The Missionary Review of the World — 1939 Index
INDEX-1939 VOLUME SIXTY-TWO
THE MISSIONARY EVIEW'
Founded in 1878 DELAVAN L. PIERSON Editor 1888 to 1911 By ROYAL G. WILDER Editor, 1911 to 1939 ARTHUR T. PIERSON Editorial Associates MISS GRACE W. MCGAVRAN, "Effective Ways of Working" MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, "Home M'ission Bulletin"
MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, "Our World-Wide Outlook" MISS MADELINE M. BECKMANN, Editorial Secretary REV. ENOCH F. BELL, D.D. Editorial Council REV. A. C. SNEAD REV. ARTHUR J. BROWN, D.D. REV. JAY S. STOWELL FRANKLIN D. COGSWELL REV. S. G. INMAN, D.D. REV. MILLS J. TAYLOR, D.D. REV. PAUL DE SCHWEINITZ, D.D. MISS EDITH E. LOWRY MISS FLORENCE G. TYLER REV. CHAS. K. FEGLEY REV. WILLIAM P. SCHELL, D.D. JOHN W. WOOD, D.C.L. REV. CHARLES H. SEARS, D.D. REV. MARK DAWBER, D.D. MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD WM. B. LIPPHARD ROBERT E. SPEER, President Board of Directors ERIC M. NORTH A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President SAMUEL M. ZWEMER WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer PAUL J. BRAISTED DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT DAVID J. FANT Copyrighted, 1939 Published by the Missionary Review Publishing Co., Inc.
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Index–1939
Page Index to Authors Page Abel, Russell W…………… 439 Page Parsons, Maurice E. ……….. 40 Anderson, L. K. …………… 233 Pennell, Rosalie F …………. 140 Andrews, C. F …………….. 552 Hertz, Rudolf …………….. 504 Petzoldt, W. A. …………… 505 Azariah, Anbu M. …………. 88 Hu Shih…………………. 86 Pierson, Arthur T…………. 181 Azariah, V. S…………….. 124 Huizenga, Mrs. Lee S. . . . . . . . . .. 36 Pierson, Delavan L. ………… 290 Bailey, E. W……………… 550 Irving, George ……………. 15 Beatty, Henry Townsend ……. 554 Jaffray, R. A……………… 402 (see also Topics of the Times Bergren, Ellen H…………. 302 Janowsky, Lena Blowers ……. 77 Monthly) Brady, J. Harper ………….. 393 Judge, Gwen M…………… 491 Posnett, Charles W. ……….. 551 Brown, Dame Edith … . . . . . . . .. 405 Kagawa, Toyohiko ……… 125, 199 Price, Frank W. ………….. 310 Browning, Webster E ……….. 365 Keller, Adolf ……. 173, 410, 500, 535 Rainey, Wm. H …………. 29, 409 Bucher, Henry H…………… 246 Kemp, Alexander H ……….. 347 Randolph, H. S. ………….. 353 Burton, J. W ……………… 351 Kennedy, Phineas B………… 359 Rizzo, Samuel S. ………….. 252 Camargo, G. Baez …………. 201 Kohlstedt, Edward D……… 18, 295 Ross, W. A. ……………… 293 Capron, Mildred S. ………… 142 Kraemer, Hendrich ………… 190 Scott, A. ………………… 41 Chamberlain, Lewis Birge …… 239 Laird, Harold S. ………….. 18 Seymour, Flora Warren …….. 448 Chang, Samuel S. …………. 558 Landes, Philip S. …………. 243 "Shaheeda" ………………. 400 Chappel, Merlyn A. ………… 16 Lane-Frimpole, V. . ……….. 175 Simpson, Ven. Thomas A……. 253 Clayton, A. C. ……………. 537 Latourette, Kenneth Scott …… 115 Smith, Oswald J. ………….. 17 Cozzens, Edwin …………… 26 Laubach, Frank C. ………… 31 Smith, Archie C. ………….. 286 Crawford, Dr. and Mrs. Wallace. 172 Lautenschlager, Stanton . . . . . . .. 80 Speer, Robert E. ………….. 7 Cushman, Ralph…………… 15 Leber, Charles T. ………….. 17 Springer, John McKendree. . . . .. 40 Das, Rejendra Chandra …….. 196 Lindquist, G. E. E. '" .299, 501, 553 Staley, Arista ….. '. . . . . . . . . .. 25 Dawber, Mark A……….. 279, 394 Long, Eula Kennedy ………. 298 Stewart, Frank ………….. 18 Demaree, Mrs. T. W. B……… 198 Lowry, Edith E. (iee Home Mis- Sword, Gustaf A. ………….. 202 Donaldson, Dwight M. ……… 350 Taylor, H. Kerr ………….. 187 Eckert, Bertha M. ………… 503 sion Bulletin Monthly) Taylor, Mrs. Howard ………. 11 Edwards, J. F. …………… 508 Martin, Motte …………….. 312 Thomas, Howard ……….. 454, 555 Emerson, Frank O. ………… 20 McCleary, Myrtie Kirby ….. ". .. 21 Thomas, Winburn T ………… 561 Ferguson, Mrs. Henrietta H. (see McCune, Shannon …………. 343 Vaagenes, M. G. C. ………… 69 McGaughey, Janie W ……….. 497 Van Dusen, Henry P ……. 131, 446 Our World-Wide Lookout McGavran, Grace W. (see Effec- Wang, Leland ……………. 459 Monthly) Watermulder, G. A…………. 506 tive Ways of Working Wentz, Abdel Ross ………… 182 Forbes, Harry A. ………… 487 Monthly) Wilson, J. Christy ………… 197 Fulton, C. Darby ………….. 179 McLeish, Alexander ……… 91, 451 Wilson, Sir Arnold ………… 398 Ghose, P …………………. 458 McNeill, Lois Johnson ………. 126 Wobus, Paul A. …………… 282 Gih, Andrew ……………… 37 Miles, F. J. . …………….. 360 Wood, Myfanwy …………… 540 Gillet, Ira E. . ……………. 200 Modak, Marguerite ………… 87 Wood, Violet 98,146,206,258,319,367 Greist, Henry W …………… 167 Mott, John R. ……………. 123 Zimmer, Mrs. Gerald R. …….. 85 Harrison, Paul W………. 119, 231 Neely, Elizabeth Miller …….. 27 Zwemer, Samuel M….. 192, 397, 435 Heiberg, Kund ……………. 133 Nida, Eugene A…………… 547 Ogden, Mrs. Glenn B. ………. 130 Owl, W. David ……………. 501 Page Contributed Articles Page Africa, How Missionaries Work Page China, Missionary Epistle, Dr. in, Symposium ……….. 20 and Mrs. Wallace Crawford 172 Arabia, Diplomat on Missions in, – Problems of Rural Life in, Ira Arnold Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . .. 398 – Preaching Christ to Students E. Gillet ……………… 200 in, Stanton Lautenschlager 80 Arabian Mission, By-Products of – White Fields in Rhodesia, John the, Samuel M. Zwemer …. 397 – Present Crisis in, ………. 493 McKendree Springer …… 40 – Travel Difficulties in West, Arctic Circle, Mission in the, African Views of African Life, Henry W. Greist ………. 167 Howard Thomas-I …….. 454 West African Christians. . .. 541 – Travel Difficulties in West, Berea's Work for Mountaineers, Africans, Twenty-six Thousand Delavan L. Pierson …….. 290 Howard Thomas-II ……. 555 Converted, L. K. Anderson 233 – Youth Movement in, Samuel S. Blind-"Using Fingers for Eyes," Albania, Politics and Religion in, Lewis Birge Chamberlain . .. 239 Chang ……………….. 558 Phineas B. Kennedy …… 359 China's Progress, Hu Shih. . . . .. 86 Brazil, Evangelical Progress in, Chinese Christian's Testimony, American Indians-Outlook for, Philip S. Landes ………. 243 Symposium …………… 501 Myfanwy Wood ……….. 540 Bulletin, Council of Women for Chinese Dragon No Longer – Indians – Desert Domain Home Missions, Edited by Among, Flora Warren Sey- Edith E. Lowry, Monthly Sleeps, Mrs. Gerald M. Zim- mour ………………… 448 mer…………………. 85 "But from the Beginning It Was Chosen, How One Mission Works 74 – – Evangelize Their Own Peo- Not So," Arthur T. Pierson 181 Christian Philosophy for Rural ple, G. E. E. Lindquist …. 299 Work, Frank W. Price …. 310 Celebes, Primitive Animists in Christianity, Unique Supremacy 453 Angola, West Africa, Revival in, the, Henry P. Van Dusen .. 131 Church, New Testament Idea of Maurice E. Parsons ……. 40 the, Abdel Ross Wentz …. 182 Children, Story for the, Violet – World Needs the ………… 285 Appalachia, Pioneering Days in, Wood, 98, 146, 206, 258, 319, 367 City Needs, Gospel the, A. Scott 41 Ellen H. Bergren ……… 302 China, Christian Bands in War- Arabia-Church of, Salutes You, Torn, Andrew Gih ……… 37 Paul W. Harrison ……… 231 – God's Voice from, Mrs. Howard Taylor……………….. 11 [590 ] Page Page Page Congo, New Urgency in the, India, Through India's Women, Murad and the Lost Feast Day, Motte Martin …………. 312 Save, Anbu M. Azariah …. 88 V. Lane-Frimpole ………. 175 Cooperation in Mission Work, – When Hindus Buy Gospels, Need for a Living Faith, J. W. Alexander McLeish …….. 91 Marguerite Modak …….. 87 Burton ………………. 351 Crisis, Encouragement in Time of 242 – When I Was a Leper in, P. – – W 0 l' I d-Wide Evangelism, Dust Bowl, Churches in the, Mark Ghose ……………….. 458 Alexander McLeish …….. 451 A. Dawber ……………. 394 Indian Poet-Narayan Vaman Ozark Mountaineers, Experiences Dutch New Guinea-"Until We Tilak, Kund Heiberg ……. 133 Among, Paul A. Wobus …. 282 Find Them" in, R. A. Jaf- -Women Doc tor s, Training, Pagan American, Conversion of a, fray …………………. 402 Dame Edith Brown ……. 405 Lena Blowers J anowsky …. 77 "Each in His Own Tongue," Eugene A. Nida ……….. 547 Indians of North Dakota, Ven. Papuan Missionary's Journal, Effective Ways of Working, Thomas A. Simpson …… 253 Russell W. Abel ………. 439 Edited by Grace W. McGav- ran Monthly Japan, Impressions of Buddhism, Peru, Projecting Beams from Egypt, Teaching Adults to Read, Winburn T. Thomas ……. 561 Lima, Samuel S. Rizzo …. 252 in, E. W. Bailey ………. 550 Enlisted for Christ, Every Wom- – Missionary Vacation in Rural, Pitcairn Island, Strange Story of, an, Janie W. McGaughey .. 497 Mrs. T. W. B. Demaree …. 198 Harry A. Forbes ………. 487 Europe-War and the Churches in, Adolf Keller ………. 500 – Need of Farmers in, Toyohiko – – Today, Gwen M. Judge …. 491 – Outlook for Christianity, Adolf Kagawa ……………… 199 Poem-My Missionary Day, Lois Keller ……………….. 173 – Opportunities Today in, J. Johnson McNeill ………. 126 – Preaching Christ Today in, Harper Brady ………… 393 Portugal, Present Situation in, Adolf Keller ………….. 410 – What I Found in, Henry P. Wm. H. Rainey ………… 409 Fasl-Begh – Address Unknown, Van Dusen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 446 Power of God in Missions, C. F. By "Shaheeda" ……….. 400 Japanese Control of Religion, By Andrews ………….. . . .. 552 Foreign- Missions, Perpetual Val- a Former Resident …….. 391 Pueblo Indian Religion, G. E. E. ue of, Dwight M. Donaldson 350 Latin America, Forty Years' Lindquist …………….. 553 Foreign Missions, Ten Good Rea- Progress in, Webster E. Religions, Eclectic, J. Christy sons for, Henry Townsend Browning …………….. 365 Beatty ………………. 554 Wilson ………………. 197 Lucas, Saint, of Allahabad, Var- Retrenchment, Extravagant …. 194 Foreign Missions Tomorrow, Var- ious Authors ………….. 235 Roman Catholic Challenges Rome, ious Authors ………….. 123 Madras Conference, Impression Eula Kennedy Long ……. 298 Giving, Examples of Sacrificial. 193 of, Hendrich Kraemer . . . . .. 190 Rules for Christian Living ….. 408 Rural Youth of the Church To- – "Now Concerning the Collec- – – Recommendations from … 127 tion," Samuel M. Zwemer .. 192 – – Vision and Power at, Paul day, H. S. Randolph ……. 353 Russia, Christians Are Suffering Hainan, Experiences in, Henry H. W. Harrison ………….. 119 Bucher ………………. 246 Manitoba-Messengers of Faith in, ………………….. 564 – Liberty and Religion in Red, Hindu Pilgrims, Work Among, in, Rosalie F. Pennell …… 140 Rajendra Chandra Das …. 196 Mexico, Challenge for Advance in, F. J. Miles …………… 360 Shinto Shrine Worship, By a Hinduism, Christian Attitude Ross, W. A. ………….. 293 Toward, J. F. Edwards …. 508 – Today, Rural Changes in, G. Japanese Christian …….. 71 Home Missions, New Frontiers in, Baez Camargo ………… 201 South's Number One Problem, Edward D. Kohlstedt …… 295 Archie C. Smith ………. 286 Mission Becomes a Church, When – – What Is New in, Mark A. a, Alexander H. Kemp ….. 347 Spain Today and Tomorrow, By Dawber ……………… 279 a Wayfarer ………….. 357 Missionary Progress, Milestones Home Missionaries Need Tools, in, H. Kerr Taylor …….. 187 Subadar Mahka La's Story, Gus- Mildred S. Capron ……. " 142 taf A. Sword …………. 202 Missions, Adversaries and Open India, Changes in the Last Fifty Doors in, C. Darby Fulton . 179 Sumatra-A Miracle of Missions, Years, A. C. Clayton …… 537 Mrs. Lee S. Huizenga. . . . .. 36 – How to Interest Men in, Sym- – Continued Harvests, Charles posium ………………. 15 Tonga, Queen Salote of, ……. 366 W. Posnett …………… 551 "Moksa" Goes to the Country, Venezuela, Challenge of, Wm. H. Shannon McCune ………. 343 Rainey ………………. 29 Moros, Christian Approach to thll, What God Has Done for My Soul, Frank C. Laubach ……… 31 Leland Wang …………. 459 Moslem's Story, A Kashgar, Mrs. Years Past and to Come, Robert Glenn B. Ogden . . . . . . . . . . .. 130 E. Speer …………….. 7 Topics of the Times Page Page Page American Church Statistics 165 Forward in Foreign Missions … 67 Mexico-God Working in 164 Home Missions, Social Problems American Methodist Missions " 276 Mission Work, Essentials in …. 340 in …………………… 118 Anti-Semitism and Missions …. 485 India, Witnessing to Pilgrims in 278 Money and Missions Today …. 484 Iran, Christian Opportunity in . 226 Are Forcible Conversions Pos- Japan and China, Christian New Year, Hope for the…….. 3 sible? ………………… 339 Trends in …………….. 227 Persecuted, When Christians are 117 Chile-Effects of the Earthquake 163 China, Missionary Situation …. 437 Jews-a "Peculiar People" ….. 6 Prayer-Every Night, All Night 531 China's Victories of Peace …… 277 Chosen, Theological Schools in .. 535 Korean Christian Speaks …… 166 Problems for Mission Workers . 388 Christian Youth Conference …. 438 Koreans, Pray for Troubled …. 70 Religion in the World Tomorrow 275 Looking Backward ………… 531 Russia, Christianity not Dead in 342 Church, Signs of Life and Death Madagascar, Missionary Unity in 68 Shall We Send More Mission- in a …………………. 228 Madras Missionary Conference aries? ……………….. 486 Crisis in the Church, Meeting the 387 …………………. 115, 412 Dark Clouds Over the World … 435 Siam-New Life in the Church in 341 Editor's Review of THE REVIEW, Medical Missions, Interdenomina- tional Cooperation ……… 226 – Unique Field, A ………… 68 The ………… ': ……… 532 European Churches, Plight of, Men and Missions …………. 4 Students, Evangelizing College .. 5 Volunteer Service for Missions .. 229 War and Missions …….. .436, 483 Adolf Keller . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 535 World Congress of Baptists …. 389 Page Book Reviews Page Abraham to Allenby, by G. Fred- Page Remarkable Jew, The, by L. erick Owen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 271 Sale-Harrison …………. 585 Evangelism for the World Today, African Heroes and Heroines, edited by John R. Mott …. 334 Sammy Writes a Book, by Me .. 587 by Carter G. Woodson ….. 586 Soudan's Second Sunup, by Des- Faith We Declare, The, by Edwin Africans, Today and Tomorrow, Lewis ……………….. 431 mond W. Bittinger…….. 61 by Diedrich Westerman …. 527 Story of Chung Mei, by Charles Far Around the Worid, by Grace American Tomorrows, by Wayne W. McGavran …………. 384 R. Shepherd ………….. 432 C. Williams …………… 527 Studies in Popular Islam, by Gateway to Tibet, by Robert B. Arrows of the Lord, by Leland Ekvall ………….. . . . . .. 61 Samuel M. Zwemer ……. 271 Wang ……..•……•.•.. 587 Sufism: Its Saints and Shrines, Grace Triumphant, by A. W. Blue Skies. (The Jews), by Lou- Baker ……………….. 586 by John A. Subhan …….. 159 Tales of a Waste-Basket Surgeon ise Harrison McGraw …… 64 Greatest Words in the Bible, The, By Life and By Death (John and Clarence E. Macartney ….. 585 (Burma), by Dr. Gordon S. Seagrave …………….. 271 Betty Stamm), by E. Schuy- Heathen, The, by Henry W. Frost 159 They Dared to Live (Biogra- ler English '" ………… , 272 Heaven Knows. (China), by Mar- phies), Robert M. Bartlett .. 384 Canadian Journey, by H. P. They of Italy, by Lodovico and Thompson ……………. 272 garet H. Brown ……….. 159 Enrico Paschetto ………. 587 Central Africa Revisited, by D. Hinduism or Christianity, by Through Tragedy to Triumph, (General Missions), by Basil M. Miller ……………. 61 Sydney Cave ………….. 582 Mathews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 527 Christianity in America, by Homeland Harvest, by Arthur H. Turgut Lives in Turkey, by Neza- bet Nurettin Ege ………. 528 F'rank Grenville Beardsley .. 334 Limouze ……………… 334 Church Faces the World, edited Lectures on Japan, by Inazo Ni- Turkey of Attaturk, by Donald Everett Webster ………. 221 by Samuel McCrea Cavert .. 336 tobe …………………. 62 Church Takes Root in India, by Madras Series of the Interna- Twenty-five Years Among the Lepers of India, by William Basil Mathews ………… 63 tional Missionary Council .. 581 C. Irvine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 480 Comrades Round the World, by Mediterranean Mis s ion s, by War Conduct of the Japanese, by S. Franklin Mack . . . . . . . . .. 583 George H. Scherer …….. 586 Shuhsi Hsu …………… 272 Course of Christian Missions, by Men of Power, by Fred Eastman Wealth, Walk and Warfare of the Wm. O. Carver ………… 585 .. , ………………. , 63, 222 Christian, by Ruth Paxson . 384 Cry Dance (American Indians), Missionary Arrives in Brazil, by Women and the Way: A Sym- by Coe Hayne …………. 383 T. Bentley Duncan …….. 62 posium ………………. 221 Directory of Christian Missions Missionary Significance of the Wood of Nagpur, Alex, by Eyre and Churches in India, Bur- Lord's Prayer, by Lee S. Hui- Chatterton ………….•.. 585 ma and Ceylon ………… 221 zenga ………………… 431 Doctor Without a Country, by T. World Treasure Trails. Vol. II. A. Lambie ……………. 584 Papuan Journeys, by H. L. Hurst 586 By Ethel E. Ward……… 64 Dynamic Christianity and the World Today, Samuel M. Prophecy Fulfilled in Palestine, Yesterdays in Persia and Kurdis- Zwemer ……………… 383 by Goo. T. B. Davis ……. 64 tan, Frederick G. Coan .. , .336 John J. Eagan – A Memoir, by Robert E. Speer ……….. 583 Quran, The, by Richard Bell … 479 Ra-Ha-La-Ho, by Andrew Bur- gess …………………. 160 Reed, Mary, of Chandag, by Lee S. Huizenga ………….. 384 THE MOSLEM WORLD PUBLISHED BY THE HARTFORD SEMINARY FOUNDATION Editors: SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, EDWIN E. CALVERLEY Some Articles in the December Number Veni, Sancte Spiritu! Samuel M. Zwemer Early Christianity in Arabia Ida Paterson Storm Women and Culture in Islam Vera Elizabeth 'Flory The East Java Mission E. G. van Kekem Islam in the Philippines (with map) Claude L.. Pickens The Drum as Used for Mosque Services R. A. Blasdell "The Glory That Excelleth" . "Shaheeda"
Yusuf Ali's Translation of the Qur'an Arthur Jeffery Shubbiha Lahum: A Suggestion from the New Testament . Eric F. F. Bishop The Future of Islam in China The Late Isaac Mason Book Reviews Current Topics Survey of Periodicals Sue Molleson Foster . – -.».. SUBSCRIBE NOW +0(-__ 50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) THE MOSLEM WORLD ' 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN & SCOTI', 12 Paternoster Buildings, Lond<n'l, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight Shillings a Year, net
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]
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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.
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~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 — May 1939
1939
The Church in Arabia Salutes You Paul W. Harrison Twenty..six Thousand Africans Converted L. K. Anderson Evangelical Progress in Brazil Philip S. Landes Experiences of a Missionary in Hainan Henry H. Bucher Saint Lucas of Allahabad Dr. and Mrs. Sam Higginbottom and Others Among the Indians in North Dakota Thomas A. Simpson Using Fingers for Eyes Lewis B. Chamberlain 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember P LA 0 W ~I ~I to Spend Next Suauner". Vacation with some
I~ I~ America'. Greate.t Tbeolopcal Teachers. May 1-3 –..,. Tenth Annual Missionary Education Institute. Third Chris- Winona Lake School of Theology, Winona Lake, Indiana tian Church, Indianapolis, Ind. For Ministers. Teachers. Miuioaaries. SwuIa,. School Workers aDd La)'JDeD May 14-Rural Life Sunday. For sug- gestions write to Committee on Courses leading to Regular Theological Degrees, Cost Reasonable 50 FREE Town and Country, 297 Fourth Ave., July 11 to August 16-Two Terms 15 Day. Each-Interdenominational ROO M S New York. Evangelical Faith and High Scholarship Combined May 25 – General .Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in U. S. A., Dr. W. E. HiedeNoH. Director Ask for free Proopectus from Dr. J. A. Haffmaa. D…. Marion. Ind. Cleveland, Ohio. copal Summer Camp, P. O. Bijou, Rev. William A. Waddell, D.D., May 25-World-Wide Day of Prayer California-including Utah, Nevada honorably retired missionary of the for ministers and missionaries. and California; Eastern (Sept. 11- Presbyterian Church in South Brazil, 13), Thomas Indian School, Iroquois, died in Sao Paulo, Brazil, February May 30-June 2-Third Biennial Insti- New York – including Michigan, 22, after an illness of several months. tute, A Movement for World Chris- New York, North Carolina and Dr. Waddell went to Brazil in 1890. tianity, New York, N. Y. Florida. He was elected President of Mackenzie College in 1914, and held this position June 7-13 – Ann u a I Conference, Obituary Notes until 1927. From then until his re- Church of the Brethren, Anderson, tirement in 1932, his time was spent Ind. Dr. John Mason Somerndike, a sec- in evangelistic and Presbyterial work retary of the Presbyterian Board of throughout Brazil. June 8 – General Synod of the Re- National Missions, died of heart dis- formed Church in America, New ease on March 14 at his home in *•• York, N. Y. South Orange, New Jersey, at 61 years of age. Dr. Somerndike was Mrs. William A. Mather, Presby- June 16-24-Winona Summer School born in Philadelphia in 1877 and was terian missionary in Paoting, China, of Missions, Winona Lake, Ind. connected with the Presbyterian died in Peiping, February 19. She Courses include Bible, Missions, Board for forty years. Recently his assisted her husband in rural evan- Text Books and addresses by mis- work had to do J,T.<ainly with Sunday gelism and taught in the Girls' Bible sionaries. Write to Mrs. C. E. school missions, Alaska and the In- School, in the Nurses' Training School, Ahrensfeld. 431 S. East Ave., Oak dians. He was the author of "Sunday conducted a Mothers' Club and trained Park, Ill. School Missionary Incidents and Exer- volunteer workers. cises," "Teachers' Manual of Week- June 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- Day Bible Lessons," "Sunday Schools *** vention, Los Angeles, Calif. in Town and Country," "On the Fir- ing Line," "By-Products of the Rural Dr. Luke Tamikichi Imaizumi, a June 21-25-Sunday School and B. Y. Sunday School." Surviving are his Christian physician who had devoted P. U. Congress of the National Bap- widow, Edna Smith' Somerndike, two the last years of his life to the spread tist Convention, U. S. A., (Inc.) , daughters and a son, J. M. Somern- of Christianity in Japan, died at Tulsa, Okla. dike, 3rd. Sendai, December 30th. In 1932, after making provision for his family, he July 6-11 – International Christian *** turned over the greater part of his Endeavor Convention, Cleveland, fortune, about $100,000, to be used for Ohio. Rev. E. S. Greenbaum, of Montreal, strengthening the Church in Japan. a former president of the Hebrew July ll-August 16 – Winona Lake Christian Alliance of America and '" '" '" School of Theology. Winona Lake, founder of the Hebrew Congregation Ind. Dean, Dr. J. A. Huffman, 302 of Christ in Montreal, died on March Dr. Spencer Lewis, veteran Meth- Morton Blvd., Marion, Ind. 25. He was born 50 years ago in odist missionary in China, died at Poland. After his conversion he Chengtu, February 15th, at the age July 22-28-Baptist World Congress. studied theology in America and was of 85. He had served in China 58 Atlanta, Ga. ordained to the Christian ministry in years and after his retirement in 1929 1917. remained in semi~ctive service until July 24-August 2-World Conference his death. of Christian Youth, Amsterdam, Rev. Martin *Eric* E*kvall, for forty- Holland. '" '" '" six years a missionary in China under Aug. 5-10-Ninth Quadrennial Con- the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Mrs. W. T. Larimer, formerly a sec- vention of the Woman's Home and died on January 6 at Hangkow, retary of the Presbyterian Board for Foreign Missionary Sdciety of Af- China. Mr. Ekvall was born in Christ- Freedmen, died February 15. She rican Methodist Episcopal Zion dala, Sweden, on July 26, 1866. His retired as secretary in 1928 but con- Church, Detroit, Mich. parents emigrated from Sweden in tinued to serve in the Pittsburgh Pres- 1882 and settled near Manchester, byterial Society. August 13-20-Geneva Summer School N. H. Martin and his younger sister of Missions, Lake Geneva, Wis. became students at the Missionary (Concluded on Tkwd Cover.) For information write to Mrs. Paul Training College in New York and H. Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey were appointed to China in 1892. Withthause Ave., Oak Park, Ill. of this Co-. every *** Young People'. Society may Regional Conferences of Indian Mis- eonvertef1..into a Sghgol fot sionary Workers, held under the Bishop Joseph Marshall Francis, Bible Training! . – .. auspices of The National Fellowship oldest Protestant Episcopal diocesan of Indian Workers, are as follows: bishop in America, died in Indianapolis 1939 Christian Workers' Course Oklahoma (June 6-8), Bacone Col- on February 13, in his 77th year. Ex- lege, Bacone, Okla. (near Musko- cept for ill health, Bishop Francis A Scriptural Study Each Week-52 Lessons gee)-including Oklahoma, Kansas, would have completed 52 years of Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas; service in the Church last December. A practical, effective course in methods S'authwest (June 13-15), Ganado of Christian work and soul-winning, Mission, Arizona – including New *** Mexico, Arizona and Colorado; Pa- Send 15c in slampa for current iSsue. Mr. Edwin F. Willis, treasurer of cific Northwest (June 20 – 22), the Executive Committee of Foreign HRISTIAN PUBLICATlONSJNG Missions for the Presbyterian Church, (place to be announced)-including U. S., died February 2, in Nashville, 1502 N. Third St., Harrisburg, Pa. Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Wash- Tenn. ington; Central (June 27-29) , Yank- ton College, Yankton, S. D.-includ- ing Nebraska, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota and Wisconsin; Western (Aug. 29- 31), "Galilee" on Lake Tahoe, Epis-
MISSIONARY Personal
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Dr. J. H. Oldham, who has held the DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor office of Secretary of the International Missionary Council since its beginning VOL. LXII MAY, 1939 No.5 in 1910, has resigned in order to give more time to the problems inherent in Publication and Business Office- the relations between Church, Com- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. munity and State, and the efforts that are being made to solve them. Dr. Editorial and Executive Office– Oldham was the first editor of the In- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ternational Review of Missions, estab- Entered as second-class matter at lished after the Edinburgh Conference in 1910. In later years, he made Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Africa his special care, and served as Act of March 3, 1879. a member of the Commission on Closer Union in East Africa, member of the 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Advisory Committee on Education in Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. the Tropical Dependencies and as Ad- Published monthly, except August. ministrative Director of the Interna- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. tional Institute of African Languages British agents – Marshall, Morgan and Cultures. and Scott, 12 PaternDster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, *** 10 sh!11ings a year. Madam Chiang Kai-shek has been MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- awarded the gold medal of honor of LISHING CO., INC. the New York City Federation of Woman's Clubs for her "indomitable BOARD OF DIRE'CTORS courage and leadership in the crisis ROBERT E. SPEER, President of her native land." This is the first A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President time the award has been made since WALTER MCDOUGALL, Treasurer 1929. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary *** PAUL J. BRAISTED SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Mary Reed, friend of lepers, at 84 D. J. FANT years of age is still superintending MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD the leper colony at Chandag Heights, WM. B. LIPPHARD India. Miss Reed's fifty years of ERIC M. NORTH work for lepers has recently received SAMUEL M. ZWEMER a spontaneous tribute through meet- ings, letters, radio talks, and by the Editorial Chat publication of a new biography. Only 10 swift days direct to Yokohama when you sail by The June number of THE REVIEW *** Empress to the Orient. Only will deal largely with the progress of 3 more days to visit lovely Christianity in America and the de- Sigurgier Sigurdsson has been Hawaii en route by Empress oj velopment of the Christian Church. elected Lutheran Bishop of Iceland to Japan, largest and fastest liner This includes a wide range of activi- succeed Bishop Helgason, retired. on the Pacific, or Empress oj ties, in various fields and by many The new Bishop is 49 years old and Canada. From California types of work. Christian work in has served ten years as pastor in the ports connect at Honolulu. America includes not only pioneering most rugged part of Iceland. in new territory but reclaiming old Frequent sailings from both ground; attempts to reach nOlI; only *** Vancouver and Victoria to miners, and lumbermen of the West Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, and North, but mountains of the The Hon. Kensuke Horinouchi, Shanghai,HongKong,Manila. South; it includes neglected city areas Japan's new ambassador to the United Consult YOUR OWN TRAVEL and rural districts; Indians and Ne- States, is a witnessing Christian. His AGENT or Canadian Pacific: groes, Orientals and Mexicans, Euro- home in Tokyo has often been opened 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. peans and Eskimos, neglected rich and to Christian meetings where morning neglected poor, industrial workers and devotions are the rule. migrants, Moslems, Mormons, Buddhists and atheists. Only a few of *** these will be dealt with but all must be kept in mind in the study of Home Dr. James Dexter Taylor, of Johan- Missions. Our June and July issues nesburg, South Africa, who is now in will be overflowing with interesting the United States, is supervisor of the amalgamated churches of the Rand articles. Native Mission of the Congregational Union of South Africa and of the *** American Board Mission. Dr. Taylor has written a number of books dealing Readers have recently sent in their with race relations and missionary work. comments on the REVIEW, as follows: *** "The March issue is a splendid num- Mrs. Richard H. Soule, who origber and we certainly will use it to ad- inated the United Thank Offering plan fifty' years ago,- celebrated 90 vantage." MISS MARY MOORE, years on February 17. The annual thank offering topped a million before Secretary for the Western A rea, the financial depression. Board of Foreign Missions, *** Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. Robert B. Giffen, recently student *** pastor at the University of Chicago, has become secretary for the Univer- "I find your magazine the best that comes into the office." (Concluded on Third Cover.) ESTHER ROYAL ALTMAN, [225 ] Cincinnati Branch, Woman's For- eign Missionary Society, Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
BRAZIL – THE MONROE PALACE IN RIO DE
BY OX-CART IS STILL ONE OF THE MODES OF TRAVEL IN THE INTERIOR OF BRAZIL THE OLD AND THE NEW IN BRAZIL (See page 243) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WOBLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 5 MAY, 1939 Topics of the Times CHRISTIAN TRENDS IN JAPAN dent is their opposition to Christ and His spiritual AND CHINA program.
There was a time, forty years ago, when Japan Contrast the trend in China. Forty years ago seemed almost ready to accept Christ ·as the na- the Boxer rebellion sought to obliterate Christiantional ideal if not as divine Saviour. The old edicts ity in China and to drive the "foreign devils" into against Christianity were no more and the boards the sea. Many Christians died as martyrs, but on which they had been posted were only found in the succeeding ten years more Chinese became in museums. There was religious liberty; Bud- Christians than in the previous one hundred years. dhism was dying and Shinto was becoming more But even after the republic was founded by a proand more only a patriotic cult. Many Japanese fessing Christian and religious liberty was propeasants, students and even rulers were turning to Christ and there seemed a possibility that the claimed, there was a widespread anti-Christ.ian Japanese nation might adopt the Christian way of life. But the Christian Church was not ready to sentiment. Governmental decrees separatmg rise fully to the opportunity with a sufficient Church and State included laws against religious supply of consecrated men, money and prayer. instruction even in Christian schools and colleges. This was a serious blow to mission work but Then the tide turned. Rationalism came into Christianity continued to spread. schools and colleges to foster unbelief in Christ and in the authority of the Bible. Materialism Today China is passing through a baptism of took hold of the people and they sought satisfac- blood which is having a refining influence. Not tion in the cultural fruits of Christianity, while only has the anti-Christian feeling disappeared they overlooked the roots. Japanese travelers in but the whole nation seems to be turning toward America and Europe brought stories of the failure Christ. Many of the national leaders are outto practice Christianity in the lands from which standing Christians and not only is missionary missionaries were being sent to Japan. The World work favored but the law forbidding religious War brought another crushing blow to Christian education in public and private schools has been idealism. More recently the increasing power of abrogated. The sacrificial service of the missionthe nationalistic military party in Japan has pro- aries in China's time of need has shown the true moted the effort to establish Shinto shrines .in character of Christ and His Gospel. all Japanese controlled territory, to promote em- But what will be the effect if schools, churches peror worship and to make national S.h.into su- and other institutions in China should come under preme. Patriotism has become a reIIglOn, .and Japanese control? military might is the only power recognIzed. Japan and Korea are both suffering from th~ de- One foreign observer writes: . termination to make Japan supreme – obedIence to God being secondary. This attitude of the If Japan should win this war, Jtahpeando, o~roroefa,mFisosrimonoasray, domI·nant mI·II·tary party in Japan is making opportunity in the Orient-China, Christian life and work difficult in lands dom- embracing a third of the human race, WIll gradually be inated by the Mikado's army. The greater the success of Japan's military forces, the more evi- closed. She will extend her anti-Christian activities from Korea and Japan proper to China, just as soon as possible.
Here is a significant list of questions submitted by the Jap- anese gendarmerie to representative minis~ers of the Chr~s tian churches in Japan: "1. Who is thIS God of ChrIS- tianity? 2. What is your opinion of the 800 myriads of gods of Japan? 3. What is the difference between the Emperor of Japan and your God? 4. What is the differ- [227 ]
ence between a foreign ruler and your God? 5. What is r the relation between the Bible and Imperial Edicts? 6. What is the difference between Imperial Commands and claimed that she was defending them-that it is time the the Commands of Christ? 7. What is your opinion of an- truth or falsity of her claims were definitely proved. The cestor worship and shrine worship? 8. What is your opin- missionaries all go "at their own risk." ion of the ancestors of the Emperor? 9. What is the ultimate goal of your religion? 10. What is your idea of The recently reported statement by the Chinese Comreligious freedom? 11. Why do you regard worship at munist leader, Chu Teh, that he welcomed the mission- Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines as superstitious? aries raises an important point. In 1927 the Chinese Gov- 12. What is the difference between the Christian spirit ernment was opposed to Christian missions in many ways. and the spirit of Japan?" To give honest and Biblical Missionaries settled down to their tasks and in a few years answers to such questions would undoubtedly lead to op- the Chinese Government came to appreciate their work. position and persecution. In 1933 in our conference on "Christianity and Commu- nism" we decided that the only thing Christians could do But if China is victorious the result will be a great vic- was to out-live and out-serve the Communist. Missionary tory for democracy, for human freedom, and for religious efforts, especially in this year of great suffering, ha:ve now liberty. The doors of international trade will be opened won the respect of this Chinese Communist leader. wider than ever before, as China will need vast amounts of everything at one time for her rehabilitation. And best SIGNS OF LIFE AND DEATHof all the doors of missionary opportunity will be opened wider than ever before, not only in China, but in Japan, IN A CHURCH Korea, Formosa, and Manchuria. Victory for China will mean the triumph of right over might. It will mean the Springtime brings new signs of life – in budliberation of the Japanese people themselves from the in- ding trees and flowers, in new apparel, and in human tyranny of their own wicked military leaders. many church services. These awakenings are Surely Christian hearts all over the world should daily peri'Odic. At the Easter sunrise gatherings in join in prayer for victory for China and her brave Chris- hundreds of places all over the United States tian leaders. Surely the citizens of the United States there were pr'Obably not less than 200,000 people should vigorously protest to their government against the present, 'Ostensibly to commemorate the resurrecsale of anything to Japan that aids her in this iniquitous tion of Christ f.om the dead. Without doubt at war, this wanton orgy of murdering innocent men, women least thirty million people in America attended and little children. Christian church services at sometime on Easter -many of them for the first time this year. How Eighty per cent of the missionaries are remain- much does this celebration mean? It is difficult ing in China and most of the mission stations are to know how much is 'Outward show and how much still 'Occupied. The Chinese Christians are show- is an evidence 'Of inward spiritual life. Will the ing their courage and their patriotism, and openly 'Outward signs of awakening continue and bear testify to the c'Omfort and P'Ower of Christ and His fruit or will this apparent life be followed by an Gospel. What can Christian missionaries do for early blight? the Chinese in this time of crisis? Much in every way. They are a tremendous force for righteous- In many shop windows in large cities there ness and save multitudes of Chinese from death are on exhibition beautiful plants and flowersand starvati'On, from dish'Onor, despair and spir- palms, ferns, lilies, poinsettias, roses. They are itual defeat. One missionary writes: the same day after day, year after year; they never wither and die; they are artificial, without In the occupied territories our first duty is to carryon. life. The evidences 'Of life in a plant, an animal, Because their fundamental purpose is humanitarian rather a soul, a church are ability to breathe, to feed, t'O than nationalistic, Christian missions cannot enter into change, to grow, t'O reproduce its own kind. Life any "scorched earth policy." As the Chinese Government is "ability to respond to environment" and is maintold the Friends: "We can do a great deal for our own tained by a life producing and stimulating enpeople behind our lines, but there is a job we cannot do. vironment. That is to care for the people behind the Japanese lines. That you can do. Go and do it." The need is tremendous It requires n'O argument to pr'Ove that the life and the gratitude of the people almost breaks your heart! of a church is n'Ot shown by its beautiful buildings, The Christian missionary i3 the best friend the Chinese by the size of its membership, by the state 'Of its people in the occupied territory have. Every missionary finances, by the el'Oquence 'Of the sermons, by the who can possibly go back should dd so, with the exception impressiveness 'Of its ritual, or by the attendance of women with small children, and even that depends upon at its services. These may all be go'Od and helpful each family's own· position and desires. Single women but they are not the signs of true spiritual life. have proved that they can carry on even under war conditions almost if not as well as men. The story of how A report recently received from a very intellisix women and one man doctor have protected 5,000 refu- gent and spiritually-minded observer in a Chrisgees from the Japanese army in one mission compound tian church contains the following diagnosis 'Of a without any consular assistance, will go down as a classic church in a small American city: of heroism and devotion. Of course, the going of missionaries into occupied territory raises the question of Amer- This church has fallen on difficult days and may be ican rights and interests. But if we hold back for fear forced to close its doors. Only about one-third of the memof those complications we will betray our sacred trust and bers pay anything toward church support; the minister's obligations to serve the suffering. We do not ask for mili- salary is in arrears. . . . The reason for this condition tary protection. Japan has proclaimed so loudly that she is, I believe, that the people do not take any interest outwould protect the rights of third party nationals–even
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
side of themselves. None of them seem to have any and gives evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in knowledge of Christian stewardship. All of the men and love, joy and peace; one whose people show that most of the women show that they do not want to hear they are truly interested in promoting the Cause anything about missions. . . . Many are strongly opposed of Christ throughout the world. to having any benevolence budget. The church does not seem to be spiritually minded. I have never heard any VOLUNTEER SERVICE elder or deacon offer prayer in any meeting-and few of them attend. There is work but no true life; the chief Are we mercenary? Does anyone say that men idea of Christian activity seems to be entertainment, and women will not do effective and continuous church suppers and such things. . . . When the pastor work unless they are paid for their services? The started a Bible class for Lenten services less than ten peo- American Red Cross, that serves humanity in so ple were present, out of a total membership of four hun- many emergencies, has had a remarkable history dred. . . . The majority of the women belong to clubs that disproves this cynical charge. It is called of one sort or another and seem to want to make the upon in times of flood, drought, fire, epidemics, church just another club. hurricane or war to bring relief to many thou- sands who are suffering and in distress or danger. In contrast to this, note the signs of Life in the Forty years ago the headquarters of the Amerrecent annual report of the Peoples Church, To~ ican Red Cross in Wasihington consisted of a oneronto. The pastor is a Bible student, an evangelist room office with one full-time employee; its list and a spiritual teacher. He is deeply interested of donors numbered about three hundred and there in missionary work and ten years ago he organ- were only a few hundred dollars in the national ized "The Peoples Missionary Socety" of the treasury. Today the organization occupies its church. Now they contribute to the support of own building and has a large staff of efficient em- 130 missionaries in eighteen different fields at ployees. But the remarkable fact is that today home and abroad. Their congregational expenses, the Red Cross has in the United States 3,700 local including $3,966 for radio broadcasting, amount to chapters with 3,500,000 members. Its 197,397 $20,410 a year, while they give nearly $40,000 a. volunteer workers are always on call for service; year to missions. and they gave last year the equivalent of more than 105,000 days of volunteer service. They This church shows activity, but also life and made garments, layettes, surgical dressings; they power. The Peoples Monthly states: drove automobiles, gave public health aid, helped in hospitals, prepared food and fed victims of This church stands preeminently for the conversion of many disasters; with free smiling service they souls, the edification of believers and world-wide evan- also collected a million or more dollars in the nagelism; emphasizing especially the four great essentials~ tional relief and membership campaigns. salvation, the deeper life, missions and our Lord's return; endeavoring by every means to give the Gospel message to Another noteworthy fact is that the efficient the Christless masses both at home and abroad, in the head of this organization, Mis,s Mabel Thorp shortest possible time. Boardman, who has been leading the Red Cross for thirty-nine years, has never received any sal- The church activities include: a missionary ary, although she works daily from 9 a. m. to medical institute for prospective missionaries, reg- 4 p. m. and keeps four secretaries busy. It is reular preaching services, radio broadcasts, Sunday markable that this organization, with all its power school with adult Bible classes, elders' and ushers' and money for relief has kept out of politics and, prayer meetings each Sunday, Warriors prayer though handling millions of dollars of public meetin~s, children's services, young people's meet- money, has been free from scandal or charges of ings, women's prayer meetings, church prayer selfish and wasteful use of its relief funds. meetings, Sunday school teachers' meetings, and monthly meetings, for converts and personal All honor to the Red Cross workers; but they workers. are not alone in this free and sacrificial volunteer service for humanity. The Christian Church and How can we expect evidences of spiritual life in its missionary organizations have a still more wona church organization unless there is spiritual life derful record. In the American Protestant Chrisin the pastor and the individual church members? tian churches alone there are not less. than two True life will be manifested in earnest prayer and million women who are working as volunteers to Bible study, in personal work for the conversion serve their fellow men, women, and children, and of non-Christians, in vital spiritual activities and to promote the Kingdom of God on Earth. These in the practice of stewardship of time, talents and women provide free motor service, sew on garmoney. Any church that is not a working force ments, speak at meetings, collect funds, do free for Christ and the Kingdom of God, is apt to be clerical work, cook and serve meals, visit the sick a farce, without effectiveness for the fulfilment of and strangers, care for children, teach Bible Christ's program.
