ………………………… . 1,631,526 776,326 14.7 District of Columbia ………………… . 486,869 172,198 9.3 Virginia …………………………. . 2,421,851 854,964 0.2 13.4 0.1 West Virginia …………………….. . 1,729,205 1,256 0.6 4.6 North Carolina …… , ……………… . 3,170,276 668 1.1 4.2 South Carolina ……………………. . 1,738,765 0.7 4.2 1,250 2.5 3.9 Georgia ………………………….. . 2,908,506 11,828 0.2 0.6 6.0 Florida ………………………….. . 1,468,211 2,850 3.2 10,749 0.4 1.5 East South Central 0.2 1,108 1.4 2.9 Kentucky ………………………… . 2,614,589 516 2.2 3.1 Tennessee ………………………… . 2,616,556 6,840 A~ab:,-~a : ………………………… . 2,646,248 2,234 MISSISSIPPI ……………………….. . 2,009,821 81,048 West South Central Arkansas ………………………… . 1,854,482 'Louisiana ………………………… . 2,101,593 Oklahoma ………………………… . 2,396,040 Texas …………………………… . 5,824,715 Mountain Montana ………………………….'. 537,606 Idaho ……………………………. . 445,032 Wyoming ………………………… . 225,565 Colorado ……………………… , … . 1,035,791 New Mexico ………………………. . 423,317 Arizona …………………………. . 435,573 Utah ……………………………. . 507,847 Nevada ………………………….. . 91,058 Pacific Washington ………………………. . 1,563,396 Oregon ………….. , …………….. . 953,786 California ……………………….. . 5,677,251 NOTE: Thus the greatest Negro illiteracy is found in South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina-where the Negroes form from 29 to 50 per cent of the PQPulation; the greatest literacy among Negroes is in Northern and Western States where they form only from one to four per cent of the total popUlation.
OF NEGROES IN THE TOTAL POPULATION, BY STATES
(District of Columbia, 27.1 per cent. not shown ~eparately on the map) CJ UNDER I m~ I TO 6 a 5 TO 12~ ~ 12" TO 2S 00 25 TO 37~ 37~ TO 60 50 AND OVER THE HEAVY LINES(_) SHOW Q£OCR"~HIC DIVISIONS Two G~nerations Since Emancipation By MONROE N. WORK, Tuskegee, Alabama Editor of the Negro Year Book PROGRESS IN SEVENTY YEARS-1866-1936 W E ASSUME that individuals and groups do make progress. If one took into ac- Economic Progress- 1866 1936 Gain in Seventy count only what has happened to Ameri- Homes Owned …..•. 12,000 750,000 Ye(1J)"S can Negroes in the recent depression years he Farms Operated ….. 8,80,000 could easily present facts to indicate, at least 20,000 738,000 from an economic standpoint, that the group had 70,000 860,000 lost much of its gains of the previous decade. To Businesses Conducted . 2,100 $2,500,000,000 get a more accurate measure of the progress of 67,900 the Negro group in America it is necessary to Financial Strength … $20,000,000 $2,480,000,000 take a long time view. Seventy years (1866 to 1936) has elapsed since slavery was abolished in Educational Progress- 10 90 80 the United States and under freedom Negroes 15 800 785 have had opportunity, in spite of handicaps and Per Cent Literate ..•. 100,000 2,500,000 restrictions, to demonstrate their capabilities. Schools for Higher 600 55,000 2,400,000 $60,000 $65,000,000 54,41)0 We are too prone to measure achievements in Training* …….. . $700,000 $61,700,000 economic terms. There are other values-moral, Students in Pub I i c $80,000 $3,500,000 $64,940,000 spiritual and intellectual, to be taken into ac- $61,000,000 Schools ………. . Teachers in all Schools $3,420,000 Property for Higher Education …….. . Annual Expenditures for all Education .. Amount R a i sed by Negroes ……••..
Religious Progres8- Number of ChUrches .. 700 45,000 44,300 4,700,000 Communicants ….•.. 600,000 5,300,000 Sunday Schools …… 36,000 35,000 Sunday School Pupils • 1,000 2,200,000 2,150.000 50,000 $210,000,000 $208,500,000 Value Church Property $1,500,000 • Includes Public High Schools. count. These are difficult to present in a factual [289 ]
manner, but some indirect evidence of such prog- Years N umber Receiving gress is indicated in the emphasis which, through 1901-1905 the years, the group has placed upon home build- 1906-1910 ……………………………. 1 ing and the imparting of moral and spiritual pre- 1911-1915 cepts to the children in the home. 1916-1920 ……………………………. 3 1921-1925 ……………………………. 4 Intellectual progress is indicated in the record 1926-1930 ……………………………. 9 of the achievements of Negroes in all the fields 1931-1935 ……………………………. 12 of intellectual endeavor, as shown in the various ……………………………. 18 editions of the Negro Year Book under "Inven- ……………………………. 63 tions" and "Scholastic Achievements." They relate particularly to what Negroes have done in Total ……………………………. 117 open competition in the best high schools, colleges and universities of the country. In the high Thus from 1867 to 1930, 54 Negroes received schools are found an increasing number of Negro Doctor of Philosophy degrees, whereas in the five students getting the highest ratings,. becoming year period, 1931-1935, there were 63 Negroes the valedictorians of their classes, receiving schol- receiving this degree. arships, prizes and other awards. Many have graduated cum laude and magna cum laude from Negro Drift to the Cities such leading universities and colleges as Syracuse, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Bates, Tufts and Harvard. The Negro population is still, in the main, rural, Negroes have achieved scholastic distinction in but in 1930, only 56.3 per cent was rural, as comall the fields of learning, in the humanities and pared with 66 per cent in 1920, and 72.7 per cent in the social and physical sciences. in 1910. This indicates the increasing movement of Negroes to urban centers, and if the trend The following tables show first, the number of continues it is probable that by 1940, the Negro, Negroes elected to Phi Beta Kappa in the sixty- like the white population, will be predominantly two years, 1874 to 1935 inclusive; and second, urban. the number who have been awarded Doctor of Philosophy Degrees in the sixty years, 1876 to The general trend of the Negro movement has 1935.* been from rural areas and small urban centers to cities of 100,000 or more inhabitants. Between NUMBER OF NEGROES WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO MEM- 192'0 and 1930, the Negro population of urban territory increased from 3,559,473 to 5,193,913, BERSHIP IN THE PHI BETA KAPPA FRATERNITY 1874-1935 while that of rural areas decreased from 6,903,658 to 6,697,230. The Negro population of cities, with Year8 Number Elected 100,000 or more inhabitants, increased approxi- mately 1,200,000 during that same period.
1874-1880 ……………………………. 4 NEGROES IN UNITED STATES IN URBAN AND RURAL 1881-1885 ……………………………. 1 COMMUNITIES per-eent 1886-1890 ……………………………. 0 Year Urban Rural Ur<ban Rural 1891-1895 …………….•.•.•••••••.•••••• 5 1930 5,193,913 6,697,230 43.1 56.3 1896-1900 ……………………………. 1 1920 3,559,473 6,903,658 34.0 66.0 1901-1905 ……………………………. 7 1910 2,684,797 7,142,966 27.3 72.7 1906-1910 ……………………………. 6 1900 2,005,972 6,828,022 22.7 77.3 1911-1915 ……………………………. 10 1890 1,481,142 6,007,534 19.8 80.2 1916-1920 ……………………………. 24 1921-1925 ……………………………. 21 In 1930 there were 2,881,790 Negroes in the 93 cities having a total population of 100,000 or 1926-1930 ……………………………. 40 more. Seven cities-New York, Chicago, Phila- delphia, Baltimore, Washington, New Orleans 1931-1935 ……………………………. 32 and Detroit-had more than 100,000 Negroes each and over one-third of the Negro population Total ……………………………. 151 in the North was concentrated in the above four northern cities. Negroes' represented more than It is to be noted that almost as many Negroes, 38 per cent of the total population in Birmingham 72, were elected to Phi Beta Kappa in the ten and Memphis; over 33 per cent in Atlanta, Jackyear period, 1926 to 1935 as were elected, 79, in sonville and Norfolk; more than 25 per cent in the fifty-two year period, 1874 to 1925. Washington, New Orleans, Richmond, Nashville and Chattanooga; and more than 20 per cent in NUMBER OF NEGROES RECEIVING DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF Houston, Miami and Tampa. In almost every southern city, the proportion of Negroes in the PHILOSOPHY-1876-1935 total population has been decreasing, while in the northern cities the proportion has been increas- Ye'ar8 Number Receiving ing.* 1876-1880 ……………………………. 2 1881-1885 ……………………………. 0 1886-1890 ……………………………. 1 1891-1895 ……………………………. 2 1896-1900 ……………………………. 2 • Membership in the Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity is cO'nferred in • See "Negroes in the United States," 1920-1932 (page 48). the leading cO'lleges and universities O'n undergraduates whO' are amO'ng the best scholars and is for scholarship only. The degree of DoctO'r of PhilO'sophy is the highest earned degree conferred by educational institutions.
Negro View of the White Man*
By REV. HAROLD M. KINGSLEY, Cleveland, Ohio Pastor of the MI. Zion Congregational Church "WE HAVE lost faith in the white man's what the resentment in the colored man's mined religion and morals," exclaimed a Negro when he thinks of the white man's attitude. at an informal conference in the South Possibly no Anglo-Saxon ever put the issue a few months after the World War. Excitement quite so bluntly and boldly as does William James had not yet died down ; blood was at a fever heat; in his letters when he asks, "What right of emimen were wrought up with great expectancy and nent domain has the white man over darker a new self-appreciation; the rights of oppressed races?" He beseeches his fellow men of the white minorities were being championed by the fore- race to cease their "snivelling hypocrisy" and not most world leaders; men of our race had made to cloak economic exploitations with fine phrases the supreme sacrifice; the disappointment of and soft platitudes. Here he indicates the very those who were tacitly given to understand that kernel of the matter and reveals a most unusual the war made no difference, that they were ex- ability for seeing one's self as others ~ee one. pected to resume an oppressed, a backward status Those who doubt the truth of other statements in -in other words, that the war had brought no this article, will do well to ponder the words of improvement in the status of the Negro in Amer- William James. ica-struck home with sharpness of a sword and the bitterness of gall. The man who expressed The challenge is not so much that of the rethis sentiment to the Negro conference, and to demption of the black man, as that of the redemptwo white delegates honestly seeking a basis of tion of the black and white, working together, understanding, was not a radical but a thought- through an actual practice of Christianity. There ful, conservative, life-long friend of the white is still in the minds of belated races a doubt as to man and one of the steadiest champions of peace- the honesty of the white man's religion. Thus ful Christian race-adj ustment. the situation that confronts the white man today for his own salvation is that of practicing the The white visitors were surprised to find that kind of Christianity he preaches, and to erase, by the Negro not only expected a larger life as a re- a new demonstration of Christianity, a doubt sult of his sacrifices and loyalty during the war, which is not only humiliating to the conscientious but that resentment had been aroused by the new white man, but is detrimental to the honest black wave of oppression and violence 'that swept over man. Let us together restore confidence, not in the country, manifested as it was, in Washing- the white man's Christianity or the black man's ton, Chicago, Omaha and St. Paul, and that, with Christianity, but in the power of the religion of bitterness in his soul, he was beginning to doubt Jesus Christ of Nazareth, which includes a practhe integrity of the white man, his sincerity of tice of the doctrine of brotherly love to embrace purpose and the genuineness of his moral and re- all men. ligious professions. Perhaps no more self-revealing and truthful sentiment was ever uttered than To be concrete, in suggestion, I would point out this regretful indictment by this black friend of that in addition to the splendid publicity campaign the white man. carried out by religious organizations North and South, that the Home Mission Study Course pre- Picture a race the victim of caricature and fun- sents probably the finest approach for the young making, judged by its lowest and most inferior mind that has ever been presented to the public types, after the Civil War the object of a brutal in such a form, and that the Interracial Commisopposition to all fundamentals of progress, and sion of Atlanta and the Commission on Church later, after overcoming this opposition to an ex- and Race Relations of the Federal Council of tent and pushing upward to a surprising degree, Churches are all together, with other similar to be made the butt of cruel jokes, the object of agencies, presenting a program and a solution coarse ridicule, and you may understand some- that will bring better understanding, more help- ful appreciation and a real working fellowship 19;2~eprlnted from the MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, June, which will help to change the Negro's unfavor- able estimate of the white man.
[291 ]
Negro as a Human
Are We Making Progress in Better Race Relationships By WILL W. ALEXANDER, Atlanta, Georgia Executive Director of Commission on Interracial Cooperation SVCH a term as "race relationships" appears eraIly, the idea that the Negro is a normal human in the language and comes into common being. This is not to say that there may not be usage without being adequately defined. The out of the African background certain influences term means different things to different people. that persist among American Negroes at the pres- Perhaps to most people in North America it means ent time. It is to say that these influences are some sort of indefinite relationship between white superficial and that the fundamental explanation and colored people. To be more exact, it prob- of the present condition of American Negroes has ably would mean the relation of Negroes to the grown out of their social inheritance, rather than general cultural and economic structure of Amer- out of inherent biological qualities.
ican life. In the American mind there came over from Progress in relating Negroes to this general slavery numerous widely held ideas about the social and economic structure would best be tested peculiar characteristics of Negroes. Long years by the extent to which it is possible for them to ago a great national leader said that if it could find an opportunity in America for the full de- be demonstrated to him that a Negro could master velopment and unhindered expression of their the higher mathematics he would believe that the capacities as human beings. It might be said that race had real intelligence. There is a widespread progress is measured by the extent to which belief that Negro children generally can be taught Negroes as a group and in their individual sta- as other children are taught up to the age of early tions are thought of as persons, and not as spe- adolescence and after that, because of certain cial kinds of persons. The difficulty has been that inevitable biological tendencies, that they cannot most white people have thought of them as spe- go through the normal educational experiences cial kinds of persons, and involved in this think- that are open to other children. An extreme and ing has been the belief in the inherent racial in- almost incredible example of this habit of attrib- feriority of Negroes as a group. As a result, it uting special racial characteristics to Negroes is has been supposed that Negroes are incapable of found in the belief that there are certain types acquiring the tools of culture necessary for full of Negroes known as "blue-gums," whose bite is participation in American life. Because of this as poisonous as that of a serpent! One can still assumption, Negroes generally have been assigned find this belief in some sections of the South.
to an inferior status. Discrimination has been There is a large body of tradition about Negro justified on the ground that it was inevitable be- health, which assumes that because of biological cause of this inherent racial inferiority. This old inheritances Negroes react to disease in ways that argument by which slavery was justified is used white people do not. Many articles have been to explain any retardation that may be found to written in a serious attempt to maintain this be characteristic of Negro Americans in any field. thesis. These assumptions have given rise to the All shortcomings in the Negro community, idea which is generally accepted that in most whether high death rate, high incidence of homi- fields of human achievement a colored person who cide, or irregular domestic relations, are explained shows particular aptitude must have white blood on this ground. in his veins. The tendency to give a racial explanation to Some really pious people support their belief in everything distinctive in the Negro community in the Negro's variation from the normal human America is, like many other folkways, entirely type not by biology but by the Scriptures. In the unscientific. The best students of anthropology South, and in other sections of the country, there find less and less that is purely biological in the are literalists who find in the story of Ham a basis differences between human beings. The first task, for the belief that the Negro group suffers from therefore, in improving race relations in America a special divine curse which makes them entirely was to establish, in the thinking of people gen- different and, of course, inferior to other human [292 ] beings. A friend of mine-a college graduate and able to acquire and contrih'ute to the culture by a fervent and active lay evangelist-declines to which they are surroijnded. The less effective have anything whatever to do with Negroes and schools have fallen by the wayside, but the better believes that they should not be encouraged to par- ones have survived and many others have been ticipate in anything but the most unimportant added. Educational opportunities for Negroes human activities. He is sure that they are di- are better today than ever before. vinely assigned to a position of inferiority and that no human effort can alter this. He holds White and Colored Students that nothing can be done to improve the condition of Negro life until Christ returns bodily to the Recently, over a period of three years, it was earth to reign-that He will then change the color my privilege to participate in the selection of some of their skin, straighten their hair, and give them seventy young people from colleges of the South an opportunity to become as other human beings. for graduate study in the best schools in this coun- It would seem that most white Americans have try. The number was divided between white and been preoccupied almost to the point of an obses- colored on the basis of popUlation. The careers sion with finding the ways in which Negroes dif- of these students were followed with great care. fer from other human beings. Although most of them had difficulty in meeting the requirements of the graduate schools, the diffi- There always have been white Americans who culties of the colored students were no greater were unwilling to accept the belief that Negroes than those of the whites. Each year some of the were racially inferior. The early educational op- students selected did distinguished work, and a portunities for Negroes were developed on the fair number of Negroes were always found in assumption that they had the capacity to acquire this group. This undoubtedly indicates that the the tools by which to participate in the civilization best of the colored colleges in the South are now of which they were a part. It must be remem- doing work of a high grade-some of them, work bered that this effort began less than a hundred equally as thorough and excellent as that of any years ago. Of course, during the period of slavery other educational institutions in this section. A Negroes incidentally and imperfectly acquired few distinguished centers of education for Necertain of these tools, but it is only since the Civil groes are being developed in the far South. Out War that anything like an adequate opportunity of all this will come an increasing number of men for education has been available for them. In and women who are able to make real contribuspite of this late beginning, there are today groups tions to the development of American life and to of Negroes in America who have acquired the the enrichment of American culture. tools of learning and who are doing excellent work in every field of human endeavor. The number of Twenty years ago the great graduate schools these is increasing every year and the examples outside the South were reluctant to accept Negro of Negro achievement in the field of human learn- students, and very few such students were ening are becoming more and more striking with rolled in these schools. This was perhaps due to each generation of college students. Slowly some extent to hesitation on the part of the col- Negroes themselves are refuting the popular be- leges to face the complications that might arise lief as to their inferiority. Intelligent Americans from the introduction of Negroes into their stuwho have made any careful observations no longer dent bodies. In addition, however, their experidoubt the ability of Negroes to participate fully ence had been that the Negro students who apin our American culture and to meet successfully plied for admission were not well prepared. That the discipline which this culture imposes. There has changed, so that in practically all the leading is an increasing number of white Americans who graduate schools of this country Negroes are to view Negroes as normal human beings. This is be found in increasing numbers, and many of a great step forward in race relationships. them are doing creative work of a high order. These graduate schools now welcome well-pre- Perhaps no educational effort ever yielded pared Negro students. greater results in so short a time than the schools for Negroes which were established in the South Higher education for Negroes was offered forafter the Civil War. In most instances the in- merly only by schools that were supported by the struction was excellent. However, these schools mission boards and philanthropic agencies. This were not always wisely located, and there was is no longer true. There has been a great increase wasteful duplication because of the lack of denom- in state-supported institutions of higher learning inational cooperation. They were never ade- throughout the South. The primary task of these quately financed. There was a lack of libraries institutions has been with the preparation of and laboratory equipment. Yet, as a result of teachers. The academic standards are constantly this effort, it was demonstrated that Negroes are being raised, and as the depression lifts an in- creasing amount of money will be available out
of tax funds for these state institutions of higher education of this great number of white people learning. This is a significant indication of the has been a significant factor in preparing the way growing recognition that Negroes are capable of for better race relations. As education becomes acquiring the tools for full participation in Amer- more pervasive and realistic, tolerance, restraint ican life and culture. and appreciation for Negroes will increase among So much has been written about Negro educa- whites.
tion in the South that those who have not made a One of the most significant things that has hap- detailed study are likely to assume that the edu- pened in the South in the past fifteen years is the cation of the masses-of Negroes is well provided increasing attention which has been given by the for. A visit to one of the better supported Negro colleges to the social sciences. These courses in- colleges may be very misleading to the uninitiated. evitably have taken into consideration the Negro One will find an alert and well-trained faculty and as part of the social structure. In almost every an eager and able student body. Here the best white college in the South today there are courses fruits of Negro life are concentrated-a life not in race relations in which the students are being essentially different in any way from the life on challenged to view the presence of Negroes in the the campuses of other American colleges. Look- population in the same objective way in which ing upon a group of this sort, the uninitiated is they would view any other social phenomena. Of likely to feel that ample provision has been made particular significance is work of this sort which for educational opportunities for Negroes in is being done in the colleges for the training of America. The fact remains, however, that the white teachers. Courses of study calculated to great masses of Negroes in the South are yet of- give these future teachers intelligent and under- fered only the most meager opportunities for edu- standing attitudes regarding Negroes are pro- cation. The tax funds available for all education vided, along with instructions in using the day-by- in the Southern states are lower than the average day experiences in the schoolroom in such a way for the nation. Although the South spends a as to build tolerant attitudes on the part of white larger per cent of its public money on education children. All this means that out of the white than other sections of the country, only a small schools of the South-college and elementary-are proportion of this is spent on the Negro children. coming groups of younger citizens who are open- This results in inadequate buildings, poorly minded, sympathetic and socially intelligent, and trained teachers, and usually no libraries. As who are ready to accept Negroes as human beings dramatic and encouraging as have been the re- with the capacity for contributing to the develop- sults of Negro education,-adequate educational op- ment of civilization and the enrichment of life.
portunities are only beginning to touch the fringes At the moment the greatest difficulty in relating of the Negro communities in the South where the Negroes to the social and economic structure in masses of the Negro population are concentrated. American life is to find adequate opportunity for Improvement in race relations will be possible to the creative ability of these people into whose the extent with which this opportunity for acquir- hands are being put the tools of knowledge. With ing the tools of knowledge is extended to the the exception of the remarkable group of men and masses of Negroes. women of distinction in the various fields of art, The founders of Negro schools in the South the largest opportunities that are open to Negroes after the Civil War seemed to assume that the of education and training are in service to their task was wholly one of educating Negroes. This own people. This means that a great number of was not the case. There were in the South large the most inspiring fields of human endeavor are numbers of white people whose education had closed to Negroes, and that with the exception of been almost as completely negected as that of the fields of art and education Negroes are being the Negroes. At the end of the Civil War there offered very limited opportunities for self-expres- was no system of elementary schools such as had sion. They are demonstrating their capacity for been accepted as a matter of course in most full participation in American life very much American communities. Illiteracy was general more rapidly than opportunities are being offered among the great masses of white people in the for adequate self-expression. Undoubtedly Ne- South. The aftermath of the War was such as to groes are capable of acquiring the tools of Amer- make it impossible to view the educational task ican culture. A hopeful beginning has been made of white and colored in the South as one; conse- in providing opportunities for them to do so.
quently, the idea of white education and Negro Means must and will be provided in American life education developed as separate tasks. Slowly a by which the varied abilities of these Negro Amer- public school system – first largely for whites – icans may be adequately expressed. This is the was established in the South. This is still inade- next step in the improvement of race relations in quate in many sections, but it is growing and the America.
D. JONES-Educator HOWARD THURMAN-Preacher
Some Outstanding Negro Christians -"if By CHANNING H. TOBIAS, New York National Council of the Y. M. C. A.
I T IS difficult to select six outstanding Negro ida Baptist Academy, then located at Jacksonville. Christians from a large number, almost any He was a serious student but showed keen interest one of whom might qualify for such a place. in questions not directly related to his class work. I approach the task as the football coach might, He was the chief promoter of voluntary religious who is about to choose his All-American te~m activities in the Academy and a debater of more from a large number of eligibles. After review- than ordinary ability. Upon completion of his ing records of achievement and other factors, I preparatory course he entered Morehouse College finally chose those that appeal to me personally. "in Atlanta, Georgia, where his work was so out- By Negro Christians we are not limited to pro- standing that he was held over for a year of teachfessional Christian workers but include also ing before he entered the Rochester Theological Christians in various fields of useful service. My Seminary. list, therefore, includes a preacher, an educator, a musician, a scientist, a club woman and a busi- During his three years at Rochester he so disness man. tinguished himself as a speaker that he was in great demand as a chapel and conference preacher Howard Thurman – Preacher in many of the leading colleges of the East and West. As a matter of fact, few men in their stu- Though still under forty years of age, Howard dent days have been as well known and favorably Thurman stands in the front ranks of the preach- received beyond their campuses as Thurman. ersof this generation, regardless of race. I met him first as a boy in his teens attending the Flor- Upon completion of his work at Rochester, he accepted the call of a small church in Oberlin, [295 ]
Ohio, where he combined study at Oberlin College Wesleyan and was graduated in the class of 1911. with his church duties. Soon after going to Ober- He was called to the attention of Dr. John R. Mott, lin he married, but unfortunately Mrs. Thurman then executive secretary of the Student Departfailed in health in the first year of their married' ment of the International Committee of Young life. It became necessary for her to go south, so Men's Christian Associations, and immediately it was decided that she should go to her native upon graduation, was invited to join the staff of town of La Grange, Georgia, and at the same the Student Department as an associate of Wiltime Mr. Thurman accepted a call to become liam A. Hunton, the only Negro member of the preacher for Spelman and Morehouse Colleges of staff. He accepted the call and served as visiting Atlanta. During his first year there Mrs. Thur- secretary to Negro schools and colleges in the man died, leaving a baby daughter. Always of a Southern states. In this connection he was one mystical temper.ament, this sorrow led Mr. Thur- of the organizers of the Kings Mountain Student man into more complete fellowship with his Lord, Conference which has for all the years since renand resulted in his getting a leave of absence to dered the same type of service for Negro students spend part of a year in meditation and study with as has been rendered for students in general by Rufus Jones, the great mystic of Haverford. En- the Northfield and Lake Geneva conferences. riched by this experience, but desirous of still more quiet and meditation he went to Scotland the After three years as a student secretary, Mr. following summer, and there combined study and J ones was called to the secretaryship of the Colpreaching with his meditations. On returning to ored Men's Branch of the Young Men's Christian America he resumed his work at Atlanta for an- Association of St. Louis, Missouri, where he other year and then accepted a call to the School erected a $300,000 building and built up a large of Religion at Howard University of Washington, membership and community following. After ten D. C. This position he still holds. Soon after he constructive years at St. Louis, he entered busiwas married to Miss Sue Bailey, a secretary of ness for a brief period and later served for a year the National Board of the Y. W. C. A. as field secretary of the Commission on Interracial Cooperation with headquarters at Atlanta, At the invitation of the Student Christian Georgia. Movements of North America and India, Mr. and Mrs. Thurman for the past i+ve months have been There was need for a first-class college for engaged in an evangelistic tour of the college cen- Negro women in that section of the South and ters of India. Enthusiastic comments on the ex- in 1926 Mr. Jones was invited to reorganize Bentraordinary services rendered on this mission nett College, which had existed for more than have come not only from Indian leaders but from thirty years as a small coeducational institution Dr. Stanley Jones and other well-known mis- under the Freedmen's Aid Society of the Methsionaries. odist Episcopal Church. With the assistance of Dean Holgate, of Northwestern University, as The Federal Council of Churches of Christ in adviser, he set to work with a handful of students. America has extended an invitation to Mr. Thur- At the end of ten years, what do we find? A beauman to join the National Preaching Mission that tiful campus with ten buildings to serve the acawill tour the principal cities of the United States demic and dormitory needs of nearly three hunnext autumn. dred college students; a faculty of highly trained Christian men and women; an "A" classification David Dallas Jones – Educator granted by the accrediting board of the Southern Association of Colleges; community good will for Although Bennett College for Women of the college expressed by white and black alike; Greensboro, N. C., over which David D. Jones enthusiastic support by the sponsoring church presides, is only ten years old, the place that it boards; the gift of three buildings by two dehas achieved in that time shows that he merits voted Christians – Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfieffer, a place in the vanguard of Christian educators. proprietors of the Hudnut Perfumery Company of New York, and substantial operating aid from Born of humble Christian parents in Greens- the great educational foundations. Closely assoboro, N. C., forty-eight years ago, Mr. Jones re- ciated with President Jones in this remarkable ceived his early training in his home town and accomplishment has been his efficient wife, Mrs. in New Orleans, Louisiana, where later he lived Susie Williams Jones, a graduate of the Univerwith his older brother, editor of the Southwestern sity of Cincinnati. During these busy years, Christian Advocate and afterwards bishop of the President Jones found time also to pursue grad- Methodist Episcopal Church. Young Jones did uate studies at Columbia University where he resuch creditable work in high school at New ceived his A.M. degree in 1930. He is a member Orleans that his brother helped him to go on to of the Wesleyan University chapter of Phi Beta Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Connecticut, Kappa. to pursue his studies. He worked his way through
SOME OUTSTANDING NEGRO CHRISTIANS
HARRY T. BURLE'IGH teacher's orchestral compositions. The melody of these Spirituals made such a deep impression Harry T. Burleigh – Musician upon Dvorak that he wove them into what has be- come his most popular composition, "The New In commenting on the life of Burleigh, one World Symphony." writer has said, "If Harry Burleigh's musical gift had been less genuine it might have been smoth- After completing four years' work at the Conered by the difficulties of his life, for this com- servatory, Burleigh's great moment came, in poser-to-be was born and reared in deep poverty, 1894, when the position of baritone soloist became with the added handicap of Negro blood." vacant in St. George's Episcopal Church in New York – one of the largest churches in the city. Born in Erie, Pa., seventy years ago of poor Mr. Burleigh was the only Negro among the sixty parents, his early youth was spent in sandwiching applicants, but he had the voice desired and Dr. in a public school education between selling news- Rainsford, the rector, and the vestrymen did not papers, running errands and working at odd jobs allow the color of his skin to prevent him from to help his mother care for a family of five chil- serving. He has remained a member of this choir dren after the early death of his father. His for forty-two years. For over thirty years of school-teacher discovered in him a passionate love this period, he sang also at Temple Emanuel, one for music and encouraged his mother to let him of the largest and most influential synagogues in hear the performances of great artists who visited the nation. On one of Burleigh's several Eurothe city from time to time. Among those artists pean tours he sang for King Edward VII, and were Madam Carreno and Mrs. MacDowell. Soon the heads of other European governments. He he began to sing in church choirs on Sunday and has composed music for more than two hundred in Jewish synagogues on Saturdays. At the age songs and has written scores for a volume of of twenty he studied stenography and worked as Negro Spirituals. In spite of this, he modestly a stenographer until he was twenty-six years of insists that he is not a composer, yet when one age: When he heard that the National Conserva- thinks of his popular arrangement of "Deep tory of Music in New York City had offered River," his "Little Mother of Mine" which is the scholarships, he at once determined to try for one. song most in use on Mother's Day, his popular He went to New York and was given an audition ballad "Jean," and his "Ethiopia Salutes the and awarded a scholarship. Dvorak, the noted Colors"-a setting of Walt Whitman's poem, we composer, then director of the Conservatory, be- are compelled to insist that he is not only a comcame so much impressed by the young Negro that poser but a distinguished one. he gave him considerable time outside of class hours. Burleigh played and sang for Dvorak the George Washington Carver – Scientist Negro Spirituals and also copied many of his George Washington Carver was born about sixty-nine years ago of slave parents on the Mis- souri farm of Moses Carver. His earliest recol- lections were the death of his father and the steal- ing of himself and his mother by a band of raiders in the last year of the Civil War. Moses Carver gave a race horse valued at three hundred dollars to redeem young George and had him returned to the Missouri farm where he was reared.
His early training consisted of the mastery of the famous old blue-backed speller. Lodging in the cabins of friendly Negroes, sleeping in open fields or in a hospitable stable, he continued his studies for a year, keeping ever close to the soil. The wanderlust seized him early, and he set out toward Kansas, "the home of the free." For nine years he worked as a domestic servant at Fort Scott, studying day and night as his employment permitted. His next move was to Minneapolis, Kansas, where he finished a high school course, and entered Iowa State College. He met his school expenses by managing a laundry. On completing the work for his Bachelor's and Master's degrees, he was made a member of the faculty in charge of
Mary McLeod Bethune – Educator Mary McLeod Bethune was one of a family of seventeen children, born of slave parents in an humble cabin on a rice and cotton farm near Mayesville, S. C. When she was about eleven years old a little school was opened near Mayes- ville by the Board of Missions of the Presbyterian Church and Mary was among. the first children who walked the four miles to school and back.
Her mother said, "We had to make some of· the children go but it seems that Mary, little as she was, understood what it all meant." In a few years the little school had done its best for Mary, and one day Miss Wilson, her beloved teacher, told her that Miss Mary Crissman, a dressmaker in Denver, Colo., wanted to pay for a little girl's schooling at Scotia Seminary, in Concord, N. C., Mary was chosen to go and in the autumn she bade good-bye to old friends and took her first railroad journey to Scotia Seminary. Here she was awkward and shy at first, but met every slight and every criticism with unfailing good humor and soon won the hearts of both teachers and stu- dents. At the close of her work at Scotia Sem- inary she received a scholarship which enabled her to continue her studies at the Moody Bible In- stitute, Chicago. At the end of two years at this GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER institution, she hoped to fulfill a long cherished desire to go to Africa as a missionary, but learned the Green House, the Bacteriological Laboratory and the Department of Systematic Botany. Soon he was discovered by Booker T. Washington who called him to his lifework at Tuskegee Institute, where he still labors.
During his long stay at Tuskegee, he has had tempting offers, one of them from Thomas A.
Edison, but he has promptly turned them all down because of his desire to cooperate in the training of his own people. He has been honored by elec- tion to membership! in the Royal Society of Lon- don, and to this day does not know who suggested his name. He has discovered hundreds of uses for potatoes, peanuts and pecans, freely giving his formulas to the public without attempting to commercialize his findings. He is in demand as a lecturer on the platforms of white as well as Negro colleges of the South and has appeared be- fore committees of Congress in the interest of the agricultural development of the South and in the interests of his own people. In spite of all the honors that have come to him Prof. Carver is a devout, humble Christian and attributes his scien- tific success to his close communion with God. He is fond of quoting the passage, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth." MARY McLEOD BETHUNE
that all the colored stations in Africa were filled. At an early age, however, he sought relief from She was therefore appointed a teacher at the the daily routine of farm life and joined his uncle, Lucy Laney School in Augusta, Georgia, and there a practicing physician, in Durham, N. C. His she labored faithfully for a year or two by the first job there was a dishwasher in the Durside of Lucy Laney, a great Negro teacher who ham Hotel, for ten dollars a month. He was soon had a profound influence on the shaping of Mrs. promoted to head bell boy and then side waiter, Bethune's life. but found that he could not attend school while holding these jobs, and took a position as cook for Her great pioneer venture took place at Day- a distinguished judge whom he served for two tona, Florida, where in October, 1904, she began years while going to school. Upon graduation a small institution for Negro girls. Five little from the graded school he accepted a job as mangirls responded to the first call of her school bell ager of a grocery company into which twenty-five in a cabin room of what was Mterwards to become of Durham's leading colored citizens had put ten the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School. The opening exercises consisted of the CHARLES CLINTON SPAULDING reading of the Twenty-third Psalm, the singing of the old hymn, "Leaning on" the Everlasting Arm," dollars each. When the company got into finanand a fervent prayer to God for help and guid- cial straits the other members withdrew their inance. On that same site today stands Bethune- vestment, and Spaulding was left with bare Cookman College, with thirty-two acres of land, shelves and three hundred dollars indebtedness. fourteen buildings and a plant estimated conserv- It took him five years to work out of this situaatively at $800,000. tion. Just at that time his uncle and another friend decided to make an effort to launch an in- The personality of Mary McLeod Bethune was surance company and Spaulding was called in to too dynamic to be confined to a single college help. With such funds as they could spare he campus and soon she was in demand as a speaker launched the company, serving as office boy, janion many platforms of her own race and of the tor and manager. He sold all of the policies, colwhite group. Now she is regarded as one of the lected all of the premiums and kept all the records. most attractive speakers in America regardless Out of his first travels over the state grew the of sex or race. I have heard her at Carnegie structure of the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Hall, along with Rabbi Wise and other distin- Company, founded in 1898. guished speakers, and on another occasion on the same program with Carrie Chapman Catt, and This company has weathered the depression always she has impressed her audience not only with the force of her eloquence but the sincerity of her spirit.
She was the leading spirit in establishing a home for delinquent Colored girls in Ocala, Florida. She has served as president of the Southeastern Federation of Women's Clubs and as president of the National Association of Colored Women. Recently she was made a member of the National Advisory Committee of the National Youth Administration, and a year ago she was given the Spingarn Medal, which is the highest distinction a Negro can claim.
Charles Clinton Spaulding – Business Man Born on a small North Carolina farm, Charles Clinton Spaulding manages today the largest insurance company operated by members of the Negro race. The company maintains an agency force in eight states and has headquarters in a $250,000 modern, seven-story office building in Durham, N. C. Last year it paid policyholders a total of $1,440,965, and the total insurance now in force amounts to $36,683,621.
As soon as Spaulding was able to do a day's work in the field he was sent out with the other boys of the family to take his turn at the plow.
and stands today as the leading Negro business Church of Durham; he also serves as a member concern in America. A loan of approximately of the Board of Trustees of Shaw University, Ral- $300,000, secured less than three years ago from eigh, N. C., and of Howard University, Washingthe'Reconstruction Finance Corporation, has been ton, D. C., and is a member of the Executive Compaid back in its entirety-which is somewhat un- mittee of the National Negro Business League. usual in these difficult times. He is deeply interested in helping to lift the masses of his people to a higher plane of living, In spite of the heavy responsibilities resting and is known for his cooperation with white and upon Mr. Spaulding' as president of the North colored people in efforts at better interracial Carolina Mutual Insurance Company, he finds understanding. time to give service to the White Rock Baptist THE NATIONAL NEGRO ANTHEM Hymn Composed by James Weldon Johnson; Set to Music by His Brother Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the list'ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea; Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun Of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chast'ning rod F1elt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path thro' the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by Thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray, Lest our feet stray from the places, our God; where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand, True to our God, true to our Native Land.
Great Need· of the Negro
The Training of Christian Leaders By DEAN C. L. HILL, Atlanta, Georgia Turner Theological Seminary, Morris Brown College PERHAPS the greatest need of the Negro mi- ing consciousness of the worth of training on the nority group in America today is a trained part of the Negro masses, when he sees the in- Christian leadership. Nor is this a mere creasing numbers of boys and girls who yearly sweeping generalization. There are many press- are streaming forth from the halls of the institu- ing problems confronting the black man in Amer- tions of learning all over the length and breadth ica. There are the maladjustments of a social of America? Certainly there is a demand for set-up which is, in many respects, anti-Christian. trained and effective Christian leadership among There is the cruel and bloodless economic scheme Negroes today.
which, especially in the Southern states, has re- This call to Christian leadership means a call to solved the life of the black man into a program preparation. It presupposes the possession of in- of bald economics and a concomitant tendency to tellectual and scientific culture. The Christian regard the life he lives as merely synonymous leader is in no small measure an interpreter of with vegetation. In other words, the popular the age in which he lives. He is a sort of "specphilosophy of life among a vast majority of black tator of all time and existence." He deals prifolk is that expressed by Feuerbach: Mann ist marily with the spirit of the times. He must was er isst-"man is what he eats"-, and the therefore be conversant with the thought and Negro in the terrific struggle for mere biological tendencies of the age.
existence is determined to vegetate at any cost. Moreover, each age has its peculiar challenges This attitude is largely the result of the poor to culture, and in order to meet these challenges, wages earned by Negro laborers and also the dis- the Christian leader must be thoroughly trained crimination that has attended many of the eco- and prepared. There are, too, those periodic nomic programs affecting the populace within the thrusts of unbelief aimed against the bulwark of last five years, particularly in the Southland. Fi- the Church and ordered society, seeking to disnally, there is the problem touching the political rupt the very foundations of the Church and activity of the black man: mobocracy, mock jus- gnawing at the viscera of civilization. In order tice in the courtrooms, and a general denial of to stem the tide of the atheistic, cynical, anti- the inalienable rights of all men, theoretically Christian and anti-American waves of thought, guaranteed by the Constitution of the United the Christian, and leader must be "fitted unto States of America. every good work."
But none of these, I believe, constitute the most The very nature of Christianity presupposes preeminent, the most imperative, the most urgent trained leadership. Our faith is not a religion of problem before which the Negro of today stands. forms and imaginations. It is not something His greatest need is for trained and capable Chris- spun out of the vagaries of human speculation.
tian leaders; a leadership that understands his It is a revelation of essential, absolute truth; of plight, that sympathizes with him, and possesses historic, rational and moral truth. It has to do sufficient clarity of vision to point the way out with life and reality, not with appearance. In of his dilemma, on the basis of the Christian order to seize upon the central germ of Christian world-view. truth, life and reality, the Christian leader must Another factor that demands a trained Chris- be trained in the rudiments and fundamental principles of historic Christianity. tian leadership is perhaps the most elemental of all : the growing consciousness of the need and Show me a Christian leader with wide culture; worth of education on the part of the masses of a man who is at home in philosophy, and whose black folk. A trained following certainly demands friends are the poets; a man who bristles with a trained leadership. To educate the laity and to knowledge and information, and I will show you neglect the clergy is not only folly, but is a great a powerful and dynamic incentive to his feH<?wtragedy. And who will deny that there is a grow- men.
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There is a very definite and widespread de- two are under the supervision of the M. E. Church mand for trained Christian leaders among Ne- (White), while Morris Brown College is solely groes. There is a growing need for efficient and under the auspices of the African Methodist Epis- capable Negro leadership. The next question nat- copal Church of Georgia.
urally follows: What are we doing to satisfy this These institutions work under an affiliated re- need? lationship. Gammon Seminary is devoted entirely All over America institutions of learning have to the training of Christian leaders, pastors and been established by and for Negroes. Especially mIsSIOnaries. The other colleges confine them- numerous are these institutions in the South selves solely to educational curricula as such, with where there is no mixed education among the the exception of Morris Brown and Morehouse, races. Therefore, almost every southern state both of which operate theological seminaries in has its own colleges and seminaries for the reli- connection with the regular college work.
gious and educational training of Negro leader- Each summer there is held an Interdenom- ship. inational Ministers' Institute, whose faculty is The various Christian denominations are rep- drawn from Gammon, Turner Theological Semresented in this great enterprise. Schools have inary of Morris Brown College, and the Morebeen founded by the following branches of Chris- house Divinity School. The Institute is run for a tianity: Episcopal, Lutheran, Congregational, period of four weeks, and attracts students from Baptist (white and colored),· Presbyterian, Ro- all the southern states. The enrolment has man Catholic, M. E. Church (North and South), reached as high as seventy-five young men and C. M. E. Church, A. M. E. Church, A. M. E. Zion women, who are otherwise engaged during the winter terms and consequently cannot attend a Church, and the Holiness Church. seminary, but who take advantage of the summer Toward Mutual Understanding Institute, to better prepare themselves for ·Chris- Northern philanthrophy has been especially ac- tian leadership. tive in the furthering of Negro education in the Of all these noble experiments, the most strik- South. Nor have the more enlightened and Chris- ing is that of Morris Brown College. For over tian whites of the South held themselves aloof fifty years this college has been engaged in prefrom this enterprise. Many have thrown off the paring men and women for leadership in the shackles of color prejudice, have risen above the Christian world. Its many struggles and vicissiartificial walls that have for so long separated the tudes and its unfaltering faith in the ability of blacks from the whites, have torn down the middle the Negro to do something for himself, have walls of partition, and have dared to cross the earned for it the name: "The noblest of noble boundary lines separating their Palestine from experiments"; for it is the total embodiment of our Tyre and Sidon, indeed have crossed the the real philosophy of the black man in America borders with Jesus of Nazareth and have minis- -self-respect, self-help and initiative.
tered to the needs of an underprivileged minority Thus both whites and blacks are combining group. For all of this we are deeply thankful. their efforts and centering them upon the train- We regard this as a great step toward mutual ing of Negroes for Christian leadership. We understanding, and a contribution toward the cannot here enumerate and discuss the many in- solution of the problem between the races in stitutions doing constructive work along the line America, which after all, must be fought out with of Negro education. Suffice it to say that the peaceful means on southern soil. Negro is beautifully cooperating with all outside But knowing, as I do, the struggles and heart- forces that are seeking to ameliorate his condiaches and heroic deeds of a people attempting to tion.
do something for themselves, I am inclined to be- What now is the philosophy for the education lieve that the most noble experiments in the train- of the Negro underlying Christian leadership?
ing of Negro leadership are those being tried by What principles are being inculcated in the hearts institutions owned, operated and controlled solely and minds of N~gro youth? There are several.
by Negroes for Negroes. The first aspect of this philosophy of Christian The center of Negro higher education in the education may be described by the words of Dr.
south is the city of Atlanta, Georgia. Here are Emil Brunner in his famous book, "The Media- to be found the following institutions: The At- tor": "The problem of Crisis, which is the prob- lanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse lem of God." Negro Christian education is College, Morris Brown College, Clark University, throughout fundamentally theistic. This consti- and Gammon Seminary. Of these colleges, the tutes the very ground-plan of its system. We first three are and have been backed by educa- teach that there is and there can be no truth tional funds and the Baptist Church. The last which is not founded on the immutable will and
THE GREAT NEED OF THE NEGRO TODAY
character of God. He is the source of all truth, fore, our Ne'gro Christian leaders must inveigh heavily against our common enemy, sin. all reality, all certainty. And a world without The last fundamental aspect of Negro Christian God is a world in which riddle and enigma reign education is the idea of the Kingdom of God. If the Creator-God is a universal Father, if all men supreme. possess personalities or souls dear to this Creator- God, and if confusion and misunderstanding have Nor does Negro Christian education teach a risen out of "sin," then the logical conclusion is the need for some ideal quantity, in which all men God of mere intellectual faith. We seek not the can participate in a fuller life and freer light. Aside from the general characteristics given to God of science or philosophy. We seek the God the "Kingdom-concept" found in the Gospel tradi- tions of Jesus, by the various New Testament of human experience. And this God we find in scholars, such as esthatological, apocalyptic, char- ismatic, spiritual and futuristic aspects, Negro Jesus of Nazareth. We teach the God on whom Christian education assumes the attitude that if the Kingdom of God means anything, it means Paschal called in a moment of spiritual weakness: brotherhood. The Kingdom is a spiritual world, in which all men are brothers in Jesus Christ, "Not the God of the philosopher or of the scien- sons of one common Father; and if solutions for our human problems are to come, they must tist. But the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." emanate from this Kingdom of God controlled and enlightened consciences. We personally be- A firm belief in a good, righteous, just and merci- lieve that a "Christian World" is a misnomer, a dream, a fancy, a phantom. The world has never ful God who, in the language of Jesus is "Our been Christian, is not now, nor ever shall be. But we believe in a "world of Christianity," and this Father," is the fundamental aspect of Negro for us, is the Kingdom of God. Wherever there are Christian endeavors, Christian ambitions, Chris- Christian education. tian literature, Christian sermons, Christian schools and colleges, there may be found the Another aspect ot' Negro education is the belief "world of Christianity" and consequently, the Kingdom in which all men ought to cooperate with in the dignity and worth of human personality. God for the common good.
This good and righteous God, this Creator-God, Coming to the Light regards all human beings as equally precious in What are the results of Negro Christian educa- tion? Since its incipiency the Christian Church His sight. He is no respecter of persons. All are has been, in a large measure, the torchbearer of civilization. Having received its light from the potential sons of God. Here there is no color line. "central sun of righteousness, Jesus Christ," it has passed this torch on to others. Wherever the Here there are no distinctions based on creed, flag of Emanuel has been planted, there the scin- tillating hues have penetrated the murky darkness color, conditions of servitude. The good Shepherd of ignorance and people, who aforetime sat in darkness, have seen a great light. The majority jeopardizes His own life to save one sheep, even of schools, colleges and universities, were founded by Christian scholars, or in a Christian atmosthough that sheep be black. We teach that no phere. The Church has blazed a trail of light and culture; has dug through the rubbish and debris man is so intrinsically evil that he cannot become of ignorance, and has set up eternal monuments to its genius in co}.leges and seminaries, monuacceptable to God. The universality of redemp- ments that shall never die.
tion covers all, even black men. And a black man From the halls of those educational institutions, founded and operated by the Christian Church for redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ is not just the training of Negro leadership, there files a long procession of sable sons and daughters who, fired another black man, but he is a personality pre- by the inspiration received behind the walls of these sacred institutions, go forth into the world cious to the heart of God, purchased from the slav- ery of sin and become a sheep of the fold. – The Negro Sense of Sin A third aspect of Negro education is the deepseated consciousness of the heinousness of sin. Here there must be no palliation. No definition of sin is satisfactory that overlooks its positive evil. Sin is not the mere maladjustment of sociology; nor the pathological mystery of medical science; nor the "not yet" of biological evolution; nor the "abnormal workings of human reason and a spontaneous declension from the moral law" (with Kant); nor the traversing of the Divine consciousness by the individual consciousness, creative of remorse (with Schleiermacher) . Sin is satanic rebellion, a plague, a sickness, a disease, a bite, a sting, a leprosy, a load of curses and calamities, everything that all good men hate; it is death itself. From it spring war, confusion, greed, lust, hypocrisy. In short, it is the death of the soul. It can oniy be overcome by that exterminating change called regeneration. We teach that from sin arise all the social evils of society-the war between capital and labor, racial antipathies, war, social injustice, political injustice, and everything ungodly. There-
to make their contribution to the religious, politi- sented by the systems now in vogue in Russia and cal and social orders of mankind. Germany, the revival of Renascence Humanism garbed in a new dress, with its deification of hu- The most lasting result of the training of Ne- man nature and its banishment of God from the groes for Christian leadership, is the decidedly throne; in a word, this procession of modern Christian world-view that is instilled in them. gods, forged in the furnace of present-day There never has been a period in human history thought, demands a Christian leadership that poswhen so many challenges have been hurled simul- sesses keen insight, a healthy optimism, an intaneously at the Church and religion in general, domitable will, and a sufficient motive power for as the present. This is an age of criticism and the solution of these problems. This is the genius inquiry, and the very substance of religion is be- of Negro Christian eduoation, that it provides ing seriously questioned. such weapons as these, with which Negro youth can engage iIi battle with the subversive currents Moreover, the degenerating influences of west- of modern thinking, and therefore can "wage a ern civilization upon the more backward peoples, good warfare, holding faith and a good conthe rise and growth of nationalism, the passion science." for innovations created by industrialism, the appearance of godless political theories as repre- Daniel Payne: Christian Educator By JOSEPHUS R. eOAN, Atlanta, Georgia Professor of Old Testament Theology and Religious Education, MOTTis Brown College THE African Methodist Episcopal Church, sailed for New York where he came in touch with with a membership of 600,000, operates eigh- the Society of Inquiry on Missions and was offered teen colleges and secondary schools and a scholarship to Gettysburg Seminary. After two twelve seminaries. For seventy-three years this years ill health forced him to leave Gettysburg policy of Christian education has contributed in and so ended his formal training. no small way to the education and Christianization of the Negro race. She has trained lay and The third period began with his first pastoral ministerial leaders and has instilled within her charge over a Presbyterian church in Troy, New constituency the ideal of self-help. York. His second charge was Israel A. M. E. church, Washington, D. C., and his third was What was .the genesis of this influential work? Bethel A. M. E. church, Baltimore. How did the African Methodist Episcopal Church begin her program of Christian education? The The fourth period includes his experiences for answer centers around the life and works of fifty-three years as a bishop, in which office he Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne, a man of self- was one of the most commanding figures in the sacrificing spirit and untiring labors. A. M. E. Church. He served all of the episcopal districts organized at that time and profoundly The life of Bishop Payne may be divided into influenced many lives. He brought the A. M. E. four periods. First, his early life and youth Church and its ministry to a position of power (1811-1835) began on February 24, 1811, in the and became an able university administrator. city of Charleston, South Carolina, where Payne was born of free parents. At seven he had In the church where Bishop Payne labored for neither father nor mother, and was cared for by fifty-three years, he is known as the "Apostle of an aunt and some members of the Brown Fellow- Christian Education." His fundamental problem ship Society, a social and benevolent organization was the elimination of the evil of race conflict in among the free Colored people of Charleston. The America and the building up of a social order Minor Moralist Society, another benevolent enter- based upon the principles of Jesus Christ. Moved prise, operated a school which the boy attended by the "calamitous fact" that his people were "enfor two years. To support himself at the age of tombed in ignorance and oppression," he labored twelve, he secured a job as apprentice to a car- for their enlightenment. His ultimate goal bepenter. Following his conversion at eighteen he came thatof a gradual change from injustice and organized a school which he conducted for five oppression. to one of justice, fellowship and recyears. onciliation. He was deeply concerned with "God's purpose for the redemption of the world," The second period includes his student days at and "transforming the dark earth into the Holy Gettysburg Seminary. Immediately after the un- City." fortunate close of his school in Charleston, Payne He became interested in educational and evan-
DANIEL PAYNE: CHRISTIAN EDUCATOR
gelistic work as a result of his conversion. The Payne's decision to join the A. M. E. Church in outcome was his consciousness of the Divine call 1841 was tremendously significant for the educato be an educator to his people. He wrote: tional policy of the church. Prior to this there is only one recorded instance of definite action re- Several weeks after this event, between twelve and one garding the educational program of the denomo'c;ock one day, I was in my humble chamber pouring out ination, but one year after Payne's affiliation with my prayers to the l.istening ears of my Saviour, when I this church he organized the "Theological Assofelt as if the hands of a man were pressing my two ciation," the object of which was "cultivating bibshoulders, and a voice speaking within my soul saying: lical knowledge and the collateral sciences." "I have set thee apart to educate thyself that thou mayest be an educator to thy people." Later he wrote a series of articles on the "Edu- This summons became his dominant purpose cation of the Ministry," which brought forth a throughout his life, in spite of repeated and severe shocks. storm of criticism. He went to the General Con- ference of 1844, and offered a resolution which The first attempt to realize his purpose was brought into existence the course of studies for experiments with a school opened in Charleston A. M. E. ministers who, at that time, were ignowhen he was only 18 years of age. During this rant and discredited. He then instigated a Genperiod he came up against situations which called eral Convention of the church to launch educafor the exercise of the strongest moral stamina tional work for the denomination. This helped to and religious dynamic. The first barrier was his mould the development of her educational policies. limited education which at that time consisted of only two years of formal training. This difficulty Bishop Payne's educational influence was most was overcome by securing books and mastering far-reaching through his work for Wilberforce their contents sufficiently to put new courses into University. This was founded in 1856 at Tawawa his curdculum. The story of his laborious studies Springs (Sweet Water) where there was an elereads like a novel. mentary school under the auspices of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. In 1863 the trustees, fac- The lack of building and equipment and support ing bankruptcy were forced to sell the institution, formed another obstacle. The first year Payne and the trustees offered it to Bishop Payne for received only $3.00 per month for teaching. Had the A. M. E. Church for $10,000. Payne asked not a slave woman given him food occasionally, time to consult the members of his conferences he might have starved. But the great hindrance but the trustees demanded "now or never." As to his educational efforts was the South Carolina an act of faith he took the responsibility upon law of 1834 which prohibited the teaching of all himself saying, "In the name of God I purchase Negroes, either free or slave. It terminated for Wilberforce for the A. M. E. Church." The inat least one generation Payne's educational worK stitution was reorganized into a university with in the South. seven departments, Bishop Payne becoming the first president (1863 to 1876). This was the first Early in 1840, following his resignation from Negro university in the world. More than that his church in Troy, Payne founded an elementary he gave to the Negro race the philosophy of "selfschool in' Philadelphia. The school became in- help, self-initiative and self-confidence," for creasingly popular until the spring of the year which Wilberforce University, at Xenia, Ohio, 1843, when Bishop Morris Brown appointed stands as a unique symbol. Payne pastor of Israel A. M. E. church in Washington.
American Negro Churches, Membership and Contributions Taken from the 1926 Census as Reported in "Negroes in the United States"
Negro Negro Improvements Missions and and Denominations Churches Members EJ<penses Benevolences Adventist Bodies (2) ………. . 99 5,297 $94,550 $167,665 3,254,035 16,284,320 2,469,184 Baptist Bodies (4) ………. .. 23,173 7,312 38,267 7,038 Christian Church ……….•..• 68 30,263 394,773 90,384 16,000 295,446 20,388 Church of God in Christ ……. . 733 37,325 239,279 33,125 Congregational Church …….. . 155 5,997 62,632 7,191 Disciples of Christ ………… . 487 545,814 6,205,632 1,257,397 Lutheran Bodies (2) ………. . 456,813 4,091,023 70 202,713 1,934,540 662,993 African Methodist Episcopal 350,879 3,506,114 417,038 6,708 1,127,320 606,238 53,294 176,043 African M. E. Zion ………… . 2,466 51,502 438,912 124,324 913,914 87,826 Colored Methodist Episcopal … . 2,518 1,594 89,731 59,235 8,314 Other Methodist Bodies (6) … . 3,934 215,065 1,879 58,785 Presbyterian Bodies (4) ……. . 724 Protestant Episcopal ………. . 287 Roman Catholic Church ……. . 147 Spiritualist Bodies (3) …….. . 26 All other Church Bodies (26) .. . 1,040 Total all Denominations •..• 42,585 5,203,487 $35,749,951 $6,152,905
Youth and the
-.1 By MARTIN L. HARVEY, Hempstead, New York Director of Christian Education of Y outh, A. M. E. Zion Church,. President of the Christian Youth Council of North America "THE Church is an outworn institution, it vancement of the race, and can make many val- has had its day." So said a young man uable contributions to their own lives. recently. Undoubtedly this statement represents a Young people must be helped to understand that slightly extreme view, but it is indicative of the the Church was the first institution owned and trend of thinking in the minds of a large group controlled by the members of the Negro race in of young people. Although many would not ex- America. That even during the dark days of press this opinion so strongly, their indifference slavery, it was the one training ground for leadtoward the church, and their lack of interest in ership. Many of the great leaders of the race its activities speak more loudly than mere words. not only received their inspiration, but acquired their training from some backwoods church. Why is this attitude held by many young Negroes, more or less closely associated with the The Christian Church has also inspired many church? who have made their mark and rendered valuable service in other fields, particularly music. Many First: In far too many cases the minister of of the great Negro musicians received their intheir church has had no more, and oftentimes has spiration and start from some church group had less education than many of his young people. which believed in them and gave them an oppor- The results are obvious; his ideas are often in tunity to exercise their latent abilities. conflict with those taught in the public schools. There are other contributions that the Church Since this institution has better-trained teachers, can and must make to the lives of young people and since more time is given to secular than to today. religious education, the minister usually comes First: The Church as an institution can give out second best. a meaningful interpretation to life. Young peo- Second: The work and program of the major- pIe are living in a world of cynicism and despair; ity of churches are planned for the benefit of the a world in which, as one cynic expressed it, "life adult members of the congregation, with little is just a contest between jackals and jackasses; thought given to the needs of young people. The a world which says that life is only a period besermons are usually prepared for those who want tween creation and annihilation; a world which an assurance of comfort, if not here, then in a functions on the creed that the purpose of life is place beyond the skies. The week-day activities the acquisition of as much earthly possessions as are often archaic, and too frequently are largely possible in as short a time as possible, regardless for the purpose of raising money. The old emo- of the methods. tional forms of religion have little appeal for most young people today. Words and phrases which In such a world the Church must offer a differthrilled their fathers and forefathers strike no ent interpretation of life. It must say that responsive chord in the hearts of their children. abundant living comes from God and is achieved by losing oneself in the service of others. The Third: The tasks assigned to young people, in Church must teach that life is a glorious adventhe majority of cases, are not commensurate with ture stretching into eternity, and that the purtheir abilities. In many churches the only re- pose of life is not to get, but to give. Moreover sponsibilities given to young people are passing the Church must insist that men can overcome the collection plates, or ushering dear old saints their difficulties, and that no matter how discourto pews. Youth demands tasks which are deemed aging the present situation may be, truth, .goodimportant, and which offer a creative challenge ness, and righteousness will ultimately triumph. to their abilities. Such a message is certainly needed by young We must help young people who possess these people today. They find themselves in a world points of view to understand that, although there where hatreds of class and nation and race divide is some validity in the position they take, the men; where young people are denied the chance Church has made many contributions to the ad- to prepare for a life work. If they do so prepare [306 ] themselves they too often find themselves in the relationships with others whom they do not see.
long lines of the unemployed, unable to marry, They must be guided beyond the merely tradi- build homes, and rear children, because they have tional missionary emphasis, a,nd must become con- not sufficient economic security. cerned about all with whom they have indirect In the light of all these conditions, the Church relationships. They must become interested in must offer a meaningful interpretation to youth, the physical and spiritual conditions of the work- insisting tha,t difficulties be viewed in their proper ers who cultivate the food they eat, who manu- perspective; there must be a creative challenge facture the clothing they wear, and who contribute of faith, such as that which inspired Abraham of in other ways to their welfare.
old, who "went out not knowing whither he went." Such a task is challenging. Young people are Second: The Church must insist that individ- not lost to the Church. They are viewing the uals are of supreme worth. The world today Church with hopeful as well as critical eyes. A makes human personality the cheapest commodity few who are looking beyond the Negro Church, on the market. It is sacrificed to efficiency, to are rather skeptical of the sincerity of organized profits, to national glory, and to the selfish ambi- Christianity in general, when it tacitly condones racial discrimination and is complacent in the face tions of national leaders. The leaders in Church must seize every oppor- of social injustice. But they are hopeful that the tunity to emphasize the supreme worth of every situation will be improved. They want the Church individual. Capital punishment, mob rule result- to work with them rather than for them. ing in lynchings, labor disturbances,are violations Their optimism and faith will be justified if the of human brotherhood, and such incidents must Church is willing to evaluate its program in the be used, like a lighthouse in the midst of a raging light of the present-day needs of young people; sea, to point out that personality is worth more if it will look forward as well as backward; above than anything else in the world, and that its values all, if it will develop trained leadership adequate must be conserved. In many cases the Church to present-day demands and consecrated to the must look at itself, and clean its own house, mak- tasks of tomorrow. ing sure that all its employees from the minister In an increasing number of churches there are to the janitor are treated in the light of this ideal encouraging signs-young people are hopeful that these will increase. The greatest challenge to the of human brotherhood. Third: The Church must offer young people Church today is the enlistment of its youth in the adequate experiences for group worship. Of Kingdom-building enterprise.
course there are those who insist that they can worship adequately by themselves, and no one In America causes similar to those operating in will deny the value of private devotions, but there Africa have been at work to create discontent and are certain distinctive values to be gained from race feeling-social ostracism of the Negro, polit- worshipping together with kindred spirits. The ical disability, economic exclusion from high approach to God may be had through different grades of work, a whole body of custom and law features of the service-through music or the at- that sets up different standards for the Negro and mosphere of a beautiful edifice, through the ritual for the white.
or through the sermon. If we ask, "What does the American Negro The implications of this are obvious; hymns want?" the answer is quite clear. First, educamust be chosen which are in line with the thought tion. Secondly, equal industrial opportunities; patterns of intelligent Christians, and which in- i. e., "equal opportunity to 'work at just wages and clude not only individual redemption but look under fair conditions." Thirdly, a share in electalso to the redemption of society. Sermons must ing their government. Fourthly, security from draw on the experience of the past and must in- mob violence and prejudiced legal decisions. terpret present-day problems in the light of the Fifthly, and this lies at the root of things, they teaching and spirit of Christ. desire passionately to be freed from the perpetual Fourth: The Church must broaden the outlook ostracism and degradation that labels them as of young people. We now understand that we though they were members of another and a live in a world which has become a neighborhood, lower, almost a sub-human species. It is impor- and yet the outlook of many young people is too tant to appreciate this issue from the Negro narrow. They must become concerned about their point of view. BASIL MATHEWS.
Negroes are Doing for
By REV. L. L. BERRY, D.D., New York Secretary of Missions of the African Methodist Episcopal Church THE Negro in America has been largely on upon it as a Shekinah for guidance in the un- the receiving end of things. Having been known estate which freedom had bequeathed to brought from Africa, in spite of all his re- him. sistance, and having been subject to the will of others for nearly two and a half centuries, he be- The main problem, and at the same time the came accustomed to a system which supplied his central objective, of this leadership of the Church minimum physical needs while his cultural life, was to help the Negro forget the handicaps under social instincts and intellectual desires were ig- which he had suffered, and the legacies left by his nored and even suppressed. Slavery assumed bondage. He must be inspired with hope and faith in the possibility of grasping and exercising that these aspirations were entirely lacking in the his full manhood rights. Agencies had to be es- Negro since it best served the ends of slavery to tablished for his benefit, and to enable him to acconsider him merely as a human chattel. Only quire the knowledge that would fit him into the in religion was a little latitude allowed as a vent social economy of which he was now a legal entity. to his spiritual yearnings. Early in his career as a minister, Richard Out of such a system the Negro emerged with Allen started a school in Philadelphia, and a natural disposition to lean upon others. For- throughout his life, as a bishop of the Church he tunately, however, all his self-reliance and inde- had established, he emphasized education for the pendence of spirit brought over from Africa was Negro as far as public opinion and laws would not killed. A faint spark of manhood still re- permit. Other churches and free blacks followed mained in him and he apprehended, withal dimly, in his footsteps. Frederick Douglass, self-eman- the truth of the philosophy that "God helps those cipated and self-educated, stood out as a shining who help themselves." This expression was in- example of what education could do for the Negro, terpreted in a militant sense by such black heroes and because of the compelling logic and oratory as Nat Turner and those who followed the in- displayed in his long battle for the freedom of trepid John Brown to his doom at Harper's Ferry his race, he became the Negro's ideal and idol, in their bold attempt to abolish slavery. It was manacled though he still was by the shackles of interpreted by others to apply more forcibly to slavery. matters of the mind, soul and spirit; and so we have, during this same blighting slavery period, Thus it came about that, in the battle that lay Richard Allen founding the African Methodist before the Negro in fitting himself for the rOle Episcopal Church, and James Varick establishing of a citizen, and the enjoyment of his status as the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in a free man, the Church brought up its battery of response to the unquenchable yearnings of the schools in its first attack upon the handicaps of ignorance that barricaded his progress. When Negro for untrammelled religious and cultural schools were first opened to Negroes an almost expression. 100% illiteracy might be said to have prevailed.
Even though these Negro religious denomina- That has now been reduced to 16.3 %, while in tions were severely restricted by rigid laws which made it a crime for Negroes even to preach to the top bracket of the principal professions of Negroes in some sections, to say nothing of teach- clergymen, college presidents and professors, dening Negroes, by the time slavery was abolished tists, doctors, trained nurses, musicians and music the organized Negro Church had become a real teachers, school-teachers, judges and lawyers, we lifeline to him in his helpless situation.. Having find 104,755 standing out to indicate what the become his source of greatest hope and inspira- Negro has achieved for himself. In the thick of tion during slavery, the Negro looked upon the this battle, the Negro Church was encouraged Church as providing the broad avenue for the at- and aided by the noble sacrifices and contributions tainment of his suppressed aspirations when he of white denominations and organizations of the finally escaped from his thralldom. So the Negro North in conducting schools for the freedmen of the South.
spontaneously rallied to the Church and looked In the early years following emancipation the [308 ] Negro newspaper was a rarity, so the Negro of something like 130,000. This Negro group minister used his pulpit as a broadcasting station supports entirely out of its own pocketbook a day and constantly kept before the eyes of his people nursery, a hospital staffed by Negro doctors who the outstanding accomplishments of the race give free clinics, an old folks' home and a recregroup. Negro orators and lecturers were given ation beach. This might be styled as non-statistithe keys to the pUlpit. Budding Negro businesses, cal work being done for Negroes by Negroes very many of which had their birth within the which every community conducts without any church, were advertised freely and often from the relation necessarily to any other community. pulpit. Negro doctors, dentists, lawyers and other pioneer professional men had liberal access Present-day social service setups generally have to the pulpit as a springboard from which to a very coherent and, in many cases, dependent launch themselves into the stream of gainful oc- relationship to every such unit wherever estabcupation. Fitness to serve the race in matters lished. This is true of such organizations as the that had only been performed by the white race, Y. M. C. A., the Urban League, Boy Scouts, Girls' was vouched for by the pulpit, which fact at once Guides and numerous others. These are governed established that confidence in the ability of these and directed mainly by centralized authority, and professionals so necessary to success. for this reason more or less reliable statistics re- garding their operations, are obtainable. If these The church was the Negro's social club. It was independent efforts of the Negroes for the wellhis nursery for business ventures, and the center being of Negroes could be tabulated, undoubtedly of his cultural hopes. It was a sort of trellis upon the results as to the work involved and the amount which he trained his budding enterprises and of money spent in its maintenance would be stagexercised his powers of organization. All of his gering. activities and endeavors clustered around this institution of the church, and from it radiated his Much that the Negro is doing for the Negro paths of adventure into the numerous fields of does not stand out and capture the attention for industry and labor in which we now find him en- another reason. Today he is doing a tremendous gaged. Thus we find that most of the successful amount of social good in cooperation with whites, organizations run by Negroes today still have a rendering contributions which implement in a very definite and important relationship to the large way the agencies which have been estabchurch, particularly insurance companies and fra- lished for Negroes by white philanthrophy. This ternal orders. is true mainly in connection with schools of higher learning established by northern churches and Starting with the church as a point of impulse, philanthrophy, and, in a lesser degree, with instiand with its sponsoring influence ever acting as tutions like the Y. M. C. A. In a very real sense, a spur to higher endeavors, the Negro has ad- the Negro provides most of the resources for the vanced in a fan-shaped formation of self-help and continuance of such work, and in estimating what conquest that has amazed the world. he is doing for himself, a sizeable percentage of the budgets of such institutions should be credited Negro Work in America to the Negro. • What the Negro is doing for Negroes in Amer- In the realm of business, note should be taken ica may be somewhat difficult to reduce to sta- of the National Negro Business League, founded tistics that would accurately tell the whole story. by the late Booker T. Washington. This league, Like streams which run along the surface for a started as a booster movement for stepping up the distance and then disappear under ground to be business adventures of the Negro, is still exerting lost to sight though still supplying moisture to a powerful influence on Negro enterprise that is vegetation, so much of the noble and self-sacri- undoubtedly reflected in the large and increasing ficing work of Negroes, supported entirely by number of retail businesses conducted today by themselves, is unseen by the compiler of statistics. the Negro. The movement known as Negro I here refer to such institutions as old folks' Health Week, now under the functions of the homes, day nurseries, burial societies, homes for U. S. Department of Health and nationally obwayward boys and girls and kindred institutions. served each year, was originated by the National In most instances these institutions are sponsored Negro Business League. directly by churches, or have some tangible relation to them. In the field of political and social betterment there are many organizations of Negroes, but An illustration of this might be found in any none has exerted greater pressure for the recogcity where there is a considerable Negro popula- nition of the basic rights of the Negro as a citizen tion. For example, let us survey briefly the city under the Constitution than the National Assoof Norfolk, Virginia, which has a Negro contin- ciation for the Advancement of Colored People. gent of approximately 45,000 in a total population This association has branches in practically every
large city in the United States, and is ever alert for its maintenance which this body is making. in the championship of the just interests of the It may be seen from the above outline of Negro Negro and in defense of his common rights. The birth of such movements as the Urban League and achievement and activity that he very early recoginterracial societies may be directly traced to the nized his responsibility for working out his own program of equal justice in our social economy salvation, and that he has exerted himself in a which has been the keystone purpose of the very tangible way to bring this about. He is NAACP, which is supported almost entirely by grateful and appreciative of the large coopera- Negroes. tion and inestimable help he has received from the white group, but he is sensible of the fact that While statistics do not give the whole story of more and more he is expected to and must assume what Negroes are doing for Negroes, what the the burden of doing things for himself. His· ef- Negro has accomplished in his own right, and forts are tending in that direction with greater owns and controls as a race group, should be elo- momentum. As has been true in matters of reliquent testimony of what he is doing. This is re- gion, fraternal societies and burial associations, vealed in the figures gathered by the painstaking the Negro is becoming organization-minded in all agents of the United States Government and matters affecting his well-being. which are embodied in its census of the Negro for 1930. (See pages 279 to 291.) In religion, he is becoming fraternal to the end that greater good may be accomplished by coop- American Negroes in Africa eration; in business, he is forming groups for the benefits that may come from the emphasis on Some of the "followers of Richard Allen" were common interests; in politics, he is dividing his among the first settlers of the Republic of Liberia vote that he may derive the largest considerations when a census was taken of its population in the from our system of government; in the educafirst year of the founding of the colony. Ever tional and social field, he is keeping elbow contact since the year 1822 the African Methodist Epis- with the professionally trained men and women copal Church has been interested in the redemp- of his race through fraternities, sororities, medtion and advancement of Africa, setting an ex- ical associations, teachers' associations and kinample which other Negro bodies have followed. dred organizations, that he might promote the general welfare of his submerged group in this Negro churches spend annually something like welter of American society. These efforts, sep- $6,152,905 for missions, approximately $2,500,000 arately, may not be registered accurately on the of this being spent for missionary endeavors in graph of human statistics, but collectively they foreign lands, especially Africa. The major Negro loom large in so far as they are related to the denominations supporting missionary work in depths from which the Negro has risen and his Africa are the African Methodist Episcopal hopes and possibilities of greater achievement. Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion, the National Baptist Convention, Inc., and the It is a long way from Jamestown, Virginia, in Lott Carey Baptist Convention. 1619, where the Negro began to learn his first les- sons in the school of hardships, to the present The African Methodist Episcopal Church con- time. In his early beginning in America he lived ducts several educational institutions in Africa. and served on the banks of the historic James In Sierra Leone there is the Girls' Industrial and River, to see and be influenced in many respects Literary School, and a school for boys; in Liberia by the Indians who were the aborigines of that is Monrovia College and Training School, the section. But instead of taking on their habits of main building of which was erected at a cost of merely hunting and fishing, he listened to the $70,000, while in South Africa there is Bethel In- music of the rushing waters to which his soul restitute at Cape Town, and Wilberforce Institute sponded in agonized memory of the Africa from at Evaton, Transvaal. which he had been snatched and passed down to his sons and daughters the Spirituals as one of The A. M. E. Zion Church has activities in Ni· the most glorious contributions of rhythm and geria and the Gold Coast in Africa, but has em- symphony which have enriched the world. phasized its work at Mount Coffee, in Liberia, where a commendable school has been established From these songs such institutions as Hampton, for religious and industrial education. Tuskegee_and Fisk have benefited in this contri- bution from the Negro to the Negro. But the The National Baptist Convention, Inc., has work Negro did 'not merely sing, "You May Have All in South Africa and several units in Liberia. Its outstanding achievement here is a well-staffed the World Just Give Me Jesus," he demonstrated hospital of about 60 beds. Although the Govern- his ability and faith to hold on to Jesus Christ as ment of Liberia has a hospital in Monrovia, this his Saviour and Lord, and to acquire some of this hospital established by the Baptist denomination world's blessings which he has passed on to his is rendering a recognized service that is worthy kindred. of note, and amply justifies the expenditure
in Work With
By REV. FREDERICK L. BROWNLEE, New York Executive Secretary of the American Missionary Association THERE is much that is fundamentally sound panionship, but it's worth all it costs." Evidently and reliable in lessons learned from experi- that is what Tagore means by "sacrifice" and the ence. Volumes could be written on the er- "spiritual plane." rors of working for people versus working with them. It is a strange paradox that the religion In one's approaches to a genuine fellowship he of Jesus Christ, who knew so well how to live and discovers certain basic facts as to thorough-going work with people of all "races, nations and interracialism. The chief of these is the fact of classes," became in time-'- particularly through how far human likenesses transcend racial differthe missionary enterprise-a work of one group ences. In an address at Talladega College a few for another group. What futile and stupid at- years ago Professor Kilpatrick said, "According tempts have been made by some Christians to im- to every available scientific authority the extent pose their religion "on the heathen"! The best of such differences (differences of innate ability that one can hope to do is to impart his Christian among races) is, at most, if any, small in comknowledge and faith. And even here one ought parison with the spread of difference within either to be willing to be a perfectly good sport accord- group compared. Not a few of the best authoriing to the Golden Rule, taking as well as giving. ties deny that such difference of innate ability has ever been shown or probably exists." A Student Volunteer once wrote Rabindranath Tagore concerning his going to India as a Chris- One learns that lesson from experience in work tian missionary. Tagore wrote back, with Negroes. When the sense of race conscious- ness is lost in a struggle for common values, be Do not be always trying to preach your doctrine, but give they a square deal in economic and social relations yourself in love. . . . Preaching your doctrine is no sacri- or a more complete understanding of truth or a fice at all-it is indulging in luxury, far more dangerous richer appreciation of beauty, then one knows bethan all the luxuries of material living. It breeds an yond a shadow of a doubt how much alike are all illusion in your mind that you are wiser and better than members of the human family. Such fellowship your fellow-beings. is deeper and finer and richer than the usual blood ties of family relationships. One may have such If you have in you pride of race, pride of sect and pride fellowship with blood relatives. But one may not of personal superiority strong, then it is no use to try to only have such fellowship outside the bonds of do good to others. . . . On the spiritual p:ane you cannot blood ties but one more frequently has it outside do good until you be good. than inside such ties. The same is true outside of versus inside of racial ties. You have repeatedly said that your standard of living is not likely to be different from that of the "natives"- Another destroyer of Nordic egotism is the rev- but one thing I ask, will you be able to make yourself elation that comes through experience that it is one with those whom you call "natives," not merely in not the ambition of every Negro to become white. habits but in love? How generally the white man has presumed to the There we have the preeminent lesson that one learns from experience in working with Negroes.
Fundamental to all constructive human relations contrary! He has been sure that the height of is the question of mutual respect and confidence. ambition of every Negro is to marry a white per- It is a universal fact. How well I remember my son. There are reasons why Negroes might wish first visit to Puerto Rico and the beginning of to change the color of their skin. Society being friendships with its gracious citizens. He was set up as it is, one can gain so much and get away indeed my friend who said to me, "The poorest with so much with a white skin. Two Negroes peon has his center of dignity. If you wound that were overheard discussing white people. One of you are done for." Respect for the center of dig- them said, "White people have everything."
nity becomes the open sesame to fellowship in "Yes," said the other, "white people have every- Puerto Rico's delightful "Society of the Simpa- thing but the grace of God, and some of them ticos." have even got that."
A friend wrote recently, "It is a long road to Outside of the material advantages of being that inner niche of mutual fellowship and com- white, in a world largely dominated by the white [311 ]
race, I know personally no Negroes who are capable individuals of his race. The reverse is ashamed of the color of their skin or would ex- true for the Negro. It is common for him to have change it for white skin if they could. Why ascribed to him all the vices and inabilities of the should one feel any more pride or shame in the worst and most incapable members of his race.
color of his skin than he does in the color of his In other words, the Negro suffers from "mass hair or his eyes? Dark little cherubs are just as condemnation versus individual appraisal," as dear as white ones and vice versa. Why not? . discriminating Negroes frequently put it.
"Some prefer blondes, others brunettes, others Experience in work with Negroes proves the chocolate browns and still others the darker contrary. It is here that one finds the most sig- hues." This is the way one comes to feel about it nificant evidence of Professor Kilpatrick's state- after years of working with rather than for ment that racial differences, so far as innate abil- Negroes. ities are concerned, have never been scientifically One more lesson from the school of experience. proved. Asa matter of fact, experience proves I do not know who the white man was who coined that color or the lack of it is no guarantee of the expression, "All Negroes look alike." I do brains. Original contributions have been made to know that such a statement is as untrue as it is all arts, sciences, religious beliefs and philosophies superficial. It has led to one of the greatest diffi- by men and women of all races. Said an Eskimo culties with which the Negro has to contend.. It to the famous arctic adventurer, Peter Freuchen, is common for a white man to have ascribed to "If a man is born white he may still be born him the virtues and abilities of the best and most stupid."
Other Lessons from Experience By JOHN UTILE, Louisville, Kentucky Superintendent of the Presbyterian Colored Missions For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is perience as preachers, but they believed that "the the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, Gospel is the power of God unto salvation." to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1: 16. Thirty-eight years have passed and on the first THESE words were in the minds of six the- Sunday afternoon in February, 1936, the writer ological students when they walked out of the saw a thousand Colored people in that Sunday Presbyterian Seminary in Louisville, Ken- school and heard them pour out their hearts in tucky, on Sunday afternoon, February 4, 1898, to songs of praise to their heavenly Father. Directstart a Sunday school for Colored children. Plans ing the music was a young woman who had grown had been discussed for several months and they up as one of the pupils, had gone to Fisk Uniwere now ready to put the Gospel to a test. They versity and taken special training in music, is had consulted with a number of Christian friends now teaching in the Municipal University in in the city, and upon the recommendation of a Louisville. Sitting at the piano was another group of Colored and white ministers, they had young woman who had grown up in the Sunday rented a little store room on Preston Street. It school. It was a marvelous experience for those was in a tenement district, surrounded by saloons, present to hear this chorus of a thousand voices gambling dens and houses of prostitution. They swell out with the words: had gone through this neighborhood, visiting in the homes of the people and leaving cards an- Oh, walk togedder, children, don't you get weary; nouncing the opening of the Sunday school. Dere's a great camp meetin' in de promised land!
Only twenty-three Colored children were pres- Oh, a feel de spirit a-movin', gwine to live with God forent on the first day and it seemed indeed a small ever; beginning. The writer was surprised to find that not one member of his class had any knowledge Dere's a great camp meetin' in de promised land! of the Bible or any acquaintance with the life of Jesus Christ. The students accepted their task It was one of their Jubilee songs, composed by a and conducted an ordinary Sunday school with company- of slaves who gathered and sang and preaching services on Wednesday and Sunday shouted for joy and gave God honor and praise. nights, each student taking his regular turn in preaching. They had little training and no ex- The first equipment in this little tumble-down storehouse on Preston Street was pathetic in its simplicity. A worn out organ donated by a friend was the only musical instrument, and a table and a few chairs were the physical equipment. The
OTHER LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE
HOPE NURSERY SCHOOL FOR COLORED CHILDREN THE .BEGINNERS' DEPARTMElNT IN GRACE SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK IN THE CARPENTElR SHOP FOR BOYS COOKING CLASS FOR WOMEN AND OLDEIR GIRLS
house had formerly served as a lottery office for Space forbids going into detail about the nu- the community, but the Gospel, taught in its pur- merous activities that have found a place in our ity, simplicity and power, began to shed abroad weekly schedule. Twenty-two different types of its influence in the community. Among the pupils work are now carried on and there are sixty dif- were some who welcomed with joy the teachers ferent clubs and classes and services, all of which and the message and they became faithful attend~ are operated in the two institutional churches ants on the services. The building soon was which have developed. out of one small Sunday crowded; the workers ceased their efforts to school started thirty-eight years ago.
enroll new pupils and devoted themselves to the Recently, I sat in the home of a woman and instruction of those under their care. The lame, the halt and the blind came in and every conceiv- asked her questions about the value of our instiable problem of human need presented itself and tutions to the community. She said: received careful and sympathetic consideration. "Yours was the first Sunday school that I ever attended. I came on Wednesday night and lis- As the years have passed, volunteer teachers tened to the prayer meeting and I became inter- have gradually been added to our teaching staff, ested in the Bible. I could ask questions and the until today there are more than two hundred peo- prayer meeting service was the one that did me ple, representing many religious denominations, the most good."
having their share in the operation of the two I thought of the history of that family. The Missions which have been maintained-the first father was a drinking man and they were very since February 4, 1898, and the second since April poor. There were four children who all slept 2,1899. crossways in one bed. The mother made a living The founders of this work had no theory for the by taking in washing yet always kept her chilsolution of the "Negro problem," but they believed dren clean and neat and insisted on their going to the Gospel message was intended for the Colored school regularly in spite of their poverty. The race and many Christian men and women organ- older brother died with tuberculosis, but we seized classes for Negroes, to meet during the week. cured a doctor and a tuberculosis nurse and the disease was arrested before it spread to the rest A.note from two Colored girls contained the re- of the family. The three girls graduated from quest: "Will you please start a sewing school for high school, secured positions as domestic servthe little ragged children on Pearl Street." Two ants, saved their money and bought a home, put- Christian women started such a class on the fol- ting the deed in their mother's name. The oldest lowing Saturday morning. It was a small begin- girl said she would like me to see the home. When ning and a work of faith but now there are more I replied: "The important thing is to have it a than five hundred women and girls who come in Christian home," she said: "We read the Bible during the week to receive instructions in sew- every morning." Before the mother died, I had ing. The reflex influence of such work shows in the privilege of receiving this mother into the every service and class held in our buildings. church and her daughters, now grown women, at- Girls and women who come to Sunday school and tend Sunday school where their children have alchurch wear the dresses they have made. The ways been Honor Roll pupils. sewing classes meet an economic need of the people, for mothers can make their household linen This family is a concrete example of the power and their children's garments. Last week, in the of the Gospel. The original home was located in dressmaking class I saw a mother who had one of the worst slum districts in our city. There were four saloons on the four corners of the block brought her old cloak, had taken it to pieces and and every day the children were subjected to every was remaking it on a smaller pattern for her form of temptation. They entered Sunday school, daughter, with the assistance of a competent believed the truth they were taught and it gave Christian. them inspiration and courage to become decent, One of the best housekeepers in Louisville real- industrious citizens and an economic success in life. They were regular attendants in the Sunized the value of wholesome food in the homes, day school, the sewing and cooking schools, the and invited a group of Colored girls to meet her Boys' and Girls' Clubs and the playground, and one day during the week and gave them instruc- accepted and used every opportunity that was extion in the preparation of foo~l. She furnished tended to them by a Christian institution. . them recipes that would enable them to vary their menus and prepare food in a more wholesome and appetizing fashion. Again we had entered a field One other concrete example: a small boy came of Christian labor that was not included in our into the primary class and from the very first original plan and yet we found a wide field of op- proved himself a regular attendant. His name portunity for practical Christian service by intel- and his sister's name headed the Honor Roll until ligent and consecrated women. he graduated from high school. He then entered
NEGRO YOUTH CHALLENGES WHITE YOUTH
Fiske University in Nashville, Tennessee, and intended to go to Hampton Institute. He saved while there in their music courses he developed a his money, attended Hampton Institute and rewonderful tenor voice. They selected him as a ceived a certificate from them as a carpenter. He member of a quartet and sent him out to sing for now lives in Philadelphia, is married, owns his the school. With the quartet, he spent fourteen own home and recently brought his family down months in Europe, visiting fourteen foreign countries and appearing before the royalty of Europe. in his automobile to visit his parents in Louis- One day I was standing on the platform and no- ville. I invited him to speak to the Sunday school, ticed him enter the building and I invited him to and in a slow, drawling voice he told his simple sing for the Sunday school. He readily consented story, closing with the words, "I now have my and the audience was thrilled with his music. He own home and have family prayers every mornselected, "Open the Gates of the Temple," and as he sang the closing words, "I know that my Re- ing." He has gone to live in a distant city but he deemer liveth," I realized what he was doing. He still comes back to give his testimony to the had been away from us for ten years and had power of the Gospel as he learned it in our Suntraveled all over the world, but when he came back and again stood on the platform of the Sun- day school.* day school in which he had grown up, he brought them the message, "I know that my Redeemer * A joint committee of Presbyterian laymen and ministers, ap- liveth." pointed by the four branches of the Presbyterian and Reformed I remember a small boy who, many years ago, Churches of Louisville, form a governing board of the Presbyterian Colored Missions. This committee Is Incorporated and owns two was a regular attendant in the Sunday school. pieces of property-a modern institutional church building which When we gave the invitation to come forward, he has a recreation hall, bath house, rooms for sewing, cooking and united with the church. He heard me give a various social activities. Two regular churches, with ordained minstereopticon lecture in which I told the story of isters and their Boards of Elders and Deacons, direct the church Booker Washington and how, as a young boy, he worship. determined to get an education and I said, "Any boy in this room can do what he did." At the This work, which was started in a very smalI way, has grown to close of the lecture, he came forward and said he a point where there are 2.000 different people coming to the two buildings. There are seven religious services on Sunday, including a Sunday school. regular preaching services and four groups of youn!>; people who gather in the evening for their own worship service.
A blind woman, when asked to describe the missions, said: "They are lighthouses in the community."
There are 200 white people who give their services voluntarily in the Sunday school, the sewing classes, and in the supervision of other groups which meet In the building.
Operated by "The Committee on Colored Evangelization of the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches of Louisville, Incorporated."
Correspondence is invited with the Superintendent. The missions are always open to any viSitor, stranger or friend who desires to inspect the work.
Negro Youth Challenges White Youth* I -4Ef/ By J. S. LEDBETTER, Traveling Salesman 1Ji.- I ~==========================~ [EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article comes from a traveling section of North Carolina, in an eloquent and imsalesman of the Buick Motor Car Co., who mails it "en route from passioned plea, challenged the 1,600 or more stu- Berea," with the statement that "as a traveling salesman and ob- dents of Berea College in an address entitled, server" he had chanced to drop In. uninvited, on the chlpel service "What the Negro Youth Expects of the White of Berea College, because he heard that a Negro woman for the youth in Their Tomorrow." first time was to speak there. The article Is a copy of the notes he took, with incident Impressions and convictions.] This Negro woman was the first woman of her group to bring a message to these students. Pres- I N THE chapel at Berea College, on December ident William J. Hutchins, who by way of intro- 14, was enacted a scene which promises a duction in the weeks that preceded the visit, had change in the attitudes and thinking of thou- given a partial history of her achievements in sands of white youth, not only from the hills and education and interracial goodwill. Now he prevalleys of Kentucky, but from the ten or more sented Dr. Brown as one of the outstanding other Southern states represented by the students. women of America.
In a scholarly and dignified manner, with a cul- As an onlooker and listener it was pleasing to tivated voice and gestures of unusual significance, contrast the gentle welcoming applause with the a little black woman, who has won the title of Doc- thunderous ovation which followed her last words, torate from one of the outstanding universities of "Will you meet us half way?" her people, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, protegee of Alice Freeman Palmer, founder and promoter of After expressing her delight in the opportunity an unique school for her people in the Piedmont • From Advance, Boston. January 31, 1935.
to be at Berea, of which she had heard much dur- ington for the porter and had asked "George" to ing her New England childhood, in that delightful carry his baggage, and Dr. Washington carried it, brogue flavored by a little of the North Carolina and on refusing to accept a tip revealed his iden- musical twang, she proceeded thus: tity, to the man's shame and confused apology.
"There is no gift within the range of the Amer- The speaker said that race prejudice is neither ican people that cannot be yours as American inherited nor inborn; it has to be taught or cul- white boys and girls. The industries, the institu- tivated; Negro women have the hardest time, be- tions, the wealth, and the government are already cause white people generally feel that they can bequeathed to you. Tomorrow the reins will be easily be prostituted.
put into your hands. From the position of Presi- Dr. Brown emphatically stated that the Negro dent, Senator, and Congressman, to the smaller does not want to be white, that he is not seeking but ever more important offices of county sheriff intermarriage. "Marriage," she said, "is compli- and city councilman, you will have the adminis- cated enough as it is, without adding the extra tering of the affairs of the American nation. The burden of racial mixture. Furthermore, Negro youth of my race, a minority group tied to you, in men and women need not go out of the race for spite of whatever may be said, by 250 years of white skin, because slavery produced a sufficient the unrequited toil of their forbears, are wonder- supply of mulattoes for their children, and their ing if, in your effort to achieve a greater civiliza- children's children, if they want light-colored tion, you will ride roughshod over them, or if in mates. Negroes want a chance for self-expres- Christian institutions like this, built around a re- sion, fair play, and equal opportunities for pro- ligion intelligently conceived and passionately be- tection and advancement."
lieved, you will develop that sense of fairness and The last ten minutes of the address was a rapid justice, that expression of neighborly-mindedness review of the founding of the Palmer Memorial that will include them in your plan and program Institute at Sedalia, N. C., the financial and racial for the development of a finer and better America struggle under which it had been developed from in which to live." a church for a schoolhouse, a log cabin as a dormi- The students' eyes were fastened on the speaker tory, to its half-million-dollar plant, its significant and for full forty minutes she held both teachers and interesting interracial program, and its sucand students to an almost uncanny silence in her cessful endeavor to enlist the interest of its white appeal for justice for her people. neighbors.
What Negroes Want The recital brought vividly before the group the fact that, notwithstanding her achievements, Dr. The main points emphasized in these expecta- Charlotte Hawkins Brown must still suffer the tions were a guarantee of full protection of the indignities and prejudices heaped upon the illiterlaw under any and all circumstances. Dr. Brown ate and undisciplined members of her race. Edusuggested that they exhibited weakness when they cation and culture make little difference. substituted mob law for the civil law which they themselves instituted. She also asked for the for· There stood this Negro woman, an example of lowing things: what a Negro may achieve in culture and educa- tion, her own best appeal and challenge to the 1. An opportunity for Negro youth in any and white youth of America for fair play and justice all vocations for which they show an aptitude. to her people. When in her closing sentence she 2. Equal educational opportunities. said, "I promise God to teach my youth to strive 3. A proper evaluation of human personality· to establish understanding, sympathy, and interunderneath black skin. (She stated that failure racial goodwill," with a voice quivering with deep in this brought about lynching and flagrant in- emotion, she flung out the challenge to the youth justice to people they regarded as not fully created of Berea, "Will you meet us half way?" Tears human beings.) filled the eyes of old and young, and the burst of 4. The abolition of purely Negro jobs and an sustained applause that shook the building was an open door to earn a living, with equal wages for indication that this woman, a credit to her race equal work. and to American womanhood, had struck a deep 5. The same respect for members of the Negro chord in the hearts of white youths of the South, race that white people feel entitled to from the to whom Berea College itself is a challenge. .
Negro race. The day ended with a conference of the com- She gave striking illustrations of how lack of bined faculty of 150 or more members, who, after ordinary courtesy to human beings because their poignant and searching questions, voted that day faces are black causes the looking upon color as as one of the red-letter days of the year, and many the badge of a servant always. She told the story were heard to say that a great forward step in of how a traveler had once taken Booker T. Wash- race relations had been taken. –
Ways of
Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~~I=I ========================~~========~~====~~~~ FRESH MATERIAL FOR The Women's Home Mission- "Mather, a Continued Story" (free) ary Society of the Methodist telling of the work at the school es- PROGRAM BUILDERS Episcopal Church, 420 Plum St., tablished in 1867 by Rachel Crane Cincinnati, Ohio, has an excel- Mather at Beaufort, S. Carolina, is At the opening of summer, lent four-cent leaflet on "Ne- already available, and a play dealing with the appearance of the new groes in the Economic Struc- with the same school, and written by study themes and the added ture," by Will W. Alexander, Mrs. Augusta Comstock, will soon be leisure for program making, we Executive Director of the Com- ready. (A small charge is made for present an assortment of plans mission on Interracial Coopera- plays.) "Baptist Missionary Piowhich have already proved their tion. The chairman of the For- neers among Negroes" (cloth, 60 value in practical use. The ward-Looking Committee of the cents; paper, 35 cents) and "A flood of year books and pro- Society attended a student con- Heroine of the Cross" (cloth, 75 grams which have come to hand ference "Appreciation Hour" at cents; paper, 50 cents) by Grace M. attest the widespread use to which a Negro student from a Eaton, and "Race Grit" by Coe Hayne which they have been adapted. large college read selections (price, 65 cents) are now available If your denomination does not from a variety of poems by for the year's study. The Woman's seem to be receiving its meed of Negro writers; this led to nam- Baptist Home Mission Society has attention, it is because the mem- ing the M. E. women's forth- also an annual pamphlet entitled bers are not letting their light coming studies "Appreciation "From Ocean to Ocean" which gives shine! Year." This material, inclusive concrete reports of all their work in- of a masque on the plan of clusive of that among Negroes (price, We regret that plans and sup- "Every Woman" and dealing 30 cents). Order all free material plementary material for pre- with My Child, Every Child, from The Council on Finance and senting the new study themes etc., also an "achievement pos- Promotion, 152 Madison Ave., New are not ready for use in the va- ter," will be reviewed later. The York City, and pay literature from rious denominations until the special course in leadership The American Baptist Publication summer conference, hence it is training on "Christian Brother- Society, 1701 Chestnut St., Philadelimpossible to secure this ma- hood" is not a study of the Negro phia, Pa. terial in time for our J une issu~. but of all groups in race rela- They will appear at the earliest tions. "It will be as useful for "The Finding Out Box" gives possible date thereafter. The our Negro constituency as for six object lessons for boys and following are the only advance the white folks, because some girls, by Katherine Scherer data your Editor has been able Negroes are the victims of race Cronk, and is an excellent leaflet to secure in response to her prejudice in their own hearts. on Negroes, for children's somany inquiries: They have plenty of cause for cieties or Sunday school classes. it, but it is injuring them defi- Order from The Women's Mis- The Presbyterian Board of nitely as it is the white man who sionary Society, United Lu- National Missions, 156 Fifth is ill from the same attitude to- theran Church, 1228 Spruce St., Ave., New York City, has a set ward the Negroes or other Philadelphia, Pa. of 10 enlarged pictures entitled groups." "Sepia Tones" (16 by 2'0 inches) Pending our later presentawhich rent at 25 cents plus post- (Quoted fram letter from Mrs. J. N. tion of the new study plans, the age both ways. These fit the Rodeheaver, of the M. E. Woman's Board.) following program suggestions theme, "The American Negro." will be widely acceptable: A ten-cent play which is a gen- Miss May Huston, of the Baperal racial study (tentativelyen- tist Board of Missionary Educa- Foundation Work titled "Under the Skin"), two tion, gives the following items: sets of stereopticon pictures and A friend in the Reformed two motion picture reels on the We expect to have programs and Church sends a leaflet by Flor- Negro (one in color, for chil- discussion Questions prepared on "A ence Gordon, a worker in Grove dren) are in preparation for Preface to Racial Understanding" and Reformed Church at North general use. A set of programs to use them with a series of leaflets Bergen, N. J., from which we and a Negro map, while pointed prepared by the Home Boards on cull the following basic suggesspecifically to the Presbyterian their work among the Negroes. The tions: work, may also be suggestive. leaflets are free in packets made up for those using the study book. A missionary program does not "grow," like Topsy. It is born of [317 ] prayer and study and determination, and brought up in patient, persistent planning. A good meeting begins long in advance of the day and hour set, and ends-never. Some part of
it stays with someone forever in per- have Martha hands but let us pray to Another feature suggested by manent enlargement of heart and keep our Mary minds. spring is the Butterfly Luncheon as view. God gives such a meeting in- used. with variations, along the lines crease. . . . We must "sell" our We can give the support of this of one sent in by a Washington, D. C., speaker (or other feature) by good thorough preparation, this atmos- correspondent. It was the culminapublicity in order to secure a wide and phere-creation, this careful execution, tion of a campaign begun the previous responsive audience. Part of the to our home-ta.ent speaker as well as autumn to secure new members for preparation will be in creating the our board or missionary visitor. A the woman's organization. Each right atmosphere. The physical as- lot of work – all this preparation? member had been given privately the pects are important. Need we have But it is the Way of the Lord which name of a non-member whom she was our chairs in straight, school-like we prepare. to cultivate in a variety of underrows? A semicircular or circular ar- cover ways-with invitations to the rangement is more intimate and sug- To the above, the Editor would add meetings, holiday and birthday greetgests hands – around – the – world. A the desirability of "time-budgeting" ings, etc., in each case signing herself smooth-running meeting may be much speakers and performers. Most ail- merely "Your Butterfly Friend." The advanced by having the complete ing missionary meetings are maimed spring luncheon was the time of revorder typed or mimeographed in ad- by being held over-long. On ordinary elation; for then "The Birth of the vance, supplying each guest with a occasions, one hour is enough-all that Butterflies" was announced to occur copy as she enters. can be commanded in the complexity at a gathering where all the couples and difficulty under modern conditions paired off openly. The luncheon tables Then supply color. Devotional of "living on 24 hours a day." The were beautifully dec 0 rat e d with service, incidental music, background plan of turning a flashlight quietly spring flowers, artificial butterflies, may all be correlated. If Negro work on a program participant (after pre- napkins bearing the same winged is the topic or race relations in the vious notice) which she has, herself, symbols, etc., and at each place was a U. S., our best voices will be delighted used for severa! years past does not boutonniere of gay posies. The toasts to prepare a group of spirituals or give offense if in general use, and it cleverly carried out the butterfly we may all sing one of the familiar does ensure the return of an audience motif: "The Cocoon of Life," "The ones. The "lonesome tunes" and bal- for another meeting without fear of Chrysalis," "Wings," etc. lads of our southern mountains give being detained unduly. One hour is the spirit of the people. American enough, and will do more good than Flag Day or any other national Indian melodies are not hard to come twice the time with a restless and im- holiday may be capita:ized for misby. At one Japanese meeting a lul- patient audience. sions in some such way as this one relaby was sung in the original after it ported by the Program Secretary of had been read in translation, and all Capitalizing Occasions Missions: Mrs. J. T. Crawford, of stood during the singing of the na- Topeka, Kansas, arranged an intertional anthem of Japan, with the flags This gives added receptivity esting program on Missions Magazine. of Japan and our country in one Jap- for the subject matter. For in- Cut seven long strips of red paper anese holder, the Christian flag the stance, May parties and brides and six of white. On the back of each uniting link between them. . . . A just naturally fit into the pres- paste a message from the current iswealth of illustrative, atmosphere- ent season. Mrs. B. P. Heubner sue of the Magazine and fasten the creating material is available – pic- sends a lovely program folder as strip to a firm background. For the tures in magazines and newspapers used at a spring World-Wide blue field (placed in one corner) give and paper-clipped to pasteboards, Guild banquet in the First Bap- "loyalty" items, also from Missions. supplying an art gallery suggesting tist church in Galesburg, 111., To complete the flag, have a roll call the land under discussion and often with explanations as follows: of 48 missionaries. As each name is providing a point of departure for the called, a member places a star in the speaker. (NatilJ'lWl Geographic Mag- The flower-basket idea was used, b'ue field. In closing sing "The Star azines, Sunday school supply catalogs, each talk presenting some Guild qual- Spangled Banner" or "America," fol- ity or purpose under the figure of a lowed by the bugle call, "taps." Misetc., are mentioned as affording fas- flower-"Mistress Mary," cornflower, sionary leaflets rolled in red paper cinating maps, posters, pictures of violet, lily of the valley, lilacs and make fine "firecrackers" to be used as persons and villages, and the like. roses, iris, fruit blossoms, morning souvenirs for a July meeting. "Fresh Some junior group in the church glory, flowering currant, ivy, jack-in- Chinese rolls" (or any other variety, might get these features ready for the-pu:pit and white rose. The per- according to the country studied) are use.) We have Mexican-drawn work, sons impersonating the flowers talked further suggested by Mrs. Crawford Indian pottery, southern qui Its, under the figures of their respective for use in handing out leaflet literacandlewick bedspreads in our homes blossoms, Jack-in-the-pulpit being the ture at a meeting in the progress of that can be related to the program. pastor and the White Rose presenting a program. Have even your collection box har- the closing consecration and installamonize – a Chinese p·ate, a Japanese tion service. The tables were centered The annual meeting is one often relantern or an Indian jug. The with small baskets of flowers to con- quirin!; tastv features to render it aphostesses may wear costumes of the trast with the large one on the speak- petizing. Here is a p'an which was countries considered. Dates and a ers' table, into which the speakers put explained at a conference of Methrice dish may suggest Arabian rice their flowers. There were also stream- odist women of the Cincinnati diswafers and sponge cakes, Japan, etc. ers of ruffled blue crepe paper on a trict, held at Lakeside, Ohio: Now your music, setting, decorations, wider strip of rose pink, with here all keep within the picture presented and there a bud corresponding with Mother Calico, the District Presiby your speaker. the one on the place cards, the buds dent, made ready for the homecoming being made of various colors of paper. of her 11 daughters. All came The wise chairman will have her Mint cups had frills of b:ue and white dressed in calico and responded to ficentire procedure for the afternoon paper. The outside of the program titious names which would represent written down. Should the King's bore a water-color tinted young wom- their various offices. business be hit-or-miss? . . . The an with a May basket on her arm. business meetings may be a danger And on the inside, in addition to the (1) The Recording Secretary came point. If they can be wholly segre- program, was typed the verse: gated, all the better. At least they with a big book in her arms and told can be kept within their time budget .Among the changing months us of her arduous duties and that we and all business tabled that is not May stands confessed, might find a record of all the meetdisposed of in order that the speaker's ings we had held in her district from time be not dissipated. Keep the tone The sweetest and in fairest time immemorial. She was known as of the meeting in harmony with the Colors dressed. "Rebecca Record." great objective. (Avoid fussy dis- -Thomson. cussion of trivial points.) We must (2) The Corresponding Secretary entered with 120 little lanterns strung around and around her neck, also with two huge pockets in her dress filled
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
with them. These were the new mem- tion properly-and how that will af- Observe Laymen's Missionary Sunbers she had to present. She hung fect the whole body I day according to the booklet and sugthe lanterns across the front of the gestions of the Laymen's Missionary church. Her name was "Cora Spond." We will now hsten to Dr. A- (the Movement each year. vice-president of the society), asking (3) The Young People's Secretary her some statistical questions. How Use the stamp co:lecting page in was known as "Mary Youth," and many corpuscles in the blood stream The Herald (and other publications). described her work among her blos- of the Foreign Mission Society? soms. (Members.) How many are still in A Missionary Letter that could be need of specia; treatment? (Unin- read in 10 minutes was sent by Rev. (4) The Junior Secretary, "Char- terested or inactive.) Who may be- Charles Gerlinger of the Sioux Falls ity Childs," told of her Buds. long to that blood stream? (Qualifi- Congregational church, to a circle of cations for membership.) 10 as a round robin with a list of (5) The Mite Box Secretary was names at the bottom, each man to "Blessing Box." With mite boxes Next, let us call the Special Sur- check off his name as he passed the strung around her, she showed how geon of Stewardship. What treat- letter on to the next person. This mighty the little mites may become. ment or operations will be necessary letter made the rounds completely and to bring in these 1,000,000 uninter- was sent to a second circle of men. (6) The Extension Secretary, ested members? "Goldie Extension," was clothed in a See Dr. Lobinger's pamphlet, "Misdress covered with gold stars. She The secretary will now read the sionary Education among Men." told how many zeroes had been re- minutes of Dr. B-'s survey of the moved in the district. last clinic. (Report of previous Let the men's club fo,:low the ex- meeting.) Dr., can you suggest ample of a South Carolina church (7) The Stewardship Secretary, something to improve our patient? men's club which has the rule that "Sally Steward," stressed the facts of two of its 12 meetings each year are Prayer, Personality and Possessions. Similarly doctors impersonated by to be distinctively missionary. the Secretary of Literature, the (8) The Field Support Secretary Treasurer (money :ying nearest the The Anamosa, Iowa, Congregational was "Faithful Fields." Reporting heart and so involvin~ heart ail- church woman's missionary society e~ for the special work in the district, ments), the Extension Secretary tertains the husbands twice a year she urged more auxiliaries to assume (who gives absent treatments), two with a program of dinner, games, field support. doctors for the Program Committee talks, etc. Very popular. The homes (programs aiding digestion, not being are packed and the men always look (9) The Literature Secretary was meant to sleep and dream about, etc.), forward to the next one. "Magie Zine." She entered with arms the Secretary of Membership who loaded with magazines of various ministers to malnutrition, the Leader The Elyria, Ohio, United Presbykinds. We represented ourselves as of Groups who acts as an interne, terian church has a Men's Missionary being more interested in tales of ad- etc., diagnose and prescribe for com- League with a complete organizaventure, fashions, movies, etc., than mon ills. tional setup. It meets monthly, rein the denominational publications; porting real success. [This is one of but in spite of our indifference she Clinic adjourns after prescribing the first we have heard of.-ED.] persisted in selling her literature. for all patients daily prayer and Scripture reading. A diagram may Prayer for Absent Ones (10) The Treasurer was "Hopeful well accompany this. Dollars," and Mother Calico asked her Tune: "Art Thou Weary" to give the "Glad Tidings" as the Mrs. B. H. Daugherty, of Warren, treasurer ca]ed for them. Ohio, was the author of the unique Holy Father, in Thy mercy plan. Hear our earnest prayer: (11) The Publicity Secretary, "Polly Publicity," came with arms That Grab Bag Again Keep our loved ones, now far absent, filled with newspapers and showed 'Neath Thy care. how many different papers over the From Rev. H. D. Davies' Misdistrict had published· the notices of sionary Grab Bag, mentioned Jesus Saviour, let Thy presence the missionary meetings and seem- last month, we take the follow- Be their light and guide; ingly were just as willing to make ing tidbits: room for these as for reports of club Keep, 0 keep them, in their weakness, meetings, etc. Ha,ve the yaung folks themselves At Thy side. give short talks before the Bible A MISS'lONARY CLINIC school, furnishing them the material When in sorrow, when in danger, that they can master and tell in their When in loneliness, This plan, from the same group of own way. women at Lakeside, gives a unique In Thy love reach down and comfort program outline for any meeting in Have panel discussions of world Their distress. which the inner workings of a mis- questions such as communism, race sionary organization-male or female relations, peace, economic justice, etc. May the joy of Thy salvation -are to be explained. Briefly, it ran Be their strength and stay; thus: Have a weekly World News Reel from the Christian viewpoint. A May they love and may they praise How many have ever wished to be Christian "March of Time" feature Thee, present when the doctors ta:ked about is a possibility. our "insides"? Imagine the Foreign Day by day. Mission Society (substitute any de- Have a race relations program ussired name) is laid out on this table ing Nationals of the community to Holy Spirit, let Thy teaching about to be dissected. Many disbe- sing their songs, etc., in costume, pos- Sanctify their life; lieve in vivisection, but adequately to sibly with folk songs and dances. analyze a subject one has to do some The idea is to provoke respect for Send Thy grace that they may concutting. First, imagine the Foreign people who are different yet talented quer Mission Society of the world, then we in their own way. shall cut off this section for our coun- In the strife. try. Next divide this into branches, Have tableaux depicting historical ours being the C- branch. There occasions such as the haystack prayer Father, Son and Ho:y Spiritare 28 auxiliaries functioning in this meeting, the meeting of Livin<!stone God the One in Three, district. See how small a part one and Stanley, etc. A Livingstone plays – it has to be put under a monologue giving the mental debate Bless them, guide them, save them, microscope to see it. But if it hap- as to whether to return to England keep them, pens to be a germ-infested part in one or continue in Africa would be imsmall organ, the whole will not func- pressive. Near to Thee. The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK "~»I~~~~==~~~==~=======~ A GOOD STORY DO YOU KNOW HIM? A SHORT LITANY In a book full of action, known Charles Lamb, in talking to Help us, Our Father, to real- ize that Thou art the Father of as "The Acts" we read at the a friend one day, said "I dislike all children of whatever race; beginning that a little company Mr. So and So very much." Response: Increase our viof men and women were told by "Do you know him?" asked his sion, Lord. Jesus, about to begin his heavenly journey, himmelfahrt as friend. Let no prejudices, false pride, "N0," replied Charles Lamb. or feeling of superiority enter into any of our relationships the Germans name the event, "Well, if you knew him you with members of other races; "not to depart from Jerusalem . would like him, for he is a splenbut to wait for the promise of did young man. I should like to Response: Increase our vithe Father." And they, con- bring you two together." sion, Lord. trariwise to many who recently "No," said Charles Lamb, "I followed in thought and prayer don't want to know him, for if I Open our minds that we may the life of Jesus through Geth- did, I'm sure I would like him." realize what happens to a persemane, Golgotha, and Easter To what extent does this typ- son when he is continually remorn, waited, "continuing sted- ify our attitude toward people buffed; fastly in prayer, with the wom- of other races? Do we know the en, and Mary the mother of finest types among them? Do we Response: Increase our vi- Jesus, and with his brethren. want to know them? sion, Lord.
And Peter "stood up . . . Race prejudice is not limited Grant that we may always reit became known. . . they to anyone race nor to anyone spect the sacredness of personwere all together in one place country. It is world wide, but is ality; . . . they were all filled with very tense in certain parts of the Holy Spirit and began to America; in the east it is Response: Increase our vispeak . . . there were added against the Jew and Italian; in sion, Lord. unto them in that day about the south, the Negro, the souththree thousand souls. And they west the Mexican, and the west, May we become increasingly continued stedfastly." This is the Orientals. aware of the great injustices done to those of other racial the opening of a rapidly moving groups in our community.
story filled with choices and ac- Response: Help us, 0 Lord. tions that turned the world up- Prayer (in unison): side down and redirected the o God, who hast made man in course of events even to our day. thine own likeness and who dost What about ourselves? It is love all whom Thou hast made, suffer us not, because of differnow so many days since the cele- ence in race, color or condition, bration of Easter. We have in to separate ourselves from oth- ers and thereby from Thee; but our churches heard the story of teach us the unity of thy family. As thy Son our Saviour, was the Ascension and we now cele- born of a Hebrew mother and brate Whitsuntide. Will we be ministered first to his brethren of the House of Israel, and also conscious of such overwhelming rejoiced in the faith of a Syropower within us, that in our day phenician woman and a Roman new ventures in right living will soldier, teach us also while lov- ing and serving our own, to enbegin? If not, are we dead? Or, ter into the communion of the whole human family. And forare we acting in accordance with bid that, from pride of birth and hardness of heart, we should deour strength to foster the good spise any for whom Christ died life for ourselves and for our or injure any in whom He lives. Amen. MORNAY WILLIAMS. immediate neighbors?
Are we making a good story of our living these days?
"We hear these men talking of STUDENT. BALLARD NORMAL, the triumphs of God in our own MARION, GA. languages!" (Acts 2: 11.) [ 320 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
CAN THIS BE TRUE? do.es life mean to. me?" Let us In a leaflet published by the put o.ur experience into. wo.rds; Co.mmissio.n o.n Race Relatio.ns, no.t necessarily in verse but Federal Co.uncil o.f the Churches within a hundred wo.rds. Then o.f Christ there are sto.ries be- let us co.nsider what we have lieved to. be true and to. be typi- written, and ask, Can this be cal o.f what is happening in true? And what have I, a Chrismany parts o.f so.-called Chris- tian, do.ne to. be wo.rthy o.f life? tian America – no.rth, e a s t, What abo.ut the sto.ry o.f o.ur so.uth, west. The purpo.se o.f the lives, when day is do.ne?
leaflet is to. stimulate a real WHAT THE GOVERNMENT study o.f the situatio.n in every IS DOING co.mmunity where Negro.es are (East Tennessee News, Jan.
living, particularly in regard to. 16, 1936) the health facilities, the ho.spital In the annual repo.rt of the situatio.n, the Negro do.cto.rs Department Qf Co.mmerce are available, and the type o.f serv- included the fQllowing develQP- ice rendered by the citizens ments in the DivisiQn o.f Negro.
thro.ugh public funds. Church Affairs: members have influence no.t o.nly The Negro. bureau's wQrk has thro.ugh church o.rganizatio.ns co.nsisted Qf furnishing infQrma- but as vo.ters, as taxpayers, as J. R. Scot/ord tiQn Qn the race's eCQnQmic sta- contributo.rs o.f mo.ney and sup- ON FARM. AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSO- tus. This has included lists Qf CIATION. BRICKS. )lORTH CAROLINA publicatio.ns, theaters, h 0. m e plies to. ho.spitals, as members o.f women's clubs, and o.ther co.m- Qwnership and tenancy, furnishmunity o.rganizatiQns. SINGERS IN THE DAWN ing o.f infQrmatiQn to. citizens Qn The edito.r believes the fo.llo.w- man y government alphabet ing quo.tation to. be a true sto.ry. Selectio.ns fro. m American The co.llege dean o.f wo.men re- PQets, Phillis Wheatley, Paul agencies, estimates and analyses ferred to. was a perso.nal friend Laurence Dunbar and Qthers o.f the purchasing PQwer o.f the and a Christian leader effective race, addresses to. business gathin changing life bo.th fo.r her are available in a pamphlet (10 erings, etc. Secretary RQper white and co.lo.red f r i end s, cents per co.py). with the title, amo.ng who.m she numbered Singers in the Dawn – A Brief lists additio.nal develo.pments Chinese and Indian leaders. during the year, including the The sto.ry is headed "It Never Supplement to. the Study o.f emplQying of mo.re than 2,000 Occurred to. Them" – "F 0. U r American Literature, prepared yo.ung peo.ple, three o.f them stu- in 1934 by RQbert B. Eleazer. It in tempo.rary white co.llar pro.jdents and the fo.urth their co.l- is published by the CQnference ects during the year, establishlege dean o.f wo.men, moto.ring ment Qf the Qffice Qf Specialist thro.ugh a rural section o.f the on Education and Race Relaco.untry – a co.llision with an- tiQns, Standard Bldg., Atlanta, in Negro. Statistics with Charles o.ther car – the dean and a stu- Geo.rgia. E. Hall in charge, a bibliQgraphy dent critically injured – picked up by kindly hands and rushed Do. yo.u kno.w Paul Laurence Qf Negro. business, a rQster o.f to. the nearest tQwn-the best Dunbar's "Life"? physicians giving their service Negro. air pilo.ts and a list of in emergency treatment. Here co.nventiQn dates. Advice has the picture changes. FrQm the do.cto.rs' Qffices they were taken LIFE also. been given to. perso.ns interto. a small co.ttage, where o.ne was put in a bed, the o.ther Qn a A crust of bread and a corner to sleep ested in entering business, an co.uch, in the care Qf a 'practi- in, assistant business specialist was cal' nurse. Near by stood a well equipped ho.spital. It never o.c- A minute to smile and an hour to appo.inted, a study was begun o.f curred to. the kindly docto.rs o.r weep in, licensed Negro. air pilo.ts to fur- A pint of joy to a peck of trouble, And never a laugh but the moans ther the develQpment Qf flying, and a PQlicy was adQpted o.f us- come double: ing co.lQred enumerators and su- And that is life!
A crust and a corner that love makes pervisQrs in the census Qf Amer- precious, ican business nQW being under- With the smile to warm and the tears taken thrQugho.ut the cQuntry.
to refresh us; The Charles Lamb story and the And joy seems sweeter when cares litany are quoted from Suggestions come after, for Building a Program in Race Re- And a moan is the finest of foils :(or lations for Young People, prepared laughter: to.wnspeo.ple to ask fo.r the ad- And that is life! for the observance of Race Relations Sunday, February, 1936. Meetings missio.n o.f these dying wo.men to. No.w that we have read this based on a community survey, a panel the ho.spital, where scientific expressio.n o.f life based Qn ac- discussion and an opinion test are facilities and expert care might also suggested in the leaflet available have saved at least o.ne life, be- tual experience, the necessity at 105 East 22d St., New York, for cause that ho.spital'do.es nQt re- 3 cents each or $2 Der hundred. The ceive colo.red peo.ple.' " arises fo.r each tho ugh t f u I material is good· for any day in the reader to. ask himself, "What year.
~'I===============
II! Our World–wide Outlook A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events .:It EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO "
~I~~===~–====~=-~=========~ AFRICA results from lack of religious Testaments, Gospels and other Scrip- teaching and they said that tures where no one has ever gone be- Religious Liberty in Egypt there is only one way of com- fore, a great, new field. Again and bating this constantly progress- again the devil tempted me to give up, King Fuad, of Egypt, died on ing evil-"The Word." A non- but the prayers of those at home April 28th, and his sixteen-year- reading population has no he:ped me to keep going. . . . old son, Prince Farouk, a stu- resources to fall back upon when dent in England, has succeeded the floods of evil break in. There I met a man whom I baptized when him. has followed a revival in Arabic at Tamanrasset years ago, and am reading. The desire to read has delighted to find him going on well Fourteen – fifteenths of the extended even to women, and and studying the Scriptures. population of Egypt are Mo- many girls are now going to hammedans. The State religion Koranic schools. At the meeting I am busy translating portions of is Islam. The constitution of mentioned above, a woman de- Scripture and visiting camps of 1922 guarantees religious lib- livered a "Khutba" (Mosque Tuaregs, with medicines and Scriperty, but that does not mean all sermon) creating quite a sensa- tUres. The chiefs have given me a that we in America understand tion. good reception. I have met Arabs by liberty. There is adequate from Nigeria and Lake Chad, and legal procedure for a non-Mos- This movement is full of pos- many Tuaregs who have previously lem to become a Moslem and sibilities for every new reader received Scriptures. Almost every hundreds of the poorer classes of the Koran may become a day visitors come and request Scripeach year embrace Islam. This reader of the Gospel. Every tures. is to be expected in a country reader of Moslem literature towhere all preferment in govern- day may become a reader of Evangelizing a Large Tribe ment, society and even in busi- Christian literature tomorrow. ness is given to members of the The World Survey reports dominant faith. But the Mos- -Blessed Be Egypt. that the native church in the lem authorities take the position Mossi tribe of French West that it is inconceivable that any Opportunity in the Sahara Africa has begun to expand. Moslem would desire to become The tribe is one of the largest in a Christian. Apostocacy from Mr. Dugald Cam p bell, French West Africa and is Islam is still punishable by F.R.G.S., an agent of the Na- mostly found in the Upper Volta death though this penalty is not tional Bible Society of Scotland, Territory. It numbers approxiofficially recognized. describes his recent journey mately 1,500,000 or more. A from Morocco across the Sa- good deal of the New Testament Too many difficult questions hara: has already been translated into are involved for British authori- the Mossi dialect, and is availties to deal with the situation, I am in one of the hottest corners able for the native church. A and the law giving a Moslem the in Africa, after crossing a most ter- beginning has been made with right to become a Christian can rible desert. Once or twice I won- other literature. Reading classes be evaded, or nullified in prac- dered if I could ever get through are held at all mission and outtice. The real solution lies in the alive. It was over 1400 in the sun stations, and Bible training creation of enlightened public and 120 0 in the shade. On the last schools are held at each mission opinion. day, I galloped on my racing camel station where there is a resident ahead of my caravan, hopinp' to reach mIsSIOnary. The young men In Algiers the oasis where distant palms spoke who have attended these Bible of water. I have been drinking the schools are now realizing that Last November there was in most horrible liquid, smelling and the evangelization of their peo- Algiers an important gathering tasting like nothing natural, and my ple rests upon them and not exof the "Ulema" and Moslem mouth and palate were shrive:led up. clusively upon the missionary. celebrities, who came from all When I got to this oasis the Tuareg This beginning of widespread parts of Algeria. There was in chief brought me delicious sour progress in the Mossi tribe has all the speeches the same note of curdled milk, well watered, that tasted aroused some opposition from concern – even alarm over the like nectar. I sat on my mat singing Roman Catholics. The village devastating impact of modern and shouting, "Praise the Lord" in work is more progressive than civilization. All agreed that this Arabic. that in the larger centers of pop- ulation, and the Mossi people as Through the 60 oases of Touat was a whole are open to the Gospel. a time of unique opportunities and Every effort is being made to good work for the Master, and of teach the native Christians to pioneering for the Gospel. It has been a joy that I have circulated Bibles, [322 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
read and to build up a literate wife of the Government Agent mighty surgings toward a new Church. for South Africa. It is in charge and better hfe. The old order is of a C. M. S. missionary, Dr. doomed and the shackles of big- Hausa Bible Bears Fruit Alma Downes Shaw, and she has otry, intolerance, ignorance and been assisted by British, Indian superstition are everywhere be- The "Hausa" Bible has al- and African helpers. So far, ing broken. Syria is awakening ready brought excellent results the accommodation for in-pa- from the long sleep of the cenin Nigeria. During 1932, when tients is very limited, but there turies, and everywhere we see it first appeared, there were 60 have been more than 3,000 at- abundant evidence of a new and decisions for Christ at J os, in tendances of out-patients. better day." Southern Baptists the Bishara day school and have work at two centers: a church. During 1933, there A free lending library in the small Baptist church in Beirut were 61 decisions; in 1934, 103, out-patient waiting-room con- and one between the Lebanon and for 1935 the number re- tains copies of the Scriptures in and anti-Lebanon mountains. corded is 143. The great ma- a ¥ariety of languages and other jority of these were young men Christian books in English, Kis- – Watchman-Examiner. who had been reading the Hausa wahili and Gujerati. The doc- Bible. From among them con- tor finds a warm welcome when Rapid Growth of Haifa verts have gone to other regions, she is able to visit her patients. helping others to read and wit- Some one following the exnessing for Christ while they -The Life of Faith. ample of Paul, "to the Jew first," work for their daily bread. led a young rabbinical student WESTERN ASIA of Jerusalem to Christ. He came At a gold mining camp, the to America, graduated from the proprietor had put up a sign: What Every Turkish Girl Moody Bible Institute, then re- "N0 missionaries allowed," but Should Know turned to his own land to witthese young men went in as ness to his people; He is now miners and worked as mission- In a drive to improve their located in Haifa. Of this city he aries also. The Hausa tribe is students' moral outlook, the writes: largely Moslem. headmasters of all girls' high schools in Smyrna have jointly "Haifa is rapidly enlarging its -Evangelical Christian. sent a number of recommenda- borders and the eyes of the in- tions to parents. According to coming Jews are being set to- Idols Destroyed these, no schoolgirl should go to wards it. Little suburbs are be- a cinema unless she goes with ing built up around it. The Former pupils of the Etinan her school or is accompanied by Jews from· Germany are build- Bible Institute, Qua Iboe Mis- an adult member of her family. ing a nice little settlement on the sion, central Africa, are in If men try to talk to her on the Haifa Bay. Near our house a charge of schools of their own. street she ought to tell her par- new quarter came into being A missionary writes: "It is an ents or the headmaster. She under the charming name of encouragement to us to see these should not talk to a young man Kiriath Eliahu (Elijah's City). pupils going on faithfully with on the street, even if he happens As a matter of fact, every street their work amid growing diffi- to be a relative, unless he is her has new houses on it. What is culties. They work in much the own brother. She ought always true of Haifa is true of other same spirit, and use the same to wear her school cap, to pre- cities that are open to the Jews." methods that have been a fea- vent her being taken to a police ture of our Institute. Our wom- station in case she chances to be -Moody Institute Bulletin. en's Sunday school goes on stead- included in a police raid! The ily. The members contributed parents' attention is called to the Education in Iran over £3 during the year for evan- fact that the Turkish woman's gelism in Igala." The elders of real beauty resides in her sim- Constant progress in educathe Etinan church have ap- plicity. Their daughters should, tion is shown by the fact that in proved 800 candidates for bap- therefore, refrain from wearing 1910 the number of primary tism, after examination. loud colors, extravagant orna- schools numbered only 112, with ments, rings, earrings, or to 10,531 pupils, of whom 2,167 Eleven boys have been sent paint their faces and nails. were girls. The two secondary out to unoccupied villages, and schools in the country enrolled almost everywhere they have Syria Awakening 154 pupils. Higher education preached, idols and ju-jus are was limited to a faculty of medibeing burnt, and large numbers Dr. Charles E. Maddry, Ex- cine, a polytechnic and a miliare attending the services. ecutive Secretary of the South- tary school. Under the reign of ern Baptist Foreign Mission Shah Riza Pehliwi, the number -The Christian. Board who is visiting the mis- of schools has increased to well sion fields, writes that Syria is over 4,000 with over 200,000 New C. M. S. Work in Kenya in the midst of a rebirth. "It pupils of whom one-third are is an old land in the count of girls. Secondary and higher In February, 1935, a hospital years, yet along with many other education have registered a corfor Indian women and children old lands today, it is in the responding advance. was opened at Mombasa by Lady Singh, a Christian Indian lady,
INDIA, BURMA AND SIAM cided there were certain things the Depressed Classes," with a they must know," says a writer fund of a million rupees ($375,- World's Largest Hindu Temple in World Call. "One was the 000) and 1,000 Moslem evan- Lord's Prayer. Experience is a gelists, each giving 20 years of A new temple is to be erected great teacher and we soon found his life to work among the 54,- in Benares, near the Hindu Uni- that they were not able to learn 000,000 outcastes. versity. The building, designed that at once. Therefore we by Calcutta architects, will em- chose this sentence prayer, 'Oh, Life without caste is difficult body the best features of Hindu God, make my heart clean. In for them to comprehend. Said architecture and will cost about Jesus' name.' This was learned an Indian to a missionary re- $750,000. It is expected to be by all of the women including cently: "When one believes in the largest temple in the world, some of the non-Christians. Christ and wants to follow Him and will draw many more pil- Now a number of the Christians do you bring him into Christ's grims to Benares. know the Lord's Prayer and the caste?" rest are learning it. Missions asks whether this Through One Man's Witness new temple may possibly fore- "Recently one of these nonshadow a revival of Hinduism. Christian women, who has al- About two years ago, a Cha- ways attended the meetings, mar, who had been led to Christ Famous Norwegian Missionary brought her daughter-in-law to through a Christian sweeper, the hospital in Bilaspur. Just started a movement among his Paul Olaf Bodding, Lutheran before the operation, Dr. Nicho- own class. Through this man's missionary to Santal, went to son explained to them how they testimony Chamars from neighthat field from Norway in 1889, always prayed to God before boring villages became inquirwhen he was 24. Here are some starting the work and asked ers. A group of about forty of the things he has done in 46 them to bow their heads. The men and women from two vilyears: mother-in-law said, 'Oh, yes, I lages expressed their desire to know what it is to pray.' She become Christians. Later, fierce (1) He made and revised a com- stood very reverently and when persecution from the caste peoplete translation of the Bible into the prayer was finished, she her- ple partially stamped out the Santhali. (2) He revised a San- self prayed, 'Oh, God, make my movement; but during the past thali dictionary of 13,500 words. (3) heart clean. In Jesus' name.''' year it has revived and has He has written a standard book of spread from village to village. doctrine. (4) He has published a Depressed Classes on the Move Mrs. G. S. Ingram writes of this volume of studies in Santal medicine work in the C. M. S. Outlook: and folklore. (5) He has collected Since the movement of the and placed in Oslo, Norway, the Depressed Classes away from "Many of the new Christians largest ethnographical museum of Hinduism, under the leadership have grown in grace during the Santals in the world. (6) He is an of Dr. Ambedkar, invitations past months in a way that has authority in census taking. (7) He have been given them to join amazed us, and filled us with has published a Santal hymnal. Mohammedanism or Buddhism. thankfulness. They are learn- Large numbers in North India ing to pray; the few who can All these tasks are by- had previously become Moham- read are not only feeding on the products of his ministry. His medan, attracted by the fact Word of God themselves but are chief work has been that of the that Mohammedanism does not teaching others; they are learnordinary missionary-teaching, recognize caste. ing to give to God's work out of preaching and various acts of their deep poverty, to stand permercy. He has received recog- If the present ferment is secution, and to win others for nition in various ways: King merely a social or political up- Christ. None of them has yet Haakon made him a Knight of heaval, obviously C h r i s t ian been baptized, except the orig- St. Olav; King George gave him forces can play no part in it. inal Chamar." the Delhi Royal Medal. He is Nor do they want the Harijans an honorary member of the Brit- to feel that Christianity can be Movement Toward Union ish and Foreign Bible Society bartered for mass conversions and of the Norwegian Academy but that conversion is a purely A movement for union of of Science. He is a Fellow of spiritual change of heart in the Anglican and Met hod i s t the Asiatic Society of Bengal individual. Churches in Burma, along the and a member of the Council of line of the South India plan, is this Society and its anthropolog- A Hindu newspaper recently being held up owing to the postical secretary. He is a member had a cartoon picturing Dr. Am- ponement of negotiations in of the Royal Asiatic Society, the bedkar as a judge with a gavel, South India. The Methodist American Oriental Society, of while all around are groups rep- Mission is working solely in the the Bihar and Orissa Research resenting the different religions dry zone, or central belt of Society and the Bombay An- making flattering bids. Moham- Burma. The Anglican Church thropological Society. His motto medans have a "50 year plan" is working largely in Lower is Luke 17: 10. calling for 100,000 members in Burma through the Society for a society named "The Moslem the Propagation of the Gospel, -Lutheran News Service. Mission for the Emancipation of which also has a strong mission Learning to Pray "When the Murhipar women started to accept Christ, we de-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
in Mandalay, the Methodist operative rate being only one is a passport to regions which headquarters. In the far north, and a fifth per cent. Loans have otherwIse he dare not visit. -E. M. M. S. Quarterly. as well as in the coastal district also helped to build dwellings of Arakan, it is also represented and pay children's tuition. Healing on Wheels through the Bible Churchmen's Mr. Wang hopes for the day Rev. George W. Shepherd and Missionary Society. The latter when all the members will be Dr. Clara Sargent Shepherd, of free of outside debts and can Lichwan, Kiangsi, China, have mission has now been at work borrow for constructive or pro- received the gift of an up-to-date for eleven and a half years in ductive purposes. He adds: motor ambulance from Edsel hitherto untouched areas; there "We hold fast to our conviction ~'ord for country work in China. is a growing Christian commu- that the cooperative movement Five minutes after its arrival it nity of some 300 converts of 18 has its share in bringing China was on the road to Kiangsi. It different races. The Bishop of to Christ and building HIS King- had to "ford" rivers, wait for Rangoon, formerly a jungle mis- dom on earth." broken bridges to be repaired, sionary to the K are n s, is and narrowly escaped capture strongly in favor of developing Medicine – A Door for by bandit troops said to be comthe indigenous Church along the Gospel munistic. The Shanghai Muself-supporting lines. nicipality gave the Shepherds There were no doctors among license plates and drivers' li- Effort also was made to ef- the pioneers of the China Inland censes free of charge. Up to fect a Baptist union of India, Mission which Hudson Taylor January 1, this health car had Burma and Ceylon, at a meeting tounded in 1865. It was not traveled over 1,200 miles on erin Balasore, February 16, 1936, until 1880 with the arrival of when a simple constitution was drafted.
CHINA Dr. Harold Schofield that med- rands of mercy. ical work was attempted. The -MissiotUZry llerald.
Millions Without Food attitude of Hudson Taylor to- The New York Times (April ward medical, and all auxiliary Country Evangelism 19) reports wholesale suicides work was, in his own words and "mercy" slayings in Szech- "that everything that is human, World Call tells of the Young wan f'rovince, which is suffering everything outside the suffi- People's Christian Fellowship of the worst famine in China's his- ciency of Christ, is only helpful Nantungchow, w h i c h divides tory. The authorities fear 15,- in the measure in which it en- into two groups to visit near-by OOU,OOO will die unless the en- ables us to bring the soul to Him. villages in rotation on Sunday tire resources of the nation are . . . If our medical missions afternoons. Each group has a devoted to relief. With tree draw people to us, and we can leader, a nurse and singers. bark, roots and grasses long present to them the Christ of They carry a medical hit, posters since exhausted, dying thou- God, medical missions are a and song sheets. On arriving at sands allegedly are reduced to blessing; but to substitute medi- a village some members of the cooking and eating human flesh cine for the preaching of the group visit in the homes to get from the bodies of relatives, gospel would be a profound mis- acquainted, while the nurse dead through starvation. Par- take." opens the medical kit. This soon ents are said to have slain their draws a crowd, among whom children before ending their Rev. F. Houghton, editorial are sure to be those needing secretary of the C. 1. M., spent medical attention. After a busy own lives. most of 1935 traveling in 12 hour of clinical work which in- Chinese provinces, and reports cludes the distribution of free Officials say that the situation instance after instance of preju- hospital clinic cards to those in primarily is a result of Com- dices removed and new doors need of further medical attenmunist incursions during the opened through medical work, tion, members of the band form past two years, in which the of men and women whose phys- a circle, sing a song or two, un- Reds overran the land. The area ical healing has prepared them roll the poster, give the story today is barren. Not a sheep, for the salvation of their souls, with a simple gospel message, pig, fowl or crop remains. The and of Chinese doctors occupy- and teach the children how to invaders .took all of. these and ing positions of leadership in the sing an easy song. ate the seed grain. churches. One doctor, whose A Christian Cooperative hospital was closed through the Newchwang Bible School approach of Communist armies, The pastor of St. Lioba's Epis- refused to allow his activities to The sixth year of the Newch-= copal Church, Wuhu, has helped be curbed, and in country itin- wang Bible School, Manchuria, to organize a credit cooperative. erations among p eo pIe who has been marked by many out- The burden of debt is heavy would have feared to visit the standing evidences of success. among the Chinese; most of the hospital he treated over four The student body of 1935 was loans have been made to clear thousand patients. Another, on representative of ten different up debts for which a high rate the Tibetan border, is constantly missions. In the first half of the of interest was charged, the co- discovering that his medical skill year there were 100 students in
the school. Twelve graduated in Special permission is given to Japan Diet held its first session the summer: one is working missionary workers to board the and the Emperor's Edict on with the Canadian Mission, an- large passenger liners which Education was issued, clarifying other with the American Re- visit ports on the Pacific coast. Japanese ideas toward educaformed Presbyterian Mission, These liners carry up to 1,200 tion and stimUlating interest in three with the Scottish Mission, passengers. Some are lonely it. When Miss Bigelow, the and seven with the Irish Mis- and fearful of the hidden future, "mother" of this school, was sent sion. Altogether 53 students and therefore doubly receptive from Tokyo to take up the duties have graduated from the school of a friendly greeting and the of Principal in 1899, fear was since it started. In the autumn loving gift of a Gospel. Many expressed for "such a young 31 new students entered, and of them travel home again, and lady in such a remote mountaintwenty-four students of the fifth therefore carry the Word of God ous place." However, armed class went out for a term's evan- to their distant homes. with the first teaching-license isgelistic work. One of these went sued by the Minister of Educato work among the Mongols. A Oustom Worth Oopying tion, Miss Bigelow was in no During the past six months he danger of failing, as her fortyhas traveled on foot 700 miles, They have a custom in the four years of varied service have and preached the Gospel to Mon- little Japanese church at Ko- shown. The honor she received golians of seven different dia- machi that might well be copied from the Government in 1920 lects. Two others went to work in America-that of giving spe- and from the Tokyo Women's in North Manchuria; one has cial gifts of money as expres- Union in 1925, and the many held meetings at six centers, has sions of gratitude on different gifts showered upon her by preached the Gospel in forty- occasions. Practically all of the graduates, teachers and students seven villages, and paid visits to members give birthday money, upon her retirement in 1930 are 1,700 homes. Through his work says Miss Katharine Merrill, of only a small indication of how over 200 people have put away Matsuyama. A list of some of well she has succeeded. their idols and turned to the the "specials" includes: "25th Lord. wedding anniversary," "f irs t Ohanged Lives in Hakodate birthday of a baby daughter," Students manifest a keen "wedding gift," "fifth anniver- Floyd Shacklock, Methodist evangelistic spirit. Each day sary of a husband's death" (in missionary to Japan, tells of a they take part in some Christian memoriam) ; gratitude for "safe recent visit to a social center activity, such as Gospel-hall arrival in Tokyo," for the "grad- opened in the worst slum section preaching, open-air work, cot- uation of a son from high of Hakodate, after the disastage meetings, hospital visita- school," "gratitude gift from an trous fire when 100,000 people tion and personal dealing. Many unbaptized young Christian," were made homeless and several of them spent their holiday pe- "gift of thanksgiving" from a thousand were dead or missing. riods in evangelistic work. A deacon whose church has just prayer atmosphere pervades the been able to get a regular pastor. In the kindergarten and day school. The leader of the women nursery, children who n in e students' Prayer Groups reports -American Board News. months before were antisocial 100 definite answers to special little s a vag e s, fighting and petitions, some of them most re- The "Light and Salt School" throwing sand and calling vile markable. -The Christian. names, now join in cooperative In Shimonoseki an earnest games and handicraft. This JAPAN-OHOSEN Christian, interested in religious refugee community was dis- training for girls, founded a tinctly hostile to Christianity Ways of Spreading the Gospel school which he called The when the work was begun after "Light and Salt School" and the fire, but now the barriers are In Japan there are eight which, in 1881, he moved to down. Boys' clubs, girls' clubs standard classes for scholars Yamaguchi. He began his teach- and adults' groups carryon a learning to read, and the system ing of English in a temple, and varied program. Though many of education in reading is highly patiently worked on until he of these slum people are stilllivcomplicated and difficult; so managed to get a school license, ing at so Iowa level that it is almuch so that there is need for a although there was great opposi- most revolting, they are facing Scripture translation in collo- tion since there was already a toward the more abundant life. Quial Japanese. This is now small school for girls in that available through the Scripture city and another was thought -The Christian Advocate. Gift Mission and a Japanese unnecessary. It happened that Christian translator. This Mis- the Governor of the province Enlists Youth Against sion is taking advantage of the had had two years of study in Oommunism opportunity to distribute Gos- America and was a good friend pels among the large numbers of of the "father" of the school, so Prof. Paul Rusch, of St. Paul's Japanese who are migrating he gave the license without con- University, Tokyo, believes that from the homeland, chiefly to sultation, merely informing the the world battleground against Brazil and California. officials that it had been granted. communism is certain to be the This was the year in which the Orient. There is increasing evi- dence, he said, that a war with
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
communism will be fought in the Bible institutes and girls from a sea captain cruising around Far East, and that Japan will the higher Bible school and their bent on conquest; such is Palabe the buffer against its growth. Bible institute have regularly wan, southwesternmost and one The chief element which has an worked. Tent evangelism has of the largest of the Philippine opportunity to combat commu- been taken up within the last Islands. The census records nism in the Orient, he declared, two or three years. It has about 75,000 people in the provis the Christian youth move- yielded wonderful results in ince, but the true figure seems ment. He has recently an- Chairyung and Taiku fields, and to lie nearer 175,000, certainly nounced that he will enlist to some extent in Chungju. over 150,000. Nobody knows 100,000 young Japanese in a how many are in the wild and Christian movement to combat Every hospital in Korea has ever-moving tribes of the mounthe red menace. one or more evangelists work- tains. Only one tribe has a ing in their wa:iting rooms and written language. Aside from Strange Sect Dissolved wards. Scores of new churches a haphazard planting of rice have grown from this work. In they take no interest in the cul- Japan has a queer religion Pyengyang, each month 5,000 tivation of foodstuffs, being called Omotokyo which has been copies of a little paper called the satisfied with what the ground described as "a combination of "Light of Pyengyang" are sent brings forth – roots and nuts, Shintoism, Chauvinism, mega- out. Special workers circulate and such meat as they are able lomania and mesmerism, found- among the homes where stu- to capture. ed by a half crazy, illiterate old dents are boarding and try to woman and propagated by a win them. Thus in many ways The apostle to Palawan is shrewd man of the world." Its the work goes steadily on. Capt. Ellis Skoefield, and he remembership has been estimated ports steady growth. Christian to be as high as two millions. -The Presbyterian Banner. believers at this center are erect- But its supporters r e c e n t I y ing a building for church servfound that divine reincarnations ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC ices. From another center it is sometimes have their disadvan- reported that eighteen were retages. Since the leader of the The Sarawak Field cently baptized, and the memsect claims to be the reincarna- bers there have donated a lot on tion of a primeval god of Japan Sarawak in Borneo is one of which they have almost comwho preceded the sun goddess, the most unique pieces of mis- pleted the erection of a chapel, ancestress of the present im- sion work that the Christian all the expense of the work beperial family, the sect was dis- Church has to its credit. Thirty- ing met by local Christians. In solved, and its leader held on five years ago Chinese Christian the northern part of the island charges including lese majeste. colonists began to settle in Sara- special meetings have been held, wak. A year after these people with as many as 200 gathered to -The Living Church. landed, James M. Hoover, a hear the Word. you n g Methodist missionary A Year of Jubilee from Malaya, volunteered to go -Moody Institute Monthly. to Borneo to work with them. The year 1934 was really ,a Working practically alone Mr. Alliance Mission in J 010 jubilee year in Korean churches. and Mrs. Hoover have developed The General Assembly of 1935 a Christian community up and The Christian and Missionary reported 25,544 additions to the down the Rejang River that is Alliance report a large, new total of 1934 – 298,431 adher- a r em ark a b I e achievement. church built in Jolo, P. I., dients. In the 3,252 Sunday Forty-six school and church cen- rected by a capable native passchools, 296,492 pupils were re- ters now stand as a monument tor. Two new chapels have been ported. Four hundred and to their thirty-four years of built and a new district opened twenty-six pastors were in active faithful and efficient service. in the Cotabato Province. In service besides 62 retired or the Margosatubig field there temporarily without c h a r g e. At the age of 64, Mr. Hoover were 97 baptisms. Thirteen Four hundred and ninety-four succumbed to malignant malaria, convicts in the San Ramon other salaried men workers and but anticipating the need for Prison were baptized during the 524 women served the church. younger shoulders to carry the year, the result of the Sunday Fully 200. new churches were burden he had selected a couple school classes held each week at erected. The new believers were from Malaya to begin work in this institution. Twenty-five not won in mass conversion, but 1936. They are now enthusias- converts were baptized in the each one independently made his tically serving in this challeng- Sulu District. Full gospel tracts, . or her own covenant with the ing field. Plans include the es- in five dialects, have been Lord, each witnessing to his tablishment of a new station 160 printed and sent into homes. neighbor. miles up the Rejang River. Five young native pastors Street evangelism has been in -Malaysia Message. were ordained this year, the operation the past 10 years, and first ordination service in the theological stUdents, boys from Pioneering in Palawan history of the Alliance Philipthe college and academy and pine Mission. Plans have been A great lonely island, tens Of formulated to carry the gospel thousands of aborigines with bows and arrows and blow guns;
to unreached pagan sections this sion in giving hit bottom in authority of the Scriptures. (2) 1934 and turned upward in 1935. The Trinity, including the Deity year. -Alliance Weekly. Total gifts last year increased of Christ and the Personality of over the previous year for the the Holy Spirit. (3) The fall Missionary Home Needed first time since 1928, a'ccording of man, his moral depravity, and to an analysis by the department his need of regeneration. (4) The Christian group in Hono- of research and education of the The Atonement through the sublulu believe that an interdenom- Federal Council of Churches. stitutionary death of Christ. inational missionary home and (5) Justification by faith in a Bible school at this strategic During the seven-year slump, Christ, apart from works. (6) crossroads of the Pacific would contributions for congregational The bodily resurrection of render a valuable service. Such expenses stood up better than Christ, and also of the saved and a home would afford an oppor- gifts for benevolences. the unsaved. (7) The unending tunity for missionaries to rest life of the saved and the unendin a congenial atmosphere before The Moravians set a record ing punishment of the unsaved. continuing their arduous work. for per capita giving in 1928 (8) The personal, bodily and Many have no reason to come all when collections a v era g e d visible return of Christ. the way to America for their $72.53 a member. No other furloughs. group in any year approached -The Presbyterian. that mark. There is also great need of a Methodist Union Voted Bible school for young people, How the Churches Gave mostly Hawaiian, Chinese, Jap- The quadrennial General Conanese, Korean and Filipino, The U nit e d Stewardship ference of the Methodist -Episamong the 85,000 students in the Council reports the gifts for re- copal Church which met recently public and private schools, who ligious purposes of the leading in Columbus, Ohio, voted to would like to prepare for full- denominations in the United adopt a plan for union with the time Christian service in the States for the year 1935. Per Methodist Episcopal Church, Islands and in the Orient. There capita gifts for all purposes of South, and the Methodist Protare several well-equipped Bible some of the larger denomina- estant Church if this plan is teachers in Honolulu who teach tions were as follows: United adopted by the other two Meththe Bible as the Word of God. Presbyterian Church, $21.56 ; odist Assemblies. The merger The missionaries also might the Presbyterian Church in the will be completed in 1940. The serve as teachers, with little or United States, $19.03; the Pres- Methodist Protestant Church no salary, on the faculty of such byterian Church in the United split from the American Metha Bible school. States of America, $18.56 ; odist in 1921 because of dis- Methodist Episcopal Church, agreement in regard to lay rep- -The Presbyterian. $14.15; Methodist Episcopal resentation. Their General Con- Church, Sou t h, $9.36; the ference will vote on this at their NORTH AMERICA Northern Baptist denomination, meeting in High Point, N. C. $11.34; the Southern Baptist The Methodist E pis cop a I Campaign Against Atheism denomination, $5.76. The larg- Ghurch, South, broke away in est per capita gift of any denom- 1845 on account of disagreement At a recent meeting held in ination listed is that of the as to slavery. They will not Richmond, Va., in old St. John's Church of the Nazarene, $26.77. meet to vote on the plan of re- Church, made famous by Patrick The lowest is that of the South- union until 1938. In case the Henry's speech, "Give Me Lib- ern Baptist denomination, $5.76. union is completed, the united erty or Give Me Death," a cam- The total gifts for all purposes church will number about eight paign was launched against of twenty – five denominations million members. The plan is atheism and communism in the listed were $304,692,409.21. chiefly opposed by Negro Meth- United States. odists because it proposes to set Union of "Faith Missions" up a jurisdictional Negro Con- Among the leaders behind the ference which will segregate movement are Bishop Freeman, The International Foreign them from the rest of the Methof Washington; Bishop Tucker, Mission Association of North odist Church. of Virginia; Bishop Edwin America brings together for Mouzon, of the Methodist Epis- counsel and reference sixteen Largest Church Federation copal Church; the Rev. John nondenominational mission en- Fraser, Baltimore University terprises. More than two thou- The Chicago Federation ,of Baptist Church; Max Reich, sand missionaries are sent but Churches is said to be the President of the Hebrew Church under these sixteen Boards. largest and most influential city Alliance, and' others. Efforts They administer over a million federation in the country. A rewill be made to enlist all clergy- dollars annually, and go into ligious census just made of Chimen in a fight against commu- many of the out-of-the-way cor- cago indicates that there are nism and all forms of atheism. ners of the world. The doctrinal 1,437 Protestant churches in the basis of them all is: (1) The metropolitan area, with a mem- -The Living Church. plenary inspiration and divine Upward Trend in Giving Gauged by contributions to Protestant churches, the depres-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
bership of practically 600,000. chapel group, of which there are Church to Jom the Baptist The membership of the Chicago sixteen, may more completely Church, saying: "After reading Church Federation has risen understand and enjoy their serv- the Scriptures we have confrom 850 two years ago to 1,049 ices. cluded the Roman Church is not churches, representing 18 dif- the one instituted by Jesus ferent denominations. The total Goodwill Industries is a wel- Christ." number of Protestant ministers fare organization sponsored by serving churches in the city and the Home Missionary Society of A Baptist pastor writes that suburbs is 1,765. the First M. E. Church, of Los one evening last May a farmer Angeles. It is interdenomina- called and asked him to preach Mr. Walter R. Mee is Execu- tional in scope and provides in the village of Ste. Rosalie tive Secretary of the Federation work for men and women who where about 90 families were inand is now in the 18th year of are for the most part incapaci- terested in hearing the Gospel. his service. He has done a most tated for other work. After many weeks and after remarkable work in bringing further invitations by letter this the churches together in a uni- Home for Indians pastor went to the village, and fied program, and in keeping a found a real desire to know the balanced budget. -Advance. Friends' work among Indians truth. is not new, but that in Los An- Help for Miners' Children geles it is new. It was begun by The work has expanded, and Myra Frye, full-blooded Kicka- neighboring villages have asked "Save the Children," an or- poo Indian who was reared and for Protestant preaching. ganization with national head- educated by two women missionquarters at 156 Fifth Avenue, aries in what was once Indian Chinese Want Consolidation New York, which has long been Territory. Myra prepared for doing an extensive work among missionary work among her own Several denominations now the neglected children of the people, but finding no open door have Chinese missions in Cali- Southern mountains, is contem- came to Los Angeles in 1930. fornia. With refugees escaping plating a child welfare project from Mexico and awaiting dein the coal fields of southern Il- According to the U. S. Indian portation to China, the missions linois, where a survey has re- Placement Bureau in Los An- have had much social service to vealed the necessity for the type geles, about two thousand In- perform. Chinese young people of service that has proved so dians are registered with them. of the third generation, college effective in Kentucky and Ten- Of this number about eight hun- trained, are asking that the vanessee. The organization has dred are girls, most of whom do rious Pro t est ant Chinese been assured of the cooperation housework for a living, and have churches consolidate. There are of the citizens of Herrin, Har- no home in the city. Very few, 3,000 Chinese in Los Angeles. risburg, and other parts of the except Catholics, go to any The Los Angeles Church extensouthern Illinois territory. church; they do not feel at home sion board is asking $1,500 more among the "paleface." When to develop the work and to bring "Save the Children," of which off duty, on Sunday and Thurs- Evangelist Gee to it. Dr. John R. Voris is president day, they have no wholesome and executive director, endeav- recreation, no place to meet -Presbyterian Tribune. ors to supply food, clothing, their friends, to spend their shoes, medical service and other time or to rest, and no religious LATIN AMERICA welfare help, with educational, service. recreational and character-build- The Situation in Mexico ing programs for twenty thou- In April, 1935, a place was sand children in isolated regions offered where vesper services Churches in the Mexican of the southern mountains. might be held on Sunday eve- states of Campeche and Sinaloa nings but this was not enough have been allowed to open in ac- Chapel for Deaf Mutes to meet all their needs, and cordance with a recent state- again the Lord a n s w ere d ment by President Cardenas One of the most unique reli- prayers, and rooms especially that there would be a relaxation gious services in California has well suited for all purposes were in the government Church polbeen inaugurated in a series of secured on faith. Additional icy. A Catholic leader said that daily chapel services for deaf rooms were opened last August. there had been no developments, mtues who are workers at Good- Many of the Indians are begin- however, to justify belief that will Industries. The service con- ning to feel that this is home, the government would grant real sists of the reading of hymns, a a truly Christian home. religious liberty, pointing out passage of scripture, a prayer that four churches in the State and a talk by a worker in the -Friends Missionary of Mexico had been seized reshoe department, all given in the Advocate. cently, two of them by armed sign and lip language. The Federal troops who padlocked same worker is also teaching a Stirring in Quebec tp.e buildings. According to this class in the sign language one spokesman, in at least eight of noon each week in order that the A group of eleven French the twenty-eight Mexican states, Canadian men and women in all churches are closed, and Quebec have left the Roman
fewer than 200 priests are al- that have come out of that group tober, foreign priests and minlowed to officiate in the entire are very remarkable. isters must cease their activities Republic. Other Roman Cath- before the end of April, 1936. olics viewed the situation more Mention was made recently of Churches and other buildings optimistically. the building, formerly used by used for religious purposes, even the Catholic Church, which has though built by private contri- A colony of Mormons in the been turned over to the largest butions and on privately owned State of Chihuahua felt the Presbyterian congregation in all land, will be nationalized and weight of antireligious groups Mexico to replace the old build- become government property. in Mexico w hen agrarians ing occupied by them for over seized the land of the colony and fifty years in another part of the Evangelicals in Brazil forced the Mormons to sell it. city, but destroyed by govern- Mennonite leaders also prepared ment orders a year ago in order An Evangelical Congress is to to move a colony of 7,000 from to make room for the widening be held in Brazil in the latter Mexico to escape religious re- of a street. part of June, organized by the pression. Confederation 0 f Evangelical This congregation bears the Churches. Evangelization is the -The Living Church. name of "The Church of the Di- first of the subjects which will vine Saviour." It has a mem- come under review, and an im- Encouraging Signs bership of over seven hundred portant place is being given to and a total constituency that questions relating to w 0 r k The National Baptist Conven- would probably reach two thou- among youth and the production sand, scattered from end to end and use of literature. The Evantion of Mexico supports ten col- of this great city of a million gelical Confederation was or- people. Attendance at Sunday ganized in 1934, drawing its inporteur – evangelists, m 0 s t of school rarely falls below 300. spiration from a previous move- ment tow a r d s cooperation, them in States where the pop- A Pause That Challenges which in the main exhibited a marked missionary influence ulation is predominantly Indian. The year 1936 marks the cen- from abroad. The present Con- tenary of the foundation of per- federation is primarily a Bra- Because an altar and a sanc- manent Evangelical missions in zilian movement, drawing its in- Latin America. Mr. Kenneth G. spiration from the desire of Bratuary are not indispensable for Grubb, in South America, lists zilian Christians to forward the the accomplishments of the cen- evangelization of their country. their ministry, they do not suf- tury and adds: -The Christian. fer from governmental restric- "We have reached a pause in the de- velopment of evangelical work in a EUROPE tions as seriously as do the Ro- large part of Spanish-speaking Amer- ica," and refers particularly to "a England and Tithing man Catholic priests. They use problem of Church and State," with which he couples "the familiar difficul- A move tantamount to partial the homes of friends as centers ties raised by the spread of 'antire- disendowment of the Church of ligion.' . . . In Mexico, Venezuela, England was made by the Britfor spreading the gospel. Guatemala, Costa .Rica, Ecuador and ish Government last March, other republics, there are either signs when a report of a Royal Com- In Mexico City the Baptist or else achievements which show that mission on the "Tithe Rent the State is going to exercise much Charge" was adopted, elim- Sunday school has outgrown its closer restriction over the rights of inating this charge over a pe- religious and educational bodies in its riod of 85 years. building. This church has just midst." Again referring to what he calls "a pause," he asks, "Is it a pause The tithe rent-charge was a built a chapel in a suburb of the at the center of a whirlwind of mighty tax to the value of some two- events around us which will shortly pence an acre collected in procity, where a mission Sunday crush us out of existence? Or is it duce from agricultural areas wherein we hear the still small voice until 1836, when the fee became school has now become a Bap- of God bidding us again go forward payable in cash. Although called and conquer? . . . Is it, in fine, a a "tithe" it was apparently very tist church. A weekly prayer pause of poverty, or a pause for seldom equivalent to ten per power? cent. It applied to certain meeting is held in the Baptist lands, the income from which Ecuador Fights Ecclesiasticism was thus taxed for the support Church in Mexico City, attended of the Church or of lay institu- According to Associated Press tions – schools, colleges, hospiby Mexican pastors of all de- reports, Ecuador joins the pro- tals, asylums, etc. cession headed by Russia, Turnominations. -Missions. key and Mexico in seeking to up- root organized religion. As in The Spirit's Breath Mexico, the Roman Catholic Church is involved. By govern- The Presbyterian Board re- ment decree issued late in Ocports that things are happening in the Protestant Church in Mexico. Someone has said: "When opposition drives Christians to their knees in prayer to God, with tears, you may be certain there is going to be a revival." Just this has happened in Mexico. More prayer is going up to God than for many a year. Prayer circles are springing up all over the land. In Mexico City a group of Mexican pastors and foreign missionaries meets every morning befor"e breakfast for prayer together. The experiences and answers
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Since this move automatically theological instruction at the 19. Worldly parents. cuts the revenue of the Church universities. 20. Wrong home environment. or other lay institution which 21. Lack of evangelism suited to was beneficiary under the old For Russian Refugees plan, the state will undertake to youth. make up on a predetermined Mr. George Urban, Superin- 22. The sex problem. basis a portion of the loss, which tendent of the Russian Gospel is estimated to be about $67,- Movement which works among Some of these propositions 000,000 for the Church alone. refugees in France and Belgium, overlap, but summed up it ap- reports that at the mission's pears that a severe condemna- London Methodist Mission church in Paris, thirty-nine new tion is made of the three great converts were baptized during institutions, the home, the school There are t wen t y – f 0 u r the last six months, and twenty and the Church. branches, ninety – six centers, others have expressed their desixty ministers and a great army sire to publicly confess Christ as -Moo.dy Institute Mo.nthly. of deaconesses, doctors, nurses, their Saviour, in baptism. Indispensers and voluntary work- quirers are seeking salvation at WSSA Reviews the Year ers comprised within the Lon- nearly every evangelistic meetdon Mission of the Methodist ing-at one recent gathering ten The World's Sunday School Church. The work is the same responded to the Gospel invita- Association reports that during in the poorest mission and the tion. A Russian Jewess was 1935 some very significant finest suburban church. The re- baptized; also a Moslem. Over achievements w ere mad e in cently erected Central Hall cost one-third of these believers be- Christian education around the £68,000, and will be dedicated long to the intellectual classes of world. No greater opportunity free of debt. Shop rents will former Russia. Others are for the promotion of the evansupply an annual income of farmers, workers and artisans. gelical faith is to be found in £1,000. This church expects to This movement sends literature Europe than the wide open door do three main things: (1) to into more than thirty countries. in Spain. Appointment of a win outsiders to worship; (2) full-time Sunday school missionto secure the conversion of the -The Life o.f Faith. people; (3) to build the Church ary py the WSSA is one of the of Christ. -The Christian. MISCELLANEOUS progressive steps taken during German Church Situation Youth Problems the year.