An Indian Christian, N. K. Mukerjee, remarks that a "converted church" is one that is vitally related to Christ; one that is fruitful in spiritual children, not barren; one that lives victoriously
classes – in churches, homes, Christian associa- vited. Mohammedan converts have recently been tions, missions, jails, hospitals and other insti- able to register themselves as Christians, and their tutions. They give or collect not less than marriages by Christian ceremony are officially $20,000,000 a year to support the work done recognized. All religious faiths must stand on through Protestant churches and various Chris- their own merit rather than on tradition or force.
tian societies. All this volunteer service is ren- Iranian officials often praise Christian schools dered without publicity, public honors or material and hospitals and many send their children to rewards. These women are not organized into one these schools rather than to the government insti- great body under an outstanding human leader tutions. Sons and daughters of Cabinet and but they nevertheless work faithfully and effi- Parliament members, of provincial governors ciently, serving Christ and humanity. Their re- and other high officials have been students in ward is reaped in the lives they brighten or help mission schools. Missionary teachers are asked to save, and in the youth whom they teach and to serve on examining boards in Government ex- enlist in the cause of Jesus Christ. aminations, and serve on committees appointed While Chrstian women render the major part by the Ministry of Education to draft new curric- of such volunteer service, the men are not far be- ula for elementary and secondary schools. Re- hind. Their WIOrk is more largely on boards and cently when the Ministry of Education wished to committees, and in furnishing funds for the con- open Government nurs,ing schools they asked for duct of Christian enterprises. When to the Prot- half the time of three American missionary nurs- estants we add the Roman and Greek Catholic and es for three years. to start this work. Here was other volunteer workers, it is clear that mankind is an opportunity to render a unique service to Iran.
not wholly engrossed in the pursuit of money and Christianity in Iran faces new opportunities and pleasure. Sacrificial service is honored among all it is time to pres,s forward in the works of Chris- men-whether it is rendered in the sphere of the .tian faith and love.
State, in social welfare or the Church. Those who acknowledge allegiance to Christ are inspired by INTERDENOMINATIONAL COOPERATION His teachings and example. IN MEDICAL MISSIONS CHRISTIAN OPPORTUNITY IN IRAN Christian workers in mission lands are usually less conscious of the denOiminational distinctions The ancient land of Darius, the Persian, is and barriers than in the United States. This is attracting attention by the progress made in gov- particularly true in medicine. Dr. Edward M. ernment, in material improvements and in educa- Dodd, medical secretary of the Presbyterian tion. The Shah Riza Khan Pahlevi, is 'absolute Board of Foreign Missions, in his Founder's Day ruler of about nine million people. While Islam is address at the Clifton Springs Sanitarium and the recognized religion, and Moslem "doctors of Clinic, said: "It is an 'old saw' that there is no law" wield great influence, there is more religious distinctively Methodist medicine or Presbyterian liberty in Iran than there has been. – The Govern- surgery, no difference between Baptist and Episment seeks to take an impartial attitude toward copalian diagnoses – whatever may be said for all religion and Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Baptist hydrotherapy! Christianity are all recognized. Some officials are – "Most of the large mission medical hospitals in Christians or are very friendly toward Christiani- the field are union institutions in which various ty. "ASia matter of fact, (says a recent Bulletin), denominational groups collaborate. more limitations have been plraced on Mohammedan ceremonies, such as the famous. Moharram cele- "At this end of the line (in America) the Misbrations, than on Christian activities. . The sion Boards have had a joint examining office for Moslem ecclesiastics, who formerly often exer- several years in New York City and last summer cised more authority than government officials, a Christian Medical Council for Overseas Work have been reduced in number and are largely was organized. stripped of power." "There is still so much to be done, so large a In Iran today Evangelical Christians are quite medical and Christian contribution to be made in medical missions, that a life-time service should free to conduct preaching and worship services be devoted to this work. The chief hazards and handicaps today are the extreme phases of nationand to carryon evangelistic effort. Schools are alism in some countries which may in time shut even allowed to give Christian instruction to out foreign doctors, even though a country may Christian students; the government requires all not be adequately supplied with its own physicians elementary pupils to take examinations in the and hospitals. The Church at home should supteachings of their own faith. Missionaries and port and promote this arm of Christian missions Iranian evangelists hold public services to which while there is opportunity." Moslems and other non-Christians are freely in-
Church in Arabia Salutes You*
By PAUL W. HARRISON, M.D., Muscat I ~ .. – i Missionary of the Reformed Church in America ,~========================~I A RABIA is a small country, small in population good news? Everything that is recorded of His .L. at least. Three million men and women, earthly life is part of our message, and everything more or less, are scattered over a million that we know of the significance of His death and square miles of territory. The rainfall can hardly resurrection-all of His humanity and all of His exceed an inch a. year, and perhaps no area in the deity, and in their identifi,cation is our salvation.
world is quite so poor as Arabia. The drought That message we have carried to Arahia. We and the heat and the hunger have hardened the are celebrating our fiftieth anniversary this year.
Arab into one of the great races of the world. Once upon a time there was an Irishman. Some- Mohammed lived and died there, and he still holds body asked him how he was getting along. "Very the souls of the Arabs in the hollow of his hand. badly," he saia, "starvation is staring me in the Christ told us to "Go into all the world and make face." "That," said his friend, "must be very dis- disciples. of all the nations." It would be hard to agreeable for both of you." For forty-five years discover a more difficult task than this one, the that was our situation in Arabia. Our major in- transformation of the Arabs into disciples of door sport was staring our robust sense of failure Christ. But a promise was given with that com. in the face, and it was very disagreeable for all mand. "All power is given unto me in Heaven of us.
and on earth" and "Lo, I am with you all the days." But it is not true any longer. Five years ago, It is in that power that we go out to obey the com- Dr. Dame took a trip down to the Pirate Coast mand. Not with the tepid and futile feeling that and there he preached the Gospel. He did not have men ought to become disciples, but the confident much time for preaching, and perhaps he did not conviction that they will do so. Everything de- preach it very well; but Abdur Razzak listened pends' on this. If we succeed in making men dis- and walked right into the Kingdom of God as a ciples of Christ we succeed in our task. If we fail result of what he heard. It was a gift of God to here, we fail. His workers in Arabia, and we thanked Him and And in carrying out this difficult command, al- took courage.
most the most important equipment of all is a Forty-five years ago, Zaharah was born in Bah- robust sense of failure which refuses to be satis- rein. She did not live a monotonous life, and after fied with anything short of genuine discipleship. she married Mohammed, neither did he. She Human nature is weak and there are two direc- would quarrel with her husband more and more tions in which we tend to slip out from under the industriously until finally there was a major ex- pressure. The first is the wishful thought that if plosion; her husband, having patiently endured only we can provide a man with a shirt, having in many hard words and curses, would lose his it one hole instead of two, we will thereby save his temper, too. After some years Mohammed took soul. The doctors are the ones who yield here. We a second wife, Safeeah, and that made the situa- mend up the holes in a man's anatomical shirt, and tion still worse.
fondly hope that in some way this will make him Zaharah came into contact with the mission- a better man. One year we operated on three aries. She wanted something better than this life hundred hernia patients in Bahrein, and with all of disgrace and fighting and tears, but her resent- these anatomical shirts mended, the city was not ment was hot and her pride was like iron. The the least bit saved. Kingdom of God seemed very far away. But one The final interview in which Christ told us to day after a particularly disgraceful explosion she go and make disciples of all the nations was re- sat in tears in the path where she knew I would ported by Mark, and he remembered that Christ pass. Her pride was gone.
also said, "Go ye therefore and preach the Gospel "Sahib," she said, "I have done it again. What to the whole creation." We make men disciples can I do?"
by giving them the good news about Christ. What I told her that Christ would cleanse her heart of the terrible temper if she would give it com- • Report of an address given at the Madras Conference of the pletely into His hands. I led her in prayer, a word I. M. C.
[231 ]
at a time. She hesitated at the prayer, "And, God, brought over to, A:rabia and sold as slaves. NOQbie I take Safeeah to be my sister," but after a little was brought Qver as a baby, and his memory bepause she said those words too, and Christ led her gins with the bitter experiences of a slave boy into His Eternal Kingdom. Now she is the strong- whose father and mother were gone; he, a rebelest member of our Muscat group, and while she lious little .boy who wanted to run away and find has nQt led an altogether monotonous life as a them. Noobie is proof, for those who, need it, that Christian, a very splendid Christian she certainly the human spirit has a strength that cannot be has been. broken and a beauty that nothing can efface. Through forty-five years he tried to, escape, and Mobarrek was a sceptic. His first wife was a blows and irons were CQmmQn, but his spirit relittle wild thing, and he at that time was not much otherwise, but they were utterly devoted to each fused to break. other. Then the twin babies came. Out of the After many efforts, which failed, there came valley of the shadQw they came alone. The mo,ther remained behind. Mobarrek never got over that. one which succeeded. At sundown while he was He tried other matrimonial experiments, and a paying the penalty for a previous. unsuccessful bad time was had by all. He became our best com- effQrt, and was wearing the manacles which are pounder, and a very splendid perso,nal friend. their reward, a wandering camel came Qver to However, to the message of Christ he seemed ut- where he was standing. Mounting, irons and all, terly impervious. The mQre he heard of the Gos- he raced savagely thrQugh the night until Muttreh pel the more devout a Moslem he became. One and safety were only eight miles away. There he night I was led to share with him some of my o,wn left the camel dying behind him, and half-crept, deep experiences. The death of his first wife had half-walked over the weary miles that remained. been a desolating experience, and its scars were Providence was with him this time, fQr he met no still on his soul. I had walked in that path too,. Arab anxious to, send him back into the Purgatory It is not easy to share experiences of that sort, .but from which he was escaping, and at last he it is in the deep recesses of our SQuls that Christ dragged himself thrQugh the gates into the delecsaves us, and in that hour of sharing Mobarrek table city. A friendly blacksmith remQved his put his hand in Christ's and has fQund in Him an heavy jewelry and the British CQnsul gave him absolute Master ever since. He leads the Muscat his freedom. When Mobarrek walked into, the group with a love and a maturity that are superb. Kingdom Qf GQd, NQQbie fQllowed him, and the two, have been inseparable cQmpanions Qf the King And Noobie. Who is Noobie? He was a slave ever since. Qf the Bedouins for fQrty-five years. He has been a slave of Jesus Christ for three. AIQng the Mik- And so, the Church which is in Arabia salutes ron coast of Baluchistan tribal raids are common, YQU, yQur brQthers and partakers with yQU in the and the women and children who are captured are tribulation and KingdQm and patience which are in Jesus.
. SOME AFRIOANS' ANSWERED PRAYERS In a sixth grade Bible class in the West Africa MissiQn, the questiQn was asked: "Men- tion sQmething GQd has given you in answer to, prayer."
The fQllQwing answers were fQund among the papers handed in by the pupils. MQt MebomQ said, "I first became a Christian, but my mQther refused to, believe. She preferred the faith Qf my father and her father. But I prayed GQd fQr two, years and she now is a fQllQwer Qf Christ." Nkoe Le'e said, "When my brother's wife died and left a small baby, he wanted me to, take care of it fQr him, even though I was just an unmarried schQQI bQY. But I prayed God that he would give me wisdQm and patience and He did. Today the baby is big and has gQne to, live with his father. I cared fQr him a whole year." MbazQng Zok said, "When I was Qn vacation, it looked as though I CQuld nQt PQssibly find work to make the mQney to, buy my school books and pay GQvernment taxes. I knew I CQuld not CQme back to, schQQI withQut these things so, I prayed GQd with all the strength and hunger in my heart and He put it into, the hearts Qf my friends and they gave me palm kernels to, crack that I sold until I had money enQugh fQr everything." Angumu Kak said, "I was IQst in the fQrest Qne night. I knew a leopard WQuld eat me be- fQre morning and my heart was filled with fear. So, I prayed GQd that He WQuld take care Qf me. Next morning, God showed me the path that led to, my village."-Presbyterian Board News.
Twenty~Six Thousand
Were Converted An Experience of the Church in West Africa ~ –<ilil By the REV. L K. ANDERSON, Metet, Camoroun I THE West Africa Mission of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., has had a remarkable growth in recent years. But the knowledge of the untouched thousands in the Cameroun, and the many weak members of the Church, led the Mission to plan a general evangelistic campaign for Christ. The Bulu have a word that describes it oban, meaning "a raid to capture slaves and booty." This campaign was to capture men and women for Christ.
The forces and supplies for this campaign were appraised. The spiritual ammunition was gath- ered in the truth of the Gospel, simple enough to be understood by the least educated. Messages of God's plan of salvatiO'n were printed at the mis- sion press. A strategy was thought out, flexible enough to suit the need of every station and tribe.
Then, according to traditional native procedure, advance scouts were sent out to reconnoitre. For three months the Christians became scouts, visit- ing every hut in the entire district, returning to camp with news of thO'se whO' had been persuaded to' surrender. Then Believers gathered in camps, not like slave raiders to leap into the air driven A WOMAN OF THE NGORO TRIBE by the frenzy O'f a fiendish tom-tom, nor to sweat in contO'rtiO'ns around a flaming pyre of a captive name. The headman is a kindly soul, yet he was slave, but to spend hours in united prayer. And trusted by nO'ne. He attributes his success in at- hO'W earnestly they prayed for those who had re- taining the chieftainship to Mohammedan magic fused to' hear and for the scO'rners and sorcerers! which he bO'ught in his youth. Nominally, he is a There were three mO'nths O'f calm, prayerful prep- Mohammedan, but he and his tribe are ruled by aration for the Gospel of Peace. a fanatical belief in witchcraft. For ten years the A week of preparatory preaching and visitation MissiO'n struggled against this blighting fear, the was followed by a mass meeting on Sunday morn- tiny school gaining an occasional convert to ing. It toO'k long intO' the afternoon merely to strengthen the little Christian community. Things register the names of the hundreds whO' came pro- seemed brighter at times, until the customary an- fessing their faith in Christ as Saviour. As the nual orgy O'f fiendish deviltry drove all semblance campaign gathered impetus, many marveled, and of faith from the feeble followers of the New Way.
some even became fearful of the power that had The missionary arrived at NgorO' late one after- been unleashed. Miracles were of daily occur- noon to' find the one man thought strong enough renee, unexpected conversions of those long to be ordained an elder of the church in his cO'm- prayed for thrilled the Christian communities. munity, lying on his cot bruised and bleeding. It For ten years. a little struggling band of Be- was found that two days before he had been set lievers had tried to capture Ngoro, the largest upon by the men of the tribe when he refused to town of the interesting little tribe O'f the same participate in the horrible heathen practices de~ [233]
manded by the headman. At first he refused to. who. were willing to' make a public prQfessiQn Qf tell the story but after considerable persuasiQn their faith in Jesus Christ. This meant no.thing recQunted the tale of the fiendish machinatiQn Qf less than incurring the wrath Qf the headman, the fear-stricken chief. The gQvernment census and yet seventy-nine men and women came fQr- ward, and remained to. unburden their hearts and AN AFRICAN FETISH HUT seek CQurage fro.m the leaders. One year later sixty-eight Qf these CQnverts were still hQlding true to. their pledge and came back fQr a week to. be instructed in the meaning Qf GQd's grace and truth.
This is Qne instance Qf many thrQughQut SQuth- ern CamerQun. The MissiQn hQped and prayed fQr fifteen thQusand peo.ple to' be WQn fQr the Master. By the end o.f twelve mQnths Qver twenty-six thQu- sand had been enrQlled as beginners in the "Tribe Qf God."
What is the secret o.f the power that some men have enabling them to. sway multitudes and bring them to. a saving knQwledge Qf Jesus Christ? Wherein lay the Po.wer Qf SpurgeQn, Mo.o.dy and Qthers? Is it persQnality or eloquence, ability to. appeal to. the emQtiQns Qr is it a more complete consecratiQn to. Christ? Evidently none Qf these gifts, singly or combined, are sufficient in them- selves. Some men seem to. PQssess them and yet they are only ordinary, faithful pasto.rs Qf the shQwed that the tribe was decreasing rapidly, the A NGORO WIDOW, IN MOURNING COSTUME birth rate was abno.rmally IQW and infant mQrtality was high. The cause eQuId be attributed to. flock. What causes periQdic o.utbreaks Qf Christhe filth and disease resulting frQm the immQ- tian interest and enthusiasm which often center r:ality and carelessnessamQng the peQple o.f the arQund Qne man and so.metimes result in the CQntribe. But the chief blamed the WQmen – the versio.n of many? usual scape-gQat in Africa. He decided that they needed new blQo.d in the tribe; so., on a given day, all the WQmen were herded into. a little grQve Qf trees, stripped Qf what little clQthing they had, and were made to. lie dQwn by little ditches while dQgs. were butchered. Their blQQd flQwed down and was lapped up by the pl'Qstrate wo.men.
It was to. this rite that Mbassa, the Christian elder, refused to. go.. Then he was bQund by fQrest vines and was dragged by fQrce to. be an invQluntary spectator at the disgusting spectacle.
No. WQnder that the team o.f evangelists, chQsen to. sto.rm this citadel Qf Satan, walked the weary miles to. NgQrQ with prayers Qn their lips but scant hQpe in their hearts. A little grQUP o.f Believers, led by a faithful gra;duate Qf the missiQn theQlQgical schQQI, welco.med the visitQrs, and the week's campaign began.
Sunday mQrning the little mud chapel was filled to. Qverflo.wing. AlmQst every person in the tQwn was present, except unfQrtunately, the headman, who. was away Qn a gQvernment errand. The fQur members Qf the team, led by the cQnsecrated Bulu pasto.r, preached with spiritual PQwer. At the clQse Qf the service an invitatiQn was given to all
SAINT LUCAS OF ALLAHABAD
The movement we have descdbed marked a trial and Normal Schools, African helpers of every mighty surge of a mass of humanity, turning from description, government employees, interpreters the lowest depths of sin-cursed filth to march to of divers kinds of tongues, as God had set them the heights. of a knowledge of God in Jesus Christ. in the Church, offered willingly of their time and What caused such a spiritual phenomenon ? It was strength. not brought about through an individual but by a whole army of devoted souls. Every one of them The decision of the Mission, the plan of camknew that they had received supernatural power paign, the prayers offered, and the messages to which they reacted in simple faith by fearless preached, proved once again that the Holy Spirit testimony. Ministers, lay preachers., teachers, is the only agent by whom Jesus Christ must be doctors, instructors and apprentices of the Indus- preached when He is glorified and in full control this will result in the salvation of men.
Saint Lucas of Allahabad By DR. and MRS. SAM HIGGINBOTTOM and others I N MISSIONARY circles in northern India JAMES JOSEPH LUCAS AT NINETY-ONE James Joseph Lucas was a unique institution. He was so deeply, vitally Christian. Jesus I first met Dr. Lucas on November 18, 1903, in Christ was so real to him, and he seemed to have Allahabad. I saw him last in Lahore on March cultivated such a habit of constant communion, the 25th, 1938, when I had chhoti hazrie (early that it was a benediction to be in his presence. morning tea) with him. His mind was as clear Though only two might be present to the eye, one the last time I saw him when he was in his ninetywas always conscious that the Third was there. first year as it was the first time when he was More than any other human being I have ever fifty-four. F'or many years he and his wife had known, Dr. Lucas seemed to carry with him a read "Daily Light" together, and that morning on peculiar spiritual atmosphere. When he would the train I had received comfort from the readgo into meetings, where feelings were running ings for the day. I was being sent home to Amerhigh or where things were being said in the heat ica to make an appeal on behalf of the Allahabad of argument that did not help to calm the troubled Agricultural Institute and did not feel at all sure water, Dr. Lucas by his very presence would that I was doing the wisest thing. The reading change the atmosphere. for that day had removed all my doubts. Dr. Lucas was reading George Bowen's daily selection Never have I known any other man so generous for the day and this too was a deeply spiritual and kindly in his judgment of others, even those and helpful message. who differed most from him and fought him with determination. In the thirty-five years I have known him, especially in dealing with those who opposed him, he seemed to have learned with the Apostle Paul that Love is ready to believe the best and to bear all things. There seemed to be no other man to whom so many people in trouble have gone-young and old, men and women, Indian and non-Indian, religious and non-religious. In trouble they seemed to gravitate to Dr. Lucas; there to find wise counsel. For those who were slipping and had lost their grip-to come to him meant renewed hope and faith and courage. More than most other men he seemed to know what was in man-the wickedness and deceit and sinfulness of the human heart; but he knew also One who was mighty to save even to the uttermost and so there was never a note of despair. He believed that if the wrong doer would submit himself to God, there he would find abundant mercy and forgiveness.
In the early days in Allahabad I would go, on ing for over 68 years against the principalities college holidays, with Dr. Lucas into the villages and powers of darkness. He never lost faith that where he did evangelistic work. There I gained an Jesus is an all-sufficient Saviour for all who accept insight into the physical, mental and spiritual pov- Him; he was able to strengthen the faith of others erty of the village people of India. When I dis- and now he has been granted an abundant encussed with him the idea of the Agricultural In- trance into that City whose Builder and Maker is stitute, the "Mount Hermon" on the hanks of the God. Jumna River, he could not see the need for it at first; but as a result of our discussions he was How to Spell "Disappointment" convinced that this effort would be used by the Lord Jesus to hasten the coming of His Kingdom Once in a time of peculiar stress he came over to northern India. After I had studied agricul- to the farm and found me in the barn among the ture in America and returned with him to the vil- oxen. We sat on the manger and he said: lages, I pointed out some things that were among the causes of their economic disability. "For 40 "Did I ever tell you how I learned to spell disapyears," said Dr. Lucas, "I have been going into pointment with an 'H'?" Indian villages and there was much that puzzled me, but seeing the village through your eyes has "No," I replied. explained much." "Then, I will tell you," he said. "When I was Many of the most spiritual missionaries could ready to start for India, my sister was lying ill of not understand the purpose of the Agricultural typhoid fever at our home at Danville, Kentucky. Institute. Some spoke of it as a "fifth wheel My mother had planned to come to see me off at to the coach," concerned with material things and the boat at New York, but when my sister was so as a diversion of the primary purpose of Chris- ill, she was greatly disturbed to know what to do. tian missions. Through all the heated controversy Finally the neighbors persuaded her that every- Dr. Lucas never wavered. When I was tempted thing possible was being done for my sister, so she to be discouraged he would come and put his hand left with me. We reached New York on Wedneson my shoulder and say, "Higginbottom, every day day morning and I expected to sail that afternoon. I pray for two things for you: First, that you will Mother planned to catch the evening train back continue your work, and second, that God will to Kentucky. Then the Board Secretary came and give you patience." This confidence of Dr. Lucas said, 'The Board finds that there is the largest in me enabled me to go on and work through the number of foreign missionaries being sent out at darkest days, when all I said or did was misunder- one time in the history of the Board, so we have stood. Dr. Lucas lived to see his faith justified, decided to have a big farewell meeting tomorrow, and now all over the world, whether it is Kagawa and I want you to change your sailing date from in Japan or Sir Wilfred Grenfell on the Labrador, Wednesday to Friday.' " or Dr. Alfred Schweitzer in Africa, rural missionaries the world over are seeing and understanding "At first I felt that I didn't want to do this, as the relationship between spiritual and physical I knew how anxious my mother was to return to and mental poverty; what gets rid of one is likely her sick daughter and I did not wish to keep her to help get rid of the others. The rural folk of the over. But after I prayed about it, I finally said backward countries are poor to a degree that to the Board Secretary, 'All right, I will stay.' So America knows little about. When our Lord stood I took part in the meeting and sailed on Friday. up in the synagogue at Nazareth and declared that At the Prince's Landing Station at Liverpool, news the Spirit of the Lord was upon him because he placards told of the loss of the ship on which I had sent him "to preach the Gospel to the poor," was to have sailed on Wednesday. Only one perhe proclaimed the day of release for the world's son was saved in that wreck. I was impressed by rural billion, most of whom live in dire poverty. the fact that God had intervened to prevent my Christ was ,to heal the broken-hearted; He was to sailing on that steamer as I had planned and that set the captive free; He was to preach deliverance He had a work for me to do for Him in India. to them that are bound. This is the only program Then it was that I learned to spell disappointment that is adequate to meet man's need. Dr. Lucas with an 'H'-not 'disappointment,' but 'Hisapsaw this and earnestly helped to carry out our pointment.' " Lord's program. This was always his philosophy of life when James J. Lucas was graduated from Center Col- things did not go in the way he had thought they lege, Kentucky, in 1865, from Yale University in should. He would wait upon God to find out what 1867 and from Princeton Theological Seminary in God was trying to teach him. 1870. He arrived in India in the autumn of 1870 and died in India in January of 1939, after work- It would be difficult to explain all that this view of disappointment has meant in my life. Thirty- five years of close association with Dr. Lucas has meant much to me, and many others remember him as the most Christ-like man they have ever known. He did not seek to escape the pain and
disappointment of the world but he went boldly the man condemn Wanamaker for selling poker forward knowing that where "sin did abound chips while he professed Christianity. Dr. Lucas grace did much more abound." pushed through the crowd and interrupted the speaker, saying: "Sir, Mr. Wanamaker is a friend By MRS. HIGGINBOTTOM of mine and a friend of God, and I do not wish you to say anything against him, even if he does sell The homey Indian bungalow of Dr. and Mrs. poker ti·ps I" The crowd howled, the soap box Lucas gave us a welcome many a time when my orator was confused, and Dr. Lucas smiled and husband and I were confused by the new language led in prayer. It was all so natural and sincere and the new religions, or when new joys or new that it captivated even the careless street throng. sorrows came upon us. He seemed to sense our moods, and with a radiant face would say, "I Dr. Lucas afterward said, "I did not know what found a beautiful promise for me today as my wife the man was talking about; but I was not going and I read 'Daily Light' together early this morn- to have him denounce my friend and call in quesing." The promise seemed to fit our needs as well. tion his loyalty to the Lord." For many years, whenever he married a couple, Dr. Lucas gave them the little book with the hope Once, when we were praying about Allahabad that they too would form the habit of reading it and the general work in India, Dr. Lucas sobbed and praying together every morning. like a child, muttering, "Lord, give us this land which we so love I" Mrs. Lucas, who died in 1931, mothered all the missionaries and made them feel at home around By FRANK G. CORNELIUS her table. Her courtesy and love were also extended to Indian Christians. During my first Looking always to Jesus Christ and living like year I had been sick, my servants were a problem, the Master he served, loving and kind, Dr. Lucas the language was difficult and I was ready to weep. was an inspiration to many a soul. Many years Quick as a flash a missionary friend said to me: ago I had the privilege of working for him in my "Come, change your dress and come with me to professional capacity as "stenographer" when he see Mrs. Lucas." I was an unbidden guest at a dictated to me the "Biography of Robert Stewart lunch party but was welcomed so cordially that Fullerton," and "Commentary on the Epistle to there was no chance to apologize for breaking in the Hebrews" in English. I found that his faith on an invited company. in Jesus was deeper than one could ordinarily comprehend and his life foundations were laid on Dr. Lucas, more than anyone we knew, mani- the "Rock of Ages." fested the Love which is patient, kind, knows no jealousy, makes no parade, is never rude, never By A. RALLA RAM of Allahabad selfish, never resentful (even under strong provocations); is always slow to expose, always eager We always called Dr. Lucas the "st. John" of to believe the best, always hopeful. Hundreds of our time. His face was radiant with the glow of people, Indians and Americans, would heartily a joyous Christian. His gentleness, humility, genendorse that statement. erosity and affection were so infectious and real. We used to make opportunities to seek his study Whenever Dr. Lucas spoke in the church or at a for inspiration and strength. Never did he let us prayer meeting, one heard the comments on every go without prayer. Up till the close of his life his hand: "His face shone." "His goodness glows in delight was in the Scriptures, and their great him." His daughter's death was a terrible shock promises and assurances filled his mind. Who can and sorrow, but at the funeral service he spoke of tell how much literature poured forth from his the lovely influence of her life and of the certain pen to exalt his Master as Saviour and Lord of hope of seeing her again. His radiant, smiling men? face revealed his deep faith and was the means of strengthening the faith of those who were present. By REV. JAMES L. GRAY of Jagadhri By DR. JOHN TIMOTHY STONE He "walked with God." I can think of no better way of describing the life of our dear friend. When Dr. Lucas was my guest at the Brown There was a peculiar radiance about all he said Memorial Church of Baltimore thirty-five years and did that made us all feel that he was conscious ago, he had recently called to see John Wana- of another Presence ever at his. side. To meet him maker who had visited India and was much inter- on the roads of Landour; to talk with him in his ested in the work 'he saw there. The great mer- book-lined study; to see that sHyer hair and the chant was exceedingly busy and as Dr. Lucas be- uplifted hands in Kellogg Church-was always to came tired of waiting, he walked out on the street be made aware of an utter devotion to his Master for a little exercise. Passing a crowd that was and an intimate communion with Him that always being addressed by a soap box orator he heard made me feel that God was near. The place of
prayer was to him the place where "he took off By MR. C. THOMAS his shoes from off his feet" for the ground was indeed most holy. In the quiet of his study; at I can never forget the visit I paid Dr. Lucas at the grave-side with bereaved friends, or in church, his son's house in LahDre Dn March 1, 1938. Dr. that quiet yet thrilling voice was heard pleading Lucas had been ill, but on the previous evening he the promises of God, and leading us with holy was seen standing at the gate of his house giving boldness to the throne of the eternal Father. tracts to. the passers-by. He believed in the power Dr. Lucas was always busy for God and His Kingdo.m. On his daily constitutiDnals you met of the printed page. The faith and prayer life of him with tracts and Gospels in his hand, and a George Muller of Bristol had influenced him a happy word of cheer to coolie, soldier and mission- gDod deal. His own prayer life was known to all ary. In his study he worked with patient dili- his assDciates-the ease with which he would pass gence in English and in Urdu, seeking to give from conversation with men sitting with him to form to anything which he felt would enrich his conversation with GDd. One of his two. surviving fellOW-Christians.. His outlook on mDdern mis- students whom he taught at the Saharanpur TheosiDnary problems was sane and progressive, and logical Seminary said that Dr. Lucas loved his stuhis understanding and sympathy profound. Never dents and taught them by his example how to love did his evangelistic fervor ,lag. Often his zeal, his one another. He preached love and practiced love. piety, his faithfulness have been to me, as a much younger missiDnary, a reproof and a much-needed Dr. Lucas was a Christian saint. Many of us urge and stimulus. feel that nothing can be more helpful to young Christians, Indian and foreign, than a biography of this saintly missionary.
By A., RUSSELL GRAHAM of Indore By HOWARD E. ANDERSON To come to India at the age of twenty-three-tD spend 68 years in the Master's service here-to Editor of "The United Church Review" thrDw aside the well-worn earthy cloak with glad abandon and enter joyfully into His glorious pres- Dr. Lucas was a saint of God. Of few peDple ence. What a life! What a course to' run! So can this be said with the same absence of restraint old in years-so young in spirit! So. spiritual that and the same assurance Df agreement on the part his every cDnversation spDke of an Unseen Presof such a wide circle of acquaintances, and friends ence-yet so beautifully "human"! A saint, a true as he had. His saintliness was revealed in his saint Df God-yet reckoning himself as chief of countenance, the tone Df his voice and his conver- sinners! For he gloried in the Cross of Christ satiDn. Others may praise him fo.r his achieve- and all fDr which that "stumbling block" stood. To. ments, and they were many; but in the realm o.f personal contact, no Dne can tell the number of know Dr. Lucas was to. know Christ better. To. lives he touched for the glory of God. have fellowship with him was, to. desire a more in- The saintliness Df Dr. Lucas was shown in his timate fellowship with the Master. prayers, in what he talked about, in the thDUghts to which he gave expressiDn. They were largely By DR. FRED M. PERRILL Scriptural, fDr he was saturated with Scripture. God's Word was his meat and drink. For years Editor of "The Indian Witness" he lived in constant expectatiDn of the return of Dur Lord. I presume that is what gave him such Dr. J. J. Lucas, the friend of all, was bDrn in calm and repose at funerals, yea, even at the funeral of his own daughter which he himself CDn- Ireland, August 21, 1847, and came to. India in ducted.. He used to say that we who are alive at that advent time shall in no wise "prevent" them 1870. He had finished thirty-six years' service in that are asleep. To him it was indeed a blessed India when I arrived-a fairly long term Df servhope. ice; but for him it was barely half Df the tDtal years he was to give to India. The experience of death was for him an experience of "falling asleep." He grew more and Dr. Lucas had a remarkable memory and used more tired and expressed his desire to. depart. In it in a most helpful way. He must have held many Dehra Dun, a little more than a month before his death, Dr. Lucas spoke to us about a portion of to. a worthy pitch of effort by his encDuragement.
God's Word that had meant much to. him. It was He was a man Df cDnvictions, but he believed that earnest Christian brethren could find a way to that beautiful beatitude, "Blessed are the pure in understand each other. He did not think that heart; for they shall see God." He smilingly ex- bluster and bombast were substitutes for calm and plained that the beatitudes are for the present and considerate thinking. He was a mDdern "fundanot for the future. "So," he said, "the pure in mentalist," but most of all he had a vital Chrisheart shall see GDd now." tian experience and a heart filled with Christian love. For him to live was Christ, but having lived almost a century and having finished the course and kept the faith, certainly fDr him "to. die" was gain. Who. follows in his train?
Fingers for
Cooperative Service to the Spiritual Life of the Blind By the REV. LEWIS BIRGE CHAMBERLAIN, New York General Secretary of the John Milton Society for the Blind BLINDNESS is decreasing among children but when they could see; but only a small portion be- increasing among adults in America. Better come literate through their finger tips.2 After an care· at birth, in infancy and childhood ex- acquaintance with the problem of the literate Blind plains the decrease. Among adults, however, are that began twenty years ago, through supplying not only the historic disease causes and the more embossed Scriptures to them as one of my duties recent hazards and accidents of industry and mod- as a secretary of the American Bible Society, my ern life but also the increase in longevity and, sur- amazement and admiration continue to grow over prisingly, such modern causes as "high blood the achievement of the Blind in using fingers for pressure, hardening of the ar- eyes. It involves real intelli- teries and diabetes." 1 More gence, will power, persistence, than half the Blind in the and, particularly, a sensitive- United States are over fifty- ness in finger tips. Highly edu- five years of age, and there are cated adults are sometimes 11 per cent more blind men frustrated. What of those of than women.1 small education and hardened Though it may seem para- finger tips?
doxical, it really is natural that During recent years em- reading means more to the bossed magazines and books in sightless than to the sighted. Braille 3. have been appearing The Blind are cut off from or- in increased numbers, chiefly dinary life and activities and through generous appropria- have extra time to read and to tions by the United States Con- think. It is a frequent, though gres.s. Public funds, however, not inevitable result, that their are not used for religious lit- thoughts turn to the inner life erature.
-the spiritual; and they desire How then is the spiritual help in Christian life and serv- need and hunger of the sight- ice–the "new life" that grows less being met? Inadequately and gives to others. Many thus and incompletely. The great find blindness a blessing. HELEN KELLER READING HER Protestant churches of Amer- The loss of sight has roused JOHN MIL1'ON MAGAZINE ica-Baptist, Methodist, Pres- byterian and others, from sympathy through the ages.
Christ seemed peculiarly sensitive about it and the whose ranks the bulk of the literate Blind come, Gospels record more miracles by him to cure have neglected for decades both their own blindness than any other physical ailment. In 2 It is estimated that there are some 130,000 Blind in the United America, especially in recent years, much has been States, Gf whGm SGme 25,000 can read Braille. Some tWG Gr three done by both private and public effort, to lighten thGusand whose fingers are not sensitive enough to read the small this great handicap. Braille points, can read the Moon system which, fGr the Blind, is what large type Is to the sighted. In Braille the basis Is an em- The Literate Blind bossed domino six set upright and so small that the finger tip of a child can cover It. TG the uninitiated the fact of a single unit might "Fingers for Eyes" focuses attention, not on imply simplicity, but In it liefl complexity. All tbe letters Gf the the Blind generally, but on those who can read alphabet, all punctuation marks, all capitals, italics, underscoring, all without sight. numerals are made by omissions and combinations of these six pOints. Not only must the mind register and remember what each combina- Doubtless most who become Blind could read tion represents, but the fingers must register the relative positions of these pOints. For example, the single point may occur in any 1 Report of the Public Health Service on January 21, 1939. one of six pGs·itions and a two-point combiIlation may be made in eighteen ways.
3 "Talking Books"-that Is phonograph records of books, and the radio are real boons to the Blind and are being made available by Congress appropriation in considerable numbers. However, they do not take the place of books one may read and study and ponder any more for the sightless than they would for the Sighted.
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Blind 4 and the other Blind who form a part of the who reside in all but one of the States and in great home missions field. The relatively heavy twenty-eight other lands. This wide distribution expense of embossed printing, and the relatively is almost entirely due to the activities and interlimited number of Blind affiliated with each de- est of blind readers themselves. They have a way nomination, are chiefly responsible for this fact. of passing magazines from one to another and this diminishes the expense of circulation. The The John Milton Society foreign circulation has come entirely through the Blind them,selves. Illustrations are constant. A Realization of this neglect, and appeals of the blind reader in Texas passes her copy to a blind Blind themselves for help in their spiritual life man in the same city who then sends it to a fel- low blind Hebrew in London who eventually places RE'ADING BRAILLE it in a Hebrew home for the Blind, and reports that "they holler for more." Inmates of homes or and service, brought about the incorporation of institutions for the Blind make one or two copies the "John Milton Society," taking its name from suffice for all their members. A few copies sent to one who despite his own blindness rendered great a State School for the Blind are read by many older service to generations of those having eyes to read. pupils for their own pleasure and then are read by The Society is sponsored by the Councils of them to younger pupils not yet literate with their Home Missions, both general and women's, and fingers. Home teachers of the Blind lend their by the International Council of Religious Educa- copies to their students. A blind American mistion. Its purpose and field were defined as the sionary in China enj oys her own copy and passes supply of general religious magazines, Sunday it on to her blind Chinese teachers who use it with school lessons or Bible stUdies, and religious books. their blind pupils. A masseuse in Jerusalem gains In 1932 the monthly John Milton Magazine was refreshment herself and tells her patients what launched for adults and in 1935 the monthly, Dis- she has read. covery, for boys and girls. Both are in "Braille." In 1937 a small book of standard hymns, words Nearly one hundred blind ministers, missionand music in Braille, the first of its kind, was aries (both home and foreign), and evangelists, issued. 5 The production of three books has been acclaim the John Milton Magazine for the aid it authorized this year: "Daily Devotions," "Sun- gives them in their work and life. Twenty-one day School Manual for Teachers" and "Christmas American denominations are represented by the Carols." The two magazines are free, as are the blind ministry. Some are active pastors and Sunday school papers for the sighted; but gifts preachers and often prepare their sermons from from readers toward their production are encour- the John Milton Magazine. Some are evangelists,; aged and received. The sale of books helps to meet their cost. BLIND GIRLS USING BRAILLE HYMN BOOK The 2,500 monthly copies of the two magazines some home mis!sionaries; some retired and lonely now reach from 10,000 to 12,000 blind readers, and eager for good reading. All are grateful.
• To their credit a few religious bodies have been responding to Among nearly eight hundred letters (several this need but they are exceptions and the activity of most is quite hundred in Braille) from blind readers recently recent. Also they are all keen on their own peculiar teachings. received, about five hundred came from those who Naming them somewhat on the length of their service, they are: attend Sunday school, and of these over two hun- Roman Catholic, the Seventh-Day Adventist, the Church of God, dred are actually Sunday school teachers, some Theosophist, Christian Science, Episcopal, Hebrew and a branch of the Lutheran.
• This year the two magazines are being continued; though a long-standing appeal for a magazine in "Moon" is still deferred because it Is a recurring expense without money as yet provided. "Moon" is to the blind what large print is to those wh<> see.
USING FINGERS FOR EYES
school superintendents – a truly noteworthy English in Holland wishes its stories to pass on record.6 to his scholars.
Sixty denominations listed in the Federal The John Milton Magazine collates and con- Church Year Book are represented by these read- denses its general articles from denominational ers, some of whom are members of religious and interdenominational religious publications.7 groups not listed. What other thousands represent we do not know. Apparently a large portion BLIND SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER (RIGHT) WITH of the blind readers are not connected with any HER SIGHTED CLASS religious organization. Many are too isolated or too physically restricted. Yet all eagerly receive Intentionally interdenominational, special care is and use these definitely evangelical Christian mag- taken to bring to the Blind, though in much conazines. They need this help even more perhaps densed form, choice articles-devotional, informathan the blind ministers and Sunday, school teach- tional, inspirational, and missionary-from variers. What a field for home mission work! It is a ous sources 7 which the sighted enjoy. The Sunday real privilege to have a share in such a service of school lessons have been condensed from those love. prepared by outstanding Sunday school workers in various denominations.s The Magazines for the Blind Half the pages of both magazines are given to The articles in the John Milton Magazine are general articles and half to treatment of the uni- varied not only in subjects to catch and hold attenform Sunday school lessons. Discovery usually tion, but in simplicity, in strength of language and has stories gathered round one theme each month, and largely from Miss Margaret Applegarth's thought, so that each issue inimitable store. The Sunday school lessons at may have a message for its present are drawn from the Methodist Illustrated variety of readers. Many tes- Quarterly. The bulk of each issue of Discovery timonies pour in, constantly goes to State Schools for the Blind which house marking the real service being most of the 6,000 to 7,000 blind school children in accomplished. Sunday school America, all facing lifelong physical darkness. It teachers say that they could is the only such magazine available to the blind not teach without the magachildren of our great land. Individual copies also zine's Sunday school lesson go far and wide. For example: A grandmother helps. One man in Alrubama in Buenos Aires receives a copy to read to her recently wrote that he had taught a large adult Bible two daughters who are Sunday school teachers; class until blindness cut him and the stories to her own grandchildren who are off. Then he learned Braille, entranced. A blind missionary in Shanghai trans- obtained the John Milton lates some of its stories into Cantonese and into Magazine, and is now back at Mandarin, sending them to schools and scholars his post. Young and old renot using English. A Christian blind teacher of port taking part in Christian Endeavor and in missionary societies, thus having 6 The exact figures are 772 letters received from Blind readers, of a share in the life of the church. A Sunday school whom 498 attend Sunday school and 222 are teachers. 7 A recent summary showed that in the past five years, articles have been drawn from 77 denominational, 27 interdenominational and 17 general sources.
8 Drs. H. C. Moore, Baptist So. (several quarters); C. A. Hauser, Christian and Reformed; M. Stevenson, Disciples; L. H. Bugbee, Methodist; E. ];'. Ziegler, Presbyterian; C. P. Wiles, United Lu- theran; Miss M. Tarbell, J. H. Snowden, G. L. Robinson and D. D. Burrell. The last four publish their lessons in non-denominational form.
teacher from Australia eagerly asks for the mag- "I keep it by my bed to read in the sleepless azine, the existence of which he had just learned. hours of the night." The custodian of a library for the Blind in South Africa appeals for its visits. A blind Japanese "I and my blind husband live in the hills of Ver- Sunday school teacher in H3iwaii rejoices in its mont where we do not see even the postman more help. A blind Presbyterian missionary giving his than once a week. What a comfort the John Millife to India, an Episcopal rector with ten happy ton Magazine is to us both." years of service in Kansas, an Evangelical Lutheran minister, executlve officer of a State Com- Such sentences are typical expressions. Many mission for the Blind, are a few of those who a touching and telling tale could be recounted from rejoice in it. One of its earliest and strongest the correspondence. The gist of it all is that they friends is an eloquent, forceful and successful are hungry souls; eager for and sorely needing blind Methodist minister whose church is filled at such help ; and they gratefully rejoice in havevening as well as at morning services, and who ing it. is in demand as a S'peaker before school, college, Rotarian and other audiences. To serve such is Sponsored by the Councils already named, the indeed a privilege. Society is helped by contributions from some Boards of Home Mi,ssions, Education, Sunday The Major Need School, and Publication. For them, however, these years have been difficult, and their contributions The great bulk of the Blind are not ministers or furnish less than one-tenth of the heavy expense teachers. Too often they are people limited in ex- involved in producing the Brame pUblications. perience and resources, isolated in country and Additional help has come from one other organizaother localities, home-bound by physical disabili- tion interested in the spiritual welfare of the Blind ties. Not a few are deaf, others are bedridden, and the Blind themselves contribute surprisingly. many have scant education and even scantier re- But it is necessary to secure 700/0 of the budget sources. To them the magazine,s, bring cheer and from individuals who are blessed with sight. inspiration, help and comfort and company. Where knowledge of this work is spread, those grateful for their own physical eyesight rejoice in "Next to the Bible it is my most treasured pos- helping the sightless in their quest for spiritual session." aid and life.