Present indications are that Rev. T. D. Abels, of Ports- In no other church in the Near the German Church situation is mouth, Ohio, while instructor in East can one find today better about to return to much the same a Bible Institute, made a survey organized Sunday schools or status as that in which Hitler of youth problems to determine more thoroughly trained teachfound it, without much active the conditions that must be met ers than in the Church of Argovernment control and without by young people who are trying menia. any religious interference with to live the Christian life. The governmental policies. A new following were submitted by a In Egypt, Sheikh Mitry S. organization has been formed, class composed of those engaged Dewairy has continued his reknown as the "Council of the in the Christian education of markable street Sunday schools, Lutheran Church in Germany. young people: as well as other agencies for Three bishops are in complete Christian teaching. control of funds and administra- 1. Absence of Christian home traintion in their respective dioceses, Prayer of the Race that God and the other three members of ing. Made Black the Council are men of considerable importance in church af~ 2. Absence of the family altar. By LUCIAN B. WALKINS, fairs. The new organization, a Virginia Negro while definitely independent of 3. Wrong companions. the government, represents in We would be peaceful, Father – but its personnel a compromise be~ 4. Parents not concerned about when we must, tween the implacable policies of the Confessional Synod, which child's morals. Help us to thunder hard the blow is now largely controlled by the that's just. "left wing," represented by the 5. Too much leisure time. Rev. Martin Niem6ller, and the We would be manly, proving well our submission originally demanded 6. Preachers not scripturally sound. worth, by the Hitler government. 7. Inefficient Sunday schools. Then would not cringe to any god on The government attitude to- earth. ward religion in general is re- 8. Passing of Bible from public vealed in their crusade against We would be loving and forgiving, schools. thus 9. Changing social conditions. To love our neighbor as Thou lovest us. 10. Irresponsibility of the Church. We would be faithful, loyal to the 11. Dangerous social conditions un- Right, recognized by many. Ne'er doubting that the day will fol- low night. 12. Unchristian teaching in high We would be all that Thou hast meant schools and colleges. , for man, 13. Youth given too much liberty. Up through the ages, since the world began. 14. Youth do not see "separated life" God, save us in Thy Heaven, where lived before them. all is well!
15. Unchristian attitude of parents. We come, slow-struggling, up the hills of Hell. 16. Lack of Christian education and training in former generation.
17. Popular worldly amusements.
18. Lack of good home influence when away from home. Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ,~ WHITHER BLACK may be understood. Like Dr. the life of this distinguished AMERICA? Woodson's work, it is honest and American of African descent. without either fulsome praise or Not only was Allen a great and A shelf full of books by Negro captious criticism. wise leader in his race, but he authors and others, dealing with was a distinguished man re- Negro life with emphasis upon Divine White Right. By Trevor gardless of race. Never ashamed the American Negro. Bowen and Ira Reid. 309 pp. $1.75. of his own, he compelled reluc- Institute of Social and Religious tant admission of his worth and By REV. WILLIAM LLOYD IMES, Research. New York. 1935. leadership from the churchmen of his day who felt that Negro Minister of St. James Presby- This obviously ironical title life should be wholly adminis- terian Church, New York City comes with good grace from the tered within the church by coauthor whose account takes up others than his own racial lead- The Negro and the Church the first two-thirds of this ers. The story of Allen and worth-while book. He himself others kneeling in old St. The History of the Negro Clturch. belongs to a nation that has George's, Philadelphia, has been By Carter G. Woodson. 330 pp. learned to criticize itself rather often told, but never with $2.65. Associated Publishers. Wash- severely, both on general prob- greater skill nor with better un- ington, D. C. 2d edition. 1929. lems of human welfare, and on derstanding of the ecclesiastical race prob~ems. Mr. Bowen is trends of' that day, respecting To anyone who does not know interested in a study of race dis- the color problem. The diary of of the wonderfully helpful serv- crimination in religious institu- Bishop Asbury is an excellent ice to America by Dr. Woodson's tions, and he does it without source, and Professor Wesley persistent and careful research sparing the high places into uses its first-hand material with into Negro life, this pioneer which such discrimination has skill. Richard Allen is seen not work in a field notably neglected gone. Dr. Ira Reid, well known only as a church official, but as a will come as a rare treat. Highly for his research work with the man and humanitarian, as for and sensitively descriptive, it National Urban League, and instance, in his extraordinary also interprets the beginnings now head of the Department of usefulness in the yellow fever and development of Neg r 0 Social Sciences in Atlanta Uni- epidemic in Philadelphia of the church organizational life in re- versity, supplies the definitive early nineteenth century, and ligious matters. The first work study in the final third of the also in his pioneer work in the of its kind since W. E. B. Du- book, and does it with charac- Free African Society. Bois' Atlanta University study, teristic care and insight. The "The Negro Church" (mono- authors have approached this From the Farm to the Bishopric. An graph), early in the present cen- question with clear-eyed cour- Autobiography by Charles Henry tury. age, and if this be the swan- Phillips. 308 pp. Parthenon Press. song of the Institute publica- The Negro's Church. By Mays and tions, it is a worthy note indeed. . Nashville, Tenn. 1932. Nicho'son. 321 pp. $2.00. Institute of Social and Religious Research. Richard Allen: Apostle of Freedom. As an illustration of the kind New York. 1934. By Charles H. Wesley. Associated of material which will be in- Publishers. Washington, D. C. creasingly valuable to throw A great deal of material that 1935. light on the Negro Church in would naturally be expected to coming generations, this acfollow the first pioneering. Here is the kind of brief biog- count of Bishop Phillips' life and These young scholars have done raphy which is not the less yal- work in the Colored Methodist both descriptive and definitive uable because it is a "he who Episcopal Church is noteworthy. work of a careful sort. What runs may read" type. Its brev- It is only by the gathering of they desire to give is both the ity is not an indication of lack many instances of notable lives raison d'etre for the Negro of thorough acquaintance with of religious officials and leaders Church as an institution, and sources, but the scantiness of like this that a complete picture then to tell its story and analyze adequate authentic sources for will some day be possible. its life so that its work and place in contempomry America Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the RIWIF,W publishers on receipt of price.
[332 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
Religious Instruction of the Negro. The fact that the Chicago Riot America usually tries the plan of (1830 to 1860, with special refer- some time before had left citi- having the non-Negro popula- ence to South Carolina.) By Lu- zens there and elsewhere de- tion do the Negro's, thinking for ther P. Jackson. Monograph in Vol. sirous of knowing the social con- him. This book ought to help, XV of Journal of Negro History, dition of the family life among if we have a sense of humor left pp. 72 to 114. those most seriously handi- after the strain of interracial capped, will give the lead toward misunderstanding and strife. Excellent for giving the back- understanding this book. It is ground of pre-Civil War condi- interesting to note also that very The Rural Negro. By Carter G. tion of Negro life in respect to recently, 1935-36, Dr. Frazier Woodson. 304 pp. $2.50. Assoreligion. While dealing particu- has been appointed to collate ciated Publishers. larly with the South, yet gives and analyze the findings of the valuable light on neglected sub- Mayor's Commission on Condi- The records of the U. S. Buject. tions in Harlem, following the reau of the Census were used outbreak of a riot in New York's carefully, in addition to personal The Negro in American Life Harlem area. This latter ma- visits of the author to many terial, it is hoped, will be pub- rural communities, particularly The Negro Citizen of West Virginia. lished if the public will demand in the South, where the largest By Thomas E. Posey. 119 pp. it, as it should. single unit in the rural popula- $1.00. The Press of West Virginia tion is overwhelmingly Negro. State CoI:ege. 1935. Black Manhattan. By James Weldon Johnson. 284 pp. $2.50. Alfred A. The Negro Wage Earner. By Loren- Interesting as a typical study Knopf. New York, 1930. zo J. Greene. 350 pp. $3.25. Asof sectional matters dealing with sociated PublisherS'. race. A fine descriptive narrative, telling the story of the Negro in This is valuable because of the The Negro in South CaroEna During the heart of New York City with need for knowing in what occu- the Reconstruction. By A. A. Tay- appreciation of what his life has pations the majority of our lor. 341 pp. Association for the meant to the metropolis of Negro citizens may be found, Study of Negro Life and History. America. Many facts about the and the conditions of their work. Washington, D. C. 1924. artistic life of the Negro in New Questions of skilled and un- York are not to be found else- skilled labor bulk large, with em- An able account by a painstak- where. phasis upon domestic service ing scholar and investigator; and agriculture as the two throwing real light on the sub- The Negro in Our History. By Car- largest fields numerically. ject, as opposed to many current ter Godwin Woodson. (Sixth ediaccounts showing the Recon- tion.) 700 pp. $4.25. Associated The Negro Professional Man and struction Negro in false light. Publishers. the Community. By Carter G. (See also note on DuBois' "Black Woodson. 365 pp. $3.00. Associa- Reconstruction." ) Any reference to Dr. Wood- tion for Study of Negro Life and son's eminent position in the History. Washington, D. C. 1934. Free Negroes and Slaves in Tennes- field of Negro history is unnec- see. By Wm. Lloyd Imes. Mono- essary to well-informed people. One need not wonder about graph in Journal of Negro History, It is enough to say that this the value of any such inquiry. Vol. IV, pp. 254 to 272. book, despite the voluminous The author's name is guarantee output from his tireless pen, is of honest and careful effort to The author traced source ma- in a real sense his Magnum ,opus, present the major facts availterial regarding little-publicized and those of us who know him able now, at least in outline. matters of value regarding ra- feel that he would like to be cial history, legal status, and so- known by it for its honest effort The United States and the Caribbean cial development in the middle to get at the difficult but reward- Area. By Dana G. Munro. 322 pp. South. ing task of interpreting Negro WorId Peace Foundation. Boston. life in terms of its integral part 1934. A Century of Negro Migration. By in American development. A Carter G. Woodson. Associated reference work of high value, If any reason is needed for the Publishers. Washington, D. C. and a study text of dependa- introduction of a book on this bility. theme into this review, it will The Negro Migration During the be amply known when one con- World War. By Emmett J. Scott. Social Status of the Negro siders that one of the areas touched by this author is Haiti, The Negro Migration of 1916-1918. What the Negro Thinks. By Robert the Black Republic so near our By H. H. Donald. Russa Moton. 267 pp. XII. $2.50. own, and which has been treated Doubleday Doran. New York. 1929. with none too gracious neigh- The Negro Peasant Turns Cityward. borliness by both our govern- By Louise V. Kennedy. 270 pp. One of the most important ment and our business interests. $4.25. Columbia University Press. statements of the Negro himself Professor Munro does not have New York. 1930. which has been made since the to strive to establish this thesis famous declaration of Booker T. as a part of his book. It is a These are grouped together Washington at Atlanta in 1895. part of the whole melancholy because they form a whole picture of one of the eventful social trends both of the 19th century and the 20th in the United States.
The Negro Family in Chicago. By E. Franklin Frazier. 294 pp. $3.00. University of Chicago Press. 1932.
A sociological study, taking a great city as a field of study.
record of our attitude toward the race problem. Here one of The Evolution of the Negro College. weaker peoples and races, and the ablest of them tells the story By Dwight O. W. Holmes. 221 pp. the facts speak more loudly than forcefully. Bureau of Publications, Teachers' the professor's words. CoJege. New York. 1934. The Trend of the Races. By George Negroes in the United States, 1920- E. Haynes. Missionary Education It is inevitable that doctors' 1932. By Charles E. Ha:l and Movement. New York. 1922. theses should reflect the current Charles W. White. (Compiled from modes of thought, and so, since statistics in the Bureau of the Cen- Dr. Haynes, by his long and racially separate education has sus, U. S.) 845 pp. $2.25. U. S. earnest work in the Federal been in the ascendency in Amer- Government Printing Office, 1935. Council's Department of Race ican life whether we like it or Relations, has wo~ the right to not we must deal with it. Dr. To anyone who knows the be heard on what IS known pop- Hoimes does this in first-rate former volume, "Negro Popula- ularly as the "interracial move- fashion. And, since we have the tion in the U. S., 1790-1915," ment," in overcoming race an- rather regrettable necessity for this added work will have new tagonisms. As one of ~~e able~t separate institutions because of significance, and this statistical of the conservative CrItIcs, thIS deep-seated prejudices, may we record in handy form is a neces- book (still a helpful reference not take the good things of this sity to anyone who would know book as a record of the early treatise, and look toward the day the social measurements of post-War situation in American of larger things? Negro life in recent years. race matters) will place him and the viewpoint he represents, The Racial Myth. By Paul Radin. Black Reconstruction. By W. E. B. fairly and fully, as protagonist 141 pp. $1.50. McGraw-Hill Co. DuBois. 1935. for cooperation. New York. 1934.
One does not know whether to Blind Spots: Experiments in the This anthropologist's work call this Dr. DuBois' greatest Self-cure of Race Prejudice. By needs no praise nor apology. It work or not. In a sense it is, Henry Smith Leipe!. $1.00 cloth. speaks for itself. With no less for it treats of a racial matter MIssionary EducatIOn Movement. acumen than Boas of Columbia a that has been the subject of the 1929. generation ago, this younger Negro's misrepresentation for scholar throws down the gauntmany years. Historians in mapy This may be regarded as a let before a world that seems large universi,ties have vied wIth companion book to ~r. Haynes' bent on Nazism, Fascism and each other in telling the Negro's tthreeatsisie~ilaarndatatistudwer,Ittweinthfreomm- all other varieties of misguided ineptitudes, veniality, decadence, phasis upon self-critic~sm; hen~e Nationalism, all exhibiting raetc., etc., ad nauseam, until it the subtitle, "ExperIments III cial animosities of various sorts. was high time some able social the self-cure of race prejudice." It is good to have a clear and critic like Dr. DuBois should unafraid voice from honest take the matter in hand, with Negro Education seientific labors. Dr. Radin held documentation, and all, and the research chair of Anthromake them eat their words. The Negro Education: A Study of the pology at Fisk University, a Reconstruction Negro neither Private and Higher Schools for Col- Negro institution, for several wants to be lauded to high heav- ored People in the U. S. By The years. He is now professor in en, nor damned to the lowest Phelps-Stokes Fund, Thomas Jesse the University of California. hell. He was just a human be- Jones, director of the study. 2 Vols. ing, like any other in. a similar Published by the Dept. ?f the In- Negro Biography situation. That he dId as well terior, Bureau of Educatlon. 1917. as he did in the most trying time Life and Times of Frederick Dougin 19th century America, is the Valuable for information as lass. finest tribute to him that could to variety, extent and standards be given. of Negro schools up to the early An autobiography by a leader period of the World War. Later of outstanding genius of the Social Attitudes. A Symposium ed- publications have supplemented Abolition and Reconstruction ited by Kimball Young. 383 pp. this. Here, as in other Gove.rn- eras. XII. Holt. New York. 1933. mental publications, is the Im- mense advantage of having ade- Up from Slavery. By Booker T. Helpful for its two chapters quate statistical material at Washington. by Herbert A. Miller and Ed- hand. Dr. Jones, a pronounced ward B. Reuter (Chapters 13 "right wing" adherent, has given Easily the most significant biand 14 respectively) which deal an objective study. The mono- ography of any Negro since with the relation of culture to graph by George S. D!ckerman Frederick Douglass' account of race, and the application of this in Vol. 1, pp. 244-295, IS ~f ~eal his life and times. discussion to Negro life. interest and has a good bIblIog- raphy of the source material: Letters of Theodore Dwight Weld, Black America. By Scott Nearing. Angelina Grimke Weld, and Sarah 275 pp. $3.00 Vanguard Press. Land-Grant Colleges for Negroes. Grimke. Edited by Gilbert H. New York. 1929. By John W. Davis. 73 pp. :West Barnes and Dwight L. Dumond. 2 Virginia State College Instltute. Vols. Vol. 1, pp. xxxvii, 510. Vol. The left wing (radical) critics 1934. 2 pp. x, 512. American Historical of the social scene in America Assn. D. Appleton Century' Co. must have their hearing, and not A description of this interest- New York. 1934. the least of their message is on ing field, from the Morrill Act of 1862 to the present. An interesting the 0 r y is evolved from these letters and
related anti-slavery documents, Negro Musicians and Their Music. that Negro life i,'3 neither all to the effect that it was the By Maud Cuney Hare. 433 pp. comedy nor tragedy, but it has American churches and allied $3.25. Associated Publishers. 1936. its human oneness with all other forces that made the abolition of life. Miss Fauset has written slavery inevitable. Also these There is only one regret in this some half-dozen or so novels, letters have value from their as- work, that its gifted author and is the most prolific writer sociation with the f a m 0 u s passed from. this world of haunt- in this field since Charles W. Grimke sisters, women of great ing beauty and sorrowful loveli- Chestnut's tales of the 19th cenability and devotion to humani- ness before it came from press. tury Negro life appeared, in retarian crusading against slavery She did read the first proof on construction and postreconand its .attendant evils. The ro- her deathbed. She "being dead struction days. mance of their lives is only ex- yet speaketh" in this great labor ceeded by the distinction of their of love. Those of us who knew Unfinished Cathedral. By T. S. Stribfamous nephews, Archibald and her can but rejoice that she was ling. 350 pp. $2.50. Doubleday Francis Grimke, whose lives spared to give us this great leg- Doran. Garden City, L. I. 1934. have .been among the very few acy. distinguished statesmen and While dealing with different clergymen who have wielded un- Plays and Pageants from the Life of material, this non-Negro author told influence for the defence the Negro. By Willis Richardson. tells of his own South's terrible and development of Neg r 0 Illustrated by J. L. Wells. 373 pp. inj ustice to the Negro with a rights and advancement. x. $3.15. Associated Publishers. horrible and fascinating attrac- 1930. tion that will amaze one. It is Along This Way. By James Weldon a long mile from the usual type Johnson. 330 pp. $3.50. Viking Taken with other books of of condescension, contempt, and Press. New York. 1933. similar purport like "Plays of determined tragedy of most non- Negro Life," by Locke and Greg- Negro authors. Interestingly written, giving ory, and the Drama section of the account of a distinguished Calverton's "Anthology 0 f Readings from Negro Authors for man in the fields of literature, American Negro Literature," Schools and Colleges. By Otelia law, consular service, Negro this fills a real place of help to- Cromwell, Lorenzo D. Turner, and rights, art, social criticism. Dr. ward understanding the dra- Eva B. Dykes. 388 pp. $1.50. Har- Johnson is now professor of matic art as an exponent of Ne- court, Brace. New York. 1931. Creative Literature at Fisk Uni- gro life. versity. This is probably the best all Anti-Slavery Sentiment in American around anthology of Negro lit- Booker T. Washington: Builder of Literature Prior to 1865. By Lor- erature yet published. It is care- a Civilization. By Emmett J. Scott enzo D. Turner. 150 pp. $2.15. fully edited, as those who know and Lyman Beecher Stowe. 331 pp. Associated Publishers. this trio of well-trained scholars Doubleday Doran. Garden City, would expect. While Calverton's L. I. 1916. From Cotton Mather and J on- popular-sized and priced anthol- athan Edwards to Emerson and ogy (Modern Library) is useful, The name of the educator of Lowell, Dr. Turner traces the and there are some others, espe- Tuskegee never fails to evoke thread of anti-slavery thought. cially of Negro poetry, yet none the memory of a man of real It is fascinating and rewarding. have given the description, balgenius, and perhaps no two men ance and charm of Negro litin America were better fitted to The Negro Author. By Vernon Log- erary expression as these auwrite of his character and gins. 480 pD. $5.00. Columbia thors have done. No American achievements than one who was University Press. New York. 1931. student, regardless of race, his secretary for years, and an- should be ignorant of its conother who is a descendent of a If you would know the heart tents. famous abolition family. of the man or woman who puts life into documentary form for For Children and Youth Negro Life in the Arts present and succeeding genera- tions, here is the revelation of In Spite of Handicaps. By Ralph W. Afro-American Folk Songs. By Hen- that inner life, as far as the Ne- Bullock. $2.00. Association Press. ry E. Krehbiel. G. Schirmer. New gro is concerned. A most use- New York. 1927. York. ful and valuable guide in this field. These excellent short bio- No one who knew the incisive graphical sketches, with quescriticisms of Krehbiel in the Comedy: American Style. By Jessie tions for discussion following New York Tribune of a genera- Fauset. Stokes. New York. 1934. each chapter, will make young tion ago could slight this book. people think, as well as enter- His acknowledgment of his debt Miss Fauset is the most com- tain them. to great musicians like Harry T. petent novelist of African des- Burleigh, Lafcadio Hearn, Maud cent today who is not afraid to The Picture Poetry Book. By Ger- Cuney Hare,· and others, is at go against the current of tradi- trude Parthenia Brown. 73 pp. once the mark of sincere scholar- tion that only lowly peasant life $1.10. The Associated Publishers. ship and genius. It is still the or slum life of the city may be 1936. authentic work of a master- pictured in novels of Negro life. critic; No maudlin sentiment. It is refreshing to get away Here is an unusual effort, and Solid learning. from the Peterkin-Bradford- a good one, to gain the interest Hayward school of thought of very little children, and to about Negro life, and to know
give them right ideas about Ne- the North, Problems of Admin- rather than critical. Billy Sun- gro life. It deserves attention istration and Guidance, the So- day preached the Gospel and of right-thinking mothers and cial Setting and Educational though at times his pulpit antics teachers of little children. Planning. somewhat disturbed critical We Sing America. By Marion Cuth- There is a very full bibliog- members of his audience, the bert. Missionary Education Move- "common people heard him ment. New York. 1936. raphy on the education and life gladly." Men and women of all of the Negro. This Mission Study book, for classes "hit the sawdust trail" 1936:"37, comes from a well-ma- From Fetish to Faith. By W. J. as evidence that they had de- Platt. Paper. 12mo. 28. The cided to begin a new, born-again tured mind that can present Livingstone Press. London. 1935. life. The book will repay readstory material and history of Fifty years ago .Africa was ing and circulating. racial life so that children of the almost wholly pagan and primielementary grades will love it. tive, except in the extreme north Facing Facts. A Century with the More power to such authors! Sioux. By F. R. Riggs and other and south. Fetishism was the Reports of the American Mission- African Myths. By Carter G. Wood- prevailing religion, with Islam ary Association. New York. 1935. son. $1.10. The Associated Pub- and Christianity striving for lishers. Washington, D. C. 1936. supremacy in some sections. The century of work among the Indians of North Dakota, A splendid collection of lEsop- Mr. Platt, who went out to West made famous by the story of like fables and folk-stories that Africa as a missionary in 1914, "Mary and I," is an inspiring have been put in attractive form record. The author of this acfor children of the English- took active part in the struggle count is a third generation Riggs speaking world. They add much for eighteen years. Today who recalls 60 years of service to our help with material for fetishism is dying; what will among the Sioux. We have children's education. here also the story of the work rise from its ashes? The author of Dr. Charles L. Hall, founder ON OTHER TOPICS sees the conflict to be between of the mission to the Arickara Christianity and materialism. and other Indians, and other in- Education of the Negro in the Amer- He writes impressively of the teresting records of the work of ican Social Order. Horace Mann the A. M. A. for the past year. Bond. 500 pp. Prentice-Hall, Inc. present crisis in Africa and New York. 1934. shows how the missionaries are By Ways Appointed. By Briggs P. seeking to meet it by laying Dingman. 12mo. 127 pp. 75 The book is divided into three cents; paper, 20 cents. Bible In- Christian foundations and build- ing up churches. There are na- tive prophetic movements in West Africa but the only hope sections – History, Economics of the Africans is in yielding stitute Colportage Assn. Chicago. and Finance, Current Problems. fully to the claims of Christ. 1935. Under History the early efforts Mr. Platt writes clearly and A wholesome story of a for educating the Negro are pre- from experience, with a knowl- young man, discharged from the sented, and the awakening of edge of facts-not from a nar- army after the World War, who private conscience. Here are row denominational point of entered college to prepare for described the work of Tuskegee view. the Christian ministry – with- and the various educational Billy Sunday: The Man and His out much idea of its real sig- Message. By William T. Ellis. nificance. His love story, with foundations and funds estab- intellectual difficulties, spiritual lished for the education of the Illus. 8vo. 519 pp. $1.50. John experience, and final victory and Negro. Many tables give the C. Winston Co., Philadelphia. 1936. service are easy but stimulating rate of expenditure for white Billy Sunday's fame as a base- reading for young people. children and Negro children in ball player and dramatic Gospel the same localities; also a com- revivalist is world-wide. Opin- Anthea's Ambition. By Beth J. parison of white teachers' sal- Coombe Harris. 12mo. 188 pp. aries and those where Negroes ions as to his methods differ but 18. 6d. teach. he reached immense crowds and thousands of lives were trans- Gwyneth at Work. By Margaret P. Section II deals with Migra- formed through his ministry. Neill. 12mo. 320 pp. 28. 6d.
tion, Industrialization and Ur- Here is the authorized biog- Pickering and Inglis. Glasgow. banization of the Negro; the raphy by a skilled observer and These wholesome stories for Economic Background of Edu- writer who knew the man and boys and girls are not marked cation in the South and the Fi- saw his work at close range. by literary merit but are a vast nancing of Separate Systems of The volume includes Billy Sun- improvement on much modern Education. day's autobiography, many of juvenile fiction. The first is a Section III deals with current his most effective messages, a missionary book in which true problems-the Teacher, the For- chapter by Mrs. Sunday and a stories are interwoven. The gotten Child, Cap a cit y for tribute by Rodeheaver, the sing- second volume tells of the ex- Learning, the Achievement of ing evangelist. Dr. Ellis has perience and struggles of some Negro Children, Higher Educa- given us a vivid, discriminating young girls in Christian life and tion for Negroes, Education in picture of the man, sympathetic work in England.
Books Obituary
(Concluded from page 278.) The Apostle to the Chinese Commu- . a Christian engineer in a Moslem nists. Daniel Nelson. $1~00. 139 pp. Augsburg Pub. House. Min- land devoted to the cause of missions neapolis. for 25 years. … … With the use Arthington's Millions. A. M. Chirgwin. 2s. Livingstone Press. Lon- R. A. Doan, of Westerville, Ohio, 01 this Course. every don. died on March 18th. About 20 years Young People's Society may ago he began his service to the Chris- Carey. S. Pearce Carey. 129 pp. 40 tian Missionary Society, Disciples or- be converted into a School for ganization, as laymen's secretary, Bible Training. without salary. He continued this cents. Marshall, Morgan & Scott. service for many years, and was also 1936 STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE London. . a leader in Bible class work in Nel- sonville, his home town. Mr. Doan GFooudroPf athretsB-5ib2le.LePssaortnns. Part I. The Bible-The A Comradeship of Service. Report was a stockholder in the Missionary The Christ 01 the Bible Review Publishing Company. of Friends Service Council-1935. -TheHoIySpiril PartmMan-SinandRedempo … … … Friends Service Council. London. lion. Part IV. The Church-Future Events. Dr. John Henry House, missionary Christ in the Great Forest. Felix of the American Board and founder Send ISc in stamps lor current issue. Faure. 180 pp. $1.00. Missionary Education Movement. New York. HRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS. INC: Consider Africa. Basil Mathews. 1502 N. Third St., Herrlaburs, Pe.
180 pp. $1.00, cloth; 60 cents, of the American Farm School at Sa- whom, Charles L. House, succeeded paper. Friendship ·Press. New loniki, Macedonia, died there on April his father as head of the Farm York. 19th at 90 years of age. Dr. House School in 1910. Dr. House has been was born in Painesville, Ohio, the son decorated with the Grecian Gold Christian Materialism. Francis J. of John and Jane House, was grad- Cross of the Cavalier and on his 90th McConnell. 167 pp. $1.25, cloth;' uated in 1868 from Adelbert COllege, birthday, May 29, 1935, received nine 60 cents, paper. Friendship Press. now Western Reserve University, ana bound volumes of greeting cards, each New York. later from Union Theological Sem- containing 90 greetings from friends The Epistle of the Eternal Life. inary, New York. In 1872, he went George Goodman. 64 pp. 6d. as a Congregational missionary to . in all parts of the world. Five thou- Pickering & Inglis. London. Bulgaria and endeavored to hel~ the Five Foreigners in Japan. Herbert poverty-stricken people by glving sand dollars was also presented to the H. Gowen. 285 pp. $2.00. Uni- them a scientific knowledge of agriversity of Washington. Seattle. School at that t…ime in… his name. culture. It was not until 1873 tnat . Bishop McKim. of the Protestant The Great Company. Report of the he was able to secure a tract of de!Sert Episcopal Church, and until last year National Bible Society of Scotland. land near Saloniki and opened the BIShop of North Tokyo, Japan, died 200 pp. Edinburgh. Thessalonica Agricultural and Indus- on April 4th in Honolulu. He was trial Institute, now· known as the born in Pittsfield, Mass., July 17, Hearts That Understand. .Louise American Farm SchooL Dr. and ¥rli. 1852, and went to Japan in March, Harrison McGraw. 292 pp. $1.00. House have spent 64 .years in the 1880. In 1893, he was consecratea B. I. C. Assn. Chicago. Balkan States, first at Samokov, J)u1- bishop for the Japanese district and garia, later at Constantinople, .nd has hved an eventful life, seeing the Heaven. All That Is Revealed About finally at SalonikL His widow and It. Hy Pickering. lB. 128 pp. seven children survive him, one' of • • young Japanese Church develop. Pickering & Inglis. London. If you use • Kagawa in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. Edited by Helen Top- The ;Rev. Fruier S. Herndon, for ping. 184 pp. Kobe, Japan. many years an honored missionary of the Presbp;eri,n Church to the Mystery at St. Olaves. Winifred American Indians, died April 6, 1936, Pearce. 95 pp. lB. Pickering & in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Herndon's Inglis. London. field of labor was not an easy one. Traveling with team and wagon, he Moral and Material Progress and PRINTING and his devoted wife went from vil- Condition of India. S. F. Stewart. lage to village among the Papagos in 196 pp. 3s. 6d. H. M. Stationery the heat of summer and the cold of Office. London. winter, bearing to those neglected peo- A New Day in Kenya. Horace R. A. YOU will profit from an ae- ple the Gospel message. He won the Philp. > 188 pp. 3s. 6d. World Do- confidence and esteem of thousands of minion Press. London. . .. ' quaintanceship with us. We the 'Indians, and many accepted do the joh complete in our own Christ as their Saviour. The Plight of the Share-Cropper. plant, whether it he larle or Norman Thomas. 36 pp. 10 cents. small. THREE KINDS. o.F GIVERS L. I. D. New York. There are three kinds of givers- While our specialty is Booles. ''the flint, the sponge and the honey- Revolt Among the Share-Croppers. Magatine.s and Pamphlets. yet comb." Howard Kester. 98 pp. 50 cents. we have a variety of modern To get anything out of a flint you Covici Friede. New York. equipment to meet all the re- have to hammer it, and you can only qUirements of your particular . get chips and sparks. Recapturing the Missionary Passion. job. You will find our service To get water out of a sponge you Stephen J. Corey. 20 pp. United prompt. careful and courteous. Christian Missionary Society. In- dianapolis.
Safe Through the Blood of Jesus. must squeeze it, and the more you William Reid. 95 pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. London. : Will you allow us to estimate squeeze the more you get. on your next printing 1 We he. But the honeycomb just overflows The Shrine of a P~ople's Soul. Ed- lieve you will be delighted with 'lin W. Smith.' 208 pp; 2s. 3d.' with its own sweetness. Edinburgh House Press. London. our product. price and service. .' Some', people are stingy and hard. They give nothing away if they can help it. What Happened to Peter. Grace The EVANGELICAL PRESS Others are good-natured; they yield &PeIttnmglains.. L1o7n6dopnp.. .2.s:. P.ic.. k….er..i.ng .. . Pri"tn. of. , . t!LPlllIlSUl'e, and. the. more they are Students and the Christian World The MiI.iOtla,., Review of eM W ….1d pressed the more they will JP.ve.
Mission. Edited by Jesse R. Wil- A few delight in giving WIthout be- ing asked at all; and of these the son. 233 pp. $2.00. Student Vol- PlANT AND MAIN OFFICE third end R.n, Str••ts Henl. ." 'e. unteer Movement. New York. Bible says" "The Lord loveth a cheer- ful giver."-Wesleyan Methodist.
and Reality in
Viewed by Africans and Missionaries ILLUSTRATED WITH MAPS, CHARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS UNOCCUPIED FIELDS IN AFRICA By ALEXANDER McLEISH THE AFRICAN'S VIEW OF AFRICA By VARIOUS AUTHORS-PREPARED BY J. D. TAYLOR AFRICAN LIFE AND THOUGHT By DIEDRICH WESTERMANN GREAT HINDRANCES TO CHRISTIAN PROGRESS By C. S. JENKINS VICTORIES OF THE GOSPEL AMONG AFRICANS By THOMAS MOODY AND OTHERS AFRICAN VIEWS OF JESUS CHRIST By THE BISHOP OF UGANDA POLITICS AND MISSIONS IN AFRICA By CHARLES T. LORAM THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AFRICA By KENNETH G. GRUBB THE CROSS AND THE CRESCENT IN AFRICA By J. J. COOKSEY ===== SEND YOUR ORDER NOW ===== 25 Cents a Copy $20.00 a hundred $2.50 a year Special Price in Quantities if ordered hefore Septemher 10 THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
Robert E. Speer, PreJident Delavan L. Pierson, EditOI'
The Missionary Review of the World — March 1936
1936
This Enlarging World Arthur J. Brown Kil Sunju-Korean Evangelist c. F. Bemheisel Religious Destitution in Maine Charles W. Squires The Divine Constraint of Missions The Archbishop of Yark The Christianity the World Needs Frank C. Laubach From ~ondage to Liberty in Chile Laura Jorguera Foreign Missions Marching On Fred Field Goodsell 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year April 29-May 5-National Convention, Passages to Memorize Y. W. C. A., Colorado Springs, Colo. To encourage the committing to memo!)' of choice passages of Scripture, three serie. May I-General Conference, Meth- of four.page folders, six folders to a sertes~ have been prepared under the direction of odist Episcopal Church, Columbus, Helen Gould Shepard. Those who memonze these Scripture verse. store away spiro itual riches and those who scatter them will plant IiVlng seed. These folders are Ohio. envelope size and contain from thirty to forty verses. centering around one theme. May 12-15-National Council of Fed- The first series comprises the following titles. erated Church Women. Dayton, First captions only are given below. Ohio. 1. The Ten Commandments. Z. The Lord is my Shepherd. 3. God'. Glory and May 20-24-Northern Baptist Conven- Man's Dignity. 4. Prophecy of the MenIah's Su1ferings and Death. 5. A Saviour from Sin. 6. The Beatitudes. tion. St. Louis, Mo. Available in English, Arabic, Armeuia~ Armeno-Turkish" Bohemiau. Chinese (Man- May 27-General Assembly, United darin and Cantonese), Dutch, Finnish, >erman, Modern week, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese Roumaman, Russian, Mbdern Russian, Ruthe- Presbyterian Church of North nian, Spanish, Swedish, Yiddish, Danish, Hindi, Bengali, Japanese. Latvian and French. America. Pittsburg, Kansas. May 28-General Assembly, Presby- The second series: terian Church in U. S. A. Syra- cuse, N. Y. 1. God Desires to Help Those with the Right Spirit. 2. A Prayer of Mosca. 3. July 6-12 – Twelfth World's Sunday Four Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven. … All Thinp Work Together. 5. God's School Convention. Oslo, Norway. Word in the Heart. 6. Ten Commandments.
••• Available in English, Bohemian, German, Italian. Modern Russian, Polish, Por- tuguese, Russian. Rutbenian, Spanish, Yiddish. Hungarian. Arabic, French. Japanese Personal Items and Hebrew.
Rev. Lewis B. Chamberlain, D.D., The third series consists entirely of Messianic Prophecies. has retired as Recording Secretary of the American Bible Society. He was 1. The First and All-Comprehensive Prophecy. 2. The Betrayer. 3. The Messiah born in India, the son of Dr. Jacob from the Family of Jesse. … The Sulferings and Triumph of the Messiah. 5. The Chamberlain, and after his education Seventy Weeks (i. e., Sevens). 6. The Lord King Over All the ~rth. in the United States returned to India as a missionary for 25 years. Available in English, Bohemian. German, Hungarian, Italian. Polish. Hebrew. Span- ish and Yiddish. ••* The following miscellaneous pamphlets are also available. Rev. William Paton, Secretary of the International Missionary Ct oouunr c0il11 1>a….e. to Memorize. Series One. Caption lea1Iets for memorizing. has been making an extended Available in English, Arabic, Japanese, Cantonese. Spanis!Jt Yiddisb, Bohemian. North China, and is now spending Greek, French, Russian, PoIis!'J Ijutcb, German. Hungarian" Lithuanian, Portuguese, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, ukranian, and Italian. three months in India. Passage. to Memorize. Series Two, is availshle in English, Polish, Yiddish, Ger- man, French, Old Russian, Russian, Italian and Arabic. Dr. Graham *Sc•rog*gie, formerly a Old Testament Selectioa., particularly Messianic Prophecies is available in Eng. pastor in Edinburgh and recently in Iish. Bohemian, Greek. French, Ruaaian, Polish, Dutch, German. Hungarian. Lithuanian. New Zealand, is now established in Portuguese, Norwegian. Italian, Ukraman, Finnish and Swedish. London as Director of the Mildmay Atheism i. Folly. Available in English, Finnish, French. German, Italian, Russian. Polish, Spanish, Yiddish, Hungarian. Portuguese. Japanese, CantoDese, Modern Rna- School of Sacred Instruction. sian and Old Russian. A Duty to Warn. Available in Polish and English. Mah Nyein *Th*a, *headmistress of Morton Lane Girls' School, a Baptist How to Test Teachers. In English, Japanese. Portuguese, Hungarian, Old Rusinstitution in Moulmein, Burma, is in sian and Modern Russian. America under the auspices of the Oxford Group. She is a third genera- All the leaflets are sold at 1 cent each, 75 cents per hundred. tion Christian, her grandmother and However, to secure wider distribution, special consideration will be grandfather having been baptized by given to accredited Christian workers.
Adoniram Judson. Bible Ver.. to Memorize. This very attractive cloth book contaiu. all the Bible verses in Series One and Two and Messianic Prophecies together with the miscel· Dr. J. Wasko*m *Pic*kett was elected laneous leaflets. This book is an ideal gift to encour~e the memorizing of choice passages. A wealth of Biblical material ia at your dtsposal. A practical minded pastor or lay worker will find many uses for this Iiook. Pnce, 50 cents, postpaid.
Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY Church by the Central Conference of Southern Asia on December 30, 1935. 7 WEST 45th STREET Dept. M.R. NEW YORK, N. Y. He shares this office with the Indian Bishop J. W. Chitambar. and will then assume his office duties Miss Jenny *de•Ma*yer, the Evan- at the time of the retirement of Dr. gelical Russian Christian, who has Cleland B. McAfee next October. been in prison and exile in Russia (without trial or known accusation) The Rev. Ha*rol*d S*treet, American for over thirteen years, has at last been released and has taken refuge member of the Sudan Interior Mission in Switzerland. The only reason for and the Rev. John Trewin of Canada, Planned along ad- Miss deMayer's arrest seems to have were reported as having been impris- vanced ped.~ogical linea been that she was engaged in Chris- oned recently in Chencha, the capital to provide both Home and ClasS tian mission work, had translated the of the Province of Gamo, Ethiopia. lor the pupil. Varied Gospel into the Sart language and such as Quizzes, Reading Tests, True had received money from her sisters Mr. Street and Mr. Trewin were False Tests, and Completion Tests, living in other countries of Europe. stationed at Shamo, about two hun- the pupil to work out each lesson from The Rev. C•har*les* Tudor Leber, dred and fifty miles southwest of Ad- Bible lor hi..-U. pastor of the Green Ridge Presby- dis Ababa. It is said that the misterian Church, Scranton, Pa., has sionaries were arrested by an over- Interesting -:- Inspirational -:- Inlltrllctlive been elected to secretary in the Board zealous local chieftain because they of Foreign Missions of the Presby- were unwilling to leave the war dan- SHe! 8c 1ft Ib",,. Cor cuneft~ ttl~ terian Church, to take office about ger zone. They were immediately or- April 1st. He plans to make a tour dered released by Crown Prince As- SImples eI ou, Sund_, School pubHalton. and of some of the foreign mission fields faou Wassen who has permitted them Bible (:01,." lor YOIU''!! People', Sociflie' to return to their miSSIon station. Mftt tr. . on teqUPl.
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REVIEW OF THE WORLD ice if you persuade others to become BMPRBSS regular readers of THE REVIEW. Here DELAVAN L. PIERRON, ]feUtor is what one of the leading preachers Real Comfort in North America has to say in a re- VOL. LIX MARCH,1936 No.3 cent letter: "The February number of by the THE MISSIONARY REVIEW is a gem. Publication and Business Oftlce– There are so many things in it which Fast Short Route Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. are helpful and inspiring. I do not know when I have enjoyed a number Reach Yokohama in 10 days. It's the Editorial and Executive Oftlce– more. You are doing a great work fastest, shortest Pacific crossing. Go 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. with that magazine. It reviews the on the sister-ships, Empress of Asia Entered as second-class matter at world field and inspires us all with or Empress of Russia, Or take the far distances of faith." Paradise route via Honolulu. Only Post Oftlce, Harrisburg, Pa., under 3 days longer. Go on the Empress of Act of March 3, 1879. REV. JOHN TIMOTHY STONE, D.D. CMcago, Ill. I apan (largest, fastest liner on the 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. *** Pacific) or the Empress of Canada. Published monthly, except August. Very low round-trip fares. Lux- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. "This is just a little word of appre- British agents – Marshall, Morgan ciation of your wonderful magazine. urious First Class. Popular Tourist and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, My copies are passed on each month Class. Also, low·cost Third Class. London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, to one of our National Mission work- 10 shillings a year. ers in a miner's camp. The articles Frequent sailings from Vancouver by Mrs. Stan~ey Jones and Dr. Frank (trains to ship.side) and Victoria. MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- C. Laubach fitted in very well with Orient fares include passage to and LISHING CO., INC. our 'Youth Problem' meeting." from Seattle. California sailings con- nect with Empresses at Honolulu. BOARD OF DIRECTORS . MISS STELLA A. MINNEMEYER. Orient ports-of-calI: Yokohama, ROBERT E. SPEER, Pre8ident Pittsburuh, Pa. Kobe, Nag:;lsaki, Shanghai, Hong WM. I. CHAMBE'RLAIN, Vice-President Kong, and Manila. WALTER MCDOUGALL, Treasurer Obituary Notes • Also, Independent World Tours DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary as low as $583.80. II' SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Secure booklets and information MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Mr. Dwight H. Day, who was for from YOUR OWN AGENT, or any 18 years (1906-1924) the efficient Canadian Pacific office: New York, WM. B. LIPPHARD treasurer of the Board of Foreign Chicago, San Francisco, and 38 other Missions of the Presbyterian Church, cities in the U. S. and Canada. ERIC M. NORTH died in New York on February 9th. JESSE R. WILSON Mr. Day was born in Chicago fifty- ~@~ nine years ago, the son of Mr. and A. L. WARNSHUIS Mrs. Thomas C. Day. He was grad- TO THB uated from Yale University in 1899 SAMUEL M. ZWEMER and since he left the Board of Foreign ORIBNT Missions he has been an independent Editorial Chat broker. Mr. Day traveled widely, visiting the mission fields in Asia and Look on the back cover of THE RE- Latin America. He was greately be- VIEW if you wou:d like to see some of loved by a wide circle of friends. the interesting topics we plan to pub- Surviving him are his wife, Clara lish in our special numbers of THE Bradford Day, two sons and two REVIEW (June and Qctober). Both daughters. white and Negro writers will make these colorful and valuable numbers. *** *** The Rev. Roderick M. Gillies, D.D., honorably retired missionary under Does your pastor subscribe for or the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. read THE REVIEW regularly? If not, A., died at Wooster, Ohio, on Febwhy not? It will stimulate his inter- ruary 2d. In the 32 years which Dr. est in missions and will keep him in- Gillies spent in Siam, much of his formed on present world conditions time was devoted to itinerating in the and the progress of Christ's work in northern section of the country, all lands. (Concluded on third cover.) *** Is the missionary society of your church subscribing for and reading THE REVIEW? If not, they are overlooking valuable information and are missing much practical help in the preparation of missionary programs. Read "Effective Ways of Working."
WINONA LAKE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY WINONA LAKE, INDIANA BVANGELICAL SCHOLARLY INTERDENOMINATIONAL COURSES Almost a score of states (besides foreign countries) and an equal number of denominations represented each year. New Testament, Old Testament, The 1935 session had a oD% increase in registrations over 1934. The Holy Spirit, Greek New Testament, Psychology and Religion. Administration: Dr. W. E. Biederwolf, PreSident; Dr. Origin of Religion, Beginners' New J. A. Huffman. Dean. Testament Greek, and Critical Ser… man Delivery. Faculty: Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, Dr. J. A. Huffman, Two semesters of 15 days each, Prof. Gea. H. Bast. Dr. Leslie Ray Marston, Dr. Howard T. July 9 to August 12. Work leading Kuist, Prof. Mable McQueen Weir. to regular theological degrees. For Ministers, 'Teachers, Missionaries and Send for 12…page prospectus at once to Laymen. DR. J. A. HUFFMAN, Dean, Marion, Indiana.
[113 ]
MOROS TO READ IN A MARKET PLACE IN
This chart method has now been discarded in favor of Individua l instruction of beginners by more a dvanced learners.
DR. FRANK LAUBACH AND SOME OF HIS MORO HELPERS IN THE PHILIPPINES (See pages 122 to 125) TEACHING MORO MOSLEMS TO READ BY A PHONETIC METHOD
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 3 MARCH,1936 Topics of the Times THE JAPANESE SHRINE PROBLEM peror and their readiness to take part in any cere- mony showing respect for him as their supreme Communism is supplanting religion in certain earthly ruler, and to honor deceased statesmen minds, as in Russia; nationalism is dominating and heroes. The Japanese Imperial Diet in 1932 religion in Germany, Italy and Turkey; even so appointed a committee to consider whether the the demands of patriotism and reverence for the required ceremonies involve religious worship and Emperor seem to threaten to raise the issue be- whether they could be revised to meet the con- tween loyalty to God and obedience to govern- scientious objections of Christian subjects. After mental edicts in Japan and Chosen. This should two years' consideration the committee failed to not be necessary. Loyalty to rulers is enjoined agree on any plan. Another committee has now in the Christian Scriptures and true patriotism is been appointed, with Dr. Tagawa, an eminent accounted a high virtue, in full harmony with the Christian, as chairman, to attempt changes in the supreme claims of God as the object of human language used so as to make the ceremonies clearly worship and obedience. nonreligious, as the Government declares them The Japanese constitution (article XXVIII) to be.
guarantees religious liberty "within limits not In the meantime, there is a serious issue and prejudicial to peace and order, and not antag- problem, especially in the minds of Korean Chrisonistic to their duties as subjects." For many tjans. While some secondary schools conducted years the Japanese have rendered to their Em- by Christians have obeyed the Government edict, peror what is regarded as practically worship. practically all the church officers and missionaries As late as 1934, when a Japanese Christian pastor look upon the ceremonies as worship at a nonexpressed doubt as to descent of the Emperor Christian shrine and say that the Government from the Queen G~ddess Amerarasu Omi-Kami, declaration does not change their nature. They he was imprisoned and fined. More recently feel that they cannot compromise by performing when a missionary referred to the Emperor as "a acts that should be connected only with the worman" he was warned by officials not to repeat the ship of the supreme God. Because of this refusal offence. one of the most eminent missionaries and Chris- The Japanese Government has issued a decree thin educators in Chosen has been deprived of his status in secondary school work. If some satisfacrequiring school children and other students to tory solution of the problem is not found there visit certain shrines at stated times, there to pay seems danger that the teaching qualifications of homage to the Emperor and to recognize the spirits of deceased Japanese heroes. The cere- all nonconforming Christian teachers will be canmonies at these shrines (Jingu) include offerings celled; in that case the Japanese Government may made to these spirits, bowing to them, and as- either close the Christian schools or take them suming an attitude of reverence before a picture over entirely.
of the Emperor. In the meantime the missionaries, Chosen Chris- Christians in Chosen (Korea), where this edict tian leaders and Japanese are seeking a solution of the difficulty, either by persuading the Governhas recently been enforced, look upon some fea- ment to make some change in the ceremonies, or tures connected with these ceremonies as con- through a recognized interpretation of their sigstituting worship such as should be rendered only nificance such as will satisfy the Christian conto God. They declare their loyalty to the Em- [115 ]
science, or by securing permission for conscien- them to come without clouds in their eyes. Tell tious objectors to omit taking part in some features of the ceremonies. Evidently the question, them to come looking at the light that is on the Diana or Christ that faced the early Church, has not wholly disappeared. The missionaries and face of Jesus Christ and knowing how to laugh at other Christian leaders in Japan and Chosen need our prayers for wisdom and courage, with the impossibilities in His name." clear guidance of the Spirit of God. This is the voice of the world today, crying out OUR MISSIONARY OPPORTUNITY for help. Young men and young women are ready The Christian Church has today the greatest opportunity it has had in generations. The world and anxious to go upon the great adventure of over people are disturbed and restless. Many are seeking earnestly for the stabilization of life's sharing love and salvation with the needy world. purposes and look for an anchor which will hold them to definite moral moorings, without knowing The only disturbing thing in the present situation where they may find this anchor. is that the great churches of America seem hesi- On a recent journey to Africa and the Far East I found the missionaries fully aware of their op- tant and uncertain. The world is lost and knows portunities. Despite the reduction of missionary appropriations, the withdrawals of missionaries not the way out. Wherever the Gospel is preached and the recession of missionary activity in the United States and Canada, they were forging people hear gladly and many believe, but how can ahead, undaunted, and unafraid. They are creative and courageous, preaching the Christian gos- they hear without a preacher and how can he pel of love and reconstruction, fully cognizant of its social implications. They are extending their preach except he be sent? W. G. CRAM. missionary ministry and activities into the broad areas of human aspirations and are coming to CONFERENCE ON THE RURAL CHURCH grips with human needs and human living. Many are obliged to "make bricks without straw." During the past eight years the Home Missions Council, with the cooperation of the Council of The resourcefulness of the missionaries, during Women for Home Missions and the Federal Counthe period when the missionary passion and sup- cil of Churches of Christ in America, has held port in the home-base churches have been in re- three national conferences; the Comity Confercession, is gratifying in the extreme. The mo~t ence in Cleveland (January, 1928), the Home Mishopeful thing I saw in the whole range of mission- sions Congress in Washington (December, 1930), ary activities was the enthusiasm and conquering and the recent Conference on the Rural Church, faith of the missionaries. It will be to the ever- in Washington (January 15-17, 1936). lasting shame of the churches, that sent them to the world's frontier and have promised to support Each of these conferences was made up of delethem, if Christians at the home base persist in the gates from all par.ts of the United States and from spirit of defeatism, with respect to the "world Canada. Each had its special emphasis and obenterprise." jective. The Comity Conference was concerned with principles of better cooperation between de- No backward pull is evident among mission- nominations to meet the need of our American aries. The national Christians in these lands are communities. The outcome of that conference was awake and alert, and are bearing constant and "The Five Year Program of Survey and Adjustconvincing testimony. There is no lack of appeal ment in the Field of Interdenominational Comity from the younger churches to the strong Christian and Cooperation in Home Missions." The report centers of the world for help in this critical time. is contained in the volume entitled "Home Mis- sions Today and Tomorrow." An African woman of the Batatela tribe in the Congo-BeIge sent a message to the young people The Home Missions Congress was by far the of America, saying: "Tell the young people of largest and most inclusive of the three national America that they came in the past and awakened assemblies. It considered the whole range of the our sleeping souls. Tell them we have peace but home missionary enterprises, and produced a we also have unrest-unrest because multitudes of body of data and missionary information which our people are lost. Tell the young people of has been distributed throughout the Church. It America to come, not cringing and hopeless. Tell has been generally regarded as the most signifi- cant home missionary meeting ever held in Amer- ica, and is frequently referred to as the authorita- tive deliverance on home missions.
The recent conference in the national capital was more restricted and specialized. It was con- cerned only with the rural church and was held in connection with the annual meetings of the Home Missions Council and the Council of Women for Home Missions. The total attendance was about four hundred, including 257 registered dele- gates, representing eighteen denominations, and coming from thirty states and Canada.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
As was pointed out by a discerning delegate, in Rev. Tertius Van Dyke related illuminating stories both the Comity Conference and the Home Missions Congress the rural church was considered of his own pastorate in Washington, Connecticut. as a problem, while'in this recent conference the rural church was considered as an .opportunity. The Fellowship Luncheon was a special feature In the prior conferences, the question was: What can be done to save the rural church? In this of the conference. Dr. Warren H. Wilson, the third conference it was: What can the rural church do to save the communities? dean of rural life specialists, presided and was The program was characterized by what it did mentioned as one of the six outstanding pioneers not discuss, as well as by what it did consider. A number of things were taken for granted. For of country church work. Dr. C. J. Galpin, for example, it did not discuss evangelism but included in its program a presentation of the Na- many years connected with the agricultural detional Preaching Mission to be held next autumn in twenty-five centers over the United States, and partment of the Government and an active laystated its conviction that evangelism is the first and basic responsibility of the Christian Church men in a country chur:ch, spoke on the layman in and must undergird all activities of the rural church. the country church; and Mr. Brooks Hays of the At the recent conference there was also noted Resettlement Administration of the Government the absence of special deliverances upon matters of general interest in our national life. The program answered the question: What shall we do about held strictly to the consideration of the rural church as a religious agency in the total life of tenancy? . the rural community. One big objective was to disclose the importance of religion to the rural On the general theme of Planning and Strategy life of America, and the unique opportunity and responsibility of the rural church as a guiding, in the Rural Church Advance, Dr. Malcolm Dana, serving and saving agency. a special champion of the Larger Parish Plan, The general impression was that the rural church of today is set in a combination of circum- read a striking paper on the elements of a satisstances and conditions that are both its despair and hope. It was made most evident that the factory national plan for the improvement of the church will either be crowded out by the factors and forces of modern rural life or it will find its rural church. life and power by meeting these factors and turning them into assets for the Kingdom of God. Findings* of the conference present a challenge . An illuminating scientific analysis of recent important population trends in rural America was to the Church, and definite recommendations to presented by Dr. O. E. Baker of the Bureau of Economics of the U. S. Department of Agricul- mission boards and rural churches. This confer- ,ture; and a discussion of recent social and economic trends which influence the church, by Dr. ence should result in a new advance in country Carl C. Taylor, of the Government's Resettlement Administration. The consideration in broad out- church life and work. One of the older leaders of line of how the church in town and country is relating itself to the present rural situa,tion, was the church said, "This conference could not have opened by Rev. Mark A. Dawber of the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension of the been held ten years ago. We have come a long Methodist Episcopal Church, who gave a penetrating analysis of the rural church, pointing out way." Some of the younger rural ministers exboth its defects, and its possibilities. The study of the program of "The Rural Church of Tomor- pressed themselves as having had a new vision of row" was a most interesting and profitable discussion of how to reach the people of the rural the country church. One said, "I am going back community. Rev. Perry Smith of Southwest Harbor, Maine, spoke for the Larger Parish Plan and to my church a new man." WILLIAM R. KING.
FURTHERING THE GOSPEL IN MEXICO Gonzalo Baez Camargo, of the National Council of Evangelical Churches of Mexico, calls atten- tion to some benefits of the present agitation of the State against the Church in Mexico. While many officials are opposed to the activities of the Roman Catholic clergy in political matters and are determined to take education out of the hands of the church; still they have not succeeded in turning the Mexican people against religion. The following benefits may be noted as having resulted in evangelical work from the taking over of edu- cation by the State, from making church property communal property and from limiting the number and functions of the clergy.
1. The Protestant churches are beginning to ex- perience a spiritual revival, which is quiet but steady.
2. There is developing greater unity and closer cooperation under present restrictions. This is not organized union but the spirit of closer har- mony and fellowship.
3. There is a growing emphasis on united • These findings, with the papers presented at the conference, will be presented in a volume to be published about March 1.
prayer in the church. Each week day all the lives in the French Embassy and mingles with Protestant pastors of Mexico City meet for prayer Americans. It is commonly believed that this at 6: 30. A national convention of Evangelicals priest serves as a kind of agent of the Papacy.
for conference and prayer was recently held in The only Protestant service in the English lan- Pueblo. guage that is held in Moscow, so far as we are in- 4. Religion has become less formal and outward formed, is held about once a month by a chaplain and more personal and inward. In church groups of the Anglican Church who lives in Helsingfors.
less time is spent in organization business, giv- He comes to Moscow and holds a service in the ing more time for prayer. British Embassy for British officials and a few 5. Christian life and work are becoming more Americans.
spiritual as Christians face' difficulties and are led It seems time that American Protestants take to depend more on God. Less emphasis is placed the initiative in starting an English service in ·on numbers and financial strength. Church Moscow. The Soviet Government could not ob- schools cannot undertake secular training, but they ject if it were run as an American church because can devote themselves to Christian training in the the Soviets expressly stated that all Americans home and church-to character development and are free to worship God according to the dictates spiritual training. Outside organized activities of their conscience. In the Union American are prohibited so that more attention is given to Church in Berlin and in the American Church of personal evangelism. Paris even Jews and Roman Catholics come to 6. Laymen are doing much that was formerly the services occasionally to meet other Americans.
considered only the function of the clergy. This Nearly all come to Thanksgiving services and to is a great means of development. Memorial Day exercises, and Jews come even at 7. The women are coming forward and are en- Christmas time. Children are born in Moscow, tering a new and larger experience in service. tourists sometimes get sick and are compelled to They have union societies and a union paper, and stay a long time, and some American Protestants are becoming a greater force in church life. die on Russian soil. The right kind of minister 8. The Evangelical young people are taking should render great service to Americans on these more responsibility. They have formed "Chris- occasions. Usually, when people are far from tian Patrol" groups for personal work in the their native land they tend to degenerate and the slums; the camps are being conducted to train right kind of service in Moscow might help to hold leaders among Evangelical university students. soOme back from a life of sin. The right kind of man might also win converts from the ungodly. In the early Christian Church and in the days If an English-language service is held in Moscow of the Protestant Reformation, opposition and foreigners from other nations who understand hardship strengthened rather than weakened the English would, no doubt, come. Such a church Christian Church. With spiritual life and em- might never have a very large congregation and phasis on things of the spirit may we not expect would probably not be able to pay its expenses. the same results in Mexico? It should be backed by some Protestant organiza- AMERICAN CHRISTIANS IN RUSSIA tion in America. Although the number of British in Moscow is smaller than the number of Amer- There are at present about 2,.000 American icims, the entire British colony can be counted on citizens in Russia. The majority of them live in for sympathetic cooperation.
or near Moscow and in the other large cities. The minister sent to start the work should be Among them are Jews, Roman Catholics and some young enough to have a flexible mind but should who have no interest in religion, but there are be a man of experience. Any man serving as also many Protestants who would appreciate hav- pastor of such a church for a few years would be ing church services in English. It is estimated able to learn the Russian language and could ad- that about 15,000 tourists go to Russia every sum- vise Protestant Christians with reference to con- mer, a large percentage of them being Americans. dWons and opportunities.
A European correspondent who has recently been in Moscow made careful inquiries to find out God might send His angels to fly in the midst whether there might be the possibility of estab- of the heavens and proclaim the everlasting Goslishing there a Protestant church service in Eng- pel, but what would become of the believer? He lish for American and British people. When would be a dwarf and a cripple. The reflex in- America recognized the Soviet, President Roose- fluence of evangelistic effort upon the Church itvelt insisted that all Americans have full religious self is scarcely less important and valuable than liberty in Russia. The Roman Catholic Church the direct influence upon unsaved souls. has in Moscow a young priest, Father Braun, who ARTHUR T. PIERSON.
Divine Constraint of
Missions* By the VERY REVEREND WILLIAM TEMPLE, D.D.
Archbishop of York ZACHARIAH'S song, which we call the Bene- the question whether anyone of these is true. dictus, begins: "Blessed be the Lord God of That is the first question. Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His If the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is people !" true, it is true in the ordinary everyday sense of The first element in the divine constraint of the word, not in some remote rhetorical and emo- Christian missions is the sheer truth of the Gos- tional sense. Many have the habit of thinking of pel. We have the responsibility of making up religion as a kind of drug for the curing of the our minds whether or not we accept it as the truth. world's disease; we ask whether the Gospel suits But if we accept it as the truth, we have no longer the African or the Arabian, the Indian or the any real option in the matter of being or failing Chinese or Japanese. If we adopt this point of to be missionaries. If it is ,the truth, it lays upon view, we assume quite wrongly that the Gospel is us its missionary obligations. European. But it is not. Geographically it is "All authority is given unto Me in heaven and Asiatic in its origin, though at the point where in earth," said our Lord. "Go ye, therefore, and Asia is in contact with both Europe and Africa.
teach all nations." Therefore, because the author- If ,the Gospel of Christ is true, then the question ity is His, and because the only right and wise is not whether it suits us, but whether we suit it.
way for men to order life is under His authority, It is not the question whether it is adapted to the if they order it otherwise they are ordering it Arabians, but whether they are adapted to it. If foolishly and wrongly. not, and if it is the truth then we had better sub- The world is what God sees it to be. So far as mit ourselves to Christ and ask Him to alter us; our vision of it is different from His, it is a false we can't change ourselves. If you treat the Gospel vision, blurred and distorted by the impurities of as a drug, you are apt to say: "The diseases of our organs of spiritual perception. The truth con- the Western world are so-and-so and we think sists of the realities in the mind of God, and it is Christianity is the remedy for them; and the dis- only when we act according to the mind of God eases of India are so-and-so; and Hinduism is the that we act in accordance with the truth. Every- remedy for them." It would be rather odd if the thing else is making a mistake. culture which produced the disease also supplied The claim that all authority is given unto the remedy. Sounds like feeding the dog on its Christ, is either true or false. The power of the own tail!
Gospel depends upon its truth. In these days Truth is truth wherever you are. If an Ameri- there is much to confuse our perception on that can man of business should conduct negotiations point, particularly what is badly described as the with a skilled merchant in China who insisted on "science of comparative religion." Never use that adding up two and two to make five when he was expression, because there is no such thing as going to charge an account and to make three "comparative religion." Many people are com- when he was going to pay a bill, you would say: paratively religious, but it is not their beliefs and "Nonsense! Two and two always make four."
practice that are studied in this science-it is a You wouldn't be at all impressed if he were to comparative study of religions. reply tha,t such a rigid rule does not suit the mer- While this study may be interesting and very curial temperament of the Oriental. You would valuable and may help us to present the Gospel say, "Temperament be blowed! Two and two to the people of these traditional religions with a make four."
sympathetic understanding of their own outlook, If a thing is true at all, it is true always and this study is liable to take our minds away from everywhere. It is impossible that the Gospel –;;-C-;;-ndensed from an address delivered at the S. V. M. Conven- should be true for us without being true for everytion, IndianapoliS. Not corrected by the ~uthur. The full address body else If it is not true it is a delusion everywill appear in the Convention Report. Price $2.00. • , [ 119 ]
where. Its power to help us depends upon its has made His will and purpose known. Our claim truth and if it is true then things incompatible is that the Christ reveals this Father of all manwith it cannot also be true. Then everyone who kind and that in the Gospel is disclosed His charconducts life on any principle other than that of acter and purpose. It is possible that here is the Gospel is making a fundamental mistake. He the truth that the whole world wants; and we do is building his house upon the sand. not believe that there is not even the possibility of it anywhere else. Thus our first element in the The Obligation to Impart constraint of foreign missions is that the Gospel is true and is the one standard by which it is con- The Gospel is true for all, if it is true at all. ceivable that all men should be willing to be If so, then whoever receives it is under the in- judged. We may fail to live in harmony with that escapable obligation to impart it to others. Here standard but our failures will be failures either alone is the foundation on which to build a world of understanding or of weakness of character; civilization. On what principles is it to be built? they will be not failures due to divergence in the Are we going to discover these principles by mak- direction in which men wish to walk. ing a complex calculation of the various desires and aspirations of the different countries of the "I am the way," says Christ. We must claim world? We must not ignore them, but could there that He means it not only for individuals but for be any more shifting sand than that on which to all men, for nations and for races. He is the one build any great structure? A world civilization and only Way. must be built upon truth which affects basic human life. As Christians we believe that the Gospel The world vitally needs what Christ through of Christ is that truth. It is the one possible the Gospel can give. Is this only a claim; do the foundation on which a world civilization can be facts substantiate it? There is already the bereared. A great deal of the difficulty in bringing ginning of an acceptance of this claim in that about adjustments of claims between the nations process of redirecting the other religions under a and the races of the world arises from the fact Christian influence. Moreover there is the evithat .there is no agreement among them with re- dence of it in the fact reported from every quarter gard to the standard by which they agree that of the globe that as people come to understand their conduct should be judged. As long as they Jesus of Nazareth, they come to regard Him as admire different kinds of things mutual agree- their own fellow countryman. It is most astoundment on the things required for the progress of ing that from the villages of Africa, and the great mankind becomes impossible. plains of India, out of the civilizations of China and Japan, men fashion to themselves a likeness The truth that is most vitally needed to bring of Christ to make him as their own fellow countrytogether in one spiritual fellowship nations, now man. There is no other figure in the world about forced into communities by the abolition of dis- whom that is true. That it should be possible tance through the triumphs of science, is a simple when all this impression is based upon the brief standard by which all are to be judged. Until record contained in the four Gospels is utterly that happens there will be, strictly speaking, no amazing. solution at all to a great variety of problems. Until we have a common ground to start from The Fulfillment of All Hopes irresistible arguments can be advanced to support incompatible claims. What does this mean? I.t means that here in- deed is He whom the nations recognize as the ful- Some people have proposed that we abolish all fillment of all their own hopes and longings. our divisive beliefs, and gather together a con- Christ is in truth the "desire of all nations." As ference representing all the religions and moral the missionary enterprise goes forward, it peraspira,tions of mankind. Try to picture them, petually vindicates the principles on which it rests, with all the divergent traditions from which they because those things happen which ought to hapcome; shut them up together and tell them they pen if it is true. He claims all authority is given will not be let out until they agree upon their to Him and the nations of the world as they come common formula. They would probably not get to recognize Him, see in Him their own Lord. beyond saying it is very desirable that everyone He is not looked upon as an alien potentate imshould be good, while they would mean quite dif- posed lJPon them, but as their own to whom they ferent things by the word "good." naturally turn. When they depict Him in pictures for their children they make Him with the fea- There is no prospect of finding any standard tures and in the garments of their own people. which all men can rightly accept unless there is a God, who is Father of all mankind, whose love Again, if we are Christians, we believe that the embraces all mankind, so that in His purpose all gift that we have received from God through the will find their welfare secure, and unless that God Gospel is our greatest treasure. We may not al-
THE DIVINE CONSTRAINT OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS
ways think that, because our feelings are still so it, by life at least, and by word when opportunity unruly and undisciplined; but with our minds, at comes. There is another term, greater than these, least, we believe this if we are Christians. in the real divine constraint; that is the hunger in the heart of God. If you rejoice in His love, Next we ask: What is the gift of God through how can you dare rejoice in His love when that the Gospel? The answer is that what God gives love is longing for an answer from those to whom through the Gospel of Christ is Himself. God is you might be declaring i,t, and you do not do so? love and if love is come into my heart it means That is the real divine constraint. Since our Lord that I become loving. Salvation means that a hung on His cross we have tried to see in that man is changed from being selfish into being lov- picture, drawn once for all by God himself, the ing as God is love. "We know that we have passed revelation of the love which is eternal in His heart out of death into life because we love the breth- -and still He waits. ren." Incidentally, this means that we are also delivered from the pains and penalties of being Our own response in our lives is poor enough, selfish and ungodly. but there are those multitudes to whom we might be turning, and still He waits. He honors us by If we have received the salvation of God, making us His agents, His ambassadors. It is through Christ, that means that our hearts are His will that the Gospel of His love should now be full of something which they cannot keep but made known through us, who have received it, or must give out. Your Christian experience is it will not be known at all so far as we can tell. something that you cannot possibly hold to your- He could, no doubt, do quite well without us, but self; you feel constrained to impart it to other because of His love for us and all men, He has people. Otherwise it is not God's best gift in the made it the priceless reward of those who receive Gospel; it is not salvation. But if what you have and obey His Gospel that they shall have the honor received is the gift that God offers, then you can- of being His ambassadors. not keep it to yourself. To receive it and to share it are parts of one experience; the two sides of We cannot penetrate far into the secrets of the the one precious coin, by which we may purchase Eternal mind and heart of God, but we do know ,that fellowship with God, which is Eternal Life. a little of what love means, and we know that the One side is His love given to us; the other side is divine love must be far more than any that is that love reflected in us toward other men. There known on earth, and we know that He is waiting is the Gospel of Life, so that wherever it is re- and that He invites us to be His fellow-workers, ceived, there of its own force it is passing out "That He may see of the travail of His soul and again to others. Those who receive it are nat- be satisfied." When we look out over this beurally and inevitably missionaries. wildered world, so sorely needing to know the Way of God and the power to follow it, let us not Every Ohristian a Missionary only remember that Christ is the Word that calls us to walk that Way, but that, after the passing We have often heard it said that anyone who of 2,000 years, there is the divine constraint to goes from a Christian country, so-called, to one give the Gospel to others. The uppermost thought of the other countries, has not to choose whether in every mind and the uppermost longing in every he will be a missionary or not, because he will be heart should be to witness for Christ. taken as a representative of Christianity. What he has to choose is only whether he shall be a good God, who has called us to be witnesses, knows missionary or a bad one, but missionary he will every limitation of ours, and yet He has called us be. In our day we must go further, because we -and think what it is to which He calls. recognize that the Christian nations are only half Christian, and wherever a Christian lives he must I began by quoting the opening words of the be a missionary, a good one or a bad one, but by Benedictus. Let me end by quoting its closing his life, by his influence, he is either drawing men words. "Thou, child,"-not only John the Baptist, to Christ, or sending them away from Him. but every child that has heard the Gospel of God's love-"Thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of But if to be a Christian is to be a missionary, the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of then think what our calling means. Think of the the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge honor; think of the glory that can be if only we of salvation unto His people for the remission of are faithful as we bring the world to Christ by their sins" – not through any wisdom of yours – bringing Christ to the world. but "through the tender mercy of our God, where- by the dayspring from on high visited us, to give We have thought of the world's need and how light to them that sit in darkness and in the the Gospel of Christ and the Gospel alone, can shadow of death, to guide our feet" – where the meet it, even in this world, to say nothing of the whole world most needs guidance – into the way Life Beyond. We have thought of the nature of of peace. the Gospel itself and that to believe it is to preach
Christianity the World
By REV. FRANK C. LAUBACH, Ph.D., Mindanao, Philippine Islands ~- Portions of an Address Given at the Student Volunteer Con- vention, Indianapolis, Indiana, December, 1935* T HE Christianity the world needs is the kind others, but he cannot save himself," they uttered that Christ was. How did He differ from the one of the truest things ever spoken. rest of us and from other religions? In the That word spoken before the cross, still rings quality of His love. It was so hot and so far-reach- down the centuries: Choose, every man; you ing and so self-denying. cannot save others if you save yourself. Men who Contrast him with the world's best. Some peo- would save themselves have cursed the world, but ple say that Abdul Baha has combined all the best men who would not save themselves have helped and made the final religion. Listen to one of his to save the world.
prayers. "0 God, 0 God . . . open before my face the doors of prosperity. Give me my bread." No one knows what he is capable of until Imagine Jesus praying for his own prosperity! Christ's love sets him on fire. Nobody suspected Christians often do; Jesus never. that a young fisherman, named John, would catch on fire and write the world's sublimest book. No- Most men seek for those who can help them. body suspected that a little Jew, named Paul, Jesus gravitated toward need. From the moment would catch fire and try to capture the Roman He awoke in the morning until He closed his eyes Empire for Christ. Fascinating books have been at night He gazed right and left, asking: written of men and women who stood amazed at what they found they could do through His help. "Father, whom can I help and help. Whom can "I can do all things" they say in glad surprise, I heal, or teach, or encourage, or save, or defend? "through Christ." Who needs me next, and next?"
Every moment of his waking life was spent in this way until the people said: "The love in that Man's heart is hotter than the Why then has the world not been transformed? sun and wider than the world." For two reasons: If everyone spent his time like that, asking First, it is a bigger task than we realized. The only: "Whom can I help? Who needs me next?" world is very large, and we have a new generation we would have Heaven on earth. to deal with every thirty years. Though we may evangelize the world in this generation, it will God himself must be as good as the best; so need resaving at least three times a century. . . . the Apostle John wrote: "God is love." This is one of the highest tributes ever paid to God. The second reason the Kingdom seems slow in When Jesus fell under the Cross on His way coming is that the word "Christian" is being used to Calvary, the soldiers compelled Simon of Cy- as a label for a very cheap substitute for the rerene to take it up and carry it. Then His friends ligion of Christ. His demands are so terrific, so saw something of the meaning of His words: mind-stretching, that to become a real Christian Unless you take a cross and follow Me, you are means a funeral. The old self must die and be not my disciple. buried. But men have found a way to hang a sym- bol of the cross over their hearts instead of put- That terrible, final act on the cross made His ting it inside, where the old self remains very words and deeds real. Kind words and acts do much alive. not convince unless they cost something. When the Roman captain saw him hanging on the cross, The most tragic thing oJesus ever said, and the moaning: "Father, forgive them," he said, "Sure- thing He has had to repeat frequently since, is: ly this man was a son of God." The way Jesus died was too noble for human nature. "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but do not the things which I command you?" When those who mocked Him said: "He saved "Ye cannot serve God and mammon," He said, vol•umThee, sfouolln rteopobret poufbltihsihsedadbdyrestshewSiltludaepnpteaVroliunntteheer cMoonvveemnteinotn. and Yet millions have accustomed themselves to [122 ] living compartmentalized lives, until they develop This thirtieth day of December has been the into well-meaning, sincere, self-deceived hypo- greatest day in the Philippine year. In every crites. town and village throngs have gathered reverently I think that the greatest hindrance to Christ in about the statue of a young man, which stands at non-Christian lands is that so many of us talk the center of every plaza in every town in the like Christians and act like heathens in business Islands. They have been commemorating the or social relations. death day of Jose Rizal, their martyred hero. He Michelangelo used to wear a light on his fore- is one of the most beautiful illustrations of sacri- head so that his own shadow would not fall across fice since Christ. As a mere boy Rizal saw his the picture he was painting. Today, the ugly self- mother thrown into prison for petty spite, his ish shadow of our pagan life stands like a dark neighbors robbed and beaten and exiled and. mur- cloud between Christ and the non-Christian world. dered. The pain struck into his young heart.
. . . It was because Russia saw so much of that "What can I do," he asked God, "what can I do kind of Christianity .that she now spurns the word for my family and my country?"
Christianity, or even the word God. It is bitter He had to flee from the Philippines at the age irony that she has adopted more of the economic of nineteen. Over Europe he went, seeking in principles of Jesus than have nations called Chris- every university and every book for the answer tian. It is this misuse of the word Christian that to his question. He found it at last in "Uncle led Mr. Gandhi to decide not to call himself a Tom's Cabin."
Christian, though in many respects his life is "I will write a book," he said, "which will re- equalled by few Christians. . . . Christian na- veal the truth about the Philippines as Harriet tions and Christian civilization-there are none. Beecher Stowe revealed the truth about slavery."
They have stolen the best Name in the world and When the book appeared his countrymen wept stretched it as a cloak over a wretched social or- and his enemies gnashed their teeth. Unable to der. . . . We have taken sacrifice out of the reach him, they chased his parents from their word Christian and have made it huge and pudgy. home and burned it, threw the bones of his rela- "Not by might nor by power" saith the Lord, "but tives out of their graves, drove all his brothers by my Spirit." and sisters into exile, began to destroy the very If we eould purify the word Christian so that town in which he had lived.
it contained Jesus' passion to serve and give life, Rizal, working on the sequel to his book, was there would be another Pentecost. driven nearly frantic at the news, but he finished his work. Then he said "They will never be satis- If the Christianity which we are offering to fied until I give them my life." He wrote two the non-Christian world seems unreal and false, letters, one to his relatives and the other to his Gandhi and Kagawa tell us to look in upon our- country. On the envelope of each he wrote: "To be opened after my death," and sailed to Manila selves and ask: and death. As they led him out to be shot he said: "Am I real? Do I live as I talk?" If reality is important in America, it is far more "My Saviour's sufferings on the cross were long exacting on the foreign field. Being a missionary and terrible. Mine will last but a moment. Fa- ther, I forgive every man from the bottom of my is much harder than I had supposed. We carry a Bible with us and say: "Read this wonderful heart." .
book." At thirty-five he died as nobly as he had lived.
But they cannot read it-they do not even try. His life of service, crowned with the supreme They keep staring at us. We are white, and sacrifice, has done more for the Filipino nation strange, and speak a dreadful accent. They can't than all the speeches made in four centuries. It has put a passion in noble Filipino hearts that will read books but they can read human nature. If we say: "Listen to the story of Jesus," they never die. But if you were to separate Rizal from do not hear the story; they are so interested in . his sacrifice, he would be just another man. He gazing at us. The Bible they read is our faces. has saved others from oppression and death be- The Christ they see is the missionary. If they fail cause he would not save himself.
to see Christ in us they have no interest in our Book or in our stories of Christ. This is a terri- If you would serve Christ with a burning heart, fying responsibility. This is why many mission- go into the slums, as Jane Addams or Kagawa aries I know have gone through a period of acute did, and let misery break your heart. Then people suffering, until they have given themselves up to will listen to you for they will know you are real.
Christ and to serve other'S in a new and more com- Young ministers who are juggling for a high sal- plete surrender. ary will never find a burning message. You can- not save others if you save yourself. Forget about
salary and go where the need is greatest. And if Books of Moses; Jabur-the Psalms of David; you cannot marry a girl who will go there with Kitab Injil-the Gospel of Jesus; the Koran! you, do not marry at all. "Friends," I cried, "you know the Koran, and I have been an unworthy man, with my past I know your first three holy books. We will share strewn with sins and mistakes, but there is one what we have." decision I made, thanks to a book written by Robert E. Speer. There I saw that Jesus gravitated Two punditas sat beside me as we translated toward the hardest place and the neediest people many of the Old Testament stories which we and and took the consequences. I made up my mind they believe, and the entire Gospel of Luke. that I would put my one life in the spot where I foun4 the most acute need. In the slums of New Then from Signal Hill came the thought of York I saw the great burning heart of Roswell teaching the Moros their own language with our Bates beating out his life against sins and pov- Roman letters. Not a word had been printed in erty until he died. their language, so we bought a printing press, adopted an alphabet, prepared lessons and began One day I heard that the neediest place on earth to teach. just then seemed to be the Moro field in the southern Philippines. I decided to go there. But when They have but sixteen sounds, and we thought we reached that country the government officials we ought to teach that small alphabet quickly. were having war with the Moros and would not With enthusiasm my Moslem friends experihear of our staying among them. I waited ten mented with me, trying a new plan weekly, until years, working in other parts of the Philippines at the end of a year they and I together evolved and then, in 1929, leaving my wife and son in the easiest method of teaching illiterates. We Luzon, I went to Lanao. I wrote to my father that can teach some people to read their own language, day: slowly but intelligently, in one day; our usual time is four or five days. Thousands thronged "I have at last arrived to undertake the most our school, and went out to teach other thousands, difficult task under the American flag and one of until two-thirds of the province were studying or the most difficult in the world." reading. Hadjis wearing turbans went about selling the Bible portions we had printed. We It was. Government officials opposed my com- discovered that to sit down beside a man and teach ing because they were having a hard task keeping him to read with your heart full of love is a wonthe peace. Most of the Moros did not know that derful way to win his friendship so that he will I was a missionary, and those who knew it disap- listen to anything you have to say. Positively I proved. My first year was the lonesomest, hardest believe many of those Moros would die for us. of my life. I thought I was facing disastrous fail- Last year one fierce old man I had taught put his ure. I climbed Signal Hill back of my cottage and arm around me and whispered in my ear: told God he had called me to a task beyond my powers. My dog Tip, under my arm, looked up in "You and I are the greatest friends in the my face and wondered at the tears. Night after world, and if there is anybody you want me to night I talked aloud from that lonely hilltop. One put out of the way, tell me who he is." night my lips began to talk, but they spoke to me: I often go to their mosques, and they return the "My child," they said, "You are suffering be- visit by attending in deep reverence our Christian cause I am not yet satisfied with you. I am in service. Last January, as I was leaving, four travail to set you a flame with Christ. How fully truck loads of Moro priests and datos and sultans can you surrender and not be afraid." followed us to the seacoast. They crowded the deck of the steamer. After they had made I flung up my arms and said: speeches, they asked the chief imam to pray. Very "God, if thou art speaking through my lips, reverently they held out their hands as he prayed come and do my thinking for me. Walk through that this American friend whom they had helped my brain, burn up my heart." to make the easiest method of teaching in the That lonely misery on Signal Hill six years' world, should have the blessing of Allah as he ago now seems to me to be the only thing in my started across the world teaching the Moro methwhole life you cannot take away for it drove me od to all the illiterate nations of the world. They into the waiting arms of God. From Signal Hill all wanted to go with me. As they kissed me good came the suggestion that I study the Koran. So bye with their Arab whiskers, many of them wept I told a Moslem priest that I wanted to study his as they said: book. The next day my house was crowded with Mohammedans, trying to make a Moslem out of "We will pray for you in every mosque in me. We discovered from a Moslem book, printed Lanao." in India that one man brought with him, that they believe in four holy books: Torah-the Then they bowed reverently as our Christian church members prayed and sang, "God be with you till we meet again." Hundreds of letters have come from Asia, Af- show me what, and give me power and faith and rica and South America asking about this method a stout heart to see it through." of teaching illiterates to read and write. More than half the people in the world are still illiterate. When the lawyer said: "the greatest command- India alone has 340 millions of illiterates, nearly ment is to love God and to love thy neighbor," Jethree times the total population of the United sus said to him: "Thou has answered right. This States, and China has even more. Most of the do." The soldier who laughed at Jesus and said: people of Latin America are illiterate, and Africa "He saved others, himself he cannot save" also is more than ninety per cent illiterate. Mission- spoke the truth. But truth not backed with life aries in many countries are baffled by the stupen- is a lie. The crucial question is not whether we dous fact that over a billion people cannot read the know the truth, but whether we make any act of Bible or any other book in any language. will in the face of a million years of instincts! A will to do in myself what I see all others must When I showed these letters to my Moro friends, they said "God wills it." You must go. The Mos- MORO BOYS IN THE MISSION LIBRARY lems have helped me never to ask whether I have ability, but only whether God calls me. There do, before the world will rise to the Kingdom of is a great map on the wall of our school, and God! A clear-cut act of choice. these Moros are drawing a broad red line on it to show where their method has followed me I see that the life of Jesus was real and I will through the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Egypt, loathe myself if I am a fraud. Action must click Palestine, Syria, Turkey, across Europe to the with truth in me. United States. Every week new doors open to larger ventures in such swift succession that they A tremendous corporate resolve to turn our make me catch my breath. I feel that the billion backs upon self and go with Christ to meet human illiterate half of the world, these forgotten men, need, that alone will satisfy God and it would rock lie heavy on the heart of God, and that He seems the world. eager to use anybody who will meet that titanic need. EVERY CHRISTIAN A SERVANT Six years ago I thought I was facing disaster. In the Christian the instinct to rescue-not less auto- Now I know that suffering drove me to act my matic than the instinct to self-preservation-is brought up love before I talked about Christ, forced me to out of the earth where self-interest has buried it. That enter this great needy field of illiteracy. When dynamic impulse-so ungovernable in its initial movement we understand more will we see that human suf- that a man will follow his fellow into fire and flood and fering is necessary to drive us out of stupid con- every visible danger before self-interest has checked itceit and prepare us for service? is not to be checked in the Christian. It is to be stabilized and shaped to the eternal uses of Love. That spark from The great need in our pseudo-Christian age is God is like the ray from the star Arcturus, which ani. for men and women who will serve daringly. We mated the persistent brilliance of a city where the beam do not need more good books so much as more fell. For all the lights in all the windows of all the houses good men and women sharing the sufferings of of rescue in the world are but the obedient children of the West Virginia coal fields, or South African gold Father of Lights. And all the burning in the servant's mines, or the slums of Kobe. One illustration l1ke heart, of compassionate feeling and of the will to serve, Kagawa is worth a million brilliant sermons. is the charge and care of that One who is in the midst of Thank God anybody can live sacrificially. Most the cand:esticks, to save them from extinction and to light of the people who are doing it are not wise or with such candles, large and small, the present darkness. famous; they are unknown saints who are changing the world. There are no "Christian" nations, There is not a one of us, speaking to a neighbor or a but thank God there are glorious Christians in most unsuspected places. wanderer at the lighted door of the kitchen, or of the The acute problem that most young people face school, or of the hospital, or of the church, but may be a is, "What is God's will for me? Where does He want me to put my life?" lantern in that Hand. JEAN KENYON MACKENZIE.
Need is God calling from without. Love is God calling from within. The Christianity the world needs is the kind that plunges into need. I will be a traitor to this planet on which I happen to be unless I face God and say: "Show me where and
Pioneers for Seventy~Five
By JULIA H. BRONSON, New York )D.- Editorial Secretary of the Woman's Union Missionary Society SEVENTY-FIVE years ago last November inces of India and in China and Japan. Through . (1860) nine courageous women met in Bos- its Philadelphia Branch the Society sought out the ton to form a society to send single women first woman medical missionary to go from Amerto evangelize women and children of the Orient. ica, but acceded to the request of the Board of her Early in the following year, the general society own Methodist Church, that she be transferred to under the leadership of Mrs. Thomas C. Doremus their mission in India. Undaunted, the Society was incorporated in New York City, the smaller .found two more medical women and sent them to Boston group offering to become a branch organ- India. Women's medical missions are still an ization. Thus the Woman's Union Missionary'So- important part of the work of the Society which' ciety of America, pioneer woman's foreign mission has hospitals in India and cooperates in the new agency in this country, has just entered upon its Woman's Christian Medical College of Shanghai, seventy-sixth year. established upon the Margaret Williamson Hos- Almost immediately a second branch was pital foundation.
formed in Philadelphia by that versatile person- The Society's anniversary was celebrated in age of the '60's, champion of woman's rights, New York in the First Presbyterian Church on the woman's homes and woman's privileges, Mrs. Sara fifteenth of January. It has maintained its evan- Josepha Hale. Her pen had indited that children's gelical and undenominational character and is supclassic, "Mary had a little Lamb," and she was ported by those who approve this form of union editing the forerunner of women's magazines, work. The organization does not incur debt and Godey's Lady's Book. Mrs. Hale, by pen and last November rejoiced in a record of seventy-five voice enthusiastically espoused the cause of the years' service with all obligations met. infant Society, and became the first president of the Philadelphia Branch, devoting regular space in her magazine to its interests.
Obstacles to be overcome by the new and in- A PRAYER FOR MISSIONARIES experienced Society were not few. The departure from established procedure was radical; officers Lord, remember in love the dear servants of of existing general Mission Boards deemed such a Thy truth who have gone to the distant parts of step by women premature; independent organ- the earth that Thy name may be glorified. Pre- izations of women of any nature were rare; public serve in them a triumphant faith that they may confidence must be created if financial help was see the end of their labors achieved even amid to be obtained, especially as the country was in the defeat and failure. Sustain them in their sor- throes of the Civil War, and there was prejudice rowing for others and, sowing tears, may they to be overcome. Nevertheless these intrepid come again reJOIcmg. Grant them wisdom for women I-aunched their frail bark, freighted with every occasion that the great ones of the earth courage, initiative and hope, and the motto upon may feel the power of Christ in the influence of its ensign was, "0 woman, great is thy faith!" A His servants. We praise thee for living witnesses periodical was issued and during the first year the of Thy power and for the slow dawn that heralds Society undertook work in Burma through native the noonday of Thy presence in the heart of man- Bible women. They also sought, appointed and kind -everywhere. Bless all agencies t1:~at hasten sent forth their first American woman missionary, the victory of the Spirit and turn the evil devices and a second, in the following year, went to Cal- of men to Thy glory. So let the messengers of cutta to establish a new type of work, zenana Thy Gospel hope ever in God, and labor on un- visitation and teaching among purdah women. wearied in the sure confidence that God will honor The enterprise grew until missions had been their gift of consecrated service to generations established in several cities of the United Prov- yet unborn. For Thy Name's sake. Amen.
[ 126]
Missions Are Marching
By the REV. FRED FIELD GOODSELL, D.D., Boston Exemtive Vice-President of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions T IME marches on! Crime marches on! Mis- to talk with their leaders, to listen to their sing- sions too are marching on! If you do not be- ing, to see them at work and at leisure, to sample lieve it, take the time and trouble to look into their food, to examine their handicraft, to become the matter. Leave prejudice aside. Face claimant a part of their world-so far as a foreigner can. human need. Be just plain human and let human It is one thing to listen to missionaries at home on nature around the world speak to your heart. furlough as they try to tell their story, and quite "God so loved the world. . . ." Mingle a little another thing to share their life in their own bailimore love with your living and thinking and see wicks, to see the things they are constantly looking whether it does not give you a at, to feel the pressure of so- better perspective. Act i v e cial forces strangely contradic- goodwill, love, justice, peace tory to the ideals of the Man of are what the world needs most, Galilee. The wonder is and the and the world mission of Chris- wonder grows, not that the in- tianity is marching on deter- digenous churches have made mined to put the thirteenth so little progress relatively, but chapter of First Corinthians that they have been formed and into daily practice. have made any progress. Mis- I have recently returned sions are marching on, because from a thirty-five thousand they are a part of the Divine mile journey that took me out purpose, not because they are a to India, across to South Africa, human undertaking.
northward through the heart of I saw a sight on a street lead- that great continent and home- ing into the heart of Delhi that ward through the Near East lingers in my mind as a symbol and Europe. I traveled in al- of the way in which the non- most every conceivable fashion. Western world is not only The airplane helped to cover adopting but also adapting its the great open spaces. Eleven borrowings from the West. A thousand miles by air saved young man was riding along on about six weeks for work that a bicycle with the carcass of a I could not otherwise have dressed sheep across the han- done. When we were flying dlebars. Sitting on the carcass low over the spot where David was a full-grown live sheep.
Livingstone died, I had a new Coming up alongside was a dig- vision of what his passion for RIVAL TRAlSPORTS IN THE SUDAN nified, black-bearded man in Africa meant. Later, along the flowing white robes and beau- western borders of Ethiopia that vision was al- tiful turban, riding an up-to-date motorcycle. Bi- most completely obscured by the dark Italian cycles were not made to carry dressed or live sheep war clouds. War cancels almost everything to market, motorcycles are not as convenient as worth while. automobiles for men or women with flowing robes, I but the East intends to do what it pleases with the My main interest on these journeys was to study things that come from the West.-~- the growth of the indigenous church. It is one The same thing applies to the Church, and thing to sit in a comfortable study in America, should. · I have the conviction that basically the reading reports and looking at pictures. It is an- Christian Church belongs to no one race or clime other thing to mingle with the multitudes, to or time. It is God's instrument for drawing hu- travel with them, to face them from a platform, manity to His heart. To impose the Western [127 ]
forms of the church upon an awakening East is a veloping these natural resources. Christian peomistake of the first magnitude. Let them adopt ple in Africa ask us to help them solve their social and adapt as they will. A body of indigenous problems. Christians in India, Africa, the Near East or anywhere else has the right to work out their own Or take the new stirrings of conscience among interpretation of the inner spirit of Christianity. the Hindu people on the question of caste. Gandhi One sign that missions are marching on is the fact, said to me in Nagpur that he was out to destroy broadly speaking, that missionaries from the West the caste system. I could hardly believe my ears. are being overwhelmed with evidence that the I have been encouraged to quote him since I have spirit of Christ has put its roots down deep into seen confirmation in Indian papers that such is the human soil of many a non-Western land. Mis- his real intention. He will not succeed. But he sions need not be so much concerned hereafter might succeed if the forces of Christianity in the with the forms of organization, types of church West had conquered the caste systems of the West, architecture, standards of "proper" conduct of the the caste ofrace, and the caste of wealth. indigenous Christian community_ The basic thing -a knowledge of Christ-has been so widely and Missions are marching on because the Christruly shared that indigenous leaders are worthy tians of the West are beginning to realize that a of greater confidence. Let them make their own slum is a bad place even though you do not live in it. A slum anywhere is a threat to physical, moral PREPARING AFRICANS TO PREACH CHRIST and spiritual health everywhere. This is literally H. A. Stick, a missionary of the American Board in Natal; Dr. true in these days when the old physical barriers between nations are being borne away_ How Fred Field GoodseU, Executive Vice-President of the Board, strange it is! Man destroys space and then seeks and nine graduating theological students in Adams, Natal to set up barriers to brotherhood! If we are not interested in the heathen next door, or around the mistakes. They will register their own successes. corner, we cannot long maintain the unrealism of Missions are marching on! "foreign" missions.
II We need well organized, superbly led and com- Missions in the century before us will wrestle prehensive councils for Christian social action in with the new fact of an intimately interrelated America because we need them all around the world. Western invention and manufacture are world. Missions are marching on because the forcing the Christian Churc.h to acknowledge that Christian Church is coming to grips with the sothere really is no such thing as foreign missions. cial implications of the spirit and teaching of We must speak of planetary missions or of "world Jesus. missions" but no longer of "foreign" missions. It is all "home" missions. Take the impact of III Western industry upon social life. What problemsChristian forces face in America! But it is There is only one thing that can halt the progunrealistic to talk about Christianizing the social ress of the world movement of Christianity. The order in America as an isolated task when West- depression has not halted it. It has produced ern industry with all its armory of equipment has some problems, it has accentuated others, but it moved into the heart of Africa. Visit the gold has not halted the movement of the world toward fields in South Africa or the copper fields in Christ. Imperialism, fascism, communism, Hit- Northern Rhodesia and the Belgian Congo. See lerism have not halted it. These are all external for yourself how millions of Bantu people are be- enemies. They are foreign to the spirit of Christ. ing uprooted and overturned in the process of de- They are new forms of ancient evils. The Chris- tian Church has met them before. The thing that can halt and destroy the world movement toward Christ is unchristian Christians. The real ques- tion before us is: Are we determined to take Jesus Christ in earnest? Do we think the world has outgrown Him? Are we becoming blind on moral and spiritual issues in our own lives? I have faith to believe in the signs of a spiritual awakening across America, the like of which the Western world has never seen. Missions are marching on and will march on through the decades before us.
Are we Christians going to follow Him who bids us cross the World to share with all mankind what has been given to us in Christ, or are we· not? Will we give the Gospel or try to keep it-and lose it? R. E. S.
A SCENE AMONG THE NEEDY VILLAGERS OF SOUTH
This picture brings vividly to mind some of the sobering aspects of India's need. These are v ill age people of the poorer sort. Tb ey were camped by the wayside a nd proved to be frien dly but filtby and undernourisbed. They represent millions of Indians wbo need the message of Cbrlst. F. ~'. G.
SOME GIRLS OF THE DORAKAL BOARDING SCHOOL I N I NDIA While not from tbe same dist rict or group in India , tbe pic ture of tbese g il'ls, contras ted with t he group above, shows. tbe cbange tbat Christian tra ining can m ake in the life, the ideals and character and the usefulness of the vill agers in India .
Enlarging
By the REV. ARTHUR JUDSON BROWN, D.D., New York Author of "The Foreign Missionary," etc., etc.; Secretary Emeritus of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions I T IS difficult to realize how widely world condi- "Tommies'~.called the "Milk and Honey Express," tions today differ from those of a century ago. makes the trip from Cairo to Jerusalem in one Then, a large part of the world was closed. night. Railways run almost without a break from Americans knew little and cared less about the Cape Town north to Cairo, and in July, 1931, a teeming masses in Asia and Africa. There were line was completed from Beira on the east coast occasional vague rumors about them, but they of Africa to Lobi,to on the west coast, 2,949 miles were. unheeded. In the school geographies, vast distant. Within the memory of living men, Jules regions were marked "unexplored." China was Verne's story, "Around the World in Eighty almost as inaccessible as when the dying Xavier Days," was deemed fantastic; but today aviators cried in 1552: "Oh! Rock, rock, when wilt thou have flown around the world in eight days.
open?" Japan had not emerged from medieval When Hunter Corbett and Calvin Mateer went feudalism. Korea was called the "Hermit Na- to China in 1863, they had to journey six months tion." Mohammedan countries were barred in a sailing vessel, and the discomfort and poor against Christians as "infidel dogs." India was food impaired their health. On our second visit in the clutches of a British trading company. Half to Asia, we not only went around the world in a century was to pass before Stanley was to totter six months, but had 15 days in Japan, 25 days in into a west coast settlement, ragged and sick, to Chosen, 57 days in China, and saw something of declare the secret of the mighty Congo and to ex- Siberia and Russia. The only hardship that lin- press the hope that at least one missionary might gered in my memory was the excessive heat in be sent to central Africa. The Philippine Islands passing through Chicago on the trip from New were so unknown to America that, even in 1898, York to San Francisco. That journey can now be when the news flashed over the cables that Com- made with much greater ease and comfort. In- modore Dewey had taken them from Spain, there deed, it seems that almost the only thing that has was a scurrying for atlases to find out where they not changed is the climate of Chicago. Electricity were, and a member of Congress vouchsafed the and gasoline have abolished distance. Chinese war .opinion that the people were those to whom Paul lords wire their orders to distant generals. Auto- had addressed his Epistle to the Philippians. mobiles and trolley cars are found in hundreds of The change has been amazing. Steamships now Asiatic and South American cities. Air lines link cross the Pacific Ocean in eight days and run 600 Panama and Peru, London and Capetown, Bagh- miles up the Yangtze River. Scores of s.teamers dad and Teheran. The telephone is used in Kyoto ply on the Upper Congo and modern hotels wel- and Tsinanfu, in Beirut and Santiago. December come the traveler to Victoria Falls. The Trans- .12, 1931, the first wireless message was flashed Siberian Railway, begun in 1891~ spans the entire across the Atlantic Ocean. This, with the cable continent of Asia. The traveler to Palestine lands and radio, have turned the world into a whisper- where St. Paul did, but takes a railway train and ing gallery. A message filed at seven o'clock in presently hears ,the brakeman bawl: "Jerusalem the evening in Teheran, Persia, was received in the next stop!" A railway traverses the hoary New York at nine o'clock on the morning of the summits of Lebanon to Damascus, the oldest city same day, ten hours before it was sent, by Ameri- in the world. Railways gridiron Japan, Chosen, can Eastern Standard time; and the reply India, reach many parts of China, and run from reached Teheran at nine-fifteen the next morning Singapore up the Mal.;:ty Peninsula to Bangkok -the planet girdled twice in a single night! More and Chiengmai. The Anatolian Railway has sta- wonderful still, in April, 1929, the editors of The tions at Haran where Abraham tarried, Nineveh New York Times conversed with Commander where Jonah preached, and Babylon where Nebu- Byrd in the icy wastes of the distant Antarctic.
chadnezzar made an image of gold. Through the Thus, in marvelous ways, steam, electricity and wilderness of Sinai where the Hebrews wandered the printing press have made the whole world for forty years, a railway train, which the British accessible. The era of isolation has gone forever.
[130 ] Interests interlace. PDlitically, the American GDV- ernments; and no non-Christian land is free from ernment is concerned not .only with the govern- their influence.
ments .of Europe but with those of Japan, China, And with these changes has come a different Turkey and Mexico. Commercially, business men conception of non-Christian peoples. In practical- are sending the products of our farms and fac- ly all the early accounts of foreign missionary tories to every continent and although American work, they were termed "heathen," sometimes, exports and imports have heavily decreased in re- "the pODr heathen." Dr. James S. Dennis said cent years, they totaled $3,788,000,000 last year. that foreign missions were long regarded as "a Fifty years ago, Dr. Arthur Mitchell spoke .of kind of slum work among sunken, degraded, and foreign missiDns as purely altruistic in that they altogether degenerate races." Wise advocates of were for peoples who did not touch our lives at missions now use the term "non-Christians," not any point. Can that be said today, when influenza, because the original meaning Of the word "heath- starting in Turkestan, causes mDurners to go en" is less true, but because popular usage has about the streets of every town in America; when imparted to it an element of condescension which a Chinese boycott of American cotton throws has made it offensive to intelligent Asiatics.
workmen in Massachusetts out of employment; Contacts with Non-Christian Peoples when the manager of a silk mill in Pennsylvania tells his employees that he cannot pay higher The closer contacts of today are giving us a wages because the mill must compete with silk juster conception of non-Christian peoples. We mills in Japan? have a knowledge of other races that former gen- Western products and inventions are causing erations did not have. BODks and newspapers economic revolution in Asia. Knowledge of other have dissipated the mystery of the Orient. News- foods and articles has created new wants. In papers tell us every morning of important events many parts of Asia, people, who but a decade or that occurred the day before in Seoul and Peiping, two ago were satisfied with the crudest appliances in Bangkok and Teheran. Americans now know of primitive life, have learned the utility of for- that Asiatics are human beings of like passions eign wire, nails, cutlery, paints and chemicals, to with ourselves, capable of development, responsive use steam and electrical machinery and to like to friendship, worthy of respect. Scientists tell Oregon flour, Chicago beef, Pittsburgh pickles and us that there is no scientific warrant for regard- London jam. In the Baldwin Locomotive Works, ing one race as superior to another and that dif- Philadelphia, I saw twelve engines under CDnstruc- ferences in development are the result, not of tion for China, and my imagination kindled as I anything inherent in one race as distinguished thought what a locomotive means amid that huge from another, but of the operation of uplifting mass of humanity; how no village through which forces. The qualities that have given preeminence it runs can continue to be what it was before; to the white man did not characterize him when how its whistle puts to flight a whole brook of he was found by the missionaries of the early hoary superstitions and summons a long slumber- Church. The Anglo-Saxons of the first centuries ing people tD new life. Nor is China the only land of the Christian era were far more barbarous than to which our products are going. In a single the Chinese, Japanese and East Indians of tDday.
month, 45 of our engines were ordered for India. American treatment of the Chinese and the Negro The American locomotive is speeding across the in the United States shows that race prejudice is steppes of Siberia, through the valleys .of Burma, still strong. Nevertheless, the intelligent white and around the mountain sides of South America. man does not look down upon the man of other "Yankee bridge builders have cast up a highway races as his forefathers did. He recognizes more on the desert where the chari0ts of Cambyses clearly the good qualities that non-Christian peo- were swallowed up by the sands. The steel of ples pos,sess. No man today despises the Japanese, Pennsylvania spans the Atbara, makes a road to and he hears more of the industry of the Chinese Meroe," and crosses the rivers of Peru. Trains and the intellect of the Hindu.
from Cairo to the Cape and from the Upper Nile We can no longer go to such peoples in the spirit to the Red Sea are hauled by American engines of condescension. We have come to a truer idea over American bridges, while the "forty cen- of the worth and dignity of man as man, to a real- turies" which look down from the pyramids see ization that back of almond eyes and under yellow not the soldiers .of France but the manufacturers and black skins are souls dear to the heart of God.
of America. Flags have followed trade till large It is true that some Africans and Asiatics are areas of the non-Christian world are now ruled degraded. So are some Americans. We may re- by the so-called "Christian" nations. Half of call Ruskin's illustration of the mud from the Asia, ten-elevenths of Africa and m.ost of the street of a manufacturing town. He pointed out island world are under nominally Ohristian gov- that it is composed of clay, sand, so.ot and water; that the clay may be purified into the radiance of kings and aristocrats. He no longer permits capithe sapphire; that the sand may be developed tal to dictate his wages and hours of labor. into the beauty of the opal; that the soot may be crystallized into the glory of the diamond; and I.t is not surprising that some of the manifestathat the water may be transformed into a star tions of this spirit are extreme and violent. The of snow. So the lowliest of men may be trans- first taste of power is apt to be intoxicating, and formed by the regenerating power of the divine intoxicated men are seldom rational. In a revolu- Spirit. The transition from the first century of tion, the degree of violence is usually proportion- Protestant missions to the second century is at- ate to the degree of injustice against which the tended by no more significant change than this- revolution reacts. Have autocracy and capital that the non-Christian peoples are regarded with never been unj ust ? What is Bolshevism? It is more respect, and that the missionary does not democracy running amuck, the revolt of the mob go out as a superior to an inferior, but as a man against the oppression of an arrogant ruling class. with a message to his brother man who is beset The world is witness to the fact that Communism by the same temptations, bearing the same bur- in control is as autocratic, as cruel and ruthless, dens, and needing the same help and guidance. as the autocracy which it displaced.
When the East Knows the West We are familiar with the effects of this rising spirit in Europe and America, but we need to take An embarrassing fact is that we not only know into account the fact that it has spread to Asia. Asia better, but that Asia knows us better. The Woodrow Wilson's phrase, "The self-determinaprinting press runs day and night in India. Daily tion of peoples," spread around the world like a papers are published in the leading cities of Ja- prairie fire. Everywhere subject classes raised pan. Siam and China have a vernacular press. their heads. Half-educated students and agents The same steamer that brings to non-Christian of the Russian Soviet diligently fanned the flame. nations Western goods also brings Western books British rule in Egypt and India and American in and periodicals. The immoral trader arrives on the Philippines have been of incalculable benefit the same ship with the missionary. Bibles and to these peoples, but they forget the benefit in whiskey cross the Pacific in the same cargo. The their hatred of alien domination. The Moslem Asiatic travels through Europe and America and world is in revolution, its structure changing and goes back to tell his countrymen of their intem- its attitude more defiant than ever. Everywhere perance, their lust for gold, their municipal cur- one notes the impact of revolutionary forces. A ruption. The Asiatic has discovered not only our new spirit is abroad. It is awakening the minds vices but our irreligion. He knows that multitudes of men. It is widening their vision. It is begetin the lands from which the missionaries come ting impatience of oppression and misgovernment. repudiate Christianity and sneer at the effort to It is declaring in trumpet tones that the greatest preach it to others. Brahmans and Mandarins thing in the world is not property but humanity, read infidel books and magazine articles and con- not money but life. front the missionary with the hostile arguments of his own countrymen. The revolutionary forces which operated upon Western nations one at a time are operating si- It is a significant and revolutionary fact that multaneously upon Asia. In Europe, the intellecthe common man has begun to think for himself tual revival began in the thirteenth century, the and to demand the recognition of his real or imag- religious reformation in the fifteenth century, the inary rights. For uncounted centuries he sawall political revolution and the rise of democracy in power vested in a ruling class. He was regarded the eighteenth century, the industrial revolution as having no rights which his superiors were in the nineteenth century. Now the tremendously bound to respect. Then the printing pr~ss and significant fact is that all these revolutionary the common school began to disseminate ideas. forces have been operating at once upon the vast It is hazardous for a dominant class to educate a populations of Asia. No wonder there is tumult. subjugated one. And yet, under modern condi- Japan has so swiftly readjusted her life that she tions, it would be more dangerous not to do so. is now recognized as one of the major powers of the world. India is a seething cauldron of unrest. Now, this erstwhile abject serf and peasant, Changes have taken place in Turkey and Persia this cringing servant, this sweaty toiler, has awak- which would have been deemed incredible a few ened from the torpor of ages, and become con- years ago. In China, the new wine of democracy scious of his power. He sees that his class forms has been poured into the old skins of autocracy, the huge majori,ty of the human race. He asks and of course they have burst. The present chaos himself why he should longer submit to the lot is not surprising. Such a huge mass could not be which his masters have hitherto imposed upon expected to find itself at once. But the old condihim. He refuses to tolerate the divine right of tions can never be restored. For better or for The startling fact is that man's physical power worse China has entered upon a new era. has developed more rapidly than his moral ability to use it wisely. Character has not kept pace with And with the old era in non-Christian lands has knowledge. Modern science has equipped greed gone the old psychology. No longer does the white and passion with deadlier weapons. The World man face cringing, helpless races, but alert, re- War appallingly illustrated this, and it is said that sentful ones with a new consciousness of their another war would mean the extermination of power. Everywhere is the spirit of resistance to whole populations. Asia is getting Western mathe white man's domination. "Asia for the Asi- chinery, railroads, electricity, machine guns, poiatic" is now the cry, and we must reckon with it. son gas, battleships, and airplanes; but to a far Substitute Asiatic for Jew in Shylock's defiance lesser degree it is getting Christian education and if one would know the spirit of Asia today. "Hath principles of conduct. The Imperial University of not an Asiatic hands, organs, dimensions, senses, Tokyo is one of the best equipped educational affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt institutions in the world. But when 5,000 of its with the same weapons, subject to the same dis- students were asked what their religious conviceases, healed by the same means, warmed and tions were, six replied that they were Confuciancooled by the same summer and winter as a West- ists, eight Shintoists, 60 Christian, 300 Buddhists, erner is? If you prick us do we not bleed? If 1,500 atheists, and 3,000 agnostics. Yet the presiyou poison us do we not die? And if you wrong dent of the university said to a missionary: "If us shall we not revenge T' you expect to capture Japan for Christ, you must capture this university." Of 30,000 students en- The opening years of the sixteenth century saw rolled in the government universities of Japan, the struggle for civilization, the seventeenth cen- 27,000 are reported as having no religion. tury for religious liberty, the eighteenth for constitutional government and the nineteenth for Let us have done with the absurd idea that political freedom; so the twentieth century is secular education will correct evils in character. witnessing what one must borrow the majestic There is nothing in arithmetic and chemistry to imagery of Isaiah to describe as "the noise of a purify motives. India is dotted with excellent multitude in the mountains as of a great people! colleges but its temples contain images of the god The noise of a tumult of the kingdoms of the na- of lust. Some of the most dangerous men of Amertions gathered together! Jehovah of hosts is mus- ica are university graduates. The fact that I can tering the hosts for the battle !" There is fly from New York to Los Angeles in a day does something fascinating, and yet appalling in the not make me a better man than my great grandspectacle. Asia! the birthplace of the human father who would have required two months for race and where a majority of the race still lives, the journey. Knowledge is indeed power; but it where were born civilization and art, science, lit- depends upon the principle that governs it whetherature and philosophy, where all the great reli- er it is power for good or evil. gions of the world arose, where prophets spoke and psalmists sang, where the Son of God visibly What is adequate to these things? Surely not walked before men and where stood the great bigger armies or navies; surely not larger facaltar of the world on which the Lord was crucified tories or more electrical appliances. "There is no -Asia! now awakening from the torpor of ages! political alchemy," said Herbert Spencer, "where- Nothing so vast, so fraught with significance for by you can get golden conduct out of leaden mogood or evil is occurring in our generation. tives." Dwight Moody said the same thing, less elegantly but more forcefully: "If you want to It is a period of intensified moral danger. While get good water, it is not enough to paint the pump; alleged Christian nations are sending the prod- you must clean out the well." Bishop McConnell ucts of their trade, they are also sending the vices says that when he was a boy he read with awe which disgrace their civilization. Scurrilous books about the prehistoric monsters-the pterodactyls and pamphlets in English are sold in India. Mov- and ichthyosauria and gigantosaurs and all the ing pictures made in California, depicting crime rest, that he used ,to wonder what foe was strong and vice, are exhibited in scores of Asiatic cities. enough to exterminate such huge monsters; but In Siam, we saw a sign reading: "Place for that when he was older he learned that no foe ex- Drinking Delightful Juice," which we were told terminated them; that the climate changed and was Scotch whiskey. What pathos in that first they died. The most urgent need of the world letter written in English by an African chief to a today is not an airship or a machine gun, but a former. Archbishop of Canterbury: "Great and change of its moral climate through the Gospel good chief of the tribe of Christ, greeting. The of Christ, and those who contribute to that change humblest of your servants kisses the hem of your are humanity's best benefactors. garment and begs you to send to him and his fellow servants more gospel and less rum."
Sunju, Korean Preacher and
By REV. C. F. BERNHEISEL, D.D., Pyengyang, Korea Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
By THE grace of God, the first half century of mountain and there, in order to establish com- the Protestant Church in Korea was blessed munication with the spirits, continued in prayer with some very remarkable preachers and for two or three days without cessation, keeping evangelists, men who were possessed of intellec- himself awake by pouring water over his body.
tual and spiritual gifts, such as to commend the Perhaps it was an easy step from the study of Gospel of our Lord to the attention of the Korean Taoism to that of medicine as it was known and people. We thank God that so early in the life of practiced by the Koreans, for both were built the Church there were raised up men who not upon the foundation of belief in spirits or demons only possessed the spirit of the Gospel but were that are supposed to exercise an influence over able to champion it before its human health and destiny. Mr.
antagonists. Of these men, the Kil studied medicine from 1893 late Rev. Kil Sunju stands to 1897 and became a druggist, without a peer. He was, with- removing to Pyengyang where out controversy, the greatest he opened a drug store and be- preacher and evangelist the gan a profitable business.
Korean Church has yet pro- By that time Christianity duced. An adequate biography had already begun to move of him should be written but in upon the hearts of the people the meantime it is well to re- of Pyengyang which had the cord some of the facts in the reputation of being one of the life of this great servant of wickedest cities in the country.
God who has so recently and Some earnest evangelists were suddenly been called to higher at work with the missionaries service.* and it was not long until Mr.
Kil Sunju was born in 1869 Kil was sought out by his'
in Anju, an important city friend, Mr. Kim Chonsup, who about half way between Pyeng- proclaimed the Gospel to him yang and the Manchurian bor- and persuaded him to forsake der. There were no modern Taoism and follow Christ.
schools in the country during Thus in the twenty-eighth year his youth and the only educa- of his life, Mr. Kil identified tion he received was that in the REV. KIL SUNJU himself wit h the Christian Chinese c I ass i c s which he Church and was baptized by studied from 1877 to 1885. During that time he the Rev. Graham, Lee of the Presbyterian Mission.
was also employed as a servant to one of the local A year later he was made a "leader" in the East officials in the magistracy, so that along with his Gate Presbyterian Church in the city, thus indi- studies he learned something of the official life of cating that he had already made good progress in the day. The next four years he spent as a mer- his Christian life. A "leader" was at that time chant. That may mean little or much, for nearly the highest office in the local church.
every Korean that has a street frontage exposes In 1902, Mr. Kil was urged by the missionaries some articles for sale and becomes thereby a mer- and church leaders to give up his business and de- chant. From 1890 to 1893 he was engaged in the vote himself to the work of the church. His drug study of Taoism in which he became interested. business was in a prosperous state and he was He used to tell how he once retired to a secluded making from seventy to eighty yen per month • :Many of the historical data here set 'forth were given in a brief (one yen is equal to about 50 cents), a large inbiographical account of Mr. Kil read at his funeral service. His life hcoemweoiunldthsoosoen dbaeycso,maendwethalethpyr.ospTehcetstewmepretatthioant almost parallels the history of the church here in Pyengyang where to continue selll'ng drugs was naturally strong, but he lived. The church had made a good start befo,.e he entered upon cthoentisncuenede, tboutbehe InecarrelaySibnegclaymea apnowimerpournttainl t hfeactwoar s IncaIltlsedlifHeoamned.
[134 ] he heard the call of God and joyfully gave up his in both the local presbytery and the General As- business to become an evangelist at the salary of sembly.
six yen per month-about the average income of Mr. Kil was a man of much prayer and diligent a day laborer then. During the year 1902 he trav- Bible study. Every morning he spent time in eled as an evangelist through the three north- secret prayer, making it a fixed rule to consult western provinces of Korea – North and South God about the work of the day. He made out Pyungan and Whanghai. prayer topics for the daily family devotions.
The next year he entered the theological sem- When meeting people he always tried to have inary at Pyengyang and was graduated in 1907 prayer with them before separating. Whenever as one of the seven members of the first class. He he had any serious problem he fasted and spent was ordained at the first meeting of the newly the whole night in prayer. For twenty years he formed presbytery in Pyengyang in the following prayed for the conversion of his older brother and September, and was installed as sole pastor of the six years for that of a special friend. In both great Central Church, the first Korean to become cases his prayers were answered. In May, 1935, pastor of a church. while holding a revival at Keumchun, he was From that time Mr. Kil took a leading part not deeply concerned about a severe drought and only in the local work but in the whole Presby- prayed earnestly for rain which fell within a few hours. When Mr. Kil and elder Pak Chirok felt terian Church in Korea. The presbytery decided special need of quiet time for prayer they agreed to organize a board of missions and send a Korean to meet in the early morning in the church buildmissionary to preach the Gospel to the people of ing. This proved such a great blessing that they the large island of Quelpart, off the southwest brought the matter before the church session, and coast of Korea. It was to all practical intents a arranged to hold such a meeting in the church foreign mission since the people, while Korean, every morning, open for all. These early mornare yet of a different dialect and have little com- ing prayer meetings have become a feature of munication with the mainland. One of Mr. Kil's Korean church life, especially during Bible classes classmates was chosen for this work and Mr. Kil and evangelistic services. was made president of the board and served in that capacity for five years. The great event of A Great Bible Student the presbytery each year was the presentation of Mr. Kil's report on the work and his eloquent and Mr. Kil wail a great student and spent much forceful presentation of the cause that was so time in reading and memorizing the· Bible. He much on his heart. He rose to heights of true read the entire Old Testament thirty times, and eloquence and his appeals stirred to the depths part of it 540 times. He read the entire New the feelings of all who heard him. The success of Testament more than one hundred times, First the work was very largely due to these annual ad- John 500 times and recited from memory the endresses. tire book of Revelation several hundred times. Much of his reading and memorization was done The Central Presbyterian Church was built in behind prison bars. 1900. It stands on a hill in the central part of Pyengyang overlooking the city and the surround- He was the author of several books in Korean, ing country. When the building was being erected all on Bible themes. He wrote numerous songs Mr. Kil himself labored at carrying wood and and several hundred proverbs of which the folstone like a common coolie. In addition he con- lowing are samples: tributed land for the site. The greater your reputation, the more your enemies; the loftier your virtue, the fewer your friends. After twenty years as pastor of the Central Church, Mr. Kil resigned to give himself to gen- The righteous can find heaven in prison, but the wicked would find hell in heaven.
eral evangelism. His name will ever be associated As rain fertilizes the parched ground, so abundant with that of the Central Church where he was grace waters the thirsty soul. first a "leader" then an elder for several years, then pastor for twenty years and pastor emeritus Harmony brings heaven to the home; discord brings for the rest of his life. hell to society. .
Sin is the poison that destroys human life; prayer is the means for the entrance of the grace of God.
Under his ministry the church became the best There is no hell for the righteous man and no heaven known church in Korea. It has been the scene of for the sinner.
many great meetings and here the first presby- Despite the fact that he had unusual sorrow and tery and the first General Assembly were organ- trouble Mr. Kil was a joyful, happy Christian ized. It accommodates about 1,500 persons, but man. These only served to ripen and deepen his under stress 2,000 often have been accommodated. faith and his dependence on the God whom he so For many years Pastor Kil was a leading figure sincerely worshiped and served.
He was nearly blind during most of his life. later became pastor of the Anju church where he While a young man he possessed unusually good did a great work for many years. eyesight, but when about twenty-one his sight began to fail, and for three years he was in almost During his pastorate Mr. Kil was often called to total darkness. Then a missionary doctor oper- hold evangelistic services and from the time he reated and restored to him partial but imperfect signed his pastorate to the end of his life, he gave sight. By the use of very strong glasses he was himself unreservedly to this work. able to read but for the rest of his life he always had to depend on someone to lead him about wher- For the last eight years he gave more than ever he went. This was a great trial. thirty weeks each year to evangelistic work, trav- eling all over Korea and into Manchuria. He During the so-called Conspiracy Trial of 1912, preached two or three times each day besides when so many Koreans were imprisoned by the teaching the Bible for hours, beginning his meet- Japanese, Mr. Kil's eldest son was one of the vic- ings at six o'clock in the morning. He was a great tims and died as a result of the sufferings endured. preacher and invariably held his audiences in rapt This, too, was a cause of great grief. attention. Sinners broke down in confession of sin as he probed their hearts and held out to them In the Independence Movement the leading men the only way'to peace and salvation. of the country, Christian and non-Christian, drew up a Declaration of Independence which was read He was in great demand as a speaker to stuat many places throughout the country before dents, and at conferences and retreats for the great crowds. The Christians went into the deepening of the spiritual life. In the cold of Movement on the guarantee that it would be a winter or the heat of summer he was always ready peaceful movement, without resort to force. Their to respond to the calls for his services and at the desire was to get a hearing before the Versailles time of his death he was dated up for thirty-five Peace Conference, then in session, and they evangelistic meetings. thought that if they took some action the Collference would be more liable to pay attention to their During the thirty-five years of his pastoral work cause. Mr. Kil was one of the signers of the he preached 13,360 times and through his efforts Declaration, and, along with the other thirty-two more than sixty churches were established, with signers, was sent to prison for three years. It buildings costing over 300,000 yen. He baptized was then that he began to memorize the Scrip- more than 3,000 persons. tures. With his deficient eyesight imd the lack of daylight in his cell it is a marvel that he was able Twenty-five years ago a local daily paper said: to read and memorize so much. A prison sentence "The Christians of all Korea look up to Mr. Kil has never been regarded by the Koreans as a with thirsty minds. Just as there is no one who stigma in the case of those thirty-three immortals. does not know the names of the twelve apostles so there is no one who does not know the name of Like the other Korean pastors who were shar- Kil Sunju." That statement became more true as ing his fate, Mr. Kil used prison life as an oppor- the years passed and he came to be the best known tunity to preach the Gospel to his fellow prisoners. man in the Protestant Church of Korea. Many converts were made and a prison church was organized, and while it was never recognized Mr. Kil once remarked to his family that he by the presbytery, out of the work there came re- wanted to die while holding an evangelistic service sults such as the Apostle Paul witnessed in his in some church. His wish was gratified. The Roman prison. Pyungsuh presbytery, to the west of Pyengyang, asked him to lead in a revival service beginning Once while holding a revival service in Wonsan November 20, 1935. On the morning of the 25th, on the east coast, thirty hoodlums came and beat while preaching at the early morning service he Mr. Kil so that he was severely wounded and un- was attacked by heart trouble and was unable to able to resume his work for some time. Six years finish the service. At the beginning of the hour ago during a series of meetings he was conduct- he told ,the children that he did not know whether ing in Andong, in southern Korea, he was teach- he would die that day or not and exhorted them ing about the sufferings to come on the world at to be very quiet. After the attack he was carried the end of the age. He was arrested by the police to his room, unable to speak, but still able to make and detained in jail for twenty days as a disturber known his wants by writing. He requested of the minds of the people. Before he was re- prayers and songs. The next morning, surrounded leased the jailor was converted. by his- son and many friends, his spirit, took its flight. Immediately after his conversion Kil went back to his old home in Anju and led his parents and At the funeral service, held in the auditorium family and a large number of his old friends to of the Union Christian College in Pyengyang, the Christ. Among them was Kim Changsung who building was packed with several thousand people who came to pay their last tribute to the great servant of God whom they loved so well.
Destitution in
-.~ I By REV. CHARLES W. SQUIRES, Limerick, Maine Ir,;.- T HE well-known dictum, "As Maine goes, so one tenth of the total population of rural Maine goes the nation," may be true in the world of are members of the Protestant Church. As a rule, politics but it is not in the religious and edu- the smaller the town the smaller the average cational spheres. A minute study of the religious church membership.
situation in Maine was carried out as a part of the Over one hundred towns in Maine have no nation-wide Five Year Program of Survey and church whatever and 325 churches have less than Adjustment initiated in 1928 at the National 25 members. Some two hundred small churches Church Comity Conference held in Cleveland. The constitute Maine's great missionary field, and in general purpose was to gain an objective view of some of these fields pastors are obliged to turn to the important problem of providing at least a rea- farming or to some other occupation to earn a livsonable degree of religious privilege for every ing. Here is real sacrifice. I doubt if many miscommunity. sionaries in the foreign fields face worse economic The one year survey in Maine was called an and spiritual difficulties than these men and wom- Every Community Survey but was inadequate be- en encounter in Maine. cause it did not touch the towns of over 5,000 It is a tragedy to find, in some of these places, population and was mainly concerned with aver- religious leaders with little more training than age conditions. Many problems were left out al- that of a boy in high school. They are striving to together-as for instance those of the religious lead a community in religious and moral ideals and moral needs of men in the lumber camps and while their own ideals find their level in a few the effect upon the rural communities of the large doctrines of a particular denomination and these number of summer visitors. Yet enough was doctrines are placed in importance far above the discovered to set people thinking seriously about ideals of moral betterment. It is disheartening to the problem of the lack of religious and educa- view such a situation. One could wish that mintional advantages in the State. As in Vermont, isterial salaries might be pooled so that these the fact that many young people have left the workers might be relieved of the necessity of givfarms to go into industry, has rendered more diffi- ing so much of their time and thought to the probcult the problem of religious interest and support. lem of earning a living. The presence of marginal land and the increased efficiency of agricultural methods and machinery The chairman of a special convention commit- have done much to bring about this situation. tee of the Baptist Church wrote to a Limerick Little is being done to help solve the problem. minister asking for one per cent of his salary -the average salary is about $700-to help raise There was reported a very sharp decline in for- a fund to open churches in 30 or 40 towns that mal religion in the ten years from 1916 to 1926. had enjoyed regular religious services twenty During this period 160 church organizations van- years ago. A sentence from the letter reads: ished into thin air and 105 church edifices were "Many a Maine community right now is a famine sold for barns or school houses or were torn down. area-there is famine in regard to the Word of In general, church debts had approximately dou- God, and more Baptist churches are going to close .bled in the ten years and the average debt for each their doors, unless we are able to send them help." congregation had nearly quadrupled. About twothirds of the population of the State are now Here are a few communities in dire need of outside the membership of the church and the help: number entirely uninterested is increasing. The Case One: A town with a population of about 500; Roman Catholic Church is holding its own far probably 200 children in the Township. High school en- rolment about 50. Mills, upon which the people were de- better than the Protestant, as was very evident in pendent, have closed. Many families on relief. Baptist the years between 1916 and 1926. During this church is the only Protestant church in the town. Six time the increase in Protestant church member- years ago, with some help this church was able to pay a ship was nil. But membership in the Roman pastor a small, living salary. Now they can only raise less than five dollars a week to pay a student's board.
Catholic Church in the same period increased Case Two: Two churches five miles apart, the only seventeen per cent. The larger towns, on the churches in their communities. One community of about whole, have larger church membership but only 800 people has an evening congregation of 100, mostly [ 137]
young people. Desperate need of Christian leadership. visions. In villages of about 1,000 people attached Good church buildings. Need aid. to several denominations there are often fewer than 100 Protestant church members. In a vil- Case Three: Nine churches in an area of twelve miles. lage of 3,000 only about 300 care enough for the Only one strong enough to maintain services. One man has Protestant church to become members. The aver- tried to care for the whole territory, preaching four times age church membership in the rural districts is a Sunday for five years. Another man is needed in this about one-tenth of the population. field. Little hope under present conditions. The children in the neglected areas grow up Case Four: Little coast town near summer colony. Good with no knowledge of God and only know about church building and parsonage. Field needs real mission- Christ as His name is used in profanity by their ary work. Baptist church the only church responsible for elders. In one community I found two families village and outlying districts. Church formerly paid of twelve children each, not one of whom had ever $15.00 weekly. Then paid collections. Now without pastor enjoyed religious instruction or had gone to Sunand have decided they cannot afford pastoral care and day school although there was a church in the vilservices. Real need and opportunity to rebuild a self- lage. Even in privileged communities, Sunday supporting work. school attendance has decreased nearly 20 per cent in ten years. Case Five: A village of 800 people. Good church building. People cannot raise more than $150.00 a year. About Why is it that the Roman Catholic Church has 40 children in village. No service for a long time. No solved the organization problems in many respects religious training for children. better than the Protestants? For instance, there are thirteen communities in northern Aroostook Case Six: Young pastor just out of school, married, County, 100% Roman Catholic and well looked serving two fields-a Baptist church and a Union church. after by that Church. While the Protestant Ought to have a car as the fields are long distances apart. churches have shown decreases all along the line, Receives very little pay. the Roman Catholic churches have shown in ten Case Seven: A man on the field who is supposed to re- years an increase of 23 % in number of churches ceive $600.00 a year but who actually receives $300. This consecrated minister said to Mr. Pendleton, General Sec- and 170/0 in membership. Very significant is the retary: "One of my people received $2.00 that had been fact that the average membership in the Protowed him for two years. He went immediately to the estant churches is 88 and in the Roman Catholic parsonage and gave half of it to the minister." churches 971. These facts tell a story of efficient management which has not yet entered the Prot- Case Eight: A small town with a woman preacher and estant consciousness. several preaching places. One place pays on an average of 75 cents a Sunday but it costs 40 cents to go to the An efficient interdenominational council should appointment. Her leading church pays $2.00 a Sunday. be appointed in the State with a view to the proper adjustment of the resources to meet the present Case Nine: A town of 600 people, all destitute and need. This council could receive funds from varinearly all on relief. Missionary grant of $50. Very in- ous sources and thus be in a position to help needy adequate service. fields and so advance the cause of Christ. May God put it into the hearts of some of His servants There is great need for a determined and con- to do their part both financially and spiritually. secrated effort both within and without the State to see that the neglected communities of Maine have adequate Christian services. One reason for lack of consideration is the fact that in general there is little knowledge of the true situation. This report only touches the fringe of the great need.
The situation in the smaller communities is so desperate that it rises. above denominational di- POEMS WRITTEN BY OHRISTIAN LEPERS To the lepers who live on the island of Oshima in Japan, the Gospel has brought a message of hope and a simple earnest faith, which finds expression in these beautiful poems; written first in Japanese, the poems Were translated by Mrs. Lois Erickson, an American missionary of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. (South).-The ant/oak Of Missions..
.. I But in my weakness I would go Entrusting all my load of woe Strive though it may, no power in earth or sky To Him who walks with me. Can move the Spirit of the Lord Most High; What reaches Him upon mighty throne IV Is prayer alone. I live in light and love II By God's grace given My Lord in me has found a dwelling-place, Yet is my hungry heart And I in Him. Oh, glorious boon to gain, Homesick for Heaven. To be His temple! Gladly I would face, V In His great strength, all bitterneRs and pain. To the heart aglow for Thee III The Valley of the Shadow I would not change one little jot Is like sunrise on the sea. Of His dear will for me;
Bondage to
-<!III By LAURA JORQUERA, Santiago, Chil, Iljlo- WHAT makes the difference between an dreds of masses must be said for the soul. Noth- Evangelical and a Roman Catholic Chris- ing else can save one from the awful tortures tian? That question I, for one, should experienced in Purgatory. The prayers and fastlike to have every Protestant answer carefully. ings of friends and masses said by priests can Those who have always lived in a Protestant ease a little, perhaps, of the penalty but one must country, who have never had intimate contact stay there until sin is entirely purged away. Look with a staunch Roman Catholic, can not know, up a Roman Catholic Catechism and you will find still less understand, just what makes the dif- this to be true. ference. Protestants who study the Bible know that God In repeating the creed the Protestant says: "I is our Father, that He is Love, and that Christ believe in the Holy Catholic Church" (meaning came to save us, and that such a doctrine of Pur- "universal"). The Roman Catholic says: "I be- gatory to expiate sin by torture is un-Christian. lieve in the Holy Roman Catholic Church," there- Beliefs in Purgatory make many rich Catholics by acknowledging that the Pope of Rome is the head of the Church, and that your will, your in- telligence, your every liberty, is subject to the decrees of the Pope, as these decrees are made known through the local bishops and priests. The Pope claims to be Christ's Vicar on earth, the Visible head in place of the Invisible Head, and thus he and the Church authorities alone have the right to interpret the Scriptures and say what must be obeyed. Roman Catholics believe that the Pope cannot err because he is infallible as the very voice of God. That is why he is called "His Holiness" and receives such homage as is given LEADERS OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR IN SANTIAGO to no other creature on earth. Some friends of mine, well-educated people, recently told me how· leave their fortunes to the Church. This belief they had all gone down on their knees the night also often leads a young man or a lovely girl to before when the Pope's voice came over the radio. eschew the world and its vanities to enter the The "Doctrines of the Holy Mother Church" priesthood or a sisterhood. The priest has a ter- are embodied in the Decrees of the Council of rible hold upon his parishioners, for they teach Trent, which state just what a Roman Catholic that if one dies without absolution that soul may is required to believe. These doctrines include stay in Purgatory forever. the worship of the Virgin Mary as the Holy Nothing in the Bible, especially in the Gospels, Mother of God and the acknowledgment of her is fl. foundation for belief in such a place and such right to be invoked as a mediator between her Son atonement. There is nothing there to warrant and man; the worship of the saints and martyrs the worshiping of Mary and the saints, still less and of the holy relics, found in quantities all over image-worship. It was the doctrines of purgatory the world; of the angels and the images, rel- and indulgences that caused Martin Luther's pro- iquaries, the Holy Host, etc. Instruction is also test and started the Reformation.
given as to the mass and confession, confirmation. One of the most lovely, cultured women of my rites for the dying and the dead, penitence, indul- country, is a steadfast Christian, according to the gences and Papal bulls. Every Catholic is told Roman Catholic interpretation, so that even her positively that he cannot be saved outside of the friendship for me is considered almost a sin. Her Holy Roman Church, having received absolution greatest anxiety is that if she should die, her at the hands of a priest. Even then, Catholics Protestant friends will not pray a single Rosary are told that they cannot be sure of leaving Purga- on her behalf, so she skimps on her food and dress tory. No matter how good a life one lives and and every week gives money to her church so no matter how much good one does, many· hun- that the priest will pray over her remains and re- [139 ]
member her name in those general masses for terpretation of the Council of Trent. Priests and "the souls in Purgatory." We tell her that we are nuns have often been dedicated to the Church bepraying for her now, that she may have a truer cause the mother or both parents took a vow to concept of her God and a better understanding of consecrate a child to the Church so that they Christ's redeeming mission. might have someone to pray for them after death!
It is pitiful to see how frightened Catholics are Only those of us who know about such things of death. Life is made a burden to many, espe- from experience can understand how hard it is cially the uneducated classes, who deprive them- for a Roman Catholic to turn to Evangelical selves of bread so that they may pay the weekly Christianity. Only those who have been freed or monthly sums to their parish priest for at least from this bondage can really understand the one mass to be said for them after death. Many meaning of those precious words of Christ: "Ye are now coming to believe that there is no Purga- shall know the truth and the truth shall make you tory and that we cannot buy our way out of it, so free." This is the greatest contribution that that they discard religion altogether. Purgatory Evangelical Christianity offers to Latin-Amerihas driven from the Roman Church multitudes of cans: freedom. Freedom from the cruel thrallthe more educated and cultured people, and they dom of the fear of death and belief in Purgatory; have entirely rejected the Christian faith. freedom from the human domination and liberty to follow the Way of Christ, trusting in Him We must not blame the priests over much for alone. We pray God that some day all may come they themselves know no better. The Bible is so to know and to accept our Lord Christ! explained that they must, perforce, accept the in- With the Printed Page in Chile By HENRY WAGONER, Temueo, Chile I,N THE last quarter of a century there have His work on Calvary; it also carries monthly been startling changes in every phase of hu- prophetic and doctrinal messages. It has a sec- man life. One hears complaints from all tion for Young Peoples' Societies, as well as a sides of the diminishing attendance at church Narrative Corner, and the last two pages are services, some ascribing this to the radio, others usually devoted to local church news. to the desire for entertainment, fun, and travel. But we believe that one of the principal reasons This Spanish monthly has been the means of is the filling of reading markets with evil litera- blessing to many inquiring souls and countless ture, thus filling the minds of people with aver- testimonials have come showing spiritual help resion to the church. What is needed today is ceived, faith revived, and activity in service pro- Christian literature of a high class, with a positive moted. From Ecuador a backslider wrote, tesmessage as to Christian truth and a direct proc- tifying that he had wandered far from God. lamation of the whole counsel of God. Through reading Salud y Vida he was brought back to the Lord, and is today preaching the Gos- In Chile, where the writer has been privileged pel. From still more distant Philippine Islands to labor for the Master for the past fifteen years, comes the word that Salud y Vida has been the we have been able to guage the value of this class means of deepening the spiritual life of a family of literature. In our own small printing plant, whose home is now a center of propaganda for with only a foot-pedal press and setting tip all the Christ. Missionaries laboring in Spanish-speaktype by hand, we print a monthly Spanish paper ing countries have written expressing their apcalled Salud y Vida, as well as a German monthly, preciation of the paper. called Der Missionsbote. These are distributed at cost among the churches. We have also printed This class of material has also stirred up the thousands of books which have been very well members of our churches who themselves are received, and have been the means of great bless- helped in their spiritual life and are in turn eager ing. But the work which the Lord has principally that others receive the same help. The Young blessed is our Spanish monthly, the Salud y Vida People-s' Societies are eager to spread this class of ("Health and Life"). August of 1931 we were literature. One of the societies is seIiing 265 printing 650 copies of this paper of 16 pages, and copies monthly, another 178, and still another 165 in August, 1935, we printed 3,650 copies of 20 copies. And so the chain of blessing resulting pages. Each edition begins with a positive mes- from evangelization by means of the printed page sage on salvation from sin by faith in Christ and is a long one. Souls are saved, backsliders are re- claimed, and many are led into Christian service.