ENCOURAGEMENT IN TIME OF CRISIS Rev. C. Darby Fulton, Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian Foreign Mission Commit- tee of Nashville, says that this is a day of unparalleled opportunity in mission work, and lists some outstanding reasons for encouragement: The high spiritual purpose and morale of Christian missionaries. The courage and steadfastness of the Chinese Christians. The scattering of many believers to the provinces of West China has meant that they have carried the 'contagion of their faith into areas heretofore unreached by the Gospel. The new friendship of the Chinese people for the missionary, growing out of the helpful- ness and service he has shown in this emergency. The enormously enhanced prestige of Christianity because such great national leaders as Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, Madame Chiang, and others who are guiding the nation in the present crisis, are themselves Christians. The unprecedented open-heartedness of the people toward the Gospel, with their new long- ings for the assuranecs of faith in the midst of the uncertainties of the present conflict. The return of missionaries and the reoccupation of all our stations. The large crowds attending evangelistic services throughout the country, with many con- versions and other evidences of spiritual awakening. Thousands of Korean Christians standing fast under severe persecution. The deep undercurrent of heart-hunger among the people of Japan. The bond of fellowship that remains unbroken between Japanese and Chinese Christians. The wide open doors in Africa and Brazil.
Progress i11
By REV. PHILIP S. LANDES, Sao Paulo Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., 1912- BRAZIL is, a land of great possibilities and tious and spiritually destitute. With the advent great opportunities. Among the countries of Protestant missions this situation began to be of South America, this republic occupies the changed. first place in territorial extent, population and nat- As soon as Protestant missionaries landed in ural resources. It is larger than the United Brazil, they began distrihuting the Scriptures and States (exclusive of Alaska), covering half the preaching the saving truths which they contain.
map of South America. Thus a new era dawned for the people. From the Within its bounds are vast tracts of undeveloped independence of Brazil in 1822 to the year 1936 land available for the support of human life. The about ten million copies of the Scriptures or por- greater part of the world's supply of coffee is tions of them were distributed by national work- grown in Brazil which could, if necessary, furnish ers and misslionaries.
the world with cotton and foodstuffs such as The Rev. Ashbel G. Simonton, the first Presby- manioc, corn, rice, beans, cacao, sugar, tropica1 terian missiona.ry to Brazil, began work in Rio de fruits and many other agricultural products. Janeiro in 1859. He was a man of broad vision Brazil possesses abundant water-power, vast and statesmanship and laid solid foundations for forests, extensive grazing fields, immense deposits the development of a strong national Church. The of iron and manganese, rubber of the best qual- plan adopted for the development of the work fol- ity, many medicinal plants and a great variety of lowed the lines of the missionary purpose; to win other natural products. These vast resources, men to Christ, to train them for Christian service still mostly undeveloped, are an indication of the and to organize them into churches which should great future which lies before the greatest of our become self-propagating, self-supporting and self- sister republics in the Western Hemisphere. Bra- governing. After eighty years of work, there is zil has a population of forty-five million, but, if it in Brazil a strong national Church, carrying on were as densely populated as the State of New its work independently of foreign control and Jersey, it would contain a population of more than support.
a billion and six hundred million people. The beginnings of missionary work in Brazil A question of vital importance to all of the were characterized by the conversion of individ- American republics, as well as to all Christians, uals who formed the nucleus of the Church.
is this: will Brazil, the greatest of all Latin Amer- Among those won to Christ in this initial period, ican countries, remain democratic or will she join the most notable was a Roman Catholic priest, the "totalitarian states," placing nationalism Rev. Jose Manoel da Concei~ao who was, attracted above God and freedom of worship? The peace to evangelical Christianity by the honesty of the and destiny of the entire Western Hemisphere members of the new sect. He was the first Prot- may depend upon Brazil's decision. In determin- estant minister to be ordained in Brazil, became a iug the issue, evangelical Christianity may be the tireless itinerant evangelist and traveled over decisive factor, judged from the role that Prot- great areas in Southern Brazil.
estantism has played and is playing in the life of At Jandira, in the State of Sao Paulo, there is the Brazilian' people. a fitting memorial to this consecrated evangelist, When a century ago Protestant missions began in the form of a college which is training candi- their work in Brazil, the people had practically no dates for the Gospel ministry. At present this knowledge of the Bible and its saving truths. school has some sixty stUdents, nearly all of whom For three hundred years the Bible had been an expect to preach the Gospel to their own people, unknown book to her people. .It is no wonder, after completing their training in the theological therefore, that the religion of the people consisted seminary.
in the fo'rmal performance of religious rites and Rev. Carvalho Braga, the father of Erasmo ceremonies, devoid of spirituality or vital regen- Braga, was first led to examine the claims of evan- erating power. The dominant religion had left gelical Christianity when, as a clerk in a store, the great mass of the people illiterate, supersti- he read what was on a leaf which had been torn [243 ]
from a Bible to be used as wrapping paper. This one of the elders of the church receiving instrucled to his conversion and later he did a great work tions a.bout the new Christian life into which he as a preacher and as the translator of Davis' Bible had entered. He gave up Spiritualism, drinking, Dictionary. His scholarly son, Rev. Erasmo g1ambling and even smoking, although he had been Braga, became an internationally known religious an inveterate smoker for twenty-five years. It leader in the evangelical world and presided at was a hard struggle, but Christ gave him the victhe Congress of Christian Work at Montevideo in tory. Through his example his wife was won to 1925. Christ and all his family, so that the missionary had the joy of receiving his entire family into the There have been many remarkable instances of fellowship of the Church. Senhor Alvaro became the transforming power of the Gospel in Brazil. a most enthusiastic and energetic personal worker We tell the story of but two men of recent times. and pre,acher of the Gospel. He used to stand at the door of the worship hall in Campo Grande and When Gospel work was begun in the Sta~ of buttonhole passers-by, almost compelling them to enter, in order that they might hear about the Matto Grosso, a young man heard the preaching power that had transformed his life. He has a of the Word of God, for the first time, as he lay government position which takes him to different drunk in the gutter, outside the preaching hall in localities, but wherever he goes, he witnesses to Rosario Oeste. – The Gospe~ message, as it was the Gospel as the power of God unto salvation to sung and preached, touched his heart and he came all who believe. to the missionary with this question: How the Church Is Being Built "Do you think it is possible for me to be forgiven and saved?" It is by conversion of individuals that the Church of Christ is being built up in Brazil, not No wonder he asked this question, for he was by mass movements. The Presbyterian Church of not only a drunkard but a murderer as well. At Brazil has now an adult membership of fifty thoua;bout twelve years of age he had killed a police~ sand, with a yearly increase of ten per cent. Rev. man and later had killed-several other men from Domingos. Ribeiro, in his book, "Origens do Evanambush as they were bathing in a stream. Could gelismo Brazileiro," gives the total number of he be forgiven of God? The missionary was able communicants, baptized children, catechumens to assure him that "the blood of Jesus Christ and adherents of Presbyterian churches as apcleanses us from all sin" and that "if we confess proximately three hundred thousand. More than our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us two hundred Presbyterian national ministers in our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteous- Brazil constitute a fine body of men who have reness." The young man accepted Christ as his ceived an education not a bit inferior to that of Saviour and today is a public school teacher. He most ministers in the United States. They have conducts worship and directs a Sunday school in their own schools and theological seminaries which the far interior of the State of Matto Grosso. are independent of missionary control. The Pres- byterian churches of Brazil have been organized An Extraordinary Man into twenty-three presbyteries, four synods and one General Assembly. These bodies have been A few years ago, when a series of evangelistic compJetely nationalized and are independent of meetings was being conducted in Southern Matta missionary control. The missionaries are still do- Grosso, in the city of Campo Grande, a rather ing the pioneer work, in the interior, and as rapextraordinary man began coming to the meetings.. idly as churches reach the point of self-support, He was known as intelligent and able, but a they are turned over to the national councils. drinker and gambler. It was not unusual for him to come home at four o'clock in the morning after The Southern Baptists also have a strong work a night of dissipation. The missionary thought in Brazil, with ~bout three hundred thousand, that this man, Senhor Alvaro, would be one of the counting adults, children, catechumens and adherlast in the world to be converted, not so much on ents. The Methodists number approximately one account of his vices, but because of his erratic hundred and thirty-five thousand, the Episcopa- Spiritualistic ideas which had made him egotis- lians twenty-seven thousand and the Congregatical and self-sufficient. When an opportunity was tionalists eight thousand. There are also indegiven, at an evangelistic service, for public deci- pendent missions at work with evangelical groups sion, he was one of the first to take a stand, declar- amounting to one hundred and ninety-five thouing his intention to follow Christ. It was difficult sand. In Southern Brazil there are nearly half a to believe that he was converted. He went home million German Lutherans. In round numbers and told his wife that he was a changed man, but the total Protestant population of Brazil is estishe did not believe him. Soon after this, he failed to come home early one night and his wife went out to hunt for him, thinking to find him amongs,t his old companions. She found him at the home of
EVANGELICAL PROGRESS IN BRAZIL
mated at one and a half million, which is about in large measure, to the high grade of theological three and three-tenths per cent of the totalPOI?~ training given to the ministry from the days of ulation. Domingos Riheiro affirms for the year Simonton down to the present time. Last year 1937 that there were, in Brazil, more than three (September 8), the Presbyterian Seminary at thousand preachers of the Gospel, including lay- Campinas, in the State of Sao Paulo, celebrated preachers, and more than four thousand places of the fiftieth anniversary of its foundling. Today it worship. There is probably not a town of any has a strong faculty of scholarly men who have size in all Brazil where there is not a group of also been successful pastors. Twenty-seven stu- Christians witnessing to the power of Christ. dents were graduated in the last three graduating The evangelical churches have produced some EVANGELICAL CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY FIND great religious leaders such as Alvaro Reis, a great A RATTLE'R ON THE COLLEGE CAMPU.S AT orator, pastor and evangelist; Eduardo Carlos JOSE MANOEL DA CONCEICAO Pereira, the author of a Portuguese Grammar used in all the schools of Brazil; Antonio Trajano, classes and the total enrollment last year was the author of textbooks on mathematics adopted thirty-three. This school of the prophets has proin all Brazilian schools; Erasmo Braga, scholar, duced a fine type of leadership for the Presbyteacher and religious leader who also wrote text- terian Church of Brazil. books for the youth of Brazil; Miguel Rizzo, the brilliant pastor of the large and influential Igreja It is not possible here to do justice to all of the Unida in the City of Sao Paulo, and who recently evangelical institutions at work in Brazil, includrepresented the Preshyterian Church of Brazil at ing the splendid work of the British and American the centennial celebration of the Presbyterian Bible Societies, of the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A., Church. There are many other able leaders, too the printing presses, hospitals, sanatoria and ornumerous to mention. phanages conducted under Protestant auspices. Evangelical Christianity has become a mighty The Influence of the Evangelicals force to be reckoned with in .shaping the destiny of this greatest of the Latin American republics. The Evangelicals of Brazil exert an influence far greater than would be expected from their Let no one suppose, however, that the task numerical strength. Like the Huguenots in the has been completed in Brazil. Not even four per history of France they are usually better informed cent of the total population has been evangelized. and more alert than the rank and file of their fel- The great unoccupied Hinterland is destined to receive millions of people who will need to hear low-citizens. In general, they are intelligent, in- the Good News. Besides this, in the forests of the great Amazon Basin, there are many wild Industrious, honest and patriotic, and exert a great dians who have never heard the Gospel. The task influence upon the life of the nation. of the evangelization of Brazil has been well be- gun, but it is far from completed. The nation is An account of the progress of evangelical Chris- still young and in the formative period of its existtianity in Brazil would not be complete without ence, so that now is the opportune time to lay the some reference to the contribution to education foundations for a still greater Church of Christ made by the Protestant churches. The American in Brazil. It is the part of Christian statesman- School, founded in Sao Paulo, in the early days of ship to act now, in order that the people of our missionary work, served for years as a model for great Sister Republic maybe won for Christ and the educational system of Sao Paulo, recognized may enjoy all the blessings of His full salvation. to be the most advanced state of the Union in educational matters. The American School became a great educational institution which today ministers instruction to some two thousand students in all of its courses, from the primary grades up through the Engineering School of Mackenzie College. There are numerous other important evangelical schools of higher education in Brazil, such as Granberry College at Juiz de F6ra, Gammon Institute at Lavras and Jose Manoel da Conceic;ao at Jandira. A large number of evangelical gymnasia are scattered throughout Brazil, as well as many primary schools. Some devote themselves exclusively to the education of believers and their children.
The success of the work in Brazil has been due,
of a Missionary in
~._ By REV. HENRY H. BUCHER, Nodoa, Hainan, China I I Missionary of the American Presbyterian Church [Mr. and Mrs. Bucher are just completing thei~ first ings, accounts, many details of administration; term as missionaries in Hainan, the island off the south oversight of workmen and evangelis,ts; a funeral coast of China, and recently raided by Jap'anese bombing or a wedding; then some of the Lois (aboriginees) planes and occupied in part by Japanese troops. Mr. come to buy salt or fish from us to take back into Bucher (in per,sonal letters) describes graphically some the mountains. They are so often cheated in experiences connected with mission work in Nodoa and money deals that they depend upon us to help on tours into the country. The latter reveal a few of the them. They bring their midget chickens and sell trials that a missionary encounters today in a land that them to us so that they may have a few cents to lacks good roads and many other conveniences to which buy things for their simple needs. all travelers have grown accustomed in countries where good roads, comfortable inns and gasoline stations abound. There is a satisfaction in spending and being The day of the pioneer missionary has not passed.- spent for people in need, but one practical prob- EDITOR.] R THOUGH there have been no actual raids lem I face is the problem of finding any uninter- or loss of life in Nodoa (due to Japanese rupted time for Bible study and prayer. This is raids), there have been many scares and one of the hardest problems a missionary has; to panics! Altogether this unspeakable, "unde- fa'ce-to be so busy in well-doing that it is difficult clared" war has made inroads upon our strength to keep the spiritual fires burning! This Nodoa and energy – and nerves. In all my life I have church and compound is a very live place; no- never before experienced so sustained a drain where else in Hainan is there so much activity in upon my energies, both mental and physical, as the church, or so many meetings (averaging one during this past year. . . . meeting each night and a chapel service every Mr. Melrose (a fellow missionary) left on fur- morning). The work that I enjoy above all others lough last Spring (1938) and from that time I is the evangelistic work and the contacts with peo- have been the only man of the missionary person- pIe out in the country.
nel in this part of Hainan. I have had charge of Roughly speaking, in the past eight or nine the employees and of all property and repairs of months, I have been away from home out "iIi my the large compound. I have also had a goodly pasture" half the time. The average trip takes share of the accounts and bookkeeping – which about one week. First there are periodic visits can be a thorn in the flesh to one not trained or to each church area to examine candidates for . experienced in it. This has been merely "inci- baptism and to hold communion services. Then dental" to my major missionary task as one of there are eight-day Bible institutes for the in- the superintendents of all the evangelistic work struction of ignorant Christians; third, there is in Nodoa, with a dozen churches and a congrega- the preaching of the Gospel in towns and markets tion of several thousand. I am the treasurer for in order to contact those who have never or seldom all the evangelists in this area, and pastor of six heard the Gospel message!
of the country churches which have a combined While we lived in Kiungchow, where the Hain- 'congregation (not membership) of two thousand. anese language was the medium of expression, I In addition I am responsible for the Lodi field in did a great deal of this third type of evangelistic the mountainous interior where there are twenty- work and enj oyed it. There is a thrill in knowing five hundred professed Believers awaiting instruc- that one is speaking to many who are hearing the tion. I much prefer this phase of work to the ad- Gospel for the first time. Since coming to Nodoa ministrative details and bookkeeping in the mis- I have been able to do very little evangelistic work sion station, but someone must take care of these of this kind because of the "confusion in tongues." details and I have been the only man to undertake One cannot hold a boisterous crowd when speakit for eight months. It has ,been necessary for me ing in a tongue that they cannot understand. In to be absent in the country a great deal, so that Nodoa we are face to face with one of the moSlt the station work has: piled up. amazing dialectical jumbles-the true cross-word Early in the morning-at about 6: 30 a. m.-the puzzl~in all China, if not in all the world. If daily procession begins. It is made up of meet- this sounds like an exaggerated statement, listen [246 ] A GROUP OF CHRISTIAN LOI WOMEN IN HAINAN. THEIR VILLAGE IS NEARLY 100% CHRISTIAN to the enumeration of the different tongues com- huke mo," thinking that I was telling him not to put himself to so much trouble. But by a slight mon here. Every day in Nodoa I hear six major mispronunciation of the "0" in the last word "mo," what I really said was: "Don't act like a pig." On dialects spoken: Hakka, Limko, Mandarin, Dam- another occasion, I started out to take a walk after a day of holding classes. Someone asked me tsiu, Hainanese and Cantonese. As if six were where I was going and I thought that I replied that I was going for a stroll to cool off. By the not enough, and to add to the confusion, we often slightest difference in tone, which most foreigners would not notice even if it was pointed out, I achear the melodious monosyllables of the Loi, Miau tually said: "I am going to visit a young lady."
and Malaysian tongues. If this is not a "Babel" After several such experiences I realized that Limko is not one of those tongues that is easy to and confusion of tongues, then I do not under- pick up from hearing it spoken occasionally, so I hired a teacher and studied an hour a day for a stand the meaning of these words. These six month or more. These later efforts have been crowned with so much succes,s that on December major dialects, though they have some similari- 18th I preached my fil1st sermon in Limko. My aim is to be able to speak to the people in their ties (as is true in the Romance Languages of own dialect wherever I go.
southern Europe), are distinctly different tongues. In the last month there have been two phe- nomena to cheer our hearts greatly: First, the Some of the people can speak and understand only local Nodoa church sponsored a great collection throughout this area for the benefit of war sufferone of these six; most people can converse in sev- ers in North China. Over six hundred local dollars were given by Christians and non-Christians eral, not a few can make themselves completely at home in all six! Unfortunately this last ability does not come to an American without the lubri- cating agency of a great deal of "consecrated sweat." . .
Last summer; as I traveled in the Limko field and conducted Summer Bible Institutes, I under- took to apply myself to the Limko dialect so that my work there might be more effective. My first attempts were not crowned with complete success.!
Upon entering a home, if my host put himself out to be courteous and hospitable I remarked, "Murn
working together. This is a new thing under the we might be compelled to spend several days along sun! the road. Unwisely perhaps, we decided to chance it and trust God-so off we went into the night Another new thing is that at Christmas time and into trouble! about thirty Lois came down from the mountains and brought over ten dollars as their contribution Those next ten miles of road were unlike anyto the work of the church in this presbytery. thing that I have ever seen; I shall carry a men- tal picture of them for years to come! The rain At the present stage in our Hainan church there came down in torrents so that at times I could not is even a greater need for teaching the Bible to see where I was driving and the wind became those who are already professing Christians than alarming. In the light of the headlights the roads for bringing larger numbers into the ohurch that looked impassable and at times we would sink in has already too few teachers. so deep that we would come to a dead stand-still. By backing and charging and trying new ruts we The persecution of Christians by one of t~oi would finally be able to go on. I began to think chiefs is so bad that the Christians have begged that we would make our destination after all, but me to go out to the country field and see what I in the blinding rain and darkness I failed to see can do, largely working through official channels a big hOole until just too late. We settled down as I have no authority to deal with any Loi chief. in that hole until the rear left wheel was out of However, I can talk with him, and we can pray. sight and the rear right humper was sunk in It is a five-day journey on foot to the area where water and mud. The engine pan was fast down the trouble is so that I shall have to walk one hun- on a semi-hard shelf of dirt and the axles were dred and fifty miles, mostly up and down moun- buried in the mud. With Oour mind on a possible tains. But its all a part of the Lord's work and robbery we turned off the headlights, got out in there are great rewards. the drenching rain and deep mud and dug fran- tically with the hoe that I always take along. I *** must have spent at least a half hour down in the Traveling Under Difficulties mud on hands and knees trying to get the jack A recent trip from Hoihow to Nodoa was over under that rear bumper, but the weight of the car only rammed jack and stone down farther the worst road I have ever seen in all my life- into mud. We were stuck and no joke-and nothand I have seen very bad roads in southeastern ing for miles but fields and water and a sea of Asia (China, Siam, Malaysia), India, Persia, Rus- mud. The force of the rain beating against our sia, Turkey, Europe and America. The only trip faces became unbearable, so we climbed back into that was worse in physical strain was the two the car to wait for it to let up a little. We sat days and three nights without stopping in an old there, soaked to the skin with mud and slime and truck from Douzdab to Meshed, Persia! When I the driving rain; we had begun to shiver and left Hoihow I doubted the wisdom of starting out chatter with the cold when to add to our miseries in the face of the storm hut as I had been sent to the wind became so violent that it drove the rain get typhoid serum in a hurry I wanted to carry through the top and the side curtains. I had beout the commission and keep faith with the Nodoa gun to picture what we would be worth in the hospital. morning after a night spent huddled there in the damp and cold our bodies soaked and chilled to The first forty miles we covered in a little over the bone-when rip! ! before we knew what had three hours. The rain came down in torrents; the happened the wind took the top right off the car. wind blew and the road was execrable, but not It did not take us many minutes to conclude that impassable. It seemed a little ominous that in all we couldn't longer contemplate spending the night that time we saw not one other car, nor did any there and live through it. We would have to abancars go out from Nodoa all that day! Just before don the car to its fate-and in the back seat was we reached the half-way road-house, darkness over a hundred dollars worth of school uniforms, came upon us and we experienced what may have hats, books and other things that I had brought been an attempted hold up by bandits. However, along so that they would be safe! Maybe I didn't we reached Sim-toa and had a warm Chinese meal. hate to think of deserting the car there in that The question arose: should we attempt to cover condition to be blown and rained upon, for no one the other forty-five miles that night after dark, could tell how many hours-and open to the sky! with the poss1ibility of robbery (as another car However, we were desperate and had begun to had been p~undered there two weeks before), or think pretty serious thoughts. Each grabbed a should we spend the night in the car at Sim-toa small handbag containing personal belongings and and try to complete the journey the next day over a change of clothing. (The $700 was ina large roads that would be still more softened by a ty- suitcase with all my clothes.) I would gladly phoon rain all night? On the one hand I thought of the $700 that I had in my suitcase. On the other hand there was the likelihood that the roads would be impassable the next day, in which case
EXPERIENCES OF A MISSIONARY IN HAINAN
have left the clothes behind in order to travel light might be disposed to take us in. While the Chinese in the storm, but I couldn't open the bag there in are naturally hospitable they are not inclined to the driving rain and take out that paper money. receive strangers in the middle of the night and So we started toward No-vun which was several out in the country, for they have learned by bitter miles away. experience to assume that everyone is an enemy at such times. (The robbers are very bad in that I shall never forget that wild walk. You can area.) One would be apt to be met by vicious picture us in the midst of a cloudburst and a ty- dogs and perhaps a gun shot rather than by hosphoon wind; the former cut into the skin and pitality. This had been the subject of not a little made vision almost impossible; the latter blew talk before we arrived. us around at will and at times threw us down on the ground or into the fields, or started us run- SOME OF THE WILD LOIS IN A NON-CHRISTIAN VILLAGE ning along the slippery road, unable to stop and unable to proceed without slipping and falling. But there was never so much as a dog bark, for My long suitcase acted as a sort of sail and caught all animals were locked indoors; not a living thing the wind so that it was all I could do to keep stand- was stirring and apparently all were dead as the ing upright. The water and mud were often knee tombs. That is the first time I have ever apdeep; at other places the road was slick and slip- proached a village in China after dark (or in daypery as ice. I fell headlong in the mud a dozen light for that matter) without a multitude of dogs times,and twice I picked myself up in the fields going wild and making the air hideous. Every off the road entirely. Our knees and legs grew house was securely locked, with doors and winweak and our backs ached. That seemed the long- dows barred against the storm, and all the inest walk I ever took; actually it was only four habitants tucked snugly away under all the warm and one half to five miles! Talk about Paul Re- covers they could collect-for it was cold. We vere's ride. That was tough on the horse; this first tried the inn, or roadhouse (which is also the was tough on us! headquarters of the Public Road Department for that area). We yelled, and pleaded and shouted A Midnight Adventure ourselves hoarse-singly and in unison; we bel- lowed in desperation. It was all utterly useless Finally, at nearly midnight, we found ourselves waste of breath and energy. We did not seem to on the outskirts of No-vun-some distance off the be able to make ourselves heard above the noise main highway. Along the road we had passed of the storm. (Next day we found out that they five or six other cars in mud holes,; one was down heard us but didn't want to be bothered; or they in a field and deserted. They had all started out thought that we were robbers.) We didn't dare earlier that day in the hope of beating the storm beat on the door to attract attention for fear lest to Nodoa but all had lost the race. We were cov- we might get too warm a reception. So we went ered with mud from head to foot, drenched and down the street and tried .other places. Soon we soaked, chilled to the bone, and nearly "down and came to what we later found to be the "Smoking out." We were miserable specimens of humanity, Palace" (opium den) where we saw lights through and it didn't add to our peace of mind as we walked through the streets of the town (themselves litle rivulets) to see buildings blown down and other evidences of the violence of the storm. We could not but think of the car out there on the highway and we wondered what would be left of it in the morning. Of course my mind turned anxiously toward Nodoa, wondering what my wife was doing during this storm and how the children were. Had she been able to get the windows and shutters securely locked without help. For months the roof of our house has been leaking like a sieve: the tiles were very inferior, and in a recent storm we had to place pans to catch drips in about five different places. The mental picture was not very reassuring, or calculated to remove anxiety.
We were somewhat reassured by the fact that we saw on the only street of the village two cars that had taken refuge from the storm. If the passengers had been taken into the houses near by then the people of this small village must be awake to the fact that the road was impossible; they
the cracks in the building. We carried on a lively leather seat-covers and the coating of mud. But and edifying conversation with the people inside the car was not utterly ruined. I collected what through these same cracks; but they had no in- was left of the top from a near-by field and folded tention of letting us in. They called out: it up for future use. The engine, the coils, and all else were soaked-and it was still raining by "Go away and leave us alone. We won't open gusts and spurts. To start the engine seemed to you as you are robbers." hopeless but I took a chance and tried the Chinese method that I have seen used with success but not But we had no intention of being denied as we without risk. We ignited several' pieces of paper were getting desperate. We said: and put them into the engine so that the flames curled around the coils, cylinders and spark plugs "If we were robbers would we be standing here to dry them out. It sounds dangerous and it is, with a flashlight lighted up and shouting to you but we were desperate and ,still damp and hungry through the door, making a lot of racket and in- from the proceeding day's "lark." The plan viting you to attack us? Robbers wouldn't be that worked like a charm! The spark caught and the stupid !" engine started. I would not recommend the method to folks at home but it might be a good So the talk went on into the night, for what thing to know about when you visit Hainan. seemed to us hours. We were making no headway and were about to give up hope of getting in The day's work had just begun. There were anywhere – when an old woman (who had no ten men with sturdy poles and great strength, but money or valuables and so was not afraid of being the car would not budge an inch, so deep had it robbed) took pity on us and let us come into her settled, with the bumpers under water and mud house. There was no room for the four of us, but and great suction holding down the rear tires. we, at least temporarily, found warmth and We must have worked at it an hour before we shelter; she finally persuaded the gallant smok- gave up and hired several more men to lift the ing braves across the street to let us come into car bodily out of the slough. Then all rode the their commodious quarters. running board back to No-vun, and it was well that they did, for they often had to get out and The first thing for us to do was to take off our push us through ruts so deep that the bottom of filthy, drenched clothing. We did not have one the car literally plowed through the mUd, and the really dry garment in our handbags or in my suit- front axle and radiator acted as a scrape to level case, but we had some semi-dry pieces and shared off the road, clear away rocks and prepare the what we had. For instance, my pajama tops way for the more vulnerable parts behind. It was looked ridiculous on a little nO-pound Chinese- a miracle – nothing more or less – that we got Bit-kheng, one of the hospital assistants. We had through that stretch of road as far as No-vun quite an interested audience of men and women which is the worst stretch on a very bad road. whose curiosity as we changed our clothing might We drove into No-vun to get something to eat, charitably be explained as "fraternal interest." I pay our bills for our luxurious night's accommodawas too far gone to be "nice." They finally gave tions, and buy gasoline from the Public Roads us some food and a warm drink of some kind Headquarters. I had started from Hoihow with which fortified us against the night that we had to ten gallons, had made about fifty miles of the endure. eighty-nine and had only two gallons left. That gives some idea of the state of the road; under For a bed all four of us were provided with good conditions my car can do nearly twenty miles double doors supported on two wooden horses; on a gallon of gas. for pillows we each had a nice ten-inch brick (guaranteed not to break from the weight of one's Of the rest of that trip as far as Notia I will head, nor to transmit insect life.) The roof leaked spare you the details of the numberless times we but not directly over our heads. The floor was so got stuck, the hours we spent pushing, digging, muddy and slippery that we could scarcely walk jacking up the car and putting rocks under the or keep on our feet. There was very little sleep tires. It will always remain etched upon my memfor any of us that night but we survived! ory as incomparable. We learned that between Notia and Nio-hau two bridges had been washed The Morning After away and were told that we might as well give up any idea of reaching Nodoa that night. But after The next morning with empty stomachs we all our herculean efforts, we were not going to trudged back over the road we had trekked the fail to reach our goal when so near-especially as night before and took five or six men with us to we feared one more night in wet clothes and with help push, drag and persuade the car out of that empty stomachs might be the end of us. So we mud-hole. My imagination had painted a very sad went on. The first bridgeless stream was not wide picture of what the car must be like after being out on the road all night, through a typhoon rain and with no top. It was certainly an awful sight to behold-with all the contents (hat-boxes and school uniforms) melted and merged with the
EXPERIENCES OF A MISSIONARY IN HAlNAN
but had high banks and a deep swift current. We China through Canton are now cut off and we are hired a bunch of farmers to bring beams and left in the dark mostly – and the victims of the planks, and in a couple of hours a bridge was put most alarming rumors. The loss of Canton, nerveacross where there had been none before. There center of the wealthiest province in China, is a was a clearage on each side of only a few inches. dreadful blow, and an awful heartbreak to We had not gone far before the farmers were tear- Hainan. There may have been darker periods ing down the bridge so the next cars to come along ("before the dawn") in the history of other nawould be obliged either to pay four dollars to them tions-but it is not to be denied that the present to rebuild it or could sit there and enjoy the beau- picture is black. We still have hope and faith ties of nature. but we do not know what our future course will The second bridge was wider but the approach LI-EK, niE LOI LEADER, WHO BROUGHT HUNDREDS was damaged and speedy and temporary repairs OF HIS PEOPLE TO CHRIST were out of the question. We decided to take a chance, running through the stream, though the be. Before we can write another letter communiwater was deep and the current racing. There cations may be cut off entirely, or Japan may take was an ox-cart crossing at that point; but a cross- over the island and establish a rigid censorship. ing possible for an ox-cart is usually impossible Already word has come from Hoihow that the to a car. Out came our hoe and again we went local Government has ordered all the Chinese to work leveling off the approaches and cutting women and children and old people to flee from down the bank that we must ascend on the other Hoihow and Kiungchow to the villages. The side. The water was almost up to the waist and French Consul has notified us that France will not the ascent on the other side looked almost impos- defend Hainan, and advises all American women sible. But the alternative was to leave the car and children to leave for Hongkong, as he conthere or spend the night with it in our exhausted, siders the Japanese invasion of Hainan as a mathungry, wet, clammy state. If I had to leave the ter of a few days or possibly hours. car in the middle of the stream it would at least be washed clean, so I breathed deeply and made We have made up our minds, for better or the attempt. The water was up to the engine and worse, to stay by here for the time being at least. the vulnerable parts, but it was so heated from We will stay and serve the people just as long as its exertions that it resisted the water. That is we can, for I prefer to stay by the people here at my theory-because before we reached home the a time of stress and danger. water and mud had permeated into the motor and stalled us; the battery, carburator, and coils were soaked and coated with mud. It was too much for even as noble a car as my little Ford. We had to push her the rest of the way home-and our entry into the compound gates was anything but triumphal! The next day (Sunday) I spent in bed, conscious for the first time in years of many usually well-behaved muscles, now sore as a boil all over, almost too tired and weary to sleep. The next two weeks I spent all the time I could spare working on that car, cleaning it inside and out, putting on a new canvas lining for the top, and repainting the whole car. It really looks very well, but I fear it will never be the same again.
Developments in the War Zone Later: For days we have been intensely watching developments in the war zone – and especially the lightning attack upon our own Province. Everyone 'is greatly disturbed and for several days I have done little but talk with callers, trying to allay fears, answering questions about what is happening (the Chinese will believe that somehow we have inside information that is kept from them). Several days ago came the staggering news of the fall of Canton and its destruction. All communications with war zone and the rest of
Beams from Lima
By DR. SAMUEL S. RIZZO, Newark, N. J.
Pastor of a Portuguese Presbyterian Church T HE recent conference of Lima was not with- service. The liberalism of President Vargas goes out religious significance. Its political re- so far that, being a nominal Catholic, he does not sults, valuable as they were in proclaiming apologize for naming his son after the great rethe validity of International Law, and in pro- former Luther. moting friendly relations among the nations, are secondary in importance when compared with the Several years ago a proposal came before the recognition of certain moral principles accepted Brazilian Congress to "declare" Roman Catholiby the conference, and of great significance to the cism the religion of the majority of the Brazilian Kingdom of God. people. President Vargas, then a congressman, wrote: Religious and Racial Liberty With reference to the proposed amendment (to the Con- stitution, Item No. 10) stipulating that the Catholic The Lima conference was an event, perhaps Church is the church of the majority of the Brazilian peounparalleled in the history of Latin America. ple, I think, in the first place, that such statement is very Twenty-one nations, after much debate, and with disputable. In order that a person might call himself a full acquiescence of their respective governments, Catholic, he should know the doctrine, accept it and live it. signed a document upholding the principle of "in- With such conditions only an elite, a select minority, comdividual liberty without religious or racial preju- ply. The high circles in social life have adopted a Catholidices." cism rather sceptical and elegant. And the vast ignorallt masses are still in the age of fetishist worship of saints While the Americas are not entirely free from with several miracle-working specialties.
religious intolerance, it is only fair to say that The amendment was rejected by an overwhelmsuch intolerance as exists in the republics of the ing vote. south is usually the work of Roman Catholic priests. Such intolerance is not condoned by the At Lima, when the world's political skies were laws and is repudiated by the best citizens. When so dark, it was an auspicious time for this "liberala Presbyterian minister was expelled from the ism" to project itself as a ,beam of hope for decity of Aparecida, Brazil, and the furniture of his mocracy. How long shall "individual liberty withhall was burned by a mob led by German monks, out religious prejudices" prevail in Central and the ex-president Washington Luis, then governor South America we do not know. With the world of Sao Paulo, sent a squadron of oavalry to the constantly menaced by dictators,and the devil acscene of disturbance, and for several Sundays the tive, anything may serve as a pretext to justify same pastor preached in the open air, protected the invalidation of this religious liberty. But by the State troops. I have seen a Christian Jew while it prevails may we, ministers and laymen, knocked down by men of his race when he at- be made equal by the power of the Holy Spirit, tempted to preach the Gospel in Columbus Circle, to the opportunity of this hour. New York. Religious liberty was not vindicated The Christ of the Andes more quickly or with more emphasis by the police Of far-reaching .significance was the declaration of New York, than it was in the case at Aparecida. at Lima, by the twenty-one nations of the Amer- In both instances the intolerance was a violation icas, to express their "unbreakable desire for of the law of the land and was, not condoned by peace, and their profound sentiment of humanity the State. and tolerance." Next to the delegation from The statesmen of South America are, as a rule, Bolivia sat the delegates from Paraguay, all in proud of their "liberalism." When I invited a joyful mood, glad that no longer an abnormal redip~omat in New York to come to a religious serv- lation of hate existed among the family of nations ice in my Portuguese Church in Newark, knowing in the Americas. Dignified and greatly esteemed, that he was of different faith, I added to my presiding over the most important committee of invitation, "I know that you are a liberal." He the conference-the committee on Declaration of sent me a courteous reply, stressing his liberal- Solidarity-sat one of the oldest statesman of the ism and promising to prove it by attending the Americas, the Brazilian delegate, Afranio de [252]
AMONG THE INDIANS OF NORTH DAKOTA
Mello Franco. He was the sole arbiter of the dis- own plans to accept that from Argentina." pute between Colombia and Peru over the conflict Twenty-one nations of the Americas refused, in of Leticia, and his efforts for peace saved thou- the critical hour, to "isolate" Argentina, writing sands of lives from destruction at a time when a declaration of continental solidarity without the Peru, Colombia and Ecuador had already em- signature of Buenos Aires. "The victory belongs barked on a wholesale arming for war. When, to the Messrs. Hull, Mello Franco, Conchas and in the midst of the conference this gentleman re- others, who were magnanimous and did not deceived the sad news of the death of his son-in-law, mand that which the superiority of their forces the sincere sympathy of his admirers poured in . . . could suggest." This declaration marked an in hundreds of telegrams daily from all the Amer- attitude most dramatic in the history of the Panicas showing to the world that those who labor for American Conferences, and perhaps never equaled peace are ble,ssed by man, as well as by God. Let in tne political history of the world! Twenty-one us be thankful for the peacemakers of the Amer- republics sacrificed their personal preferences be- £Cas, and let us' ,pray that the Christ of the Andes, cause they could not bear the separation of a sister today ruling over the Chaco, in Tacna-Arica, and republic from the family of nations. This speaks up in Leticia, shall be always the Prince of Peace of the unity of the Americas much more effectively in the Western Hemisphere. than the Declaration of Solidarity in itself. It was a beautiful example of the Christian principle Solidarity at a Sacrifice of "the second mile," practiced collectively.
Commenting on the Declaration of Lima, a Bra- '" '" '" zilian newspaper wrote: "The only victory that is really to be seen in the declaration of continental Liberty, tolerance, peace and magnanimous sacsolidarity of Lima, is the loyalty and spirit of sac- rifice were the contributions of the Conference of rifice of twenty other nations, who, in order not to Lima to a world darkened by the lack of these virbreak the unity of the Americas, abandoned their tues. Christian people welcome them as new rays of hope for mankind.
Among the Indians in North Dakota* By the VEN. THOMAS A. SIMPSON Archdeacon of Indian Work, North Dakota O N THE Standing Rock Reservation, North some of the men present she said "and he has Dakota, there was Red Hail, a Sioux chief, struck some of you." But she remarked that it so named, says Indian tradition, because he was a good place to be, for if he came after anywas born during a great meteoric shower. For one they could run to the church for refuge. many years he welcomed Indian missionaries to Lastly she said the river was near by and those his cabin for services and largely was responsible who did not wash very often could come for a for the building of St. Gabriel's Chapel at Red swim. Hail Camp (Brien). St. Gabriel's has produced some fine Christian characters among whom are William White Eagle's zeal for Christ led him the Rev. William Skala (White) Cross, a grandson of Red Hail, and Luke and Lucy Shoot-the- into active missionary work, both on the Standing Buffalo. Lucy invited the annual Indian convo- Rock and Fort Berthold Reservations. On one of cation to meet at St. Gabriel's in 1937. Argu- his mis1sionary journeys to Fort Berthold he was ments were advanced in favor of other stations. the means of Yellow Bear's conversion. One night It was said that good food would be served at St. as he was conducting service in his tent, Yellow Sylvan's, while at St. Gabriel's there was a den Bear went on the war path, determined to put an of rattlesnakes which the people from Fort Tot- end to such religious activity. Yellow Bear waited ten did not like. Lucy promptly replied (her re- for a moment outside the tent before going in to marks being interpreted) that nowhere did the break up the meeting, but as he sltood there he Bible teach men to worship their stomachs. She heard for the first time the message of the Master acknowledged that there were rattlesnakes at St. spoken through the lips of White Eagle. His con- Gabriel's and that one of the snakes had seven version followed. At his baptism he was named tongues and one tongue was liquor. Pointing at Paul after St. Paul, who also was once the enemy of Christ. • Condensed from The Spirit 01 Missions, December, 1938. Paul Yellow Bear was an unusual man; as he formerly had used his natural gifts to keep his
friends and neighbors in paganism, he later used vicinity. Here the Church has some eight acres them to win people to Christ. For many years he of land, church, parish house, rectory, and miswas lay reader at St. Paul's Chapel, where he has sion home; all in charge of the Rev. W. S. Cross, left a lasting impression. a retired Indian priest. The existing social and moral conditions demand recognition. The Gov- Paul Bear-Paw, another convert from pagan- ernment has established' a local school system in ism in North Dakota, served for many years as addition to nonreservation schools but the averlay reader at St. James' Church, Cannon Ball, age home life has not kept pace with these adwhere his widow, Julia, is still an active com- vances and the returning student has almost municant. insurmountable problems of adjustment, often reverting to old reservation ways of living. Sick- Thomas Ashley, another chief figure, was an ness is prevalent while social diseases play havoc able leader and efficient interpreter. As an inter- with countless Indians. Among children, the preter he served faithfully, with marked ability, death rate is especially high. Doctors and hospinot only his Church but also the Government and tals are miles away and there are some tragic courts of justice. deaths. Only within one-half mile of St. James' a young girl died of tuberculosis while in the In St. Sylvan's Mission, in the Turtle Moun- same one-roomed cabin a young mother was givtains, labored that staunch Christian, Rising Sun, ing birth to her first child. And there was no one a full-blooded Chippewa, who lived to the age of to help! 110 years. His name was given him because he first saw the light of day when the sun was peep- An adequate program of religious education for ing out of the East. When past middle life he set- Indian children is something yet to be achieved. tled down in the Turtle Mountains, and devoted his Distances, weather conditions, general environtime to raising cattle. He was partly the means ment, seem to be insurmountable difficulties. of preventing a repetition of the Custer massacre Apart from two Church missions there is no orin the Dunseith hills when the county authorities ganized religious instruction. Leaflets, manuals had a misunderstanding about taxes with the of instruction, odd numbers of the Christian Nurmixed-blood Indians. When Rising Sun and his ture Series, religious pictures, are given out and wife received their first annuity from the Govern- used at home, where many of the parents welcome ment, they bought thirty dollars worth of lumber the help given. But the Church has not yet to help build a chapel that they had been wanting touched the problem. The men have their guilds for years, keeping the lumber in their little log and carry out a program of service adapted to hut for six years before their ambition was real- local needs. The Woman's Auxiliary branches ized. St. Sylvan's. log chapel, standing on a high meet for worship and work. elevation of land, is a monument to Rising Sun's devotion. Mr. Robert Fox, an Indian trained at Santee, Nebraska, and his wife, are doing excellent work The present work at Breckenridge Memorial in St. Paul's Mission to the Arickara tribe at Fort Chapel began in 1898. It is about six miles from Berthold. Since their coming the work of the the Agency in what is known as the Crow Hill Church has made real progress. Once a month neighborhood. An Indian named Iyayukamani they give religious instruction at the public school, (He-Follows-Walking) had loaned a house where to classes that are increasing in numbers. The services were conducted in the Dakota langua.ge. Arickara people, having had more educational ad- Iyayukamani was a stalwart Christian and is re- vantages than some other Indians, are more admembered as the founder of the Church work at vanced and more prosperous. this point. Bernard Rainbow, brought up under the Christian influence of Iyayukatnani, carried Originally St. Sylvan's Mission in the Turtle on the work of lay reader for many years. Mountains consisted of a log chapel and seventy acres, of land, but about five years ago the National In recalling these and other names it can be Indian Association turned over to the Church seen that the work among the Indians in North their abutting property consisting of 220 acres, Dakota is unique in that it is the result of the a dwelling house, a frame parish hall, and some missionary zeal of the Indians themselves. dilapidated buildings.
Today there are some eight thousand Indians If the story of this Indian field had to be sumliving on the four reservations where the six mis- med up into one word it would have to be the sions of the Protestant Episcopal Church are word need. Not only is there need for physical located. direction and assistance, there are those deeper and more urgent needs arising out of the social The largest mission on the Standing Rock and tribal background of the various groups, Reservation is St. James', three miles south of which can only be met by a well-balanced program the village of Cannon Ball, in the center of a large express'ed through the Church. Indian community. The name Cannon Ball is derived from the huge rock formations found in the
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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 ~=I============~~==~~~~~ Combatting Summer Heat glad, once a year, to open them At one of the regular meetings to such church groups, especially the members who had made Although it was early summer when the hostess is a member of these trips told about them. it was already hot. Sheer iner- the group. They spoke informally, not attia would keep some people from tempting to philosophize or to attending their missionary meet- In planning such an event, it summarize situations. The y ings. The two missionary or- is wise to put extra effort into merely gave their impressions. ganizations in one church were the arrangements, so that every- Those who had not been able to busy planning attractions, the one may have an unusually good go, gained a new vision of the pull of which might overcome time "visiting." The trip out in needs of a great city and of some that tendency to stay at home. the bus may be made a jolly oc- of the very human ways in which The women's group, made up of casion. Have good, simple and life can be changed when somewomen who can come in the ample food. Have a good pro- one cares enough to do someafternoon, had its special prob- gram, suited for outdoor pro- thing about it. lems. The business women's duction. group (who necessarily met at What is there about which night) had to combat the fatigue Every summer meeting, from your missionary society, your resulting from work through which members of the society ch~rch body, or your young peolong hot hours. come away saying, "Didn't we ple s group need first-hand in- have a good time? Let's do it formation? Do they know that At this point an invitation again next year," has not only many human beings are suffercame from a former minister of accomplished its purpose in this ing in the suffocating streets and the church and his wife, to both series of meetings, but has had a alleys of the very city or town in groups, to hold their next meet- real part in training the women whose comparatively cool subing at the country home to which to look forward to summer mis- urbs you live? Do they know he had retired some years ago. sionary meetings, instead of some of the difficult working and avoiding them. living conditions of migrant The invitation was accepted workers in your own county? with delight. But careful plan- Telling What They Have Seen Do they have firsrt-hand knowlning had to follow. The country edge of the way in which social place was some distance from There is an eternal fascination service and church agencies are the neighborhood so that busses in hearing about interesting working? Do they know what had to be chartered, and the things that we have not seen. avenues of volunteer service are necessary meals planned. There is even greater fascina- open to some of themselves? tion in telling about things we One group went in the after- have seen to those who have not Try making investigations. noon and one in the evening and seen them. Why not make use Those who do it will be glad to both enjoyed a delightful time. of those two characteristics to tell about it. Your meeting will The attendance was as good as achieve summer program effec- have a breath of reality to it if the weather had been more tiveness. which will attract, in spite of hot propitious. The programs were weather. excellent; the fellowship was A missionary group in a large joyful, with an opportunity to city asked several members to A Book Meeting in August wander through the orchard look into certain institutions last with its closely mowed grass, summer during the study of The August is usually a very dead among the flower-beds, along the City. (The summer before the month when many churches alraspberry vines, and beside the same group had asked members most close their doors. lily pool. After a dusty day in to look into the Negro's living town it seemed like a different conditions.) A morning in the But it is during those very world. juvenile court; a visit to the "dead" times that many people county home for orphan chil- have more leisure for reading While only a few societies can dren ; a few hours in police than at any other time during enjoy such an experience, it is court; time spent in one of the the year. possible for more than actually settlement houses-these were a experience it. Many times per- few of the trips made. One organization asked a comsons with lovely grounds are mittee to select new books deal- [255 ]
ing with various missionary sub- Among those put out coopera- living in areas of tension, conjects. These were to include tively by a number of the denom- flict or economic readjustment, stories, biographies, travel, his>- inations, are very good units on "working on some community tory, background material; and world friendship. Less well project of social significance ineven such things 'as the poetry adapted to the longer vacation volving physical labor." and the philosophy of a certain schools, but good for those runcountry or people. ning for a short period are the Work camps require more texts of the Friendship Press than a desire to serve. Only One person, quite clever at (New York), which can be se- those should apply (says the such things, took five or six of cured through any denomina- folder describing them) "who the lighter books, and selected tional publishing house. are willing to live cooperatively from each an incident which she as a part of a group; do hard dramatized. The dramatization Talk over the matter of mis- physical labor; impos.e self-disin each case ended uncompleted sion study with those in charge cipline as a member of a demoat an interesting point, leaving of the vacation school planning. cratically organized group." the group with a desire to know An effective course should be what happened next. placed somewhere in a three- Hard labor, we might say in year cycle. Write to your na- passing, means just that. Wreck- The dramatizations, together tional children's work director, ing houses to create playground with a review of a book or two, the missionary education depart- space; quarrying stone to build formed the program for a meet- ment of your Board of Christian a dam; clearing land for farming, and started the autumn Education, or similar organiza- ing, making roads – these and reading in a very effective way. tion, or to your church publish- other projects are done under ing house for specific informa- technical supervision and must Why not have a book meeting tion. be done right. sometime during the summer? If you do not wish to have dram- A Comparison Ha.rd labor is not all. Noone atized incidents from books, does the camp work for the there are many other ways in I thought of it once as I sat by myself workers. It is a cooperative which books can be introduced. And looked at the boxes that sat on enterprise and the campers must Perhaps you can secure some do camp work themselves. Then member, or some one else who the shelf, there are hours of study. Each is a well known reviewer of One so large, one so small, with a camp, with its relationship to books, able to give a really one of the areas noted above, thought-provoking book review contrast most grim. engages in serious study on the of one of the important books for A bandbox for me, and a mite-box for problems of the community and the coming year's study. The ways of working toward their one review may make up the en- Him. solution. tire program – one to which guests might well be invited, and I paid for my hat and I paid for my You could not do better for one which would stimulate the gown, your young people this summer reading of the book by every than to investigate with them member of the group. Such And I paid for the furs that I pur- this particular field of service books do not often appear, but chased down town, and other avenues of volunteer the type we have in mind is that work. of House of Exile (China), by And when I returned, it was plain as Nora WaIn, or the more recent could be– You could not do better than Himself (India), by Ramahai to guide them to that which is Ranade. A mite-box for Him and a bandbox the "moral equivalent for war, for me. in terms of a constructive and Vacation Church School and adventurous service." I tossed in a dime, but it didn't seem Mission Study right; For specific information about work camps, write to the Work Camp Com- Now is the time to survey the I couldn't be proud of that curious mittee, American Friends SerVice field of studies in world friend- sight; Committee, 20 So. Twelfth Street, ship and in the missionary work Philadelphia, Pa. of the church which are avail- So I took out my check book and tried able for Primary and Junior to be square; Another avenue for a different type study in the Daily Vacation of service may be found in the Chris- Church Schools which will be set For I wanted my giving to look like tian Centers in migrant groups. Write up this summer in thousands of my prayer. to the Council of Women for Home churches. Missions, 297 Fourth Ave., New York. -By Sarella Te Winkle, in Vacation Church School is an "The Missionary Monthly." There is adventure aplenty in takideal place for effective mission Used by permission. ing Vacation Church Schools to the study. Make sure that those in children of isolated regions of our charge of selecting the studies American Youth Can Serve country. Write to The International this summer are aware of the Council of Religious Education, 203 available texts along this line. One of the most interesting So. Wabash Ave., Chicago, 111., to ask developments of recent years is about that. the type of volunteer service made possible to American youth Student Peace Service secretaries under the American Friends are looking for Peace Volunteers to Service Committee. work this summer in America, Mex- ico and Europe. Pacifist youth will Since 1934, when the project find a thrilling service there. Write was started, the movement has grown. What is it?
Briefly, work camps are set up -there were six or seven of them in 1938 – where carefully selected college or university young people spend eight weeks
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
to Harold Chance, 20 South 12th since the preparation of entirely Koreans and Japanese, and Street, Philadelphia, for information. different menus would be im- green tea.
There are also innumerable practical. However, a dessert On the China table was a Chiprojects arranged by mission typical of each country was nese evergreen in a dragon bowl, served, as nearly as possible boards of various denominations. after the manner of that coun- and "water flowers." Woven Send out inquiries in various try. straw place mats were used, and directions, and try to plan a con- the place cards were Chinese structive summer of study and The centerpiece for the Mex- scenes, attached to tiny paper valuable experience, for the ico table was a bowl of cactus parasols. Rice wafers, crystalyoung people in your church or plants. Zinnias would be equally lized ginger, peanuts and "jas- appropriate, since this flower community. came originally from Mexico. mine" tea formed the dessert. A list of Chinese proverbs was An International Luncheon There were bright-colored doi- read, the Chinese being noted for lies, fiesta china and paper nap- their terse sayings. (We are indebted to Mrs. H. H. Fer- kins with a fiesta design. The guson for the following account) dessert was penuchi, strips of Chopsticks were provided for fresh coconut and coffee with those who cared to eat rice with An "International Luncheon," hot milk. them. given recently in Xenia, Ohio, was a social occasion with a pur- At the Philippine table, na- At Iran's table, the hostess pose: to create an interest in the tive-drawn work doilies were sprayed each guest's napkin peoples of far-away lands and to used, and as a centerpiece an with rose perfume (from the 10 promote world-mindedness by oriental bowl with brilliant cent store). Roses are grown in attempting to secure a better orange flowers. Place cards were Iran for the manufacture of perunderstanding of how other peo- hand made, using very tiny sea fume, so the centerpiece was a ples live, of their customs, their shells, glued to cards and tinted bowl of roses. Brass is much interests, their problems. Plans to represent flowers. The des- used in Iran, so the candlesticks, for the luncheon were rooted in sert was sliced pineapple, fresh tray and dishes for the dessert the idea of the oneness of the coconut and coffee with hot milk. were of brass; and since green human family. They can be is the Mohammedan color, the adapted to any group. For the West Indies, the cen- paper napkins, ink on the place Tables, each seating eight per- . terpiece was a pottery donkey, cards and the candles were sons, represented countries with tiny plants growing in the green. The dessert was turkish paste, dates and wafers. Black where Presbyterians are at baskets attached to his back. tea was served, guests putting a work. Since this group was not These donkeYis with their bas- lump of sugar in the mouth and large enough to represent all of kets are the common carriers in s,ipping the tea over it, according the sixteen countries, the follow- the West Indies. Little dolls, to Iranian custom. ing seven were selected: Korea, made of sea shells and popular China, India, Iran, Philippine with tourists, were used in the The afternoon program in- Islands, Mexico and the West decorations. A missionary friend cluded a few national songs, and Indies. A tiny national flag and in Santo Domingo sent a native items of news interest from vaa placard on each table indicated candy, made of coconut milk, rious lands. Guests were then the country represented; and to and hand tinted photo scenes in divided into two groups for a arrange the seating, the guests, the West Indies for place cards. "Prof. Quiz" feature, with thirty Another missionary in Porto questions of general missionary as they arrived, drew a slip bear- Rico sent guava paste for this significance, and a score of coring the name of one of the coun- rect answers was kept. Some of tries. The centerpiece, .and other table served as Porto Ricans like the questions. were: appointments of each table, sug- it with yellow cheese and crackgested the country. Some of the ers. At this table also, coffee What people are called a "nation of place doilies were paper world was served with hot milk. . Bible readers"?
maps, secured from Dennison'S, The hostess for the India table Has India more, or fewer people than New York. Place cards con- made "tied and dyed" plate the United States? tained a statement or question doilies, as this art originated about the country to provide con- with the Indians. Their favorite Name five living religions. Which religion has the largest num- ber of adherents?
versation topics.. At each table a flower, yellow marigolds, formed Narne three famous missionaries of "hostess," who had been previ- the centerpiece. At this table, the past.
ously supplied with facts, kept there was chutney, cashew nuts The success of such a lunchthe talk going about her country. and "sweets." Black tea was eon will depend upon planning The following ideas were car- served. well in advance, in order to se- ried out at the various tables. A A "dish garden" made the cure as much background inforlittle canvassing among friends, centerpiece for the Korea table. mation as possible. Denominaand consultation with mission- Place cards were supplied by a tional Boards will gladly supply aries or Board executives, will former missionary. For dessert, songs and proverbs, and interyield many other suggestions. there were rice wafers (from esting facts about all countries Rice was served as a part of the R. H. Macy's, New York), per- are to be found in the MISSIONmain course at all the tables, simmons, a favorite fruit among ARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD.
A Story for the
MOTHER'S DAY FIESTA "Ah, Ricardo, can't we do "Well, I have it here and I'm something?" The tears started By VIOLET WOOD, NEW YORK in Jacinto's eyes. "How good going to give it to you." you are! I did not even notice Ricardo, a Mexican boy, sat our mother's rebozo." "Could we possibly have that hunched over on his pony. He scarcely heeded the cattle as they "No, it is not that I am better one, just for the Mother's Day wandered about nibbling grass. than you, little sister. I am Then, as he heard someone older than you and notice such Fiesta?" Jacinto fairly shouted. shouting "Ricardo!" he looked things," responded Ricardo. up and saw his sister, Jacinto, "Yes," responded the teacher, running in and out among the "Now I am sad like you. Now gentle beasts, shouting: "Hi, the beautiful funny-faced pan- "and if you will make another Ricardo, hi!" sies in my garden no longer make me laugh." one to take its place, your mother As he looked at her he thought, "When I am a man I "There is our friend, Mrs. may keep this one. I'll give you shall buy her ribbons for her Turner, at the church," said hair so that she will not have to Ricardo. "She is the one who the patches and if you sew one tie her braids with shoe strings." spoke to the Senor of the ha- cienda and arranged that I small one every day, the rebozo "What's the matter with you, should take my father's place." Ricardo? Are you ill? Was the will be finished in time for our market-day too much for you "Yes," Jacinto clapped her yesterday?" she asked all in one hands. "Let us go to her dur- Christmas service next year." breath. ing the siesta." Ricardo and Jacinto threw "Ah, Jacinto, how you chatter, Since their mother worked in like a macaw, the noisiest of pa.r- the big house on the hacienda, their arms around Mrs. Turner rots," sighed Ricardo. Jacinto prepared lunch for her brother and herself in the little and then ran after her into her Jacinto, puffing, reached the white-adobe, one-room hut that pony and rubbed his nose affec- was their home. After lunch, little three-room house. Breathtionately. "But, Ricardo, why instead of sitting on the little are you so sad on this beautiful porch under the hanging peppers lessly watched her turn over the May day? We are to have fri- to enj oy their siesta, they set off joles and tortillas for lunch." at a fast pace to the Christian contents of her trunk. In it were Social Center to find their friend. "Tomorrow is the Mother's lovely soalrlaasp,esor(cwlaayterdijsahres~),bea- Day Fiesta." On the way Jacinto gathered sides an armful of wild geraniums "Ah, I have guessed. I know." and dahlias t.o give to their painted pig bank and a huge Jacinto danced around. "You friend. When they reached Mrs. are afraid you will forget your Turner's house, they bot h sombrero. Near the bottom of poem at the Christian Social stopped, suddenly frightened. Center. It is hard to speak Eng- The missionary welcomed them the trunk lay the rebozo made lish, but you are very smart, from her porch and finally Ri- Ricardo; you will not forget." cardo blurted out their problem, of hundreds of patches of gaily with Jacinto butting in tearfully "No, Jacinto, it is not that I every once in a while. colored calico, silk, rayon and fear to forget the English words." Ricardo shookhis head. "I know just the thing," said cotton. It was a beautiful shawl, Mrs. Turner. "You remember "T hen what?" J a c i n t 0 the Christmas pageant we had much more lovely than the usual shrugged. in the church last December?" black rebozo worn by the women. "If I ten you this, you must Ricardo nodded. not let our mother know I have Jacinto burst out, "But what There was great rejoicing in guessed. Promise me, Jacinto." has that-" "Oh, it has a lot to do with it," the little adobe hut when the "Yes, yes, Ricardo. It will be cried the missionary. "Rememas if you had not said it." ber that lovely patchwork rebozo next day the children gave their I made and which your Spanish "Our mother has no new re- teacher wore when she was the mother the rebozo! That evebozo to wear to the Christian Madonna?" Social Center. All the other "Yes," cried both children. ning in the Christian Social Cenmothers who have husbands are going to have new shawls, but [258 ] ter there was no prouder woman our mother has no husband to buy her a rebozo. She will be than the mother of Ricardo and unhappy." Jacinto.
Rkardo was so happy that he shouted his Mother's Day Fiesta poem. Jacinto could scarcely sit still. Mrs. Turner, the mission- ary, thanked God for having the chance to bring happiness.
Making Use of This Story To interest the child in the missionary project among Mex- ican children, who are our near- est neighbors. See how many Mexkan words he knows after reading the story.
1. hacienda (large estate). 2. fiesta (holiday). 3. siesta (resting period after lunch) . 4. frijoles (beans). 5. tortillas (corn pancakes). 6. rebozo (shawl). 7. plaza (city or village square). 8. sarapes (blankets worn by men). 9. so-mbrero (huge hat). 10. senor (Mr. or owner). .
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
I============================~ Vacation Time – Summer Women and girls. unfamiliar counter in our local tasks and to- with summer conferences often gether solve them. We learn to Conference think that their sole purpose is understand characteristics and to teach the mission study books. viewpoints of peoples from other Yes-vacation time does mean This is only one feature, an im- lands by our contacts with misa summer conference for an in- portant one, but many more sionaries and nationals. We see creasing number of women each courses are offered. It will be ourselves from their viewpoint. year throughout the United of interest to doubting ones to States. There are twenty-two list a few of the courses that Vision – with this fellowship Conferences and Schools of Mis- were successfully tried last sum- comes a new understanding, and sions affiHated with the Council mer at various schools. with this new understanding of Women for Home Missions, comes a loftier vision. A vision and the Committee on Women's Christian conduct today. which places us and our difficul- Work, Foreign Missions Confer- Leadership training in devotionals. ties in their proper relationship. ence. These conferences are held Normal class in leadership. A vision from a spiritual mounat various times from April Book reviews. tain top that gives courage to through October, planned to co- Building and administering a helpful descend to the valley, better preincide with the vacation season. pared to attack the work waiting The attendance ranges from one youth program. there. A vision of the whole hundred and twenty-five dele- Laboratory class in methods of pro- purpose-His Kingdom on earth gates at the smallest conference -and the part we each are privto more than twelve hundred gram building. ileged to contribute. delegates at the largest. They Planning worship services for girlsvary in length of time. A few 1939 Conferences * are for two days-devoting one including personal worship. day to Home Missions and the Christian citizenship. The mission study for 1939 other day to Foreign Missions. Problem clearing. will be developed around the Some are of four-day duration, Religion in art. 'theme "Christ and World Comand many take a full week for Women's work-social action-peace munity." study. It is interesting to note that the large majority of the -unity. "The Mission of the Church delegates are lay-workers and Girls' personality course. Abroad" will be studied against leaders, women and girls from Music in Christian education. the background of the material local churches. Women and Panel discussions on various phases of presented at the great missiongirls who have accepted offices ary conference held in Madras, of responsibility: president of women's interdenominational work India, in December, 1938. In the mission society or women's Round table discussions on Oxford no sense a report of the meeting, auxiliary, devotional I e ad e r, the study books will interpret chairman of worship services, and Madras. the valuable discussions on the teacher of a study book, teacher Infusion of missions in the whole life and work of the younger in the bible school, etc. One mis- churches and the major issues sions school reported local pas- church program. confronting all Churches of the tors as delegates and one confer- East and West in their common ence had four groups: children, We have been thinking and missionary enterprise of the junior girls, senior girls, and writing about courses and dele- coming years. The books are bewomen. Apparently local work- gates, now let us consider the ing prepared by S. Franklin ers, women and girls, realize spiritual benefits derived from Mack and Basil Mathews who that more serious study and a these gatherings. were in attendance at Madras. deeper consecration is of vital importance if they are to per- Fellowship-Understanding "The Mission of the Church at form their various duties accept- -Vision Home" will be presented in ably. It is also encouraging that courses showing the rich fruits the groups attending are com- Fellowship – with worn e n of home missions through a cenposed of younger women. from other churches, from other tury of pioneering, introducing denominations, from other coun- tries. A fellowship with mis- * A list of summer conferences for 1939 sionaries. A fellowship with leaders and teachers. Fellow- will be found on page 260. ships that ripen into life-long friendships. Friendships that call forth the best in us in re- membrance of our conference days together.
Understanding – in this close fellowship we share the prob- lems and difficulties we en- [259 ]
the new leadership and pointing ward, 902 North 6th Street, Cam- and power may be utilized) but out the new tasks for the home bridge, Ohio. also practical new ways of premissionary enterprise of the fu- Mountain Lake Park, Md.-July 19-25 senting the four projects-samture. Books are in preparation -Interdenominational Sum mer ple d ram a s, impersonations, by Arthur S. Limouze and Frank School of Missions. Mrs. F. I. symbols-as well as other inti- S. Mead. Johnson, 711 Lake Shore Boulevard, mate suggestions. about proce- Saint Cloud, Fla. dure so that various types of These books on home and for- women may become active: coleign missions will be taught at AUGUST lege girls, world travelers, inall the mission schools. Kerrville, Texas – August 10-16- valids, etc. Instruction in the Bible will Texas Synodical Auxiliary Training 3. The Publicity Sub-Commitbe given at the conferences. School. Mrs. George M. Smith, "The farther the ages advance in Route 2, Brownsville, Texas. tee is already at work on sample civilization the more will the articles for use in local news- Bible be used."-Goethe. Lake Geneva, Wis. – August 13-20- papers beginning a month ahead Summer School of Missions. Pres., of February 9, 1940, which is Let us strive toward a greater Mrs. W. P. Topping, 406 Center the first Friday in Lent next interdenominational cooperation Street, Elgin, Illinois. year. If you have something in all summer schools and con- good used in your own newsferences. The Council of Women Chautauqua, N. Y.-August 19-25- paper, do send it to us at headfor Home Missions and the For- Institute of World Missions. Miss quarters to share with others, eign Missions Conference are B. Louise Woodford, 930 23rd Ave- for much of our mail asks: eager to help foster this coopera- nue, North, St. Petersburg, Fla. "What shall we say and how tion and may be called upon for suggestions. Many conferences SEPTEMBER shall we say it?" Bradford, take an offering each year for Pennsylvania, mailed us an asthe two home and the two for- Warren. Ohio-September 5-6-School tonishing and glorious reproduceign projects. Let us all support of Missions. Mrs. George Konold, tion of our small blue "Call to these four projects – Migrants, 314 Scott Street, N. E., Warren, Prayer," enlarged to cover one United States G () v ern men t Ohio. entire huge page – including Schools for Indians, Christian Durer's "Praying Hands," all Literature, Union Christian Col- Minnesota (Minneapolis-St. Paul)- the prayer items, the poem, and leges in the Orient-by gifts as September 18-22 – School of Mis- the interdenominational commitis our custom on the World Day sions. Pres., Mrs. C. E. Heard, tees of church women sponsorof Prayer. 3020 Colfax Avenue, Minneapolis, ing it, with a significant line, Minn. reading: "This is not a paid ad- Let us include a summer con- vertisement." So somebody was ference in our vacation. Dallas, Texas – September 25-29- amazingly wide-awake to the School of Missions. Mrs. Mitchell challenging uses of creative pub- Conferences and Schools Langdon. Hutchins, Texas. licity! of Missions Houston, Texas – September 25-29- 4. The New Radio Sub-Com- Affiliated with the Council of Women Leadershin Training School. Dean: mittee will put into the handbook for Home Missions and t "e Com- Mrs. A. B. Haynes, 618 Highland several sample radio programs mittee on Women's Work,For- Avenue, Houston, Texas. of warm and reverent beauty for eign Missions Conference use on a local radio. It is none The World Day of Prayer too soon now to secure "time" DATES AND CHAIRMEN, 1939 for this local broadcast next It is the hope of the Commit- February 9. JUNE tee for the World Day of Prayer that each city has already called In case you have any splendid Winona Lake, Ind.-June 17-24-Sum- together its Day of Prayer lead- ideas to share with your World mer School of Missions. Miss Min- ers to garner their beautiful Day of Prayer Committee, please nie M. Rumsey, 685 Northmoor items, to list all unfulfilled send them to the Chairman, Miss Road, Lake Forest, Illinois. dreams, and plan to make these Margaret Applegarth. Room 63, come true in 1940. Boulder, Colo. – June 25-July 1 – 297 Fourth Avenue, New York. School of Missions. Pres., Mrs. To make all of us conscious of Henry F. Hoffman, 741 Adams the larger values at our com- A Letter from Kinston, Street, Denver, Colorado. mand, the World Day of Prayer North Carolina Committee has set up four sub- Eagles Mere, Pa.-June 2d-.Tuly 1- committees to concentrate on "Yesterday I served on an interde- Interdenominational Confer('nce of preparing sample suggestions to nominational committee to plan for Missions. Mrs. Earl B. Breeding, be gathered into a handbook, for the observance of the World Day of Palmer Avenue and Vernon Road, Fall publication. Prayer. It was most encouraging. Scarsdale, N. Y. We plan to have a program in each of 1. The Program Sub-Commit- the public schools at the chapel period Mount Herman, Calif.-June 24-July tee will have as its duty the prep- and to help the Negroes with materials 1 – Federate School of Missions. aration of three new programs- and plans for observing the day. Mrs. Grace C. Makinson, 201 Ridge- one for children, one for young way Avenue, Oakland, Calif. people, one for women; the lat- "Last year we had a most impres- ter to use the "findings" of the sive service in our church. This year JULY recent Madras Conference, so we will all meet in the Christian that all of us may share in the Northfield, Mass.-July 3-10-Mission- impetus· of new goals for our Church." ary Conference. Miss Edna M. Christian living. Springhorn, 19 Wayside Lane, Scarsdale, N. Y. 2. The Promotion Sub-Com- mittee will put into this hand- Bethesda, Ohio-July 10-14-School of book not only an ideal set-up for Missions. Dean: Mrs. John Se- a local Day of Prayer observance (so that all the innate richness
come to. believe that "might with the remark: "Please in-
makes right" because the in- form owners in America that The Future of Christianity vaders seem to get what they their property will receive good want without much effort. care." The writer of the article World Call asked a number Oof Where is justice, they ask, and describes the kind of care it is Christian workers in China to what is truth? Evangelists who receiving. "Its dormitories have give their reaction to the present stress the future life have con- been used to house troops, alsituation and the outlook for siderable influence on this group. though Japanese property near Christianity in that harassed by is unmolested. These troops land. Briefly, here are some of The other group argues that cook their meals by burning furthe replies: it is more important to struggle niture from the Woman's Build- in this life than to seek immor- ing. Its thirty-year-old trees "Though distressed, Chinese Chris- tality in the next; that it is use- have been cut down over our protians do not believe that God has for- less to speculate over anything test. University safes have been saken them, or that His purposes have so remote. Face the world, chal- rifled, although we informed the been defeated." – J. H. McCallum, lenge it, change it, say they; but Japanese that these safes con- Nanking. the tendency is away from reli- tained nothing but University gion. A number of this group record.s. At least one small *** were once Christian, but now building has been torn down. "Youth are interested in the Chris- they are uncertain as to just Efforts to remove the library tian message as never before. They what to believe. They are say- and laboratory equipment have are rethinking the meaning of life."- ing if Christianity has no effec- failed. Katherine Schutze, Nanking. tive solution for the ills of this chaotic age, sooner or later it Innumerable holes have been *** will disappear. cut in the long fences, and sneak thieves snag typewriters and "Every opportunity for worship, The Association Pre s s of microscopes at will. It is obvious Bible study or service is met with China has published a set of fifty that the local military want this radiant spontaneity. Said one young books and three sets of pam- property after the war is over, man: 'Our lives must be representa- phlets that will be of value to all and are doing all this to depretions of Him. What else should we be these inquiring minds. The view ciate its value, so that it can be about these days?' "-Edna W. Gish, expressed by a Central China bought at a fraction of its worth. Nanking. University student shows how It is valued at $2,000,000, is 100 obvious and how urgent is the per cent American property and *** need for guidance. This student is so registered with the United who was a Christian with a States Government. "The Bible teaches that Jesus came sound religious background said to bring life and liberty. Although he was weary of abstruse books "Near to the Heart of God" our suffering is unspeakable, still our on religion, as most of them canspirit is unbroken."-Pastor Lee Cho- not be understood; nevertheless, Dr. Frank W. Price, of Nanwu, Wuhu. if he could find a good one he king Theological Seminary, gave would study it diligently to see students of Cornell University a *** if there is any alternative to glimpse of China that is refresh- Christianity, and if so, how it ing: "The Church has found real roots could help solve their problems. in the lives of the people, and favor Rural churches in China are feeling with the Government. To us, it seems University of Shanghai their way to new forms of worship. the future of Christianity for the Chi- I have never felt so near to God as in nese has never been brighter."-Daisy An article in the Religious some little village chapel near the B. Slater, Nanking. Herald of Richmond, Va., clari- fields. A cross on a table, a few scrolls fies the situation in regard to the on the wall, some backless benches, *** University of Shanghai, still in but it all belongs to the people and to the hands of the Japanese Army, God. Songs, not merely translations "The Church is the only decent despite repeated promises to re- of our Western hymns but more and thing we have left from our past."- store it to the Baptist Mission. more Christian verse set to Chinese An Educated Chinese. One of these promises ended music, throbbing with the pain and joy, the longing and hopes of country What Students Are Thinking [261 ] life, and rich in rural imagery. I A contributor to the Chinese Recorder points out that the present time is a critical one for students; and divides them into two groups with regard to their attitude toward Christianity. One group is pessimistic. They have been seriously affected by the horrors of war i they have
think of the line in one hymn, "He is Ohristian Oolleges are too small to hold the people, the spring wind and I am the grass; and in some places it is neceslet him blow"; and of that hymn with The most recent reports tell sary to hold parallel meetings. an old ballad tune which Christian us that there are at present over Progress on the East coast is farmers in many parts of China now 6,000 students in all the Chris- constant. sing as they go to their work: tian Colleges in China. This is "Wearing our straw hats and carry- 2,000 more than the previous -Sunday School Times. ing our hoes, we go to our fields, year, and only 1,000 less than praising the Lord." In Shantung and the record of peace days. This JAPAN AND CHOSEN other provinces village Christians are condition is due to the tenacity singing whole sections and chapters of students and staff in the face Economy Must Be Observed of the Bible to old tunes that have of hardship and danger. All the come down through the centuries. To Christian Colleges are still in Orders have been sent from hear the twenty-third Psalm thus existence, although only two are Prefectural Headquarters to all chanted by a country congregation is conducting all their work on religious organizations t hat to be moved to tears. their own campus-West China economy must be pra.cticed in Union University and Yenching the following ways: erect no On Easter of last year I was with University in Peiping. Cheeloo more buildings than are abso- Frank Brown of Suchowfu in one of University carries on sections of lutely necessary; do not use gold the rural churches of his missionary its work on its campus in Shan- in ornaments and decorations; field. The Christians streamed in tung, but the Medical School and do not use gold thread, and limit from the villages and filled the little Science Department have moved as far as possible the use of iron, chapel to overflowing, so that we met to West China. lead and copper; contribute in the yard outside. Each came with waste products to the governa wild flower in his hand and greeted U. S. Property Returned ment; carry on festivals economhis fellow-Christians, "Ye-su fuh-ho ically; do not have elaborate liao, Jesus is risen!" More and more On March 9, Japanese mili- funerals and marriages; curtail the rural churches of China are giv- tary forces, after many months the holding of feasts and the giving the festival the place it deserves, of occupancy, returned Soochow ing of presents; for publicathe church festival and the Christian- University to its Southern Meth- tions, use a poorer grade of ized native festival. odist owners. The Japanese au- paper. thorities also informed the Service for the Wounded United States Government that Suggestions for work that they were returning the South- Christian churches may carry The "Christian Service Coun- ern Presbyterian School and on are indicated in a program cil for Wounded Soldiers in Mission property at Kashing in announced by the Nat i .0 n a l Transit" enlarged its program Chekiang Province, and the Christian Council: (1) In Jain January this year, the nine- Southern Methodist School at pan; comfort for the wounded teenth month of China's resist- Huchow in the near future. and memorial services for the ance to aggression. Headquar- Members of the Soochow Uni- dead. (2) In China. Cooperaters of the Council have been versity staff have returned to tion with comfort agencies in removed to Chungking, provi- start repair work, and resume China and training workers for sional capital, and soon after- work at the institution. evangelism. (3) InternationaL ward eleven service units were Cooperation wit h Christian established along the various -New York Times. agencies in other lands in corhighways, railways, waterways recting mistaken views of J aor other lines of communication The Tide Rising pan's policies, and contacting inthroughout the provinces of dividuals with letters and pam- Shensi, Hupeh, Hunan, Kwangsi From French Indo-China it is phlets. (4) Distribution of the and Kwangtung. Workers wait reported that revivals are Bible and publication of pamupon wounded soldiers at the spreading. The Mois are assem- phlets. on the "emergency." various stations, serve them food bling at almost any hour of the and drink, dress their wounds, day or night for testimony, Kagawa's "Ten Points" write letters for them and ren- praise and prayer. These simpleder all help needed by the war- minded children of the jungle In one address, Kagawa has afflicted men. have met God, know their sins given five points of achievement are forgiven, and are filled with of Christianity in Japanese life. During the past year, the joy. Annamese Christians have They are: personal piety, purity, Christian Service Council had been touched also through a Chi- respect for labor, the spirit of under its direct employ only nese evangelist, and their lives peace and the spirit of social about 100 workers, drawn from have been completely changed. service. As for peace, he says the various Christian churches, that while the Japanese people schools and hospitals in differ- Changes are coming about in have never particularly abhorred ent centers throughout the coun- Sumatra also, and Mohammedan war, they are calling the present try. This foundation group drew influence is on the wane. The war a "war for peace." This into their respective folds of Batak Christians now number idea can be traced to Christianservice a total of 2,000 men. A 400,000, and 28,000 were bap- ity; that is, it is a step in adtotal of 460,754 wounded soldiers tized last year. The churches were assisted during the past year. Generalissimo Chi a n g Kai-shek has expressed his appreciation for the invaluable service thus rendered.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
vance that they must find an ex- Government officials h a v e jian schools, both in the number cuse for war. of pupils and the quality of work been friendly; a preaching per- done. Most significant of all is the changed attitude toward In a different address he mit for any place at any time Christianity among all the peopointed out five mistakes in mis- was readily secured; but the ple of the Islands. No longer sionary work: too much de- priests had warned the people are expressions of contempt pendence on Japanese workers; that the Protestant devils had heard when a Christian passes failure to read Japanese news- horns, and were evil people. by; opposition is being suppapers; unfamiliarity with good This aroused great curiosity, planted by admiration. Whereas Japanese books; too little min- especially among the children. religion is fighting for its life in gling with Japanese people and As the evangelists approached, so many countries, in Fiji there not growing with the Japanese. however, most people would dis- are signs of a rising tide of re- The Church of Christ will take appear within and bar their vival. time, he says; maybe four hun- doors, but their windows re- mained open, so the workers Clothes for Pitcairn Islanders dred years. would stand on the street and An amateur radio in the home -Japan Christian Quar- preach in a loud voice, knowing of Mrs. Dorothy Hall of Long terly. there were many listening ears. Island, New York, is practically the only contact that the 215 A few of the bolder inquirers Pitcairn Islanders have with the outside world. Ships that hap- "Combating Superstition" came to the evangelist's home in pen to be in that latitude call in- in Formosa frequently, but no closer than day time, but most of them five miles because of the shoals. Islanders must row out to meet The rigorous "Nipponizing" sneaked in at the back door by them. Since Mrs. Hall made campaign under way in Formosa night. At one time the workers public an appeal for supplies and . were speaking to a crowd when medic-ine last July, as all the includes the elimination of the world knows, she has been in Chinese language, even from a woman with eyes tightly closed constant touch with the island, primary schools; all teachers are for fear of seeing something, and the descendants of the required to have a command of came groping through the crowd Bounty mutineers look upon her the Japanese language, which in search of her son who, she as their agent and savior. When- knew, was listening. Still an- ever supplies run short, or demeans that Formosan teachers other day, during a street corner sires are expressed, they appeal are replaced by Japanese. Jap- to Mrs. Hall by radio to make service, an old woman ran out of the purchase and expedite the anese must also be th!Ol spoken her house with a bolo, ready to shipment, thus saving many prelanguage in homes, and the knife the preacher. She was re- cious weeks; otherwise, they strained, but the meeting broke must wait for a ship to call and police check up as to whether up. take the order. A recent request this is being done; also, whether was for a white shirt to wear to church; and something to use families have replaced the old It is encouraging that teach- as a substitute for tea and coffee, since the islanders will not drink Chinese gods with Shinto deities ersand school principals have either for religious reasons. -this, to do away with "superstition"! Compliance with these open minds, and are anxious for Honolulu Again a Foreign requirements assures the head of Field the family a preference in get- students to have the New Tes- On recommendation of the' tament. -The Message. Finance Department of the Epis- copal National Council, Honolulu ting a local job, or success in his The Fijians Today has been restored to its former business; and conversely, with- status as a foreign mission field; and Bishop Littell of Honolulu out such compliance it is impos- The Governor, Sir Harry has been given discretionary sible to find a job, or carryon Luke, was in attendance at the power to allocate appropriations business. Fijian Synod last fall, and was for this field. Since 1935, Hono- lulu had been considered a do- presented a whale's tooth by the mestic missionary field.
ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC Fijians as a mark of their re- -The Living Church.
Victories in, Batanes Islands gard. The Governor told them that, as a fellow-Christian, he Up to 1937 there had never rejoiced in the evidences of what been a Protestant worker in the Christianity has done for Fiji Batanes Islands, in the extreme and the Fijians.
north of the Philippines. Two The Synod celebrated the 25th Baptist missionaries, Dr. and anniversary of Baker Hall, built Mrs. Culley, were the first to go, in memory of Rev. Thomas and left two Filipino evangelists Baker and seven Fijian Christo establish a permanent work. tians who were killed and eaten A total of 2'15 conversions are in 1867. The building contains noted in the latest report, and 12,000 stones, a fact which sugtwo young men from Batanes gested the text for the occasion: are studying at Manila Evan- "Ye also as living stones are gelistic Institute, in preparation built into a spiritual temple."
for returning to their province Educational progress has been as evangelists. marked in both Indian and Fi-
NORTH AMERIOA The Bible Goes to School the land, for the most part un- molested. Those five Indian Another Unfinished Task Gideon Bibles are going to chiefs and army officials met and Although the Christian forces school. Inspired by Canada's of the United States have been negotiated at the junction of the attempting for more than 300 three years of placing Bibles in years to evangelize the North Trinity and vKelraymsaptoht Rt hi vaet ras~aInnd- American Indians, only about the schools, the Gideons of it is on this half of the 350,000 profess to be either Catholics or Protestants· America adopted as their na- dian Presbyterian Church has while the other half are stili pagan. Sectarian divisions are tional objective ilnastthyeeanr~t"ioTnh'es been built, near the old Indian no doubt partly responsible; an- nation's Book other factor has been the enor- rancheria known as Weitchpec. mity o~ the task ?f evangelizing schools for the boys and girls of the whIte populatIOn as it moved About ten years ago when the westward from the Atlantic to America." Denver, Colo., was the Pacific, obscuring the need Rev. Emil A. Schwab became for evangelizing the Indian. the first city to follow out this p~stor of the Presbyterian In- Now that there are no longer dIan Chureh at Hoopa, he saw 'an any frontiers in the United objective on a large scale, al- States, the Christianization of the Indian should receive more though other states rapidly fol- opportunity to extend Christian attention. Notable work has been done by the Episcopal lo~ed. Six hundred and fifty work among the Indians at Church among the Sioux in South Dakota, and by Baptists BIbles have been placed in 63 Weitchpec; whereupon, a Sunand Methodists in Oklahoma. schools in Denver: Several sub- day School was osregtanuizped~nda -Christian Observer. preaching station urban schools have been sup- Are Americans Being Duped? plied, making a total of 700 ac- through the years services have tually placed in schools, at the been maintained. Lseacsut ryede afr ~oamn appropriation was last report. Contributions have come mainly from Colorado Sun- the Board of National Missions day schools. Gideons themselves which made possible the erection visit Sunday schools and present' of a church building. It was dedi- the plan. cated November 16, 1938. An The fact that copies go only interesting part of the dedica- to rooms requesting one is as- tory service was the reading of surance that it will be used. an historical sketch of the Mis- sion by a grandson of one of the Teachers read passages for a ~ornin~ devotional, they study five Indian chiefs who had a It as hterature, they use it in part in the negotiations over the memory work, they use it as ref- land. erence material.