I Know Myself and Christ?
Many who are in earnest in the matter of seek- 2. Do I want credit for all unselfish acts?
ing a deeper experience of God are blocked by fail- 3. Are my feelings hurt easily?
ure to see clearly within our own souls. Let us 4. Am I vain?
turn the searchlight of His spirit on the shadowy 5. Do I talk a great deal about myself? Am I places by means of these questions that have been a victim of self-pity?
widely used of God to bring help to seeking souls. 6. Do I hesitate to do things that are, I believe, HONESTY to be right for fear of what people will think? 1. Do I always tell the truth? Do I think the 7. Do I unselfishly share my plans with others? truth or do I try to deceive myself? Do I 8. Am I really thoughtful and considerate? always act the truth? 9. Am I too possessive with my own property? 10. Am I unselfish in acknowledging my faults in 2. Do I ever try to evade paying fare or luggage order to help others? charges or custom duties? 11. Am I stubborn? Am I wilful? 12. Am I willing to take responsibility when it is 3. Have I anything in my possession which be- inconvenient? longs to anyone else; anything borrowed 13. Are my thoughts self-centered? Do I want which I have not returned? my own way? 14. Am I inclined to talk a great deal about 4. Am I sincere? myself? 5. Do I ever cheat in games or in examinations 15. Do I crave praise for myself? Do I dislike to have other people praised? or lessons of any kind? 16. Does it hurt me to yield when beaten in an 6. Do I take credit for ideas or achievements agrument?
which I do not deserve? LOVE 7. Do I fail to keep promises or engagements?
Am I punctual? 8. Do I waste my own or other people's time? 9. Do I make proper preparation for my work?
Am I lazy?
10. Have I taken anything which did not belong 1. Do I put God first in my thoughts and plans? to me and for which I have not made proper 2. Have I a grudge against anyone? Is there restitution? Do I appropriate employer's time or things for my own use? anyone to whom I will not speak? Am I unforgiving?
PURITY 3. Am I critical of other people? Is there any- one I don't like to meet? 1. Have I any habits that I would not want any- one to know about? 4. Is my love outgoing and active so that I want for others all that God wants for them? 2. Is my thought-life what God would have it? 3. Are my imaginations pure? 5. Do I harbor any race or class prejudice? 4. Do I avoid pictures and reading matter which 6. Am I patient with those who are provoking? 7. Do I show appreciation? will arouse un c I e a n or unwholesome 8. Do I sincerely want to help everybody? thoughts? 9. Am I willing to share all I have, time, money, 5. Are my actions pure and helpful to others and to my best self? privacy, possessions, in order to help 6. Do I make jokes and talk unnecessarily on others?
sex matters? 10. Do I seek to live out 1 Corinthians 13? 7. Am I seeking the beautiful and pure in every- In your quiet time search your heart prayer- thing? fully through them. You may find it helpful to 8. Do I avoid everything which will create un- think them through with others who are also in earnest about spiritual things. clean thoughts in another? 9. Am I willing to let God change me in this Since these questions are introspective and em- phasize faults they should be balanced by claim- area of thought and life? ing the positive virtues through Christ and by 10. Do I pray God to make me clean now?
UNSELFISHNESS actively demonstrating those virtues.
1. Does it make me dissatisfied to have someone -Adopted from "The Indian more successful than I? Temperance News."
[ 141 ]
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Effective Ways of Working r 'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~"==================I~' J Some Down to Date Plans education, workers among students, names, fields and terms of service, then remain standing. A PANEL VISUALIZATION-ILLI- the state treasurer, the young people's 2. And now with these missionaries NOIS AND A CHRISTIAN WORLD leader, the department leaders for before us let us again see the leader- ship of Illinois Baptists. Will all the Requests are frequently re- men's work, women's work, promotion, former groups return to the platform ceived in this Department for and stand as units so they may sughelps in humanizing a budget or social service, the ministry, the con- gest to us the oneness of their centralother factual presentation at ized efforts to build a Christian world. national or associational gather- vention itself, etc. No speeches were (All remain on platform until after ings. The following unique plan singing of hymn.) arranged by Mrs. B. P. Heubner, made by these individuals and groups of Ottawa, Kansas, and Mrs. R. 1. Probably the largest single con- A. Chandler, of Galesburg, Illi- but merely a bow was taken as the tribution toward the effectiveness of nois, and used at the Illinois Baptists in the state is made by the Baptist State Convention last audience looked them over and ap- leadership of its 457 churches. Will October not only fixed facts as every pastor rise in his place, thus mere figures could not have done plauded. indicating his responsibility and the but made animate the impres- privileges which are his of bringing sions in terms of actual person- (2) To the picture just presented information and new vision daily to alities. Only a skeleton of the flocks which he shepherds. (Pastors service (which occupied an en- should be added that of the work of remain standing throughout auditire session) can be given; but ence.) each denominational group using the Chicago Baptist Association, dethe plan would need to round out 2. The responsibilities of e a c h the anatomy in terms of its own signed to help build a Christian world church are met only as every member facts and figures anyway. While in ready and joyful service does his no actual rehearsal is needed, the in a great city. The superintendent share of the work. Will all the church prime participants would re- members rise and join the leadership quire instructions as to details of this association will show Baptists groups in singing "Lead On, 0 King and considerable writing would Eternal." (All are then seated.) be necessary beforehand to se- in action in his territory. cure the cooperation of the rest. 1. We have in imagination visual- The superintendent goes to the plat- ized Illinois Baptists helping to build Two readers-a man and a woman a Christian world. One more scene -stood on either side of the platform form and introduces individually and will conclude this series of picturesand gave the background matter in a scene in your own church at home. alternation, one being here designated by groups his key men and women. Will you mentally transport yourself as 1 and the other as 2. to your church and assemble your fel- (1) The constitution of the Illinois low members about you. A service for (1) The Baptists of Illinois are vi- the entire church is about to start. tally concerned in "The Christianiza- Baptist State Convention pledges co- You and your pastor have now retion of all life as well as of every turned from this convention. The life." They are helping to build a new operation in every way possible with pastor is coming to the platform. Lisworld. On Oct. 9, 1834, the leaders ten; the meeting is now to begin. met to try to band together the denom- philanthropic institutions of the state. inational forces of the state. (Quota- At this point a minister comes fortions were here made as to the com- The convention is represented on the ward and leads a consecration service. mittees, or organizations, activities, etc., as taken from the records of board of each of the three such enter- The foregoing was termed a "Perthose early endeavors.) Tonight Dr. sonalities Picture" and proved one of P- will help us to see these Baptists prises and we shall now meet workers the most impressive services ever held still in action as he introduces the under similar circumstances. The members of the present official family. from the Old People's Home at May- simplicity of it and the strong appeal to the eye render if worth duplicating Dr. P-, the state's missionary lead- wood, the Huddelson Baptist Home at in many conventional assemblies. er, went to the platform at this point and called up for introduction the Irvington and the Central Baptist A CHOICE YEAR BOOK field workers, directors of Christian Children's Home at Maywood. This labor of love comes to us from the women's society' in the The introductions are made as be- First Baptist Church of Santa Ana, California, and may well fore by an official worker. serve as inspiration, model or suggestion for other missionary (2) Illinois Baptists push on with organizations whose members believe that nothing is too good vigor through institutions of higher education. The representative of Bap- tist schools throughout the state is ready to mention the location and dis- tinctive character of each school.
Here the Divinity School of the Uni- versity of Chicago, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, Shurtleff and Frances Shimer Junior Colleges also the Baptist Missionary Training School in Chicago were ex- ploited.
1. During all its history Illinois has been training young people for service and many have gone into pastorates or administrative and missionary en- deavor; so the state has "a story to tell to the nations."
Here a list of names of all who had gone out into the several lines of work was read. A poster might also be dis- played for better visibility. – 2. The four "Centenary Fields"
celebrating their hundredth anniver- sary this year have also received our workers. (Names read and poster fastened up.) 1. Weare fortunate in having sev- eral missionaries present. Will they please come to the platform, state . [142]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
for the Church of Jesus Christ.
The booklet is entitled "Into God's Garden" and the beautiful scene pictured on the imitation Spanish leather cover is re- peated in shadow of pale green outlines on every inside page, its open gate inviting wayfarers to enter and enjoy the privileges and opportunities within. Some sort of garden scene-more or less elaborate as the successive chairmen may elect – is ar- ranged on the platform each month, the one in our illustra- tion having been used at the opening meeting in September. Whoever makes a garden Industrial Department has for its motif: It is also the duty of one member Has never worked alone. of the program committee to The rain has always found it, o Master Gardener who dost shape make contact with both the luncheon and the program sub- The sun has always known, aright committees responsible for each The wind has blown across it Each seed of good unfolding 'neath of the monthly meetings in order And helped to scatter seeds- thy hand, Whoever makes a garden o give command Has all the help he needs. To spare each feeble striving toward that the theme may be worked the light, out not only on the stage but in The wind and rain and sunshine, And bid it reach the stature thou the dining room. For ins,tance, And dew and fertile sod; hast planned.
the October theme being "Weed- For he who makes a garden For the Social Department ing the Garden," the dining Works hand in hand with God. there is: room was decorated with sun- (Several stanzas are omitted Where is heaven? Is it not Just a friendly garden plot? flowers (this was in California) due to space limitations.) The World Wide Guild (young and the platform made realistic women's department) has its dewith wild grasses and flowers. The Lord God Planted a Garden tails under: Even the finance plan is harmo- The Lord God planted a garden The blossoms of spring give promise nized with the dominant keynote. In the first white days of the world, of the fruits of autumn.
A tree stands below and to one And he set there an angel warden The Children's World Crusade side of the platform. As differ- In a garment of light enfurled. aptly keys its work to: ent members bring their gifts (Entire poem of four stanzas A sweet new blossom of humanity, quoted from Dorothy Frances fresh fallen from God's own the details of the tree are blocked Gurney.) garden to flower on earth. in so that it grows from month The theme song for the year For the Finance Committee to month. An auxiliary device is called "Our Garden Melody" there is the familiar scripture, is used in connection with the and proves to be th~ familiar "In "And he shall be like a tree," etc. special "gift boxes" whose bear- the Garden," beginning "I come ers go up through the gate on the to the garden alone." For Church Decorating: rostrum and deposit the contents The page on the Executive Make of God's altar a garden fair, Board is headed, That flowers of hope may blossom of the boxes in a water jar that stands by the fountain. This there. symbolism of making gifts for The invitation on an early flythe spreading of the Water of Go make thy garden fair as thou leaf begins: canst, Life in God's Garden is most in- Thou, workest never alone. Travelers on the Road of the Beckspiring. oning Christ, you found at the sum- mit of your journey-the Cross. His The general theme has been The Missionary Department Word tells us that "in the place where elaborately worked out in poetic has for its keynote, "For as the He was crucified there was a garden." motifs and the names of the sev- earth bringeth forth her bud," Following His resurrection Mary met eral departments as well as in etc. (lsa. 61: 11). Him there. This year we are inviting the permanent program fea- you to step aside from the road you tures. The analogies have been At the top of the Missionary have been traveling, enter through the Reading page appears: open gate and meet Him in His Gar- den. (The subsequent paragraphs carefully considered. Thus the Books are gardens in whose bowers work out poetically and devotionally keynote is sounded in two poems We may find the riches, rarest flowers. this line of thought.) at the beginning, based on the Books are paths that upward lead. scripture verse: "And thou Books are friends: come, let us read.
shal,t be like a watered garden Community Service is keyed and like a spring of water, whose to the familiar poem on "Kind waters fail not."-Isaiah 58: 11. hearts are the gardens." The
Then comes the program por- ing the Garden" with a neigh- 8. Topic, "The American Intion of the book. In each meet- boring minister as speaker to dian"; devotional, "Joy and ing the industrial (sewing) por- urge members to use their ut- Praise" ("The Desert Rejoiction is called "Garden Work"; most influence to tear out the un- ing" – Isa. 35: 1-4; "I Will desirable things in local and na- Praise the Lord"-Ps. 118: 19the noonday meal is character- tional civic life and make our 21); figure, "Desert Plants." ized as "Lunch in the Garden," communities better places in This was where the luncheon the subtitles-presumably fitted which to plant the seeds of right- was termed a "Picnic on the in with the days' themes-being eousness. Desert." "Sunflower Lunch," "Friendship 3. Topic, "w 0 rl d Fellow- 9. Topic, "White Cross Work" Lunch (on World Fellowship (sewing, etc., for mission hospi- Day) ," "Dinner by Lantern ship"; devotional, "Fellowship" tals or benevolent objects); de- (with one another-,-l John 1: 3, votional, "Peace and Quiet" Light" (an evening gathering), 4, 7; with Christ-1 Cor. 1: 9) ; ("His Peace" – John 14: 27; figure,"A Mixed Bouquet." "Quietness and Confidence"- "Shore Lunch," "Hospitality Isa. 30: 15); theme, "Gifts Lunch," "Butterfly Dinner," 4. Topic, "Orieritl:.l Gardens" ; from the Garden." "Picnic on the Desert," "Vegeta- devotional, "Meditation" (Ps. 23 : 7; Phil. 4: 8); plan, at a 10. Topic, "Migrants"; devoble Plate Lunch," "Barbecue" "dinner by lantern light" (eve- tional, "Prayer and Communand "Fruit Basket." ning meal), high school seniors ion" ("The Lord Is Nigh"-Ps. and junior college students were 145: 18; "Pray without Ceas- The business session is termed entertained in a room decorated ing"-l Thess. 5: 16-18) ; theme, "Garden Plans," the song serv- as a Japanese garden and pre- "Hardy Annuals." ice preceding the program "Mel- sided over by orientally cos- tumed hostesses and with a 11. Annual Meeting; devoodies in the Garden," and the program on Christian Educa- tional, "Fruitage" ("Know by devotional period "Blessings of tion. The main address was by Fruits"-Matt. 7: 16; "Being the Garden." The subtitles of a young Hawaiian student who Fruitful"-Col. 1: 10, 11); sub- ject for reports, "Fruit of the these "blessings" will be fitted used both stereopticon and mov- Garden." in with the topics which called ing pictures as illustrations of them forth. his educational work in the Each of the foregoing pro- Islands. A Japanese and also a grams had its especial poetical It is noteworthy that as the Chinese solo were given by cos- or scriptural keynote at the head tumed singers. One letter direct of the page. For instance, that luncheon closes the strains of from an oriental college was' on the American Indian was "Beautiful Garden of Prayer" read. headed: call upon the membership to 5. Topic, "Labrador"; devo- In this brown seed so dry and hard hush reverently as the prayer tional, "Shelter and Protection" I see a flower in my dooryard. (Ps. 31: 1-3; 61: 1-4) ; plan, "A chairman conducts a period of The devotional spirit of this supplication for missionary Rock Garden"-description of rare year book in an early poem work in Kodiak, Alaska, and of is as follows: work. At the conclusion of this Grenfell in the Labrador. there is a 15-minute period of Speak to my heart through gardens instrumental and vocal music ap- 6. "Foreign Mission Cente- till I see propriate to a garden or other outdoor setting. It is at this time naries" (dntma based on the The shame of service rendered grudg- book, "Between Two Centuries," ingly; that those who have brought gift boxes deposit them in the water written for Baptist celebration Turn from the selfishness that would jar. of centenaries in Burma, As- forget sam, South India and South Program features beginning China); devotional, "Rest and A lifetime were too short to pay my Restoration" (Ps. 23: 1-3; Matt. debt; with September are as follows: 11 : 28); plan, to develop theme 1. Topic, "Dedicating the Gar- Beholding how from bud to petal-fall under figure of the century Proud poppies flame with joy at giving den"; devotional, "For All Peo- plant. This play will be reviewed ple" (Isa. 60: 11); plan, with in a later issue. all.
the program committee as gar- 7. Topic, "The W. W. G. and And its summation is in andeners, an original play written C. W. C." (youth organiza- other poem occupying the very tions); devotional, "Growth" last page: by one of the members was given ("The Righteous Shall Flourentitled "A Garden Tour" which ish"-Ps. 92: 12-15; "Grow in My GARDEN Grace"-2 Peter 3: 18); theme, aimed to introduce the year's "Spring Blossoms."· This is an A garden is a lovesome thing, God theme, dedicate the workers and evening meeting at which the wot! artfully interweave with the plot younger groups put on the pro- gram for "a happy church fam- Rose plot, ferned grotthe plans for all subsequent ily gathering." The veriest school of peace; and meetings. This play is of a stew- yet the fool ardship character and general Contends that God is not. application. It closes with the Not God, in gardens, when the eve act of dedication and the singing is cool!
of "Thank God for a Garden." Nay, but I have a sign! 2. Topic, "Civics"; devotion- 'Tis very sure God walks in mine.
al, "Work" ("Sowing the Seed" -Luke 8: 5-8; "His Enemy Came"-Mat. 13: 25-30); plan, to develop the figure of "Weed- The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~'=I= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = "It is a glorious company we are keeping "
BRIEF REPORT OF MRS. MILLARD L. ROBINSOK like the happy young Christians ANNUAL MEETINGS President. Council of Women for of old we must go out to turn the Home Missions. world upside down. . . . The The Fellowship Supper, on ultimate in personal goodness Monday evening, January 13, is translated into the lives of marked the opening of the an- people." must lead to a divine passion for nual meeting of the Council of the world made good, and con- Women for Home Missions, held "Recently a superintendent versely, no amount of social salin Calvary Baptist C h u I' C h, told us that communist papers Washington, D. C., January 13- were not distributed in the area vation in ethic or law will avail 18, 1936. The Women's Council of the Church of all Nations unless the 'life' is in the indiof the Washington Federation of (Canada). The work in and vidual. . .. It is wonderful to Churches, of which Mrs. B. W. about the center was known as be living in this age when ther·e Meeks is president, helped to being relevant to peace and good- is some acceptance of the social make the occasion a happy and will. In another city where issues of the Gospel! It is a successful one. In the absence crime was rampant, such a of Mrs. Daniel A. Poling, Presi- church was established and the glorious company we are keepdent, who was en route to Aus- daily newspaper printed a re- ing. . . ." The business sestralia and New Zealand, Mrs. port that the mayor had declared Fred S. Bennett, First Vice- crime had decreased fifty per sions followed on Tuesday morn- President, presided and brought cent since the establishment of ing at which Mrs. Millard L. to the group the challenge of the neighborhood house." Robinson was elected President, united effort of the Protestant churches. "The Church in Ac- "If we believe that the Christ- succeeding Mrs. Daniel A. Poltion for Social Ideals" was life cannot be made regnant in ing, whose term of office had exgraphically presented by Mrs. an un-Christ-like world, then pired. The election of the new Kenneth D. Miller, of Madison, New Jersey. She paid special [145 ] Associate Members of whom sevtribute to Elizabeth Fry, "a eral were present, the hearty engreat Christian woman who be- dorsement of the new Joint Comlieved that Christ must reign in mittee on Young People's Work all of life." "The Church in Action on Social Issues" was fur- of the Home Missions Councils, ther illustrated by report of spe- the authorization of a Commiscific programs by Miss Edna B. Beardsley of the Protestant sion on the Liquor Problem, and Episcopal Church, Mrs. C. Max- the participation of c h u r c h well Loveys of the United women in Peace Action were Church of Canada, and Mrs. J. outstanding considerations. W. Downs of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Excerpts The Joint Committee on Infrom the evening's talks: dian Work of the Home Missions Councils had arranged a Fellow- "We find a social conscience ship Supper. Dr. Thomas Jesse has been developed which enables the Church to begin to put Jones, of the Phelps Stokes into practice that which it has Fund, presided. During the taught and for which it has had a program over a period of fifty course of his remarks Dr. Jones years. . . . A program does not spoke of the oft-discussed word, seem of very great value until it missionary: "Some people say, give up the word 'missionary.' At one time I may have said it myself. But since then I have seen missionaries in action on the firing line in all parts of the world and I would no more say give up the word 'missionary' than I would say give up the word, 'mother.''' It was a great joy to have as the principal speaker Reverend Vine Deloria, volunteer agencies, we shall be erages are of real concern to all young now at work on the Pine Ridge laying a foundatio~ which in people within and without the Church. Reservation in South Dakota, years to come will bring us much This is also an important phase of our nearer to the gaining of social the son of the first native min- ideals which are the basis of a task. ister of the Episcopal Church Christian civilization." We realize that we should be doing among the Sioux Indians. He is a graduate of St. Stephen's Col- Three days of the Annual more to help students to relate themlege and of the General The- Meetings were devoted to a Na- selves to the Christian program in ological Seminary. Mr. Deloria tional Conference on the Rural America. Church, planned by the two said that he came to the meeting Home Missions Councils and the We confess our neglect in providing as an example of the product of Federal Council of Churches of helpful Christian contacts with the Christ. The Conference was many foreign students in America and Christian education rather than outstanding in many respects feel that this should have a more imas a speaker, but the intimate and the 257 paid registrations portant emphasis in the home mis- represented eighteen religious sions program. glimpses of the life of an Indian bodies from thirty states and boy in school and college, sur- Canada. The Findings will be Many existing organizations and rounded by boys of another race, available soon upon payment of movements are doing work in fields $1.00 to cover cost of printing. mentioned above and we suggest closer and then of the problems of a cooperation with such agencies. . . . young Indian minister among The next Annual Meetings of the Home Missions Councils will We believe that we as young peohis own people, gave to all who be held January 1937 in Cin- ple's workers should be informed on heard him a new understanding cinnati, Ohio, with emphasis on the activities of the National Youth the Home Missions Task in the Administration, National Youth Conof the deepest needs of the race. city. gress and National Education Associ- His great appreciation of the ation, etc. life and work of Bishop Hare, OUR TASK WITH YOUTH as he brought the knowledge of In the accomplishing of our task as Youth within the Church- a whole, we realize the importance of Christ to the Dakotas, was in- youth without the C h u r c h – adult education and the cooperation of spiring and encouraging to all Christian youth in action-youth the pastors. . . . workers among the Indian who ought to be in Christian ac- tivity. All of these groups were International Relations is the people. considered in discussion by the Committee on Young People's subject for the fourth issue of Dr. G. A. Watermulder, of the Work of the Council of Women Program Props, and will be pub- Reformed Church in America, for Home Missions in North lished during the coming year. spoke of the opportunity among America, in annual mee,ting in Washington, D. C., January 12, Attention was called to the Indian Americans for Commu- publications of the Missionary nity Work centering in the local 1936. After a short review of ac- Education Movement. The wide church. Mr. John Collier, Com- use in the past year of the study missioner of Indian Affairs, ad- complishments of the Committee dressed the audience on the im- during the past year, Miss Sue book "Christian Youth in Acportance of the missionary, say- Weddell, the Chairman, wel- tion" and its accompanying maning in part: "I think you will comed discussion of problems ual "What Will You Do About which are a part of the home It?" is most encouraging. These probably find it true that the missions task with youth. . . . should be used by many more groups. The home mission missionaries have been more Growing out of the discussion books for 1936 and 1937 on the important than the governments of these problems the Committee negro, especially "The Story of expressed itself in these find- the American Negro" by Miss in Indian Affairs." ings: Ina Brown deserves special Miss Katharine F. Lenroot, Conscious of the complexity of our study and promotion. task and the seriousness of the obliga- Chief of the Children's Bureau, tions of young PeQple's leaders today Promotion of the WorId Day was the guest speaker at the Mi- we are convinced that several phases of Prayer among young people grant Work Luncheon, at which of the varied missionary program of Mrs. F. S. Bennett presided. the Church in North America deserve has been assigned as a special our special attention. part of ,the work of this commit- She spoke on the subject, "The Migrant Laborer in the Present We deplore the increasing number tee. It is hoped that next year Rural Situation." The tables of young people who are mere wan- there may be close cooperation derers, separated from home, church, in preparing the program and a were attractively decorated with school and employment. We recognize fruits and vegetables, packed by this as an important home mission wider use of it. In the future migrants. Motion pic t u res task. this work among young people is helped to visualize both the life We recognize that the problems to be the concern of a joint comin migrant camps and the con- arising out of the use of alcoholic bev- mittee of the ,two Home Missions structive educational work of the Councils. In this broader coopchurch. In closing Miss Lenroot eration it is hoped that we may said, "If we can go forward in reach a larger number of the these programs together (public youth in the churches of North and private social welfare programs, local, state, and national) America and that this phase of the home mission task may be and establish a sound working more adequately promoted. cooperation between federal gov- NONA M. DIEHL, ernment and states, official and Chairman of the Joint Com- mittee on Young People's Work.
AMERICA against the slum menace was teachers, she realized that
made public. It reads, in part, problem is far from solved, how- Need for Bible Reading as follows: ever, because up to the present time they have graded these Dr. Charles E. Jefferson, Millions of American families have greatly underprivileged children former minister of Broadway for years been forced to live in build- on the same basis as the normal Tabernacle, New York, chal- ings and neighborhoods that are an child, with the result that in lenges Christian Endeavorers acute menace to the welfare of body, some instances the child never with the following statement: mind and spirit, and cast their blight gets promoted and is dejected upon the lives of men and. women and and discouraged to the point of The majority of Christians are luke- little children. . . . Sociological stud- giving up. warm in their Bible study,and the ies offer conclusive evidence that slums majority of those who are not Chris- breed crime. Health surveys have Problems arise where state or' tians do not read the Bible at all. established the undeniable fact that federal workers are employed in But civilization cannot endure with- slum areas are conducive to a higher relief projects. For one thing, out the ideas and ideals which the infant mortality and a much greater it seems unfair to expect volun- Bible was written to proclaim. The incidence of disease. The experience teers to work side by side with Christian Church is doomed if church of religious workers in underprivi- salaried ones. Again, the type workers cease to search the Scrip- leged communities demonstrates the of worker is entirely different in tures, and non-Christian nations will fact that the slum area aggravates most instances. As a rule, to never find the path that leads to life nearly every physical and spiritual ill the state employee, her work is without the guidance of prophets and to which human life is susceptible. a job and she does not care parapostles and the Prince of glory. . . . ticularly about the people among Large numbers of educated men and Gold Dust Lodge whom she serves. women are absolutely ignorant of the Bible. . . . It still holds first place Gold Dust Lodge, Salvation Many college girls are eager among best sellers, but because a Army hostel in New York City to give their summers to migrant Bible is sold it does not follow that for homeless unemployed men, camp service, which will mean it is read. A Bible which is not read celebrated its fourth anniversary much to them in their preparais no Bible at all. Only a Bible which last December. Since its open- tion for useful life. is read becomes a force in the life of ing in 1931, it has served some the world . . . but we release that 60,000 men; it has provided GRETA P. HINKLE. power only as we read and ponder and seven million meals, and 2,500,- incarnate the great truths that are 000 lodging for a night. In adset forth in its pages. dition to this purely physical -The Bible for China.
Clear Out the Slums! service, it has provided educa- Do Millionaires Give Freely? tional activities to rebuild shat- America's largest city has tered morale. Most of the staff A few of them do; most of made a definite step toward slum for these services have been them do not, says the National clearance. The opening of First drawn from those who sought Committee for Religion and Wel- Houses at Avenue A and East refuge at the hostel. fare Recovery, based upon an Third Street, New York, the analysis of the income tax refirst low-cost housing project EDMUND B. CHAFFEE. port. In terms of percentages, built with government funds, The Migrant Problem 32 millionaires contributed on marks what every intelligent the average about 6 per cent of American must hope may be the In the East the laws do not their total income, and about 71;2 beginning of a movement which make it compulsory to educate a per cent of their net taxable in- will go on until every slum in child no matter where he comes come to religious, charitable, the country is eliminated. On from, and as a result the migrant scientific, literary or educational the day of this dedication a na- is left out of the school picture, projects. It is revealed that the tional campaign for the aboli- because he is not a resident; in average taxpayer with less than tion of slums and for increased the West, the child must be edu- $5,000 taxable income contrib- federal help to promote low-cost cated where he is, and so we find uted about 11;2 per cent of his housing was started at a meet- numerous migrant schools. One total income, or less than 1% ing of the National Public Hous- county in California has 11 such per cent of his net taxable in- ing Conference in New York. migrant schools with 30 teach- come.
Following the opening of these ers. Upon visiting some of the Taking the nation as a whole, hOUl'leR, an interfaith manifesto schools and interviewing the from the smallest taxpayer to [147 ]
the largest, the figures show a devote to it his entire time dur- Church Boards; care of church total income reported by all ing the three months' period. property. These churches loyally classes of $14,708,558,000, which In the manifesto announcing the agreed to strive to reach at least with deductions of $2,252,296,- plan there is no hint of defeat- some of the objectives the first 000 leaves a net declared taxable ism. The opening statement year. They did reach some of income of $12,456,262,000. If shows a realization of the task· them, and surprisingly few ex- the average citizen had contrib- ahead: emptions were asked.
uted to religious, educational, Forasmuch as an authentic Chris- Increased interest of Indians character-building and charita- tianity is a perpetual act of judgment, in school libraries is noted. The it shall be the object of this Mission language barrier is fast disapble agencies the full 15 per cent, to understand and apply that judg- pearing, for among most of the ment in respect of the individual, the there would have been a total church, and contemporary life, with tribes, English is as familiar to contribution of $1,868,429,000, or nearly two billion dollars courage enough to accept it when it the younger Indians as is the comes to our generation as condemnawhich would have done much to- tion, and humility enough to appro- tongue of their grandparents.
wards obviating our present en- priate it when it comes to us as grace.
forced taxation for relief pur- Two Chinese Missionaries poses. C. V. VICKREY. Fifty Years in New York for U. S. A.
Aid for Students The growth of Presbyterian The Presbyterian Mis s ion work in New York is shown in Home in San Francisco reports The National Youth Adminis- the figures compiled in the office that two Chinese Christian mistration, at a monthly cost of $1,- of New York Presbytery. In sionaries have arrived in Amer- 503,795, provides financial as- the year 1885 there were 41 ica to do intensive evangelistic sistance for 100,532 students in churches; in 1935 there were work for a year. Miss Lan and 1,514 colleges and universities in 61. In 1885 there were 127 min- Miss Hu, of the Bethel Mission forty-six states and Puerto Rico. isters; today there are 187. The in China, will work through the The selection of students to re- membership of the churches was Oriental churches on the west ceive aid is from among those 19,969 in 1885; today it is 33,- coast. They are holding Bible who without this help would be 837. However, 50 years ago the classes for the girls in the Presunable to remain in college. The Sunday school children num- byterian Mission Home, a weekly quota from each college is twelve bered 21,050, while today there community Bible class which per cent of the enrolment. A are only 14,424. The gifts to meets at the same place, and student is permitted to earn as church support have increased classes in the Chinese Church much as $20 each month, but the from $442,025 to $877,664, but and the Hip Woh School (interallotment of funds to each col- the gifts to the boards of the denominational). The yare lege is on the basis of $15 a church have dropped from $237,- speaking before community ormonth for each of twelve per 799 to $164,868. The per capita ganizations and groups of Chicent of its enrolment of full- gifts for church support have nese in smaller towns where time students. New York State increased from $22.13 to $25.94 there is no organized Christian leads with 11,869 students in but the per capita gifts to the work. ninety institutions, receiving mission boards have dropped $178,035 in monthly grants. from $11.91 to $4.86. LATIN AMERICA -Watchman-Examiner. Tourists in Mexico National Preaching Mission Indians Measure Up Miss Margaret Shelby, Pres- byterian educational missionary Announcement has been made Two years ago there was set in Chilpancingo, Mexico, asks of a "National Preaching Mis- before Presbyterian I n d ian why so few out of many Amersion" under the direction of the churches ten goals to be accom- ican tourists visit the missionary Federal Council of Churches, to plished in three years, which, work their churches support. carry through the autumn of after careful study and consul- 1936-from September 13 to De- tation with the workers, ap- She ventures a few reasons: cember 9. The project provides peared to be possible of attain- 1. As a rule Protestant misfor a group of at least ten of ment. These goals are: service sions are small; their chapels "the most convincing interpre- of worship every Sunday; Sun- have little or no architectural ters of the Gospel in Christen- day school every Sunday; young merit and are not advertised in dom" to go together to more people's organization meeting tourist's hotels, guides, bureaus than a score of the major cities every Sunday (ages 15-25); and books. of the nation, remaining at least vacation Bible School, at -least 2. Most tourists travel' for four days in each city, bringing two weeks; women's missionary recreation and often the more their message in manifold ways society meeting monthly; week- pagan the recreation the more to the ge n era I public, the day Bible School; payment of romantic. churches and special groups. presbyterial, synodical and Gen- 3. The religious-minded tour- The Mission will be headed by eral Ass e m b I y assessments; ist may argue: "There's so much Dr. E. Stanley Jones, who will monthly payments toward pas- to see and I can't take in every- tor's salary; contribution to the thing. I can read about missions
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
in my church paper when I get ported: "From Cape Gracias to read it until the cover was worn home. I couldn't understand a Bilwaskarma about ninety per off and he had it bound in oil- Spanish service anyway." cent of the houses are down, cloth. As his little farm is off It is a privilege to visit these from Bilwaskarma to Keplapine the beaten trail, the years have centers of missionary endeavor about fifty per cent have been passed without his ever having in Mexico. Some sad conditions destroyed. All the banana trees seen a missionary. It was a joy will startle but some faces of are blown down or washed to kneel with him in prayer. really converted people will glad- away." The workers write His prayer was a series of quoden. When you travel in Aztec bravely that their work "does tations from the Scriptures." Land, bring your Christianity not depend on banana farms but In Trinidad and be real missionaries during on the grace of God, and that your visit. An example of Sab- grace will not fail so long as we The Mission of the United bath observance, of joy in Chris- are faithful to our charge." The Church of Canada specializes in tian living, of interest in the British Mission Board has sent educational work among the Lord's work, of brotherly friend- from its Emergency Fund a sum 125,000 East Indians who live liness, will be of tremendous of £50, to aid in reconstruction. on the island of Trinidad. More value to Mexicans. One Chris- -Moravian Missions. than 20,000 East Indian children tian lady who visited Cuerna- West Indies Mission Center attend the schools of this misvaca and other places felt such , sion, which the colonial govan interest in helping the women of Mexico that she is supporting Santo Domingo's New Prot- ernment cooperates in maintaina Mexican worker." estant Church house and mission ing. The school buildings are headquarters is nearly com- also used for evangelistic work. Bible Reading Increases pleted. The auditorium, the tower, the offices for adminis- An East Indian Church has been Costa Rica celebrates the third trative work and the rooms for established, and teachers and centenary of a little stone Vir- religious education have been preachers are being trained for gin, eight inches long, which the completed. The part of the their respective callings. -United Church Record.
priests say fell down from building that is intended for a Deplorable Conditions book store and university center heaven and was officially elected remains uncompleted. The build- If South America is "The "Patron and Protector of the ing is centrally located and Neglected Continent," Ceara in Nation." Notwithstanding this, splendidly a d apt e d to the northern Brazil should be called churches of the mission. In the neglected state of the negthe three different c h u r c h e s some ways it is the most attrac- lected continent. Morals are of which have been built in its tive church building in the West the lowest, fanaticism and ignohonor, one after another' have Indies. It has cost about $40,- rance most intense, according to 000, all of which was contrib- a worker of the Evangelical been totally destroyed by earth- uted four years ago during the Union of South America, Rev. quakes. Perhaps because of this, campaign following the hurri- E. Haugh. The capital of Ceara increasing numbers of people cane. is Fortaleza, on the Atlantic are procuring Bibles, and going coast, with a population of 180,- Bibles in Ecuador 000. In the city are three Protto hear the Word preached, re- estant churches. Next to the ports the National Bible Society A hundred years ago an Eng- of Scotland. -Alliance Weekly.
Distress in Nicaragua lishman, James Thomson, took a capital the largest center is stock of New Testaments to Sobral, with perhaps 50,000 peo- A second catastrophe has be- Ecuador. During his t h r e e ple. It is also the -center of fallen the work of the American weeks' stay he sold 360 Testa- Roman fanaticism. A Pente- Provinces of the M 0 r a v ian ments, in four days in Guayaquil, costal worker went there two Church on the northern coast of 738. Last year 27,068 Gospels, years ago to preach on the pub- Nicaragua. A few years ago Testaments and Bibles were sold lic square and the persecution this field suffered depredation in Ecuador by the British and was so intense that he preached and partial destruction through Foreign and the American Bible the Gospel surrounded by some the inroads of bandits, and one Societies. Four colporteurs have sixteen armed soldiers who held missionary was foully murdered. worked faithfully with the mis- back the angry mob. Nothing Then the work of reconstruction sionaries in circulating God's was established there. In the was taken in hand and a for- Word. In addition to the 27,068 whole state there is only one misward movement initiated; a books, which is approximately sionary (a Pentecostal) apart well-equipped hospital became a the number sold yearly, 25,000 from the workers of the E. U. center of new activity; lost blue Pocket Testaments have S. A., who have all come reground was more than recov- been distributed, mostly free, cently. There are five of them, ered. during the past five years. also two ordained native work- Recently, a hurricane struck A correspondent tells of meet- ers in Ceara, one a Presbyterian, with an .80-mile per hour veloc- ing an old man who had bought the other a Baptist. ity. An aeroplane survey re- a Bible ten years ago. "He had -The Neglected Continent.
Faithful Brazilian Christians invited Dr. Howard to come and years been finding difficulty in lecture here; he laid aside other carrying on its excellent work in The Sunday School Times plans and came; he also con- India at full strength. The Somentions s eve r a I Brazilian quered. I have never seen any- ciety felt that a substantial part Christians who are Kingdom thing like it in Asunci6n. The of the overhead expenses at builders in their home land. Dr. theater and school auditorium home could be made more avail- P'aul Sarmento directs a school have been packed. He is doing able for work in the field through at Rio Grande do Norte, where a wonderful work, the kind of union with another society, and some 300 young boys are sent to thing that needs to be done just that it ought to contemplate surlearn trades. He is a layman, now." rendering its separate existbut serves the local church of ence for the sake of the larger 250 members and preaches After one of Dr. Howard's ad- interests of the work. The name whenever necessary. He is also dresses on "What Is Success?" proposed is "The Church of superintendent of the Sunday the principal of the Normal England Zenana Missionary Soschool and does evangelistic School said to him: "I have re- ciety." work in open-air meetings. solved henceforth to seek that higher success." The Presi- McAll Mission Program Samuel Falcao is an active dent of Paraguay, Dr. Ayala, minister and editor of adult Sun- after he had listened in on the Of France's 40,000,000 people day school lessons. He has radio talk, said: "We need the only about a million and a half coached six or seven Presby- message that you bring. Come are Protestants. The native terian laymen for preaching, in- back next year and help us Protestant Church has been destructing them in Bible, homi- again." pleted by centuries of perseculetics and Portuguese three tion, and cannot hope to reach times a week, a sort of private EUROPE all the millions of unchurched Bible Institute. and unbelieving working people Children's Missionary Society of France without help, espe- Rev. Aminadab Continho is a cially in the face of communism's Brazilian Baptist w 0 r kin g The Children's Special Serv- rapid spread. among the Parintintin Indians, ice Mission has been called the five hundred miles up the Ma- Children's Missionary Society. From its simple beginning in deira River. Last year he lost Village missions are conducted 1872 the McAll Mission has all he had in a steamer fire. The in twenty-four counties of Eng- grown to a vast religious enter- Parintintin Indians are one of land the year round. Evan- prise. It has eighteen stations, the most savage tribes known, gelists are busily engaged in of which five are in Paris and and much given to cannibalism. bringing children to the Saviour the remainder in the larger In a short time he had a school in India, Ceylon, Australasia, towns, five vacation colonies for started with forty-three pupils, Canada, South Africa, Japan children, and a bookstall and and this year has opened another and elsewhere; it is hoped to dispensary vans in the Paris school on an adj acent island, send workers to the Holy Land, area. The program includes using a tenth from his meager to East and West Africa, to services at all its stations, at salary to pay its teacher. China and other lands. More street corners, fairs, markets than 800,000 C. S. S. M. mem- and on river banks. For adults Senhor Antenorzinho was an bers are reading a daily Bible there are weekly classes and disearnest Catholic who became portion. Membership cards are cussion groups, and for the chilalienated from his church by the issued in about 90 languages. dren Sunday and Thursday gambling and bad conduct of his schools and daily vacation Bible priest. He became an ardent -The Christian. schools. There are clubs for all evangelist and Sunday school ages. Visiting nurse-evangelists superintendent. He is now pas- Two Steps in Cooperation help the sick, and the poor are tor of a church of seventy mem- given food, clothing and underbers. The Religious Tract Society of standing friendship. Colpor- London, whose history dates teurs distribute leaflets and sell New Spirit in Paraguay from the 18th century, has Bibles throughout the country. united with the Christian Litera- The work is carried on by A new spirit that has taken ture Society for India and French leaders, but support is possession of Paraguay is shown Africa. The union has adopted international. by some remarkable meetings the title of "The United Society held by Dr. George P. Howard, for Christian Literature." -The Life of Faith. evangelist of the Committee on Cooperation in Latin America to Another step in cooperation Giving Spain the Bible educated classes, who has been has been taken by the Zenana having unusual experiences in Bible and Medical Mission and A Scripture Gift missionary various parts of South America. the Church of England Zenana for 41 years in Spain writes: Dr. Arthur E. Elliott, presi- Missionary Society, who have dent of Colegio Internacional at during the past year been stead- I have never before seen such a de- Asuncion, Paraguay, writes: ily pursuing joint conference sire on the part of the people to hear "The day peace was declared I with a view to incorporation. the Gospel and to read Gospel litera- The former society has for some
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ture. 'l'here are enemies and some are porting from funds freely con- far there are 3,893 Christians. bitter, chiefly the priests and the Communists, who are increasing. But tributed by members. On the Only in the Cape Country can it other hand, the state Protestant be said that the missionary work many are shaking off the yoke of the Church of Rome who have not yet churches and the Cat h 0 1i c is finished. There is already a gone over to atheism; and we feel churches have their buildings native church with 10 congregathe burden of reaching this class during the present liberty, the duration erected and their pastors sup- tions having about 20,000 memof which is very uncertain. ported from government moneys bers.
In one of the villages visited reg- raised through taxation. Baptists in Prague ularly was a lad who five months ago -The Christian Advocate. went inland in search of work, taking The largest Baptist church in with him a Bible and a New Testa- The Rhenish Mission Czechoslovakia is the one at ment and all the portions he had been Prague, which last year celeable to obtain from our workers. He The society was formed more brated its jubilee. It began in has now returned, telling how the than a century ago, in 1828 by people gathered round him every eve- the merger of four similar so- 1855 with a membership of 17; ning to hear him read the Word of cieties. The society sends its during the fifty years, 842 per- God to them, and to explain as best messengers to six different he was able the portion he had read. fields: Africa, the Cape Province sons have been baptized. The When he came away, he left his New and Southwest Africa; Dutch present membership is 313, Testament with them, and they begged East India, the Batak lands of him to leave a Bible also. He says Sumatra, the Island of Nias and under the pastoral care of Rev. they nearly persuaded him to do so, the Mentawei Islands; South J. Tolar. On four occasions the but he felt he really could not give up China: the Canton Province. As his Bible. a result of the war two fields, church has dismissed 1a r g e groups of members to form -Scripture Gift Mission. other churches.
– Watchman-Examiner.
Ohurches in the Home viz. Ovamboland and Borneo, Light in Albania A writer in the Presbyterian were transferred to other Ger- In 1928 Albania, delivered Banner says that one of the man societies and in 1933, New from the Turk, became a kingtouching features in the life of Guinea to the American Luth- dom. This country was the anthe Confessional Church in Ger- eran Church. In 1935 the en- cient Illyricum of which Paul many is the holding of public wrote (Rom. 15: 19). After worship in private houses, when tire number of missionaries was coming under the iron hand of a community has been deprived 228, among whom 79 were or- Islam, illiteracy was forced of its church. An attendant at dained, 22 lay and 43 sisters as upon them and their mother such a place of worship writes: tongue banned. "There was no trace there of they style the women missiondepression on account of the con- aries! As might be expected, when tinuous persecutions; on the suddenly brought in touch with contrary, the people felt very The mission supports 1,000 the modern world, Albania now clearly that it was the divine congregations in 72 stations. In has a bewildering medley of new will that they should return to ideas. Education is no longer the early Christian institution of all there are 546,922 native tabu. Western customs, costhe church in the house." Christians and 20,000 inquirers. tumes, transports invade her There are 762 lower schools, 9 chief centers. Two Scripture high schools and three training schools for teachers and helpers.
There is also an industrial school in Sumatra and two in Africa, in Methodists Not Molested which young people are trained Gift Mission workers have re- in Germany in various industrial pursuits. cently been itinerating from Medically the mission can place to place, courteously pre- The Hitler Government has point to 4 large hospitals with 6 senting a Gospel to everyone not interfered with the work of doctors, 13 secondary hospitals over seventeen who could read. the Methodist Episcopal Church and 3 institutions for lepers and To peasant and official, soldier in Germany, except that its the blind. and priest, prisoner in jail and young people's societies have The mission faces great tasks: busy shopkeeper in the market, had to disband, like all other one half of the 100,000 Colored the Scriptures were freely given young people's organizations. inhabitants of Southwest Africa and immediately read by num- There are 55,000 Methodists in are unchristianized. T h r e e bers of people as they walked the Germany. The Central Confer- fourths of the Batak people have streets. One of the workers ence of Germany is recognized not yet found the way to Christ. wri'tes: "God has enabled us to by the Reich as the church's Of the 170,000 Nias islanders complete this task of spreading highest legislative body, and it there are as yet only 108,000 His Word throughout Albania. enacts legislation in accordance Christians (although even that Two months have been devoted with the accepted Discipline of is a splendid success). In the to this work. We rejoice to Mentawei Islands, 19,000 are know that the Gospel – the Methodism.
The reason for the Govern- still waiting for Christianity. Of words of the Lord Jesus Christ ment's attitude toward Method- the five million Chinese who live – has e n t ere d into homes ism is that its churches are not in the field occupied by the mis- throughout the len g t hand tax-supported, but are self-sup- sion in the Canton province, so breadth of this country. We
have given out 20,100 Albanian tribes in North Nigeria, there Kpata has been left rather badly Scripture booklets, 1,002 Al- are still ninety unreached, while off herself.
banian Gospels, 390 Foreign many of the others are only The man in charge of the work Gospels, 145 Albanian Bible por- touched, and may still be called at Kpata was, in his teens, tions, and 30 New Testaments, "unevangelized tribes." Mr. also about 1,500 Scripture leaf- Playfair has been in the Sudan driven from home by his father lets in foreign I a n g u age s because of his loyalty to Christ. Interior Mission for twenty-four (mainly Greek, A r a b i c and years. Today, the workers num- Now he is beloved and respected by heathen, Moslem and Chris- Turkish) ." ber 270; the stations, about 50. tian. When questioned about Some stations may be called old, his spiritual experience he said AFRICA but in the very oldest, people are that he always seems to see the only beginning to res p 0 n d. Swedish Missionaries Work is now being opened in Cross of Christ before him. Ordered Out several totaIly unreached areas. The Bible has been translated New Life in Angola The Missionstidning fOr Fin- land reports that the mission- into many native dialects of In a small African village aries of the Fosterlandsstiftfel- Nigeria. -The Evangelical about thirty miles from Dondi, Christian. sen, a Swedish missionary asso- in Angola, a week-end confer- ciation, have been ordered out of ence of Christians was held their four stations of the society Protestantism in the Congo under the direction of one of the native pastors. From surroundin Italian Somaliland and Eri- After fifty years of mission- ing villages many came to distrea. The exclusion order was cuss the affairs of the Kingdom issued in November although ary effort there are now forty- and attend the meetings which the missionaries were not guilty three p.rotestant organizations were rich in inspiration. Fortyof any misconduct but always working in the Belgian Congo eight young men and young maintained a strictly loyal atti- women were baptized into the tude toward the Italian Govern- and Ruanda Urundi; with 199 membership of the Christian ment. stations, 900 missionaries, 238,- Church by Pastor Chilulu. The Do:ndi Church (including out- The missionaries were given 807 adult baptized church mem- stations) has a membership of only a week to prepare for the bers, 275,935 adult adherents, over 5,000, and is increasing unexpected trip home. They and 13,058 native Christian pas- year by year. were not allowed, on reaching Rome, to confer with the Swed- tors, evangelists and teachers. -United Church Record. ish embassy. Added to these There are more than 10,000 stadifficulties were the restrictions tion and village s~hool chapels, The Blind in South Africa on taking money out of the coun- with over 330,000 daily pupils in try. At the Brenner Pass they It is said that one in every were relieved of some of their the schools. The total Protestant community exceeds a million.
-London Missionary Herald.
funds on the assertion that they A Christian Center of Power thousand in the South Africa constituted one family and there- Union is blind, yet there is no fore were not allowed to carry The C. M. S. Outlook records governmental provision for the all the funds which they had in that Kpata, in the Basa district, adult blind, as in many other hand. has a remarkable record as a countries. Their care is solely At the station stops in Italy Christian center. It is a small in the hands of private agencies the mob vented its hatred on village where pioneer work was like the South Africa National them as "sanctionists" and started about forty-five years Council for the Blind. This "Abyssinians." The mission au- ago, and the first Christians had Council seeks to be truly nathorities regard this as the to face much persecution. The tional. Considerations of race severest blow that has struck first three converts all became or color do not exist, the Council teachers and are still active to- holding itself ready to serve the their work for many years. day. This little village has sup- interests of all South African The Fosterlandsstiftelsen still blind people. The record of has about twenty missionaries plied no less than thirty teach- work accomplished during the at their posts in Abyssinia; but ers who have gone to other dis- past six years includes many inthe news from the scene of the tricts to witness for Christ. stances in which the Council has war makes their stay there ques- been able to assist Colored and tionable. Three of the four sons of the Bantu blind people as well as the late king of the tribe are Chris- Hans. The eldest volunteered Pioneering in Nigeria for service in the distant Brda European community. There district, the next is a C. M. S. are educational facilities for Rev. Guy W. Playfair, of the teacher in this district, and the every blind child whose parents Sudan Interior Mission, says third is warden of the church in will take advantage of them. that strictly speaking every mis- Kpata. In fact, so many of her The Council is also urging govsion in Northern Nigeria is a sons have gone to spread the ernment legislation to provide "pioneer mission." Of the 240 Gospel in regions beyond that for the welfare of the blind, and
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
to stimulate the employment of tional Hebrew blessing at in- Three Days' JoUTney employable blind. -The South African augural occasions, which means for a Bible Outlook. "blessed art thou who hast pre- served us." Rev. Charles W. Posnett, of WESTERN ASIA Medak, Nizam's Dominions, tells Saloniki Secures Church -Alliance Weekly. of a woman who traveled three days, with her husband and chil- INDIA AND SIAM dren, through the most danger- Building Hinduism Looks at Life ous part of the Tiger Jungle to secure a Bible. About fifty Armenian families The Rev. D. A. Yardi, Indian were living in Saloniki before clergyman at Po 0 n a, says: Years ago she had attended >t the World War. After the evac- "Hinduism has put on Christian Christian school, but when she was uation of Cilicia in 1921, and the spectacles, and is looking at life married she had been taken away to Smyrna catastrophe in 1922, a through them." Regarding the her husband's home in the very heart remnant of the Armenians liv- India of today he writes: of the tiger jungle. Alas, no one had ing in Turkey fled to the hos- given her a Bible, and when our pitable shores of Greece. An India is rapidly changing, politi- pioneer evangelists visited her village, estimated 40,000 crossed the cally, socially and spiritually. . . . it had been like an angel visit, and, lEgean, settling in different What has really taken hold of India in spite of her poverty, she had enterparts of this country; five thou- today is not Mahatma Gandhi, nor tained them most joyfully. When she sand coming as destitute refu- Christianity, but the Lord Jesus heard of my coming, she persuaded gees to this apostolic city. Christ. Even illiterate Hindus are her husband to harness their pair of Among these Armenians are one realizing that their religion has had bulls to the little cart, and with all hundred Evangelical families its day, and that there is a reality, a the family she started out with the from thirty-four different locali- dynamic force in Jesus Christ which evangelists on a three days' journey. ties, mostly from the region of they can no longer ignore. What In- When she met me her first request the Seven Churches of Asia dian Christians need at present is was for a Bible to teach her children, Minor. Besides the Armenian strengthening and consolidation. It and a teacher for her village. She population, it is estimated that is towards this that missionary effort had taught her children the few and finance must in some measure be hymns she remembered, and she gave directed if we wish the banner of a most touching witness before all the Christianity to go forward. We de- crowd of inquirers who had gathered.
-The Life of Faith.
60,000 Jews live in Saloniki; sire to be "strong in the Lord and in A Traveling Ashram and in New Greece, 105,000 the power of His might." Mohammedans. Most of the Camping in bungalows or -C. M. S. Outlook.
refugees are the poorest of the Teachers Needed in tents, carrying cots and some poor. Seeing the urgent need Aurangabad food, the William Hazens, Amerof these Armenian Evangelicals ican Board missionaries, of for a church home, a committee The number of inquirers in Sholapur, India, have what they of the American Board began the Aurangabad dis t ric t of call an "infield" and an "outthree years ago to seek funds Western India is taxing the field" which they cover in their for the purpose. The Board available C. M. S. forces to teach "traveling ashram." The "in- them. In one month over a hun- field" includes 30 villages near gave $2,000 and an additional dred names were sent in from Sholapur and the "outfield" $2,500 was secured by the local four new villages, and at each about 250 at more distant center a worker was needed to points. Between June and N0church and friends far and near. prepare them for baptism. The vember the Hazens traveled over A building was purchased, and only way of responding to these 600 miles working in these vil- lages. Their party consists of some alterations will be needed. calls is by moving teachers from Mr. and Mrs. Hazen, Mr. and The upper story provides a home other villages where they had Mrs. Namdev, an Indian teacher been engaged in similar work. training for the ministry, Lalaji, for the pastor and his family, The people are in desperate blind musician and pr~acher, straits to maintain a bare exist- and Pir Mohammed the cook, while below are rooms, for the ence, and cannot contribute Orthodox Moslem who neverthepresent used for church services, less sings Christian h y m n s Sunday school, and for gather- much toward a church. All chil- lustily. Sometimes there is ings of young people. The dren in the schools are taught to Miss Helen Bjornstad, R.N., learn and repeat verses from the grounds surrounding the build- Bible. One missionary tells of ing are large enough for groups of children, who gather from time to time for games or athletics.
Hebrew Telegraph Service stopping at a village to inspect who in her temporary "hospital" a school, without having given under a tent cures many dis- The first telegram ever sent in previous notice of his coming. eases, and the story of whose Classic Hebrew was dispatched He was astonished to see what "healing hands" spreads far and recently. from Jerusalem, on the knowledge of the Bible and of wide.
occasion of the opening of a He- the Bible story was displayed Bengal Baptist Mission brew telegraph service. The by some dozen boys who were first word sent over the wires baptized only a short time be- The newly formed Bengal was "Shehechianu," the tradi- fore. -The Life of Faith. Baptist Union undertakes all
responsibility for Christian Mission, a German group already of the paper always goes to the work except in the case of one carrying on medical and evan- Dalai Lama at Lhasa. or two institutions; as well as gelistic work there,' and the the financial resources hitherto Kiulungkiang station came again -The Christian. controlled by the Baptist Mis- under the Siam Mission. Siasionary Society. European mis- mese evangelists are at work in CHINA sionaries may of course be mem- the area, and from Chiengmai, bers of the Union, if they hap- in northern Siam, medical and Christianity in Everyday Life pen to be elected by the votes of other trips have been made into their Indian brethren. the new-old field. The following story of Chris- tian courage is worth retelling: This reorientation of policy is Winning the Tibetans the direct outcome of the work A Japanese pastor, a man of great of missionaries of a .'previous Rev. Walter Asboe, Moravian evangelistic gifts, attended some spegeneration, particularly that of missionary to Tibet, is stationed cial meetings for the deepening of the Rev. William Carey. It was at Kyelang on the Tibetan bor- spiritual life, and became conscious the keynote of their policy as der but actually in the Punjab, that there were various things in his missionaries that the Mission as entering Tibet is forbidden. life which were not right in God's should decrease and that the But the people he works among sight. Especially did one "small" sin Church should increase, and in Kyelang are Tibetans. He trouble him. The family had gone to that in course of time all Chris- describes them as friendly – a sale at a department store, and on tian work should b e com e when you get to. know 'them. returning they found that they had church-centric, not mission-cen- "But," he says, "the first thing one article too many. The parents let tric. a foreigner has to do is to prove the children play with it, and it got that he is there for their good, dirty, so they took no steps to restore The Union hopes also to ex- and is not responsible for rough it. The thought of this thing was like tend the principle of union into weather, sickness, disease among a knife in the pastor's conscience, the a wider field, bringing all Bap- their flocks, and every other strongest among a number of things tists in India, America, Aus- trouble. . Medical knowledge is that the Holy Spirit was showing him. tralia and New Zealand into a a great asset, and while I am Next morning he went off to the store Federation. not a doctor, I can extract teeth with the money to pay for the article, less 'painfully than the black- and explained to the girl from whose -International Christian smith, and I have worked what counter it had come. She conducted Press. they consider to be miracles him to the head office on the top story. under amesthetic." Here his name and address were de- An Outpost for Siam manded. He returned home feeling Mr. Asboe has more ways very uncomfortable. Later, a special There are now 78 American than one of presenting the Gos- representative from the store arrived Presbyterian mISSIOnaries in pel message. For example, he at his house with a present done up Siam, and a national staff of 402 has adopted the Buddhist meth- in the usual elaborate Japanese style. working in 11 stations strung od of carving on the rocks by The firm was so delighted with such out through this long, narrow the wayside. The Buddhist an example of honesty that it wished country over a distance as great carvings are prayers which, if a to show appreciation. as from New York to St. Louis. man so much as passes, with This force of 480 workers car- the writing on his right side, During the next few days the pastor ries on medical, evangelistic and are credited to him as said. If, set some other things right, and his educational w 0 r k, not only however, he passes them on his radiant witness to Christ's power thrbugh 21 hospitals and dispen- left side, they become to him started a flood of blessing at the meetsaries and many 0 r g ani zed curses. Mr. Asboe employs ings and in his own church. On the churches and groups now car- Buddhist lamas to do his rock following Sunday he spoke with such ried on under the Church of carving, and to distinguish the power that the whole congregation Christ in Siam, and in 60 schools, Christian texts from the Bud- was greatly stirred, and asked for but through many informal con- dhist prayers, he prefixes each further teaching. One woman of the tacts in the daily round of duties. one with a cross. He also pub- congregation, at great cost to herself, lishes a Christian newspaper- proceeded to set right something in During 1935 the Kiulungkiang on a cyclostyle – and sen d s her own life which was wrong, and station of the Yunnan Mission in copies to the lamaseries. Copies in so doing witnessed to many non- China was returned to the Siam go, too, to the head man of el:!,ch Christians who were greatly impressed Mission, of which it was origi- village, who, perhaps in order to by her earnestness. nally a part. The people in this show off his learning calls the area are racially and geograph- villagers together and reads it -C. M. S. Outlook. ically a part of the Tai people of to them. The newspaper connorthern Siam, although politi- tains news of current events Forum of the Church cally they are Chinese. When and articles on hygiene, as well the Yunnan Mission was dis- as religious articles. One copy The thirteen societies which solved, March 31, 1935, the for- are cooperating with the Church mer Yuankiang s tat ion was of Christ in China are repreturned over to the Vandsburger sented by more than 1,100 mis- sionaries who contribute their services to the promotion of the Church's life and work. The one objective of all is the building up of a vigorous, indigenous Chi- nese Church, self-supporting, self-governing and self-propa- gating. Naturally, many ques- tions arise, such as the relation- ship of the missionary and the
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Church, the administration of its current budget. A number more vaccinations were attended mission grants, the most effec- of new buildings are being to in one afternoon. -Presbyterian News. tive ways· of cooperation. To erected, including a mod ern keep societies and missionaries gymnasium building for the In Chinese Turkestan acquainted with matters and in- University Middle School and a cidents of interest and impor- new library building for which Throughout the Union of So- viet Socialist Republics there is tance, it has been found helpful 2,000 yuan in Government bonds to issue a Bulletin, in which no liberty for the proclamation church and mission leaders have has been received, with the pros- of the Gospel, or for the circulaan opportunity to express their tion of the Christian Scriptures. pect of another 100,000. varied convictions, and to profit That pertains wherever the by the experiences of widely Eleven colleges and universi- Soviet influence is dominant. scattered groups. This Bulletin Outer Mongolia, once open to the is called The Church, and is is- ties of Christian missionary sued occasionally from Peiping Gospel, is now closed. The sit- origin in China have gained in uation in Chinese Turkestan to-' by the Secretarial of the Gen- day is exceedingly delicate. All eral Assembly.-The Church. student enrolment a total of 244 letters of the missionaries are students, in comparison with a year ago. -World Call.
Short-Term Schools Students and Religion A short-term school for wom- censored, and they dare not en is held annually in many write freely. For the same rea- A Chinese speaker, in a meet- parts of China, preferably in son it is not possible to publish ing of the Council of Higher anything about their difficulties. Education last year, said that the fall after rice harvest. Any Christians are imprisoned, and woman' is eligible-':'Christian or the attitude of students toward missionaries are beset with per- Christianity had passed through non-Christian, rich or poor, edu- ils. Their work has to be carried three distinct phases. From cated or uneducated, and there on without publicity. 1922 to 1927 they were opposed is no age limit. There are some- times pupils 70 and 80 years of -China's Millions.
-at times violently opposed- age. The school is in session Many Nationalities in to Christianity. From 1928 to for 12 days, and the women lead 1930 was a period of compara- Manchuria tive indifference. From 1931 to a strenuous life during that pethe present was a period of open- riod; they take their studies At Harbin, there was recently more seriously than the ordinary held a Christian religious servmindedness never before seen in school girl. Even' during the· ice of many nationalities, and China. This openmindedness, in periods assigned for recreation attended by over a thousand his judgment, was due to the one may see groups of women people. Among the attendants busily studying. Many who were Chinese, Japanese, Korfact that in the serious crisis could not previously read a char- eans, Russians, Germans, Poles, which China is facing, the stu- acter are now able to read their English, Americans, Canadians,. Bible. The importance of a French, Lithuanians and Latdents feel helpless, humiliated Christian home is strongly em- vians. Three languages were and desperate. They turn their phasized. used – Chinese, Russian and attention to religion which re- English – for nearly everyone -The Living Church. present could understand one of cently they condemned; and as these. Pastor Liang, of the Chi- . to its type students demand a Medical Cooperation nese Lutheran Church, and Rev. religion that can be emotionally, Chikmaroff, of the Harbin Moli- The C. M. S. and the Presby- kan Church, read Scripture passocially and intellectually ex- terian Mission combined last sages referring to the unity of pressed. Three factors explain year in Hangchow in holding believers in Christ and to the this demand: government cen- clinics in chapels in towns where there is poor medical service. sorship, economic depression and the challenge of communism.
-Presbyterian Tribune.
New High in Enrolment Two such clinics have been held complete building up of the at Lin Bin, and three at Kyien Church in Christ. The Japanese Nanking University has the Gyao. Dr. Goodwin preached to pastor spoke on "The Unity of largest enrolment in its history the waiting patients, after which Christ in All Nations."
-1,806. Of private universi- the Chinese doctor would give a There was a spirit of real fel- ties in China, Nanking stands health talk. The patients, hav- lowship. Those present be- seventh in student enrolment; ing been registered, would then lieved that such a meeting would first in the number of staff and be passed in one at a time to the not only be to the glory of God, faculty; second in the number doctors, and then to the nurses but assist in fostering a broth- of teaching staff; first in the if dressings were needed, and to erly spirit between the peoples number of departments; third the pharmacist to "buy" their of this region, whose political in the number of courses; first medicine at ten coppers for prac- relations have been strained. in equipment and laboratory ap- tically any prescription, this be- Furthermore it deepened the paratus; second in number of ing the only charge made. As faith and fortitude of many.
books in the library; fourth in high as 140 patients and forty or -The Bible for China.
JAPAN -CHOSEN the A mer i can Board from ing, the Bible and Christian among the mIssIOnaries in hymns. The school has already Christianity Growing Japan. This Commission is to proved a success and has a hope- be thought of as a resident rep- ful future. Dr. Kagawa declares that resentative of the Board, to Christianity is on the increase facilitate direct contacts and to -The Missionary Herald. in Japan today, citing as proof advise the Board on matters of the doubling of the Christian policy and administration in Student Pioneers in Chosen community in the past ten years, Jiapan. The missionaries con- the phenomenal growth of the tinue to have a "Fellowship" Members of the Y. M. C. A. demand for Christian literature, which binds them together for of Chosen Christian College last the expansion of Christian work mutual fellowship and confer- May resolved to give the best in the building up of coopera- ence on common problems. they had to the largest possible tives and the conversion of lead- number of needy people by go- ing government officials, includ- -The Missionary Herald. ing where there were either no ing members of the nobility. churches, or very weak ones. Tokyo's Christian Daily After taking stock of their re- He says that Christianity is sources, these boys decided that taught in many public schools Tokyo has a new daily, Kirisu- they could send out only eight along with Buddhism and Shin- tokyo Shim bun, which claims to men, two men each to four places toism; but more significant is be the first Christian daily in for two or three weeks in July. the fact that these indigenous Japan, and perhaps the first of They selected two islands off the religions are increasingly in- its kind in Asia. An Episcopal west coast of Korea and two in- fluenced by Christianity. Bud- clergyman, the Rev. S. ·Murao, land country villages in south dhists have adopted Christian "Y" secretary, is its sponsor. Korea as most nearly fulfilling hymns, frequently use the Bible, The success of newspaper evan. the conditions they had laid celebrate the festival of Christ- gelism has led to this new ven- down for themselves in their mas, and have even introduced ture which is avowedly Chris- work. In order to fulfil the the cross into certain of their tian. As the Christian commu- whole of the Lord's command to temples. He pleads for more nity in Japan is not numerous, "Go, preach, teach, heal," they workers among the rural pop- the paper must extend its cir- persuaded two students of Sev- ulation and for numerous simple, culation among non-Christians erance Union Medical School to inexpensive schools and churches if it is to survive. If it does, join them, with a supply of which could be used seven days and if in its editorials, news and medicines. a week to reeducate and inspire advertisements, it is who II y the common people who compose guided by the principle, "What On both islands ignorance and so large a part of Japan's pop- would Christ do?" it might con- disease abounded. The people ulation.-The Living Church. ceivably be the greatest mission- were at least one hundred years ary force ever released in Nip- behind the times as compared to Administrative Change in pon.-The Christian Advocate. their fellow countrymen on the American Mission mainland. Ignorance and dis- Church Opens Trade School ease were accompanied by the On January 1st the Japan most primitive notions of reli- Mission of the American Board A little church of 130 mem- gion and the most sordid kind of went out of existence "as an or- bers in Tottori has a struggle to moral standards. No organized ganized legislative and adminis- balance its budget, yet feels religion of any kind was to be . trative body of American Board strongly that its social service found on either island. A sum- missionaries." This does not center must not close. Mrs. mary of the season's work shows mean that the American Board Yura, a fine Christian woman the following encouraging facts: withdraws from Japan, but who runs a successful trade Ten students spent a total of rather that the J a pan e s e school in Okayama where 250 168 days in the work. They churches may recognize their girls make foreign style dresses reached an average of seven or responsibility more fully. From for the department stores, of- eight hundred p eo pIe daily. the first, the churches that grew fered to help the church start a They treated more than 200 pa- up have been self-governing. trade school, to send teachers, tients, and distributed, free of While only half the Kumiai train a business manager, assist charge, about $30.00 worth of Churches are entirely self-sup- in buying materials and selling medicine. About a hundred peo- porting, 80 per cent of the entire the finished dresses; the pro- ple expressed a desire to be membership are in these self- ceeds, after paying expenses,_ to Christians and continue in the supporting churches. go towards the social service fellowship of the Church, Sun- work of the Center. day School and Young Peoples' The functions of the "Japan Societies for the further de- Mission" have now been trans- The local Christians raised velopment of their religious life. ferred to a "Japan Commission 1,000 yen and the school was The total cost of the work was Df the American Board," con- opened in April with 35 pupils, less than $75.00. sisting of three members and an who, besides learning a useful .alternate, appointed directly by trade, are taught cooking, read- -Chosen College Bulletin.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Doctor Saves His Face sought to maintain the best Tongan aeroplane as something extraor- customs and traditions, and to blend dinary, after all the translation In the March, 1935, Korea with them what is good and s~i~~ble of the New Tes,tament into an- Mission Field, we read how one for her people in European clvllIza- other language, is actually an missionary doctor saved his tion. The population has increased event of supreme importance. reputation: and public health is improved. At- tention has been given to the educa- The translator, H e i n ric h Druggist Kim and Druggist Yi were tion of the nation's youth, and selected Zahn, for many years was the exchanging opinions concerning mis- students are sent to schools in Aus- head of the school for missionsionary physicians, as they sat in tralia and New Zealand. ary workers in New Guinea,. Kim's store surrounded by his stock published his first translation of of herbs, deerhorn powder, dried frogs Secure in the loyalty and affection the New Testament in 1924. In and centipedes. "These Western phy- of her people, she reigns with ~ign!ty 1935 he published this new sicians are wonderful surgeons," said and wisdom. She takes an actlve In- translation in the Jabem lan- Yi, "but when it comes to giving medi- terest in all the work of the Church, guage and followed it by a cine they do not know Korean insides and is herself a class leader. translation of the Proverbs of as we do." Solomon. -The Christian Advocate. "I used to think as you do," replied New Guinea presents a great Kim, "but I changed my opinion New Field in New Guinea mixture of languages. It is the lately, and tell you why. You remem- second largest island on earth ber I asked the missionary to buy me Arrangements for sending two and many languages are. spoken one of those wooden hens that hatch missionaries into a section of the there. J abem is a coast laneggs by lamplight. When it came I newly~discovered territory in the guage spoken by a native race was so proud of it I put in front room interior of New Guinea are be- along Finchhaven and points where everybody could see, and start ing made by the Bishop of Mela- near by. When the Neuendetit going. After ten days got tired of nesia, Rev. W. H. Baddeley. An telsau Mission began its work on smell of kerosene burning night and exploratory trip has been made the island the effort was made day, so told servants put it in cellar. by air, to esta,blish friendly con- also to introduce Jabem in the So after full time, by directions the tacts with the people. Bishop neighboring regions where a missionary translated to me, I opened Baddeley has a diocese which similar dialect is spoken. Soon hen and not hear a peep. Waited spreads, in a series of island the language was extended to, three days more, not a peep. I began groups, over a distance of 2,000 the mountain tribes whose lanbelieve I bought American fraud, and miles, and includes New Guinea. guage, however, was Kate, a my wife said, 'I told you so.' He spends most of his time on Papuan language. A grammar the mission ship Southern Cross, and a dictionary of J abem are "I complained to one of hospital but in New Guinea itself travels to be published in the near fuassistants. He say he ask the doc- a good deal by air. "The coun- ture. tor's opinion of wooden hens, if try is so mountainous and diffi~ wooden hens really worked in Amer- cult," he said, "that it takes me The translator has made every ica, and if he thought they would seven days to cover on foot a effort to produce a translation work here even if we could not talk distance which I can do in which carries the very heart and English to them. twenty minutes by air. The air- soul of the Gospel into the lives way companies appreciate the of these people. It means some- "The doctor said, 'Of course they work of the missionaries so well thing, when now in the language will if you treat them according to that they allow us to travel free in which fifty years ago the politeness. Bring me three eggs, so of charge." magician still hurled his curses can examine.' I took him the eggs. and the wild warrior yelled his Breaking them, he said, 'These eggs -The Life of Faith.. battlecries through the plains hatched all right for ten days. What and forests, the language of the did you do the tenth day?' A New Bible Translation New Testament resounds to the salvation of these people. "Then I had to admit I had been so The NeuendeUelsau Mission, impolite as to put wooden hen in the operating in New Guinea, de- C. T. BENZE. cellar that very day. So I have con- votes two numbers of its journal, cluded a man who knows that much the Freimund, to the discussion Fijian Methodist Celebration about the insides of Korean eggs, of the revision of their transladown to the exact day, knows more tion of the Bible into J abem, a A large delegation of Ausabout Korean insides than any of our coast language of Northeastern tralian Methodists took part in Korean doctors." New Guinea. In February, 1935, a centenary celebration of Meth- an aeroplane, the first used by a odism on the Fiji Islands, where ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC German missionary soc i e t y, three out of every four persons made its first flight. In April, are Methodists. The event cele- Tonga's Christian Queen 1935, there appeared a fully re- brated was the coming of the vised, entirely new translation British missionaries, William Of the two living queens, one of the New Testament into Cross and David Cargill, to these is Wilhelmina of Holland, and Jabem. cannibal tribes. Their success the other Salote of Tonga. Salote stirred John Hunt and James isa Methodist and the New Zea- The writer thinks that while land Methodist descriibes her as the casual reader might regard follows: the first flight of a missionary She is a woman of commanding presence, cultured and gifted with intellectual capacity, wise in leadership and trusted by her people, and above all, a devout servant of Christ and His Church. Her reign has been marked by a growing spirit of unity in the nation. Old differences between the tribes and within the church have been largely forgotten. She has
Calvert to volunteer. The whole Palestine, is the only solution of The Problem of the nation professed conversion, re- the Jewish problem satisfactory Aborigines nounced its idols, and Wesleyan to the Jews and to anti-Semitic churches and schools were set up regimes in Europe. In every country except Euin every village. rope there is the problem of the Mr. de Haas, who presided in original people such as we have -The Christian Advocate. Vienna recently at the first con- in the United States with the gress of the New Zionist or- Indians. This problem reaches MISCELLANEOUS ganization, said that several large proportions in the tribal European governments were people of southwest China, as Facts to Ponder Over ready to assist Jews within their well as in Mexico, Central and borders in planning mass emi- South America. The problem in Between 27 and 36 million gration. -New York Times. all the Americas is typical of young people under the age of that which is found in Asia and 21 are without any religious in- Bible Distribution to Seamen in Africa among the unreached struction in the United States. tribes who are now experiencing The Bible Society of Scotland the inroads of the white man. The Japanese and Chinese began a work among seamen in The orig,inal inhabitants have have built 73 Buddhist temples 1912. This has developed to the been pushed inland into the less in America, one of them costing point of distributing Scriptures accessible and less habitable $250,000. on board ships in over a hundred parts of the country where they principal ports of the world in carryon the manner of life prac- There are 13,000,000 boys and 120 languages. The work is car- ticed by their fathers through girls under 12 years of age with- ried on by full time, part time, many generations. out religious instruction of any and by volunteer missionaries. kind in the United States. 'No mission halls are maintained Satan has made the barriers on shore; the work is solely on for reaching the unevangelized We are told that most young shipboard. tribes almost insuperable. The people accept Christ before the best provision that has been age of 16. After 16, there is Large numbers of Russian made for the great tribes which only one chance in 29 of win- sailors arrive at Copenhagen on inhabit vast areas of the earth ning an individual for Christ board Russian ships, and return is by means of an occasional and the Church. to their homes in Russia. This missionary who has learned the g,ives a wonderful oPPQrtunity language of some primitive -Presbyterian Banner. of introducing the Scriptures tribe, or by an interpreter. It is into Soviet Russia. As a result, most needful that every tribe Low Overhead Expense several Russian seamen have shall have the Gospel in its own been truly converted. language. Missionaries who are The Church of Scotland is re- doing evangelistic work and are sponsible for 18 mission fields Some Gospels were distrib- loaded with adminisltrative du- (8 in India, 6 in Africa, two in uted on a German ship going to ties do not have time to translate China, one in Jamaica, one in Cape Town via West African the Scriptures. It usually takes Arabia); where there are at ports. After reading the Gos- a man from fifteen to twenty work 741 missionaries, includ- pels, .one of the men requested years to translate the New Tesing 195 wives of missionaries, that the remainder should be tament, unless he can give it his and where there are regular saved from falling into the entire time and thought. members to the number of 157,- hands of a rabid Communist, 000. This Church stands fourth who wished to destroy them, and A Training Camp for linguishighest in its missionary serv- he stowed them away in his tic missionaries has been in opice among missionary churches locker. The ship called at a eration at Sulphur Springs, of the world, and has the excel- West African port, formerly Ark., for the past two summers. lent record .of spending only 5 German territory, and a native The men live under conditions per cent of its foreign mission was given a Gospel. The news as nearly similar as possible to giving on overhe1ad. In fact, in spread that this man had a Book those which they will find among certain areas where expenditure of God which he could read. a primitive people. They are has been cut still more, the Soon boats pulled out to the ship taught phonetics so that they Church has been able to carry at anchor and men stood up and will be able to reduce to writout all the home administration yelled for Gospels. The whole ing the various sounds in the on foreign mission work at a supply, which had been saved language which they will seek to cost of only 3.33 per cent. from the hands .of the Commu- learn, and how to translate the nist, were given to these natives New Testament into a primitive -Marcus Spencer. who rowed ashore with them, language. They are instructed where they began at once to read in the art of making a dictionary Mass Exodus of Jews them, and to carry them to their and grammar, and in the reli- Recommended villages. -London Missionary gious customs and superstitions of these peoples. Jacob de Haas, Zionist leader Herald. and author, told a grQUp of hear- L. L. LETGERS. ers in New YQrk recently that mass emigration, probably to Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~"===-",,,===—–=~===-=======-~======,~ NINE NEW BOOKS A few weeks behind the vet- ican youth, who had his leg shot eran tramper, came two young- off while defending Porfirio ON MEXICO sters from Princeton University, Diaz, later became director of who tell of their experiences in Colegio Internacional in Guada- People in the United States "Mexican Odyssey." 3 One an lajara and then came to New are being given a real opportu- artist and the other an author York, has given us the life exnity to look at their next door seem over-anxious to emphasize perience of many a Mexican neighbor through opportunities their drinking ability and seldom youthful revolutionist – maybe to visit Mexico offered by travel get below the surface of Mex- his own. The young heroine bureaus, "seminars" and teach- ican life. journeys, spiritually as well as ers' excursions, and by the in- physically, from old-fashioned creasing number of books about The most qelightful and the Mexico to a communistic center Mexican life. most understanding of the recent in Harlem and then back to books on the Revolution is seething social revolt in her na- "Off to Mexico" 1 – just what "Tempest Over Mexico" 4 by tive land. Here are many of the many would like to do – is the Rosa King, an English lady. cross currents that sweep hi,ther title of a travel book by the Here is one of those honest hu- and yon the Mexican youth of to- Moats family – Leone and Alice man documents from which real day-and here also is the happy Leone – who certainly k now history is made. Happily it is ending of a group of young their Mexico. "A guide book" is written in charming style, by one patriots who decide that life's the subtitle, but one would never who comes to interest us as much adventure is most worth while know it, if he has in mind the as do such heroes as Emiliano when it has a truly Christian old-style affair, in small type, Zapata, General Angeles, Presi-. basis. long lists of hotels and advice dent Huerta, the martyred Maabout the weather. The reading dero and other famous char- In the spirited religious conof this book will delightfully pre- acters who became known to the test in Mexico, each side of the pare one for a visit. author while conducting her triangle – Government, Roman famous tearoom and hotel in Catholics and Protestants-have The veteran tramper, Harry Cuernavaca in the midst of the iss u e d statements concerning Franck, has recently yielded to most exciting days of the Revo- their positions. "Conflict Bethe temptation to pursue the lution. Mrs. King may have lost tween the Civil Power and the unique paths South of the Rio her property, but she retained Clergy,"6 by Emilio Portes Gil, Grande, and as a result has given and multiplied her human sym- an important historical and legal us "Trailing Cortes Through pathies, her courage, born of the essay by a former Attorney Gen- Mexico." 2 This excellent volume righteousness of her purpose, eral, gives the Government's helps me to forgive him for his and her real friendship for the viewpoint. "Blood Drenched "Vagabonding Down the Andes." Mexican people. Here is more Altars," by Francis Clement As a young tramp he failed to real insight into the Revolution Kelly,7 a Roman Catholic Bishop, get the subtle humor, home-spun and more true' explanation of gives the Church's interpretaphilosophy and big-heartedness why Mexican soldiers fight than tion of Mexican history and her of the Andean citizen, so poor in can be found in many a solemn reasons for refusing to accept modernity. But he has found it volume purporting to philoso- the Government's position. "Rein Mexico – or did his wife phizeon this great social up- ligion in the Republic of Mex- Rachael, a delightful bit of the heaval. ico," 8 by Gonzalo Baez Camargo book's scenery – discover it for him. Here they have found the In the delightful story "Lu- and Kenneth G. Grubb is a very real Mexican, with his innate pita," 5 Alberto Rembao, a Mex- valuable documented study of friendliness, his native charm, even when far removed from 8 Willett & Clark, Chicago, 1935, pp. 292, • Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico, D. F., what we call civilization. price $2.50. 1935, pp. 135, obtainable at Mexican con- sulates.