EpDisrc.oWpa. lRuCshseulrlcBh,owNie~wof Grace Realizing the general lack of Ohristianity and National York, knowledge of the Bible, the Gid- Wealth recently expressed astonishment eons are preparing a list of ref- erences adapted to students; and Speaking before 500 business at ~he number of apparently in- an outgrowth of this whole proj- and professional men at a Chi- cago Chamber of Commerce te~hgent persons who are being ect n?w follows in the forming me~ting, W. A. McIntyre, Sal- of BIble research clubs in the vatIOn Army Commissioner for mIsled by under-cover anti- schools. These are regular the central states, said that the school clubs, each sponsored by Army has contributed two bil- Semitism. Exaggerated state- lion dollars to the wealth of the a member. of the faculty, and United States by the reclamation ments are made that are cal- they pr:ovIde both Bible study of over 200,000 "down-and- and socIal contact for Christian outers." When a citizen is lost culated to arouse dislike of Jews young people. The study in to society through drunkenness, as many thousands are every by people who pose as intelligent these clubs covers a wide range of subjects, such as archeology, ~ear! ther~ is !l- monetary value defenders of the truth. These astronomy and other sciences in the light of the Bible. mevItable m hIS restoration. An people are unwitting tools of -So S. Times. propaganda by groups who are using anti-Semitism as an in- strument to establish here the same sort of fascist regime as is in power in Germany and Italy. Here is the technique: Divide the nation into groups: get New Hoopa Indian Ohurch economist estimates the average ~me. ~roup to hate another; fasten an It was eighty-seven years ago person is worth $10,000 to the last October that five Indian InVIdIOUS label on every one who chieftains, representing tribes in country. Mr. McIntyre says northern California, met a milifst~aeneddosmf(orfa~Armpelraiyca; n ideals of honor tary commission and entered in- that in his life time he has seen call every cham: to treaties with the United plOn of JustIce a communist and every States Government whereby cer- 200,000 human derelicts, with no tain tracts of land were deeded Jew a communist; call every labor to the Indians. These treaties future but sapisrliatbuailnlythaendmophrygsu.ie~ have never been ratified, but the recovered lead,er in the North and every or- Indians have continued to occupy ~amzer of the pitiful share-croppers cally through the ministry of the I!l the South an enemy to the estab- Salvation Army. This means a ~Ishc:d order; call every defender of Jus~lce for the Negro a traitor to contribution to soc i e t y of whIte supremacy – in short stir up $2,000,000,000.
enough antagonisms and you will The totals mount when one make democracy unworkable and the adds the results of other rescue stage will be set for a Hitler.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
mISSIOns, and the ministry of stroyed. In all, the cash loss is friends with officials, and finally the churches. In commenting, approximately $10,000, but this gained permission to begin evanan editorial writer in the Watch- does not include loss of farm in- gelistic work. Although hunman-Examiner says that while come and that from damaged dreds of men crowded in to hear, one cannot approve of measur- buildings. when they were given their freeing the value of a life in dollars dom, they were soon back in and cents, this is nevertheless a ELMER E. GABBARD. prison for new crimes. Then language that business men the prison walls were made to understand; and that our eco- LATIN AMERICA ring with the warnings of God's nomic depression is in large part judgments on murder, theft, and the result of business leaders Student Pastor in Puerto Rico other forms of wickedness, toforgetting that Christianity pro- gether with the assurance of forduces far-reaching benefits to the The University of Puerto Rico giveness through Christ. Soon nation. is a growing institution. It has it was evident that "something" recently added several ne,w was happening. Tears flowed; Good and Evil Influences buildings, and its six depart- prisoners began to make a "clean ments have a faculty of 229, breast" of their sins and there A group of workers of St. with a total enrolment of nearly has been a mighty turning to Mark's Methodist Church in 5,000 students. For some time Christ in this prison. Many are New Orleans recently made a the evangelical churches of now reading the New Testament, survey of the French Quarter of Puerto Rico have hoped that an and some are genuinely conthat city, in which the church is evangelical pastor might be ap- verted. located, and report that this pointed to the University staff, a Quarter has about a dozen bad hope that has now been realized. A Nurse's Job in Guatemala influences to one good influence; Rev. Domingo Marrero, missionor, 285 bad influences and only ary in Santo Domingo for some Poverty, malnutrition and dis- 25 good ones. In the category years, a Methodist minister with ease underlie the picturesque of bad influences are 264 saloons excellent preparation, a fine beauty of Guatemala which touror beer parlors, six dance halls, speaker and strong in Christian ists admire. Miss Lucy Bestand fifteen gambling houses. education, was appointed to the wick, R.N., conducts a clinic in staff. He has already won the her home in Quezaltenango and Among the twenty-five good respect and affection of both stu- in the near-by villages. She has influences were eight churches, dents and faculty. learned to drive a car on roads eight schools, one park, two play- where a leeway of six inches begrounds, one library, one kinder- The Federation of Evangelical tween the car and precipice is garten, two health centers, and Churches of Puerto Rico re- considered ample, and where 72 two community centers. cently honored Mr. Marrero by hairpin turns in a distance of appointing him as executive sec- two miles make what Guate- -World Outlook. retary of the Committee of Re- malans call a good road. There ligious Education of that or- are regions, however, where the Flood at Buckhorn Mission ganization. nurse and her car cannot go- not because she fears the road The region around Buckhorn, Preaching to Prisoners but because there is no road; Kentucky, experienced the most then she takes her bag and disastrous flood in its history in F. J. Huegel, a missionary to climbs to whatever cornstalk hut January, and the waters did Mexico under the United Chris- may need her services. their worst on the premises of tian Missionary Society, has the Presbyterian Mission there. been a leader in prison work in Last summer typhus broke out The church was under eight feet Mexico. He writes in World Call and 87 died. Though it origof water. The Domestic Science of some of the difficulties. At inates in poverty and filth, the building, McKenzie Hall, Englis Xochimilco the Christian work- privileged class is struck down Home, the Geer Gymnasium and ers were told that if they would too. So Miss Bestwick set up an the store rooms were all flooded. teach the prisoners to read, and isolation hospital in a little evan- The water went into the second kill bed bugs, that would be more gelical chapel, where she and an story of the Domestic Science to the point than giving "a mes- Indian preacher who volunteered building and totally or partially sage of pretty words." Both to help, and twelve patients were destroyed all the weavings. Al- projects were undertaken on the left to fight it out. One patient most all the food supply that side, and the result was a group died; eleven got well. had been canned and dried and of Believers won after a year of placed in the new store room, preaching. Two years of preach- Colombian Christians built safe~ above the highest ing at Coyoacan had a similar water level 'known to the oldest result. Days in the s'addle, nights in citizens, was destroyed. a hammock, heat, insects, fatigue Mexican law forbids evan- are incidentals in an evangelistic The whole farm program of gelical activity in the federal trip over mountain trails in inthe school was disrupted, and prison, but when a young nurse terior Colombia, but these hardhope of returns from gardens, killed her lover and was put in poultry and dairy seem de- the prison, Mr. Huegel visited her. He took books, made
ships did not dim Mr. W. W. mosque in London, connected were granted religious liberty on Thomas' enthusiasm over the with the Ahmadiyya sect which February 17, 1848. Since that staunch qualities of Colombian is only about seventy years old. time, realizing that they must be Christians. Said he: "To use missionary, they have spread the your machete for chopping brush Hinduism has not formerly Gospel throughout Italy and toinstead of carving your neigh- favored proselyting but is now day they have churches, mission bor, to be a teetotaler, to be the conducting propaganda in Eu- stations and organized groups in husband of one wife, to read the rope and America, through their Italy, in Italian East Africa, in Bible and try to practice its swamis. Hindu publications are Uruguay and Argentina, and teaching – all these sound like issued in English and German North America. commonplace things to us; but as well as in Indian languages. they are not commonplace to the Many of the Hindu sects are Bible Study in France mountain villager in Colombia." closely related to Theosophy and some claim a considerable fol- As if tired of human theories, Mr. Thomas met a woman lowing of the yogi cults. French Protestants are drawing who told him she never used to closer to the Word, and forming know when her husband would A Waldensian Celebration Bible reading circles. Out of get home, because he simply this has come the formation of could not pass the cantina with- This year the Waldenses plan Bible study groups in a number out stopping to get drunk. "But to celebrate the 250th anniver- of churches. In one church an now," she said, "I still never sary of their "Glorious Return." entire afternoon was given over know when he'll be home, but After the revocation of the Edict to a detailed study of selected that's because he can't pass. any- of Nantes by Louis XIV of portions of the Bible. In another body on the trail without stop- France, the Waldenses in Italy place, sixty young people were ping to tell him what Christ has suffered greatly from ruthless seen bent over their Bibles in done for him, and urge the other persecutions. In 1687 the small meditation. Observations made man to become a Christian too." remnant were allowed to flee to by these young people, whose Switzerland and there they kept training and environment had -:-Monday Morning. alive their love for religious lib- given them no special aptitude erty and for their valleys in for Bible study, showed a grasp EUROPE Northern Italy. Two years later, of Scripture truth. in August, 1689, Pastor Henry Asiatic Missions in England Arnaud led about 600 men across -Sunday School Times. the Alps to the Waldensian Val- Rev. G. Francis S. Gray, a leys, where, against superior Religions of Central Europe missionary of the S. P. G., when forces of French and Italian on furlough, made an investiga- soldiers, they rewon their home- Practically every European tion of the activities of Bud- land. This "Glorious Return" creed may be found in Czechodhists, Moslems and Hindus in will be celebrated in Italy in slovakian territory. Here live England. He visited the head- August and the first week in Roman Catholics, Lutherans, quarters of the two main Bud- September. Calvinists, Jews, Roman Uniates, dhist organizations. One is the Old Catholics, Baptists, Metho- "Buddhist Lodge," which has The Western Section of the dists, ultra-patriotic Czechoslobeen in existence for about fif- World Alliance, which met in vak National Church, Greek Orteen years and was formerly a Pittsburgh, February 28-March thodox, Pietists, agnostics and branch of the Theosophical 1, adopted resolutions express- atheists. Presidents Masaryk Society. Its work is largely ing their congratulations to the and Benes were of the Hussite devoted to the translation of Waldensian Church, and calling tradition; the present premier Buddhist classics. The other this historic event to the atten- is a Roman prelate. Roman Buddhist Mission (also called Catholics embrace about two the British Maha Badhi) with tion of Protestant churches.* thirds of the population; less headquarters in London, is con- than a tenth are Protestant, the nected with Ceylon Buddhism The Waldenses are the oldest two ma,in subdivisions being and is more intent on propa- survlvmg evangelical church Lutherans and Calvinists. The ganda. It was founded in 1926 group in the West. Their his- Moravians, some of whom setby a Singalese but the monks torY is continuous from the tled in Bethlehem, Penna., total find it difficult to observe their twelfth century to the present about 8,000 in Czechoslovakia. religious rules in the climate of day. Their missionary efforts Congregationalists n u m b e r England. at one time covered most of Eu- 7,000, Methodists 8,000 and Bap- rope and their influence was tists perhaps 3,000 Smaller Islam in Epgland is repre- strong in the Latin, Germanic, American sects, such as Russellsented by two sects. There are and some Slavic lands. The ites, Pentecostals and Seventhonly two mosques but a number Waldenses helped prepare for Day Adventists are represented. of Moslem prayer houses, mainly the Protestant Reformation by There is also a group of some for Eastern M 0 s I ems. One sending missionaries and the 600,000 seceding Catholics who mosque at Woking is staffed by Bible throughout Europe. They resemble in their beliefs the Indians, graduates of Indian universities. There is another • Suitable music and other helps for the celebration of this anniversary may· be ob- tained from the American Waldenslan Aid Society, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York,
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Alnglicans of the time Qf Henry to its readers last December to. tiQn fQr the purpQse o.f spreading the VIII. kno.wledge amo.ng o.ther peo.ples., cQntribute to a fund to supply that they, to.o., might be made In the midst Qf cQnflicting ra- happy thro.ugh its ,blessings. cial claims Qf Czechs, SIQvaks, destitute Russians all o.ver the These charitable o.rganizatio.ns PQles, Ruthenians, Sudetens, WQrld with free Bibles. This send o.ut their educatio.nal mis- Magyars, Jews, Rumanians and met with pro.mpt and hearty re- siQns, supply them with mo.ney Gypsies, the religiQus aspect Qf SPo.nse on the part o.f Swedish and supPo.rt them in every way, the CzechQslQvakia prQblem have Christians, and in one month fo.r no. o.ther purpo.se but sincere been largely Qverlooked. This about $2,500 were sent to. the service fo.r humanity's sake and seems all the mQre remarkable o.ffice of the paper fo.r this pur- fQr the lessening Qf its afflictions. since this is the land Qf J Qhn pose. With this sum, 6,000 co.m- Wherever these missiQns have Hus, Qne of the fQunders Qf plete Russian Bibles can be sent, gQne, they have becQme angels PrQtestantism. and several societies are now Qf mercy and examples of per- busy distributing them amo.ng fect fulfilment of duty. "God. Seekers" in Yugoslavia Russians in the Baltic States, Po.land, Czecho.slovakia, Ruma- "If the noble feeling, that o.f The Watchman-Examiner re- nia, France, Brazil, Argentina sincere cQoperation among na- PQrts a new religiQus mQvement and Manchuria. tions, permeated the individuals that is sweeping over YugQ- of society and brotherhoo.d of slavia. More than 400 brQther- AFRICA love were spread among all, then hQQds have been Qrganized and all nations would be the memtens Qf thQusands Qf members Leaders for New Egypt bers of one family, and most huhave been enrQlled. TheyadvQ- man tro.ubles would be ended." cate a return to. the Qriginal In 1921 Wilbert Smith went primitive life of the evangelists., to Cairo. with a co.mmissio.n and -The Moslem World. free frQm the "burdens" of an idea. The co.mmissio.n was to. earthly PQssessiQns, and call start an Egyptian Y. M. C. A. Spiritual Progress in themselves "GQd-seekers.." Many Friends in America provided the Sudan thQusands are said to be giving $275,000 for a building, and away all their possessiQns and England and America provided C. M. S. missionaries tell of a j Qining this movement. five secretaries. But the idea remarkable spiritual movement was more difficult to put thro.ugh. in parts Qf the Upper Nile re- Galicians Eager for Gospel It was that the new Y. M. C. A. gion, with schools, hospitals and must be manned by Egyptians churches all flourishing. Mrs. Last year, in the Galician re- and stand o.n its o.wn feet. Now, K. G. Fraser writes in the Life giQn Qf pQland, wQrd was sent after 18 years, eight o.f the ten of Faith: Qut that an evangelical Christian secretaries are Egypitians and meeting WQuid be held in Qne Qf o.nly two. are Americans. The s c h 0 01 s and dispensaries the villages, and five thQusand throughout the country are packed perSQns responded by attending, The first Egyptian to. become with people, and on Sundays the SQme Qf whom had traveled 35 a Y secretary had been an ardent crowds are so great that they have miles. nationalist, and tho.ught the Y overflow meetings at every center. o.ught to. be destroyed, so he At Chief J ambo's there are over 1,000 This meeting was Qne Qf the j Qined it in Qrder to. bo.re fro.m people every Sunday morning. In addevelQpments. Qf the interna- within. Now he is more reSPo.n- dition to sixteen out-schools there are tiQnal Christian WQrk carried Qn sible than any other man for now ten preaching places, and quite with the help of the Central Bu- pro.ducing the yo.ung leaders 10,000 people hear the Gospel every reau for Relief o.f Evangelical both in bo.ys' and men's depart- Sunday. Several well-known witch Churches in Europe, begun ments who. are interpreting doctors have broken up their charms twelve years ago. The work in Y. M. C. A. ideals to. the youth and destroyed their entire parapher- Galicia no.w has 18 salaried pas- of the natio.n. Another of the nalia, and are attending services and tors, 75 grQUps of worshippers, eight is now studying in the New classes regularly. 40 organized churches, 3,020 York Schoo.l of Social WQrk, and recognized church members and plans to. return to. Egypt for spe- There are not enough beds for all 2'0 Sunday Schools. Of the 40 cial work in this field. the patients in the hospital at Lui, and Qrganized cQngregations, five as for schools, about 80 attend the meet in chapels. The remaining Honor to Mission Schools Girls' Classes, sixty the Women's 35, until they receive aid in School and over 200 pupils are in the erecting buildings conforming to. The Governor Qf Assiut PrQv- Boys' School. Sale of Gospels has the local law, meet in peasants' ince, Egypt, in addressing 2,000 gone up by leaps and bounds. In short, cottages consisting of one living at the co.mmencement exercises the increase in the Christian commuroom each. of Assiut College, said: "One of nity has far outstripped the resources the accepted human principles is in teachers and evangelists. It is re- Bibles for Russians that individuals coo.perate in ported that 11,000 Christians are in o.verco.ming difficulties, the the care of one African pastor, the A Swedish Christian paper, strQng helping the weak. Gro.ups nearest missionary being 80 miles Hemmets Van, issued an appeal Qf charitably inclined individ- away. uals have gQne ahead in civiliza- Nigeria Opens Its Doors The establishment of leper set- tlements by the Sudan Interior Mission, the Sudan United Mis- siQn and the C. M. S. in several
provinces of Nigeria has gained boys play football with bare menian and Syrian Evangelical the good will of the people to feet, harder than boots, and the Churches. The Bible Lands such a degree that missionary native band at the game dis- Union for Christian Education work is now possible in the for- courses "The Swanee Ribber" conducted a successful Sunday merly closed Moslem emirates of on instruments of bamboo joints. School Institute and the Arme- Kano, Katsina Zaria and Sokoto nian Christian Endeavor Socie- Provinces. The above named mis- It should be further noted that ties held a large and enthusiastic sions are caring for about 800 the white man's prestige is prac- conference whose results are belepers. With government assist- tically a thing of the past. In ing evidenced in various direcance the Brethren mission is car- the commercial world the su- tions. The British Syrian Mising for 500 lepers and the Dutch perior,educated native has dis- sion and Danish missionaries Reformed Church for 400 more. placed the inferior w hit e. also held a ten-day summer Natives are to be found in large school. In the Steps of Dan Crawford offices and banks, using compli- cated cash registers and type- The Near East School of The- Mr. Ernest Salisbury, mis- writers, and keeping their firm's ology, another union institution, sionary of the Brethren, last ledgers. Many of the captains graduated five students last year visited the district around of large transport steamers are year; two were women. Hospi- Luanza Mission, Elisabethville, natives, as are postmasters and tals of the American Mission in Belgian Congo, where Dan traders. Tripoli and Deir-ez-Zor, and that Crawford labored for so many of the Edinburgh Medical Misyears. He describes a confer- -Sunday School Times. sionary Society in Damascus are ence of native Christians, which all filled and several young began each day with a devotional WESTERN ASIA women have completed their message and prayer. This was training as qualified nurses. followed by a study of Paul's Religion in Turkey Epistle to Titus, presented in a -NearEast Christian Counhelpful manner. Gospel services There is a distinction between cil N eW8 Bulletin. were held in the evenings, and official and personal attitude toon the closing day four converts ward religion in Turkey. Offi- Two Bible Societies Combine were baptized. Nine persons in- cially, Turkey is completely secdicated their desire to become ular, but religion is respected The American Bible Society Christians. because it is ingrained in the life and the British and Foreign and thought of the people. Tur- Bible Society have combined Mr. Salisbury's tour of the key has not suppressed religion, their work in the Near East, Luanza district covered 350 but has separated religious and and have established headquarmiles, including a visit to the tin secular authority which were ters in Beirut. The American mines where thousands of na- formerly united in the Sultan. Press is the chief publishing tives are employed. At the In thousands of mosques and in agency for the Society. During hospital no fewer than 200 pa- hundreds of churches and syna- one recent four-month period, tients are treated daily. Bibles gogues worship goes on unhin- 40,000 Bibles and portions were had been given to a number who dered. Four evangelical churches shipped out, most of them to the had shown their keenness in in Istanbul hold services as Port Said depository. In addievangelistic work, while two na- usual. tion to Bibles, the Press prints tives had been sent as colpor- textbooks and other publications. teurs to villages near the mines. No religious training for chil- A monthly magazine issued by A three-room house has been dren is permitted, except at the Press goes to North and erected for untainted children of home, but there is a good oppor- South America, as well as to leper parents.-The Christian. tunity for mission Sun day Asiatic and European countries. schools. Schools have been sec- Palestine, Iran and other Arabic- Changes in Nyasaland ularized and mosque schools speaking countries are good cus- suppressed. Early morning call tomers for literature. These are suggested by the re- to prayer has been discontinued; cent dedication of a memorial Sunday is now a legal holiday Results Among Moslems window in the mission church instead of the Mohammedan Friat Ekwendeni, representing Luke day. The sale of Christian lit- It is sometimes said that a and commemorating the minis- erature is limited by censorship. hundred years of effort to contry of Dr. Walter A. ElmsIie; vert Moslems have not produced the singing of Ngoni songs with Progress in Syria results. A report of the Near Christian words, and Scottish East Christian Council, while psalms as well. Tales of sav- This country, too, has its prob- admitting that the number of agery are all but incomprehen- lems, but mission schools report converts is not large, calls attensible to Ngoni young people of advance. Aleppo College has tion to the incalculable change today, who are happier by far erected new buildings and over that Christian thought and than their forefathers. There 275 have enrolled. This School ideals have wrought upon Islam. are slave raiders no longer. The is a united undertaking of the The reports reminds that it is American Presbyterian Mission, not required of stewards that the American Board and the Ar-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
they be successful, but that they Indian Communal Groups Dr. John McKenzie, Principal of must be "faithful." Wilson College, was elected Mod- Recently, the Near East Chris- The National Missionary So- erator, an appointment for three ciety of India has now eleven years. tian Council has been looking fields in India. The work is carinto the reasons for the lack of ried on in association with neigh- Communicant membership of definite results. The inquiry boring missions, and comprises the United Church of Northern has centered around two ques- district work, hospitals, an ash- India stands at present at 77,000, tions : (1) "What special hin- ram and a college. Thus, the all- while the adherents. number well drances make work for Moslems India society has extended its over 200,000. The India Mission less successful than similar ef- work into almost every branch of the Lutheran, and of the Reforts for other people?" and (2) of the Christian missionary en- formed Church in America, were "What changes in methods or terprise. The Poona and Indian incorporated with the United line of approach offer hope of Village Mission, in its last re- Church of North India, after better success?" The two hin- port, faces up to the results of nearly six years of negotiating. drances stand out: Christian itswork. It describes its bapteaching does not mean the same tized converts for the last five Another action taken by the to the Moslem as to the Chris- years as numbering eight. The Assembly had to do with a protian ; and to the Moslem a change churches, which meet almost en- posed foreign mission project. of religion involves a change of tirely in compounds, consist of Definite plans submitted by the group connection and loyalty. Christians entirely dependent Foreign Missions Committee on the mission. There cannot be were approved by the Assembly, The best way to overcome in the whole area more than and the Church will now be these hindrances is first: more fifty-five Christians not depend- asked to support its own mission devotion, more prayer, more ef- ent on the mission; some of the in East Africa. Almost all the fort, more faith, more love; and latter are not in regular attend- Church Councils are supporting second, a way must be found ance, and the names of others are home missions within their own around the obstacles, so as to not even on the church rolls. bounds. avoid a frontal attack on the There are altogether in touch Moslem position. This requires with the mission about one hun- -Presbyterian Register. a sympathetic understanding of dred and sixty individuals. the Moslem mind. Efforts should Growth in Elementary Schools center about making J e sus It should be remembered that Christ known as a personality, India moves in com m una I One of the changes of the last rather than on doctrinal discus- groups, and that work for indi- decade has been the phenomenal sion. New converts should be viduals often causes a deadlock. increase in the number of chilled to develop such a sympathetic One missionary relates his ex- dren going to school; indeed, relationship with their neigh- periences in Hyderabad State, there has been a marked advance bors that a spiritual fellowship where he had refused to baptize in all stages of school training; will follow. individual converts until they but according to the Minister of had made every effort to win Education in Lahore, what is -American Mission Report. their relatives and friends. On now needed is not so much quan- one occasion he took a number titative expansion as consolida- INDIA, BURMA, SIAM of these unbaptized converts tion of what· has been under- with him, and they visited in a taken. He would like to see the Hunger for the Gospel team the relations and friends of system of education in schools to each throughout the district, be based on community work- A convincing evidence of In- with the result that in a few more on actual observation of dia's hunger for the Gospel is months one thousand were under things and facts and nature found in the statement of an preparation for baptism. study than on mere cramming English Methodist missionary in and the reading of officially prethe Deccan. He says that in his -Australian Missionary scribed textbooks. thirty-eight years of missionary Review. service he has never yet gone to Not in costly buildings, but in a village for evangelistic work United Church of North India thatched houses, if need be, he without being called to it by the would have students trained in people thems.elves. During the A successful General Assem- simple living and high thinking; past three or four decades the bly of the United Church of with more attention given to dedemand for copies of the Chris- North India was held early this velopment of mind and chartian Scriptures has far exceeded year in Bombay. From nineteen the supply. Similar conditions acter. -Agricultural Mission Notes.
exist among the Bhils of West- Church Councils, or Presby- A Note on Prohibition . ern Central India. During the teries, covering an area from past three years the North India the Northern Panjab to Assam, The following observation on United Church has baptized Rajputana and Central India, the prohibition campaign is en- thirty thousand from among some 100 delegates gathered. lightening. A correspondent of Some delegates traveled more the Daily Times of India who these primitive peoples.
-Dnyanodaya. than 3,000 miles to be present. has been investigating economic
conditions on behalf of the Bom- these versions is told by Rev. than 1,000 consecutive cases bay Industrial Survey Commit- J. M. S. Hooper in his recently there has not been the loss of tee, made a special study of the published book, "The Bible in any mother. With the medical effects of the "No Drink Cam- India." care has gone the presentation of paign" on the lives of some fish- the Gospel of Christ. ermen. Here is his report: Baptist Union a Reality Bangkok is a difficult field for About 42 fishermen of Kumta were The Baptist Union of India, evangelistic work. In the hustle working in cooperation and owned a Burma and Ceylon is an accom- of such a city, it is difficult to rampan (big net). As was their cus- plished fact. The tentative or- make lasting contacts. A good tom, before going on work with the ganization was set up at Bala- time to present the Gospel is durrampan and after coming from it they sore in February, 1936, a con~ ing the first few days following used to take toddy, all sitting in a stitution was agreed upon and a the birth of a child. To many it circle. Apart from this each of them panel of officers elected. Seven~ is the beginning of plans for also invariably had his bottle or two teen of the various Baptist family life and the home. To in the evening. Excluding this quan- groups ratified the constitution. others it is added responsibility, tity taken on individual account, I An inaugural session of the as well as greater joy to be found that the 42 fishermen spent, be- Union has recently been held, shared. A sympathetic interest, tween November 1937 and February and a president has been elected. with Christ-like care and atten- 1938, Rs. 800 on drinks. In short, Words of greeting from Karens, tion, are bringing results. what was happening was that the in- Burmans, Telugus, Panjabis, come of the male members was being Bengalis, Assamese and head -Siam Outlook. spent on drinks, and it was the woman hunters were a demonstration of who was supporting the family with the power of the Gospel. The Siam – Land of the Free her slender earnings. All this is central theme placed before the changed now. About 90 per cent of delegates at this first session The Siamese have maintained these fishermen are not drinking to- was "All one body in Christ." their independence for the past day. A small number of them have 600 years. Their ancient name freed themselves from debt and have -Baptist Missionary for themselves is thai, free. Just opened accounts with the post offices. Review. now, in this totalitarian age, They have also given up their set no- they are experimenting with a tion that fishing is impossible without Buddhist Missionaries constitution and representative toddy. Small artisans outside the from Siam government. "dry" area want prohibition in their areas too. But the real contribution The Siam Chronicle reports Siam is surrounded by broadof the experiment is seen in the eyes that a group of Buddhist priests casting stations – at Singapore, of the womenfolk. are about to set out from Ceylon Batavia, Hongkong, Calcutta, so on a missionary tour. Starting that all the currents of world How the Bible Came to India from India, and going east thought sweep over her. Her through Burma, Siam, Ind~ political patterns are new, and The honor of giving India her China, China and Japan, they her leaders are young. It is sigfirst Bible belongs to German expect to take three years to go nificant that they take up their missionaries of the Lutheran around the world. In America responsibilities with a heritage Church, who went out in 1706. and Europe they will investigate of religious liberty, unhampered There have been Christians in conditions to see what advances by a racial inferiority complex, Travancore for 1,500 years-Ja- of the Buddhist religion can be less bound by tradition than cobites, converts of early Syrian made in those two areas. Also most Orientals, unafraid of new missions, but no attempt was there are many young men in ideas. All this constitutes a made to provide the Bible for the Ceylon studying, in preparation striking challenge to the Chrisconverts. The Church of Rome to go wherever there may be an tian missionary forces, since nohas been in India for 500 years, open door for the teaching of where else in the world is Budand has today nearly 8,000,000 Buddhism. dhism so well organized and members, but only recently has firmly established as in Siam. any translation of the Scriptures For Mothers and Babies Protestant work there is largely been done under the auspices of the responsibility of the Presbythis Church. While Bangkok has some fine terian Church. The task was hospitals with modern equip- faced at aconferenc·e in Feb- In 1857, the year of the Sepoy ment, they are not adequate to ruary, when a program of evan- Rebellion, the British and For- care for young mothers and new- gelism was outlined for the imeign Bible Society appointed a born babies. Fifteen years ago, mediate future. committee to prepare a union the Presbyterian Mission in version of the Bible. An earlier Siam assigned Miss J. Christen- For the past five years, the Tamil version, translated by Lu- sen to Bangkok, to work out young king Ananda Mahidol has therans, had served the purpose some plan for helping in this been studying in L a usa nne, of introducing the Book, al- great problem. Switzerland. In November he though it had many defects. The went to Bangkok to open the pr.inciple races of all India now Government approval of her newly-elected parliament and atpossess the whole Bible, trans- work has been given for, in more tend to various official duties. lated by men like William Carey and Henry Martyn with the help -Foreign Affairs Bulletin. of Indian scholars, and finally revised by committees of the Bible Societ.y. The story of all Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Studies in Popular Islam. By Samuel social worker, builder, truck ments, explicit and tacit. It can M. Zwemer. 8vo. 148 pp. $2.50. driver, preacher in three lan- Macmillan Co. New York. 1939. guages, Bible class teacher, and be expressed in words (verac- has trained a very efficient staff Forty years of study and ex- of native nurses. The frontis- ity) , or in actions such as fulperience has made Dr. Zwemer piece, showing a Burmese doctor an authority on this subject. As a and his wife and twenty-nine filment of contracts, and in missionary to Moslem lands, edi- nurses belonging to his Amertor of The Moslem World, the ican Baptist missionary hospital habits such as fidelity, loyalty, author of many books on Islam, at Namkham, Burma-where he wide travel and recently Pro- has been in charge for seventeen and dependability. A lie is an fessor of History of Religion and years-is most impressive. He Christian Missions at Princeton, is a graduate from Johns Hop- attempt to deceive without conhe has gathered an immense kins University and a fourth amount of information. Above generation missionary, the great- sent. It may not succeed; yet if all he writes with sympathy for grandson of Rev. J. H. Vincent, the good points in Islam, but a pioneer missionary to Burma. it tries to deceive it is a lie from with understanding and convic- Mrs. Seagrave is evidently a tion as to the supremacy of wonderful partner in service. the moment that it crosses the Christ and His Gospel. If you would like to know how liar's lips.." Xes and it may start This volume takes up the use a ,good pioneer missionary doctor of the Moslem prayer beads, the "wastes" his time, of his adven- farther back than the lips. Ka'aba at Mecca, the sword of tures on the road, of the way he Islam, their calendar with feasts "holds the fort" against attack- Dr. Cabot's great book is in and fasts, traditions, supersti- ing tribes from China; if you are tion, sorcery and charms; the interested in amusing incidents, three parts: I-Definitions; 11- Koran and its translations, the tragedies, near tragedies and prophet and the worship of triumphs – physical and spir- Selected Problems in Honesty Adam. Here is an excellent but itual-we recommend this book. brief description of faith and It is easy, fascinating reading and Dishonesty, and III-Phipractice in Moslem life. for young and old,for doctors and laymen. losophy of Honesty. It faces Tales of a Waste-Basket Surgeon. By Dr. Gordon S. Seagrave. 265 Honesty. By Richard Cabot. $2.50. honestly the problem of honesty pp. $1.50. Judson Press. Phil- 326 pp. The Macmillan Co. New adelphia. 1938. York. 1939. and tells the truth about lies.
In an informal, chatty way, This is clear ozone, purifying Here is solid foundation for Dr. Seagrave tells many inter- and penetrating. According to esting experiences of his life as Dr. Cabot's sound doctrine a lie character and human trust and a pioneer missionary doctor in is a lie and it is always wrong. North Burma. The "waste- He agrees with Dr. Henry Clay right relations between men and basket" does not indicate the Trumbull's position: "A Lie quality of his work but the des- Never Justifiable." Honesty and nations. R. E. SPEER. tination of his patients if no truth are obligations not to be skilled medical help had been tampered with, never to be com- Abraham to Allenby. By G. Fredavailable in their time of dire promised. There is no room here erick Owen. Illus. 8vo. 351 pp. need. As it was, he saved many for Dr. Joseph Collins' physi- $2.50. Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. lives and won unbounded grati- cian's lie. Dr. Cabot is a physi- Grand Rapids, Mich. 1939. tude by this free and loving cian too,and he can find no place service. in a physician's pharmacoopia for Palestine and its history are a lie. And he has his clear defi- important and fascinating from Dr. Seagrave is a true pioneer nitions: "Honesty is the will and many points of view – political, among a primitive people. He the effort to keep one's agree- racial, archeological, geological, is not only physician and sur- cultural and religious. The augeon, but sanitary engineer, [271 ] thor of this large volume has de- voted twelve years to research in preparation for this important popular study. He spent some time with the American School of Oriental Research at Jeru- salem and his books of reference include one hundred contribu- tions to archeology, Biblical and secular history and kindred sub- jects. (He has, however, omitted many important volumes, such as those by Morton, George Adam Smith and George L. Rob- inson.) In popular and vivid narrative style Mr. Owen tells the story of God's call to Abraham to leave Dr of the Chaldees. He carries on the story of the history of Abraham and the children of It Will Be Daybreak Soon. By conflict in China is. not warfare Israel, through Egypt, the wil- Archibald Rutledge. 12mo. 129 pp. but wholesale massacre, rape derness wanderings., the period $1.25. Fleming H. Revel! Co. New and robbery. It is a horrible of the Judges, the Kings, the York. 1939. tale and would have been much exile, the Maccabean period, the worse but for the presence of time of Christ, on through the The American Negro is an in- courageous missionaries and apostolic days, the Arab con- teresting character, intensely hu- other foreigners. quest, the crusades, the rule of man, full of humor, a sense of the Turks up to the capture of God and a nearnes,s, to nature. By Life and By Death. Lessons from Jerusalem by the British under Mr. Rutledge was born in South the Diary of John C. Stam. By General Allenby. It is a check- Carolina in 1883 and is Poet E. Schuyler English. Illus. 12mo. ered history very briefly told, the Laureate of his native state. He 62 pp. 50 cents. Zondervan. Grand early portion following closely understands the Negro of the Rapids, Mich. 1939. the Biblical narrative. The story South and has written several is carefully annotated with copi- books of poetry and prose. In The Christian world knows ous reference notes to each 1932 he received the John Bur- the story of the martyrdom of chapter. roughs medal for "the best na- John and Betty Starn in China in ture writing" in America. This 1934. Their testimony is beau- Preaching-The Doctrines of Grace. volume pictures life on a South- tiful and powerful and abiding. Compiled by Roland G. Leavell. 8vo. ern plantation and reveals the Here are striking extracts from 150 pp. $1.00. Boardman Press. fine character and native ability John Starn's diary written dur- Nashville. 1939. of the old-time Negro. His ing the last three years of his sketches reminds one of some of life. Mr. English has drawn les- Present-day interest in evan- the best features of books on the sons from his courage, his faith, gelism has led the 'Superintend- Negro by Thomas Nelson Page his love and experience. It is ent of Evangelism of the South- and Booker T. Washington. stimulating to faith and sacriern Baptist Convention to collect ficial living and is especially apsome "orthodox" and very help- Green Timber. By Esther Gerberd- pealing to youth. This makes a ful messages from fifteen evan- ing Hunt. 8vo. 220 pp. 75 cents. good companion volume to "The gelical Baptist preachers. They Board of Publication of the lJ nited Faith of John and Betty Stam" deal with such Christian doc- Lutheran Church in America. Phil- with the poems of Betty. trines as God, sin, forgiveness, adelphia. repentence, f a i t h, salvation, Welcome House. By Jessie E. Moore. sanctification and glorification. This is a prize-winning story Illus. 8vo. 95 pp. Friendship These are forceful, biblical, Gos- of Olaf, a young American-born Press. New York. 1939. pel sermons that will furnish Norseman, and Ebba Maj who material for much needed became his wife. He entered the American children – primary messages to congregations in Lutheran ministry and went into and juniors-will like this story churches at home and on the the "great timberland of the of six children whose parents are mission fields. Northwest, where they faced missionaries in Iran. How they difficulties and hardships to- came to America by automobile, The Lord Is Calling. By Oswald J. gether and grew into strong, train and boat, lived in America, Smith. 96 pp. 1 sh. well-seasoned timber." It is an went to church and school, interesting, wholesome story but played, made friends, helped The Work God Blesses. By Oswald without outstanding lit era r y other people, and celebrated J. Smith. 96 pp. 1 811,. Marshall, merit as to situations, plot or Christmas-all this is told in a Morgan and Scott. London. character delineation. loving, sympathetic way, show- ing what a Christian family can Dr. Smith has a large, evan- War Conduct of the Japanese. By be and do. gelical "Peoples Church" of over Shuhsi Hsu, Ph.D. Prepared under 2,000 members in Toronto. They the auspices of the Council of Inter- Canadian Journey. By H. P. Thompare a missionary-minded people national Affairs. Circulated by the son. Paper. 68 pp. S. P. G. Lonwho give $40,000 a year to mis- China Information Service, 945 don. 1939. sions – about two times as Pennsylvania Ave., N. W., Washmuch as they spend on them- ington, D. C. 1938. The Editorial Secretary of the selves. In each of these two Society for the Propagation of volumes we have a number of This 217-page book is an at- the Gospel in Foreign Parts tells the pastor's sermons – one vol- tempt to set forth in unre- of the conditions, the people and ume on Christian doctrines, like strained language the truth the work in Western Canada. It the Virgin Birth, the Resurrec- about Japanese, methods of war- is worth reading and raises hope tion and Salvation vs. Religion; fare in China-in the air, at sea for the Western Hemisphere the other volume on Christian and on land. The author has col': even though Europe should go to service with such topics as "The lected facts and shows how pieces. The prairies, the forests, Supreme Task of the Church," Japan has disregarded interna- the pioneers and the rich reand "Responsibilities of Stew- tional laws, treaties and prom- sources should be won for Christ ardship." They are spiritual, ises, and the rights of non-com- and developed with a knowledge practical, Biblical sermons. which batants. of the love and character of God have proved their effectiveness. and with whole-hearted alle- These records are largely gience to His authority. taken from the reports of the International Committee. The
A Oorrection Edward Rawlings was born at Tomorrow. Report of the Board
Powellton, Brunswick County, Vir- Home Missions, Congregational and Dr. Speer calls our attention to a ginia, on October 23, 1865, and was Christian Churches. 160 pp. New word that was incorrectly read in the graduated from Randolph-Macon Col- York. manuscript of his review of "Essen- lege in 1886. For seventeen years tial Christianity" which appeared on (1890 to 1907) he was a pastor, and The Work God Blesses. Oswald J. page 224 of the April issue. The first was presiding elder one year. He was Smith. 96 pp. 18. Marshall, Morsentence in the last paragraph should appointed Conference Missionary Sec- gan & Scott. London. r:ead: retary in 1908 and the following year was elected Educational Secretary of War Conduct of the Japanese. Shuhsi "Dr. Angus' emphasis on the duty the Board of Missions. For two years Hsu. 217 pp. China Information of Christlikeness, of obedience and (1916-18) he was Secretary of the Service. Washington, D. C. conformity to the Spirit of Christ, or Laymen's Missionary Movement and unselfishness and sacrifice and service in 1917 became Foreign Mission Sec- The Great Succession. Leaders of and love is all to the good, but his sub- retary of the Board. He traveled the Baptist Missionary Society durjective humanism is a swan song of a widely in the interest of missions and ing the Nineteenth Century. E. A. declining liberalism." in 1926 he was elected Secretary of Payne. 160 pp. 28. Garey Press. Education and Promotion and Editor London. Penonll Items of World Outlook. The Voice of the Church in China. (ConcZuded from pa,ge 225.) *** A collection of documents. Preface by Dom P.-C. Lou Tseng-Tsiang. sity Christian Mission, which is mak- Rev. Edmund W. McDowell, D.D., 120 pp. 38. 6d. Longmans. Lon- an honorably retired missionary of the don. ing plans for the academic year of Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., 1939-40. died in Fort Collins, Colorado, March K. T. Paul. Christian Leader. Reli- ••• 31. He was born in Altoona, Pa., gious Life of India Series. H. A. Rev. Robert M. Hopkins, D.D., March 13, 1857. Mter being gradu- Popley. 254 pp. Rs. 2.4. Y. M. ated from Wooster College, Ohio, and C. A. Press. Calcutta, India. LL.D., for the past ten years general from Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, he and his wife sailed for Gorakhnath and the Kanphata Yogis. secretary of the World's Sunday Persia in 1887. Dr. McDowell gave George W. Briggs. Religious Life forty years of his life to service in of India Series. 380 pp. Rs. 4.8 School Association, has been elected Persia and Mesopotamia and was in- and 5.8, Y. M. C. A. Press, Calcutta, president of the United Christian Mis- strumental in developing mission work India; 8s. 6d., Oxford University in Urumia, organizing a chain of vil- Press, London. sionary Society with headquarters at lage schools and churches through the Indianapolis. Dr. Hopkins was born mountains all the way from Urumia Yesterday and Tomorrow in North- to Mosul. After the organization of ern Nigeria. Walter Miller. lUus. in Trenton, Kentucky, and has been the United Mission in Mesopotamia in 182 pp. 58. Student Christian engaged in religious educational work 1922, he was stationed at Mosul until Movement Press. London. he was honorably retired in 1928. One since 1900 when he became Sunday of his two sons, Philip C. McDowell, The Mahar Folk. A Study of Un- M.D., is now a member of the Pres- touchables in Maharastra. Alexschool evangelist for the Disciples of byterian Mission in Teheran, Iran. ander Robertson. Religious Life of India Series. Rs. 2 and 3, Y. M. Christ in Kentucky. In 1910 he be- New Books C. A. Press, Calcutta; 48. 6d., Oxcame Bible School Secretary of the ford University Press, London. . American Christian Missionary So- Abraham to Allenby. G. Frederick ciety, and ten years later was placed Owen. 351 pp. $2.50. Eerdman African Women. A Study of the Ibo Pub. Co. Grand Rapids. of Nigeria. Sylvia Leith-Ross. lUus. in charge of the Department of Reli- 367 pp. 158. Faber and Faber. The Art of Conducting Public W or- London. gious Education in the United Chris- ship. Albert W. Palmer. 211 pp. tian Missionary Society. He has done $2.50. Macmillan. New York. From My African Notebook. A. Schweitzer. Trans. by Mrs. C. E. B. a remarkable work in connection with Civilization. The Next Step. Delisle Russell. Illus. 132 pp. 58. Allen Burns. 291 pp. $2.75. W. W. Nor- & Unwin. London. the WorId's Sunday School Associa- ton. New York. tion. He attended the Glasgow Con- The Southern Bantu. L. Marquard Christian Faith in a Day of Crisis. and T. G. Standing. 262 pp. 78.6d. vention in 1924, visited Central and Charles S. MacFarland. 226 pp. Oxfoi'd University Press. London. $1.50. Revell. New York. South Mrica in the interests of Sun- Venezuela. Erna Ferguson. 346 pp. day school work in 1934, and was a Essential Christianity. Samuel An- $3.00. Knopf. New York. gus. 226 pp. $2.00. Macmillan. delegate to the recent Madras Confer- New York. Philippine Pagans. The Autobiog- raphies of Three Ifugaos. R. F. ence. Dr. Hopkins' successor in the Honesty. Richard C. Cabot. 326 pp. Barton. lUus. 271 pp. 15s. Rout- $2.50. Macmillan. New York. ' ledge. London. W. S. S. A. has not yet been elected. The Lord Is Calling. Oswald J. The Gospel in the World. A Restate- ••• Smith. 96 pp. 18. Marshall, Mor- ment of Missionary Principles. God- The Rev. C. E. Wilson, for thirty- gan & Scott. London. frey E. Phillips. 252 pp. 58. Duckfour years Secretary of the Baptist worth. London. Our Father. A Missionary Prayer. Missionary Society of London, has re- C. Mallam Johnston. 27 pp. 3d. World Community. William Paton. S. P. G. London. 192 pp. $1.50. Macmillan. New tired after notable service. He was York. for ten years a missionary in India Preaching. The Doctrines of Grace. Compiled by Roland G. Leavell. 150 The Church of the T'ang Dynasty. (1894 to 1904) and later, during his pp. $1.00. Boardman Press. Nash- John Foster. 168 pp. 48. S. P. ville. C. K. London. secretaryship, visited China, Jamaica, Those Gay Middle Ages. Frederick Bantu Heritage. H. P. Junod. lUus. Africa, India and other fields of the Kershner. 233 pp. $2. Willett 155 pp. 308. Hortors (For the society. Mr. Wilson has proved an Clark & Co. New York. Transvaal Chamber of Mines). Jo- hannesburg, South Mrica. able executive and a wise missionary A Testament of Faith. P. G. S. Hop- wood. 215 pp. $2.00. Macmillan. Re-Thinking Christianity in India. statesman. New York. Edited by D. M. Devasahayam and A. N. Sudarisanam. 267 pp. Rs. 2.8. Obituary Notes A. N. Sudarisanam, Madras, India.
(Concluded from Second Cover.) Living the Christian Faith. Edwin Ewart Aubrey. 118 pp. $1.50. Dr. E. H. Rawlings, Business Man- Macmillan. New York. ager and former Editor of World Outlook, died at his home in Nashville, This Busine-ss of Living. L. W. Gren- Tennessee, on March 17. He was the sted. 187 pp. $1.75. Macmillan. senior connectional secretary of the New York. Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and dean of missionary officers. His work for missions was more diversified than that of any other man and he had held many positions connected with the promotion and administration of missions in the Church.
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THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN OF BOMBAY By ROBERT E. SPEER The biography of a remarkable missionary whom the (then) Prince of Wales visited in Bombay at the request of his mother, Queen Victoria.
What some readers say of this book: Robert Speer's "Life of George Bowen of Bombay" is one was so far-sighted and so deep-seeing!-the former because of the richest of missionary biographies. the latter. If one wants to sum up the interests of our DR. J. LoVBLL MURRAY, Director of the students today-Biblical, social, theological-Bowen is a Canadian School of Missions, Toronto. representative figure. And what a lesson in apparent failure!
What a life! He was old enough to know why he went, . . . I feel strongly that every student and alumnus of our Seminary needs this book. What better book to lead them to and bad enough to know the meaning of salvation. One by_ feed on the Bible. One hears so much "vestibule religion"- product of his. experience was his wonderful humility-noth- ing in the show window and himself in the remote back- men pointing to the door and taking their people as far as the ground. It is inspiring. threshold, but no opening up of the treasures within the G ' n . . P PI f f .1 r Father's House. Read the topics of current sermons, and .lJA. BORGJ! • BRSON, ormer" 0 Japan. Bowen's expositions are precisely what Christians need in order We must all be grateful for this revealing of the main- to grow from puerility into spiritual maturity. Here is no adolescent, but a man in Christ. This is no volume to be springs of Bowen's character, his abiding faith in God, his eamest purpose to be a true and faithful follower of Jesus read and dismissed, but to be marked and to be turned to Ptrist; and his deep-seated conviction that the Gospel of repeatedly. };!=~:ntS~Of "tJ:io;;o;:~7~ar~. Christ could meet the religious needs of India's people. J WILLIAM HAzEN, The Memoirs of George Bowen will continue to be for Missionary in ShoJapur, India. years to come a searching manual of devotion. He has set t.e.eItn.thbicoegnrtauprhyy. oIf coonueld 0nfotthpeutsatihnetlibeostokfigduorwesn.0 fTthheererui·snea- before me an ideal which few could attain; his life is a scathfascination and a depth in this man's soul which held me in ing rebuke to our ease, comfort, self-indulgence and ineE- devout attention. I found myself marking his moving sayings ficiency. J. Ross STBVENSON, which would serve ,as starting points for chapel talks. He President Emeritus, P,in.eton Semina".
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The Missionary Review of the World — January 1939
1939
The Years Past and to Come Robert E. Speer God's Voice from China Mrs. Howard Taylor How Interest Men in Missions Various Authors Missionaries at Work in Africa West Africa Missionaries The Challenge of Venezuela William H. Rainey A Christian Approach to Moslems Frank C. Laubach Christian Bands in War-Torn China Andrew Gih 2S Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember students to the United States and Personal
Canada for technical training. January 7-10, 1939 – Home Missions Council, Baltimore, Md. *** Miss Muriel Lester, founder of January 21-25 – Cause and Cure of The Rev. William James Drum- Kingsley Hall in London, is now a War Conference, Washington, D. C. mond, the oldest Presbyterian mis- full-time .Secretary of the Interna- sionary in China, died at Santa Bar- January 23-February 18–Iowa School bara, California, on November 26, tional . Fellowship of Reconciliation. for Missionaries. Iowa State College, from an illness that followed suffering She wIll travel in Europe, the Orient Ames, Iowa. from the Japanese invasion of China. and the United States in the effort to February 6-14-lnternational Council He was born in Ontario, Canada, establish a line of connection for in- of Religious Education, ChicagO, nI. seventy-four years ago and his Chi- nese service covered forty-seven years. ternational peace. She planned to go April 26 – Uniting Conference of He performed heroic service in the American Methodism, Kansas City, Boxer Rebellion and was one of the to India in December and thence to Mo. two American missionaries decorated by President Sun Yat-sen. Palestine. * • … FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- ARY ASSEMBLIES *** Dr. George A. Buttrick, pastor of The Rev. Edgar P. Hill, educator the Mad i son Ave. Presbyterian January 24-26–J'acksonville. and clergyman, died on November ~ 26 Church, New York, was elected Presi- January 25-27-Daytona Beach. at his home in Los Angeles. His dent of the Federal Council of January 28-February 1-Miami. Churches at its annual meeting in January 29-31-Ft. Lauderdale. was seventy-seven. Buffalo in December. Dr. John R. February 1-3-,-Palm Beaches. Born in Pontiac, Ill., he held many Mott was elected Vice-President, Dr. February 4-8–0rlando. Charles H. Sears, Recording Secre- February 5-7-De Land. positions in Chicago educational and tary, and Frank H. Mann was again February 8-10-Ft. Myers. February 9-10-Sarasota. religious institutions. From 1906 to e,lected Treasur•er. * … February 11-16-St. Petersburg. 1918 he was professor of Homiletics February 12-15-Clearwater. Dr. George William Brown, Gen- February 17-18–Southern College. at "McCormick" Theological Seminary eral Secretary of the American Bible February 19-21-Tampa. and for ten years was superintendent Society for the past ten years, has February 19-21-Winter Haven. February 22-23-Quincy. of the churches of the Board of . . resigned to accept a call to become February 23-24-Tallahassee. February 24-26-All College. Church Extension of Chicago Presby- pastor of the West Presbyterian tery. Mr. Hill was the first general sec- Church of Binghamton…, New York. retary of the Board of Education of Dr. John McGuire, Baptist mission- the Presbyterian Church, serving until ary to Burma, was ten years past the age .of ~etirement when he left the the Board was merged with the Board 8erVlce m 1934, after 42 years of .of Christian Education. evangelism at Mandalay, Rangoon and * .. • Maymyo. Dr. and Mrs. McGuire have ePsotratbolis~hiecdo,thweiirthhotmheeinr ecahrilSdarnenJuaannd Obituary Note. Rev. Myron C. Wilcox, Methodist grandchildren. Dr. McGuire cele- missionary in Foochow, China, died in brated his eightieth birthday on No- Dr. Edwin B. McDaniel, formerly San Antonio, Texas, October 17. He was one of the editors of the Chinese vember 11. … … … a member of the Siam Mission of the Christian Advocate, and book editor Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., died of Methodist publishing activities in Shanghai. Mter his retirement he in Los Angeles, Cal., on November 2, continued to translate English works after a seven months' illness. He was into Chinese. Rev. W. Reginald Wheeler,. D.D., born in 1873, and reti~ from active has accepted appointment under the service in 1937. Many years were * * … Board of Foreign Missions of the Pres~yterian Church in the U. S. A., spent at Petchaburi, in charge of a Rev. Frank Paton, M.A., B.D., son as DIrector of the Division of Special of John G. Paton, one of the greatest Gifts and Annuities in the Home Base hospital; later he went 500 miles names in missionary history, died at Department of the Board. Dr. south of Bangkok to take charge of Melbourne, Australia, September 28, Wheeler has lived or traveled on five as the result of an accident. Frank continents in the interests of mission a mission hospital in Sritamarat. He Paton was born in the New Hebrides ~orK !l-nd has seen missionary service was known as an expert in sanitation, where his father began work ove; In Chma. and also built a Leper Home, which e.ighty years ago. A recently pub- lIshed statement expresses his motive now includes 20 buildings that care in taking up work in Tanna: "I saw • • for 400 lepers. . my father and mother with no aid but God's, facing the pitiless cruelty • of heathenism and banishing it from Lady Anne MacClanahan Grenfell, the !sland I saw a n~w ~ociety spring up In less than a lIfetime, with the wife of Sir Wilfred T. Grenfell of idyllic happiness of New Testament Christianity, and I resolved, God willthe Grenfell Mission in Labrador, died ing, to give my life to such work." no YODH S.S.PAPERS ~ December 9 in Boston at the age of • … * fifty-three. Her husband, a son, Wil- BIBLE THUTH?
fred T. Grenfell, Jr., an instructor and 4CioDrm,m;WF athletic coach at St. Mark's School, ~ For YoungPoopIe Southboro, Mass.; Kinloch Pascoe Grenfell, an engineer, and a daughter, JIOOORBOYSA1l1l ems Rosamond Loveday Grenfell, survive. For Jucian. aad lnleJ1'ftediarnt She was born in Lake Forest, nI. on November 11, 1885, a daughter of Thomas Moody, D.D., an American Baptist missionary, died November the late Colonel Edmund B. MacClanahan, was graduated from Bryn Mawr 17, after forty-four years of evan- gelistic service in the Belgian fCoronhgo~ College in 1906. She met William He will be best remembered Grenfell while she was traveling in pioneering at Sona Bata. Ownitah10M0r0s0. Europe. They were married Novem- square mile field, alone ber 19, 1909, in Chicago, and there- Mo!>dy, he was in charge of the eduafter they shared the hardships and catIOnal, evangelistic and medical work when in 1921 a marvelous movement work of the Labrador. toward Christianity began. More than In recent years and especially since ~ thousand people were baptized dur- mg that memorable summer, and the 1934, when a chronic heart ailment movement has continued unabated since then, with hundreds of converts compelled Sir Wilfred to abandon his added to the churches each year. trips to the North, Lady Grenfell had assumed many of the administrative burdens. She founded the educational fund which provided the means for (Concluded on tlvird cover.) sending Labrador and Newfoundland
Chat VIEW gets better all the time. I
want to read it through." THE MISSIONARY The New Year brings with it a MRS. GLENN B. OGDEN. REVIEW OF THE WORLD sense of the tremendous and unending need of all men for the secret of peace Ka,sganj, India. VOL. LXII JAN., 1939 No.1 and the will to peace; for the spirit of unselfish love and the expression of *** Publication and Buslnua omce– that true love in fellQwship between Third and Reily Sta., Harrlaburc, Pa. men and God and in all human rela- "The October number of THE RE- tionships. There is good reason to de- Editorial and Executive omce– spair of any purely human solution to VIEW gives more for deeper study of 156 Fifth Avenue, New York CIt7. the problems that face us; but there situ8>tions and conditions in India to- Entered as aecond-cla.. matter at is no despai;r"'-Only hope, courage <and day in the missionary enterprise, than good cheer~':"'" in the hearts of those anything I have read. And I have Post Omce, Harrlaburc, P&., under who have faith in God. read most of our study course and Act of March 3, 1879. reading lists." His spirit, His program and His 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. working are most clearly· seen in the MRS. FRANK F. HUTCHINS, Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. lives and work of His ambassadors at Indianapolis District Counselor Publlabed montlil)", except August. home and abroad. The story of hu- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. man need, and many places and meth- of the Methodist Young PeQ.. British agents – Marahall, Morgan ods in which and by which this need is ple's Foreign Missionary So- and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, being met, will be recorded in THE ciety. London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, REVIEW during the coming months. 10 ahllJlngs a year. It will be worth while and very cheer- *** ing, in these days of strife and uncer- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- tainty, to read .in THE REVIEW the "The REVIEW arrived today (Nov. LISHING CO., INC. story of what is going on"'-Often in BOARD OF DIRECTORS obscure corners, at home and abroad, 15th), the issue in which appears the to carry out the program of Christ. ROBBRT E. SPBBR, Pre_'4em article on the 'Practical Value of Mis- *** sions to Pastors.' What a revolution A. L. WAlUfBHUI., V40B-Pr..ufllt WALTER MCDOUGALL, TrBlHvrer Many readers find great help in it would cause in the churches if there DBLAVAN L. PIBRSON, 8Boretaf1l THE REVIEW. Will you bring it to the were a similarly conducted course in attention of others? Here are some PAUL J. BRA.ISTBD recent comments : every theological seminary, and if SAMUEL McCmu. CAVBRT "We feel that THE MISSIONARY RE- such a course were required for every D. J. FANT student!" GEORGE SCHWAB, Presbyterian Mission, Sakbayeme- MRa. ORRUl R. JUDD Edea, Cameroun, West Africa.
WM. B. LIPPlLUID "For over * y*ear*s we have taken ERIC M. NORTH forty SAMUBL M. ZWlIMJIB and have enjoyed the MISSIONARY RE- The Church may be doing too much VIEW and we continue to profit by its for young people and too little with them.-Professor Georgia Harkne88. high spiritual level. Often we share our copy with others."
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Al"RICA SEEKS INFORMATION FROM THE WEST Photo f.rom Janet
AN AFRICAN SEEKS INFORMATION FROM THE "MEDICINE MAN"
AN AFRICAN MOTHER AND HER CHILD INDUSTRIAL TRAINING A'r THE MISSION FORGE WHERE WEST AFRICANS RECEIVE THEIR TRAINING (See articles, pages 20 to 28) Photos from the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 1 JANUARY, 1939 Topics of the Times HOPE FOR THE NEW YEAR Jesus had been crucified and the disciples were There are many discouraged people today in surrounded by religious and political enemies; the world-many to whom the outlook seems dark in the Reformation of the Middle Ages, when -in Korea with its Shinto shrine problems; in those who contended for spiritual ideals seemed China with the continued wanton destruction of few and weak-all through history times of diffilife and property; in India with its fight against culty, indifference and opposition to God's propoverty and its struggle for independence; in gram have not been days for discouragement but Europe because of the growth of godless Com- have presented a challenge to faith and courage; munism and Fascism; in America with its racial they have called for an upward look and a for- and political, its economic and religious or anti- ward march. religious conflicts. A recent statement by Dr. H. Today, as of old, those forces that are for us C. Link (author of "The Return to Religion"), are greater than those that are against us; one issued as a result of surveys, reports that of nearly with God are still a majority. As we look for- ward into the New Year we see many causes for 10,000 representative American citizens ques- encouragement – in the fact that men are not satisfied with the fruits of selfish materialism; tioned, less than 25 % believe that religion is gain- there is still a constant warfare against vice and ing ground in the United States and over 45% say that moral standards are declining. Among the possible causes for this decline, as viewed by dishonesty and oppression; there are multitudes the National Committee on Religion and Welfare in Germany, like Pastor Niemoller, and in Russia, Recovery, are mentioned the 30% decrease in the' who refuse to deny God or to be intimidated in support of religious and welfare work (in four their acknowledgment of His supreme authority; .
years) compared with a nearly 4000% increase great numbers of Christians in Korea go to prison in the earnings of 105 industrial corporations; rather than worship at Shinto shrines; the Chialso there has been in the same period a 300 % nese, in the midst of cruel warfare, are seeking increase in amount spent for beer and whiskey. God as never before; India reports thousands of While gifts to colleges, community chests and gen- new converts coming to Christ every day; Moseral benevolences have decreased, the amount lems also are seeking the way of the Cross rather spent on jewelry, armaments, theatres, cigarettes than that of the Crescent; from Africa and the and automobiles have increased by 25% to 203% Islands of the Sea also multitudes are turning to in the same period. The average .of voluntary God. In America and England, what a multitude gifts to benevolences, charitable and educational of forces for righteousness are working, quietly and unostentatiously – in city missions and work is only about 2% of American taxable in- churches, in street meetings and Bible classes, in jails and hospitals. Recently in Newark, New comes, according to the statistics furnished by the Golden Rule Foundation.'
But in spite of many causes for disquiet and Jersey, eight hundred Christians gathered whose deep concern, there is no reason for discourage- great interest is in evangelizing the unreached ment. In the days of the children of Israel in multitudes in the city. All over the United States Egypt; in the time of Joshua, after the death of and Great Britain there are Christian gatherings Moses, as the Hebrews faced the Canaanite foes; where thousands meet for earnest Bible study and in the time of Elijah and the prophets of Baal for the quickening of spiritual life. Not only is and of Elisha when the Syrian armies threatened the University Christian Mission in North Amer- Israel; in that day of the early Church, when ica now seeking to bring Christ to students and [3]
students to Christ, but there are countless other as the only Saviour, that man is potentially en- agencies working to the same end, but without listed in Christ's world-wide campaign of conquest publicity. through the proclamation of the Good News and Much of modern mission work has been criti- by Christlike service. cized as being too institutional and secular and The consciousness of my personal debt to God unfruitful in spiritual results, but the recent because of what Christ has done for me will lead Madras International Missionary Conference, and me, as it led the Apostle Paul, to be eager to make missions as a whole, have come to see that, while known to others the remedy for sin and failure world peace, social reform and economic better- and the new Life that Christ offers to all. Withment are greatly needed, the most important and out this commitment, and a sense of personal hopeful work is Christian evangelism leading to debt, it is useless to expect to interest men in the personal acceptance of Christ as Lord and missions. Saviour, if any permanently transforming work Second: Men must be informed as to facts if is to be done. Student movements, churches, they are to be interested. But how many are woemissions, and social and political agencies have fully ignorant of the vital need of other men, tried other methods and have found them waijt- women and children for Christ and His Gospel? ing. The hope of tomorrow, as in the past, is in Every man with human sympathy will be interlooking to God for guidance and power, in exalt- ested in helping to remedy· situations. caused by ing the crucified and risen Christ and His Way famine or plague or crime; but he must know the of Life as the one remedy for sin and death and facts. So men must be informed and convinced as to the deadly spiritual diseases that are destroythe one God-given source of life and peace. ing men everywhere, if they are to be enlisted tp help make known the One effective remedy. No, we are not discouraged in these days when many men's hearts fail them for fear. It is still Men must also be informed as to the transform- God's world and His purposes and forces are cer- ing results of missionary work, where Christ is tain to be victorious. On which side are we going made known and truly followed. We may not to line up during this coming year-with our time, agree with some missionary methods; we may not influence, talents, material possessions and per- be willing to cooperate with certain organizations; sonal testimony? "If God be for us, who can be we may not approve of all missionary workers. against us? He that spared not his own Son but We do not approve of all doctors, lawyers. and delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with business men, but nevertheless we acknowledge him also freely give us all things?" the great value of these lines of service and we MEN AND MISSIONS are ready to promote the best in medicine, law and commerce.
How to interest men in missions and how to The story of missionary progress is thrilling keep them interested is a problem that is always ·and convincing to any honest student. What has . with us. But why pick on the men? Evidently already been accomplished, in spite of human they are "harder nuts to crack" than the women, failures, is an evidence of the power of God work- in this respect at least. Is it because men in gen- ing in the world. Multitudes of statesmen, trav- eral are more materialistic, more selfish, more ab- . elers, professional and business men and women sorbed in "money-making," and less informed on testify to the wonderful results achieved in all missions than the women? Experience proves lands, through the work of Christian missionaries.
that at least three things are necessary if a man Much, too much, remains to be done; but those or a woman is to be truly interested in spreading whose confidence is in God will not doubt the vic- the message of Christ and in promoting the rule torious outcome. Men must be informed.
of God among people of all classes, races and Third: To be truly interested in world-wide conditions. Christian work, men must make a real investment First, a man must be a believer in Christ and in the cause. They become vitally interested in in sympathy with His program. How can we ex- stocks and bonds, in automobiles, and in other pect to enlist men in the service of Christ if they lines of business, in proportion as they invest have never truly yielded to His claim on their money, time and thought in those things. If a lives. Attempts have often been made to capture man makes an intelligent, sacrificial investment in the "man on the street" for missions, but every some missionary or mission enterprise, that man's attempt has failed, unless the man has first been interest is assured. His investment may consist captured for Christ. Naturally no one is inter- of money, effort, prayer, a child, or all of these, ested in promoting any campaign – political, so- but it must be sacrificial. Continued contact with cial or economic-if he does not believe in the Christ and His work will keep the fires burning cause. But if a man is wholeheartedly committed so as to warm a man's own heart and will make to Christ as His divine Lord and believes in Him him wish to spread the light and warmth to others.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
If these three essentials are met-commitment faith and education." Various groups interested to Christ, information as to the work, and a sacri- in the spiritual welfare of students and their ficial investment in the cause – there will be no teachers are uniting in this appeal for the surdifficulty in enlisting and maintaining a man's in- render of life to the Will of God and to the service terest. It has been done. Great men of all ages of Christ. Dr. Jones reports that the evidences of have been deeply concerned in missionary promo- the hunger of students for spiritual help, and for tion. The s~me is true today. Men of Christian definite life objectives are very remarkable. These faith ~ men of world vision; men of sacrificial young people are eager to make their lives count spirit; and men who have sympathy with God and in service. The most difficult but most important mankind, will be interested in promoting Christ's thing will be the follow-up work to conserve rework throughout the world. sults. The National Preaching Mission scarcely touched students and the need for reaching them EVANGELIZING COLLEGE STUDENTS is pressing if the Church is to grow. The days when the Student Volunteer leaders stirred the While some writers warn us of the growth of colleges and when the Student Christian Associaatheism, irreligion and immorality in American tions led many to Christ and enrolled them in high schools and colleges, the University Chris- Bible classes, has passed. Spiritual life in schools tian Mission is now seeking to bring Christ to the and colleges has suffered and a true revival is 150,000 students in colleges and universities. needed.
There is no doubt about the low moral stand- In each center the leaders, with the cooperation ards, and the religious ignorance, indifference or of local student and faculty members, are adapt- ing their program to the special needs of students. hostility of many students. Materialistic, athe- Instead of mass meetings, the informal conferistic and anti-Christian forces are active. "Anti- ences in dormitories, club rooms, fraternity and God" or "militant godless" societies are reported sorority houses and other student centers provide in some institutions. Usually their activities are the chief points of contact with inquirers. There secret and subversive but at times they are openly are also daily sessions with faculty members, lecanti-religious. All this is too true; but the youth tures in classrooms and opportunity for personal are more sinned against than sinning. Many of interviews. Breakfast meetings are held at seven them come from practically godless homes; they o'clock and often student interviews keep the vis- iting workers up until past midnight. are catapulted into a society full of pitfalls and traps; in high school and college they too often The lntercollegian and Far Horizons says: meet teachers who undermine and destroy faith The present is a logical and fortunate time to bring into in God and advocate certain forms of immorality. the center of campus life a straight, plainly spoken ex- position of the claims of Jesus Christ. No subtlety of The results are seen today in business and social oratory nor of intellectual defensiveness is necessary in life. talking with students today about religion. In fact the gun-shyness today is of the man with subtleties, not of the To counteract these destructive forces in a con- man with religion. If he has discovered something real, structive way, the University Christian Mission, students want it or at least respect it. under the auspices of the Federal Council of Churches and other organizations is conducting a We are glad to see that the Mission is on this forthcampaign in over twenty leading American col- right basis. It is directly and openly evangelistic; viz., it believes so strongly in the Christian Gospel for our day leges and universities. They report some remark- that it wants to share it as clearly and persuasively as it can, so students may have a chance to mak~ up their able experiences. eTr shiet ymoefetOinrgesgl obne,gaann on October own minds about it. But make no mistake, this mission 2nd, in the Univ d continue has a perfectly clear objective, and that objective is Chris- tian evangelism. We think we know students well enough until March 17th when they are to close at the to be sure that this statement, which a few years ago University of California at Berkeley. The work would have been impolitic, will only whet their interest in meeting these men and women who come to the campus is being conducted in these leading colleges and with something to say! universities and the Director of the Mission is Rev. Jesse M. Bader. The forty-four speakers include Will the Christian agencies, which so far have united E. Stanley Jones and Sam Higginbottom of India, in such harmonious unity, be able to forget their units T. Z. Koo of China, Margaret G. Bonfield of Lon- in a real. crusade to meet students and their problems don, Bernard C. Clausen of Pittsburgh, George A. where they aTe? That is vastly more important than for Buttrick of New York, Arthur Lee Kinsolving of students to know where the agencies are. And will stu- Boston, and Henry H. Sweets of Louisville. dents themselves really take some evangelistic responsi- bility themselves? Revivals of religion or education or A team of fifteen spends six days on each football don't get imported. They spring up from the campus where they hold popular evangelistic meet- grass roots of the concern of individual students. They grow. If there is to be a student religious revival, stuings, group conferences and personal interviews. dents themselves will have to get off their academic dead- The aim is to win college youth to Christ and His centers and start it. Way of Life. One purpose of this present effort is to "close the wide gap between the Christian
It is as yet too early to appraise the results of in Hungary, 984,000 in Rumania and 3,000,000 this mission but if one man or woman is awakened in Poland.
-like Wesley or Spurgeon or Catherine Booth; Today Palestine, the land that God gave Israel if even a few colleges or universities are brought for an everlasting possession, is a bone of conten- into vital relationship to Christ and are set on tion. The Arabs claim it by conquest, the Jews fire for God, the time and money will be well ex- by covenant. The efforts of Great Britain to solve pended and abundantly worth while. Naturally, the problem by a division of territory between with such a variety of speakers, there will be a Jews and Arabs, has proved a fiasco and even an great difference in the amount of living truth pre- impartial and righteous government under the sented, in the incentives and appeals; but if Good Mandate to Great Britain -is unacceptable. The Seed is sown and the field and workers prayer- Arab revolt has recently spread to all classes.
fully prepared, so that students are truly aroused The people of Palestine are impoverished; busi- by the Spirit of God and are led to a vital relation ness is at a standstill; tens of thousands are un- to God through Christ, and if effective follow-up employed and the country is being plunged deeper work is carried forward by intelligent and conse- and deeper into debt. To political, economic and crated personal workers on each campus, God social questions the religious element has been will give the increase. added and is pitting the Jew (and the Christian) against the Moslem in fierce antagonism. Even THE JEWS-A "PECULIAR PEOPLE" Christian Arabs are attacked by their Moslem compatriots. The religious element has added to Everyone will admit that the Jews are a "pecul- the bitterness of the strife. The whole Moslem iar people." They are credited with being pecul- population seems to be behind the revolt and there iar in their appearance, their language, their is a new effort to declare a universal "holy war"
traits of character and their habits; "peculiar" against both Jews and Christians. Repressive in their history and religion, and in their sad ex- measures by the British add to the bitterness of periences among other races. They are "peculiar" the fight. The Pan-Arab Islamic aspect of the in the fact that, though they are without a na- revolt has been strengthened so that even the place tional government or country of their own, and of the Jews in Palestine is becoming secondary although over sixteen million of them are scat- to Arab opposition to Great Britain in the Near tered over the earth, they still are a "separated" East. Palestine seems to have become merely a people, looking back on a remarkable past, hoping testing ground for Arab strength. Unrest is in- for a return to their national home and temple, creasing in Iraq, Syria, Transjordania, Arabia and look forward to a great future. and Egypt, but Turkey and Iran are governed by Six times they are called a "peculiar people" in dictators who still rule with a strong hand. The the Bible, four times in the Old Testament and British cannot afford to yield to Arab demands, twice in the New. But the word as applied to much as they desire peace.
them does not refer to their racial characteristics In the meantime Great Britain, America and or to their history; it refers to them as a "pecul- other nations friendly to the Jews, are seeking a iar" possession, acquired, purchased, preserved solution for some phases of the Jewish problem and treasured by God, who promised Abraham a by providing havens of refuge for them in Africa, land which his descendents should possess; who North and South America, Australia or elsewhere released Israel from Egypt and brought them into that is not already overcrowded. The end is not the Promised Land; who established His temple in sight but there is reason to believe that, as in in Jerusalem, gave the people His laws, disciplined the days of Israel in Egypt under oppression by them but preserved them through many centuries, the Pharaohs, God has not forgotten or cast off through them sent the Messiah to bless all nations, His "peculiar people." Jews have their serious and has promised to restore all things and estab- faults but nations that have fought against them lish the reign of righteousness, truth and love. and have persecuted them have always suffered in But today the Jews are "peculiar" in the world- the end. They have lapsed into extinction or ob- wide ostracism and in their sore trials. In the scurity-Egypt, Midian, Moab, Syria, Babylon, past they suffered many things in Russia, Poland Assyria, Greece, Rome-while the Jews have re- and other countries of Europe; today 750,000 are mained, denationalized and homeless wanderers, being persecuted, robbed and banished from Ger- perhaps, but still a remarkable race and a "pecul- many and Austria. Even Christian Jews and iar people." Men and governments cannot suc- those with a fraction of Jewish blood are deprived cessfully fight against God. His promises and of citizenship and of fair opportunities for edu- plans will yet be fulfilled. When will the time cation, as well as in business and in professional come that Israel will see and acknowledge their life. Italy is following in the same path; it Is yet Messiah, experience a new emancipation and enter to be seen what will happen to the 441,000 Jews into their inheritance?
Years Past and to Come*
By ROBERT E. SPEER, Lakeville, Connecticut Author of "The Finality of Jesus Christ," "George Bowen of Bombay," etc.
O UR country is so young that it is only now asked him why he chose rowing for his sport, a that we are coming to realize that it has had tame and effeminate affair, instead of some a past. Heretofore the past and present verile game like football with its body to body have been so close together as to appear as one. personal encounter. He answered that he pre- Now, at last however, our centennials are begin- ferred to take his exercise sitting down, and added ning to make us aware of time and of far off be- the rather pointed and pertinent remark that he ginnings which we do well to recall. would "rather belong to a crew that looked back During the last three years we have observed and moved forward than to a team which looked a number of these significant anniversaries. In forward and moved back." Which thing is a 1936 we had the Whitman Centennial, commem- parable. In a shell there are nine men. Eight of orating the heroic venture of Marcus Whitman them who furnish all the power look backward. who set out in February, 1836, to establish the There is only one, the coxswain, who looks formission at Walla Walla which planted the Chris- ward and he would be a still better coxswain if he tian Church in the far Northwest and helped to had eyes also in the back of his head. prevent the yielding of the territory to Great Britain. In 1936 also the Southern Presbyterian Or consider a gun. Where is the pawer which Church celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary hurls the projectile? It is not in a magnet or any devic~ in front of the gun. It is in the explosion of the establishment of the Church in the beauti- behind. The energies which drive us pour out of ful old building in Augusta, where their first As- the past. Even when we pursue a distant future sembly met under the shadows of the Civil War ideal, it is the past which gave it to us and which thrusts us after it. in 1861. Last year our Northern Presbyterian The second great use of the past is as a teacher. Church celebrated the centennial of the Board of Foreign Missions which, indeed, was also the It is in the school of the past that we learn our Board of the Southern Church, for the quarter lessons: as to essential realities, as to abiding century preceding the division that came in 186!. values, as to the possibilities of achievement, as Now this year we are observing the Sesqui-Cen- to vital resources, as to true direction, as to the tennial of the adoption of the constitution of the Will of God, His trustworthiness, and our duty. It Presbyterian Church and the establishment of its is of some of these lessons that I am to speak in General Assembly. In the midst of these anniver- the matter of the foreign missionary enterprise saries we are happy and grateful in commemorat- of the Church during the century of this Second ing the founding of the Second Church in St. Church's history.
Louis one hundred years ago. What Christianity Is Sometimes we are told that we waste time in First of all we are taught the fundamental lesthese historical commemorations. "Of what use son of what Christianity is. The foreign missionis the past," men ask, "when the present with its ary undertaking is the expression of the essential problems and its tasks demands all the thought nature of the Christian faith. It embodies the and energy that we possess?" conception of the adequacy, the uniqueness and the finality of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Chris- There are at least two of the many uses of the tianity is not one of the world's great religions, past which stand out clear and indisputable. each of them the expression of the religious gen- ius of one race and adapted to the experience and For one thing, we draw inspiration and power needs of that race. Christianity is solitary, not from the past. I recall a shrewd saying of Dr. comparative, universal not ethnic. Christ is not Duncan Spaeth, who is one of our leading Shakes- one of many great religious teachers; and Chrisperean scholars and was for some years professor tianity is not the religion of the white race. Christ of English in Princeton University; at the same stands alone; His name is not to be included in time he was the inspiration of the revival and any list of names. And the white race did not maintenance of rowing at Princeton. Some one • An address at the Centennial Celebration of the Second Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, MissourI.
[7]
originate Christianity. It originated in As i a humanistic spirit of the community. The organic among Asiatics; and it has always been and is relationship of all unselfish philanthropy to the now not the natural expression but the supernat- Christian motivation has been obscured and for- ural condemnation of the ethnic spirit of the whilte gotten. On the foreign mission field we see char- race. ity in its primitive reality. The orphanages, leper One must go further. Any definition of religion asylums, hospitals, schools for deaf and blind, all which covers Christianity excludes all' other so': the unselfish charities of the non-Christian world called religions. Or, if they are religions, Chris- are still seen as having sprung from a lesson still tianity is not. This, indeed, is the fact. Chris- maintained by the Christian Church. The late tianity is not a "religion." It is a revelation. It . F.W. Stevens, professor of law in the University is not man's quest for God. It is God's quest for of Michigan and American member of the Bank- man. Webster's dictionary defines religion as "the ers' Consortium in China in 1920-23, saw this and recognition of God as an object of worship, love bore his competent testimony to it. "I have come and obedience; piety; any system of faith and to believe," he said in an address in Peking to worship. Religion is subjective, designating the returned Chinese students, "that America's great- feelings and acts of men which relate to God." est contribution to China, greater even than "Much that belongs to religion," says. John Mac- America's political friendship is the work of the murray, the English philosopher, "permeates American Christian missionaries in China. This what we call Christianity." But he adds, "I have statement may indicate the importance I attach a conviction that the points which the various to the need of moral regeneration which must pre- world religions have in common with Christianity cede any great political or industrial improve- are in large measure the points which are not ment. In all China there is not a single organiza- specifically Christian, but merely religious." tion on a scale of importance, that aims at moral What is specifically Christian? The glorious improvement or that is calculated to bring it fact of the Incarnation and the Good News of Sal- about, that is not traceable in its origin to the vation and Eternal Life offered by God through Christian missions. I have inquired among all His only Son, Jesus Christ. It is this conception kinds of people from all parts of China for such that makes Christianity missionary. "The·true an activity of non-Christian origin without findstate of the case," as Dr. William Newton Clarke ing one." And the widest possible meaning must said, "must not be forgotten, namely that Chris- be given to Mr. Stevens' word "moral." It covers tianity sets out for victory. The intention to con- the whole ideal of man's deepest and fullest wel- quer is characteristic of the Gospel. This was' fare, both of body and mind. Of the latter I will the aim of its youth when it went forth among speak in a moment. My point now is that in the the religions that then surrounded it; and with missionary enterprise we have seen the inevitable this aim it must enter any field in which old re- relationship between the love of God and the love ligions are encumbering the religious nature of of man: we have seen Christianity revealing its man. It cannot conquer except in love but in love true nature in seeking, side by side with the oral it intends to conquer. It means to fill the world." proclamation of the truth, to heal every human This conviction is incarnated in the missionary hurt. It has been, as it was at the beginning, undertaking. It is equally essential if Christianity the fountain of the stream of philanthropy, of the is to be vital and effective at home. healing of disease, of the care of the unfortunate A Ministry of Love and needy, of charity and compassion and love.
There is also a lesson for us to learn here for In the second place the missionary enterprise our situation at home. Let the Christian convic- reveals the basic nature of Christianity as a min- tions and loyalties die down and we shall soon istry of unselfish service and of love. Its primary discover the utter inadequacy of our reliance upon aim was to preach Christ as the only Saviour of community goodwill and humanistic philanthropy.
the world; but the Christ whom it preached could The real driving force in all our apparently sec- be no other than the Christ whose first sermon ular civilization is not secular. It is the hidden in his home synagogue was from the text: "The and unostentatious Christian valuation of Christ spirit of the Lord is upon me; because He hath and the motivation of Christ's love and the love anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He of man for Christ's sake.
hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach Relation to Education deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are In the third place, we see in the missionary en- bruised." Here in the West our charities and terprise of the century the fl,mdamental relation- philanthropies have largely passed out from the ship between Christianity and education, between control of the Church, and seem to rely upon the Christ and the freedom. and expansion of the
THE YEARS PAST AND TO COME
mind. From the beginning with William Carey ated freedom suffers. All true education is the and Alexander Duff, the missionary has been the child of the Christian spirit and will suffer when founder of schools. He began the first elementary divorced from the source which produced it, and schools in non-Christian lands. He founded the from which it mus,t continue to draw its life. Let colleges, the medical and industrial schools. He one tragic contemporary illustration suffice. Ger- or she was the pioneer of education for women. many was once the leader in thought, invention In many lands the same thing happened that has and discovery. And today-!
happened in America. The state took over or The Bond of Union and Peace built upon what the missionary began. The Im- perial University of Tokyo had its origins with This school of the past missionary century is a Guido Verbeck and Divie McCartee. The Nation- rich school but I will speak of only one other of al University of Peking, now destroyed, began its lessons. It has disclosed the one possible bond with W. A. P. Martin. David Murray guided the and basis of a united and rationally ordered hu- establishment of seoondary education in Japan. man society, namely the Holy Catholic Church.
In many cases, however, the missionary enter- Every other proposed basis of a peaceful world prise is still carrying on its institutions, equal or order has broken down; diplomacy, international superior to those of government. All the medical organizations, "nine-power treaties," leagues and education of the Chinese began with missionary covenants, ententes, alliances, "axes," all world medical schools. Eighty-five per cent of the associations of whatsoever sort. Even greed has schools of Africa are still conducted by missions. failed. Indeed greed has worse than failed. Men The outstanding modern educators of India have sell to their nation's enemies the very instruments been missionaries, honored by the government for their enmity. No words seem more pitiable with Knighthood for their service,-Sir William today than Mr. Kipling's "Peace of Dives"
Miller and Sir James C. R. Ewing. Even where "The word came down to Dives in torment where he lay, government with its resources begins to monopo- 'Our world is full of wickedness, My children maim and lize the educational field, the missionary enter- slay; prise has found its opportunity in pioneering And the Saint and Seer and Prophet enterprises, the originating liberty of the Chris- Can make no better of it tian spirit fulfilling its function of freedom and Than to sanctify and prophesy and pray.'''
creativeness. So Dives rose up and bound the world together in The present victory of India has borne tribute irrefragable peace.
to this service of the missionary spirit. In his "With gold and fear and hate report in 1928, as Chairman of the Royal Com- I have harnessed state to state.
mission on Agriculture in India, he said, "We can- And with hate and fear and gold their hates are tied. " "And behold all earth is laid not leave the subject of the teacher and his In the peace which I have made." training without referring to a movement which offers bright hopes. for escape from the difficulties Ten years after Kipling wrote, Dives' peace which clog the progress of education. The new was burned ashes and Dives had no need to go scheme for training teachers which has been back to hell. worked out by the Presbyterian Mission at Moga, has been adopted and extended by the Punjab There is only one world fellowship that is real Education Department and now prevails in every and that can bear the strain. That is the world training institution for vernacular teachers in the Christian Community. For a hundred years the province. This system of training at Moga is but missionary enterprise has preached it and has one example of the valuable pioneering and ex- been busy building it. Our Church has had its perimental work accomplished by missions, to glorious share in it. In a dozen lands it has led which education in India owes so great a debt." in the founding and development of independent national churches with leaders of whom I could In America education, like philanthropy, has tell you, the peers of any in our Church at home, slipped from its relationship to the Church. The whjch hold fellowship with sister churches across Roman Catholics, to a lesser degree the Lutherans all-boundaries of nation and race, across the gulf and to a still lesser degree the other Protestant of nationality between China and Japan, across Churches, are seeking to maintain Christian edu- the gulf of race in India. The goal of world unity cation in relation to the Church but it is a hard may still be far away and the Christian unities struggle against the State with its power of taxa- may still be too weak to overpower the human sus- tion. In Russia and Mexico Church education is picions and rivalries and hates, and the coercive extinct; in Germany it seems to be doomed. We powers and pessimisms and paganisms of govern- are in danger of forgetting the lesson of the past. mentsmay stm.defeat the feeble instrumentalities Where distinctively Christian education is obliter- of Christian fellowship. But, soon or late, the
choice must be made between the unity of Christ man intercourse the nations burden it with even and the Satanic sin of a divided humanity. If we heavier limitations of travel and trade. Missionlearn aright the missionary lesson we shall not aries may be as ready for martyrdom as ever but despair but wait in hope and love till the martyr cannot get his passport vised. The difficulties which the missionary met in earlier Nation with nation, land w1th land years have vanished but they have been replaced Enarmed shall live as comrades free: by new ones. But what are difficulties for, except, as General Armstrong used to say, to be overcome In every heart and brain shall throb by the grace of God? Twice in "The Influence of The pulse of one fraternity. Sea Power upon History," Captain Mahan speaks of "the glorious disadvantage of numbers." And Some may say, "It has been a great past, and St. Paul shows how he regarded difficulties when you are justified in what you claim for it, but it he said "and," not "but": "I will tarry at Ephesus is gone and cannot come back or be reproduced. until Pentecost for a great door and effectual is We have come to a new and different day. The opened unto me and there are many adversaries." old motives which produced and sustained the missionary enterprise are dead. The sacrifices And the opportunities are greater than they which it required cannot be obtained in the world have ever been. The national churches in every in which we live." mission field are inviting help and offering asso- ciation. In China there is such an open door as I do not believe it. There have been changes, has never been known since Robert Morrison and there will be more changes, but they make the landed in 1807. One missionary writes: enterprise only the more necesary. Bible teaching is now permitted in all schools, and na- The Gospel has not changed. Jesus Christ is tional leaders are by their example and words urging the still the same, yesterday and forever. If our youth to find the secret of the power of the Christian relithoughts about Him and the Gospel change they gion. Never has the atmosphere of our schools been more only change truly as they see Him and His Gos- Christian. This is indeed the flood tide of mission work pel as something still greater than men have con- in China. Similar opportunity came after the Revolution ceived. His is still the Only Name. He is still in 1911 when China became a republic. There is a tide the only Light of the World. He alone is the in the affairs of Christ in China which taken at the flood Way, the Truth and the Life. Now, as ever, no leads on to victory. The ebb tide will later set in, for man comes to the Father but by Him. The world time and tide wait for no man. Now is the time to bring is worse lost without Christ, if that be possible, the ship into the harbor. A missionary today can with the then it has ever been. Its need of Him is greater help of the tide and favorable winds make more progress than ever in the past. If its flight was such that in a day than in a month when the tide is changed. it required His coming nineteen hundred years ago its desperate hopelessness today requires Him And so everywhere the tides run with us or even more. Of the seven nations which are de- against us but our duty abides, the duty to protermining the fate of the world today four either claim Christ to the whole world and to every man openly reject Christiani<ty or tolerate it only as as the only hope. an instrumentality of the State. Of the other three one is frankly secular and in neither Great Christ is our sure hope. What the conditions Britain nor America is the Christian spirit set in may be is a matter of subordinate consequence. supreme authority over the national. In one of They may affect the times but they will not deterhis last utterances Henry Watterson declared: mine the issue. What th8lt issue will be St. Paul declared in the clearest and boldest way long ago. The future looks black enough, yet it holds a hope, a The time will come, he said, when Christ's Name single hope. One power and one power alone can arrest will be above every name, when "at the name of the deseent and save us. That is the Christian religion. Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue con- Democracy is but a side issue. The paramount issue, fess that Jesus Christ is Lord." Where was Paul underlying the issue of democracy is the religion of Christ when he said this? In prison, chained to the wrist and Him crucified. If the world is to be saved from de- of his jailer; forsaken by friends; the victim of struction, physieal no less than spiritual destruction, it the ill will of insincere fellow Christians; anticiwill be saved alone by the Christian religion. That elim- pating a martyr's death at the end of his way. If, inated leaves the world to eternal war. under those conditions, Paul could have this faith ought we not to feel shame if we waver in it? The difficulties are greater than ever before. Weare at least nineteen hundred years nearer Man has created machines which now tyrannize this consummation than Paul was. If he were over him. He has produced an environment standing where we stand, with what overflowing which he has not learned to control. His most gratitude would he survey the century past and boasted inventions are as capable of working ruin with what glorious riew faith and courage would as of doing good. He is exalting inferior values he advance into the century to come! over the value of man. An age which overestimated man is succeeded by an age whkh degrades him. Instead of simplifying and enriching hu-
God's Voice from
With Glimpses of His F.aithfulness in the Experience of the China Inland Mission By MRS. HOWARD TAYLOR Author of "The Life of Hudson Taylor," "By Faith-Henry W. Frost and the China Inland Mission," and other volumes f". ALONE in his Toronto office, a young man was "Be definite, young man, be definite! What is facing a situation that might well cause it that you need? What are you really asking?" concern. He was the newly appointed sec- Startled, Mr. Frost rose fr.om his knees, went retary of a movement which had come into being to his desk and began to consider the matter, pen largely through his prayers and eff.orts. Carried in hand. One after another he wrote down the on a full tide of spiritual blessing, he had taken pressing financial needs and was dismayed to find part in the establishment on this continent of a that they came to a total of six hundred dollars.
Mission, begun in England, which had for its aim Could he ask definitely for so large a sum? It the evangelization of inland China. But now its was a critical moment for himself no less than beloved leader, Hudson Taylor, had gone on to for the Mission. But faith triumphed by the grace Shanghai with the first reinforcements from of God. Spreading the paper on the chair before North America, and Henry W. Frost was left re- him, the young man knelt again and definitely sponsible for the home side of the work in the asked, in the Name of the Lord Jesus, for the United States and Canada. For years, the lead- whole six hundred dollars.
ing of God in his life had been preparing for these "So real was the transaction," he recalls, "that developments-as the biography just published when I rose from my knees the sec.ond time it was graphically records ;*-but with the newly-formed without a burden of any kind. With complete rest Council he had now to deal with no fewer than of heart, I went through my corres.pondence and forty missionary candidates and a home-centre to other: work for the day, though as hour by hour provide for the Mission, S.o that the problems that went by nothing happened."
pressed upon him were neither few nor small. Nothing happened in that office- but many, All this had been foreseen and considered with many miles away a friend was led to think and Mr. Taylor in helpful hours of fellowship and pray about the Mission. Under a sense of divine prayer. "No debt" and "no appeal for funds" guidance, this friend wrote a letter which reached were principles of the Mission with which Mr. Mr. Frost the following morning. At the desk Frost was in full agreement. The life of faith where his list of needs had been made, the latter for things temporal as well as spiritual was not opened the letter to find a check enclosed for six new to him. With his young wife, he had already hundred dollars, to be used at home or in China, launched out on the promises of God, proving in as it might be needed. This experience opened to experience that as we seek first His kingdom and the young secretary new vistas of the power .of righteousness all things needful are indeed prayer and the faithfulness of God. He wrote: "added" with a Father's loving care. Fifteen Did I pray more in detail after that? I certainly did!
missionaries in China, h.owever, and increasing I remember that I used to breathe prayers in those days needs at h.ome put faith to fresh tests. Without that I would have laughed at before, as childish. Somethe backing of any church or denomination-for thing came back to me then that Mr. Taylor had said when the Mission embraced all evangelical Christians we were together at Northfield. in its fellowship-and without reserve funds or "Have you ever thought," he asked, "of the difference between a father's and a mother's care of their children?
pledges of supply, prayer to God was. the only re- The father goes to business, whatever it is, and works source. And on his knees in his office that day hard to provide for his family, but it takes a mother to the young Secretary was unburdening his heart mend the children's stockings. And in a very real sense, before God. God is a Mother to his people, as well as a Father."