• Little, Brown & Co., Boston, 1935, price 7 Bruce Pub. Co., Milwaukee, pp. 502, price 1 Scribners, New York, 1935, price $4.50. $3. $3. .
2 Stokes, New York, 1935, pp. 373, price • Friendship Press, New York, 1935, pp. 8 "'orld Dominion Press, London, pp. 166, $3.50. 192, price $1. price $2.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the RllvIllw publishers on receipt of price.
r 159 ] the recent revolution and its and are in language that very transpositions and omISSIOns relations to the religious ques- small children will understand. tion, from the Protestant Chris- that seem unwarranted. In realtian standpoint. It contains Church, Community and State – A ity the volume is a careful parachapters on Ancient and Mod- World Issue. By J. H. Oldham. phrase-a rendering of what the ern Mexico, The Achievements Preface by William Adams Brown. translators conceive to be the of the Revolution, The Religious Pamphlet. Harper and Bros. New meaning of the writers-rather Question, The Evangelical Move- York. 1935. ment, The Future, and includes than an accurate translation of maps and charts, a calendar of Great changes have been takreligious events, the number of ing place in religious liberty. the words used. The new mod- Roman Catholic priests and Dr. Oldham has made a deep ern Bible cannot replace' older Protestant workers and much study of the relation of governother interesting and useful in- ments to the Church and to translations but it is well done. formation. Christian progress. He knows the facts and thinks clearly so Off to Panama. By B. H. Pearson. The happier relations between that this pamphlet will repay Pamphlet. 35 cents. Free Tract the governments of the neigh- study for the light it throws on boring countries is illustrated in tFhaesciisnmfluaenndceNaotfionCaol mSomcuianlisims~ Society. 510 No. Main St., Los the publication by the Depart- to the problems of religious life Angeles, Calif. 1935. ment of Education of the United and liberty. . States Government of a delight- Mr. Pearson, who has been fully written booklet of seventythree pages on the rural schools working among Latin Americans of Mexico. In "The House of the People," 9 Mrs. Katherine for eighteen years, here tells the Cook has given an indispensable description and enchanting ex- story of Jose Avila, a former planation of how Mexico is successfully attacking her formid- colonel in the Mexican aJremsuy~ able problem of educating the now a true soldier of rural masses – one of the most remarkable educational develop- Studies in Ephesians and Studies in Christ and a preacher of His ments in the world today. Colossians. By E. Y. Mullins. 12 mo. 144 pp. each. Cloth, 60 cents; Gospel. It is a story of remark- S. G. INMAN. paper, 40 cents.. Sunday School Board, Southern Baptist Convention. able answers to prayer difficul- Bible Stories for Small People. By Nashvill!!, Tenn. 1935. Muriel Chalmers and Mary Ent- ties overcome, danger's faced wistle. Illus. by Elsie Anne Wood Dr. Mullins, formerly presi- and Roberta F. C. Wandby. 12 vol. dent of the Baptist Theological and victories won in Mexico and 16 mo. 60 pages. 25 cents each. Seminary at Louisville, Ken- Thos. Nelson and Sons. New York. tucky, possessed Biblical scholar- California. The incidents are 1935. ship and ability to teach and write. Dr. G. S. Dobbins has stirring and have a definite spir- Small children will like these edited and adopted these studies attractive little volumes of Bible for reading and classroom work. itual message but the colonel's stories-very simply told and at- They will repay careful study for tractively illustrated in oriental the light they throw on the present work in Panama is the style. Each volume relates to Word, and the practical help one character and contains little they give for daily life and subject of the story. more than full titles to the service. twenty-eight colored pictures. The. F!ne Ar~ of Soul Winning. By Three stories (volumes) relate to Jesus' childhood, three to His WIllIam Wlstas Hamilton. 12 mo. parables, three to incidents in His life, and the remaining three 109 pp. 60 cents, cloth; 40 cents, tell of Samuel, Moses and Isaac. Missionary par~nts and others paper. S. S. Board of the Southern will find these very useful in teaching Bible stories to their Baptist Convention, Nashville Tenn . children and they will form a 1935. ' good nucleus to a child's library. They are not in Bible words but The Bible. An Ame rSicmanithTraanndslEadtgioan~ The president of the Baptist are true to its teaching and spirit Edited by J. M. P. Bible Institute in New Orleans • Government Printing Office, Washington, J. Goodspeed. 8 vo. 883 and 247 has given us a very helpful book 1932, pp. 73, price 10 cents. pp. $2.00. University of Chicago on personal work. While ar- ranged for a study course it is Press. Chicago. 1935. readable and stimulating. Every A new translation of the Bible Christian would do well to read is a~w~ys i~teresting and is help- carefully, digest prayerfully and practice diligently.
ful If mtellIgently and faithfully Into All the World. By Dr. Arthur J. Brown and Dr. John D. Freeman. done. The present translation is 12 mo. 105 pp. 60 cents. S. S. Board, Southern Baptist Conven- by a group of scholars of the tion. Nashville, Tenn. 1935.
University of Chicago. The work "The Why and How of For- eign Missions," a very valuable is reverently done in order that and popular presentation of the enterprise, written by Dr. Brown "the religious influence of the s.everal years ago, is here pub- lIshed under a new title, in an Bible may be furthered in our amended form for use in the Southern Baptist churches. It is generation." Bible students will not brought up to date but is worthy of study by any Christian disagree as to the accuracy of group or by anyone who wants to know the basic principles and re- the translation of various pas- sults of foreign missions.
sages and many will not relish the change in some familiar verses. They give new render- ings but do not give their rea- sons. Why do they translate the first verse of the Bible "When God began to create the heavens and the earth"? There are also
Books Obituary Notes urged to accept a place in the
Consider Africa. Basil Mathews. (Concluded from page 118.) • • • Government but refused. 159 pp. 28. Edinburgh House The Rev. Thomas Barclay, D.D., Press. London. of Formosa, formerly a missionary of preaching and teaching the Lao peo- the Presbyterian Church of England, The Crow Indians. Robert H. Lowie. ple. died on October 5, 1935, at the ripe 350 pp. $4.00. Farrar and Rine- age of 86. He was one of the noblest hart. New York. He was born in the Isle of Skye, missionaries of modern times, and an Scotland, Aug. 15, 1869, and received Honorary Vice-President of the Na- The Tarahumara. An Indian Tribe his general education in that country; tional Bible Society of Scotland. He of Northern Mexico. Wendell C. he then went to Canada to engage in sailed for Formosa in 1875. His Bennett and Robert M. Zingg. 412 church work and was graduated from labors in that island and on the China pp. $4.00. University Press. Chi- Manitoba University, at Winnipeg. mainland were astonishing. His cago. After serving in North Dakota under the National Board, in 1902 he was greatest achievement was his transla- South America. Handbook of the appointed by the Board of Foreign tion of the whole Bible into the Amoy Work of the South American Mis- Missions as a missionary to Siam. dialect of Chinese, which, in Roman- sionary Society. Andrew Pride and ised Script, has done so much for the A. J. Cowell. mus. 62 pp. 9d. ••• South American Missionary Society. Frederick N. Charrington, of Lon· London. don, who, at the age of 20 gave up a evangelization of China. His services as a Christian statesman were re- Both Sides of the Buka Passage. An brewing fortune of £1,250,000 for con- warded by his receiving from the Ethnographic Study of Social, Sex- science' sake, died January 2d, after ual and Economic Questions in the 65 years of service in the cause of Emperor of Japan the Order of the Northwestern Solomon Islands. Bea- • • Rising Sun. trice Blackwood. mus. 624 pp. Christianity and temperance. He • 358. Oxford University Press. united philanthropic efforts with di- London. rect Gospel testimony and had the joy Mrs. Hunter Corbett, the widow of a pioneer Presbyterian missionary to The Japan Christian Year Book. of seeing many remarkable conver- China, died on January 28th in Shang- Edited by F. D. Gealy and Akira sions. Ebisawa. 496 pp. Y 2.50 or 78. 6d. ••* hai at the age of 76. Helen Suther- Kyo Bun Kwan, Tokyo; Kegan land was born in Coburg, Ontario, Paul, London. Canada, and after a nurse's training Willis E. Lougee, Congregational course went to China in 1888 as a Cameos from Purulia. L. Margaret layman, formerly connected with the missionary. The next year she mar- Sharpe. mus. 79 pp. 28. Mission Y. M. C. A., died at Billings, Montana, ried Dr. Hunter Corbett of the Pres- to Lepers. London. November 3d. He had served from byterian Church in the U. S. A. He 1907 to 1910 as associate secretary of was at one time moderator of the What Is Shinto? Genchi Kato. Illus. the Congregational Home Missionary Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., and 73 pp. lB. 6d. Kegan Paul. Lon- Society, and from 1910 to 1913 as its died in 1920. Mrs. Corbett is sur- don. treasurer. From 1924 to 1934 he col- vived by one son, a stepson and five lected about $5,000,000 for various re- Popular Hinduism. The Religion of ligious and philanthropic societies. stepdaughters. She and her husband the Masses. L. S. S. O'Malley. 246 gave a total of 112 years to mission- pp. 78. 6d. Cambridge University **• ary work in China. Press. London. The Rev. Arthur J. Smith, D.D., If you use The Encyclopedia of Islam. Edited for seventeen years superintendent of by M. Th. Houtsma, A. J. Wensinck, the Evangelistic Committee of New PRINTING H. A. R. Gibb, W. Heffening and E. York City, died at his home in Kew Levi-Provencal No. 52. 1024 pp. Gardens, N. Y., on January 22d in his YOU will profit from an ac- 78.9d. Luzac. London. 71st year. He was born in Robinson, quaintanceship with us. We Canada, and after graduation from do the job complete in our own Creative Society. A Study of the Re- Eastman College, Poughkeepsie, went plant, whether it be large or lation of Christianity to Commun- into business and then into the Y. M. small. ism. John MacMurray. 196 pp. C. A. Later he served as assistant 58. Student Christian Movement pastor in the Bethany Presbyterian While our specialty is Books, Press. London. Church, Philadelphia, a position which Magatines and Pamphlets, yet he resigned to become associated as we have a variety of modern The Church at Work in the Modern an evangelist with Dwight L. Moody, equipment to meet all the re- World. Edited by William Clayton B. Fay Mills, and J. Wilbur Chapman. quirements of your particular Bower. 304 pp. $2. University job. You will find our service Press. Chicago. *•• prompt, careful and courteous.
Central Africa-News and Views. A Dr. David Z. T. Yui, a prominent Will you allow us to estimate quarterly report of the life and work Chinese Christian leader, formerly on your next printing? We be- of the Blantyre and Livingstonia very active in the Y. M. C. A. of lieve you will be delighted with Missions of the Church of Scotland. China, died in Shanghai on January our product, price and service. Illus. Mission Press, Blantyre, 22d at the age of 54. Dr. Yui was a Nyasaland. Annual sub. 48. 6d. member of the Protestant Episcopal The EVANGELICAL PRESS Vol. 1, No.1, July, 1935. Church and was well known in China and America. He was one of the Printers of By Patience and the Word. The founders of the Institute of Pacific Story of the Moravian Missions. Relations and was the people's dele- The Missionary Review of the World Samuel King Hutton. 262 pp. gate from China to the Conference on Hodder & Stoughton. 58. London. Disarmament in Washington in 1921. PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE He was general secretary of the Na- Third end Reily Strub He"lsbwl, P•• The Story of Fifty Years. Carrie T. tional Committee of the Y. M. C. A. Burritt. 213 pp. $1.00. Light and of China and had been chairman of Life Press. Winona Lake, Indiana. the National Christian Council of China. He prepared for college in Canton and was later graduated from Harvard where he took his master's degree. A leading Chinese magazine named him as one of the twelve great- est living Chinese leaders. He was
THESE SPECIAL
The Missionary Review th~World You will learn in our October number about A/rica from an A/rican Viewpoint The African's View of Africa What Christ Means to Me•••By Africans African Characteristics and Customs What Christian Missions Have Accomplished···By Africans What Africa Needs Most•••By Africans The White Man's Views 0/ A/rica The Results of Fifty Years of Missions Present.Day Hindrances to Christianity What Missions Are Doing Today Heroes of the Cross in Africa The Next Step in African Missions Best Books by Africans and About Africa Negroes Tell About the Negro in America in our June number What American Negroes Are Thinking Negro Views of Negro Problems Some Achievements of American Negroes Ideals for Better Race Relations What Christ Has Done for Negroes Some Outstanding Negro Christians What Negroes Are Doing for Their Race White Contributors Will Write on Helps and Handicaps in Negro Progress Progress in the Past Half Century Some Lessons from Experience in Mission Work The Next Steps in Work for American Negroes Best Books by Negroes and About Negroes Order These Copies Now Eor Yourself and Eor Mission Study Classes 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year The Missionary Review oJ t:he World Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor
The Missionary Review of the World — February 1936
1936
A Korean Woman's Story Mrs. Induk Pak Making Contacts in Arabia B. D. Hakken Changing Attitudes in Iran Commodore B. Fisher George F. Zoeckler Blots on National 'Scutcheons Muriel Lester Educational Achievements in Brazil J. E. Moreland Among Head Hunters in Pagan Papua Russell W. Abel New England as a Home Mission Field Robert Watson , 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember Obituary Notes THE REVIEW, and recently state presi-
dent of the New Jersey Haptist Wom- February 2-The Moody Bible Insti- The Rev. George A. Wilder, for an's Board of Missions, died on Detute Jubilee and centenary of the many years a missionary of the Amer- cember 22d at her home in Montclair, birth of D. L. Moody. This day ican Board (Congregational) in South N. J., at 65 years of age. Mrs. Farmer will launch the Founder's Week Africa, died on December 28th, at the was born in Kingston, N. Y., daughter home of his daughter, Mrs. Frances of a Baptist minister, was graduated Conference. from Wellesley in 1893 and for many A. Lyman, in Glen Ridge, N. J. His years has been active in church and February lO-17-International Coun- wife died a few years ago. Mr. Wilder missionary circles. She organized mis- cil of Religious Education. Chicago, was born in Natal, South Africa, in sion study classes in Montclair and Ill. 1855, son of Rev. Hyman Wilder, a has lectured and taught missions at missionary under the same Board. Northfield conferences and other gath- February 2B-World Day of Prayer. George Wilder was graduated from erings. She is survived by her hus- Phillips-Andover Academy, Williams band, William H. Farmer, four daugh- April 29-May S-National Convention, ters and one son. Y. W. C. A., Colorado Springs, Colo. Canon Andre'a" M'"ora*ka died in Tan- May I-General Conference, Meth- College and Hartford Theological odist Episcopal Church, Columbus, Seminary. He was beloved by the ganyika, Africa, on September 1st. Africans who often called him "The He was universally respected both by Ohio. Africans and Europeans, and his loss White African." will be felt throughout the C. M. S. May l2-lS-National Council of Fed- Mission. erated Church Women. Dayton, *** * '" * Ohio. Dr. Frank Mason North, Secretary Emeritus of the Board of Foreign Enid Mira Haven (Mrs. Gideon F.) May 20-24-Northern Baptist Conven- Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Draper, of the Methodist Episcopal tion. St. Louis, Mo. Church, died at his home in Madison, Mission in Japan, passed away on Oc- New Jersey, on December 17th, two tober 29th. Mrs. Draper came to May 27-General Assembly, United weeks after he had reached the ripe Japan with her husband in 1880. The Presbyterian Church of North Draper family name is associated in- delibly with the founding of the Yoko- America. Pittsburg, Kansas. age of 85 years. hama Christian Blind School, and with Mrs. Draper's National Mother's As- May 2B-General Assembly, Presby- Dr. North was a man of rich talents sociation of which she was founder terian Church in U. S. A. Syra- and wide experience. He was born in and for many years president. New York City in 1850; was gradcuse, N. Y. *** uated from Wesleyan University in July 6-12 – Twelfth World's Sunday 1872 and ordained to the ministry in Rev. Dr. John Dixon, former sec- School Convention. Oslo, Norway. the following year. After holding sev- retary for the Board of National Mis- eral pastorates he took charge of a ••• . sions of the Presbyterian Church, died FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- mission church in Harlem, and later was pastor of the Calvary Church, at his home in Trenton, N. J., on De- ARY ASSEMBLIES cember 11th. New York City, and the Methodist January 2S-29-Miami. Church in Middletown, Conn. In '" '" January 2B-29-Ft. Lauderdale. 1892, Dr. North became secretary of January 29-3l-Palm Beaches. the New York City Church Extension Mrs. Elizabeth Badley Read, who February loS-Orlando. and Missionary Society, a post he held died in Delhi, India, October 11th, for twenty years. He was also editor aged fifty, was the daughter of Dr. February 2-S-Deland. of The Christian City. In 1892, he and Mrs. B. H. Badley, and sister of February S-7-Winter Haven. became corresponding secretary of the Bishop Badley of India. She was a Methodist Board of Foreign Missions lady of rare artistic and literary cul- February S-7-Lakeland. and became secretary emeritus in ture, and her articles have appeared February B-13-St. Petersburg. 1928. He was president of the Fed- in leading American periodicals. February 9-1l-Clearwater. eral Council of Churches from 1916 to February l2-l3-Bradenton. 1920. Dr. North has written many *** poems and hymns, some of which are February 13-l4-Sarasota. A. T. Polhill died recently at the February l3-14-Ft. Myers. age of 73. He was one of the "Seven" February lS-IB-Tallahassee. who in the '80's went out from Cam- bridge to China. Mr. Polhill spent widely known and sung. His wife, most of his life in western China as a Louise McCoy North, and his son, Dr. missionary of the China Inland Mis- Personal Item sion. Eric M. North, Secretary of the American Bible Society, survive him. '" * * Rev. Edward ShiIlito retired on Dr. W illiam '" H e'"nr '" Leslie, for 38 Mrs. Margaret Norton Eddy, September 25th, after twenty years mother of Sherwood and Brewer Eddy, y died September 20th. She was also of service as literary superintendent years a missionary of the American known for her own missionary-mindof the London Missionary Society. edness, and for the establishing of a Baptist Foreign Mission Society in school for missionaries' children at Kodaikanal, South India. the Belgian Congo, died on December *** 25th in St. Petersburg, Florida, at the Dr. W. C. Pearce, long identified age of 67. Dr. Leslie was born in with the Sunday school movement throughout the world, died October London, Ontario, and received his 25th, of heart failure, after address- ing a regional convention in Southern medical degree from Lake Forest Uni- California on that morning. At the time of his death he was general sec- versity. He spent most of his life in retary-emeritus of the California or- ganization and vice-president of the the heart of the cannibal country in World's Sunday School Association.
the interior of Africa and, with his (Continued on page 65.) of this Course. every wife, faced many dangers. They Young People's Society may started 275 schools in the area and converted into a School for Bible Training. Dr. Leslie was decorated by the Bel- gian Government as a Chevalier of the Royal Order of the Lion. He was given the title "Nganga Buca" (mean- Four Parts-52 Lessons. Part I. The Bible-The ing "The Doctor who Really Cures") God 01 the Bible. Part II. The Christ 01 the Bible by the natives in the Nganga District -The Holy Spirit. Part III. Man-Sin and Redemp- of the Belgian Congo where he suction. Part IV. The Church-Future Events. cessfully cured many natives of yaws Send 1Sc in stamps for current issue. and other tropical diseases. RISTIAN PUBLICATIONS. INc '" * • Mrs. Grace G. Farmer, formerly a 1502 N. Third St., H.rrisburg, Pa. member of the Editorial Council of
MISSIONARY Kellersberger of the Congo; Mrs. are doing through the pages of
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Anna P. White on "Egypt and the MISSIONARY REVIEW. I frequently New Day"; "Korea" by Mrs. Induk VOL. LIX FEB., 1936 No.2 Pak, and Home Missions by Bishop mention the magazine to friends in Publication and Business Office– Kern. They will be worth reading and different centres in England and Thl..d and Reily Sts.• Ha….lsburg. Pa. passing on to others. Wales." WATCYN M. PRICE. Editorial and Executive Office– 156 Fifth Avenue. New York City. *** Foreign Mission Board, Entered as second-class matte.. at Presbyterian Church of Wales.
Post Office. Ha..risburg. Pa., under The Student Volunteer Movement *** Act ot March 3. 1879. Wall Street, New York, the money Convention, reported in this issue, center of the world, recently puplished 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. was marked by some notable ad- Foreign Postage. 50 cents a year. in its Journal a strong endorsement Published monthly. except August. dresses, including those by Dr. Ka- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. gawa of Japan, Mrs. Pak of Korea, of Christianity. "What America needs British agents – Marshall. Morgan and Scott. 12 Paternoste.. Buildings. Prof. G. Baez Camargo of Mexico, more than railway extension, western London. E. C. 1 shilling per copy. 10 shillings a yea … Mr. Sun of China, Dr. Wm. M. Vories irrigation, a low tariff, a bigger cotton MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- of Omi-Hachiman, Japan, Dr. William crop, and a larger wheat crop is a re- LISHING CO., INC. Temple, the Archbishop of York and BOARD OF DIRECTORS vival of religion. The kind that father ROBERT E. SPEER. President Dr. Richard Roberts of Toronto. and mother used to have. A religion WM. 1. CHAMBERLAIN. Vice-Pre8ident WALTER McDOUGALL. Treasurer Some of these addresses have also been that counted it good business to take DELAVAN L. PIERSON. Secretary time for family worship each morning secured and will appear, in whole or SAMUEL McCREA CAVERT right in the middle of wheat harvest. in part, in an early number of THE A religion that prompted them to quit MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD WM. B. LIPPHARD REVIEW. *** work a half hour earlier on Wednes- day so that the whole family could get ERIC M. NORTH We hope you are finding the maga- JESSE R. WILSON ready to go to prayer meeting." zine as helpful and inspiring as are A. L. WARNSHUIS some of our readers whose comments *** SAMUEL M. ZWEMER have recently come in letters: WHEN THE SLIP GETS BY "The January issue is so good that Editorial Chat The typographical error is a slippery I want THE REVIEW sent for one year thing and sly, The Annual Meeting of THE REVIEW will be held in the Assembly Room beginning with the January issue to You can hunt till you are dizzy, but it (8th floor) of 156 Fifth Avenue, New somehow will get by. York, on Thursday, February 20th, at the three addresses attached. Send 3 p. m. All friends of THE REVIEW Till the forms are off the presses it is and of Christian missions at home and the bill to me. I hope you will keep strange how still it keeps; abroad are cordially invited. There up the good work for many years." will be brief missionary addresses by It shrinks down into a corner and it Dr. Robert E. Speer and others. REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D. never stirs or peeps, Princeton, N. J. *** That typographical error, too small *** In spite of difficulties, the past year for human eyes, has been encouraging for THE REVIEW. "I have always appreciated the Till the ink is on the paper, when it The number of subscribers has in- spirit of THE REVIEW and the splendid creased and we have never had more magazine you have been able to give grows to mountain size. enthusiastic and encouraging com- us through the years. We feel it has The boss he stares with horror, then ments from our readers. Few, if any, improved with age." subscribe who do not read but many he grabs his hair and groans; read who do not subscribe. Some can- DR. CHAS. D. BONSACK. The copy reader drops his head upon not afford the price but feel that they Church of the Brethren, cannot afford to miss the reading. his hands and moans- Some subscribers write that they cir- Elgin, Ill. The remainder of the issue may be culate their copies among many friends. far and near. We recognize *** clean as clean can be, this as missionary work. But that typographical error is the "I am delighted with the January *** number of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW. only thing you see. I have not seen anything in a long -Knoxville (Ia.) Express. THE REVIEW is being promoted at time better than the article by Mrs. the Florida Chain of Missionary As- Stanley Jones." Obituary Notes semblies. Reprints of the article by Mirs. E. Stanley Jones have also been MRS. HENRY W. PEABODY. (Continued from Second Cover.) made for distribution there and else- Orlando, Fla. where. One subscriber writes that Karen Jeppe, widely known as the that article alone is "worth the price * ** of a year's subscription." friend of Armenian orphans and "THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE widows, died July 7th in Aleppo *** WORLD is unquestionably the best gen- (Syria). Her life has been described eral news magazine on missions in the by the Danish writer, Ingeborg Maria THE REVIEW is arranging to print English language. Covers the whole Sick in her book "Karen J eppe," as a a number of the addresses given at range of missionary effort at home life singularly rich and beautiful, !:he Florida Chain of Missionary As- and abroad." spent in her devotion to a "people in semblies. They will include those by distress." The Danish papers report G. Baez Camargo of Mexico; Mrs. THE CONVENTION BULLETIN OF that her institutions are to be con- THE STU DEN T VOLUNTEER tinued. Though she was a Lutheran, MOVEMENT CONVENTION, IN- the Armenian Church has given her a DIANAPOLIS. burial in the new Armenian Church in Aleppo. *** *** "THE MISSIONARY REVIEW is the best missionary paper in existence. I Mrs. Hallie Linn Hill, well-known look forward to each issue with pleas- mission study lecturer, died on No- ure. The articles, as well as the edi- vember 18th at Menominee, Michigan. torials, are well written and inspiring. For years Mrs. Hill presented in lec- I wish we had something like this in tures the current mission study books the Hindi language." of the Council of Women for Home Missions and of the Federation of REV. P. A. PENNER. Women's Boards for Foreign Missions Bethesda Leper Home, to the many summer conferences meet- ing annually in all sections of the Chompa, C. P. India. United States.
*** "Let me congratulate you most heartily on the wonderful work you [ 65 ]
TEMPLE JOHN R
For many years Chairman of the Archbishop of York Executive Committee of the Student Volunteer Movement and of the One of the foremost Christian states- World's Student Christian Federation; men in England; Oxford graduate; now Chairman of the International formerly Honorary Chaplain to the Missionary Council; President of the King; sometime president of the World's Alliance of the Y. M. C. A.; Workers' Educational Association; counsellor of students throughout the author of "Christ in His Church," world; author of "The Present Day "Thoughts on Some Problems of the Summons to the World Mission of Day," "Nature, Man, and God," etc. Christianity" and other volumes.
ROBERT E. SPEER SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Senior Secretary of the Board of For- One of the Founders of the Arabian eign Missions of the Presbyterian Mission; Editor of The Moslem Church in the U. S. A., one of the first World; author of "Across the World secretaries of the Student Volunteer of Islam," etc.; Professor of Mis- Movement; author of "The Finality sions at Princeton; formerly one of of Jesus Christ," "Christian Realities," the secretaries of the Student Volun- "Some Great Leaders in the World teer Movement and recently Secretary Movement," "Race and Race Rela- of the Near East Christian Council. tions," etc. JESSE WILSON ROBERT P. WILDER Formerly a missionary in Japan; Sec- Founder and former General Secre- retary of the Student Volunteer Movetary of the Student Volunteer Move- ment; author of "I Am a Christian," ment and missionary to India; re- etc. cently Secretary of the Near East Christian Council; author of "Christ and the Student World," etc.
TOYOHIKO KAGAWA GONZALO BAEZ CAMARGO "The' Modern Apostle of Love" in Secretary of the National Christian Japan; Christian social service worker Council of Mexico; specialist in the .and founder of Christian cooperatives ~eld of religious education; journalin Japan. Leader in great religious, Ist, author and Christian leader. political and economic movements; author of "Love, the Law of Life," "Christ and Japan," etc.
MRS. INDUK PAK MRS. ELEANOR T. CALVERLY, M.D.
A vital Christian personality from Instructor at the Kennedy School of Korea; Field Secretary of the Coop- ~issions, ~artford Seminary Foundaerative Committee on Work Among tIon; for sIxteen years a medical mis- Rural Women, Seoul; former travel- sionary to Arabia; author and lecing secretary for the Student Volun- tUrer. teer Movement.
T.Z.KOO KENNETH SCOTT LATOURETTE Christian leader of Chinese students; Professor of Missions and Orienta:l spiritual prophet of the Christian History, Yale University; formerly movement in China; kindly inter- missionary in China; author of "The preter of Western and Chinese cul- Development of China," "History of tures; former secretary of World's Christian Missions in China," etc. Christian Student Federation.
SOME SPEAKERS AND LEADERS AT THE STUDENT VOLUNTEER CONVENTION (See pages 67 to 68 and 83 to 85) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 2 FEBRUARY, 1936 Topics of the Times STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AT some unevangelized area of China or other unoc- INDIANAPOLIS cupied field. There were present honored mis- sionaries, most of whom unfortunately had no It was an inspiring challenge to see twenty-five recognized place in the program but who contrib- hundred young men and young women, meeting uted much to intimate interviews and discussions daily for five days (December 28,1935 to January in seminar groups – men and women like Dr.
1, 1936) to consider how best to follow Christ in Thomas Moody, a Baptist veteran of the Congo; carrying out His program for the world. These Dr. and Mrs. John M. Springer, of Central Af:r:ica; were not only youth, with life before them, but Dr. Frank C. Laubach, of the Philippines; ,DrJ two thousand were selected students from four H. E. Phillips, of Egypt; Rev. Ray C. Phillips"o.t hundred and fifty advanced institutions of learn- the Transvaal, South Africa; Dr. L. s. G.MJl}erj ing in the United States and Canada. They are of Japan, and others. There were pastors anq the coming leaders-earnest, energetic and ideal- teachers, editors and authors to lead groups. of istic. Naturally they are not all well informed on from fifty to one hundred in the thirty-three daily world conditions or on the teachings and program seminars for the study of special topics.
of Christ but they came to consider prayerfully This twelfth quadrennial convention marked their personal relation to Christ and their place of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the greatest service to mankind. Under trained lead- Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Mis- ers they r;;ought to catch the vision, inspiration and sions. It was appropriate that the founder of the power for the great task ahead. Movement, and its first secretary, Dr..Robert P.
Among the speakers were such well-known lead- Wilder, could be present to lead a seminar on ers as Dr. William Temple, Archbishop of York; "Prayer and Missions," but it is to be regretted Dr. Richard Roberts, Moderator of the United that he was given no adequate place in the gen- Church of Canada; Dr. John R. Mott, Chairman eral program. His messages still ring with power of the International Missionary Council and the and meet response in the student world.
masterful chairman of many conventions; Dr. Great changes have come in the world and in Robert E. Speer, one of the honored missionary student attitudes in the last half century. In 1886 advocates and Christian teachers of the day, has many lands and large areas were still without any attended and addressed all the previous volunteer knowledge of Christ and His Gospel; the native conventions. There were also numerous mission- churches were generally weak and not organized ary executives and teachers, such as Dr. Kenneth for advanc-e; there were practically no student S. Latourette, of Yale; Dr. John A. Mackay, of volunteers in the educational centres of America New York; Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, of Princeton, or Europe; the Mission Boards were struggling and Dr. Mills J. Taylor, of Philadelphia. Among to secure missionaries and funds for the work.
those who brought stirring testimonies from mis- The Student Volunteer Movement, started in sion lands-themselves the product of missions- Mount Hermon, Massachusetts, in 1886, was the were Prof. Baez Camargo, of Mexico; Dr. Toyo- means of arousing missionary interest in schools, hiko Kagawa, of Japan; Mrs. Induk Pak, of colleges and theological seminaries. In a year or Korea, and Dr. T. Z. Koo, of China. Students also two 2,000 students had volunteered for service brought earnest, gripping messages, including abroad and the churches responded to the chal- that of the Hartford Group, the members of lenge to support them. In the past fifty years the which are seeking a place of pioneer' service in number of sailed volunteers has grown to 14,000 [ 67]
and missionary gifts have increased over four had little or no knowledge of the Bible and spirhundred per cent. itual things. They had evidently not studied the Bible in their homes, in churches or in colleges But since the World War a great change has and universities. They lacked the background come over the attitude of youth toward the solu- and foundations for the appreciation of missiontion of world problems. The Des Moines Volun- ary themes. Consequently most of the first half teer Convention, sixteen years ago, was marked of the general program at Indianapolis was not by a revolt against the leadership of the "elder missionary but was an attempt to lay these founstatesmen." That convention was large in num- dations. The audience was the mission field rather ber but the delegates were lacking in missionary than the missionary force. Probably, on the vision and purpose and were only convinced that whole, the greatest missionary impression was a change of ideals and of leadership was needed. made on the students in some of the seminars such They rightly believed that selfishness and foolish- as those on Latin America, Moslem Lands, Unocness had involved the world in terrible war and cupied Areas, the Medical Approach, and Prayer bloodshed and they expressed their intention to and Missions. A few of the groups seemed not take control of the Church and State in an effort to be so fortunate in subjects or leaders. to bring about better conditions. The problems of international peace, social justice, racial equal- The real value of the Indianapolis Convention ity and economic betterment obscured the Chris- can only be judged by the results. There may tian foundations and ideals of spiritual service. not come from it many foreign missionaries or Many students were determined to work for re- volunteers, for the present position of the Boards forms-either with or without the help of God. and the attitude of the churches are discouraging. The whole movement may undergo a change. The Four years later, at the first Indianapolis Vol- devoted General Secretary, Jesse R. Wilson, is unteer Convention (1923-24), the youth were in leaving to take up work under the Baptist Board the saddle and turned their attention from world on the Pacific Coast. Who will be called to sucevangelism to the solution of social and economic ceed him? The early days of the Movement were problems. But while earnest and energetic, they marked by the clear leadings of God, by ceaseless were uninformed and inexperienced. They failed prayer, by devoted self-sacrifice and by a fearless to make much impression or to reach any prac- pioneering spirit. Will these be manifested in the tical conclusions. The Student Volunteer Move- students who went to Indianapolis? Have they ment seemed doomed. come to a clearer knowledge of God; have they come into closer fellowship with Christ; have At the recent Indianapolis Convention the stu- they seen a new vision of all men's need for salvadents showed their responsiveness to Christian tion? Will they return to their seminaries and idealism but with much less self-confidence and colleges to start new prayer groups and mission more reaainess to listen to experienced leaders. study circles? Will they be missionaries on the The youth at Indianapolis won all hearts by their campuses where a million students wait to be earnestness and courage. They had not much in- evangelized and brought into vital contact with terest in the past and its leaders, for their faces Christ? Will new Christian leaders and new rewere toward the future, but they were not so sure sponse to God's call come out of this convention, of their own ability to turn the world right side as they-came from the first student conference at up over night. The youth of today are sobered Mount Hermon fifty years ago? If so, the Student by the knowledge that the world is not eagerly Volunteer Movement will live and grow and will bidding for their budding talents. The great usher in a new era of world-wide Christian evanproblems of the day are recognized but are seen gelism. If not- ? to be too serious for any untried, cure-all remedy. The majority of the younger generation today are FOREIGNERS ON FOREIGN MISSIONS asking – "Whither are we drifting? Who can show us the way out? Why take life so seriously? One of the outstanding features of the forty- Why not have a good time and then snuff out the third annual meeting of the Foreign Missions Concandle?" ference of North America was the unique contri- bution made by men and women who are products But at Indianapolis the youth were of a differ- of Christian missions in other lands. Dr. Toyoent temper, or they would not have been there. hiko Kagawa, now well known throughout' the They seemed eager to know the mind of Christ world as a Japanese Christian evangelist and soand to discover their place in the program of God, cial statesman, made an eloquent plea for the more but they were largely uninformed as to the essen- than fifty million rural population of Japan. In tials of Christianity and the deepest needs of man- response the conference voted to ask the Comkind. The nucleus of theological students and the mittee of Reference and Council to undertake to children of· ministers and missionaries present stood out in contrast to the mass of delegates who
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
help raise funds for building 1,000 Christian because of the lack of prospect of their being sent. chapels (at about $280 each) in rural districts The need is great both to fill places made vacant where lay leaders will minister to Japanese Chris- by death and retirement and to advance into untian groups now without places of worship and occupied fields. There is an abundance of money unable to build their own chapels. in the home church to support the work of Christ both at home and abroad, when truly God-called, Mrs. Induk Pak, the captivating Korean field 8Jdequately-prepared and spirit-filled volunteers secretary of the Christian Cooperative Committee are ready to go and when Christians at home are on work for Rural Women in Chosen (whose ad- aroused to the need, the privilege and responsidress at Indianapolis appears in this issue), spoke bility of Christian stewardship. impressively of the great need for helping Korean women to solve their economic problems while at Among the present trends in the thought of the same time they are led out into spiritual life Christian leaders at home is the greater emphasis and freedom through Jesus Christ. on the need for spiritual awakening and reeduca- tion of the churches at home in the teachings and Prof. Gonzalo Baez Camargo, a product of evan- program of Christ. Another topic always uppergelical missions and now secretary of the National most in modern mission councils is: How churches Council of Evangelical Churches in Mexico, spoke on the mission fields may be strengthened so that with power on the "upbuilding of the Evangelical they may carryon with decreased support and Church" under the present difficulties that mark oversight from America and Europe. It is evipolitical and religious activities in that country. dent that these churches must depend on the He told of the hardships and blessings that have guidance of the Spirit of God and Biblical ideals come to the Evangelical churches through the for their national development, without seeking necessity of standing on their own feet, being de- to perpetuate Occidental characteristics and diprived of help from foreign missionaries. visions. Unoccupied fields and rural popUlations are receiving more attention today, having been Mr. T. H. Sun of China, the Christian editor of too long neglected while institutional work has The Christian Farmer, made an effective plea for been developed in large centers. the rural populations of his country where there are over 300,000,000 tillers of the soil. He urged Over three hundred delegates and visitors reptheir need not only for the Gospel of Christ, but resenting sixty-nine Mission Boards were regisalso for Rural Reconstruction to teach them im- tered at this Foreign Missions Conference,. of proved methods of farming, literacy, sanitation which Dr. John R. Mott was chairman. The chairand better homes to help make strong Christian man elected for the 1937 conference is Dr. Robert communities and churches. E. Speer who is due next year to retire as secre- tary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- These four representatives of the growing sions, a position he has occupied since 1891 when Chris-tian churches in the mission fields were he was called from his studies in Princeton Thethemselves an unanswerable argument in favor ological Seminary. of taking the Gospel of Christ into all the world and offered great reason for encouragement in the STIRRINGS AMONG INDIAN future of Christianity in those lands. UNTOUCHABLES Another feature of the Asbury Park Conference Dr. Ambedkar, of India, declares that the (January 8 to 10) was the optimism shown by the wrongs of the "outcastes" can no longer be tolerrepresentatives of the Foreign Mission Boards ated. In response some factors in India's reliin the face of present difficulties. Dr. John R. gious revolution are pointed out by the editor of Mott, who has attended most of the conferences Dnyanodaya, Dr. J. F. Edwards, of Poona. He from the first, voiced the belief that the depression says: "First: The widely respected Congress and recession in foreign missionary interest and president says that it is because India still treats giving have struck bottom and the period of ad- so many of her own people as Untouchable that vance has again begun. The lessons learned, and the other nations of the world treat India as an the changes that should be made in the mission- Untouchable. ary program were not clearly stated but there is today a growing conviction that evangelism must "Second: This latest development in India's rebe stressed in all departments of the work abroad ligious revolution has been set in motion by the and that the Church at home must be spiritually redoubtable Ambedkar, largely owing to the new awakened. A committee has been appointed to Indian Constitution which despite all its defects arrange for another United Missionary Campaign has given the vote to sixteen per cent of Indian in North America to arouse the churches to population instead of only three per cent pregreater missionary interest and more intelligent viously, and is already quickening the democratic and unselfish missionary giving. Volunteers for consciousness of India's depressed and oppressed missionary work abroad are today discouraged
classes to such an extent that they have made this work or the department in which a missionary is dramatic protest against being trodden any longer active but whether the burning motive of love to underfoot. Christ and the aim to lead others to acknowledge "Third: Dr. Ambedkar is believed to be plan- Him is the chief impelling motive in all life and ning an All-India Conference of Depressed Classes work. This is the foundation of all Christian at which Untouchables shall themselves decide all missionary work and is essential for all missionthe issues involved, including their future religion. ary workers. Every qualification that can be added is or should be so much gain. Some seem "Fourth: Dr. Ambedkar is understood to re- to lose sight of one or the other of these facts. gard himself largely as an atheist. Many illustrations can be cited to show the ef- "These four facts mean that two of India's fectiveness of every kind of mission work-when greatest needs today are clear Christian teaching based on and permeated with Christlike love for regarding the nature of .true spiritual religion, souls and an intelligent spirit of evangelism. The and, above all, the daily exemplification of it in following two letters are samples: Christ-like living. In this way the humblest Indian Christian can play a mighty part in the task Miss Susannah M. Riker, who is working among of building the new India." the students of Wilmina Girls' School at Osaka, writes: The depressed Untouchable classes are threatening to leave Hinduism and join any religion that I know that some people rather disparage schools as will welcome them without distinction as to social mission work, in this day and age. But I think that is a standing. This will be a great boon to the Out- very mistaken view. I can make more contacts through our 800 or 900 girls than I can possibly make in any other castes who are still debarred from Hindu temples. way. Just that teaching plus interest in each girl brings The Moslems, Sikhs, Arya Somajists and Bud- wonderful things to the surface. A personal radiance or dhists have already made advances to these out- perhaps just a friendly word or two when an opportunity caste Hindus who number some 70,000,000 people offers, brings into being a feeling of intimacy which leads and would bring great political prestige to any a girl to Christ and a life of radiance. And through the girls we contact the whole family. As an example, re- party they join. Christians would welcome them, cently when church was over a friend of mine brought a not en masse, but only on the basis of personal re- woman to introduce her. She was the mother of a girl generation and acceptance of Christ, with a knowl- whom I had taught last year, and she had come in contact edge of what that involves. Many Hindus (Sana- with Christianity through her daughter. She had brought her son, also, and the next Sunday the whole family were talists) would be glad to have Untouchables with- there. They live far out in the country and must come in draw as the vested interests of some Hindu by train, but they were very happy to be able to come.
temples have suffered as a result of the demand Silliman University at Dumaguete in the that Untouchables be permitted to enter. On the Philippines is another example of the Christian other hand, however, Hindus do not wish to lose influence that can be exerted in educational mispolitical power by the loss of numbers counted as sion work. Dr. Roy H. Brown, the President of Hindus. One Hindu Shan Karacharya, Dr. Kurt the University, writes: Koti, has suggested the mass "conversion" of Untouchables to a new Hindu sect of Harijans, equal Think of the opportunity we have this year of touching 1,033 lives! (On a recent Decision Day sixty-five of the to other Hindus. Others suggest that the Na- students confessed Christ.) These are from all districts tional Indian Cong~ess be given the power to in the Philippines. Some of them are teachers. abolish "untouchability" by legal enactments. Such a step is unlikely as it involves religious mat- One cannot get the vision by a hasty visit to Silliman, ters. Mahatma Gandhi declares that "untouch- nor can he get it by staying only on the campus. . He must go through the Visayas and other parts of the Philip- pines encountering former students and graduates. Just ability is on its last legs." Evidently the great recently I was in Cebu. We organized a very enthusiastic barrier to social progress in India-so long con- chapter of former Silliman students, and that was very encouraging and helpful. But what filled me with satissidered impregnable-is rapidly weakening. faction was the work our graduates are doing in the stu- dent church and in the dialect church. I assisted at a cot- SPIRITUAL DIVIDENDS IN EDUCATION tage prayer meeting where about thirty were gathered; they had been meeting regularly for nearly a year. The Any way that is effective in leading men to ac- leader was a Silliman boy. His prayer and remarks filled cept Christ as their divine Lord and Saviour, and me with thanksgiving that God had used Silliman to preto follow His Way of Life, is a good way. Doc- pare not only this young man but over a score in Cebu tors can be as good evangelists as preachers-or for active work for Christ. . . . better. Teachers can make use of their contacts The Manila churches are officered largely by Silliman alumni and men who have come directly under the Gospel with pupils and their homes to give the Gospel by influence while at Silliman. It would make a long roll of honor if I should put down the names and the positions word and life. Industrial and social workers, they are occupying in the Christian life of Manila, thus edi.tors and administrators can do the same. The influencing not only that great city but also reaching thouchief thing to be considered is not the type of sands who are studying and passing through Manila.
IRAN, WITH BROAD STREETS AND
Changing Attitudes in Iran By COMMODORE B. FISHER, Hamadan, Persia Missionary of the Pl'esbyterialt Church, U. S. A.
THERE is a ferment at work in the world to- theless, the modern spirit is ceaselessly pressing day. In Persia this culminated (or shall we in upon the old. say really began?) on March 21, 1935, with an announcement changing the name of old Persia An intense spirit of nationalism, patriotism to to modern Iran. This is indicative of numerous a high degree, characterizes the sentiments and other changes that are taking place among these actions of most of the people in these days. Ten "Aryans" on the Iranian plateau lying between years ago the typical schoolboy oration extolled the glories of the golden age of Cyrus and Darius, Turkey and Afghanistan, Russia and Iraq. Dur- lamented the low estate to which the country had ing the past decade a stagnant civilization of fallen and ended with an exhortation to observe veiled women and turbanned men, winding slowly the men of the West, learn of them and follow in through the narrow streets of old Persia, has been their footsteps. Patriotism has changed much of giving way to a faster moving procession of young this. Today the boys vie with one another in men and women following Paris fashions along patriotic fervor, praise the language and culture the main streets that have been cut through the of old Persia (Iran) and point out the weaknesses picturesque cities of long ago. To be sure, the of Western civilization' with its attendant evils, change is not yet complete, high walls and wind- colonial exploitation, the crime wave, the factory ing streets, donkeys and camels, samovars and system, unemployment and increasing expendi- dark harems, old bazaars and veiled ladies shrilly tures for armament. bargaining therein are still to be found. Never- This patriotic zeal is partly a result of pride in [71 ]
the recent progress in Iran and partly a result of complacently the backward conditions under disillusionment during a period of depression. A which they have grown up. They feel a sense of definite change of attitude dates from May 10, partnership in their country and their eyes have 1928, when the capitulations were abolished. A been opened to larger things than old-fashioned still more marked change followed the abrupt can- village life. Racial and religious discrimination cellation of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's con- is being diminished. Jewish boys are sent out to cession on November 29, 1932. On that occasion bring in Moslem conscripts and they all may live there were fireworks and general celebrations in together in the village mosque. In these ways even the army is helping to break down religious prejudice as it plants seeds of unrest in the hearts of young villagers.
The schoolroom and laboratory are also doing their part in effecting changed attitudes. Many Moslems still believe that the earth is fixed and does not revolve upon its axis. They fanatically oppose all non-Moslems, consider them unclean in- fidels and refuse them admission to the mosque.
The Moslem teacher of physics in the government school must have desired to change a number of misconceptions this spring when he took his class of Moslem, Jewish and Armenian boys into the sacred mosque, suspended a pendulum from the EVEN QUEEN ESTHER'S TOMB HAS BEEN MODERNIZED dome and by the gradual change in the movement of the pendulum proved that the earth does move.
all parts of the country. The dispute was sub- Different nationalities are learning to work and mitted to the League of Nations which sent British play together primarily as young Iranians. This representatives of the company to Iran to nego- play is now directed by an American specialist tiate a new treaty far more favorable to Iran. employed by the Department of Education. Boys This sense of power, of having defied the might of who were embarrassed or too modest to wear the the British Empire, did much to stir up the latent long-sleeved uniforms a few years ago are now fires of patriotism in Iran. adopting the abbreviated athletic uniforms of the West because they are better suited to active play. All apparent lack of confidence, initiative or Such are some of the conflicts and changing attiabilIty which retarded the development of or- tudes being wrought by modern education in Iran. ganizations in old Persia is rapidly giving way to enthusiastic efforts at indigenous organization in modern Iran. The National Bank, now oper- ated largely by Iranians, has taken over the right of banknote issue from the Imperial BaRk of Per- sia and has opened numerous branches through,· out the country. An almost prohibitive tariff keeps down excessive expenditures on imported luxuries while domestic soaps, shoes, socks and clothing are being supplied in larger and larger quantities. The railroad is being pushed to com- pletion through Teheran, the capital, joining thp.
Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf on which is the beginning of an Italian-built navy. Such develop- ments in modern Iran arouse still further a sense of independence and pride. SOME MODERNIZED IRANIAN STUDENTS Modern Iran requires two years' military serv- ice of every able-bodied young man without de- In keeping with the spirit of the day many of pendents. Even though the pay is only fifty cents the principal streets are being renamed and our a month the young men are rendering this service schools have all chosen Iranian names. Three less reluctantly, looking upon it as an opportunity years ago all citizens of Iran were forbidden to to see something of their country and to attend a attend foreign primary schools. The mission has kind of boarding school at government expense. not interpreted the order as an indication of hos- Never again will those who are being taken out tile opposition but rather as a policy arising out of their narrow circle of village life accept so of the reasonable conviction that native schools
CHANGING ATTITUDES IN IRAN
could better instill a spirit of patriotism than The fast is another religious practice of almost could foreign schools. In a spirit of cooperation thirteen hundred years' standing. For one whole it is well to "render unto Cresar the things that month from new moon till new moon, from dawn are Cresar's," in order that men may be brought till dusk, food and drink are strictly forbidden. to "render unto God the things that are GQd's." To many, however, the nightly feasts are ample compensation for the hardships of the day, espe- Some of the more fundamental reforms touch cially since the hours of labor and school schedules age-long religious practices. For more than a have always been upset in order that night may thousand years the Shiahs have mourned the de- be turned into day. Schoolwork was practically feat and death of their martyrs, Hosein and Has- at a standstill, short sessions began late in the san, during the month of Moharam, culminating day and were soon completed. This year, howin mourning processions of frenzied followers of ever, in modern Iran official orders were issued the prophet. Clad in sackcloth and ashes, chant- forbidding any change in schedule during the ing dirges and beating their breasts, flagellants PREPARING TO SERVE NEW IRAN-GRADUATING CLASS OF A CHRISTIAN COLLEGE beating their backs with chains and the more zeal- month of Ramazan. Regular work was not disous striking their gory foreheads with broad- rupted, less time could be given to the night's swords, small boys on horseback and water-car- feasts and at the noon recess opportunity was riers everywhere, these great processions have given to those who wanted to go home for lunch. continued to reenact this great miracle play of In this way religious practices are becoming more Islam. This year the processions were strictly and more a matter of conviction and less and less forbidden, and in modern Iran, even as in the a matter of conforming to general custom. Saner time of the Medes and Persians, orders are given attitudes are taking the place of blind adherence to be obeyed. Thus passed one of the Shiah cus- to fanatical practices. toms with but few of the educated young people to lament its passing. In contrast, earlier in the The adoption of the Western or "international" year great multitudes assembled along the streets hat is perhaps the most noticeable change in Iran. of the city to see the first "carnival of joy"-floats Since men first began to wear hats the Oriental and clowns depicting the recent progress of Iran. has considered it disrespectful to uncover his head Only a "Miss Iran" as queen of the carnival was in one's presence, hence at formal gatherings and lacking in modern Iran in 1935! at worship no hats were removed. Since the Mos- lem prayer requires touching the forehead to the
ground the brimless fez has remained a distinc- of thought from the young people in the United tive badge. For more than a year certain groups States. Such changes in customs and costumes, have been removing their hats and on June 14th however, are effecting vital changes in attitudes the governor attended our girls' school commence- and convictions. ment and ordered all men to remove their hats. One week later most of the officials attended our Young men from the schools, from the army boys' school commencement wearing regular hats and from the universities of Europe are returning and one month later policemen began to destroy to their homes to add to the ferment that has alall fezzes. ready begun. Customs and practices of the West as well as those of old Persia are viewed with The removal of the veil is being accomplished critical eyes. The old decadent national spirit more gradually by an order forbidding the enrol- along with religious and social practices as well ment in any school of any girl wearing a veil. as hats, veils and city streets are all undergoing The young people in Iran are no longer so very rapid change. different in appearance, interests, desires or mode What a challenge we face today!
.Religious Changes in Iran By the REV. GEORGEF. ZOECKLER, J;..- Daulatiibiid-Malayis SINCE the World War a new creed, National- no reality; and that there is no further need for ism, has appeared that, in some sections, has either God or religion. well nigh or altogether supplanted revealed religion. This seems to be the present situation No doubt much of the retarded development of in Iran. One who has lived in the country for the people of Iran is one effect of the mass of traany length of time realizes the need that has too dition and superstition that has grown up about long existed for some force that could consolidate their religion, Islam, and has become a part of it. all the elements in the Iranian nation-its varied These traditions and superstitions are now being tribes, races, languages and social elements, in attacked and in some particulars the Government order that a strong government may be estab- program cuts directly across them. For example lished on a firm basis, and so that the material the program for the changing and beautifying of progress the country is making under His Maj- the cities of the land frequently involves the transesty, Reza Shah Pahlavi, may be appreciated by formation of sacred burying grounds into public the entire nation. There is good reason to praise gardens. the effort that is being put forth to develop a spirit that will help the people to recognize all classes The nationalistic spirit in its operation goes and races as integral parts of the kingdom, and even deeper and does more than to affect the exto instil into the lives of the people a spirit of ternals of life. This is exactly what it is intended loyal, active patriotism. to do. There was little in the life of the people, private or public, that did not come under the Nevertheless, one cannot but wonder what the various categories of their religion. Legal proultimate results will be of the program upon which cedure, governmental functions, social sanctions, the Government has entered and the consequent education, were all looked upon as integral parts changes which have come into the life of the peo- of Islam, and the religious leaders claimed for ple. One does not fear so much for the material themselves these prerogatives. Before the inchanges themselves, for these may mean real im- auguration of the new legal code, legal procedure, provement in the material condition of the masses; which confined itself to the provisions of the but one wonders how rapidly it will be possible Shariat, and its interpretation by the Mujtahideen, for the masses to assimilate all that these changes was administered by these same Mujtahideen and involve, and what effect they will have upon their their coterie. Deeds of sale, contracts of all kinds, spiritual character. Iran, in these particulars, is including marriage contracts, divorce, and all no different from other nations and peoples. Such other legal documents, were executed by those who rapid material changes tend to produce the belief were theoretically the religious and spiritual leadthat religion has failed; that the spiritual life has ers of the people. But now, through the estab- lishment by the Government of courts of justice
RELIGIOUS CHANGES IN IRAN
and departments for the registration of contracts, a marked decrease in the number of Iranian Mosthe religious leaders have been relieved of the lems undertaking the pilgrimages to Mecca and functions which they formerly exercised. Kerbela. This is due in part to restrictions on exchange and travel for Iranians outside of the Religious Leaders and Observances bounds of the country. At the same time there has been a marked increase in the number of pilgrims Prior to the assumption of these functions on to the Qom and Meshhed shrines which are within the part of the Government, there had appeared the country. Better roads and automobile transa growing distrust of the religious leaders and port are, no doubt, largely responsible for this. much of the retarded development of the people While there are those who make these pilgrimages was laid at their doors. Several years ago the from religious zeal, there are also many who make Government set out to clear up the situation that these excursions more from the desire to see other existed in the ranks of the religious leaders. parts of Iran. Their number had become so great and many were so obviously unfit for their calling that the Gov- The net result of these changes, as they affect ernment inaugurated special examinations to the spiritual side of life seems to be a marked which this extensive group was subjected. Many trend toward agnosticism, irreligion and atheism. who had been wearing clerical robes, realizing the While many cling to the Moslem faith, there is a futility of even trying for the examinations, did marked tendency among them toward a more libnot appear for them, while a large number who eral interpretation of their religion and its pracdid try were rejected; both of these classes were tices, so that there seems to be lacking that incompelled to withdraw from the clerical ranks. tense fanaticism that was so much in evidence Thus the Mullahs have been reduced so that today not so long ago. However, even among the more there are probably not more than twenty-five per educated and progressive where the tendency tocent of the former number. And those who re- ward irreligion has been most marked, one finds main are, in the main, ill equipped to meet the at times those who have become convinced that spiritual needs of the people; and stripped of material advances are not in themselves sufficient their former powers they hold no real influence to change the people into a new nation, but that a over the masses who are left very largely without spiritual basis must be sought to stabilize the maspiritual guidance at a time when they are most terial advance. in need of it. Effect on Christian Work Many of the religious exercises of the people have felt the impact of the changes that are tak- Nationalism, and the changes it has brought in ing place. The Shiah Moslems have always laid the religious life of the people, cannot but have great emphasis on the sufferings and martyrdom very definite effects upon Christian mission work. of the Imam Hosein on the field of Kerbela, and Let us note the effect on the definitely evangelistic the months of Moharram and Safar-especially work and the development of a national Christian the first ten days-have been set aside to com- Church. memorate this event. The processions during these days, accompanied by wailings and beatings Until recently the Government of Iran gave of breasts, by castigations and flagellations and legal recognition to but one religious faith, Islam. mutilations, are well known to all who are ac- Latterly it has given recognition to four religious quainted with Shiah Moslem customs. These faiths: Islam, ChristianUy, Judaism and Zoroaspractices, which meant so much to devout Mos- trianism. It would seem at first that this change lems, have been curtailed by Government order, would free the evangelistic program from some of almost to the point of extinction. the restrictions under which it has been conduct- ed, but due to other elements that enter into the The fast in the month of Ramazan, which was nationalistic program, this is not the case. Jp the formerly so rigorously observed and enforced that past, though Islam was undisputedly dominant in even non-Moslems were compelled to refrain from the land, the missionary evangelist was free to eating in public, is being less and less observed travel in practically any part of the country. today. It is not uncommon to see even Moslems Medico-evangelistic itineration was a common and eating in public during the month of Ramazan. fruitful method. But today through the limita- Government office hours and the hours of school tions made with regard to foreigners practicing sessions, which formerly were tempered to the medicine in Iran, the activities of the missionary occasion, are now retained without any change. physician and surgeon are materially circum- scribed. On the other hand, the Government's The prescribed prayers, five times a day, which effort to consolidate its work has brought legislaare incumbent on every Moslem, are not so strictly tion against political and religious propaganda observed by Iranian Moslems; and the same is which frequently hampers the evangelist. The true of other practices of their religion. There is
enforcement of regulations is often dependent strong effort has been put forth to effect a national upon the attitude of local officials and their inter- consolidation of the churches; and while this has pretation of a specific order, or their attitude to- not been possible on a national scale because the ward a particular individual. Islam is still churches in the south are under the Church Mis~ guarded, and it is now a misdemeanor to speak sionary Society and those in the north are Presdisparagingly about Islam or Mohammed. byterian in government, it has been possible to effect a union of the churches in the north. It is For some time there has been a shifting of em- too early to speak of accomplishments in this new phasis in the Christian approach to Moslems. Not union, but one can cite examples of work that many years ago the accepted method was that of some of the churches in the Union are already controversy and the literature employed was undertaking. In the Rezaieh (Urumia) district largely controvertial. An effort was made, by the missionary forces were withdrawn some logical proof, to establish the truth of Christianity twenty months ago at the request of the Governas against the fallacy of Islam, and to exalt Christ ment. Before the World War the churches in this by pointing out faults in Mohammed. Today this area had attained a promising degree of independmethod is entirely abandoned and in its place is ence but only a small fraction of the members of the simple presentation of Jesus Christ in His those churches returned when peace was restored. beauty and holiness as the Lord and Saviour of But the churches were rebuilt and the services reman. The fulness and the brightness of His established. It was with some misgivings for the matchless character and its appeal to the hearts of welfare of these churches that the mission forces men, together with His ability to meet their spir- were withdrawn, but the report for this period itual needs, must win them to Him; if that cannot seems to indicate a strength in these churches that win them, surely controversy will not succeed. had hardly been foreseen.
But presenting Jesus Christ to the people of Another church is endeavoring to maintain the Iran is succeeding. Men and women are coming work of an outstation which the mission was not to know the Christ in varying degrees, and they able to keep up during these years of retrenchadmire Him and His teachings; and while, at ment. A third church is maintaining, at considertimes, they may look upon His teachings as impos- able expense to itself, two primary schools. Three sible of attainment, they are no longer content years ago, when all primary schools operated by with anything less. Not infrequently have I foreigners were discontinued, this church, desirheard it said by those who have come in touch ing that its children should still be able to get with the Gospel that if Iran would follow the Ser- their education under Christian influences, semon on the Mount it would become heaven. But cured permission and undertook to operate the even if Moslems have not yet come to know Him schools which the mission was forced to relinquish. in His fulness, they are coming to know Him; Their graduates, presenting themselves for the and as they know Him better they will come to compulsory Government examinations at the close appreciate Him-to a much larger degree also. It of the· course, have carried off high honors. is often these individuals who are effective instruments in breaking down the prejudices against These churches have also become conscious of Christ in others. each other and not infrequently they endeavor to assist one another in cases of particular stress The .National Christian Church and need. At the first meeting of the Union of the Evangelical Churches of Northern Iran the The new atUtude in Iran has also affected the moderator stressed the fact that the fundamental work of the national church. While the great ob- purpose of the organization was to make it posjective of mission work is the development of the sible for all the churches to come to a fuller muchurch, no great progress had been made toward tual understanding of their conditions so as to be this. end before the nationalistic movement began able to be of more assistance to one another. to make itself felt. Only in the region of the Rezaieh (Urumia) field had any real progress been These are a few of the religious changes seen noted, and this was before the devastations of the in 'Iran today. They reveal the great need for a World War which practically wiped out all that spiritual foundation upon which to establish those had been attained in that field. In other parts of changes; and over against this fundamental need the country, while churches had been established a growing and dev6!loping church which, though in cities, towns and villages, no organization had still weak, is alive to the situation. Alongside is brought them together into a national unit. There the mission still seeking to work in the closest cowere evidences of the nationalistic spirit in the operation with the newly-founded church. It is a church, and the mission was not averse to utilizing challenging situation ripe with opportunities, this spirit in furthering the establishment of the problems and responsibilities which call for the indigenous church. During the past few years a prayerful support of the Christian world.
Nestorian Tragedy in
THE Nestorian Assyrians in Irak fled at the the Patriarch, Mar Shimun, had to flee from Irak outbreak of the World War from their Kurd- after the massacre, he came to Geneva to plead the ish mountains to the lowland plains in Meso- cause of his people before the League. The Counpotamia, in order to escape the fate brought upon cil thereupon appointed a committee to look about the Armenians by the Turks. They confided in the for a new home for these homeless people. It com- protection of England, when Irak was mandated missioned the Nansen-Committee for Fugitives to to that country. Assyrian tribes were already liv- undertake the necessary steps, but no one wants ing in Irak, among them the Roman Catholic to receive the Assyrians. They cannot return to "Chaldeans," while the Nestorian fugitives re- Turkey, and in Irak they are scattered and quickly mained true to their ancient faith, which their die of hunger and sickness. The Syrian mandated missionaries had once carried even into China. territory cannot receive them and the same is true These Nestorian fugitives found shelter in of Persia. The Nansen Committee sent a delega- upper Irak and some of them fought under Gen- tion to Brazil, which at first seemed inclined to eral Agha Petros in the allied army. But thou- allow the fugitives to settle, but, under the in- sands were unable to get through to Irak, and fluence of a press campaign, refused them en- found their way through to Russia, to the Baltic trance. At present the Nansen Committee is try- countries, to Persia and even to southern France. ing to find a home for them in British Guiana.
The Nestorian Assyrians are under the spiritual This plan does not seem very feasible on account leadership of a patriarch, who is the national head of unfavorable climatic conditions. Australia of his people. The present patriarch, Mar Shimun, might perhaps grant refuge to these homeless is a young man of twenty-five years, who has en- fugitives in its unoccupied territory.
joyed an English education and lives now in The Assyrian people, like the Armenian, have western Europe. become the victim of political discrimination. The The Assyrians, who were unable to return to whole Christian world should take hold of the sit- Kurdistan, their ancient home, have settled in the uation or another winter will diminish their num- villages around Mosul and some are employed by bers frightfully. Christendom has an indisputable the British to guard the British airplane hangars. responsibility for the preservation of these Chris- When Irak, after gaining its independence, tian people, who have already suffered so much joined the League of Nations, the Assyrians feared for their faith in past centuries. The Swiss Evan- that their condition would be made worse, as the gelical Church Federation, as early as 1933, ap- policy of the Irak Government was to disperse pealed to the Ecumenical Council for Practical them throughout the country so as to destroy their Christianity, to use its influence with the League national and church unity. A still greater peril of Nations for a better protection of these people.
lay in the ancient antagonism between Moham- In collaboration with Dr. Keller, the head of the medans and Christians. This came to a head European Central Office for Church Relief, the about three years ago in the notorious massacre above committee is now constantly occupied with in which a thousand Assyrians were slain. these problems. It has organized an Assyrian The Assyrians are a people without home, with- subcommittee and raised subscriptions in Switzer- out protection, without help. The Geneva central land and has appealed to the Assyrian Commission office for church aid and relief has been engaged of the League. An Assyrian representative from for the last ten years in helping individual groups India, Mar Timotheus, who took part in the world of fugitives in France and Syria. The relief office conference at Stockholm applied to this great con- has also done much to procure aid for the suf- ference for help for his dying people. The Cen- ferers in Irak. Although the Government has tral Committee was able during the last two years settled the surviving widows and orphans of the to carry some relief to the fugitives in Irak, the massacred Assyrians in internment camps, there Lebanon and some other countries; but vastly are still thousands in the villages, north and east more is needed, if this frightful perishing is to be of Mosul, who live in the direct misery. Last halted. If a new home should be found for the winter there was great mortality among them, so Assyrian Christians, western Christendom should that, unless help comes soon, these people, num- become sponsor for their ancient Oriental Chris- bering about 35,000 in Irak, will disappear alto- tian church. There is great danger that this gether. dying people may need no further help either from What has been the activity of the League of the League of Nations or from Christian people.
Nations toward protecting the Assyrians? When -The Ecumenical Press Service.
[77 ]
with Moslems in Arabia*
By REV. B. D. HAKKEN, Bahrein, Persian Gulf REPETITION is a fundamental principle of prevail and whether the Gospel will ever have a pedagogy and Islam has certainly taken ad- real hearing. The unreasonable attitude, the vantage of this. When very young the child cocksure assertions, even the pitying scorn for our is sent to the Koran School where, through con- blindness to the truth of Islam, take their toll. It " stant repetition, he memorizes the Koran in whole seems that they will never turn a sympathetic ear or in part. When he is old enough to pray, the to our message and will go on forever stating the repetition of the prayers five times a day again same falsehoods, the same irrational half-truths, brings this principle to the fore and continues with the same bigoted assertions. But we know that the worshiper throughout his whole life. Ejacula- the truth will prevail.
tions, exclamations, common everyday expres- The Moslem has come to put repetition in the sions, greetings morning, noon and night, all place of thought. Simply because he has been told contain the word "Allah." Children are named a thing enough times, he believes it is true and it servants of Allah or are given the name of their is hard to get him to try to think. Logic simply prophet. Mohammed is never mentioned except does not enter into the matter. From cradle to with the formula, "Upon whom be prayers and the grave, the Moslem hears that the Koran is the peace." His unique character is continually em- word of God; therefore it is, and the man never phasized. Even the smallest things, the most min- even thinks to question. Again and again he hears ute customs of the people take their rise from the that Mohammed is the essence of all that is good example of Mohammed. in man and it does not occur to them that he is not This idea of doing and saying things again and what he is pictured.
again naturally has its effects on the work of the One time I said to some of my school boys, "It Gospel, most of which are unfavorable, but some is just possible that you are wrong and we are are favorable. Many times we have heard quoted right. It is possible that the Koran is not God's from the Koran that Christians are closer to Mos- word and that the Gospel is. It is possible that lems than any other sect! Many times we have Mohammed is not a prophet where Christ is the heard Moslems quote texts from the Koran in seal of the prophets. Have you thought of that?"
praise of Christ! Many times we have been re- The answer is illuminating: "But the Koran says ferred to as "People of the Book" and told what that he is the apostle of God." It was not for a lot of good we are doing out here! Many times these boys to question the Koran. Countless ex- we have heard Moslems confess that they love and amples can be given for again and again we are honor Christ even more than we do! led up against· the stone wall of the Koran and Then there is the unfavorable side. How many Mohammed built by the principle of repetition.
times we have heard that the Koran is the word Can this stone wall be broken down? It can of God for no one can write anything like it, no, and it is. The pedagogic principle of repetition is not even the jinns! How many times we have also at work from the standpoint of Christ. We heard that Mohammed is the seal of the prophets too, insist, and continue to insist,·that our Gospel for he came after Christ and there has been no is God's Book and is true, that Christ is the seal prophet since! Continually we hear the assertion of the prophets and the Saviour of the world. We that the Koran has replaced the Gospel. Steadily insist that He died for our sins. We insist that we hear the text quoted, "God is not begotten and His commandment of love is the only hope of man- He begetteth not," the refutation of Christ's son- kind. We insist that religion is of the spirit and ship, for they conceive of it in a physical sense. not only of outward acts. We insist that justice Possibly the text we hear quoted more than any and mercy are the greatest attributes of God as is, "They did not kill Him and they did not crucify over against the Moslem idea of power. For al- Him, but they only had His likeness." All these most half a century we have been proclaiming the and many more are definitely against the propa- God of love and the constant repetition is having gation of the Gospel. its effect. The truths of the Gospel are b.attering But we wish to note the effect of Moslem repeti- against the stone wall of Islam and although the tions. It is not only tiresome, but tiring to hear effect of this battering is still slight, yet we can these false platitudes "bandied about continually. see that something is being accomplished and we At times one wonders whether the truth will ever shall continue our work. Again and again and again we shall proclaim the unsearchable riches • Condensed from Neglected Arabia. of Christ.
[78 ]
Blots on National 'Scutcheons
An Open Letter to My Friends, the Women of Japan* By MURIEL LESTER, Kingsley Hall, London 1'- Author "Ways of Praying"
~======================d N EARLY ten years ago I suffered a humilia- "Please ask this English lady, when she gets tion. I was in India standing with a friend back to London, to speak to the people there and in one of the narrow streets of Delhi, beg them to do something to help us, for we are watching the keeper of an opium shop supplying weak of will, and so long as the drugs are procur- addicts with drugs. For twenty minutes I forced able we cannot help taking them."
myself to be a witness of this Government licensed The message was translated but what could I traffic for which, as a British woman, I was par- answer, I, a nobody, a slum dweller, one among tially responsible. the millions of fellow citizens in the British Em- Passers-by, wondering what was happening, pire? I explained that I had no power except as stood silent, grave and impassive, watching us. an individual, but I promised to give their mes- One of the purchasers, mere skin and bone he sage to everyone I could reach and I would keep seemed, having exchanged his money for a few them in mind every day of my life by putting them grains of the potent powder was shuffling away in my prayers. Thenceforward it was impossible for me to bewhen my friend spoke to him. come acquiescent or complacent about imperial- "Why do you take it, grandpa?" she enquired. ism. My vow led me into all sorts of unexpected situations, to Governors in India, to officials in "Ah! Lady," he answered. "It was a bad cough London, to public meetings in England, Scotland I had. It racked my body and this medicine took and Wales. away the pain." It is with no tinge of censoriousness therefore "I can give you something better than that for that I am appealing to the people of Japan to peryour cough," she said. suade the Government policy to be altered as re- gards poisonous drugs in China. How can I blame The old man reached out his hand as she wrote you, considering that when my ancestors were down her address on a slip of paper. Other pur- waging the opium wars, yours were giving to the chasers gathered round, courteously inquiring, world a unique contribution of art, drama, archi- Indian style, who we were and what had brought tecture, ideals of self-sacrifice, courtesy, self-reus there. My friend explained that I was British straint, and loyalty for which Japan has for so and had just come from London in order to know long been noted? something of their way of life. This caused them to draw closer still. They were all attention while It is out of my steadfast love for Japan and my she explained that there were no opium shops in deep appreciation of your national characteristics London. To take drugs or to trade in them was that I venture to write this letter. against the law. They were greatly impressed by this anomaly. Their surprised scrutiny was hard There are two outstanding experiences to which to bear. I had to force myself to raise my head my mind often reverts, and never without getting and face them. Just then a new customer came satisfaction and inspiration. They are listening up, a cheery looking boy of twelve or thirteen. to the nightingale deep in an English forest glade in June and watching the Kabuki drama in Osaka. "Surely you do not take it, sonnie," exclaimed Both experiences give one a satisfaction so deep, my friend. a sense of fulfilment so real, that time almost seems to stand still, while one is experiencing their "Oh! No," he retorted with a broad grin. "I beauty. am only getting it for the baby." With this association of ideas which has en- "That's right," exclaimed one of those who riched me ever since first visiting Japan eighteen stood nearest to us, "it's useful for babies. It months ago, the new experience is doubly unwelkeeps them out of harm's way while their mothers co~e which now links Japanese drama in my are at work." mmd to a Japanese theater in the Demilitarized As the boy went off with his screw of paper a man raised his voice.
• A letter written from North China on June 12, 1935. Zone in North China. This shows obscene plays [79 ]
daily from ten o'clock in the morning, runs an il- "Do you not think these children look very lovlegal lottery in the vestibule, sells morphine and able?" asked the teacher. heroin throughout the program-all under the protection of Japanese authority. The local mag- "Indeed they are very lovable children," anistrate's order for the closure of this theater when swered the Chinese. it was in Chinese hands was effective. The local social conscience was appeased. But when Japa- "Where do you think they live?" asked the nese citizens reopened it and allied with the evil teacher. plays produced these other evils, and claimed ~x traterritoriality to justify ignoring the magIS- The Chinese children guessed, but none successtrate's repeated closure order, it was merely the fully. might of the Japanese military that caused these anti-social activities to be allowed free scope to "They are children of Japan," said the teacher. bring in profits. The children remembered the bombs that had suddenly begun to fall around them when they Education vs. Drugs were in church one Sunday morning. They knew how J apamise soldiers stabled their horses in their Almost every day of my stay in Japan I visited school playgrounds and made their homes miseror heard of some new school. Wherever I went, able. people seemed to be reading. Nowhere else in the "No, they cannot be. The Japanese are wicked," world have I seen street peddlers and costermon- they answered with childlike directness. gers studying books in the intervals between the The teacher encouraged the children to talk out sale of buttons, tapes, candy arid oranges. I had this problem, reminding them that they had althe privilege of meeting a woman who, long years ready pronounced them lovable: yet they were ago, was the first girl to attend school in Japan. indisputably Japanese. After discussing it for When she heard that the Government had opened some time, the children announced their concluone she insisted on her father taking her to it. sions. "It may be that the boys and girls of Japan Their journey thither took ten days. When she are lovable and only the grown-ups are wicked." arrived she found she was the only student. It was I have been interested to see how many of the not till a month later that a second and a third finest Chinese citizens, with a deep sense of spirgirl joined her. Now Nursery Schools are found itual values, have gone on from that point to exin obscure villages and great educational institu- plain to young people that even a further step tions have been set up by self-sacrificing service must be taken; they must never forget that the and generous gifts from many lovers of youth. grown-up people of Japan are good, that the evil things that are so obviously being done in Educationists who travel from Japan to China their name are not known to most of the Japanese find in that country the same reverence for edu- at home. cation, the same sort of institutions resulting from the same sort of devotion. Imagine then the shock I was delighted in Japan by the courtesy of the of finding, immediately outside the walls of Yen- people. I can never forget how the driver of my ching University, ten miles from the city of Peip- car nearly collided with another on turning a ing, a drug trafficker who had set up his poison.ous corner in Tokyo. At home there would probably business and refused .to recognize the law agamst have been some sarcasm, a little display of temper, it, quoting his status as a Japanese citizen u:?der some profanity; not so in Japan. As soon as the the protection of the Japanese Consulate at TIent- drivers clamped on the brakes, both leaped from sin. Members of the University faculty, men of their seats, swept off their hats, bowed almost to international repute, had no power against the the ground and made polite speeches to each other. evil intent of one trafficker. When representations In a moment we were continuing our journey were made to the Japanese Consulate, they ordered the drug trafficker away but allowed him to How different are Japanese manners in China! return in a week or so. I saw this man in his place On the wharf where a distinguished visitor was of business. Are students to be encouraged in about to embark, Chinese police had roped off a self-discipline and good citizenship and kept free space in the usual manner. Representatives of from commercialized temptations in Japan while many nations were waiting to give their welcome. outside your country you insist that an opposite A Japanese official came up late, could not find the set of ideas is to motivate action? point of vantage he desired so proceeded to the point which was being guarded by the- police. Are They All Wicked? They told him there was no entrance that way but he insisted in the face of the assembled company Some Chinese children in the Demilitarized crudely to push his way through. Zone were shown a photograph of Japanese children taken in one of your Nursery Schools. When I first visited Japan, I remember a Brit- ish resident of long standing describing the hon-
THE BLOTS ON NATIONAL 'SCUTCHEONS
esty of the people. If anything were lost, she de- to do so. They insisted that he produce the money clared, it was almost certain to be returned. She next day. He procured $500 but they were not herself had dropped in the street her purse with satisfied. When bayonets are brought into an arsome thirty yen in paper money which any passer- gument equity suffers; the following day $2,000 by could have kept without risk of detention. It more were extorted from him. A military reprewas returned to her next day. But in the Demili- sentative from Tientsin Consulate then came to tarized Zone of North China the poison drug shops inquire into the situation. He told the magistrate operated by Japanese and Koreans, are well to sign a statement that he had not been held known as receivers of stolen goods. They operate prisoner in his office. This he refused to do. But a pawnshop in alliance with their drug traffic so he suffered for it afterwards. that addicts are tempted to steal in order to procure their dose. There is no redress, even if one During my journeyings round the world three knows where one's stolen property has been de- institutions stand out in my memory as super-exposited. The shops are under Japanese law, not cellent. Among these is the Government Leper Chinese. Hospital and Settlement near Tokyo that Dr. Ka- gawa took me ,to see. It is so well run that not 'Loyalty vs. Injustice only are skill and technical achievement obvious even to a novice in medicine, but one cannot help Another thing that I especially appreciated in noticing a spirit of personal devotion, that has Japan was the loyalty of the individual to his sense elicited from the victims of that disease a sort of of duty. With Japanese, self-will seems to be com- happiness. pletelysubordinated to the good of the nation. Loyalty has characterized Japanese life for so Other public health work in various parts of long that even a visitor, whose total stay during Japan was memorable also but in China public both visits did not exceed eleven weeks, caught health work is being hindered through the extra something of this steadfastness of purpose. Sure- burdens laid upon the doctors and nurses in the ly this might be considered J.apan's greatest con- treatment of drug addicts who would be self-retribution to the world! Some of us in the West specting citizens if it were not for the influx of have been trying to follow the way of Jesus Christ Japanese and Korean drug traffickers. Is it credfor centuries. We have found it extremely hard itable to Japan that doctors and nurses, Chinese to be loyal to the command laid upon His followers and foreign, should have their time taken up by in no uncertain terms, "If anyone would come dealing with victims of Japanese traders? after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." The cross is no orna- In the Demilitarized Zone mented symbol of gold, silver or wood. It is a symbol of death, agony, torture. Morning by I enjoyed traveling in Japan. The orderliness morning we try to face this challenge, to match and punctuality are dependable, pleasant to exour personal puny strength with the possible im- perience. The railway travel in China I have enplications of this demand. Are we willing to go joyed until now, but on my way through the Deany length, to disgrace or to death, in loyalty to militarized Zone a Japanese soldier came into the our Master and for the sake of others? It is a third-class carriage in which I was traveling. The frightfully difficult discipline for us to undergo, Chinese guard asked for his ticket. He had none but you people of Japan are already trained to do but said he was with the military. Where was it. It has been in your blood for centuries. What his ticket then, asked the conductor? He said he other race in the world is so well prepared to lead had a military pass but did not produce it. The the way in loyalty? But here in China you inter- conductor very politely informed him that in that fere with people who are trying to do their duty. case this was the wrong train for him to travel on as it was not available for the military. He an- Last summer an alert Chinese magistrate in the swered that there seemed to be plenty of room Demilitarized Zone, knowing that his authority and settled down to enjoy the journey. held sway at any rate over the Chinese in his district, arrested some Chinese employees of a J apa- While in Japan last spring I heard of the fornese drug firm when they were not on their em- ward movement to do away with the licensed ployer's premises. He confiscated the drugs they houses for prostitutes. It was a pleasure to diswere carrying and despatched the whole lot to cuss with social workers this big step forward and Tientsin. Some roughs were immediately gath- to notice how the great campaign Josephine Butered together and sent into his office to demand ler waged in the middle of the last century, when $7,000 damages for his action. He refused to pay. she stood up at the risk of her life against licensed Then Japanese troops from Lanhsien came and prostitution, was being courageously maintained ordered him to come to the barrack but he was a by her successors in Japan. Having witnessed college graduate and not easily scared; he refused
this social advance, it was disappointing to find a common weal. They encourage their country puwidespread operation of brothels by Japanese and pils to give their spare time to help the under- Koreans in the Demilitarized Zone. I saw many privileged children in their midst. Changli people such houses, some of them blatantly advertising have turned their attention to improving the local their nature not only in Chinese characters but in methods of agriculture by means of modern scilarge English lettering. ence. They are planting fruit trees with new con- fidence believing they can prevent the recurrence Trees vs. Children of pests.
When I reached Kyoto last March I found the With the setting up of the Demilitarized Zone, hills transformed. Tall gaunt tree trunks, stripped however, the traffic in poisonous drugs has been of branch and leaf stood out against the skyline, carried on with greatly enhanced profits. The witnesses €ven in death to the violence of the re- magistrate has no power to control the Japanese cent typhoon. Hour after hour I roamed up and and Koreans who have set up their "foreign firms" down the winding paths of those hills, sorry for all over the district. Changli County actually the widespread destruction and the loss of life suffers much less than other parts of the Zone, sustained. One evening I was sitting indoors with but the very fact of its civic conscience and its my Japanese friends when we heard the slow beat- nearness to Peiping makes it the most convenient ing at regular intervals of a great temple gong. place to study and report upon. According to the It was to summon people to a memorial dirge for survey carried out this month, over thirty Japathe trees. The night was still and dark. The sol- nese and Korean firms are operating, just outside emn act of mourning was celebrated simultaneous- the city walls, because ,the respectable citizens ly in town and on the pine-clad heights. within the walls will not rent premises to them. Noone has power to close these shops except the Next day, in characteristic Japanese manner, Japanese. Whenever the local authorities attempt men started efficiently to repair the damage. I to do so, they are reminded that Japanese and saw the carts passing through streets, each carry- Koreans need not obey Chinese law. Does Japaing a white robed Shinto priest and some six or nese law favor allowing young people to become eight young saplings to be planted so as to clothe drug addicts? the hills with green once more. A peculiarly unpleasant feature of this traffic But no one could restore the human loss of life. is the opening up of lotteries on the same prem- The widespread lamentation of the mothers rings ises, and pawn shops wherein those who pledge in one's ears still. "Oh! my children! Oh! my their goods are encouraged to take payment in trees! Alas for my children! Alas for my trees !" drugs rather than in cash. Both these practices are illegal according to local law but protected by In the Demilitarized Zone Chinese parents are the Japanese military. I went into the local clinic mourning for their children. Some of them can where drug addicts are treated and found most of yet be saved. Would you not have succoured them them young. long ago if you had known what was happening? But just as it was through the testimony of eye- Consider how easily one careless act-ion may witnesses that the British public had to be made lead to destruction. A dose is procurable for sevaware of the havoc of opium in India, so in Japan en sen; the ignorant purchaser is told that it will the stories about the recent influx of drugs into cure any pain; the syringe for the injection is North China were deemed false, the result of un- rented on the deferred payment system, the second friendly propaganda, until someone could go and dose will cost more, the third more still. Soon the collect trustworthy evidence. "And if you see man is helpless and his home is ruined. Very often anything bad be sure to let us know," was the in- the first dose is given free. Child addicts are by junction given me by several Japanese public men, no means unknown. people of integrity and wide experience in government, before I set sail for China. It has been suggested several times that it is dangerous to tamper with the profits of the opium Changli is a little self-respecting town of some trader. It is playing with dynamite. But it is 15,000 inhabitants. They have a well-run hospital encouraging to see how more and more people are and some excellent schools where the girls and coming to feel that it is better to die in the cause boys imbibe good citizenship as well as book learn- of humanity than in the killing of fellow human ing. The students work with their hands, build- beings. One can do a very great and lovely service ing and roadmending. I saw the girls also lend a to one's nation by removing from her name the hand in repairing the highway. taint of protecting profits rather than persons. That is what women all the world over are trying T,eachers trained in Changli go into obscure to do for their countries. Let us stand shoulder to parts of the province and carry thither the good shoulder in this. tradition of voluntary service and care for the
A Korean Woman's Story*
-<!III By MRS. INDUK PAR:, Sooul, Cho"," II ….
I T IS very significant for a woman, an Oriental, On Christmas morning my mother and I walked particularly a Korean, to be asked to speak to on the lonely snow-covered road for three miles to a representative group of young people from the church where a few groups of women and chil- the higher institutions of America and Canada. dren were gathered together singing a Christmas Having heard the wonderful speeches by the carol. I see still my mother as she stood up world-renowned teachers, my courage has almost bravely and told the people her new decision to failed. But, when I think of what Christ has follow Jesus Christ who had brought her peace.
meant to me and to my fellow women, I cannot I did not understand what it was all about but keep quiet. I must tell it to others. I was very happy to be given a yellow writing pad We have just celebrated the fiftieth anniversary and a blue pencil!
of the beginning of Christian missions in Korea. After we went back home I asked my mother The achievements within a very short period of to teach me to write and read, but she said, "My time are really great. I cannot give the statistics, daughter, I am sorry I cannot because I don't but generally speaking, the missions have helped know myself."
us to wake up intellectually, spiritually, and Under the old regime girls were not given an physically through evangelistic, educational and academic education. The homes were the schools; medical work. mothers were the teachers. The girls in their The Protestant missions came to us just at the homes were taught cooking, sewing and etiquette.
time when we needed them most. My country If the family was well-to-do, the daughters were was in the position of a charming young woman taught by private teachers to read and write the who had many lovers fighting for her beauty and Chinese classics and to paint. But my mother nobility. Korea, with a most important geograph- had no money to give them to teach me. There ical position, with beautiful scenery, good climate, were a few mission schools for girls in the big rich resources, and peace-loving people, could not cities but they were too far away.
resist the outside forces. So my mother put boy's clothes on me, changed Fifty years ago, when we were going through my name to a boy's, and took me to a boys' school.
the most crucial movement in our political life, For two years, I studied and played with the boys, Christianity brought to us the greatest hope, the climbing the trees, spinning tops, flying kites, only hope, Jesus Christ. He was and is still the jumping ropes and running races. It was possible great Friend of our women and children. No re- in those days because both boys and girls wore ligion in Korea showed us the real value of wom- long hair. On the last day of school I appeared anhood. with a girl's dress and surprised the boys! In the When I was about six years old, my father and boys' school, I realized that, after all, women are my only brother died of cholera within twenty- not inferior to men intellectually, as our men four hours. Two…;thirds of my people were gone, thought, and I determined that I was going to get including my uncles, aunts, and cousins. It seemed an education in a girls' school; but how could I?
the whole country was at the point of death. My I begged my mother to give me a dollar and fifty mother felt her loneliness in spirit, helplessness cents. She gave it to me but I don't know where in life, and hopelessness in material things. All she got it. I followed a friend of mine to Seoul she had was her little girl, negative value, not to a missionary school for girls and for the first counted by people. time I saw a missionary from America. She was One day a Christian missionary came to see my tall and good-looking; she put her arms around mother and she told her the wonderful story of me and said, "Are you here to learn? Who sent Christ. It wakened my mother's heart. It opened you ?" I ~ad paid 60 cents for my railroad fare, my mother's eyes. It gave her a new life. and had nmety cents left. When I showed this to her she looked at me and said, "What a pity it is!
• Slightly condensed from an address delivered at the Student You really want to learn?" Volunteer Missionary Convention, January 1, 1936. This and other "Yes," I said. convention addresses will appear in The Student Volunteer Conven- "Then stay here." tion Report, published at $2.00 a copy. Order from the S. V. M., 254 Fourth Ave., New York.
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She wrote to her friends in America, to a blind The large maj ority of our women are the wives poet who lived with his sister in Illinois. They of farmers. So, in order to help our rural people were very much interested in missions, and sent first of all, I thought that we must help the women.
$5.00 a month for seven years to help me with my With the help of many friends in America and education. at home, I took up this special field of work with Seventeen years later, I came to America and ,the village women. We have quite a few volun- went to see my blind poet. He took my hand in teer workers, and so we· selected many villages his and said, "I cannot see you face to face, but I near Seoul, and two by two we went to these vil- can feel and know that your eyes are opened spir- lages once a week. Usually between 20 to 40 or itually." Up to this time I learned about Jesus, 50 women gathered together under the trees if it but I did not know him personally as my Saviour. were warm, and if it grew cold we met in a large In 1919, when we had the Independence Move- house in the village or in a dugout.
ment in Korea many young men and women were First of all, we spent much of our time in learnarrested; I was one of those who was put in jail ing singing and playing games, because our peo- and was there in solitary confinement for six ple haven't realized the value of recreation. We months. Without any people to talk with, nothing have had an unbalanced program of life. Someto see and no books to read, I remembered that times we meditated too long and sometimes we Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone" worked too much. And so, we tried to give our and I knew what He meant. I could go hungry women some recreation so they can have some for nine days, but I could not go on without the amusement in their lives.
words of Jesus. Besides the recreational program, we take up After I had been in jail a month a missionary practical subjects such as hygiene, sanitation, first sent me a copy of the Bible, and I grasped that aid, baby care, budgeting, dyeing, sewing, cook- copy with my two hands and started to read it ing, and how to raise silk worms, pigs, chickens, from the first page to the end. Seven times I read rabbits, cows. These practical subjects help our the New Testament in jail, and twice the Old women to make better homes and better communi- Testament. While I was meditating and mem- ties. We also tell them the wonderful stories of orizing the words of Jesus, I came to know Him Jesus. The minute when they hear those stories personally. He became a reality to me. Since their faces light up. They say: "Do you mean then I have had many trials, and I have made fail- to tell us that we women can have a place outside ure very often, but every time his Spirit has en- of our own homes, too? Do you mean to say that couraged me to move forward, His love is behind a woman can be a person, as well as a man ?" me and within me to overcome the difficulties, and Those who have experienced it can understand His peace is with me all the time. it; nobody else can. Also we teach them to read After I had this wonderful experience I could and write the Korean alphabet, because 90 out of not keep it to myself. It is a duty and a privilege every 100 women in these villages. are illiterate. to tell my fellow women some of the· experiences Then we teach them how .to earn and save some I have had so that they may know the same Christ, money. Oh, it enlightens them very, very much! and that they too may have this abundant Life. We women have been the producers as well as the Thus far the status of our women has been one men, but somehow we did not see the cash. Cash emphasizing maternal duty and feminine virtue. has been handled by the men. So we organized This was interpreted to mean absolute obedience the Cooperative Consumers Societies. Each mem- to men, contentment in an ignorant and very re- ber pays a certain amount every month, and out stricted life, and devotion to the point of self- of this fund we buy soap, petroleum, cooking oil abandonment in the service of the husband's fam- and other things at a wholesale price and sell to ily. As a mother, a woman respected her parents- the members at retail prices. At the end of the in-law and her husband and worshipped his an- year we divide the profits instead of giving the cestors. As a wife, she raised the children and profit to the middle man. Through the Coopera- disciplined them. tive Credit Society, each member saves between Every time when I come to America, nothing in- 15 and 30 cents a month. We also loan money to terests me more than to see the kindness and the members at a very low interest rate, for produc- courtesies that men show to women at home and tive purposes only, such as growing beaon sprouts in public. Having come from a country where and making bean curds and raising chickens. .
everything is centered around the man, it is a new Now, we get hold of some cash in our hands.
world to me. I don't know how you feel about it, We come to have confidence in ourselves econom- but I am sure the elevated place of Western wom- ically and we feel almost that we can get along en is due to Christ for He showed the real value without men I We also have this cooperative spirit of women as other religions never did. which we never had known before:
A KOREAN WOMAN'S STORY
Besides these village classes we have a Folk see the value of a study of the life and the teach- School for the farmers' wives. When I was going ings of Jesus Christ. Members of my group were back home from America I stopped at Denmark full of questions and keen to test the things out and visited some of their folk high schools. Those for themselves. They said, "We won't be satisschools impressed me so much that soon after my fied with talking only, we must put into practice arrival home I wrote a book on the Danish Folk what we learn." We decided to gather some High Schools, and while writing it, I kept think- money, and the individual contributions amounted ing how my people could get the similar spirit by to $100. We gave one-third to a poor farmer to which Denmark was revived. Of course the first buy a cow and two-thirds to a very young promstep was to try it. We rented the building where ising man to start a little business. This is what the Y. M. C. A. had had a Folk School for I have been doing for the last four years. farmers. We selected different women from the villages far and near; we lived together for three Five years ago, while I was traveling in Engweeks; we cooked the rice twice a day, drew water land I got lost one day going to the Swanick Conout of a· well 36 feet deep, cleaned the rooms and ference. I started early in the morning during swept the yard and had a grand time together. the Easter vacation and in the crowds I missed Instead of trying to teach them subjects, we tried the first train and got on the wrong train. To to help them catch the spirit, so that they could reach my destination I changed from train to boat live and work courageously and joyously under and boat to train and train to boat and boat to hard circuJpstances. It worked well. tube and tube to train-fourteen times. Finally I arrived at the end of the line at midnight and Now, I am going to speak of another phase of expected someone to meet me; but -nobody apmy work. I have been helping my church through peared. a choir. The church was in a poor condition. It was located in the most congested section of the I was a foreigner, a woman, all alone with two city and the people were too poor to give toward suitcases and two miles from the conference the upkeep of the building. The first job of the grounds. I did not know the road and there was choir was to clean and beautify the church, so we no way of reaching there except to walk. All I had a regular cleaning party. Seventeen young could think of was the lost sheep! The ninetymen and women scrubbed the floor, painted the nine were in the fold at Swanick but I was the one walls and stopped the leaks, and put up some beau- sheep wandering in the wilderness. All I could do tiful pictures. After that we could sing much was to pray: "Well, God, you must show me the better! Every Saturday evening, this group of way to get there or else I will have to spend the young men and women came together and prac- night here." ticed for Sunday morning services. Sometimes we gave concerts in that church and sometimes The bus driver put his bus away and saw me we broadcasted over the only radio in Korea, standing beside the road alone with two suitcases. JOBK. He came to me and asked where I was going. Then he kindly offered to walk with me. He had Besides this choir, I have had a large young one of my suitcases and I had the other. We were people's Bible class. Do you know that our young going through the mountainous road without expeople today face the most difficult things in our changing a word for half an hour. Here, I lives? I am going to give just one illustration. thought, I am following a strange man in a The pursuit of education is the most difficult thing. strange land in the dark of night. Whether I For instance, last year all the high schools for the liked it or not I had to follow him, and I was girls in Korea were choosing only 1,700 girls, and afraid. Finally I saw a faint light up the mounthere were 4,500 applications. That isn't so bad tain; someone was moving toward us. As I saw as with the boys, for in one of our Christian high the light moving nearer and nearer I was so happy schools for boys, where they had 1,000 applicants, that I hurried my steps. Finally we met and I they were choosing only 250. In some vocational found the lightbearer was my friend, who had schools, only one out of every sixteen applicants come down to find me in the dark night. I was so can be admitted. overjoyed that I just shouted. That was one of the happiest moments of my life. They reduce the numbers by means of entrance examinations even for the first grade in the gram- His lamp am I, mar school. In our city there were 6,000 appli- To shine where He shall say; cants for the first grade in the grammar school And lamps are not for sunny rooms, where they were choosing only 4,000, and so they Nor for the light of day; must choose the pupils by entrance examinations, But for dark places of the earth, just because there are not enough institutions. Where shame and wrong and crime have birth, Or where the lamp of faith grows dim, In the midst of such serious problems you can And souls are groping after Him. So may I shine, his love the flame, That men may glorify his name.
and Motion
By SAMUEL KING GAM IN THE past the problems confronting foreign Japan? The Payne Fund Inquiry on motion pic- missionaries were, more or less, problems tures in the United States showed that at least 75 created by the attitude of the natives them- per cent of the pictures concern sex and crime. selves. What worried the missionaries most were Thus the East sees America, revealed by the anti-Christian sentiments in foreign lands, espe- movies, as a nation of sex promiscuity, vice and cially in the Far East, where missionaries were crime.
looked upon as forerunners of imperialism. But Americans generally may not be disturbed by toda~ the story is different. The anti-Chris,tian the fact that the distorted pictures do not repre- movement in China, Japan, India or Korea, to a sent the "real American life." Unfortunately such great extent, has been suspended. Foreign mis- cannot be understood or imagined by the Orientals sionaries are no longer afraid of antagonism in since the majority of them have never been in spreading the Gospel of Christ. In fact, Chris- America or had any contacts with American cul- tianity is accepted and appreciated more and more ture. For them, the motion picture is perhaps the by the natives today. cheapest way, and oftentimes the only way, to However, there are new problems created as gain some education about American .life; when the old ones have died down. Strange as it may the types of American life they see are marked seem, most of the modern problems faced by mis- by killing, gambling, drinking, murdering, black- sionaries are those issues which are originated, mailing, and making love, such things are consid- not by the natives, but by the Westerners through ered "typical" and "real."
whom the missionaries were sent. One of the Many of the pictures shown in the Orient are greatest handicaps to mission activities today is not produced by the best American companies but the factor of motion pictures, the seriousness of are inferior works of art which have not succeeded which is seldom realized by Christians of the West. in America and have therefore been exported to The missionaries go to the Far East to preach China, Japan or India. These countries pay only the Gospel of Christ which brings purity, good the lowest rentals and hence cannot expect much will and peace; whereas the influence of most except the cheapest and silliest stuff.
motion pictures in Asia is to spread violence, Most missionaries agree that American movie>; crime and vice. The motion pictures are popular are the great stumblingblocks hindering the ad- with the natives and it is not an exaggeration to vancement of the Kingdom of God. The follow- say that foreign movies, within a few years in the ing statements by a missionary will perhaps give Far East, have done more to modify the ideas and a typical example: conduct of the Orientals than missionaries have Several weeks ago some of my boys invited me to go done through the past century. with them to the first talking film to come to the city. In In China, for example, there are more than 700 all innocence I went, and from first to last I was ashamed for America. The picture was the "Hollywood Revue," foreign pictures imported annually, of which about and it seemed to me the distributors had purposely cut out 90 per cent are products of Hollywood. Though all but the dirtiest parts. . . . When the climax came in the Chinese have their own productions, the Chi- the shape of a lewd dance of an almost nude woman I nese pictures compare with those of America. As could endure it no longer and left the theater. I explained one youngster remarked: "Our (Chinese) pic- to them that the "Hollywood Revue" was not America, but they only laughed. I may yet be able to make up for tures are too dried; no kissing, no embracing and that three hours of Hollywood filth but, in the name of all no killing. I like American pictures because they that is clean and pure, why does America send its worst have plenty of excitement." That, perhaps, an- to these countries!
swers the question. The American producers are American movies are counteracting the work of smart enough to have the dialogue translated into Christian missionaries in the East. Most Chinese Chinese or Japanese in order that the people may no longer feel antagonistic toward Christianity, know what the picture is about. Thus Oriental and they are inquiring whether or not the Chris- youth have become very familiar with the prin- tian life is practicable and useful. The pictures cipal Hollywood stars. they see do not show Christians in America, or The writer has been surprised to learn from anything like true Christian conduct. If the Gos- Chinese newspapers that the same pictures being pel of Jesus Christ is going to win its place among shown in America were at the same time adver- foreign peoples, especially the Orientals, a reform tised in China. But, we may ask, what do the of motion pictures in the Western world is greatly Americans see since it is the same in China or needed.
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England a Home· Mission
By the REV. ROBERT WATSON, Boston, Massachusetts Secretary of the Lord's Day League of New England V ERY few outside of New England think of The Baptists with 1,134 churches and a mem- it as a mission field – a field where the need bership of 199,892 increased 6% in that time. is greater than can be met by the local The Presbyterians with only 55 churches and churches. Surely this territory is well covered a membership of 15,462 made the second largest with old and well established churches adequate increase, 480/0 in twenty years. None of these for the demands of every community! In recent Presbyterian churches is competing with others.
years we have heard much about over-churched The United Presbyterians with 23 churches and communities, and a definite effort has been made a membership of 4,807 increased 24% in the same to federate, unite or eliminate churches in towns period.
and villages where one or more could, so far as Here let us consider another phase of this ques- numbers are concerned, provide for all the people. tion, which has evidently not yet been fully con- The Home Missions Council, in conjunction sidered by the Home Missions Council. All must with the national Boards of six outstanding de- rejoice in the friendly cooperation of Evangelical nominations, has agreed that no mission money churches genuinely seeking to secure for each shall be contributed by anyone of these Boards community full Gospel privileges. But does the church upon which is placed the full responsibility where there are more Protestant churches than for a particular community, under the present the size of the community demands. The fine plan, adequately minister to the spiritual needs of spirit of cooperation shown in this matter is most the people? Unless the church has a conscientious encouraging. It is interesting to learn that Christian minister, devoted to the spiritual welthroughout New England it was discovered that fare of the community, in the name of Christ and the number of over-churched places where mission faithfully sheperding the flock, without the stimmoney was being contributed, was almost a minus ulus of competition, the last state of that place quantity. Rural and small towns in Maine, New and people will be worse than the first. Yes, it Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island takes a great deal of time and care to secure a and Connecticut totaled less than twenty actual satisfactory answer to the above query. The incases. In the large towns and cities, the story vestigation should be entered upon promptly and may be somewhat different. Naturally coopera- conducted faithfully without fear or favor, for it tion must set free considerable sums of money to has been already agreed unto by many godly men be used in needy missionary fields. Does this in- that the spiritual life of New England has in reclude places in New England, or is it all'sent to cent years steadily declined. Perhaps no group other states? Some denominations are using has emphasized this more than our Unitarian large sums of mission funds to care for neglected brethren. fields in New England. Are these covering the entire need, or is there call for more? For at least twenty years now it has been af- firmed that more should be done in missionary The Episcopalians in New England reported effort throughout New England. Within the past 727 churches with a membership of 318,706 in seven years, a question was raised at an interde- 1934. This is the only Protestant denomination nominational conference by men from other parts in this territory which is making anything like a of the nation. A clergyman from New York satisfactory growth; it advanced 1500/0 in twenty turned to his neighbor on the right, an outstandyears. ing pastor in a strong denomination, not Presby- terian, and inquired-"What denomination do you The Congregational-Christian group, with 1,487 think can best meet the critical needs of this time churches and a membership of 342,712, made a in New England?" The reply was immediate- "The Presbyterian." The questioner replied: "I 22 % gain in the same period.
The Methodists with 1,162 churches and a mem- bership of 212,357 also gained 22 % in the twenty am greatly surprised to hear that. Why do you years. make such a statement?"
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"Fior three reasons" was the answer; "first, In New Hampshire, the need is of a different because the Presbyterian church has an adequate character. While few places are without a church doctrinal basis; second, because it has stability or pastor, in many instances the people' are dis- through its polity; third, because it has the Evan- couraged and pastors are financially handicapped.
gelical fervor." Under the blessing of G~d the backing of the This is the sincere judgment of one man. How Mission Boards with money and a modicum of supervision in the Spirit of Christ should speedily many would agree with him we do not know. At the present time the Presbyterian church is work wonders. one of the smallest bodies in New England, due In Vermont, the same need exists to quicken and strengthen churches, and there are from 40 to the fact that, many years ago, when the doc- to 50 towns where there is a real dearth. One trinal standards were the same, an agreement to small town of about 60 families, visited recently avoid overlapping was made with the Congrega- by a minister and his wife, has a church building tionalists. At that time a number of Presby- owned by the people. Every home was visited terian churches were turned over to the Congre- and considerable interest was manifested. A gational group. A union of United Presbyterian Sunday evening service has been started with an and Presbyterian U. S. A. congregations, scattered throughout this area, is very desirable today, attendance of about 40; a group of women was irrespective of any plan for a national union of organized, and they have arranged a week-day these two bodies. Such a union would mean a meeting when a strong speaker from the state great gain in the understanding of strangers, a capital will bring a message to the men. A Junior conserving of money for advance work, and a far Christian Endeavor Society, with a capable wom- an superintendent, of 21 children, from 7 to 14 more effective Church of Christ. is already functioning, and at least 30 young peo- Ninety-three Towns Without Churches ple are asking to be organized into a Christian In the summer of 1933, the American Tract Endeavor Society. Multiply that in 50 commu- Society sent an ordained minister into Maine for nities in Vermont, and what would it mean to the three months, to distribute Christian literature, future of that state, to the life of our nation and sell books, conduct religious services, and secure to the Church of Christ? definite information about religious conditions. He found many places entirely without religious In Massachusetts, the great need is to reach the services. One field, with a church property which foreign-speaking peoples in large manufacturing had cost $60,000, gave him a call which he ac- centres. This should be done by encouraging and cepted (although without any guarantee as to equipping the organized churches so that the people salary). Since then new members have been can seriously undertake that task. But Protestant added, and the cause of Christ has made speedy churches are combining, or in a few cases, are goprogress, although great financial sacrifice is nec- ing out of existence. The Roman Catholic Church essary to carryon the work. This pastor recently seems alive to the opportunities, for it is expandreported that 93 towns in Maine are without ing steadily. In Boston, within the past few church services, and 131 towns are inadequately months, they have bought a beautiful Protestant church, erected at a cost of $750,000 less than churched. He says: "Any denomination with vis- ten years ago. In that neighborhood there is a ion enough to expend $5,000.00 could open 15 real o~portunity for an Evangelical church, and churches in one year, and man those churches so such a work could have been undertaken in 1934 that, with help from the people, the work would had a few extra thousand dollars been available.
go on." In Rhode Island there are sections so crowded Another pastor writes that great benefit would with unreached foreign-speaking people that the result from an expenditure of $5,000.00 a year for English-speaking congregations cannot long con- several years to make it possible to send a group tinue unless they combine into larger parishes, of able consecrated, Evangelical students into the with an adequate staff to seriously undertake the state for 15 weeks of the summer, to teach and task of evangelizing and educating those es- preach, organize Sunday schools and revive dead tranged from every church. Several colporteurs, churches. During the winter two or three men a Sunday school missionary, and a pastor evan- could continue the work, and by the next spring gelist could work wonders under God in this small several fields would be ready to seek stated sup- compact state. In addition, a small fund would plies or pastors. In this way, in a period of about prove of great value to tide over a hard year or 10 years, a large number of these neglected fields aid in making necessary repairs to struggling would be permanently supplied with church churches.
privileges. In Connecticut, we think of well organized com-
THE NEED FOR MORE FAITH
munities ministered to by faithful pastors and ca- enced teacher and expounder of the Word of God, pable preachers. Yet one well-known pastor in and marvelous results would follow. that state affirms that with a few thousand dollars a year for ten years, there could be added to his Yes, New England is a home mission field todenomination, one active Evangelical church per day, and to meet the imperative needs require year. If we could place a wooing evangelist, with men and money. Men are available and a few fara song leader, in Connecticut for a few years, he sighted Christians could supply the money do it could do more than any other type of missionary. without much sacrifice. The result promises to be Add to his work, a strong, sound, sensible, experi- an hundredfold in this life and in the world to come, life everlasting, to an increased multitude.
The Need for More Faith* By ROLAND ALLEN Author of "Missionary Methods-St. Paul's or Ours," etc.
OUR Missions to non-Christians are rooted But when we look at the facts the non-Christian and grounded in faith in God and in the missionaries appear to have a stronger faith in power of the Gospel of Christ. Could men the power of their truth than the Christian. The conceivably go abroad to preach a Gospel which first Buddhists to preach in China certainly had a they did not believe to be Good News for them- great faith in the doctrine which they taught. selves, which they did not believe to be Good News They were so persuaded that their doctrine and for those to whom they went? Do not our mis- the rites in which it was expressed were so good sionary histories and biographies proclaim on that those who received them would not only hold every page the power of faith to move mountains them but pass them on to others. From the very of prejudice and difficulty? Is not faith in our beginning the monasteries were ruled by Chinese, Lord Jesus Christ the very foundation of all mis- the rites were performed by Chinese, the doctrine sionary activity? If that faith were removed was taught by Chinese. There was no attempt would not missionary work fall as a factory chim- made to provide them with support, or directIOn, ney falls when its base has been undermined? from any outside source. The doctrine stood And yet modern missions present a very strange simply in the faith of those who received it. Budappearance when we look at them as illustrations dhism was persecuted, was encouraged, was conof faith in Christ. demned; it flourished, it degenerated; but it never ceased to be Buddhism. It won to its allegiance All religious missions are rooted in some form millions of Chinese, and it remains today strongly of faith, not only Christian missions. Every hon- entrenched in the minds of millions as the true est man who seeks to impart a religious truth to way of salvation. The same is true of Islam: others does' so because he is convinced that he has found a truth which enlightens life for him and Whatever we may think of Islam, or of Budwill enlighten life for others. Christian missions dhism, as religious systems we cannot but respect do not differ from other religious missions in that, that confidence in the power of a religious system but in the nature of the religious truth imparted. to establish itself without any external assistance, even in the face of derision or of persecution. The truth which Christian missions propagate is Truth embodied in the Person of Jesus Christ, Do Christian missionaries so believe the docand implanted by the 'indwelling of the Holy trine which they preach that they entrust the doc- Spirit. Christian missionaries preach not an ab- trine and the rites to others? Do our missionaries stract and disputable truth, but a Person, and entrust the doctrine and the rites of the Christian union with a Person, not the mere acceptance of a faith to raw converts, in the simple faith that the doctrine. Christ is more than a theory of reli- Gospel can stand in its own strength? All our gion, and the Holy Spirit is more than mere ac- subsidiary methods, our institutions, our medical ceptance of a doctrine. missions, our educational missions, our industrial missions, our training schools, our colleges, our Such being the difference between the two types alliances with governments, our careful retention of missions, it would seem natural to expect that of the rites of Baptism and the Lord's Supper in the Christians should show a far greater and our own hands or in the hands of men specially deeper and stronger faith in the power of the trained by us, our eagerness to train leaders, our Truth which they preach than the non-Christians. efforts to maintain our control, our terror of de- generation or corruption, all cry aloud that, what- • Condensed from World Dominion, London and New York.
ever we may trust, we do not trust in the power initiative, or uncivilized, or backward; or that of the Gospel to win its own way and to triumph their moral standards are low and that we must by its own inherent force. Now the power of the see to it that they are raised before we can trust Gospel is the Holy Spirit, and the Truth of the them. All these may be true but such arguments Gospel is Christ. admit the fact that we dare not entrust the doc- trine and rites of the Gospel to others. They all If we cannot go to any people with a Gospel keep our eyes fixed on men. But what we are which is sufficient for them and can be wholly en- considering is our faith, not in men, but in Christ, trusted to them, then we must train converts for and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Do we bea distant day when it may be possible to entrust lieve that our Gospel is so powerful that it can of them with the Gospel of Christ. We are always itself raise a fallen race? These arguments sugwaiting and expecting that day, but it does not gest that we are fit to be entrusted with the Goscome. Why not? Because we fear corruption pel, and that when others are as we are they will and degeneration. When we talk of a future day be fit. It is manifestly untrue. Weare not enwhen we shall be able to trust our converts in trusted with the Gospel because we are righteous, non-Christian lands, we are looking at them. and have attained some standard of intelligence and morality, but because God has had mercy on If we go with a Gospel whose doctrine and rites us. Not for our righteousness, but according to we cannot trust to the people, obviously we must His lovingkindness, He has chosen us; and we establish our missions on a more or less permanent stand by faith in Him. We go as missionaries bebasis. Then we must be able legally to hold them, cause we believe in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and dependence upon the goodwill of governments not because we believe in men. follows with all its encumbering forms. We must direct and supervise any advance. So long as the We proclaim that our doctrine is Christ, and period of our tutelage lasts, all advance must be we proclaim our belief in the Holy Spirit; but restricted by our capacity to supply training, and why do we not dare to act upon the belief that trained teachers. Christ will keep His own, that the Holy Spirit is as powerful to teach His own? Why do every- The reason is apparent-we do not believe that thing as though we were afraid of entrusting the the doctrine which we preach and the rites' which Gospel to others, and as if, without paid preachers, we practice as Christians are so good and power- and medical, educational, and industrial missions ful that anyone who accepts them ,can hold and to support it, it could make no progress. The practice them without our supervision, in spite of truth is that Christ can only be revealed in His the knowledge that it is Christ Whom we preach true grace and power when we trust Him. That and the Holy Spirit Who inspires. kind of faith is true faith. And it is of vital im- portance that we should accept it and practice it. We give many reasons which seem to us to justify our conduct, as for instance, that the people with whom we deal are ignorant, or lacking in Faiths Men Profess* The twelve faiths now operative in the world .the remainder are limited by racial and national are Christianity, Confucianism, Islam, Hinduism, boundaries. These faiths have not been static for Primitivism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Juda- changes have continually taken place. ism, Janism, and Parsiism or Zoroastrianism. No reliable statistics are available as to the number One cannot read of these twelve religions withof adherents of these various faiths. An estimate out being impressed with the moral insight shown made in 1933 puts the number of Christians at in the better of the non~Christian faiths. These 625 million, two and a half times the followers truths are the explanation of the survival value of the next faith which is Confucianism. Islam of these religions. In spite of the large weight of is placed third with 235 million, Hinduism fol- superstition and error, which the non-Christian lows closely with 220 million, then comes Prim- faiths carry, and in spite of the decimating influitivism with 160 and Buddhism with 140 million. ence of modern knowledge upon superstitions, In the remaining group of six, is Taoism with they are still living and likely to do so for some 40 million and the smallest is Parsiism with time to-come. Truth is hard to kill even though 100,000. mixed with error…. Putting the other religions alongside Christ serves to emphasize the superi- The oldest of these religions, Primitivism, was ority of the Christian revelations and the comin existence before the days of recorded history. parative futility of an insight into moral truth Five of the twelve faiths are international, while unless there is back of it the spiritual energy which the Saviour of the world furnishes-So E. 1. • From an Editorial in The United Presbyterian."
Headhunters in Pagan
A Letter from RUSSELL W. ABEL, Kwato A Missionary of the New Guinea Evangelization Society THE most important happening in our work And as their parents thought it unseemly for "un- lately has been the developments at Duram, initiated" boys, not yet through their initiation our furthest outpost, 150 unconnected miles ceremonies, to be clothed even in a leaf, Davida west of Kwato. Davida and his wife (Papuan had quite a storm in a teacup over it. However Christian workers) have been established there from the beginning he has made it his policy to be for a year now, with two junior helpers. They firm. "That is what Taubada and Sinebada (Mr.
have had a hard time, living unwelcome in the and Mrs. Charles W. Abel) did," he affirms.
midst of people who really have grown tired of "They never gave way on account of Papuan ob- the novelty of a mission in jections." For any Papuan to their vicinity. However they be insisting upon discipline in can show definite results after This letter, written from his school, if only to the exa year of difficulty and self- Gaburgabuna, Eastern Papua, tent of a school regulation sacrifice. Two Duram men are on October 19, 1935, is from a and uniform, is remarkable.
really converted – not merely son of the founder of the Kwato Davida has made friends adherents, but cases of true Mission. Charles W. Abel, who with members of an inland change of heart. They have died in England in 1930, started head-hunting tribe-the Dore- burned their idols, fetishes work among the warlike canni- vaidas. This is a great acand charms, and broken with bals forty-five years ago. His complishment. Furthermore their old heathen life. How mission has now grown to be they invite us to go inland to easily these words are tapped an interdenominational work· visit them. A little while ago cyoonudnugctsepdirfito-rfiltlheed mmoissst iponaarrtiebsy. it seemed impoSSI.ble to know off on the typewriter, and yet The whole work is thoroughly how to open that door; and in what victory in human hearts, what realization of God and evangelical and practical. Pap- answer to prayer we have not courageous yielding to His uans are first evangelized and had to do anything about it. call, they represent! And then are trained to go out as The door has opened, and the what fears and prayers and self-supporting w 0 r k e r s to heathen are seeking the misfaith and constant teaching on evangelize others. The remark- sionaries!
Davida's part have gone into able results, such as are de- A Dorevaida chief and his the winning of these men. scribed here, show the power of wife heard about Christ and Now they are being trained as Christ to transform and guide the news spread inland – not "Christian soldiers," and must through Christian agents, but even the most primitive people.* live a new life in Duram. by heathen gossip. Finally it Pray for them. It is not going reached the hills, where mur- to be easy to be forever different from everyone der is the only passport to recognition, and a man else. The younger of them is at Kwato now, and is without social standing until he has procured a getting much help there. human head. The chief and his wife came down Davida writes to say the children in the new to the coast to see Davida and Eauvenibo (his school at Duram are "getting quite tame now, not wife) and to witness the new Christian living of wild like before." They have had a tussle over which they had heard. That must have been a cleanliness and clothing, but the children are get- responsibility for the Christians, yet Davida was ting "quite accustomed to the idea." The only quite gleeful about it. "It was great," he wrote; clothing he tries to impose upon his schoolboys is "we were able to show them how we lived."
the green leaf band, such as is worn by all Eastern Two searching questions crop up in my mind: Papuans in the Kwato district. But even this Would you or I invite anyone home to see an minimum is strongly objected to by Central Pap- example of Christian living"? Is our living of uan lads whose sole attire has been caked dirt. victorious and startling quality that it would ~New Guinea Evangelization Society has headquarters at provide news for the heathen? The early Chris- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. The president is Dr. Hugh R. Monro, tians gave an astonished world plenty to talk and the treasurer Is Walter McDougall.
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about. "These that have turned the world upside rack for me," she said. "I am trusting in a Cross. down are come hither also," said the Thessalonian That is enough for me. No need to torture pigs, heathen when they heard that Paul and Silas had my Saviour was tortured on a Cross." (Primitive arrived. (Acts 17: 6.) . people feel relieved of their anguish when they can inflict it on an animal. The pig somehow suf- * '" * fers for them. You may not understand this.) These are very ignorant people. The story of the At present there is a camp being held over in Cross must still have been quite new to the woman Buhutu Valley, among the so-called "bush" peo- I have quoted. ple. This has mostly been aimed at the strengthening of the Christian communities, composed of There was a heathen feast on a few miles away. primitive though very spiritually minded folk. All through that meeting, held in the light of camp These felt their need of a new vision and blessing. fires, we could hear tom-toms in the distance. Vil- At Leileiafa they met together and prayed spe- lages were all deserted on account of it, and some cially that God would send someone to encourage Christians had been drawn back into the vortex. them. Their prayer was answered and they were The church at Borowai will never be what Siaclearly guided that help was coming. They would siada and Leileiafa are until the believers there never dream of doubting this, and in simple obe- pay the same price, that of entire surrender to dience that one almost learns to take for granted God, a clean sweep of old cults, and no more among these "bush" Christians, they gathered "sunuma labui." from far and near. They were all ready and waiting when the camp vanguard appeared, without *** warning, over the hills from Suau. There is great progress being made in some This reminds me of an incident that happened parts of this country, especially at the Morobe three years ago, when Arthur Swinfield (our tech- goldfields, which now boast "the largest rerodrome nical and boatbuilding i;nstruetor) and I suddenly in the world." (I will not vouch for the veracity decided to cross that valley, and pick up a Kwato- of this.) It is the central depor.t of 40 rerodromes bound boat on the south coast. On the way we in different parts of the country. Their annual met people from Mt. Thomson, a long way inland, freightage by air is said to exceed that of the enwho came down to a certain range of hills that we tire rest of the world. Five years ago there was crossed, and were there to meet us. In blank merely a handful of prospectors in that district. amazement, I asked how they knew I was coming. Today, a district officer whom I met last week on They replied that they had had guidance that they his way back told me, there are between 3,000 would find us there, and so they had set off in and 4,000 white people there. Many of the native obedience, arriving there an hour before we did. population, recruited for labor, come in from the And their guidance was received before we our- bush, having never seen a white man before. The selves knew we were going! It takes inland most recent exploit of the famous Kukukuku tribe Papua to teach one what an utter novice in the was to murder six Roman Catholic missionaries. Christian life one is. Where there is gold to be found insurmount- The campers have had a great time at the two able difficulties melt before human ingenuity. Christian centres, Leileiafa and Siasiada, and are Whole towns spring up, conveyed by air over the now at Borowai, further west, where there has top of impenetrable ranges. Where is that deterbeen wholesale backsliding. Heathen ceremonies mination and spirit in Christian enterprise? have reclaimed one after another, or "sunuma There, alas, one sees caution, timidity, and often labui" as they call it; that is a "double faith," retrenchment. There is not much pioneering in holding on to a bit of the old as well as the new. 20th century Christianity. We cannot often boast That, however, can't be done. of being the first on the field nowadays. Weare outstripped .by commerce. The last time I was at Borowai, Christians from Leileiafa and Bombomtiti (aren't the bush names The German missionaries in New Guinea have marvelous!) had gone there to help the dwindling become air-minded and now fly to the. newly-discause. I attended a testimony meeting they ar- covered and thickly populated Mt. Hagen plateau. ranged, at which those who had an experience to They were followed by two Roman Catholic farelate testified with regard to the giving up of old thers, _who, by shooting a pig, antagonized the things, heathen feasts, etc. I shall never forget natives, and were both murdered as a result. This the earnest face of one woman who spoke, as she has created difficufties. The unevangelized areas told of her stand against a death feast for a of the world should be on all our consciences as brother and all it had cost her. "No pigs on the Christians.
Achievements in
-&(1 By REV. J. EARL MORELAND I President, Porto Alegre College, Porto Alegre, Brazil,. Missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South .nA .T A RECENT meeting of Christian workers America, makes it easier to understand the con- in Brazil one of the outstanding Brazilian stant care given to educational institutions. leaders expressed an opinion which seemed Schools were generally organized in response to to epitomize the thinking of the group. Said he, a twofold need: the need of the people for in- "Evangelistic work in our churches is basic, so- struction, and the need of the Church for develop- cial service efforts are necessary and important, ing its own ministry and laity. Granbery Col- but through Christian education in our various lege, at Juiz de Fora, with its enrollment of nearly schools we are doing that which is of most abid- 700 students and its five well-organized depart- ing value to our people." ments, was first organized to meet this twofold This statement produced much serious thought. need. Like the McKenzie College in Sao Paulo, Many questions were raised and discussed, and Union College in South Brazil, and numerous their consideration helped to clarify the thinking other schools, its growth was slow in the early of the group. years, due to a lack of funds. Yet these schools "Why does Christian education make a contri- continued to grow and their academic standards bution of most permanent value to the total cause were invariably higher than those of the national of Christianity in South America?" schools. The teachers and administrators con- "In what way have our schools come to their ceived their Christian duty as including both per- present place of prominence in the educational life sonal evangelism and high scholastic standards.
of those countries?" Out of this twofold emphasis came their present "What is their distinctive contribution-to the contribution to church and country.
people and to the Christian cause?" The achievement of mission schools in training "What of the future?" leaders has been realized in three distinct fields: In order to understand the great opportunity in preparing its own ministers and workers; in presented to our Christian schools in Latin Amer- producing Christian leaders in education and in ica it is necessary to study the beginnings of the other professions; and in its direct, though not work. Most of the pioneers who laid the early decisive influence, upon thousands of students foundations of our work were educated, cultured who have come to places of responsibility in many men. Having enjoyed the best advantages which walks of life. the church could offer in its schools and colleges The national mi.nistryof Protestant churches in of that day, they were eager to extend similar South America is rapidly coming to be a well- advantages to the people to whom they were tak- trained ministry. The Methodist Church of ing the Good News. They believed in personal Brazil, in its last General Conference, voted al- evangelism and their first emphasis was always most unanimously to admit to its ministry only placed there. But evangelistic efforts were ac- those candidates who had completed the Ginasio companied by conservation. They early recog- (corresponding to our collegiate) course. The nized that no real success could be attained ex- Presbyterian Church has ever given first emphasis cept through Christian education. Strange as it to the training of its ministry, and it is therefore may seem to many in the home land, "Educational not surprising that, of all the Protestant churches evangelism" became an accomplished fact on the at work in South America today, it has the best mission fields long before that great slogan was prepared ministry. The Episcopal Church makes sounded so effectively in North America. The the same rigorous educational demands of its solid foundations of autonomous churches in more priests in Brazil which it demands at home. The than one country today:· are to be discovered in Congregational and other churches are also plac- educational evangelism, perhaps imperfectly in- ing an increasingly stronger emphasis upon the terpreted, yet none the less vigorously applied training of their religious leaders. The first ex- over a long period of years. planation, therefore, of the abiding influence of This initial interest upon the part of many of Protestant missions in South America is found in the founders of PrOtestani missions in South this emphasis upon a well prepared ministry.
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Without this emphasis, .our churches in thDse cumstances, as they come under this emphasis and neighboring Republics would never have advanced these Christian influences during their formative to their present position, but would still be in the years, cannot fail to be profoundly impressed- early primary stages of development. . far more than they can realize at the time. The The contribution of Christian schools in the results can .only be tabulated in terms of changed pr.oduction .of leaders in the intellectual, in the attitudes, positive personalities, transformed lives. scientific and political life of South America has One of the most conspicuous leaders in the New .only recently begun to receive adequate recogni- Brazil of today was asked recently why he was tion. This lack is perhaps traceable to tWD fac- willing to give so much of his time and effort tors: first, that for many years missiDn schools toward furthering the interests of the Protestant were few in number, and therefDre limited in schools. His reply was immediate and forceful: "quantity" of students and "output"; and second, "While I am not a member of a Protestant church and cannot accept many of your ideas, I simply our churches have fostered very few technical cannot shut my eyes to living values. In your scho.ols, with the result that due credit was not schools you are producing the kind of real men given to the basic educational foundations laid which Brazil needs today." in the earlier days. However that may be, it is true today that widespread rec.ognition is being Our Christian schools, though sadly handicap- given to Protestant schools and their contribution ped by lack of funds and equipment, are never- to national life, both direct and indirect, as a theless privileged to render basic service in build- stimulus to creative leadership. In Uruguay and ing for the New Day in South America-even in the Argentine, mention has been made repeatedly building the Kingdom of Our Lord and Master of certain .outstanding leaders who came up among our southern neighbors.
through the Christian schools. In Brazil, during the Constitutional Convention of 1933-34, some attenti.on was drawn to the fact that one of our WHAT PERU NEEDS Protestant sch.ools had nine of its graduates listed among the constituent legislators. At least two Evangelistic effort has been too local in some of these were counted among the smaller group parts, but in others it has been extensive to a de- of outstanding leaders of the Congress-and one gree of weakness. There has been too little in- of them became the Secretary of Agriculture in tensive work accompanying the widespread evan- the Cabinet of Dr. Getulio Vargas, the President gelism. In the zeal to occupy territory, to reach of Brazil. Still another drew extraordinary atten- regions beyond, the preparation of men capable ti.on from the entire nation as he focalized the of carrying on the work of the churches has been interest of the people up.on certain urgent moral almost neglected. Many of the congregations are and religious pr.oblems confronting them. Fur- weak in everything but fervor. They lack num- ther proof of our thesis might be cited in the fact bers, social influence, and the wealth of spiritual that three of the possibly half d.ozen greatest resource which an adequate knowledge of the grammarians and masters of Portuguese during Gospel should produce.
the past thirty years have been ordained ministers The urgent need of the missionary cause in of the Presbyterian Church-Drs. Erasmo Braga, Peru is a suitable training center for intensive Eduardo Carlos Pereira, and Othoniel Motta. The instruction in the truth, and deeper cultivation of last is still everywhere recognized as one .of the the spiritual life. This should provide opportuleading authorities in the P.ortuguese language nity, not only for Bible institute work for the today. training of pastors and other native Christian workers, but also for larger interdenominational Another contribution wDrthy of attention is that gatherings such as conventions for Bible instrucmade by Protestant schools in their constant em- tion and for the deepening of the spiritual life.- phasis upon Christian character as a necessary From "The West Coast Republics of South Amerbasis .of all educational devel.opment. This un- ica." ceasing emphasis upon Christian character is, we sincerely believe, of almost incalculable value as its impact is brought to bear upon the lives .of thousands of stUdents, year by year. Our Chris- A young missionary to Japan asked Dr. Kagawa tian teachers not only maintain that character what advice he had for him in beginning his work.
can and must be lived, but also that character can Kagawa's reply was significant: "Sit still. Amer- and must be taught. The two, .of course, are by ican missionaries are in such a hurry, running no means dissimilar, but rather are parts .of a here, there, everywhere in your cars. Take time total process. Hundreds, if not thousands, .of stu- to study and win one and teach him. Win a few; dents from widely diverse environment and cir- teach them and send them out to win others."
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I Effective Ways of Working 9 I, "rested Metlwds for Increasing Interest at Home I EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'I========–==—-=–="""""""~ MOiDERNIZING MISSION- the medium of the written or the this country inclusive of Ambas- ARY EDUCATION spoken word." Of course the sador Saito has been pronounced pictures must not be relied upon by the Japanese as the only pic- In this day when Christian to work magic in themselves. ture made by a foreign group standards are no longer observed They must have an adequate proand missionary motivations seem gram built up around them. that was entirely satisfactory to to have lost their old-time pull; Speed the day when this educa- the Japanese people. [The reels when even the authority of tional method will become so Christ's Great Commission is be- general that local film library rent at prices varying from $1.00 ing called in question, it is im- associations will develop. In the perative that we build up a more meantime attention is called to for a 16 mm. or $2.00 for a dynamic missionary education three organizations whose pic- 35 mm. reel upward, transportasituation. On that all denomina- tures may be used to supplement tion both ways being extra. The tions are in agreement. The in- those brought out by the differcreasing use of the Sunday ent denominations. Foundation has a good catalog; school; of schools of missions; but orders need to be given well of organizations within the The Religious Motion Picture church for men and boys, as well Foundation of 140 Nassau St., in advance of the date of use.] as women and girls; of age New York City, with a branch groupings and studied presenta- office at the Y. M. C. A. Motion International Educational Pictions, instead of hit-or-miss en- Picture Bureau, 19 S. La Salle tures, Inc., is a large corporation deavors; of the use of attractive St., Chicago, is operating for located at 40 Mt. Vernon St., promotional and educational ma- service, not profit. It supplies terial inclusive of that brought reels for the various depart- Boston, Mass., but with branch out by the Missionary Education ments of church activity as well offices in many centers, the order Movement – these are high po- as for children's story hours, at headquarters being relayed to tency points among evangelical special meetings, recrea,tional church folk. The tested and gatherings, benefits, etc. As an the branch nearest the customer. most useful literature and plans auxiliary it has available refer- It lists 2,000 films, 16 and 35 are continually stressed in this ence outlines, including back- Department, but at ,this season, ground material and suggestions mm., silent and sound on almost when schools of missions are in for the films, consultation and every imaginable subject. The full swing, we wish to reempha- advisory service and analysis of Film Handbook (catalog) is a size the value of good motion individual equipment needs. The pictures in all branches of mis- Foundation endeavors to bring de luxe work of art and costs 35 sionary education. out each year authoritative films cents. Exhibitors using the interpretative of the current Attention, Pastors! mission study books. For in- service are required to subscribe stance they have now series of once a year, the payment of the The Church has been slow to pictures on Latin America-one recognize these educational fa- on the geographical background, 35 cents entitling them to two cilities which bid fair to replace another on historical and eco- copies of this directory, the even the daily newspapers. Mo- nomic conditions and a third on tion pictures should not be used Mexico; a two-reel picture on right to borrow 400 free films just as a bait to lure an audience life in the Southern Appalachian and the use of the clearing house because they are "not merely a region ("Unto the Hills"); a show but are a vital medium of study on the activities of the service for the rental of films. expression in getting ideas over T. V. A., etc. The picture on In most cases exhibitors are rein a vivid way that, in many in- "Japan and Her Problems," il- quired to pay transportation stances, results in a much more lustrative of last year's foreign clear mutual understanding of a theme and prepared in coopera- costs both ways, the location of subject than is possible through tion with leading Japanese in the several shipping points min- imizing the expenses. The con- [95 ] dition of free films is not guar- anteed as is that of rental reels. Those not having projectors may obtain free advice as to the vari- ous makes, although the 1. E. P.
does not deal in them.
The Pan American Union, of Washington, D. C., has in addi- tion to a large variety of free or loan printed matter, posters and music concerning the countries it represents, a supply of mov- ing picture films and stereop-
ticon slides to be loaned rent free 6. In the worldwide confusion pre- Later the subject may be thrown on condition that the borrower vailing today Jesus stands before men open to the audience for a few pay express charges from and to greater than western civilization and minutes: but enlightenment is Washington and agree to have greater than the Christianity com- the objec.t and no vote to record the films exhibited only by ex- monly known and practiced. (A, 63; a decision is expected. In a dis- perienced operators. Write for D,3; U,7.) cussion outlined in the young their catalog. Most communities people's literature of the Dis- have access to loan or rental 7. A lack of interest in extending ciples of Christ, the following projectors of 16 or 35 mm. size. the Christian religion reflects a de- questions were assigned to all cline in the spiritual experience of the participants for pre v i 0 u s Discussion versus Didactics Church. (A,59; D,3; U,6.) thought and preparation: A survey of current study 8. Missionary work is less needed Why should young people be con- books and programs reveals the today than formerly. (A, 4; D, 63; cerned about building a new world? extent to which discussions, U,4.) questionnaires, platform "con- What is wrong with the present so- versations," true and false tests 9. Missionaries should preach the cial order? and the like have replaced the Gospel and leave to others the reform hand-out information in the plat- of political, social and economic con- What is the United Youth program? form monologues of papers and ditions. (A, 15; D,48; U, 11.) Who is back of it? What is it trying talks. It is the expression of a to do? new trend and attitude of mind 10. Missions should supply teachers and as a step forward in auto- of scientific agricultural methods and How can our group share in the brain-stimulation is good for the so help remove the abject poverty and program? What would it mean for individual. The interchange of misery of rural life. (A, 64; D, 2; our group? thought results in the cross- U,5.) fertilization of group thinking. What issues should we face if we Among the used – and –proved- 11. The Church at home should al- take part? good plans recently sent to this low the younger churches to express Department are the following: the Gospel through their own genius Needless to say the study and through forms suitable to their book, "Youth Building aNew An Inquiry into Missionary own racial heritage. (A. 59; D, 4; World," furnishes the basis, and Attitudes U,8.) all should be familiar with it. Then the leader explains to the The device was used at a union 12. The miSsionary enterprise is one company that while those at the missionary meeting at Mont- department of our church life and table lead off, everyone will be clair, N. J., in October. A sheet should be supported only by those given opportunity to express an of the test topics was submitted whose special interest it is. (A, 4; opinion later. For example: to each person present to be D,63; U,6.) Agnes speaks up from the panel marked and returned without saying it seems to her rather a signature. The instructions 13. The chief objectives of the mis- large order-letting young peo- read: sionary enterprise should be to con- ple take a hand in their own vert as many people as possible, rather problems, to which the leader re- After reading each statement than to develop and train leaders for plies that we simply have to through full y, register your the younger churches. (A, 10; D,52; build a new world because the opinion as follows: If you agree U,9.) one we now live in is in pretty check A; if you disagree, check much of a mess. Jack says that D; if you are uncertain, check 14. Lack of unity in the adminis- while thing:;J are not perfect, U. On the left hand margin ap- tration at home and in the field tends they are so much better than peared the capital letters A, D, to make the missionary enterprise in- they used to be that he thinks . and U for checking. effective. (A, 64; D,3; U,4.) we would better let well enough alone: and then the discussion 1. The religion of Jesus has unique 15. The missionary enterprise should is in full swing. A climax of values not possessed by any other re- be a partnership between older and proposed action may well be ligion. (All checked A.) younger churches on the basis of reached. equality in interest and control, even 2. Secularism, nationalism and com- though large financial help is supplied Fireside Forums munism, rather than the old religions, by the stronger. (A, 55; D, 20; are the chief opponents of Christianity U,5.) These are an outstanding fea- today. (52 checked A; 20, D.) ture of the Baptist promotional This inquiry provides an ex- program for the year, the object 3. For each race its own religion is cellent basis for discussion in being to provide each church best. (15, A; 48, D; 20, U.) any church or community group with an occasion for bringing its if the leader is capable of clar- entire constituency together in 4. Since American Christians have ifying conflicts and correcting homes for f e I low s hip and more than enough to keep them busy erroneous thinking. thoughtful discussion of local in placing their own house in order, and world problems,and for the they have no call to concern them- Panel Discussions consideration of the privileges selves with the social and religious and responsibilities of Christians needs of other people. (1, A; 68, D; These are becoming increas- in their church relationships. 4, U.) ingly popular, even for a pas- The new plan has the following tor's evening service to act as a 5. Christianity loses its influence lodestone to draw a congrega- and power by recognizing values in tion. A group of people, selected other religions. (A,10; D,57; U,6.) for their ability and clear vocal- ization and carefully prepared by previous study, assemble at the front and discuss a subject informally under the direction of a leader capable of giving its initial statement and an impetus by means of opening queries.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
technique to be developed by a where he was born, his occupation and Men and Women of Far special forum committee: what he would like to do if he changed his occupation. Horizons The division of the church into districts, following such natural bound- 2. Forty minutes for a Question- "There has come to me a volume of aries as will include in each district nairplane Flight. The leader gives to missionary articles which so thrilled ten homes (more or less) within easy each person a copy of a list of ques- me that f sincerely wish every misaccess of each other, and the selection tions about the cooperative program sionary worker and every worker with in each district of a home in which to of the denomination and one answer young people might place it in their hold a Fireside Forum. Designate to a question, the latter not to pass library for reference and help," this as the Forum Home. out of the hands of the holders. At a writes Mrs. Abram De Young, of given signal, the group enters on a Kalamazoo, Michigan. For each such division, (1) appoint thirty-minute quest for replies to all a hostess whose duty it will be to pre- the questions, each person working in- "The book is a series of articles pare for the meeting, introduce guests dependently and interviewing every compiled by Jesse R. Wilson, General upon their arrival, create a friendly other person in order to secure the Secretary of the Student Volunteer atmosphere among them, give careful right answers. At the end of this half Movement but written by missionaries attention to the ventilation and ar- hour the leader will call time and read and outstanding Christians the world range for someone to take the children the correct answers so that each one over, out of their own vast and varyinto a separate room and entertain may check his own replies or exchange ing experiences, revealing their enthem during the meeting; (2) select a with some one else for correction. thusiasm for and deep conviction conconvener who will be held responsible The person answering correctly the cerning their task, and also the great for securing the attendance of every largest number of queries wins the burden of longing in their hearts for family in his district, arranging for most points. Questions need not be the world as they have seen it. . . . the personal invitation of someone by answered in order. As I read I found myself impressed whom a less familiar family may be through every chapter with the wonbrought to the meeting, furnishing the 3. Ten minutes are next allotted to drous glory of the missionary enterhostess with a list of the telephone a "Look through the Churchscope." prise. numbers of her prospective guests so The leader makes a careful presentathat she may personally supplement tion of the local church program for "The book also makes us realize the other invitations, and send to the the year after distributing the copies how through missions there has come forum committee a list of all who at- of that program for reference. to us a greater appreciation of other tended the meeting; (3) secure a races, for it gives us pictures of their leader who will be responsible for con- 4. Ten minutes are then consumed people and of the consecrated souls ducting the meeting, helping the in the feature called "We Talk It among them who have been won for guests to get better acquainted and Over"-which is the open forum por- Christ and are now powers for Him carrying out the detailed plan as out- tion. Sample topics are such as these: among their own race . . . Most of lined by the church. In what ways could our church's all the book helps us to see the power methods of financing its work be im- of Christ over sin and darkness . . . Next, hostesses, conveners and lead- proved? To what extent should our ers are brought together in separate church cooperate with other churches "The articles may be used in formgroups and thoroughly coached. The in making our community more Chris- ing all types of pro~rams and for andate decided upon for the forum meet- tian? What are the channels through swering questions about missions and ing is publicized through church bul- which our church may seek to enlist even answering criticisms that are on letins, posters and newspaper pub- the active cooperation of every mem- the lips of some . . . The stories licity. Enlistment cards for signa- are wonderfully helpful for illustrature at the gatherings are secured and ber? tions in Sunday school as well' as misdistributed, together with copies of sionary meetings. Many of them can the pastor's program for the year, to 5. "We Enlist" is the climax of the be used effectively as impersonations the leaders: then the scene is set for program. The chairman leads the and others will lend themselves easily the forums. group in reading the church covenant to dramatizations." from copies distributed and the enlist- Each group is supposed to number ment card is considered quietly and Pastors might well incorpofrom 15 to 25 and the proposed pro- prayerfully. Each one is asked to sign rate much of this true-to-life magram of the meeting to consume about his card indicating the channels terial in a series of sermons inan hour and 40 minutes. Its divisions through which he is willing to serve terspersed and illustrated by the are: the church, and a prayer of dedication dramatizations and impersona- is offered while cards are still in the tions suggested by the reviewer. 1. Ten minutes for getting better hands of their signers. The cards are acquainted. Groups seated informally then collected and turned over to the Friendship Press, 150 Fifth Ave., in a circle, each person in turn rising pastor, after which the intensive task New York City. (Price 50 cents in and stating his name, where he lives, remains of holding the membership paper, $1.00 in cloth.) up to their high resolves.