And then a strange thing happened. It seemed And truly I have found it so, in all the years since then. as if a voice spoke in the silence: By this time (1890) the China Inland Mission was twenty-five years old and had reached a posi- • "By Faith-Henry W. Frost and the China Inland Mission." ti.on froni'which rapid growth was possible. Start- CBhyinDar.InalnadndMMrsi.SSHioonw, aPrdhilTaadyelloprh. ia,Il1lu9s3t8ra. ted. 8vo. 364 pp. $1.25. ing in England in 1865, l·t had spread to N.orth [11 ]
America, but still its home-base was inadequate for the developments that were to come. The growth of those early years had been remarkable and full of promise. The Mission's first objective, that of placing pioneer evangelists in all the inland provinces of China, had been attained in little more than a decade, with the sole exception of the province of Hunan. To enter any of those great regions marked black on the first of our little maps had seemed impossible. The very name, "China Inland Mission," had been a laughing stock to many who did not know the power of prayer. But the eighteen pioneers asked of God CH'NA 18Y4 EXPANSION OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION-FIRST DECADE Extension of the work to 1876; still unoccupied provinces in black EXPANSION OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION-I teach precious lessons of the faithfulness of God. Up to 1867, no Protestant missionaries in Financial needs were never mentioned, save in eleven provinces (black) 'the inner circle, where they were constantly spread before the Lord in prayer. Walking before were hardly ready for their task before the long- Him day by day, why look to man for the succor closed doors were thrown open by the Chefoo Con- He has promised? But the inspired prayer, "Give vention (1876), and the young evangelists w~re us this day our daily bread," often took on new the first to avail themselves of the new situation. meaning. Such was the morning, for example, In two brief years they traveled over thirtythou- when there was nothing to put on the table for sand miles in those unreached provinGes, preach- breakfast when the first bell rang. The interval ing the Gospel, scattering Scriptures and, tr!l!!ts of ten minutes before the second bell changed the and even opening settled mission stations. ,A glance at the China of 1866 and that of 1877,will situation providentially, for a hamper arrived show the advance that had been made,:a.tJhe latter from some unknown friend with a generous supdate only one province still excluding :r1l.essellgers ply of groceries and provisions, and the large of the Gospel-the province of Hun~J.JamOlisto- household sat down with thankfulness to a wellday for its Christian preaching-band'S,;,: . spread board.
And the ground gained was nevet 'lost; fot the CHINA vital work of evangelization went' on, reinforced more and more by missionary women,until in .817 1890, the four hundred members of'the Inland Mission were settled in seventy-five stations, EXPANSION OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION-III chiefly in the interior. All provinces occupied in 1877. Hunan opened later. . 'Kwangsi and Mongolia developed by other missions *** Back in Toronto, the work had taken deep r{)ot, Mr. Frost's spiritual ministry being much, valued. Tests of faith were many, but,theY:.{l.ll ~el'vedto I. .
GOD'S VOICE FROM CHINA
:sao G"OWT>~ GtOWTK h. THl NUMBi:f IN TriE. HUMSEI oJ 0' C.l.M. lIAPi'SMS i" STAT10M& C.I.M. DISTR.ICT5 ….·100 ilEaL – 19~'
199 IU '1$ STEADY GROWTH IN CENTERS OCCUPIED BY THE C. I. M. INCREASE IN BAPTISMS IN c. I. M. Special growth after times of special suffering. There are also two thousand out-stations. IN ANSWER TO PRAYER Special growth after Boxer Outbreak, the Revolution, the One is tempted to dwell upon many of the answers to prayer recorded in the recent volume Evacuation period, and in the present war ("By Faith"), but one other must suffice. saw by the handwriting, was from a member of The rather gruff landlord of the first home of the Council who knew nothing about the immethe Mission in Toronto was in the habit of calling diate situation. Thinking it concerned some busiregularly for his rent. He made no profession of ness, Mr. Frost put it in his pocket, but half way being a Christian, and Mr. Frost was the more to the office was impelled to open it. To his suranxious to be always ready with the full amount. prise, it contained a check. And there, when he But one month, through an oversight, the money looked at it eagerly, was the ·one and .the five of laid aside for the purpose proved to be fifteen dol- the sum so much desired, but it was not fifteen lars short. Twenty dollars were in hand, but not dollars 1 To the figures that stood out from the thirty-five; and the treasury was empty. The check a naught had been added – it was for morning came when the rent was due, and still $150.00. Almost overwhelmed at such an anprayer seemed unanswered. Not a little dis- swer to prayer, Mr. Frost hastened back to tell tressed, Mr. Frost was up with the first trace of his waiting wife that the Lord had indeed prodaylight, haunted, even as he waited upon God, vided. by persistent suggestions of unbelief: "I knew He would," was the quiet though "Oh, yes, you will get the money, but not to- rejoicing reply, for Mrs. Frost's faith had been day-not before the landlord comes I" unperturbed.
Stopped in the hallway as he was leaving for With a full heart, the young Secretary arrived his office, Mr. Frost was told that a letter had been at his office to find that the episode was not finhanded in and was lying on the piano. This, he ished. . The Lord had something further to teach him about His watchful care. In the mail-box was another letter, 'placed there by hand-for it
had no stamp or post mark-and imperfectly ad- sular orders for the evacuation of British and dressed. Evidently it was from someone who American nationals from the interior of China. wished to remain unknown. For on opening it, That crisis of 1927 can be better imagined than Mr. Frost found a blank sheet of paper-not a described. More than six hundred C. 1. M. misword of writing-and folded within it were three sionaries were obliged to come down to the seanew five-dollar bills. What could it mean-the coast, leaving their loved work, and with no homes fifteen dollars over again! to go to, save as the Lord provided. But provide He did, and in such wonderful ways that no one "This time I did not rush back to Mrs. Frost. was without a true C. 1. M. welcome to temporary She was too far away. But I did hurry up to the quarters, and every account for traveling and office, where my overcharged heart found relief other unforeseen expenses was paid the day it was in praising the God of all grace. Since then, I presented. Truly, "God is our refuge and strength, have often thought that the gift of a hundred and a very present help in time of trouble." The chief fifty dollars was to show how ample the love of point is that every time of crisis was followed by God is, and the gift of fifteen to show the exact- greatly enlarged blessing. ness of His understanding care." To these three periods of crisis is now added *** the present war-situation in China, in which the Mission is facing greater perils and perplexities But tq come to the enlargement of the Mission's than ever before. But our Omnipotent Leader is home-base which followed the extension to North "the same, yesterday, and today and for ever." America. Troublous times lay ahead. Unknown This is why we have been and are enabled to adto any but the Supreme Director of the work, His vance rather than retreat and to send out large servants were to glorify Him in the terrible suf- reinforcements to meet the adversary's challenge ferings of the Boxer Outbreak in 1900. No fewer in this hour of his seeming triumph. than fifty-eight of the missionaries to win a martyr's crown, that summer, were members of the It is appropriate that in this Jubilee Year of the C. 1. M. More prayer, more faith, more love were Mission's history-half a century from the sailing needed to strengthen the whole Mission, at home of the first American party – the complete story and in China, for its baptism of fire. And in His should be published under the revealing title, "By own wonderful way the Lord prepared for the Faith," which emphasizes the secret of victory. crisis that He only could foresee. Before us lie greater opportunities and more urgent needs than ever before. God's voice from Those years from 1888, when the North Amer- China rings out a new and perhaps last call to ican branch was founded, witnessed extension to faithful following in the steps of our crucified, other lands also, until some time before the year ever-living Lord, the world's only Redeemer. This 1900 the Mission had become international as to is no time for fear or for retreat. Forty-two new its home constituency. The Prayer Union com- missionaries sent out this fall, including eight menced in North America spread with the growth fully qualified physicians, surely means that beof the work, gathering many into its fellowship fore us is still set an open door. in Europe and Australasia as well as in the United States and Canada. And surely it was this world- "No man can shut it" as long as God gives us wide intercession that sustained the Mission in the privilege of being "workers together with that overwhelming flood of suffering, and carried it through to the bleslsed aftermath of following Him" in and for China.t That great land is seeing years. Up to 1900, the baptisms in connection with the C. 1. M. had totalled about 14,000, that is Jesus as never before-seeing Him in the sacriover a period of thirty-four years; but the single ficial love and labors of His children. And Christ decade that followed, witnessed 22,000 baptisms -the suffering, dying, everliving Saviour – is in C. 1. M. stations, and a corresponding increase drawing countless hearts to Himself who alone in the centres occupied, as may be seen from the can meet China's need. accompanying diagrams. Have not they a right to know of His redeeming Since then, the record has been the same love? Has He not charged us with the saving mesthrough the years, for the story haS been one of sage, promising His own presence and enablement crisis after crisis, right up to the present period "even unto the end of the age"? It is our day of of warfare. Following the Boxer troubles came the opportunity, priceless opportunity, of which we difficult period of the Revolution, when large parts shall e.ach one have to give account. We call him of China were devastated by the armies of "White "Master and Lord." Oh, to see what He would Wolf" and other brigand leaders. Then i;ame the have us see, that we may do while we can what World War, with its inevitable repercussions; He would have us do! the rising power of Communism and Russian influence; the fearful sack of Nanking, and Con- t Including these reinforcoments, the staff of the Mission now numbers more than thirteen hundred foreign missionaries and four thousand Chinese workers.
To Interest Men in
Some Practical Methods from Experience with Men of Our Churches HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE cult to discover which is cause and which is effect.
CALL OF CHRIST If men become genuinely committed to the service By BISHOP RALPH CUSHMAN, DENVER, COLO. of our Lord they will, as a matter of acoreurfsoe~nbd.e devoted to His interests wherever men Resident Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church If men become interested in serving their fellows If I am to interest men in missions I must, first in the spirit of Christ, near and far, they are of all, have a conviction myself as to the authority bound to have a deepening fellowship with their of the Great Commission and the reasons behind Lord, which is sure to express itself in every it. I must believe that the Lord Jesus called us, avenue of life. His disciples, to preach and practice the Kingdom of God on this earth. I must believe this so pro- But how shall we begin to interest men in misfo.undly that I will either stop praying, "Thy sions? Kmgdom come on earth," or will set out to cooperate with Christ in bringing it to pass. I do My own experience, and that of others that I not believe that there is any substitute for this have observed, is that the beginning of a growing interest and concern is to get people to give money to some specific missionary project or person.
burning conviction in my own mind and heart. While missionary administrators may have trouble with those who wish to give to special Second, I must clearly see how tragic are the persons or projects, there is no doubt that people results of failure to preach and practice the King- grow in missionary concern when they have direct dom of God on earth. In all of our churches, and contact with some individual or group about in the lives of individual church members, this is apparent. Our people perish for lack of vision. whose work they receive first-hand information. This conclusion is based on actual first-hand ex- Even if we hold that the chief business of the perience and close-up observation. Church is to acquaint its members with God, it is impossible to do this apart from the missionary But how can we persuade a person who while nominally and probably really Christian, has no vision. It is not by searching but by following great zeal for the work of Christ, to make a bethat men finally find God. Obedience is the organ ginning in giving money? It is here that the in- genuity of Christian love has a chance to operate. of knowledge. Years ago I heard Dr. George A. Gordon say, "Our churches are full of people who have never No spiritual education is likely to be easy. We understood what the call of Christ really is." This must seek to keep the work of Christ before peo- ple until they begin to see the sheer fun of having is true now. The majority of church members partnership with God. project the Kingdom of God almost entirely into Of all methods for arousing and deepening such the next world, and give almost no thought as to an interest there is nothing like the study of the Christ's plan that his Kingdom shall come "on earth as it is in Heaven." Until we get this larger New Testament. A careful study of the life of vision there is little hope that we can have closer A. A. Hyde, of Wichita, who became one of the great givers to missions of his life time, clearly communion with· Christ. demonstrates that his passion for giving money to Therefore it seems to me that the business of help forward the cause of Christ began when he interesting men in missions is only secondarily a made an intense study of the Bible, and especially matter of methods, it is primarily a matter of a the Sermon on the Mount. He said that he there conviction as to the imperativeness of the build- discovered no justification for a Christian laying ing of the Kingdom of Christ in all the earth. up a fortune and from the time he made that dis- THE CAUSE AND THE EFFECT covery "literal obedience was determined upon." It is a dangerous thing to read thoughtfully our By REV. GEORGE IRVING, PHILADELPHIA Christian Scriptures if one does not want to give Author of "A. A. Hyde-Master of Money" with enthusiasm to the cause of Christ, without geographical or other limitation. My two specific The primary question is, "How can we lead men suggestions then in answer to the first question to commit themselves to our LordJesus Christ are: and to His K~ngdom?". . 1. Endeavor to establish an interest in the work In attemptmg to arrIve at an answer it is diffi- of some missionary person or group.
[15 ]
2. Major on persuading people to make an hood and national growth equals that of any other honest, intelligent effort to know the Christian group. Those were strong men, those pioneer Scriptures, especially the clear testimony of our missionaries, interested in every phase of a good Lord and His apostles. life. This same is true of hundreds of men on our mission fields today.
BY A SENSE OF PERSONAL OBLIGATION In the case of Home Missions, we must show what is being done for the support of the best By REV. MERLYN A. CHAPPEL, NEW YORK form of democratic government. Home mission- Board of National Missions, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. aries are at work in the "crisis areas" of Amer- Tens of thousands of American Christian men ican life where the going is hardest, the economic are giving to the support of missions, but the co- conditions are most trying, educational facilities operation of many thousands more must be won are least likely to be good, and opportunities for before the missionary enterprise receives ade- uplifting fellowship are not numerous. Church quate financial support. How may we interest men should know that our missionaries are great more men in missions? The following suggestions exponents of Christian democracy, emphasizing have been gathered from experience in the work by word and life the value of every human soul of missionary promotion in the home-church. in every area of our land. It can be said truly that Home Missions Societies are the greatest We can help our men of the church to develop force for true Christian Americanization in the the sense of social responsibility. They already entire country. have this to a larger extent in the field of community service. The distinctly Christian mission- Missionary speakers soon learn that they must ary challenge, when squarely faced, adds breadth win men to themselves as a preliminary to winand fulness to a man's social vision. The implica- ning them to their cause. There is no distinction tions of this truth came home to me recently in of sex at this point. Women speakers can do this the form of a challenge at a luncheon of many as well as men. Earnestness and a complete deservice and welfare organizations at the launch- votion to the missionary enterprise are essentials ing of the annual Community Chest drive in one to winning strong men to missions. Speakers of our progressive middle western cities. The must be recognized as the voice of the mission churches were well represented at the speakers' field.
table, as well as throughout the dining room. As We must show the men that when they invest I noted the feeling which the speakers, all men, their money in missions it is well invested. Mis- put into their appeal for the less favored citizens sion funds are handled by men who employ good of their community, I could see that they were business methods. Missionary money is not pleading for several prominent features of the wasted in denominational competition, but is missionary program. Surely it should not be dif- rather used for the purpose of making the nation ficult to enlist those men who were speaking, and Christian.. Many a man has become interested in the men who were listening to them so intently, missions by hearing the story of the birth of the in the active support of the world-wide missionary National Church in China and the equally roman- enterprise. tic story of the interdenominational success of the We can make a much wider use of the pulpit Board for Christian Work in Santo Domingo.
for the presentation of missions. Men are most Men are drawn to missions when we appeal to likely to be found at the Sunday morning service. their sense of fairness in the recognition of a debt.
Pastors who include missionary illustrations in In the United States we owe our religious life to their sermons Sunday after Sunday know full the missionary, foreign first, then national.
well the value of this in making missions seem a More than 90% of our churches have, at some natural thing for presentation to a Christian con- time in their history, received Home Mission gregation. Splendid missionary material is avail- funds. Sunday school missions are responsible able today in great quantity and concise form. for the building up of thousands of American Mission Board representatives who come as speak- churches. We must make this fact known and ers endeavor to make their sermon a part of the then challenge our men to give other people the service of worship, just as truly as the pastor chance to hear the Gospel, to become acquainted does. with Christ, and to find salvation through Him.
We can acquaint the men of our churches with Men respond to such an appeal.
the strong men who pioneered in establishing mis- The tragedy is that not more than one third of sion stations at home and abroad. In America the members of our men and women give to the the missionary was as truly a pioneer as was the benevolent causes of the Church. The hopeful settler, the merchant, and the soldier in the early thing is that many men are now reading mission days. His contribution to the foundation of state- literature as never· before.
HOW TO INTEREST MEN IN MISSIONS 1'7
ONE PASTOR'S EXPERIENOE says, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you." By putting REV. OSWALD J. SMITH, D.D., TORONTO world evangelism first we find that all things needed are added, for God is true to His Word. Pastor of The Peoples Churck INFORMATION AND MOTIVATION In the Peoples Church, Toronto, we do not have a Women's Missionary Society. No money is By REV. CHARLES E. SCHAEFFER, D.D., raised through concerts, bazaars, entertainments, sales and similar devices. Nevertheless – or as PHILADELPHIA one result-the offering for missions three years ago was $36,000.00; two years ago it was Secretary' of the Board of Home Missions, $43,000.00; this year it has been $46,000.00. Reformed Church in the U. S.
We now support 130 missionaries, foreign and Men usually are interested in big things and in national, on some twenty different fields through- going concerns. Somehow they have gained the out the world. We have taught our people for impression that missions are a side issue in the years that the supreme task of the Church is the program of the Church and that they are supevangelization of the world, and they have caught ported by the small change. given by the contributhe vision. We have trained them, each and every tors. The bigness of the enterprise has never one, to contribute systematically to the great work captured the imagination of our men. Conseof Christian missions. quently, if we wish to enlist their interest and co- operation we must magnify mi,ssions as a thor- If we were to relegate the work of missions to oughly worthwhile enterprise. We must remove a group of women we would be saying, in effect, the impression that such a work can be supported that the supreme task of the Church is not the on a nickle a week basis. evangelization of the world but that this is only a side issue which a Women's Missionary Society Most men need more information regarding the could easily attend to while the men of the church work of missions. But this is not their chief dedid something more important. That would be ficiency. Even now they fail to respond to the the inference. amount of information which they already pos- sess. Wherever there is a wide gulf between in- We have fifty elders in the Peoples Church. formation and action the whole process becomes Practically everyone contributes systematically. sterile and men's work is dwarfed. Men need We have one hundred and thirty-five in our choir motivation rather than information. Motivation and orchestra and they likewise take part each is produced in two ways: first, by a new sense of year in this great work. Our Sunday school chil- values and appreciation of the real worthwhiledren contributed $1,200.00. Our Young People ness of the task; second, by an inward urge or do likewise. Everyone has caught the vision and desire to do what ought to be done. Methods, each one feels his responsibility. conferences, technique, may prove helpful in gen- erating interest in missions but personal contacts We hold a great Missionary Convention in April with individuals, fostering in their hearts a sense each year when we invite missionaries from all of value, will accomplish the best results. If men over the world who are home on furlough to at- can be led to make big investments in this entertend and speak. Two addresses are given each prise, they will show greater interest. "Where afternoon and each evening. The morning is de- your treasure is there will your heart be also." voted to prayer. These sessions continue for But the reverse is also true: "Where your heart seven days, and thus the people get a vision of a is there your treasure will go also." world's need. INTEREST IN GREAT AOHIEVEMENTS Finally, on the 8th day, the closing Sunday, missionary offerings are taken at all services in By REV. CHAS. T. LEBER, NEW YORK the form of cash and promises for the next twelve months; month by month the people pay in the Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions amount promised, dividing their entire donation into twelve parts. Thus our needs are met. In my judgment there are four emphases to be stressed if we are to interest men in missionary By this method we have found that the men of work: our congregation are intensely interested in missions; in fact, they look eagerly forward to the I. Make the interpretation of missions to men day when they are to make their contributions, statesmenlike in scope and content. and because we are putting first things first God is blessing us at home; at almost every service That is to say, lead men to see (in sermon, ad-: people are compelled to stand or are turned away dress or conference) that the Christian mission is in spite of the fact that we can pack as many as not just one little story after another, but that the two thousand and more into our auditorium. God
missiQnary movement is the greatest cause in the THROUGH MISSIONARY READING world meeting such issues as world peace, eco- By REV. HAROLD S. LAIRD, WILMINGTON, nomicjustie:e,thetotalitarian state and the whole DELAWARE Pastor of the First Independent Church of Wilmington question· of security and. progress with a realism and a power that is not evident in these issues as they are being met by any other government in the Men should be interested in missions in the world today. same manner in which women are interested, II. Keep men informed constantly as to the great namely, through private missionary reading and achievements and outstanding events of the the study classes. The problem, however, in in- missionary enterprise. teresting men is found in the fact that so few men have a desire to use these methods. Myex- Sporadic talks are not sufficient. Keep up a perience has been that, even with women, it is thorough and persistent program of missionary always a small percentage of the membership of education for men, thoughtfully persuading them the church that has sufficient interest to take up to read books, pamphlets, news-letters and bul- either private reading or the mission study class letinsl (all of which are available if sought) and work. In view of this fact, I am persuaded that thus keep men's minds awake and their hearts the pulpit must not neglect its message on the sensitive to what the Christian movement really Great Commission.
is doing across the world. Once a missionary asked me if I believed that III. Give a man, something to do in the mission- missionary interest is waning in the Church at ary cause. home. I replied that missionary interest is not waning in any church whose pastor's interest is Put men on commissions to study missionary not waning. Just as men and women are attracted issues, on committees to plan for missionary occa- to the Church of Christ by the preaching of the sions, in groups to meet and confer with mis- Gospel of Christ, so they are interested in the exsionary personalities, on programs to speak on tension of the Gospel by the testimony of the missionary subjects, in campaigns to raise mis- Word of God regarding this all-important Chrissionary quotas, on boards to direct miss.ionary tian obligation. affairs, on creative tasks for missionary projects. Surely men are as much interested as women IV. Let a pastor plan and carry out the mission- in the thrilling accounts of the power of the Gos- pel unto the salvation of people of every kindred, ary task as the responsibility of his entire tongue and nation, when the story is told by one church, and not as of one group in the church, and then men will take their share who has been God's instrument in the salvation of souls in heathen lands. Because of this fact, it of missionary responsibility. has been my custom to bring into my pulpit the best miss,ionaries I could find. Nothing interests EXHIBITS FROM LIFE either men or women in any subject like the first- By REV. EDWARD D. KOHLSTEDT, PHILADELPHIA hand testimony of those who speak from experience. Executive Secretary of the Board of Home Missions, Methodist Episcopal Church AN ANSWER IN A MEN'S MISSIONARY First-Portraitures from the laboratory of life, LEAGUE * rather than dissertations on the philosophy of missions or elaborate statistical summaries, are By FRANK STEWART the most convincing presentations of either home Church Editor of The Cleveland Press or foreign missions. Every churchwoman in Cleveland knows "the Second-While statistics do sustain vital rela- missionary society is strictly a job for the ladies."
tionships to the cause of missions, the most real- That has been the way almost since they built istic proof of the success or failure of missionary the first church back in colonial days.
investments must be found not in statistical tables, Either in the little old country congregation or but in evident exhibits of enriched individual and the big city denomination, it's always been the collective life. Women's Missionary Society and the Ladies' Aid Third–According to my experience and ob- that baked the cakes and managed the oyster supservation, the average congregation is most read- pers. They've raised the funds to pay for the ily challenged and quickened by stories .of actual mission work in India, Egypt and China. experiences in fields of missionary activity which have revealed worthwhile social and spiritual As for a Men's Missionary Society – well, no one ever dreamed of that-sounded too much like ;,I.chievements. • From The Cleveland Pre88.
HOW TO INTEREST MEN IN MISSIONS
one of those "believe it or not" affairs. And yet, An address was given by the Rev. T. Clifford right in Cleveland's back yard there is just such Strangeway on "World Service Today." an organization – a Men's Missionary Society! This men's society-formed solely for support and READING AND DISCUSSION GROUPS study of missions-is located in Elyria. It is included in the activities of the Elyria United Pres- FOR MEN * byterian Church and has a membership of more than forty men. Rev. George Taylor, Jr., D.D.,. pastor of the *** First Presbyterian Church, of Wilkinsburg, Pa., This Men's Missionary Society numbers on its recently hit upon the idea of a Mission Book Club roster professional men, coal dealers, store owners, clerks, factory employees, linotype oper- for Men. Two hundred and twenty men in Dr. ators, grocers, insurance men-representatives of most any kind of business you can mention. Taylor's church and in two other churches of The Elyria men changed the traditional Wom- Pittsburgh read "Mecca and Beyond" by Dr. and en's Missionary Society in only one way. They amended the title just a bit and call themselves Mrs. Edward M. Dodd. Upon the conclusion of the Men's Missionary League-dropping off the word "society." The idea for the unusual church the reading, 146 members of the club met to hear organization was that of the pastor, the Rev. George A. Brown, who has headed the church for an address by the author ·and to ta;ke part in a fifteen years. He organized the group Nov. 20, 1933, when he decided men, as well as women, forum discussion. . should be interested in extension of the church in foreign countries. As a result his Men's Mission- In the club membership of sixty-nine from the ary League has received national notice in church publications throughout the country. The move- First Ch].lrch of Wilkinsburg are fourteen engiment is spreading in congregations of the United Presbyterian Church throughout the United neers, seven executives, two clergymen, twelve States. clerks, eight bankers and financiers, two dentists, *** one superintendent of schools, two teachers, five Who do the men do? And what kind of fellows are they? salesmen, three heads of business, two attorneys, First, about their program. They hold mission three insurance men, and eight unclassified. study classes. They know where and how their denomination works in Egypt and India-prin- A Book Club for Men can be organized through cipal mission fields of the United Presbyterian Church. the men in any church or groups of churches, if The League pays for support of a native the pastors will lead the way. Very little of what preacher in one of the districts of India. No emphasis is placed upon finances. The principal in- men read deals with a constructive presentation terest of the group is spiritual and not financial. of the Christian way of life as it finds expression In addition to the strictly mission work, the League has a boys' committee and welfare group in the races of the world. The object of this club which takes part in civic and social activities of the church and community. is to encourage men to be informed as to the con- It was five years ago last November that a quests of Christianity as the true revelation of group of men in the United Presbyterian Church of Elyria, Ohio, met at the request of their pastor, God in Jesus Christ. the Rev. G. A. Brown, to organize a Men's Missionary League, the first of its kind. This group Any man who promises to read the particular has grown steadily in numbers and missionary interest. As an outgrowth of the movement book which has been chosen becomes a member of started in the local church there are now seven Men's Missionary Leagues in the presbytery. the club and is invited to the dinner meeting when Recently on a Monday evening, over sixty men the book will be discussed. The only expense is gathered at the church to observe their fifth anniversary. the cost of the book and of the dinner in case the member attends.
There should be a simple organization and men who hold responsible positions in the church life should be asked to serve as officers. If they show interest it will be easy to enlist some of the other men of the church. An enthusiastic minister is necessary to ensure the success of the club. The dinner meeting is the end of the club for any book.
When the club is organized the date is set far enough ahead to give the members ample time to read. Questions that arise in the mind of the member can be noted and become part of the open forum at the dinner. Several churches may join together for the dinner discussion, and someone well versed in the subject should be chosen as the leader.
The secretary of the club should keep a roll of the club members with the name and address of each member, stating he purchased a book, and whether he expects to attend the dinner. In or- ganizing a new club this information will be of great value.
• • From Ohristian WorJd Facts, 1938.
Missionaries Work in
Extracts from letters of pastors, teachers, doctors, and industrial missionaries, of the American Presby- terian Mission in West Africa, printed in lIThe Drum Call" (October, 1938) in Elat, Cameroon A MISSIONARY PASTOR'S DAY that all Bible teachings are true and then we join By THE REV. FRANK O. EMERSON with them in the Lord's Prayer.
Passing village after village we presently come "Here Kan, we go far tomorrow, so we must to a large company of mourners, a few wailing, divide the night for an early start. Is everything most of them sitting quietly under the eaves of ready?". the huts. They welcome a short message of com- "All set, but one thing; the only avocado is fort and prayer. Soon we come to a large stream.
spoiled, but we found a fresh pawpaw." How to cross depends on several things; most "I'll be shouting if you are not out at four!") fortunate if a canoe is at hand. If not too deep Just as I was closing the hut door with a slab we may just wade in, shoes and all, but we are of bark I heard someone near. already soaked to the knees with dew from the "Who is there?" I asked. grass. When the water is deeper one may de- "Me," was the only response. grade himself by being carried on another's back, It was a Nicodemian call; a man with several or in absence of onlookers he may hoist his clothes wives who had decided to become a Christian but to his head and wade. This time we found the before a public profession wanted to know if he water a little over knee-deep so we waded over.
must send his wives home to their brothers and At noon we rested in a village where there is a await their return of the dowry. It was quite school and chapel. They had heard of our coming true and he left with a crowded brow and repeat- and mashed plantain and thick peanut soup were ed assurance of Divine help. An hour had been ready for the men, with a dessert of sugar-cane cut from my short night, but soon I was com- and bananas. My own lunch was suppJemented fortably stretched on my camp bed. by two eggs and a pineapple. After half an hour Suddenly I found myself half sitting up; under we trudged on, our feet heavy, our garments the flashlight my watch indicated a quarter to soaked with perspiration, the tropical noonday four. As I stooped to pass under the eaves drip- sun was pouring down on us wherever we were ping with dew I discovered Kan already blowing compelled to leave the shade of the forest.
the embers into flame in the little thatch kitchen. Near three o'clock in the afternoon we were By the time I was ready there was a breakfast coming down the hill to the last stream before awaiting me of fruit, cereal, coffee, an egg fried reaching the outstation church toward which we with bacon and toast. Some of the carriers came were bound; a small boy ran dripping from the sleepily in, unstrung the bed net, packed the bed- stream and started up the hill opposite calling, ding and folded up the cot. By five-thirty we were "He's come! He's come!" As we climbed the hill feeling our way along the path in the darkness we heard one and another of our loads set down that was just beginning to fade. with a thud and the shouts of our men as they Someone called, "Tell my sister in the town splashed about in the shallow stream. Women three rivers ahead that our small father (uncle) were vociferously warned away, for this was a is very sick." Another dark form approached civilized community. While still some distance with outstretched hand and said: "Remember from the village we were surrounded by school to tell the teacher in Ovefi to send me the two children calling out greetings. I took their out- francs he owes me." stretched hands, sometimes three or four at once.
A mile further along we come to a village where How clean and cool some of them were! And a man is beating a call drum with little zest. It some of them-well, never mind.
is the call to village prayers. No one else is in Then came the women, not so noisy but not sight and we pass on, just as the first gapping, lacking in zest. Those with babies were pleased stretching people respond to the call of the drum. if the little one would hold my finger or smile; Another mile and we find some twenty people others would laugh uproariously if the child cried.
gathered for prayers and the leader is droning Finally, in the street the dozen or more teachers the tune, "Onward Christian Soldiers" to time and evangelists, displaying due dignity and re- that would lose the battle for any army. We enter serve; one dressed in tattered trousers and shred- and bow our heads while prayer is offered and ded singlet because his good clothes were not yet remain through the twenty minutes of assurance. ironed from the wash; others fortunate in hav- [20 ] ing second best clothes, and some, either well-to- amy after she had confessed years ago; now the do or foresighted, with white trousers, shoes, sal~ other women have all died and she wants to be shirts, ties and hats. Later in the day the mature counted in."
men of the village would come to salute us in "Do you think her heart has changed?"
our lodging. "Of that only the Lord knows. Ah, to change Very soon Kan announces that "tea sits" and there on my knock-down table-or, is it a set-up table? are sliced bananas, fresh toast and jam.
Did ever a meal taste so good!
The men were in the teacher's house disposing of more food than is worth while to enumerate.
Soon the native pastor and his wife appear, one carrying a chicken, the other a basin in which are piled avocados, oranges, eggs, a few pine- apples and pawpaws, while a small boy comes lugging a bunch of bananas. This is the first offering to the white man's appetite; other things will follow through succeeding days but with less formality. Now my canvas bath is ready and the second great privilege of the day is about to take place. Anyone approaching is warned that, "He Photo from C. E. Whittier bathes." SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH THEIR WOODEN SLATES The native pastor approaches with notebook from sin to righteousness is a thing only God can and file cards. Would I like to know what is laid bring about. We should rejoice that His Spirit up for the church session tomorrow? I would accomplishes it, or what would we do?" -not like~but should! After a warm supper and a bit of quiet fel- "Forty applicants for baptism and you find lowship under the moon, weariness sends us early them all prepared?" I ask. to our waiting cot where the prayer drum will waken us to a new day on the morrow. "Well, we find they have done nothing." Not the strongest recommendation you think, until you understand that he refers to heinous sins.
"And for advancement as catechumens-twen- A MISSIONARY TEACHER'S DAY ty-eight? Do all of them know their catechisms?" By MYRTlE KIRBY MCCLEARY I ask.
"You yourself must decide. Some are stupid, Everyone knows that a teacher's interests are some are old and some perhaps are a bit lazy, but not confined to the schoolroom, especially if she is a housekeeper as well, with an adjacent garden and yard to supervise. A busy day, and its con- tact with the people, should bless both the helper and the helped.
I was awakened at three in the morning by voices outside my window. Startled I slipped through the darkness and peered down. Three bulky forms were huddled against the house, and I called down, "Who is there?" I caiIed.
"Bia" (Weare), came the answer in female voices.
. "What do you want?"
"We have brought food to sell."
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT ELAT, WEST AFRICA "But why at this hour?" "Oh, the soldiers are on the path at daylight and would take it. Please we find that they too have done nothing," I am come see it." .
told. "Can you not rest on the porch until morning?"
"Tomorrow we shall know. And what of new "No, we have to go to our gardens."
confessors?" I ask. Remembering the hungry houseboys, I donned "Of them there are many; some of their cases kimona and bed-shoes, lit the lantern and came await yourself. One woman married into polyg- out onto the porch. I thought to buy hastily by
the basketful, for I was sleepy and chilly, but no to help each other. During my first period, which –everything must be piled and counted, for the is reading, one stood to read the Gospel and mis- brown woman's financial sense is keen and the pronounced a word. That amused a younger boy white woman's must match hers. But finally all and he laughed. This so irritated the reader that was accounted for. I bade them "walk well" and he stopped, faced about and thoroughly rebuked they departed. the laughing one who retorted; it required dis- Cuddled down in bed again, my next alarm was cipline to regain quiet. When we had finished the from the Girls' School near by. They were open- tragic story of the death of Judas Iscariot, three ing the day with morning prayers. How they did hands shot up for question. I nodded to the first sing! In spirit I joined with them as the chorus one, but all asked in unison, "What became of the rolled out through the darkness: "I Need Thee, bag?"-indicating there were more Judas na- Oh I Need Thee"-we both did. I felt better be- tUres. Sometimes, when their childishness is very cause they had awakened me this way, just as pronounced, then I remember that this very ele- the brown women through the darkness had ment in their cheerful nature seems to be a bless- brought material food for my need. Thoroughly ing. Arithmetic is the older men's Waterloo.
awakened, I sought the "quiet hour" after which When I found one looking earnestly under his I was ready for the day. The bird song, the dawn, desk, believing he had a flyleaf of "tables," I the awakening activities, all made me glad to be walked around and found him counting on his alive. fingers. When I asked if he did not know how The house boys came to receive instructions for many fingers he had he said his hand itched and the day. I directed their work and peeped into he was scratching it! They are generally clever the kitchen where my "boy of all work" presides. at drawing and would be at writing, if they did It was fairly clean; the stove did not shine as not add quirks and curls to the simpler modern when freshly blackened, nor were the dish towels form.
as white as when freshly laundered. But he tin- Their good nature carries them far, as was il- kled the call-bell and I sat down to a good break- lustrated one morning when I thought a boy had fast, thankful for cook and food. forgotten to remove his wool cap. I came from While at breakfast the garden women come behind and tried to quickly jerk it off and surprise for their day's work-a trio whom I sometimes him, only to find I was the surprised one for I feel I do not need as much as they seem to need found his hair was cut cap-form and it was his my help. Faithful, industrious, loyal, daily ex- crown I was trying to lift! He laughed when I amples of true women. One morning there were did, but took my advice to have his hair cut.
no pawpaws in the cupboard. They are my break- After four hours' work, broken by a short re- fast food. But ere I sat down, Evina, one of my cess, I hurried home. On the porch was a Mo- garden women, appeared smiling as she held out hammedan trader with his goods spread out three saying, "I peeped into the cupboard last awaiting me; a boy who wanted a guitar string, night and saw there were none, so I got up early four school girls waI).ted beads. I bought a trinket to pick and bring these to you." Bless her! of the trader, supplied the string and the beads, But the school bell is ringing and I grab a bag went through the house, out of the back door, of books and hurry away, trusting all to the help- made a round of inspection of the morning's work ers. On the porch are waiting boys who follow and sat down to lunch. Too tired to eat, I thought.
me, telling me their wants en route-to beg a pen- Then I rose refreshed and slipped into my sleep- cil, to work for a copybook, to borrow a song book, ing porch with a magazine. The latter faded into to ask a question about the lesson. I answer all oblivion in time and I slept until the two o'clock and provide, if I can, as I rush on. bell called me back to the primary boys' school.
At the schoolhouse door are about two hundred Again my porch seemed full. A boy with a men and boys who are waiting for the final call wound he wanted bandaged and one wanting a and with their three teachers we go in together. little piece of soap to wash his cloth. I finally Devotions first, the native teacher leading. We satisfied them and rushed away to the school- have songs, prayer and Scripture lesson, after house. What a noise as I neared it! One hundred which we have a brief practice in note singing. and fifty little boys and ten teachers. One saw How the boys enjoy it, and how quickly they take me, gave the alarm and there was a rush for the four voices and sing their parts! When some seats and positions; heads bowed over books and were so often tardy for the devotions we re.quired slates and all was quiet for a moment, then work all late ones to sit in the rear of the house until resumed. I went from class to class, watching class hour. . teachers listening to readers and inspecting their My class of prospective teachers numbered fifty: wooden slates-much faulty work, but some very They have never learned to whisper and "silence good, done with those little lead pencils that were is golden" there, but we try to arrange recitations once held in white hands in America. There was
HOW MISSIONARIES. WORK IN AFRICA
PRIMARY VERNACULAR SCHOOL AND TEACHERS IN THE PRESBYTERIAN MISSION, CAMEROON another commotion when closing time came and rarily be laid aside, and a day devoted to physical slates, pencils, rulers, counters and books were relaxation, perhaps, and spiritual renewal. Tocollected. But after a hearty song, they all said day no operations, no clinics, no workmen to prod, "Our Father" in prayer. Once outside, some quar- no machinery to repair, no disputes to be settled." reling, more fun and the head teacher saw them started homeward, while I placed tomorrow's Before a breakfast of pawpaws, avocado pears lesson on the blackboard. and oranges could be finished, there comes a medical boy with the tidings that there is at the En route home I encountered a trader's boy, hospital a very much frightened young man who while on the porch stood myoId boy, Mejo. I went was bitten by a snake while going to the river to for my shower bath, fresh clothes and a rest, bathe. There was no time to be lost. By instinct After the evening meal and other interruptions or custom, very fortunately, a tight bush-rope the curfew bell rang at nine o'clock. I looked at tourniquet had been applied, before coming in to a pile of unanswered letters, selected one and be- the hospital. Still more fortunately the patient gan; but my head went down, my eyes shut and had merely stepped on a sharp stone, but on that letter was put off for a more convenient searching through the bushes a companion hapseason. The spirit was willing but I went to bed. pened to see a small snake. A vivid African im- agination did the rest. A MISSIONARY DOCTOR'S DAY Now it is time to make Sunday morning rounds, By ROBERT H. MCCRACKIN, M.D. which must be done early enough to allow the medical assistants to bathe and groom themselves, As usual the rattling of pans in the kitchen whether to teach a class or to hold a meeting out announces the fact that another day has dawned. at a leper colony or in one of the neighboring Yet, not just another day, for it is Sabbath, the villages. A medical assistant is primarily a day of rest, when one may stay in bed later. Christian worker and personal evangelist, and is Breakfast is not until 6: 45. What a relief it is given time from the routine of hospital life for to realize, as the objects in the room begin to these activities both in the hospital and in the make sense, "Here is one day when the suffering surrounding country. He realizes that our hosof mankind and of getting up early may tempo-
pital work is only a means to an end-the salva- activity or control their routine in any wp,y after tion of the lost. they leave the hospital just as it is difficult to The head of the native staff has already made get them in for subsequent examinations unless complete rounds, so that he knows exactly where something new has developed. Therefore, we try special advice is needed in the way of treatment. to keep them in bed and about the hospital longer We're sorry to hear that Ziem, the little boy from than we would ordinarily.
the grass lands who had a piece of bone removed We walk back of the building containing the from his arm, has a fever. But the medical as- private rooms, wherein live the elite who come sistant has. examined his blood and finds that it from great distances in search of medical aid and is only malaria. It is a surprise to see little Eko sympathy. By far the larger number of this sitting on the edge of her bed shining her skin relatively well-to-do, English-speaking clientele , 'from the west coast make the pilgrimage to be examined by the X-ray, whether they are suffer- ing from a touch of malaria, intestinal parasites or skin irritation. After being examined, and sampling every description of medicine which can be found, they reluctantly admit that they are better and return from whence they came.