THE CONVERSATION In the packet of leaflets, referred to in the foregoing, another form of discourse is featured entitled "The Hayrake Conversation." In the setting of a farmyard, where the farmer is attempting to repair his hayrake, a neighbor drops in and the two discuss the proposal to unite all the struggling churches of the community for better service. The dialogue furnishes a well-balanced presentation of the pros and cons.. the essential details of organic church union, church federation, the "Larger Parish Plan," pastoral unity, etc., are interwoven. At the coming community dinner soon to be held the matter will be brought to vote. Jake says: Everybody'll be there but old Deacon Peachcrab. Poor old fellow! he's just been an officer so long he can't bear to have other folks take over the reins. It's kind of funny. Four years ago the old man said there'd never be one church in this place. He would have got some officers from the other churches and started trouble against the idea, but it seems like it was all over before he knew it was happening. Just like this hayrake here-we got it all fixed bElfore we knew it. . . . Goodbye, Jim; see you Tuesday.
The packet containing the above and a variety of other material for young people may be obtained from the United Christian Missionary Society, 222 Downey Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.
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BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK "WHEN WILT THOU SAVE THE PEOPLE?"
"Now when Jesus was born, . . . Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, say i n g, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. "Then Herod the king pri- vately called the Wise-men and learned exactly. . .. And being warned of God in a dream, Joseph, Mary and the child departed into their own country another way. . . . An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, A rise and take the young child and his mother, and /lee Courtesy Art Ea;tension Press, Westp<>rt, Conn. into Egypt and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will "CHRI ST WITH CHILD R EN, " seek the young child to destroy drawn by an Austria n gi rl 15 years of a ge. From " Children 's Service of Worship," him. for u s e on the World Day of Prayer for MiSSions, Februa ry 28 , 1936.
"And he arose and took the what longing, yea what zeal, yea part of the children ·.of God.
young child and his mother by what avenging! In everything Throughout centuries men and night" and departed into exfle. ye approved yourselv es to be women have been conscious of And some nineteen hundred pure in the matter. the reasons for the hurried years later from "the land of the "So although I wrote unto you flight, and with grave concern free and the home of the brave" I wrote not for his cause' that have read of the slaughter of the another father is warned to de- did· the wrong, nor for his cause innocents by the civic authoripart at once with the mother and that suffered the wrong, but that ties. Let us not forget! your earnest care for us might child and celebrate the birth of be made manifest unto you in Will you personally do some- the sight of God." thing today and every day folthe Christ-child in exile. Be- lowing, to make life safe for the And the same pastor Paul, the little ones in America? Thus cause there is love in the family Apostle, wrote the church mem- shall we be true citizens of bers in Philippi (and they were Heaven and America, and show there will be peace in their very nice folk), "Finally breth- that we personally have some re- ren . . . if there be any virtue sponsibility for the sad event of hearts. But what about the . . . think on these things." the exile of the Lindbergh famhomeland folk? ily. Shall we now show godly The editor has received an- repentance? In a letter written to a com- nually within the last decade at Christmastide, five or six greet- Shall crime bring crime forever pany of Christians in Corinth, ing cards depicting the exile of Strength aiding still the strong?
Paul their pastor, wrote (2 Cor. the Holy Family. And in recent Is it thy will, 0 Father, years these cards appear as That man shall toil for wrong? 7: 10-12) : glorified pleasure jaunts instead "For godly sorrow worketh re- of the secret, hurried, and fear- "No," say thy mountains; "No," thy some journey made necessary by skies; pentance unto salvation which bringeth no regret: but the sor- the sin in human hearts, and the Man's clouded sun shall brightly rise, row of the world worketh death. greater sin of indifference on the And songs be heard instead of sighs; God save the people! "For behold, this self-same thing, that ye were made sorry -Ebenezer Elliott, 1781-1849. after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, yea what fear, yea [98 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
ON FEBRUARY 28, 1936 scious of our responsibilities as Wellington, New Zealand, Christian citizens to mitigate so lying geographically just east of far as we can the hardships of sunrise on the International their toil.* Date Line will be among the very Amen. first Christians to meet for prayer and commitment to "On ACCEPTING RESPONSIearth peace, goodwill toward BILITY men." And on February 28, The following. prayer was 1936, the first Friday in Lent, Mrs. Daniel A. Poling, President made by an Indian girl at the in- of the Council of Women for stallation of the new officers. Home Missions, will be among May we put this same spirit into the worshipers in Wellington. From Shanghai, Mrs. Poling our prayers for our work, and sent the message which she had add a prayer for the Indian already prepared. She thought young people in the schools and that some of us at home would join with them in prayer, in on the reservations: "Let us the very words which she will pray: Our loving Father, we use. To do this, you should know thank Thee that Thou didst give that sunrise, February 28, in New Zealand, is approximately us Jesus Christ, who desires that Thursday noon, February 27, in New York City. Excerpt: every girl should have life abun- This year near Wellington, New Hirschel Rabinow dant. We thank Thee that in Zealand, in a mountain community at sunrise we are opening the World Day Oourtesy, New York Sunday Times this school Thou hast entrusted of Prayer of 1936. After a long trip through thirty countries, Dr. Poling to us girls some of thy work. and I realize as never before the great need of men to find oneness through "FOR THEIR SAKES" We thank Thee that the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Everywhere on this trip young people The little neglected boy, be- Jesus Christ can be with us and were eager to accept responsibility of friended by the dog, is a drawing with our Association, to help using some time each Monday as pre- by a 14-year-old boy, Hirschel bring life and light and joy and paratory for this day when all join Rabinow, as his contribution to the chance for service to every in prayer for peace on earth. the Hundred Neediest Cases girl, not only here but every Fund of the New York Times, In 1920, both in Canada and the and reprinted here by courtesy place in the world. And now, as United States, church women of many of same. It recalls to us our re- these new officers .and cabinet denominations united in a Day of sponsibility for all children. He members accept their responsi- Prayer for Missions. In 1935, in more may well be one of the two hun- bility, may they begin their new than fifty countries, Christians prayed dred thousand Migrant children duties by always looking to Thee and pledged themselves to the bearing whom the Council of Women for for help and guidance. Wilt of one another's burdens. . . . Home Missions is serving, or one Thou hear their solemn pledge, whom we should be serving with wilt Thou grant them a sense of Prayer: Our God, Father of us all, your help. Thy presence in their work towe come to Thee today with grateful gether. Bless us all, as memhearts for thy Son Jesus who came to Let us pray: bers of the Y. W. C. A., and help show and be the Way, Truth, and Life. us each. to do our part in making Forgive us, we pray, and give us an "Father of all mankind, we the Spirit of Jesus felt in this hunger and thirst for peace. Teach pause in the haste of our daily school. Amen." us to seek and labor for peace-peace lives to come with quietness into within ourselves and with Thee, in our homes, and for our land in relation to Thy presence. May Thy strength the peoples of the world. We thank and Thy spirit fill us and may WHAT DO'YOU PRAY FOR? Thee Our Father for the growing and deepening consciousness of the need the love which Thou hast for all "Prayers for Self and Sofor peace, and for the personal knowl- mankind flood our hearts. We ciety," Association Press, 15 edge of Him who brings peace on would at this time bring before cents a copy, was prepared by earth. Bless the mothers and children. Thee those men and women and Rev. James Myers, Industrial We do not ask 0 Lord a life all free young people who earn their Secretary, Federal Council of from pain. We do not seek to be in meager living by gathering from the Churches of Christ in Amerthis great world of need without our ica. It is being used both for load of care. For this we know, the the fields the food that shall feed present cross is our eternal gain and that they who struggle and endure us; who bear the heat of the shall at long last reach the Heavenly noonday sun, the long hours of private devotions and in public Kingdom. So Lord keep us fit within and give us strength and light and we labor, and the rush of the can- worship. will follow through the din from darkness up to light. This we ask in the nery service while we benefit name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen. from their toil. We are con- • By M. Katherine Bennett. scious, 0 Father, of their long- ing for permanent homes, of EDITOR'S NOTE.-All material for the ob- their unfulfilled hopes for their servance of the World Day of Prayer for children. Make us equally con- Missions, February 28, 1936, can be obtained at the above address.
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OUf W orld~wide Outlook i.,'1 A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ] ~,-==========-======~E~D~I~TE~D==BY==M~R~S~.~H~EN==R~I~==~A~H~.~.~F~ER~G~U~S~O~N~,~X~E~N~IA~,~O~H~I~O==================_~~~ CHINA toward making a cure. . . . Selfish- The Music Committee in charge Free Education promoted a competition for Chi- The determined movement for ness is at the base of it all. . . . In nese-style hymn tunes to be used China we have placed so much em- for the purely Chinese hymns phasis on the family, perhaps it is not which are to be included in the necessary now to emphasize it so book. Some two thousand hymns were received but only fifty of free popular education in China much. But our conception of the fam- them were accepted. For about places Christian primary schools ily in the New Life MQvement is dif- half of these the committee had tentatively chosen tunes and the in a new situation, as they can- ferent from the past because we competition was held for the not compete with a s·tate system recognize the family as the basis of purpose of getting tunes for the the structure for civilization. . . . remaining twenty-five. Altoof free education. For the cur- gether eight hundred tunes from rent fiscal year the Chinese Gov- You can't change anything unless you all over China were received by change a man's character. It means the committee. ernment plans to spend for edu- teaching people to love others as you cation $37,211,621 (Chinese cur- love yourself. That is the heart Qf it -International Christian rency), of which 48 per cent is Press. all. . . . You have come to China be- cause you love the Chinese. Some- Famine Relief Program to go for free, mass education. times you have your discouraging Churches in many parts of moments; I admit I am discouraged China are cooperating with the Szechwan plans to spend $650,- at times. At such times I think upon China International Famine Re- 000 for this purpose. In Shang- . the life Qf Christ, how, against over- lief Commission in raising funds. About twenty schools and colhai, Chinese authorities have whelming odds, he still kept on. He leges in Shanghai have started didn't give up. And I think of the campaigns among their faculty started 900 three-months' free members and students to raise schools for illiterates, with free many missionaries coming to China- money for flood relief. Many tuition, books and stationery. It year after year-no appreciation, no business institutions, lodges and is hoped that in a year 500,000 thanks, not even the consent of the clubs are actively helping. On people among whQm they work-yet behalf of the Chinese Red Cross, Dr. C. T. Wang has turned over will acquire the rudiments of they keep dOg'goedly on. I believe that to Famine Relief $40,000 (Chieducation. In Hunan province it is this spirit of persistence and self- nese) , 12,000 suits of clothes and the plan to extend free education sacrifice which will eventually regen- 10,000 bags of flour. to school-age children is expected erate China. The relief program consists of to reach eighty per cent of them -West China Missionary three steps. (1) Emergency re- News. lief must be supplied to the flood in a year. victims in food, shelter and med- The Glory of the Bible ical supplies. (2) Labor relief This is a beginning of a free must be started on projects of reconstruction. (3) As condistate system of e d u cat ion, Dr. T. Z. Koo, well known and tions gradually return to normal, planned to spread over three a farm rehabilitation program highly esteemed Chinese Chris- must be introduced to help reperiods: from August, 1935, to tian, gives this estimate of the store the rural economy of the July, 1940, all school-age chil- Bible: "The glory of the Bible flooded districts. Temporary dren are to receive one year's schools will be started. It is free education; from August, to me is that it contains a record hoped that preventive measures 1940, to July, 1944, they are to of a life which has enabled me to can be undertaken to wipe out receive two years of such free see such teaching as 'Love your the causes of flood and famine. education; after August, 1944, enemies' put into practice. I all school-age children are to re- know many people hold many ceive four years of education free. -The Chinese Recorder. theories about the Bible, but all these pale into insignificance when one realizes the preemi- nent wonder that here is the rev- Madame Chiang on Missions elation of God Himself. Biblical Madame Chiang Kai-shek, ad- scholars are interested as to how dressing the missionary commu- this record has come to be, but nity at Chengtu during a visit to the man struggling with life, with her husband, said: the record itself is enough!' What we have found wrong with -China's Millions.
China is not with the Chinese people. New Chinese Hymns It has been with our leaders. Now, that is an unpalatable fact to admit A new Union Hymnal is being because we happen to be of the leaders prepared for the use of six of the of the country. To know what is wrong with a patient is the first step larger denominations in China.
[100 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
A Baptist Objective traordinary cases, and here are a interference has been placed in Southern Baptists plan to send few of them: the way of Christian propaganda out in 1936 at least seventy new A man came with a hole in his in Manchukuo, either by local or missionary recruits and replace- cheek through which his breath ments to China to be known as whistled. Awkward, he said, central authorities. On the con- "Shuck Memorial Missionaries." when he wanted to smoke. trary, both Japanese and Man- Another came with a nonpain- chukuo officials h a v e bee n The first Baptist missionary ful fibrous tumor filling his friendly. Between the Christian appointed to China was John mouth so that he could not close communities of the two races Lewis Shuck, a Virginian, who it. He had had his front teeth one of the chief difficulties is that went out in 1835. The story is removed to give it more room. of l'anguage. Nevertheless, a told that in a missionary meet-. Still another came in holding united prayer meeting attended ing of that early day a strong his head constantly with some- by pastors and other leaders, plea was made for contributions. times one hand, and sometimes both Chinese and Japanese, has The plates were passed and the both. I asked him to release it been held at intervals in Mukden.
contents counted: bank notes, and like a flash he was looking Dr. O'Neill says that in his silver, gold. "Here is a card. out over his left shoulder with own field there is a manifest rise Who put i.t in?" said one of the no power to bring his head in the spiritual tone of the collectors to the other. "A young straight again. Church, and a deepened attach- man back in the congregation." ment to the Bible. As to reli- The card was examined and gious liberty, he says: "Within there was found written on it the word "myself," and signed. This The Ohallenge of Manchuria the buildings, we are free to give was Shuck's offering – himself. His fields of labor were Macao An English missionary at religious instruction to all the and Hongkong. Chinese Bap- Chihfeng, Manchuria, says that tists are planning a centenary there are more heathen there to- pupils, Christian or non-Chriscelebration of the opening of this day than ever before. "Due to work in 1936, in cooperation the hard crust of prej udice, tian. Prior to the Japanese ocwith missionaries fro m the which is not easily broken United States. through, apathy still abounds. cupation, the problem of religion Temples are still filled with idols; -Watchman-Examiner. and theaters, instituted for in the schools was becoming in- thanking the god of rain for good harvest prospects, still draw creasingly difficult under the Chinese Government. Now the whole position has changed for the better. The Japanese lan- guage is required everywhere, up to the higher middle stand- great crowds of people. Un- ard. -China's Millions.
Borden Hospital, Lanchow named horrors continue to be JAPAN -OHOSEN Recently a point has been practiced in the name of reli- Temperance Advance made of asking patients for decisions in the services that are gion, and in accordance with Dr. E. C. Hennigar says: "The constantly being held in Borden number of bone-dry villages in Hospital, and there have been their superstitious beliefs, which Japan has reached twenty. Tomi some interesting ones, according Oka village in Miyagi prefecture to a report of the work in China's have held the poor people in an put the scheme to test for one Millions. One was of a Moslem year. So good were the results and another of a man whose eyes iron vise for centuries. Native that on September the first the have been operated on four times villagers voted to go dry for five without success, but his beaming believers are beginning to realize years. Nagoya village in Saga face proclaims that the eyes of completed its first period of three his heart are open. More prayer their responsibility to the un- years and has voted to extend has been concentrated on the the dry regime for another three hospital's religious activities. happy people around them, but years. This is a fishing village The response of the patients has and in spite of great poverty cheered the staff. A system of many are not free to come reg- used to spend yen 20,000 per follow-up cards has been intro- year on alcohol. Miho village in duced to keep in touch with pa- ularly to the meetings. No Sun- Na~ano completed three years tients at home. The hospital of a dry experiment on August cares for about 40 lepers. day dawns in this dark land, as 1st, and has extended the period for another five years. The vil- far as the interior is concerned, lagers have struck upon a novel way of improving the economic and the industrial classes are status of their village. Each family is to contribute at least hard at work seven days in the one sen per day, this money to be deposited in a bank at compound week from sunrise to sunset. interest for 100 years. At the "Some of the Christians are always ready to testify for their Lord in the open air whenever they are free. Inquirers are numerous, and many have been saved." -The Christian.
Another phase of medical Religious Freedom in Manchukuo work is the establishment of a branch Board of Hygiene and Public Health in Lanchow, with Dr. F. W. S. O'Neill, of the an efficient staff of seven doctors, Irish Presbyterian Church, has trained in various branches of been thirty-eight years in Man- churia. In The International Remedicine.
An ordinary day brings ex- view of Missions, he says that no
expiration of that time it is to be word to many villages and to creases were: Anglican, 11.2 per used to meet village expenses. A thousands of hearts and homes. cent; Presbyterian, 17; Meth- few old men opposed the exten- Letters have come and are still odist, 11.5; B apt i s t, 21.2; sion of the dry experiment, but coming; One from "Bright Light Church of Christ, 9; Roman the young people were enthusias- Town" reports: "What a dark Catholic, 1.3, while the Congre- tic for it, declaring that if the town we were before Jesus came gational Church lost 8.8.
dry regime were extended they with your college boys. We -The Christian Advocate.
would make every possible sacri- Christians c aug h t the fire.
fice for the village good." Hardened sinners heard the A Maori Choir -Presbyterian News. Word and are rejoicing in his A Methodist choir made up of twenty young Maori chiefs and No More Cuts salvation. Our town bids fair to be like its name. We are expect- chieftainesses from the New At the November monthly ing many from the surrounding Zealand aborigines has been atprayer meeting of C. M. S. mis- tracting attention in Australia sionaries in Tokyo, Rev. George villages that are in dense dark,· Herbert Moule, treasurer for on a concert tour. Two are dea- Japan, announced that all cuts ness to come to Christ. Please conesses and four are ministers. on work and salaries for all send the boys again next sum- In full Maori costume, they ap- C. M. S. missionaries in Japan pear, render a program of Maori and China would be restored mer." folk songs, thrilling hakas and from January 1, 1936. This came from up north: pageantry. The proceeds of the -The Living Church. "Our church was about to breathe its last when your col- tour go to Maori missions. lege boys came. The little spark -Christian Advocate.
was fanned and now 122 real Christians are regularly attend- Honor to Bishop McKim ing church services, Sunday Borneo Evangelical Mission school and Wednesday evening A few days before Bishop Mc- prayer meetings. You should The Field Secretary of this Kim left Tokyo he was given an hear them sing hymns at work mission writes in The Christian: ovation, perhaps the greatest in the harvest fields. We are all ever accorded any foreigner by bubbling over with the joy of the Our work is growing, both in numthe Japanese. On the campus of Lord and praise God that in the ber of workers and area occupied, but St. Paul's University, of which hot summer months your boys it is still quite pioneering in charhe was founder and chancellor, came with the Holy Spirit's acter; there are no roads, and all in the presence of Prince Iyesato power to our town. Please send traveling is by such primitive means Tokugawa, representatives of some of them to us in the Christ- as native dugouts, or by walking the institutions of the Nippon mas vacation to rejoice with us." through the jungle. After almost a Sei Kokwai, bishops of the I wish you could read all the let- hundred years of government control Church, deans and officers of the ters that came in the Korean the Ibans are still restless under re- University corporation, and the language. straint, and only the most rigid conentire assembled student and trol prevents the practice of headfaculty body, the retiring bishop GEORGE S. MCCUNE, hunting. We find that the only way bade farewell and godspeed to Presbyterian Missionary. to evangelize them is to live simple the Church and the corporate lives right among them. bodies he has presided over for AUSTRALIA AND THE the past 56 years. ISLANDS Another of our stations is among the Bisaiyahs, and here different When the Bishop sailed from Religion in Australia methods are used. We have a school Yokohama, there was a two-hour at the mission station which is showdemonstration at the pie r. Census figures from Australia ing' good results, and some translation Bishops, priests, workers, mis- afford an interesting comparison work is being done in their language, sionaries, men, women, children, between growth of population hitherto unwritten. A beginning has business men, government lead- and church membership. Be- also been made among the Kalabits, ers, came to see him off. Some tween 1921 and 1933 the popula- another wilder tribe much further inhad come as far as 800 miles, tion of Victoria increased by land. Until a few years ag'o this tribe and everyone of the ten dioceses 18.8 per cent. The denomina- was quite self-contained; they smelted of the Japanese Church was rep- tional percentage gains for the their own iron for making' swords and resented. same period were: Anglicans, 4 ; spears, and recovered salt from nat- Presbyterians, 7.6; Methodist, ural suring'S, while they hunted game -The Living Church. 5; Church of Christ, 18; the with blowpipes and poisoned arrows.
Roman Catholic Church showed -The Christian. a small decrease and the Baptist and Congregational Churches A Tongan Choir Contest losses respectively of 2.7 and 21 per. cent. New South Wales When the Governor-General of New Zealand visited Tonga a showed population inc rea s e "A Dark Town Before (1921 -1933), 23.8 per cent. few years ago, he was so de- Jesus Came" lighted with Tongan singing that There the denominational in- During vacation last summer he gave a silver cup for a co.ncollege preaching bands had many victories far south and up test. Thirty-seven choirs to.o.k north. Fifty-two summer Bible part, presenting two. hymns and schools brought Jesus and His two. anthems. The cho.irs were divided into. gro.ups to. sing o.n five nights, and nearly 5,000 peo.-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
pIe heard the choirs praising meetings; by a' greater earnest- we found an abnormal perce9,t., God in song. ness about Christian faith and age attributable to overindul:. life; by improved leadership for gence in alcoholic beverages by A choir competition was held, student groups, both in quality auto operators both young. and and 1935 completed fifty years of personnel and in time and in- old. I regard the greatest enemy since the Tongan Church bfoke terest given by the leaders to the to the safety of highway traffic away from the parent Church in work. to be the auto driver who oper- Australia. At the recent jubilee ates while in the glow of cock..; celebration of the Methodist Methodist Union Plan tails and other strong drinks."!;'", Church a massed .choir of 1,500 voices san g the Hallelujah Details of a plan to bring -United Presbyterian. Chorus. 8,000,000 American Methodists together into a united church Books for the Blind -The Missionary Review after more than 100 years of of Australasia. separation have been made pub- Next year the American Tract· lic by Dr. H. E. Woolever. A Society will begin a new century Union Work in the Philippines judicial council is to be formed, of service for the blind. The with power to rule on the consti- Society has appropriated $1,000 The United Evangelical Church tutionality of church conference for printing the Pilgrim's Progof the Philippines which was actions. It also provides for the ress in raised letters in 1936. formed in 1929 by the union of administration of the merged They have already recorded this the Congregational, U nit e d church through a general con- as a "talking book" for the blind. Brethren and Presbyterian de- ference, meeting every four Twenty-five sets of records costnominations, has 39,266 church years, and jurisdictional confer- ing $12.00 per set were sent as members, was 126 ordained pas- ences which divide the member- Christmas presents to various tors and 165 other workers. The ship in the United States into institutions for the blind. A ruling body is a Church Council six areas and the work outside special fund was raised by the made up of elders and presidents the United States into a series of Society for this worthy enterof the church organizations. The central conferences. prise, so that the blind can purwork has a national scope. Be- chase sets of these records at a sides the usual pastoral tasks, The "articles of religion" shall fraction of their original cost. home missionary work is carried be those historically held in on among the wild tribes in common by the ,three uniting The Belmont Plan northern Luzon, in southern churches. While the word "Epis- Mindanao and among the Moros. copal" will be dropped from the The Belmont Presbyterian title, the new church will be Church of Roanoke, Va., faced -Presbyterian Tribune. episcopal in government. this situation in 1933: A new church had been built in 1929 NORTH AMERICA Before the plan can go into when money was easy, costing effect it must be approved by the $30,000 and incurring a debt of Students and the Bible general conferences of the three $15,000. The membership was denominations. Two of these 352. The silk mill where many Chaplain Knox, of Columbia meet next May and the southern worked had been shut down for University, stated at St. Paul's church two years later. Then the six months. Debt accumulated Chapel: local c h u r c h e s must ratify on interest and running expenses through annual conferences. to $2,600 and there was no one It is very remarkable to see the in- from whom they could borrow. creased interest among students in the Drink and Insurance Defeatism was rife. The pastor Bible. One finds that there are those was tempted to leave. Then the who are eager to study it, who ask Frank G. Morris, President of thought came, why not try God's intelligent questions, who want to read the Standard Surety and Cas- way? One Sabbath morning the scholarly books which will help them ualty Company, has expressed pastor requested each of the in understanding its contents. Par- himself as follows: "One of the members of his congregation to ents who recognize their responsibility most momentous problems be- write on a slip of paper the seek to learn how knowledge of the fore casualty insurance execu- amount of their weekly income, Bible can ,be imparted in the right tives at this time emanates from but to leave the slip unsigned. way, and they stress the right way. the disastrous loss experienced He found the average weekly in- Educators more and more realize that under auto liability policies dur- come to be $18, a total income of an acquaintance with this "greatest ing the calendar year 1934, $2,160 for the congregation. If English classic" is essential, and are which amounts to little less than that amount were tithed the instituting courses wherein thorough a cataclysm. Our company, like church would get $216 a week, knowledge can be gained. These signs our contemporaries, was flooded and if put into operation in the point clearly to the way in which the with an avalanche of accident congregation for a period of Bible can be made once again "the reports involving many deaths three months all deficits could be people's book." and serious personal inj uries, in wiped out and all running ex- numbers far exceeding prior penses paid. Rev. John Maxwell Adams, years. In analyzing the causes general director of university religious work under the Presbyterian Board, believes that an awakening religious concern among stu den t s is shown through larger attendance of students and faculty at religious
Twenty-five of the 27 church The second anniversary of re- Hospital Work in Guatemala officers signed a covenant to tithe peal found the drive gaining their income and bring it into headway as far as Barrow, Dr. C. A. Ainslee writes inthe church for fifteen weeks. northernmost post of civilization terestingly in Guatemala News The pastor then visited the mem- in Alaska. During the past six of hospital and ambulance "out bers and sold the idea to 118 out months, nearly 700,000 gallons work" in that country. The amof 120 wage earners. On the first of beer, wine and hard liquors bulatory clinic was held at EI day, the offering leaped to $173, were consumed in Alaska, al- Rancho in July, when hundreds and then to $228; the largest though its population is only were treated and Gospel seed amount received on anyone day about 60,000. sown. Dr. Ainslee considers the was $450. The total amount for harvest of this kind of service the period was $2,626 as over -New York Times. possibly greater than that in against $600 for the same period hospital work. "The daily routhe year before. It resulted in LATIN AMERICA tine is a story of daily rounds, all the deficit being wiped out, listening to reports of the sick, all bills paid, and a happy peo- Mexico Fights Alcohol and checking them with those of ple. While the covenant to tithe the nurse. Many of the patients, was for a period of fifteen weeks Mexico is in the thick of a especially those whose stay in liquor traffic fight. President the hospital is being paid for by ro only, yet when it was all over Cardenas has the backing of the others, contrive to find a new nation's women in this fight, pain or ache for us every morn- 72 of the original tithers which is against pulque and te- ing; our lack of interest involves agreed to keep it up. quila. "It is up to them more the patient in the responsibility than anyone else to solve the of conjuring up a new one for -United Presbyterian problem," he said recently, "for tomorrow. It is odd how a tele- Leaflet. the sake of their children and gram from home asking them to homes, and to see that their hus- come soon for a fiesta, will often Visiting Campaign in Canada bands and brothers make good turn a poor pain-racked body use of the money they earn. into an animated bundle of joy A friendly visitation of all the Women will be satisfied to know in a few short hours. families of the United Church of that they have undertaken a Canada is being planned in con- great work. In the case of ex- "Native doctors are becoming nection with the 10th anniver- treme necessity," he warned, "I more efficient medically. We feel sary of union. This will mean may even have to prohibit the that when the time comes to turn calls by ministers and laymen in manufacture of liquor, so that this work over to them-and this 440,000 homes and on 77,000 this work will not be in vain." thought must always be at the members not connected with forefront – that the hospital families. The enterprise was – Watchman-Examiner. work will be one of the Mission begun with a visitation of the branches that will feel the presbyteries by conference lead- Honors For Trinidad change the least, and this gives ers. The presbyteries are send- us great encouragement." ing members to all of the official Honors attained in the mission boards of the churches and fi- school of the United Church of In Guadalajara nally each congregation is· to Canada in Trinidad reveals the have a call from office bearers. high standards of the school's Rev. Clarence A. Neff, Amer- More than 1,667,000 Canadians East Indian teachers. One ican Board missionary, is imwill receive greetings from their teacher gained permanent pos- pressed with the sincerity of church-not for a financial can- session of the agricultural so- President Cardenas of Mexico. vass, hut for friendly talks about ciety's shield given to the school He says that the situation in the well-being of the home, the having the best school garden Guadalajara – and evidently church and community. for the year. His school at Jor- over the country as a whole-is dan Hill won this distinction for much happier than it was a year -Presbyterian Banner. three successive years. In 1933 ago. Although the anti-ecclesias- and 1934 Canadian mission tical legislation remains on the Prohibition for Alaska schools won the Madoo Gold books, there seems to be great Medal awarded to the best all- leniency in its enforcement. The Early in December, Eskimos around primary school in the col- ban on the circulation of reliin Alaska petitioned the Terri- ony, and of the final six schools gious publications has been torial Board of Liquor Control examined for this distinction, lifted. Due to the discouraging at Nome to reenact prohibition four were Canadian mission outlook for private schools in statutes, making it a crime even schools. Mexico, the Colegio EI Pacifico to give an Eskimo a drink of in Mazatlan was closed in June. liquor. In their petition, the The Tyzabod Canadian Mis- Then came a letter from the Nome natives declared "the ex- sion School won first place in an state director of federal schools, cessive use of intoxicating liquor exhibit of handwork, the first urging that the institution be reby Eskimos and persons of rural school to receive this recog- opened, especially in view of the mixed blood is highly demoral- nition. izing to the race." -United Church Record.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
efforts he had made to get gov- his countrymen, became a mem- Antonio Serrano. The work is ernment recognition for it. The making a slow, but sure, begin- ber of the Presbyterian Church, ning under his leadership. Dur- School reopened with 80 stu- ing the summer Senor Serrano dents. -Missionary Herald. then began to visit the hospitals made many visits to churches in Madrid and elsewhere with the and jails of Santiago, helping the object of getting in close contact with their youth work. As a re- Work of Bible Institute men as they got out to rehabili- sult he has received invitations Graduates from a number of ministers to tate themselves. He rented a assist in the organizing of Sun- day schools in their churches. small house, established a man -The Life of Faith. The Central America Evan- and his wife as caretakers, and Bibles in Spain gelical Bible Institute is training as the men got out of jail or hos- The National Bible Society of native young people for places of pital, took them there, until they Scotland takes advantage of the Book Fair in Madrid and other responsibility, since the national- could find work. Presently he cities to sell Evangelical litera- ture. This year conditions have istic trend in this country may gave up his luxurious apartment been unusually adverse. Such outbursts of Romish fanaticism result in a situation similar to and went to live there. Last year have not been witnessed for years. Young Romish fanatics that in Mexico. A former stu- he bought a fine piece of prop- blocked sales by saying that the Book was of no value: that it dent, working in a difficult field erty out in one of the nice sub- was not the true Bible, that it was full of evil, that it was imon Lake Nicaragua, has suffered urbs of the city, not far from possible to read i.t. Groups sta- tioned themselves short distances persecution, even stoning. An- our Instituto Ingles, and there from the stands, stopped persons who had made purchases, obligother in Nicaragua is assistant erected what he meant to be a ing many of them to return what they had bought. pastor of Managua church while Home for his ex-prisoners, his The young fanatics, incited by a third is doing very ';ell as own dwelling and a lovely chapel the priests, would sometimes buy Gospels, only to tear them up bepastor of the Granada church. seating some 120 or 150 people: fore our eyes. One day one of them approached when several In Honduras and in Salvador The whole plant is now com- other persons were engaged in looking at the volumes. He graduates are doing hspalsenbdeied~ pleted. His hope is to be or- asked for a verse concerning sacrificial work. One Christ's Resurrection, and the dained as a Presbyterian piat swtoar~ colporteur, guessing what he had greatly used in a coast field to but in view of opposition in mind, handed him a Bible so that he should find it himself. build up the second largest evan- thought best to postpone it. He For a long time he searched for it in the Old Testament until, gelical congregation in that re- holds regular Sunday evening tired of his impertinence, the colporteur showed him the verse. public. Vesper services at the Home, He tried to argue that the verse denied the Resurrection, but was A woman graduate in Salva- and at 10 p. m. evening prayers hooted out of the crowd.
dor travels miles afoot, holding for his household, and for those Threats, even attempts, were made to burn the stall. As soon meetings and doing visitation of the neighborhood who care to as the Minister of the Interior heard of this, he gave an order work in her extensive field. come. He maintains this work that the stall should be guarded night and day by six soldiers. -Evangelical Christian. out of his own funds, and hopes One morning a well-dressed gen- tleman came to the stand accom- later to have a service in French panied by two others. He exam- ined the Bibles and admired the Vigorous Indian Church for the many French-Swiss Prot- Mr. A. H. Hawley, an E. U. estants in Santiago who are en- S. A. missionary, spent five days among coastal Indians of Peru, tirely without religious services. and writes of their spiritual progress. "These Indians have -Presbyterian News. erected two buildings in which to hold their services on Sundays, EUROPE when they meet for two or three hours for a season of prayer and The "Godless Movement" meditation over the Word of God. Invariably when they The Research Department of bring their wool to Arequipa for the Universal Christian Council, sale, they visit the mission house 2 rue de Montchoisy, Geneva, with the hope of learning a new Switzerland, has brought out a hymn or chorus." study booklet on "The Methods of the Godless Movement." Ex- -The Christian. tracts from Russian literature are given as illustrative of the New Work in Santiago type of propaganda and teaching being carried forward. The A young Chilean, Sr. Suber- study is not limited entirely to caseaux, belonging to an aristo- Russia but deals with the anticratic and wealthy family, a religious efforts of communism graduate of the Sorbonne in Psy- in several other European counchology, came in touch, in Rome, tries. The pamphlet is available with the Waldensian Church and in English as well as in German. was converted t h r 0 ugh and through. He returned to Chile -Federal Council Bulletin. with the idea of devoting himself to preaching the Gospel to Sunday Schools in Spain Spain now has a full time Sunday school missionary, Rev.
book stall. He proved to be the financial help caused by the diffi- their faith in Christ. A priest Minister of the Interior, and culties of the exchange. At pres- in Athens has founded 50 catebought a Bible. ent the German societies can do chetical schools, enrolling 5,000 no more than raise the amounts children. In Greece at large -Quarterly Record. needed to maintain their foreign there are now 559 such schools missionaries. for Christian instruction, with Estonian Prisoners 45,000 studying in them. This Nazis Close Seminaries priest has also organized 200 Thirty-one years ago the call Gospel meetings for women and came to Rev. Adam Podin to An armistice between the con- children. The 126,000 Moslems carry the Gospel to prisoners in fessional Protestants of Ger- in Thrace are the object of mis- Russia, but at that time it was many and the Nazi Government sionary interest. There is a impossible to gain entrance to gave some promise of making growing interest in the Bible; prisons. It was not long before the church, legally and tech- Sunday schools are being organa man, unknown to him, learned nically at least as free as a state ized ; also many philanthropic of his difficulty and promised church can be. This armistice societies and religious groups, help. Shortly afterward, Mr. was broken November 6, when with weekly meetings. Podin received documents grant- police and Hitler guardsmen ing him access to every prison in closed two independent theolog- -So S. Times. Russia. ical seminaries, one recently es~ tablished in Berlin, the other at AFRICA In Siberia there were half a Barmen in Westphalia, which million prisoners, and not one the Confessional Synod had set Pioneering in Ethiopia Christian worker to minister to up free from government contheir spiritual needs. trol. Both professors and stu- Southern Ethiopia is peopled dents were placed under tem- by primitive, barbaric tribes, Mr. and Mrs. Podin have also porary arrest and finally turned with little or none of the Ambeen working for leper prison- out of the building. . haric culture found farther ers, both men and women. north. These tribes are Hamitic New Anti-Jewish Decree and have no connection racially, -The Christian. socially or religiously with the The New York Sun puhlishes Semitic ruling class, but are Flemish Protestants the provisions of Germany's new heathen in every sense of the anti-Jewish decree: word. Most of them would be Under the auspices of the classed as animists, and some are Belgian Gospel Mission, Flemish 1. Jews cannot be citizens, but only even charged with cannibalism. Protestant Christians assembled State subjects, and only citizens may Near the Kenya border is a comat Ghent in November for the vote. munity where a young man caneighth annual convention. The not qualify for matrimony until purpose was to strengthen their 2. All Jewish civil servants must he has first proved his prowess spiritual life. Gratitude was ex- resign by December 31. They, and by slaying a man, whose blood pressed for the liberty for Gos- war veterans, will receive pensions on must be displayed on his spear pel witness enjoyed in Belgium, the regular scale according to rank. blade. Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Street, in contrast to closing doors of the Sudan Interior Mission, around them in other parts of 3. Jewish teachers in Jewish public have entered this field, and be- Europe. -The Christian. schools may remain in their jobs pend- ing the first white people to ap- ing an exact definition of their status. pear found themselves objects The German Missions of curiosity of a friendly sort. 4. Generally no non-Jew may marry The Year Book of the United a Jew, but there are provisions for For the first few months the German Missions for 1936, under waiving the rule in special cases. Streets found a most surprising the name of the "German Evan- interest in the Gospel message gelical Foreign Missions," gives 5. "Aryan" maid servants in Jewish and were encouraged by the the newest figures for the year households may remain in their jobs, large crowds that gathered reg- 1934. On the fields of these if, by December 31, they will have ularly to listen. Some years ago united missions there are 1,552 completed their thirty-first year. a native prophet had exhorted European missionaries and 11,- the people to repent and turn 400 paid native workers. These 6. Foreign Jews resident in Ger- unto the Lord. He told them that have under their care 1,263,876 many are subject to the laws; for- some day a white man would native Christians and 62,000 in- eigners generally who are not resident come proclaiming the way of ,salquirers. They have 4,256 day are not affected. (This would apply vation, whose words they should schools and 100 high schools, in as regards mixed marriages.) carefully heed. Then the devil which they instruct 260,000 took a hand. While the Streets pupils. There are 35 European "Life Movement" in Greece were away several deaths ocand 8 native doctors in 34 hos- curred in the community. The pitals. During the year covered The Greek Orthodox Church old men concluded that the reaby the report the numbers of na- is giving evidence of an evan- son for these deaths was the tive helpers, converts and pupils gelical revival. A series of meethave kept on increasing not- ings was begun over a year ago withstanding the utter need for by a civil service official, who gathered others in government employ in his home for the study of the prophecies. These groups have been growing larger, and many have made confession of
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
presence of the missionary. They peace. . . . I only wish that . . . relief of the sick and suffering accordingly decided that any instead of a mutilated Gospel has grown considerably, the last women or children caught bring- which explains the confusion and report telling of over 300,000 ing wood or hay to the foreign- the infidelity of the peoples of treatments given at various hos- ers would be put in chains. The Europe they would return and pitals and dispensaries. It is old men said that their god was lead others back to the true Gos- now possible to travel by motor angry with them for listening to pel which began with the crea- l)Jmost from the Niger to the the "Jesus Christ matter," and tion of the world." Nile, stopping each night at a that they had decided it was best -Woman's Missionary Christian mission station.
to continue offering their sacri- Friend. -The Christian.
fices to Asa, the native prophet, but the missionaries are not dis- Suez Men's Work Teaching a Mute the Gospel couraged. Moslem bigotry combines with Mr. H. A. Ogilvie, of the Su- -Moody Institute Monthly. intense nationalism to put ob- dan Interior Mission, sends this Prayer for Ethiopia stacles in the way of the "Suez interesting story to the Moody Men's Work." It had been evi- Institute Monthly: The Ethiopia Prayer League dent that some institution, in ithas been formed in England to self unobjectionable to the "man A frequent visitor at the mission compound was Wawa, a mute, a enlist and encourage prayer dur- in the street," was called for, bright, cheery-faced boy. To teach the ing the time of Ethiopia's need, especially since the majority of boy the mission house was used as an and to supply information con- Egyptian men know practically object lesson, the missionary using the cerning the missionary situation sign for to build, and then pointing to in that land. The issues in- nothing of the social side of himself, thus meaning that he had home life and spend their leisure built the house. Other objects which volved are not primarily eco- sitting in cafes where the atmos- the missionary had made were used, nomic, territorial or racial, but and finally a tree. This time the mis- phere is harmful. After many sionary shook his head to show that spiritual. Progress of the Gos- attempts a "Reading Room for he had not made that. He pointed pel in Ethiopia during the past Young Men" was 0 pen e d. into the sky, using the sign for father.
seven years has been possibly Arabic texts and Copping pic- Other objects were used, as rocks, birds, flowers, the missionary each without precedent in the history tures adorn the walls. One room time pointing up and using this sign. of missions. Evangelism is be- is provided with papers and Wawa is a quick lad, and he perceived ing intensified from Lalibella in magazines, secular and Chris- that he was being told of the Maker the North to Bulke in the South, tian, and there is a small library. of all things.
a revision of the whole Bible in chiefly of religious books. An- Then the sign for son was used, teaching that the Maker of all had a Amharic is in progress, the blind other room is devoted to games; Son; an only One, holding up one are being taught to read, the sick another is a retreat for in- finger. Different signs were used to are being healed, and hospitals quirers, and it is hoped even- depict the suffering of the Son for us, and churches planted-all this is tually for Bible classes. A radio His death and His resurrection. Heaven was described as the place jeopardized by war. About 100 has been installed and is proving where there is no sickness or death. missionaries remain at their a great asset. No stubbed toes, which would have an posts, and look for prayer-sup- appeal to a barefooted boy. Step by -Egypt General Mission port during these crucial days. News. step signs were worked out which -The Christian. Sudan United Mission would declare the way of salvation by faith in the Son. It was surprising Menelik Wrote a Missionary In a little over twenty-five how quickly the truth was grasped, years the Sudan United Mission and before long Wawa was going into It is of interest to read a letter has established a chain of mis- town and by his sign language telling written in February, 1896, by his people of the Maker of all things who lived in heaven, and of His Son, Emperor Menelik of Ethiopia to sion stations across the Sudan, who is the Saviour and Friend of an English missionary. He said: and today 136 missionaries are sinners.
"You are mistaken in thinking actively at work. Until 1910 Ohristians Grow Slowly ,that I do not care for your only one convert had been bap- prayers. All prayers of believers tized, and at that time there was At McLean Station, Presbyare dear to me, even when they not aNew Testament in any of terian West Africa Mission, one come from the children of Eu- the languages spoken in this group rebelled against the dis- rope. Not all are aggressors on region. Now there is a whole cipline of the church, withdrew, my kingdom: not all commit the Bible in Hausa available and in and attempted to start a new iniquity of attacking those whom growing use, and a number of church of their own. It is a they hope to find weaker than smaller portions of Scripture in tribal affair, for they are very themselves; not all have bent several of the tongues. In the jealous of other tribes. For two the knee before Baal, the god of last two years more than 200 years thi~ has been going on, but destruction and the slaughterer were baptized. Sunday church they ar~ beginning to realize of his brothers. Many, I am attendance averages 5,000. that a church which defies the sure, still truly adore the God of From the first small begin- rules given in the Bible for the Cross, the God of justice and nings the Mission's work for the Christian living, soon becomes a
very weak affair. Some are Paterson Smyth's "L i f e of but with books and other extras. coming back, a few of the wom- Christ," Father Gerard's "Man- At Christmas time a Russian ual of Intercession" and a bottle woman of Meshed joined a misen, one or two of the men, being of peroxide. After reading the sionary in getting up a party for brave enough to come and say, label on the peroxide bottle he refugees when, for once at least, thought that it would be a good everyone had all he could eat. "I am finished with it. I see it beginning. Many came for ,the is nothing and I do not want to medicine and were inclined to In Ramadan students in the have anything more to do with listen to what he had to say as girls' school asked to have gifts it." We have put them to the he was from a secondary school. intended for them sent to chiltest, in asking them if they Later the missionary sent him a dren in an orphanage. The girls would give the offering they had useful parcel of medical stores themselves made up Christmas and prayed for him. bags and filled them with gifts refused to give the church the they could make from their past year, and they have not only WESTERN ASIA scanty resources. In Tabriz, consented but have done so, two older students made it possible very different things in this End of German Missions by gifts of clothes and money for country where lying is second in Turkey two very poor girls to continue in school. nature and no one has any scruples about it. -Pastors' News Sheet.
-Presbyterian News. INDIA AND SIAM Congo Statistics The question of religion is agi- Evangelism on the March At the beginning of 1935 there tating the minds of the Turks to A Five-Year Forward Movewere 42 Protestant Missions and a great extent. It appears that ment, planned by the National Christian Council, is the Christhree independent stations hav- not even Mohammedanism can tian response to communism, naing work in the Belgian Congo, continue to hold them noticeably tionalism, secularism, atheism, and in the Belgian mandated ter- at present. The reason is that modernism or whatever other ritory of Ruanda Urundi, an the Turks are casting about for "isms" challenges the Gospel as area covering s 0 m e 966,000 a religion that might be consid- the power of God unto men's salsquare miles with a population ered intrinsically Turkish. Their vation. Efforts of other agencies of about 14 millions. The total writers lean to the view that are all bearing fruit; the entire number of Protestant mission anything coming to them from Bengal – Orissa Mission reports stations in this vast central por- . the outside cannot fill the re- Forward Movements. The main tion of Africa is 199, with 893 quirements and are seeking to responsibility for the movement missionaries. As for native construct an eclectic religion will be on the churches themhelpers, there is now a splendid that is more or less ethical and selves, the National Christian army of 13,058 pastors, evan- that is not earmarked by the in- Council and provincial Christian gelists and teachers, among them fluences that are not strictly Councils, which will arrange a large number of well-trained Turkish. As a result Christian conferences, issue literature and Christian men of many years ex- and even Mohammedan missions attend to details. Before the speperience in Christian work. The have a hard time of it. This is cial efforts begin, early in 1936, adult baptized church member- only in line with the extreme a preparation of seven weeks by ship now numbers 238,807, and nationalistic tendencies that are churches is suggested. the total Protestant community everywhere at work along non- religious lines as well. Sacred Books Burned exceeds a million. -Congo Mission News. The Hiilfsbund of Frankfurt, Following a recent decision of the Depressed Classes to leave has now, two years after the the Hindu fold, about 1,000 De- pressed Class youths from vil- Fighting Heathenism with driving out of the last German lages in Bombay Presidency met Peroxide sisters from Marash, succeeded at a conference recently and per- in disposing of the last proper- formed "obsequies" to Hinduism. A boy of seventeen, student at ties it had left there. The mis- The ceremonies included the an Episcopal boarding school in sionaries had the feeling that burning of the Manu Suriti Johannesburg, heard that two of since the prospects for further (Laws of Manu) and other his sisters had died suddenly in mission work in Turkey are Hindu sacred books upholding one day and a third was violently over, God Himself seemed to untouchability. A pyre was preill; that heathen neighbors were have closed the doors to them pared into which books, one trying to persuade the mother to and so they have sold all that after another, were unceremonigo to the witch-doctor to learn was left to them. ously thrown to the accompaniwhy the daughters died. The boy ment of funeral orations detail- returned to his heathen home at The Christmas Spirit in Iran once, in great distress of mind to fight the heathen. Assyrian refugees and Rus- He told the school teacher that sian prisoners in Meshed have the only thing to do was to start been cared for by the mission a Sunday school to combat the group, not only with gifts of evils. He left school armed with clothing and payment of rent
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ing the offending passages in the Youth Evangelism in Siam ties of this work. The Governor and other high officials were books. -The Living Church. For many years, under the present, and several Chinese and Burmese teak dealers and gen- guidance of Dr. William Harris, eral merchants. The s e all Bible Week in West India Principal of Prince Royal Col- pledged to do all they could to support the work we have been The Bombay Auxiliary of the lege of Chiengmai, teachers of doing and to try to get leper British and Foreign Bible So- clinics established throughout thIS school have gone out during the province." ciety invited all missions and churches of West India to take the hot vacation season to the MISCELLANEOUS part in a united campaign of country villages pre a chi n g Scripture distribution during the Whole Church a Missionary first week of last November, Christ. In the spring of 1933, more than one hundred young Society The objects were thus summarized by the Society: people of northern Siam came to- There is no Moravian Mis- gether for study and preparation sionary Society b e c a use the To ~each people and districts hith- whole church is a missionary soerto insufficiently visited, or entirely to carryon vacation Bible ciety. About one in every sevuntouched, by present colportage schools in the villages. In the enty-five of the members bemethods. comes a missionary, as compared Chiengmai field alone ten groups with about one in 5,000 in the To counteract the influence of cheap churches generally. Countries went out, and 736 children were to which Moravians have carried enrolled that year. In one par- the Gospel include Northwest ticularly difficult village several America, G u ian a, Labrador, Moskito Coast, Demerara, Northsecular literature, definitely harmful families came into the church. west Alaska and East-Central in character, which is finding an in- Africa. They maintain a leper creasingly wide circulation throughout Other village communities were home at Jerusalem, and work India. stirred, friction has been eased among lepers has been carried and new interest aroused. on in South Africa since 1818. To emphasize the value of Scripture There are over 300 stations, yet distribution as an effective means of These young people continued the annual expenditure amounts evangelism and worthy of a more to work in 1934, and in southern to but little over £100,000; of prominent place in the evangelistic this less than half is raised at program of missions and churches. Siam six more vacation Bible home, the greater proportion be- schools were added, making a ing the contribution of the mis- To encourage voluntary service and sion fields. -The Christian. individual witness on the part of all ' total of 1,292 children enrolled, Approach to the Jew members of the Christian Church. plus the 1,151 children who were Rabbi Mendelsohn, editor of To cooperate with the National taught the same lessons in spe- The Sentinel, a Chicago Jewish Christian Council in its projected pro- cial time in seven mission journal, believes in the sincerity gram for a Forward Movement in of Dr. Conrad Hoffmann, Gen- schools. The 196 teachers were eral Secretary of the Interna- Evangelism. -Dnyanodaya. the young men and women from tional Committee on the Chris- tian Approach to the Jews, and Refuses to Teach Koran the Christian schools who were says that since Dr. Hoffmann is again willing to give of their a born Christian, Jews are glad to listen to him, which they A Mohammedan con v e r t time and themselves. would not do, were he a con- -Women and Missions. verted Jew. "Jews object," says named Nur (Light) is one of the Rabbi Mendelsohn, "to the meth- od and type of approach usually new pupils in the United Pres- For Siam Lepers pursued. If those who are inter- ested in missionizing a m 0 n g byterian Normal School at Sial- Jews will send to us only men like Dr. Hoffmann they will obkot. Since her baptism she has The National Church of Siam viate a serious obstacle on the been teaching in a Mohammedan has been doing a work among the road to goodwill between Jews village school, where she refuses lepers for about two years. This and Christians." to teach the Koran. She regards the theft of her Bible as the is not a mission activity. A vilhardest persecution she has suf- lage is maintained with 33 pa- tients, most of whom have befered. She had the joy, how- come Christians. "During the ever, of seeing her mother, who first ten months or so the probis still a Mohammedan, enroll in lems of discipline and organizathe beginners class of that school tion were very difficult," writes in order that she might some day one of the workers; "during the be able to read the Bible for her- later months we have been self. Nur's joy at being in greatly encouraged by the attischool is not so much for the tude of cooperation and Chrisnormal training as the oppor- tian fellowship on the part of the tunity for getting Bible .teaching patients. There has been no efand growing in spiritual things, fort or intention to build a hosso that when she goes back to pital or other expensive edifices live among her. Mohammedan in this work; we would like relatives she may better be able. to give all the medical attention to give them the reason and the patients need, and the reliproof of the hope that is hers in gious instruction n e c e s s a r y. Christ. There have been two meetings of -Women's Missionary the representatives of the com- Magazine. munity to discuss the possibili- Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The Turkish Transformation. A itself to a new situation wherein it authorities in the investigation Study in Social and Religious De- must confine itself to the domain of velopment. By Henry Elisha Allen, conscience. of the earliest traces of human Ph.D. 251 pp. $2.50. University life and thought on our earth. of Chicago Press. Chicago. 1935. The question remains whether The book is the reasoned convic- To make an exhaustive study of the reactions in Turkey and Islam as a religion can function tion of a true and sturdy Chris- outside of Turkey to the fall of effectively in such a secular tian scholar in defense of the the Caliphate and the rise of the new dictatorial Republic would state. The author has used his biblical account of man's origin require several volumes and many years of careful study and material with great skill. After and of the origin of his religious travel. The author remarks in an historic introduction and an belief and fundamental social his Preface that Islam is not a unit, which is true. On the account of the penetration of and moral ideas. It is amazing other hand, it is a system of Western civilization, he deals to see the facts which Dr. thought, of social life, and a religion. Whether the forces that with Turkey's res e n t men t Zwemer has gathered showing are playing on it in Turkey have against the religious incubus of the return of contemporary completed their task or not, the survey here made is of deep in- her own faith. This first part of thought toward the historic terest. the book is followed by an ac- · Christian tradition. It need not count 0 f the revolutionary · be said that one feels throughout Of the composite mass which goes to make up Islam, no unit today pre- changes that have taken place, the glow of Dr. Zwemer's deep sents a more interesting or amazing picture than Turkey in its eager rush the construction of a loyal uni- faith and rich spirit. R. E. S. to escape from the toils of ignorance and superstition which have for so fied state and the new spirit evi- Ethiopia, a Pawn in European Dimany years retarded her progress. plomacy. By Ernest Work, Pro- When one remembers the centuries of dent in Turkey's present social fessor of History, Muskingum Colbitterness and bloodshed, of jealousy institutions. The two final chap- lege, Formerly Advisor to Ethiopian and misunderstanding, in the relations ters deal with missionary educaof Islam and Christianity, and when one realizes that Turkey, long the tion, its possibilities and limita- Government. 8 vo. 354 pp. The champion of Moslem orthodoxy and tions, and the place of Islam in Macmillan Company. New York. most redoubtable aggressor for the the new Turkey. There is an ex- 1935. faith of Mohammed, is now making tensive bibliography and a good herself into a Western nation accord- sketch map in the cover. The Italo – Ethiopian controing ta the very pattern of those Euro- versy has centered the attention pean states which for so many years S. M. ZWEMER. of the world on a country until she despised and feared, he cannot recently practically unknown to deny that he is witnessing one of history's most significant phenomena. The Origin of Religion. By Samuel most of the reading public. Here before our very eyes is occurring M. Zwemer. 8 vo. 256 pp. $2.00. True, the coronation of the Ema transition of civilizations, the aban- Cokesbury Press. Nashville, Tenn. peror Haille Silassie I in Novemdonment of practices which originated 1935. in Arabia, based upon union of reli- ber of 1930 gave this country gion and politics, the adoption of pat- The origiriallectures delivered much publicity, but the general terns which developed in Europe, by Dr. Zwemer at the Columbia impression left by news reports based upon separation of religion and Theological Seminary at De- at that time was that the country politics. Far-reaching consequences catur, Georgia, have been sup- was some semibarbaric curiosity. of this transition may be observed in plemented by additional ma- Today she stands before us as government, law, education, and so- terial. The whole volume deals the prize desired by a European cial structure. Religion, which but with the origin of religion, of the nation and one to be secured by little more than a half century ago idea of God, of the world and warlike conquest. was the test of citizenship, has been man, of prayer and sacrifice, of Professor Work's book will severed from the constitution. Islam, fire as a symbol of deity, of mar- convince the reader that the shorn of its prestige, strives to adapt riage and ethics, of ,the belief in world powers in general are immortality. Dr. Zwemer does aware of the value of this coun- not accept the naturalistic theory try, the last independent empire of these origins. He believes · in all of Africa, but the general that monotheism is the primitive public is unaware of the subtle faith of mankind and not an evo- machinations of international lutionary development. His book politics. In vivid fashion, with is buttressed on every page by every important statement sup- Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the RlWrltw publishers OD receipt of price.
[110 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
ported by documentary evidence, what is to happen in the future. gelical Church and Sunday Professor Work shows how school membership. Ethiopia has been for more than If Italy gains the land she dehalf a century the pawn on Eur- The story of the present Evanope's chessboard, with England, sires so as to connect Eritrea gelical Movement is encouraging as it gives evidence of spiritual France, Italy, Russia, Germany, and Italian Somaliland, then life in the Mexican Church. Turkey and Egypt as the play- Anyone wishing a just, clear and France is cut off as a competitor, accurate appraisal of Mexico toers. Ethiopia the lowly pawn day must read this book. has been shoved about at will, and only England and Italy re- Ralph Norton and the Gospel Missacrificed whenever a new move main. If HaiIle Silassie objects sion. By Edith F. Norton. Illus. in the game demanded it. Egypt, 8 vo. 253 pp. $2.00. Revell. New Turkey, Germany and Russia to this amputation of his strong York. 1935.
have been eliminated by clever right arm-the barrier country This stirring love story tells of moves of the other contestants the ideal married life of Edith until only England, France and so valuable to his future-it may Fox and Ralph Norton whose love for each other is subordi- Italy remain. be that the League (viz. Eng- nate only to their devotion to Professor Work continues his Christ and to those for whom land, France and Italy) will have they gave their life service. The report of the game of interest- Nortons have done for Belgians ing, although at times also to put sanctions on him to en- what Robert W. McAll did for the French. With a less wideshameful and nauseating, inter- force the amputation. spread organization behind them national politics by citing the in England and America, they This is not a volume to be have been used to accomplish as clever moves of each of the three great spiritual results as the contestants – England, France skimmed through in an evening. message of love, voiced by Mr. and Mrs. McAll accomplished and Italy – to eliminate the There is much solid food for among the working classes of other. The chessgame became France. more like a foxhunt, with the fox thought. The chapters entitled, himself watching every move Ralph Norton was born in Inand outwitting the hunters at The Land and Its Surrounding; diana on November 10, 1868, and after attending DePauw Univerevery turn. What a fox Mene- Italy Tries for the Pawn; Italy sity, followed by a brief business lik II proved to be, learning the career, entered Moody Bible Insubtleties of the game from ob- Loses the Pawn; and The Pres- stitute. He took up evangelistic servation, eluding them one after work, became Religious Work the other! The prize fell to none ent Situation, are especially in- Director of the Y. M. C. A. and then for ten years was associated of the ,three because each was so teresting. The seventeen maps with Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman and zealous that the other should not Charles M. Alexander. During get it. are of inferior quality as to the World War, Mr. and Mrs. Norton worked among the sol- The picture Professor Work clearness and art and could be diers and refugees. They went to the Belgian Front and as a releaves with us as we finish read- greatly improved. A compre- sult the Belgian Gospel Mission ing and reflect on the plight of was founded in 1918. Since the present Emperor, Haille hensive Indix and Bibliography then sixty-six stations have been established for evangelical mis- Silassie I, is that of a lion-the are appended. There is perhaps sion work in nine provinces; Lion of the Tribe of Judah-as thousands have accepted Christ many have called His Majesty, no other one book which covers and have been transformed. although he does not call himself Two Bible Training schools are by this name for he knows it re- even a chapter of the same ma- conducted and evangelistic work is carried on in halls, tents and fers to Christ. The Lion roars terial here presented, as Profes- by Gospel cars. This mission is from the Ethiopian heights, as one of the few good outgrowths sor Work refers extensively to of the World War. It is being he sees the hunters closing carried on by Mrs. Norton and around him. His eyes flash as official documents not readily ac- her associates, with the help of he sees those whom he thought an American Committee of his friends, turn against him cessible. He presents the case which Dr. Charles G. Trumbull and betray him – no cringing is treasurer. of Ethiopia most clearly. ' monarch of Africa but a fearless lion showing his teeth. STUART BERGSMA.
The student of accurate, liv- Religion in the Republic of Mexico. ing history, proven by authorita- By G. Baez Camargo and Kenneth G. Grubb. Illustrations, maps and tive documents, will :find the charts. 8 vo. 166 pp. 58. World scales dropping from his eyes so Dominion Press. MiIdmay Park. London. 1935. that he sees the professed altruism and big-brother protective We have here timely study of a land and people much in the attitude of the larger nations to- public mind. The authors are ward small ones are sham. well qualified to speak with au- Further, Professor Work's book thority. Prof. G. Baez Camargo almost enables one to predict is a Mexican Christian, secretary of the National Council of Evan- gelical Churches in Mexico and secretary for Christian Educa- tion. Mr. Grubb was formerly a missionary in Latin America and recently visited Mexico to study the situation. The survey is reliable and up to date with descriptions of ancient and mod- ern Mexico, recent political and religious developments, and the evangelical situation and out- look. There are very valuable appendices on Protestant mis- sions, five excellent maps and two charts showing the Evan-
How to Teach Evangelical Christian- college into Y. M. C. A. work in many years as the African St. ity. By Theodor Heckel. 8 vo. 121 pp. Zondervan Pub. House. Grand China. Later he became secre- Paul of the West Coast Church. Rapids, Mich. 1935. tary for Asia and through his Miss Garlick describes graph- Dr. Norman E. Richardson, of ChiGago, and Klaas Jacob Strate- travels at home and in Asia met ically the planting and growth meir have translated this work of the "Counsel for the German a multitude of interesting people, of the Christian Church, the es- Evangelical Church Union." It is a book for teachers and Chinese and Americans, and has tablishment of schools, training preachers, an exposition of methods found effective in Ger- had many valuable experiences of Christian workers and the many for reading and teaching the Bible as the Word of God. during Chi n a's revolutions. transforming influence of the We will do well to learn from Evangelical German Christians These he describes in a delight- Gospel- in Nigeria, S i err a -as we have since the days of Luther. Theodor Heckel is a ful, informal way, without phil- Leone and the Yoruba country. representative of the scientific osophical digressions but with It is an inspiring story. and spiritually-minded German teachers. The Bible is to be interpretive insight. The chap- The Answer of God. Seventieth Antaught as fact, not fiction; as niversary of the China Inland Misrevealing man in his weakness ter, "I Take My Bearings," is sion. By Marshall Broomhall. Paand the possibilities of growth in particularly refreshing and reholiness; God as supreme and Christ as divine Saviour and vealing. Mr. Brockman, how- per Cover. 12 mo. 93 pp. C. I. M. Lord. Many helpful suggestions are here made on how to make ever, seems to us to misrepresent London. 1935. the Bible live. early missionary motives and to Some think the age of miracles Christ and the Student W orId. By "discover" many things that is past. Here is the story of sev- Robert P. Wilder. Introduction by other missionaries have long enty years of miracle. This brief Robert E. Speer. 80 pp. Cloth, 75 known about the Orient. cents. Fleming H. Revell Co., New history of the China Inland Mis- York. 1935. The Bible in Our Day. A Symposium. sion reveals the wonderful way This little volume of eight ad- 12 mo. 184 pp. $1.00. The Oxdresses, given by Dr. Wilder to ford Press. New York. 1935. in which the Mission was born students in many lands, will be and developed, was guided, prowelcomed by students in America and by those who are inter- The four hundredth anniver- tected, provided for and made ested in spiritual work for them. sary of the English Bible has fruitful. The Mission began These addresses have already ap- brought forth many volumes on peared in Great Britain where the subject. Here is one with with one station and no conthey have had a wide sale. The much stimulating thought by .verts; now there are 345 statopics include the basis for Christian character as found in seven well-known writers of dif- tions in China and 8,670 were Christ, the Bible, prayer, moral ferent denominations. baptized in 1934. During the struggles and Christian service. first fifty years, 50,700 publicly Dr. Wilder's many years of work professed their faith in Christ; for students in India, Great Britain and the Continent of Co-verdale Speaks, by Charles F. during the last twenty years, Europe and in America, as well Wishart of Wooster College. 107,000 more were baptized-an as his own spiritual experience, average of over 2,000 a year for have given him a deep insight Searching the Scriptures, by Chas. the whole seventy years. The into the needs of youth and the E. Jefferson of New York. most effective way of reaching income-without any denominathem. This book makes an ex- One Book for All People, by James cellent gift for students just en- I. Vance of Nashville. tional church backing or definite tering college. appeals – has grown to nearly Rejoicing in Hope, by A. W. Beaven I Discover the Orient. Fletcher S. of Rochester. Brockman. 12 mo. 211 pp. $2.00. Harper & Bros. New York. 1935. lAle in the Light of the Bible, by $1,000,000 in one year. The Fletcher Brockman, a South- W. Russell Bowie. total income for seventy years erner from Georgia, went from Across the Barriers of Language, has been 0 v e r $25,000,000. by A. R. Wentz of Gettysburg. There are now 1,082 mission- For Such an Age as This, by Lynn aries on the field and 286 at Harold Hough of Drew Univer- home. sity.
The presentations are popular, Winning the Border. Baptist Mis- not theological; practical, not sions Among the Spanish-speaking critical. Peoples of the Border. By Una Roberts Lawrence. Pam phI e t. With the C. M. S. in West Africa. Home Mission Board, Southern Bap- A Study in Partnership. By Phyllis tist Convention. Atlanta, Ga. 1935. L. Garlick. 12 mo. 79 pp. Is. Church Missionary Society. Lon- The Mexicans in the United don. 1935. States and over the border have constituted a real problem in the The work of the Church Mis- southwestern states. Here is a sionary Society in West Africa study of their background and began less than a century ago characteristics, their history and when slavery, warfare and su- Evangelical work among them. perstition everywhere prevailed. The book is especially valuable Today the people are free and for Southern Baptists but con- many have found new life in tains much interesting and use- Christ with education and posi- ful information for all who seek tions of trust. Nigeria is the to promote the Kingdom of God. field in which Bishop Samuel There are 857,194 Mexicans in Crowther served effectively for Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
features of the book are New Books Una Alajaba de Flechas Para
the pronunciation of Mexican Arqueros Del Senor. Bautista words, suggestions for teaching A Serious Aspect of the Abyssinian Rinorosa. 120 pp. Institute .l!;vanand questions for discussion. Situation. Joseph J. Cooksey. 50 gelico. Rosario, Argentina. The work of the Baptists has pp. 18. World Today Series. New been greatly blessed among these lVlildmay Press. London. The Furtherance of the Gospel. W. people. O. Carver. 146 pp. 60 cents cloth, China Christian Year Book – 1935. 40 cents paper. Baptist Sunday The ~olitary Throne. Some Religious Edited by Frank Rawlinson. 458 School Board. Nashville. BelIefs of Mahatma Gandhi in the pp. Christian Literature Society. Light of Christ's Teachings. By Shanghai. Prove Me NoVi. J. Edwin Orr. Bishop Brenton T. Badley. Booklet. "10,000 Miles of Miracle to Mos- 62 pages. Lucknow Publishing The Case for Missions in Modern cow." 128 np. 18. Marshall, Mor- House. Lucknow, India. 1935. India. E. C. Dewick. 30 pp. 3 gan & Scott. London. Annas. The Palghat Mission. Pal- If anyone wishes to know just ghat, South India. Can God? "10,000 Miles of Miracle where Mr. Gandhi stands in ref- in Britain. 18. 128 pp. MarShall, erence to Christ and His teach- The Church of Christ and the Prob- Morgal1 & Scott. London. ings, he cannot do better than lems of the Day. Karl Heim. Chas. read this book by one who knows Scribner. World Friendship. A Bibliography. both Christ and Gandhi. Bishop Gertrude E. N. King. 79 pp. $1.00. Badley, who has been a Chris- Christ and the Student World. Rob- Chapman and Grimes. Boston. tian missionary in India for 35 ert P. Wilder. 80 pp. 75 cents. years, gives forty quotations Revell. New York. Philosophies of Father Coughlin. from Mr. Gandhi-all of which Sermons by W. B. Riley. b~ pp. contradict the clear teachings of The Essentials of Life. W. H. Grif- 25 cents. Zondervan Pub. House. Christ. In many points the fith Thomas. 126 pp. 18. Picker- Grand Rapids, Mich. Hindu teacher is in harmony ing & Inglis. London. with Jesus but in points that dif- The Making of a Pioneer: Percy ferentiate Christianity from the Eastern and Central Asia. World To- Mather of Central Asia. Mildred ethnic religions he is at variance day Series. 34 pp. 6d. New Mild- Cable and Francesca French. 288 –especially as to His deity, His may Press. London. pp. 58. Hodder & Stoughton. Lonunique character and authority, don. His position as the only Saviour God the Christlike. J ames Robertfrom sin and the only hope of son Cameron. 242 pp. $2.00. Cokes- India's New Constitution. A Survey immortality. Mahatma Gandhi bury Press. Nashvllle. of the Government of India Act, looks upon Christ as a great 1935. J. P. Eddy and F. H. Lawton. teacher and example but he says: The Great Evangel. Lynn Harold 239 pp. 68. Macmillan. London. "When I fancied I was taking Hough. 164 pp. $1.50. Cokesbury my last breath, the Gita (Hindu Press. Nashville. A History of Abyssinia. A. H. M. Scriptures) was my solace." Jones and Elizabeth Monroe. 196 "An Hundred Fold." The Faithful pp. 68. Oxford University Press. The New Home and Other Papers. Steward's Dividend. David McCon- London. By Capt. Reginald Wallis. Paper. aughy. 31 pp. B. I. C. Assn. Chi- 1 8. Pickering & Inglis. Glasgow. cago. The Real Abyssinia. C. F. Rey. 11- 1935. Ius. Map. 291 pp. 108.6d. Seeley His Things of Power. Norman B. Service. London. Captain Wallis is an evangel- Ha.rrison. 62 pp. B. I. C. Assn. ist and Bible teacher, with a mis- Chlcago. II If you use sion especially to young men. His addresses here printed relate The Lad with the Lunch Basket. PRINTING to heaven, death, conversion, Donald Davidson. 18. 96 pp. Pickcreation and victory. They are ering & Inglis. London. YOU will profit from an acthe products of Bible study, spir- quaintanceship with us. We itual experience of God and Duncan Main of Hangchow. Alex- do the job complete in our own knowledge of men. ander Gammie. 38. 6d. Pickering plant, whether it be large or & Inglis. London. small. Oh Carry Me Back. By E. A. Bland. 8 vo. 317 pp. 28. 6d. Pickering New Testament Biographies. H. C. While our specialty is Books, and Inglis, London. Moore. 75 cents. 230 pp. Baptist Magatines and Pamphlets, vet Sunday School Board. Nashville. we have a variety of modern This boys' book records the de- equipment to meet all the revelopment of a thoroughly hu- Religion in the Republic of Spain. quirements of your particular man youngster, Quaker back- World Dominion Survey Series. job. You will find our service ground, who sinks to the depths C. Araujo Garcia and Kenneth S. prompt, careful and courteous. of degradation, but is rescued by Grubb. World Dominion Movement. his mother who crossed the London. Will you allow us to estimate ocean to find him. on your next printing ? We be- Ruled by the Rudder. K. M. Mac- lieve you will be delighted with Leod. 320 pp. Pickering & Inglis. our product, price and service. London. The EVANGELICAL PRESS Songs from the Slums. Toyohiko Kagawa. 94 pp. $1.00. Cokes- PTinters of bury Press. Nashville. The Missionary Review of the World Taken Unawares. John Macbeth. 112 PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. Lon- Third and Reily Slreets Hlnl,burs, PI. don.
The Unveiled Vision. Edith Hick- man Divan. 18. Pickering & In- glis. London.
When Do Teachers Teach? Doak S. Cambell. 60 cents cloth, 40 cents paper. Baptist Sunday School Board. Nashville.
Year Book of Negro Churches. Com- piled by Bishop Reverdy C. Ransom. 111 pp. Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio.
HUNDRED YEARS OF THE BIBLE IN
Last November marked the one hundredth anniversary of George Borrow's arrival in Spain as agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Since then the circulation of the Bible has been maintained whenever political conditions permitted, and the total circulation of the Society in the last 100 years has been approximately 6,857,000 copies. On July 20, 1935, a Bible coach bearing the name "George Borrow" was dedicated in Barcelona for the work.
The National Bible Society of Scotland (N. B. S. S.) began work in Spain in 1862. By far the greater part of the' circulation has been in Spanish, although there is an increasing de- mand for a translation in modern Catalan, and several parts of the New Testament have been published in that language.
In 1930 both societies circulated 277,099 copies and last year 249,903. The demand has not decreased but the supply has been limited, due to lack of funds.
The value of the Bible cannot be estimated in these figures. The desire to understand the Book has been a not inconsiderable factor in the spread of literacy; and it is the ground of faith in the hearts of many who have not identified themselves with any organized Christian Church. It has influenced the outlook of leaders and thinkers, and increasing familiarity with it is already being reflected in the literary expression of Spaniards. It is a matter of much satisfaction that since the Republic both the Roman Catholic Church and the publishing busi- ness have increasingly seen the need of placing the Book within the reach of the people.
The Bible is the most valued possession of the Evangelicals in Spain. A study made in 1932 by the World Dominion Press showed a Spanish Evangelical community of only 21,900, of whom 6,259 were full communicants. But, as with the Bible so it is with those who cherish it: their influence is out of proportion to their numbers. Persecution and absence of liberty have rendered the existence of evangelicalism exceedingly precarious in the past; while today Christians of all convictions have to face the spread of organized godlessness.
A great task thus still awaits accomplishment in the Peninsula. In 1932, of the 48 prov- inces in Spain, 11 could show no organized Evangelical church; and in 27 provincial capitals there was no Evangelical witness of any active kind. In so far as has been possible the con- ditions of wider liberty afforded by the Republic have been taken advantage of, and in the task which still lies ahead the Bible will continue to be the foundation of all evangelistic and Christian achievement. KENNETH G. GRUBB.
READ THE COMING ARTICLES By MISSIONARIES, NATIONALS AND TRAVELERS THE DIVINE CONSTRAINT OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS • The Archbishop of York THIS ENLARGING WORLD. .•. . • • • Arthur J. Brown THE CHRISTIANITY THAT THE WORLD NEEDS. Frank C. Laubach MEXICO IN THE REMAKING . . • • Gonsalo Baez Camargo EGYPT AND THE NEW DAY • . • • • • Mrs. Anna P. White OPPORTUNITIES IN KOREA . • • Mrs. Induk Pak MISSIONARIES AND SIMPLE LIVING . • • • • • • • • • Muriel Lester Also Look for the Special Number on Africa and Home Mission Number on Negroes in America Have you sent your subscription for 1936? Send it today and make your yearly volume complete.
Each issue contains valuable hints for "Effective Ways of Working."
THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa. $2.50 a Year 25 Cents a Copy