Our rounds over we make our way up the hill to the main building to find an anxious medical assistant wanting help with a difficult delivery case, the wife of one of our evangelists. This detour has left just enough time to get to the main church service. The sermon today is one LEPERS WAITING FOR TREATMENT BY THE that no one wants to miss. Our oldest African MISSION DOCTOR pastor is to speak. Though somewhat broken in with palm oil. She is going out for the first time body he is alert mentally and filled with Christian after weeks in the hospital with a partial paral- fire. Potentially, there should be at least an hour ysis of the right leg from a bad case of malaria. and a quarter when the troubles of the world may She won't be going all the way to the big church be forgotten, except as our attention is drawn but will go to the hospital chapel service. What to them by the minister, who was just getting a day it is for her, when both she and her parents under way when the voice of a medical assistant thought she would die, or that she certainly would whispers, "We have need of you at the hospital, never walk again! a strangulated hernia has been brought in." On arriving at the hospital a desperate effort was We must have a look at the little boy who has being made to sterilize the instruments over a been sick with pneumonia. His chart shows that kerosene stove which refused to burn properly. his temperature dropped during the night. In The patient was not in very good condition havthe next children's unit we find a three months' ing had his strangulation for four days in his old baby girl who fell off of her mother's bed into town and three days on the road coming to the the fire one night. We were awakened that night hospital. Two of the boys are talking to him by the cries of the baby and the moaning of the about his soul's salvation. He is a pagan who, for father. She seems to be making the grade. those four days of waiting in his town, has been There goes the drum which is beaten theoreti- trying all manner of native medicine. He concally at 8: 30, an hour before Sunday school be- fessed his utter helplessness, and desire to place gins.. As we go through the surgical wards we his life in the hands of the Master. The operation find a greater number of hernia patients. than any was performed and he finally went back to his other, but there is always a good percentage of town rejoicing that he had escaped both a phys- people who have had abdominal operations, ele- ical and spiritual death. The last word we had phantiasis, superficial tumors of every size and was that he was consistently working his way description, surgical venereal cases, and an oc- through the preparatory groups toward church casional goitre. Old Amugu is in the act of cut- membership. ting another notch in his foot long tooth brush. Sunday dinner over and there is just time for He was operated on for a hernia, and having no about an hour's rest before the 3 o'clock drum knowledge of the calendar this is his method of beats for the afternoon service. When the midkeeping track of the days, for he knows that when point of this allotted time was reached the inevi- there are 20 notches he may get up. As with all table again happened-another emergency. This the others, it is next to impossible to limit their time it was the result of a man meeting a lone
HOW MISSIONARIES WORK IN AFRICA ,25
gorilla on a narrow path in the heart of the jun- their belongings gave silent but eloquent testigle. Though a merciless killer when aroused, the mony to their intention. Then for at least the gorilla is usually very thoughtful in doing no more tenth time I marshalled all the reasons as to why damage than necessary to disable man, his po- that was impossible. All this was given out of tential adversary. This is done by cutting through my most emphatic Bulu vocabulary, but the only the tendon of Achilles of one foot, just above the response I received was a sullen look and three heel. This done the gorilla walks peacefully away. words, "We feel hunger." At last they decided to This man managed to drag his helpless. leg about stay awhile longer. The scale was brought and a mile, to the nearest village. This case was typ- the midget weighed. The slight gain in weight ical of all, in that the wound was made clean-cut was gratifying and gave me new courage in my as though by a knife. As a result, barring infec- battle to keep the baby until it was safe to release tion, they usually heal up without any difficulty him. after hooking the ends of the tendon together again. Visiting the wards was interrupted by the ar- rival of a sick boy carried by several of his broth- Space does not permit taking you with us ers. They said he was dying and certainly he through an entire day. Though often devoid of looked sick unto death. Multiple abscesses during the coveted day of rest it is a glorious field of a period of three weeks, and scarcely any sleep endeavor and we love it, as we help these people and nourishment, accounted for the emaciated, in their struggle for life against the beasts and anemic boy who lay moaning with the pain from insects of the forest, and Christ in His conquest a large abscess in one thigh. Happily his pulse of the beast that is in man. was good and the abscess was lanced with satis- factory results. Then came the most difficult task A MISSIONARY NURSE'S DAY -that of convincing his parents that he needed food and drink. "But he is about to die," they By ARISTA STALEY, R. N. stolidly informed me. "He will not die if you truly nurse him," was my vigorous reply. They There was a quick staccato of knocks on the refused to be convinced; it was therefore necesdoor, a slight-a very slight pause and the rat- sary for me to have soup made and a special guard tat-tat was repeated with the machine gun set to see that the patient was fed! Often it is persistency, until the din penetrated the conscious- harder to combat the doubt and fear of the paness of a soundly sleeping nurse. A veritable tor- tient and his people than it is to cure his sickness. rent of words followed her drowsy inquiry. "Such a foolish woman is that one! Never did I see such Suddenly a wild hail assailed our ears. The a foolish one! She surpasses in stupidity!" nurse I had left to watch Ngono was loudly call- ing for the woman's husband! The call was com- With difficulty the swift flow of words was ar- ing from the corner of a coffee patch across the rested and definite information extracted from road from the hospital. When we reached them, the Bulu widow who aspires to be a nurse in our the mother and child appeared to be doing well little hospital. I silently agreed to the foolishness on their mat of banana leaves! And this was the of the poor patient in the maternity ward whom baby who was to have been ushered into the world we sought to save from a premature labor. Not properly! I looked reproachfully at the nurse, once had she cooperated with us and as a result who hung her head and refused to meet my eyes. our efforts had failed-which news Hanna had We were all speechless as the patient and baby come to report. were placed on a stretcher and taken into the hos- pital. All the answer I could get from Ngono In the morning as I was leaving for the hospital later was, "Ah, my mother, all sense just per- I discovered that our cook had preceded me with ished from my heart!" his wife, Ngono. I was glad for I had already decided that this time her child should be properly At two-thirty, refreshed by lunch and a bit of born, in the hospital and not "on the path," as the rest, I returned to the hospital where I was met last one had been! Preliminaries were taken care by a sad-faced medical assistant. "I have bad of. Ngono begged permission to walk about. Hav- news. The 'big kettle' (auto-clave) has finished ing put her in charge of a nurse in whom I had being spoiled." I stared at him in consternation. confidence, I set out for the maternity ward to see Then my questioning eyes met those of the head another little premature, now two weeks old. My assistant and found confirmation of the awful "Good-morning" went begging. Both the mother fact. For months had this young man attended to and grandmother averted their eyes. "What is the sterlizing of our supplies and yet this time troubling your hearts now?" I inquired, immedi- he had failed to fill the water compartment before ately amassing my defenses against what I knew lighting the fire! All he could say was, "I'm sure would be their answer. "We are going home," I poured in water." I stood by, gloomily regardwas the terse response and the basket loaded with
ing the wreck and wondering what wizard would rain falling on that new corrugated iron roof. be able to mend it and if mending proved impos- The heavens surely opened and for over an hour sible, just where our little hospital would find the there was no let up. I was dry but how about several hundred dollars necessary to provide a that sand down by the river side? I could picture new sterilizer! those piles of sand with the river gradually creep- ing closer and closer and carrying those piles of Away to the children's ward, particularly to see sand, that cost over four thousand francs to dig the baby of Ze, for whom we had long fought out, back into the stream again. It must have against the ignorance and superstitious fear of been like counting sheep for the next thing I the mother and the old cronies who influenced her. heard was the alarm clock. It was six o'clock and To my amazement no one was with the little pa- time to get started. After breakfast and a "quiet tient but a small girl. hour" the day's work really began.
"Where is his mother?" I demanded. The river had risen slightly and the sand was "She has gone to the village to get some squash all right. Nevertheless we began moving it to seed to eat." safer ground. After roll call forty-two men were "Well then, where is Ze?" sent to move the sand, forty to break out rock "He it is who has gone to get his share of the for the new church, thirty-two to saw planks (all inherited goats," was her astonishing answer. by hand), eighteen to the swamps to cut palm A distant relative had died; a division of prop- leaves for thatch, twenty-eight were assigned to erty had occurred and apparently Ze was so meat build new houses for the workmen and eighteen hungry he could not resist a visit to a village some were assigned to the new carts to haul in the four miles distant, leaving his sick child. Silently broken stone; there were a multiplicity of smaller pondering the vagaries of the Bulu mind, I took jobs. Getting these men assigned to their differthe sick baby and gave it food and medicine. ent tasks and then seeing them saunter off to their There were more ward visits to be made, in- respective places, about as slow as they can drag cluding one to Abesolo, the lad with the large one foot after another, is the most exasperating abscess. He listened to my encouragement doubt- part of the day. I watch them and wonder if the fully but admitted he was resting better. With a church will ever be built. parting word to his people, that if he died, it would be because they did not feed him, I dragged Each of the twenty-two carpenters. needs his my weary self back to the hospital and then up own special instruction. At present they are the hill to home and a hot shower. On the way, making doors, windows and furniture for the came this query to my heart, "Is it worth all it new workmen's town, but soon they will begin takes, after all?" Swiftly and clearly came the dressing the large timbers for the church roof. answer, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one From the carpenter shop I went to see those timof the least of these my brethren, ye have done it bers that are still in the process of cutting. The unto me." tree I visited was a hard-wood tree about four feet in diameter at the base and three feet at the AN INDUSTRIAL MISSIONARY'S DAY branches. As it was nearly straight we measured it up for the longest members of the roof trusses. By EDWIN COZZENS Each piece will be forty-two feet long. Since the sawmen had never handled such long timbers When the mission builder was ask?d to contribute to before they had to be instructed in almost every this number of The Drum Cull, he immediately began to step. make excuses-he was too busy building the church, at Efulan station to write an article. His letter of excuses I next stopped where the men were breaking follows. Is it an article, or not?-Ed. out rock. Since almost anyone should know how to build a fire over the rocks and then tomorrow We were sent here to build this long waited break off the pieces that had cracked off due to for church, but since our arrival in February I the heat, the only instruction'they needed was to have done everything else but that. I have been keep at it! Back at the station I found six men. called away four times on other business. wai.ting for me. A palaver.
On .arriving I hired more than two hundred men !'We want a file to sharpen our cutlasses." and we went to work cutting as much timber, and "But I gave Obam a file this morning," I said. digging as much sand out of the river as we "We know, but he won't let us use it." could, before the heavy rains began. A perma- Obam then explained that the best way to keep nent roof was put on our residence and a recent the file from wearing out was for only himself to fire necessitated the replacement of houses for use it! The men went back to the grass cutting eighteen workmen. quite satisfied, having something to wrangle about for the rest of the day. Take today for an example. To describe the whole day I will have to start about two a. m. when I was awakened by the sound of torrents of
HOW MISSIONARIES WORK IN AFRICA
On getting back to the shop I had two hours AN AFRICAN PASTOR AT ELAT before noon to work on an old auto engine I was preparing to operate a small saw for trimming demand most of his time. His wife must write the hand-sawed lumber. I was getting my hands letters to the two children in the homeland and dirty when another saw man called me to see a the other two at Elat; the Sunday school lesson hollow tree they had just felled. A half..;mile away is to be studied, for tomorrow she instructs the in the forest I found the tree. Examination teachers; the afternoon is reserved for town visshowed about thirty feet still usable so I marked iting; also neighbors are invited in for supper. it off in lengths and left the men to their sawing. The coffee arrives. Where is the top to the new They were quite provoked as they would have to coffee pot? dig a pit and then saw only three logs.. "Why it fell and broke," is the nonchalant ex- Back in the shop, too late to start another job planation-six months we waited after we had before noon, I went to the house. Not too late to ordered it from America and we have used it less start something there. My timekeeper presented than a month! last month's payroll to check and then I had to count the money to pay the men. A carrier was Prayers over, the visitors on the front porch also waiting to go to Kribi. Letters were written, are greeted. packages were prepared and the man sent on his way, but not before the boy from the kitchen was "Mb616 Esamba, it has been a long time since told to hold up lunch for a few minutes. I saw you."
The afternoon was spent in the shop doing the "Yes, I have been sick. I have brought you a odd jobs that the men were not able to do and gift of bananas and makabo." instructing them in the fine arts of filing saws or grinding valves. I got back to the house just "Thank you so much, the children will be very in time to listen to the radio news from England happy. Will you give them to the cook?" at 5: 45. After supper I remembered that I was to preach Sunday so I went to my desk to prepare The second visitor advance.s. "Let me see, I for this important task. We are here not only to know·you." build buildings, instruct workmen and to saw lumber, but to open up to these workmen, their wives, "Yes, I am Mej6 m'Abe'e." their children and their neighbors this wonderful "Indeed I do know you. How sad I was when Book, that they might grow in grace and the I heard your husband had died of sleeping sickknowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ness and even sadder when the news came that you had fallen into sin." A MISSIONARY HOUSEKEEPER'S DAY "Yes," Mej6 continued, "your letter did help, but the thing that brought me back was the By ELIZABETH MILLER NEELY thought which came to me every night when I lay down to sleep, 'Am I to perish eternally just "Mummy," piped a little voice from the next because! love the things of this world?' " room.
"A Jo," muttered Mummy drowsily from her bed, "Why can't you sleep longer-at least until your nurse-girl comes?"
. "Mummy, bobo, bobo," in ever persistent tones. "J0, keep quiet," orders her bigger sister from her near-by crib. But J 0 has decided the day should begin and so Mummy goes for a bottle and stills her cries. Later mother, combing her hair is horrified to see in the bathroom mirror the reflection· of the table boy in the kitchen industriously washing face, hands and hair in the dish pan.
"Oh, why did I see that, and before breakfast?" she groaned.
Fresh flowers are arranged and the family is breakfasting at last. The plans for the day are discussed. The man of the house has a class of men with very little education, whom he is trying to convert into acceptable evangelists. They will
"Come in and sit down while we talk." you were in her house watching her shell pea- So many years to cover since the days when nuts."
Mejo was one of the bright women in school. "I am sick," grumbles Etua.
Another face appears at the door-an attractive "Ah, so you go to the first wife for comfort, is woman, with a beautifully kept skin rather light it so? Why did you marry more than one wife?"
in tint. Flashy earrings add to her charm and a "It is a Bulu custom." great poise. Almost fourteen years have elapsed "What kind of clothes are you wearing?"
since this white woman lived at this station so "White man's."
how can she attach the right names to faces she "Why do you not wear the kind of clothes worn remembers. by your fathers? How many children have you ?"
"I am Metyi," the woman introduces herself. "None." "Years ago we traveled the forest paths together. "A friend told me of a man who had nine wom- That was when you were new and just learning en and no children. He put away his women and married one wife. Then had fourteen children." to talk Bulu. My husband is an elder at Nkoln- In the next house the visitors are pleased to yen. This is my daughter," introducing the at- find that Mvondo and his wife, Mvutu, are living tractive child with her. more happily together.
Dear, Dear, the clock says half past ten. No What a joy to step into Eyinga's little mud hut. Even a stranger could sense that here is a Christime is left for instructing the flower gardener; tian home and it swarming with little duplicates of the mother. These people who long for chilthose letters cannot wait. Exactly three sentences dren, can they not see that big families are the offspring of Christian parents? have been composed when ear splitting .screams Mbengon, a fine Christian in Madame's school rend the air. Little two-year-old Ruth arrives, so many years ago, calls from across the street, "Come over and talk." blood streaming from one knee. How our hearts warmed within us to sit and "Pretty medicine, Mummy," she exclaimed, in- watch her deft fingers prepare plantains for the evening meal. Her husband's second wife came dicating the mercurochrome bottle. giggling up the street. She is possibly as old as our Miriam so far away in America. How could The second letter is under way when the wash she marry that old polygamist and be so flippant about it? boy pokes his head around the corner to' ask for Up the street lives Kabiyen who informs us that money to buy starch. Another visitor coughs from her husband is accepting payment for their daughter, Olle, hoping to purchase another wife. the front porch and demands Madame. But before "Is the man paying for your daughter a Chris- lunch the letters are finished and a slight inroad made on the Sunday school lesson. .
Lunch is over and siesta. Notebook,. pencils, tracts are in hand ready for a visit to the near-by village, when the table boy comes bringing a hope- less looking wreck the pumpkin pie baked for the evening guests.
"What happened?" I ask in tones none too gen- tle. tian? Do you know him well? Does your daugh- "I took it out of the cupboard and it fell." ter want to marry him?" Thus we pelt her with "Well, go gather oranges for the evening des- questions..
sert." "He said he would become a Christian but he The missionary neighbor joins company and off has not yet done so. He drinks heavily. My go the two. Today they will revisit the homes daughter does not wish to marry him and says visited two weeks ago. How pleased the women her father will return the money or go to prison." are to be called by name, not realizing that their "Good for her," is our commendation. "Do not let names with the numbers of their houses are in her weaken and the government administrator the little notebook. Mejo, a poor old sick woman will uphold her decision. is still lying back in her dark corner. The day is cooler now and we hurry home to "Has anyone taken you out under the eaves to bathe and dress for company supper. It is nice see the sunshine?" to sit around the table and converse in a language "No." Her brother says she is too much of a more familiar than the one used all day. Then burden to carry out every day; the big six-foot we play a frivolous game before we say good- lummox and she a little shriveled up morsel! night.
Finally after much persistence he is persuaded A few minutes to read before the light is blown to carry her out and place her in a deck chair. out, another moment to ponder over the day that Has he since done likewise? Next week we must is done and to utter the prayer, "Forgive us that go and see. which we have left undone which we should have "Etua, where is your second wife? Lastwe~k done this day."
Challenge of
By WM. H. RAINEY, Caracas Agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society D URING his third voyage across the Atlantic asylum, and reminds us that this disease is very in 1498, Christopher Columbus first touched prevalent in the sun-bathed republics of the the mainland of South America, near the Caribbean. mouth of the river Orinoco. The following year Alonso de Ojeda penetrated the Gulf of Mara- The train winds round the hills, skirting preci- pices, disappearing into dark tunnels, emerging caibo, and seeing the Indian houses built of piles. a few minutes later with a puff of· relief; then driven into the bottom of the lake, he called the the summit of the pass is reached, 3,500 feet above country Venezuela or "Little Venice." the sea; the blue Caribbean disappears from view, A century ago Simon Bolivar was the most and we begin to descend the southern slope to the famous personage in South America. Born of tableland. Soon the city of Caracas, the birthnoble family at Caracas in 1783, he studied law place of Bolivar, appears below, its churches and at Madrid and witnessed the closing scenes of the larger buildings standing out clearly in the bril- French Revolution in Paris. Returning to Vene- liant sunshine. zuela, he became the leader of the widespread in- All the way from La Guaira a broad cart-road surrection which finally liberated South America runs parallel to the railway-line, and winds its from the yoke of Spain. In 1824 Bolivar was way like a yellow ribbon among the green hills.
chosen president of a republic which stretched Venezuela is one of the most advanced republics along the southern shores of the Caribbean sea in South America in respect to highways, for from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Soon after roads mean as, much to the young nation as to the Ecuador was added and the Spaniards were driven Roman campfire. The Government has set an ex- out of Peru. ample to Latin America, spending money on com- Venezuela is the South American republic near- munications rather than on spectacular public est to the great markets of North America and works.
Europe. Caracas, its capital, is but ten days' Caracas is situated in a naturally beautiful spot journey by steamer from either New York or at an elevation of 3,000 feet, surrounded by green London, and one day by plane from the United hills. To the east there is a break in the range States. and access is given to a smiling valley bright with On arriving off the Venezuelan coast, the trav- golden maize and sugar-cane plantations. The eler finds himself face to face with a high range royal palm and the banana lend an air of romance of verdure-clad hills, rising almost from the sea- to the streets and gardens, and there is a feeling shore to a height of from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. At of lassitude in the air that probably accounts for the foot of this Cordillera, on a narrow strip of the national trait-never doing today what can ground, is situated La Guaira, the principal port. be postponed until tomorrow. The city is clean, Beneath the burning rays of the tropical sun- well-paved, and lighted with electricity. In the and there are few places in the world hotter than Plaza Bolivar, rou,nd the beautiful equestrian La Guaira-without a breath of air to refresh the statue of Bolivar, the life of the town is concen- atmosphere, the traveler awaits the train on the trated, and reaches its maximum intensity just little railway that connects the port with the cap- before sunset, when the day's work is over and ita!. They blow the whistle, the toy-engine makes the people come abroad to see and be seen. a supreme effort, and the little convoy of three Venezuela is naturally a rich country, with an carriages begins to climb the flank of the moun- immense area and vast resources, but it has been tain. Soon the port is almost lost to sight. One depopulated through its. numerous revolutions. large white building is clearly visible, standing Politics have been considered the royal road to alone on the outskirts of the town, and surrounded riches, and initiative has been crushed by un.,. by a high wall which gives it an air of mystery scrupulous governments. Physically the land is as though it had something to hide. And there is divided into four natural divisions-the Llanos, a mystery here-the greatest of all mysteries, the Andes, the basin of Lake Maracaibo, and the the enigma of human suffering; it is the leper basin of the Orinoco River. The Llanos are im- [29 ]
mense plains, covered with long grass, extending forest. Two men had already been killed by this from a little south of Caracas to the River Orinoco. means. He wanted the Indians turned into useful Here roam great herds of cattle attended by rough pick and shovel men, otherwise, he said, "if they cowboys, who live much as their forefathers lived do not abandon their helicose attitude we shall at the time of the War for Independence, when be obliged to take stern reprisals." Two Amerthose agile riders, armed with lance and lasso on icans are reported to have found their way into their wild horses, carried panic into the Spanish the dense forests inhabited by these Indians, and hosts. The region of the Andes extending from to have seen the remains of cannibal feasts. They Caracas to the southeastern shores of Lake Mara- escaped with their lives by shooting a number of caibo, contains peaks reaching a height of 16,000 the natives. It is open to question whether the feet. There are cities such as Merida, situated tribe.referred to are cannibals, but the Guarhibos 5,415 feet above the sea with a mean temperature of the Upper Orinoco certainly are addicted to of 64 degrees. this habit.
This temperate zone produces the most active A census of Venezuela, taken by the writer, people of Venezuela, and the term "andino" is shows eleven missionary societies working in the synonymous with energy and enterprise. The republic, with a total of 103 workers (including basins of Lake Maracaibo and the River Orinoco wives)-68 foreign and 35 national. The popare the most fertile regions of the country, and ulation of the country is 2,411,952; thus we have produce all the fruits of the tropics; but the prev- one worker for each 23,417 people. However, of alence of malaria plays havoc with the white pop- the twenty States comprising the Venezuelan ulation. Union, eight, with a total population of 579,239, are still unoccupied by Protestant Missions. This Untouched Indian Tribes virgin territory, which includes strategic centres of the first importance, constitutes a challenge to Here are numerous tribes hardly touched by Evangelical leaders-as do also the Indian tribes. civilization, and vast unexplored regions awaiting their Humboldt and Livingstone. Around Lake The Bible Societies are to the fore in the evan- Maracaibo four distinct languages are spoken, and gelization of this field. The Roman Catholics do within a sixty-mile radius seven more. To the nothing whatsoever to provide the people with the west of the lake, reaching as far as Rio Hacha in Bible and copies of the Vulgate are not only ex- Colombia, is the territory of the powerful Guajira ceedingly scarce, but cannot be purchased for less tribe of Indians. They live in small villages made than $25. This sum puts them quite beyond the of round thatched huts, which at a distance look reach of the common people, who earn, on an like ant-hills. The floors inside the huts are ,cov- average, about $1.00 a day. The American and ered with grass on which sleep the inhabitants as British & Foreign Bible Societies in Venezuela well as their domestic animals. The men are have made the Bible one of the best-known books bright and strong, but more fond of fighting than in Venezuela. The circulation of the Scriptures of working. In warfare they use blowpipes with in the republic is not free from obstacles. Heavy darts dipped in the deadly curari poison. The duties have to be paid to get the books through women till the fields as well as attend to domestic the Custom House; then their distribution is duties. Their animistic religion consists of a be- strongly opposed by the Roman Catholic Church. lief in two great spirits, from which emanate good Moreover the Venezuelans are not a reading peoand evil. All nature-the forests, streams, rain, ple. However, there is one Book within the reach thunder, etc.-is believed possessed by these spir- of all, and many thousands of huts are scattered its. The Guajira tribe, about 60,000 strong, is throughout the country where the Bible is the only quite untouched by Evangelical missionary effort. book, and where it is read again and again until No book of the Bible has as yet been translated its pages almost fall out of the binding. We have into their language. Both men and women may rejoiced to see these Bibles, and their worn apbe seen in Maracaibo on market days, .clad in the pearance has made us think of homes in North blue and white garments they wear for contact America where the Bible is not read. Throughwith civilization. A certain number of Guajiros out the land may be found groups of Bible-readspeak Spanish, and a few are able to read. ers, formed by traveling colporteurs; what is now necessary is the systematic visitation of such Many other untouched Indian tribes live in this groups by missionaries with a view to forming little-known republic. Some time ago, while trav- churches. Much of the fruit of Bible work is lost eling in the state of Zulia, I came into contact with because the number of missioriaries is too few to the representative of an oil company who offered take advantage of the opportunities presented. me financial support and a house if I would under- The time would seem to have arrived when a fortake to civilize the Indians living near the com- ward movement would reap a mighty harvest as pany's concession. He complairied that they shot the result of years of patient sowing. arrows at his workmen from the security of the
A Christian Approach to the Moros *
By REV. FRANK C. LAUBACH, Ph.D., Dansalan, Lanao, Philippine Islands Missionary of the American Board EXPERIMENTS during the past eight years sing. If you try to rob people or beat them, it in a missionary approach to the Mohamme- makes you feel mean, but if you try to help them, dan Moros in the southern Philippines have it makes you happy; and so I have discovered attracted wide interest. that the happiest way to live is to help people.
The situation is easier than in many other Mo- When I get through teaching you, I want you to hammedan countries because Mohammedans here go out and teach other people. Don't take any are not, as a rule, very well grounded in Moham- money for it, and see if it does not make your medanism and because the Philippine government heart sing."
is increasing its pressure upon the Moros of this An agricultural nursery has been conducted to province to break with many old customs and reli- discover what crops succeed in this province; gious ideas. The result is that the people are what trees, vegetables, and grains are best adapt- changing rapidly. ed to the climate; and efforts have been made to The opportunity has been unusual. The actual teach the Moros lessons learned in this nursery.
number of people converted from Islam to Christ We have given away thousands of seeds-oranges, is not large, but we are exerting a decisive in- papayas, avocadoes, grapefruits, balsa, maholo, fluence upon the Moro people. many hundreds of bunches of spinach, Georgia Our approach has been attempted along two yam tops, and yawtia, for the Moros to plant lines-by service and through the study of Islam around their own homes. We have taught them and Christianity with the Moslems. how to bud their own orange trees, and are fur- nishing them with budded orange trees at fifty Lines of Service centavos each. We are also experimenting on our The first important service which we have at- own land with cinchona trees, mahogany, derris tempted is The Literacy Campaign.t Every week root, ramie (from which Chinese linen is made), our teachers are starting many people on the road vetiver (a native product which is the basis for to literacy. We have given away a hundred thou- the best perfumes), many varieties of other farm sand inexpensive primers. printed on cheap paper. and forest products. These we distribute through- This is not only making Lanao Province literate out the province as rapidly as they prove sucbut it is also making countless friends. When you cessful. sit down beside a man and patiently and lovingly help him to read, he is surpris.ed and asks you A dispensary, conducted by a nurse and her how you are going to be paid. Frequently he says, assistant, meets a great medical need, for this "Our own imams do not teach us unless we pay province is afflicted with all kinds of diseases them. Why are you doing it?" which follow ignorance and dirt. The commonest of these diseases are dysentery, tuberculosis, ma- This gives us our opportunity and we answer laria, beriberi, tropical ulcers, boils, and influenza. in some such fashion as this: There are a great many wounds, particularly on the feet, since most people are barefooted. Our "I have studied the lovely life of Nabi Isa dispensary gives nearly a thousand treatments a (Prophet Jesus) and found that every minute of month. At first only the Moro men were willing the day, from the time he arose in the morning to be treated, and many were afraid. No women until he went to sleep at night, he was helping came at first. Now both men and women come somebody – teaching, healing, defending, and with great eagerness, for they have learned that serving. Is that not the most beautiful way to they can be cured at very low cost. The average live? I have discovered that when you spend your time helping people, it makes your heart treatment costs five centavos (2112 cents gold).
There are many calls from women giving birth, • From a paper prepared for the International Missionary Con~ and other people who are too sick to come to the ference, Madras; December, 1938. dispensary.
t A complete description of this campaign is contained in "Towa"rd A library, with about three thousand books and a Literate World," by Dr. Frank. C.Laubach. 177 pp.$1.-75. Published by the Foreign Missions Conference. New York.
[31 ]
some twenty-five magazines and newspapers, is I Would Be True-Waters Chambered Nautilus-Bry- much used by the young people-Christians and Things That Endure ant Moslems. Students in the pu1;>lic schools use this When I Have Time Prayer-Tennyson library constantly for reference. The soldiers The Human Touch Psalm 121 from the training camp frequently come to read Giving The Present Crises All You Have Loved To the Knights the papers, and magazines, and to borrow books, Trees-Kilmer First Corinthians o Maker of the Mighty Deep The Heart of the Eternal as do the other citizens of Dansalan. Frequently The Human Touch To a Waterfowl-Bryant the afternoons find the library crowded. Most of The Rainy Day He Leadeth Me the books have been sent by kind-hearted people Discovery This Is My Father's World in American churches. As a rule they send the Four Things The Psalm of Life-Tenny- books that are really of value and interesting. Salutation of the Dawn son An indispensable service is the printing press, Isaiah 55 which prints books, pamphlets and a fortnightly The Moro young men have been organized into newspaper called Lanao Progress. We have the what is known as the "Good Life Movement." This organization now has a membership of over only printing press in the Maranaw language. In- 130 men, including almost all the leading young Maranaws. The Movement has two main objecdeed until this press began, no Maranaw had ever tives: To develop character, and service.
been printed. Lanao Progress, in an editorial, described the purposes of the society as follows: There are many advantages in having a mo- It is impossible to exaggerate the possibilities of the nopoly upon the printing. Nothing has ever come "Good Life Movement" which was organized in Dansalan on August 7th, bya group of earnest young Maranaws. into print in this province that would not pass These young men, among the finest and most high-minded and respected in the province, are seeking to help one anthe most critical censorship. Whatever may be other to live THE GOOD LIFE, and to bring to bear pressure and persuasion upon all young men in Lanao to seek the said of reading in other countries, there is no good life with them. Their major emphasis is upon trust- worthiness, and loyalty to the government in every good doubt that the reading in Lanao Province is im- effort for Lanao. They resolve to be 'matitw' (straight) in every act and purpose;" 'isa isa' so honest in word that proving the people, as well as interesting them. nobody will doubt what they say; 'kusarigan' (trustwor- thy) in every detail of life. The books which interest Moros most are their own production; foreign translations are not good sellers. This experience is highly important.
In Africa, for example, one finds that nearly all books are written by foreigners and from the for- eign point of view. If the native Africans could be encouraged to write the type of literature that would be appreciated most by their own people, These young men are convinced, that when Christians and Moslems reach the highest levels a great new interest would develop in reading. of character they are very close together. The Moslem and Christian saints have the same loving We have two dormitories, one which takes care attitude toward their fellow men. The members of this society hold out the hand of cooperation of thirty-two young Moros who are attending the to all men who seek to live "The Good Life." They have found the principle elements of a noble charhigh school, and another for about an equal num- acter in both the Moslem and Christian religions. These are seven in number: ber of Christian and Moslem girls who are going to the public schools in Dansalan.
We spend nearly half an hour every morning in the dormitory with the Moro boys learning the finest poems and chapters from the Bible and Koran, and songs from our Christian song books.
A list of about eighty selections that these boys Seven Tests of Character learned in two years speak more eloquently than To abandon evil habits of thought and action. To be honest. any words. Here are a few: To be pure. To be unselfish. Sura I (Koran) Concerning Prayer To .be .loving. What to Forget To seek and obey the Will of God in every detail of life. Psalm 23 The Celestial-Surgeon To help their fellowmen to find THE GOOD LIFE. Psalm 1 The Lord's Prayer Life-Henry Van Dyke Psalm of Life This society has begun something which may The Loving Word From Age to Age echo around the world. C We know· of no place on Live and Help Live Be Strong-Babcock earth where Moslems and Christians have in this The Builder God Give Us Men definite way set out to cOrrie closer by becoming When in Disgrace Brotherhood better. Both Christians and Moslems have failed AbouBen Adhem If-Babcock – to live the highest life in which both profess to A Noble Deed believe, and the men and women seeking "The God's Promise Our God, Our Help in Ages Good Life" .really belong shoulder to shoulder. Love and Light Past Kind Words Awareness Straight and Tall Brotherhood My Prayer-Thoreau Philippines, Our Motherland The Pilgrim Way The Ways-Oxenham
A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO THE MOROS
If they can show true love and courage and have has taken a great deal of interest in civic prob- faith to persist, this new movement may become lems, although as foreigners we have kept aloof the beginning of a new era in the history of Mos- from politics. No matter who are elected officials, lem-Christian relations. as a rule, they are eager to know what they can The First Sura of the Koran is as follows: do to enhance their popularity with the people.
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Some are always genuinely interested in the wel- Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds! fare of this country and welcome constructive The compassionate, the merciful! ideas.
King on the day for reckoning! Mutual Understanding Thee only do we worship, and to thee do we cry for help. Along with this program of social service goes Guide Thou us on the straight path, The path of those to whom Thou hast been gracious:- the effort to understand the Moros and to be With whom Thou art not angry, and who go not astray. understood by them. We have felt that the way "The Good Life Movement" has thus far en- to avoid mistakes is to study their literature and gaged in thirty-eight social efforts in Lanao, some their religion. If we understand them well enough of which are as follows: they will be more willing to understand us and to know that our ideas are not born of ignorance Complete the literacy campaign to make this province concerning them. 100% literate. 1. Appreciating Literature. – We discovered Hold meetings at which experts in agriculture, health, that the Moros have a really important literature. government, animal husbandry, metal craft, business and Most important are their fifty epic poems deother useful subjects may speak and answer questions.
Distribute seeds, vegetables, seedlings, graftings, and scribing the heroes of their ancestral home. We plant culture information throughout the province. have collected many of these epics, and have had them translated into English. The language of Encourage attendance at school. these epics is that of the ancient Moros and is Distribute literature about health, sanitation, and clean- no longer used, excepting in poetry. Besides the liness prepared by the Bureau of Health, the Red Cross, the Anti-tuberculosis Society, and our own and other presses. epics many lyric poems are composed by their best Promote games and wholesome social activities. singers. Each issue of our Lanao Progress con- Study the Boy Scout Manual and similar helpful books. tains one of these songs, most of the Moros sing Act as peacemakers among the Moros and between this lyric before they read anything else.
Moros and Christians.
Spread information about animal diseases and aid in 2. Appreciating Crattsmanship.-We have also endeavored to show our appreciation of the really their eradication. . fine work done by the gold, silver, and brass workers and other artisans. The best Moro houses Encourage vaccination. are decorated with beautiful Moro art and the Spread a knowledge of law and ordinance and advocate law observance.
Make a survey of. communities to find what are their chief needs. owners are delighted when they are appreciated. Improve the water supplies and introduce sanitary toi- In a contest held throughout all the schools of the Philippines the native art of Lanao won first lets. prize. This appreciation has had a most whole- Help to encourage native Moro arts and crafts. Join the crusade for world peace.
Encourage sick people to make use of doctors and hos- some effect upon the Maranaw people, and has pitals. Spread knowledge about modern agricultural imple- tied these Christians with new bonds of insepara- ble friendship. ments. 3. Appreciating Their Religion.-We have also Prepare to be worthy· leaders of this province.
Work for a tubercular sanitarium in Lanao. made a study of the Mohammedan religion as Begin new types of manufacturing in Dansalan to use practiced in this province. This led to the realiza- Moro products. ation that Mohammedans are not separated from us as far as we had supposed. Dr. James L. Bar- Work for improved housing conditions in this Province. ton's book "A Christian Approach to Islam" re- Study the resemblances of Christianity and Islam.
The service which consumes more time than vealed years ago that there is indeed a strikingly anything else is helping Moros out of trouble:…:.- large common ground. "Christendom and Islam"
those who are arrested or in prison; those who by Prebendary W. Wilson Cash, has also thrown are out of work; those who are oppressed; those light on the subject.
who are unable to read legal documents; students Every Sunday evening there is a united meet- who need financial help; enemies to be reconciled. ing of Moslem and Christian young people, about The list is almost without an end. Every day finds thirty to fifty of each religion, where they sing many people in need of some kind of personal at- Christian songs, repeat Christian and Moslem tention, and about half our time is devoted to this prayers, and recite the noblest religious and in- kind of service. spirational prose and poetry of all countries.
Working for civic improvements. Our Mission Some will say that we are covering up the er- "
rora of Mohammedanism and are therefore not anything they say or do. The mystics in any reli- true to all the facts. Our answer is that in the gion ought to represent the best in that religion, past there have been too many attempts to select for they seek to come closest to God.
facts which will prove that Islam is infinitely be- To match the greatest mystics of the Christian low Christianity. For centuries both Christians Church one can find Sufis who also had wonderful and Moslems have selected or invented statements experiences of God. .A Sufi woman, Rabia Al that tended to widen the gap and to whip up Adawiyya, of Basra, is said to have lived a life fanatical hatred between the two religions. Our of saintliness and fellowship with God, never exaim in Lanao has been to reveal the neglected ceeded among the Christian saints. When asked facts that will beget love. by several men to marry, she replied: "I have There is an exhilaration of enlargement and of ceased to exist and have passed out of myself. I discovering that many people whom we had sup- exist only in Him." She wrote these beautiful posed to be in the dark were much nearer the lines: "I have made Thee the companion of my truth than many people who profess but do not heart. My body is available for those who seek its live our own brand of religion. With this thrilling company and my body is free toward its guests, discovery comes also an enlarging conception of but the beloved of my heart is the guest of my God. soul." In our age who can deny that one great need of humanity is to heal the wounds of fear and false Dr. Margaret Smith points out that Mohammed propaganda and dislike that threaten to engulf himself derives most of his religion from the our civilization? Everywhere the healing balm is Christian sects of the Near East. His resorting needed in national, religious, racial and economic to a cave in Mount Hira was an imitation of the affairs: Love must be built upon understanding Christian monks whom he knew. Bowing and and a desire to appreciate whatever is lovely in others. prostration in prayer were in imitation of the ritual prayers of the Syrian Christians. Night When one sets out to heal the ancient wounds praying was taken from the Syrian monks who caused by Christians and Moslems, one soon read the Psalter twice between evening and mornmakes astonishing discoveries. We discover that ing. The fast of Ramadan was an imitation of the good Moros who are very loyal to their reli- the Christian hermits during Lent. His teaching gion are also very friendly toward us. about heaven and earth emphasizing fear was that of the Syrian Christian Church. Penitence, Our task now seems to be to persuade men and ascetism and self-discipline are certainly taken women of both religions to surrender themselves by Islam from the Christian Church. Alms-giving completely to the will of God, believing that as was also an imitation of the monks of Mohamthey seek more earnestly to do His will they will med's day. Other-worldliness, which is so strongcome closer together. ly emphasized among the mystics of Islam, is a i~gWferolemaruns.froFmortheexaMmoprloes while they are learn- Christian idea-"Lay not up treasures on this one cannot be in con- earth, but lay up treasures in heaven." * tact with Mohammedanism without feeling that Thus, in many ways, we are appreciating every- God is omnipotent, and that He is all-wise. The thing good in Lanao and in Islam, believing that the Moros will return our spirit by living our reword Islam, meaning "Will of God," stresses the ligion. This spirit of appreciation is reflected in the pages of Lanao Progress. Practically every side of religion which is under-emphasized in issue has some reference to Mohammedans who have revealed the Christian spirit. For example, most Christian communities. Here in Lanao, we an article on "Why Moslems Fast," includes the statement that the "Prophets before Mohammed, Christians, stimulated by that great slogan "The such as Jesus, Moses, Abraham (peace be on them all) were all acquainted with fasting." An- Will of God," are striving to give our lives to God other issue published the statement that the Mo- hammedans have four scriptures-Tauret (the aanneswi~ so that we will equal the best Mohammed- books of Moses); Zabur, (the Psalms); InjiI our desire to find and to do God's will.
The Moros have responded to this attempt to appreciate them, by attempting to appreciate Christianity. One hears from Moslems no word of dislike or opposition for our church and believe that we shall see a mass movement, in which an entire province will participate. This rapid shift- ing of ideals toward Christianity is the most sig- • There Is a long list of words used by Mohammed, not found In nificant event in Lanao today. the Arabic pagan religions, but borrowed from the Christianity of his day. From the Nestorlan Church Mohammed took, the word Dr. Margaret Smith, of Oxford, in her studies "Rahman" which means "merciful" and "munin," WhICh means on "Early Mysticism," found that mystics of Mo- "believers." From the Aramaic language he took the word for hammedanism and Christianity are in some cases "prayer" and for "glory be to God"; and from the Syrian he took so'close together that they cannot be identified by the word for "purify" and the words for "salvation" and "illumina- tion," "worship," "remembrance," and "repentance.'" The words for "Lord" and "divine" came from the Gospels. The list Is very long, and proves the close dependence of Mohammed upon the Christian people of Arabla.-F. C. L.
(the Gospels), and the Koran. Another article by The Koran did not, however, stress this point. It, howa leading Moro Christian insists that honesty is ever, gives light to the fact that in the course of Jesus' the will of God and that the dishonest man is a preaching He would make many enemies. However, the traitor both to God and his country. Koran gives light to the fact that he is a personification of love and humility. . . . Another issue prints the widely known Christian sermons of the General Chiang Kai-Shek and The Koran clearly states that Jesus will be raised to life. his wife, on "My religion." In the September 15 "And peace be on me on the day . . . I am raised to life." issue is the report of Stanley Jones' visit and ex- (19: 33.) This clearly shows that Jesus was raised to life cerpts from his speeches in Manila. Another issue after his death. But the details are not specified in the says that the one most important thing in the Book. world is to find the Will of God and that therefore everybody ought to go to church, because it is In spite of the differences of opinion about this great difficult to find God alone. Another issue tells the Teacher and Reformer, He is still revered both by the story of the life and death of Macaindeg Tataro, Christians and the Moslems-to the Christians as the Son the leading Mohammedan to became a Christian, of God, member of the Holy Family, and to the Moslems and points out his beautiful Christian life. as the Prophet, the Messiah, the Apostle, the religious Teacher, and Reformer and in a figurative language, sent The Moro people are responding by taking a by the Almighty "To look for the lost sheep of the Israelgenerous attitude toward Jesus Christ, as is illus- ites." trated in an article on "Jesus Christ in the Light of the Islam Religion," by Domocao AI. Alonto. In some of our Christian Sunday services the This Moro Moslem says, (in part) : entire congregation is asked to write ideas as to the proper approach to our Mohammedan neigh- Jesus Christ is revered not only in Christian nations, bors. Among the many suggestions which our but also in the Islam world. This may sound surprising to church members have offered are the following: an ordinary Christian who has not had a chance to study the Islam religion, or Mohammedanism, as it is commonly Study the likes and dislikes of the Moslems. Then pray known in the realm of her sister religion, but truly indeed that they may open their hearts to you and to God. Serve the Moslems revere Him too. and pray and praise, but do not try to condemn.
Jesus in the Moslem world is known by three different Attend the Mohammedan worship on Friday noon. Join names: Nabi Isa, Alaiki Salam, meaning "Prophet Jesus them in their fun and games with enthusiasm. Take them on whom be peace," Ibn-i-Maryam, the "Son of the Virgin on outings with you. Mary," and Al-Mashih, "the Messiah." The phrase Alaihi Salam means "On whom be peace," and this phrase is used Have more public programs jointly with them, including after the name of every prophet, from Adam to Moham- lectures on health, child welfare, cooking, and housekeepmed. All good Moslems never miss to use this phrase in ing. mentioning the name of Jesus. Never for a moment allow your mind to have any feel- One section of the Koran, Chapter 19, entitled "Mary," ing except brotherly love. Always keep in mind and say is devoted to His birth and His mission. According to and act the truth that we both worship the same God and this chapter, the story about His birth does not differ in are therefore brothers. many respects from the story in the Bible. "So she took a veil (to screen herself) from them; then we sent to Let the church support a Moro pensionado. Have a Her Gabriel, and there appeared to her a well-made man." recreation center for Moros and Christians together. Have She said, "I fly for refuge to the Beneficent God, if thou a convention of Christian and Moslem priests. fearest Him be-gone from me." He said, "I am only a bringer of a message from thy God that I will give thee Open dormitories for Moro boys and girls of all ages a holy Son." (19: 18-19.) This verse in the Holy Koran so that they can go to school. Have Christian children in gives light on the birth of Jesus. . . . Mary was sur- these dormitories too. Parents will be impressed if we prised for no human hand had yet touched her. She said: have the children live together, play together, and learn "How shall I have a son and no mortal hand has yet together. touched me, have I not been pure?" (19: 20). But the man told her that God, the Creator, can create anything out Let the Christians study the Moro language well. Then of nothing. He said: "Even so, thy Lord says: 'Easy go to the houses and have friendly talks about our reis this with me:' and we will make him a sign to man- ligion and theirs. kind, and a mercy from us." (19: 21.) This is the way Mary received the message in the light of the Holy Koran. Urge every Christian to apply the Golden Rule. Fair, . . . In this point the Christian principle differs. While honest treatment will attract them to the Christian way. in the light of the Islam teaching Jesus is only a prophet raised by the Almighty, the Christian teachings consider United prayers for the propagation of the Gospel among Him as being the Son of God, or the Personification of Him. . . . the Moros. Preach Christ to them without fear or re- Jesus Christ in the light of the Moslem religion is a serve. Plant the seed and let the HoJy Spirit do the rest. Messiah, an Apostle. "The Messiah, so~ of Mary, is no more than an apostle, the apostles before him have indeed Praise be His name! . passed away . . ." (5: 75). He is a great Teacher, a religious reformer. He preached His gospel with love. Work for education of old and young alike, for this is the great hope.
" Encourage the comparative reading of the Bible and the Koran.
Have our new church building look like a mosque. Ask the Moros to worship there when they wish.
Put the Bible in the public schools and let them learn.
Hammer away at the fact that they and we are wor- shipping one God, for they think Christians have a differ- ent God.
Send students away from the province to Silliman Uni- versity, so that they will have courses in the Bible.
Sumatra-·A Miracle of
By MRS. LEE S. HUIZENGA, Shanghai, China Missionary of the Reformed Church, U. S. A.
A FEW years ago we made a trip to the island noticed a remarkable change in the whole outlook of Sumatra while my husband was inspect- of the people. They were friendly. They were ing Christian leprosaria. Today as Dr. better farmers, their homes were more private for Huizenga baptized three lepers in Shanghai, I they had individual homes; their children were thought of the hundreds of lepers in various parts better dressed and clean; schools and churches of the world who have found the Lord in lepro- dotted the area, and there was even a Christian saria. Sumatra has many such. leper hospital. Their cemeteries also showed a Sumatra is one of the largest islands of the marked difference over the burying grounds of their neighbors in the highlands. Dutch East India. Its rich natural resources are largely untouched. It has also wonderful rubber, What was the cause of this transformation? It cocoanut and tea plantations. Each year many was the Gospel of Christ. In about two generatourists and people from India and the Federated tions this change has taken place. We found that Malay States spend their vacation here to take a missionary, D. Ludwig J. Nommensen, had come advantage of the delightful climate on this island. to Sumatra in 1862 as the first missionary. This ·"Apostle to the Batakkers," as he is called, worked In the center of Sumatra is the large and beau- among them until in his. 84th year and died on the tiful Toba Lake, and in this lake lies Samosir 23rd of May, 1918. Because he lived there, Suisland upon which heathendom is still practically matra has been changed. untouched by Christian influence. A missionary of the Rhenish Mission carries on the Gospel work When Nommensen came to Sumatra there were all alone in this isolated place with a few converts, practically no Christians on the island, when he surrounded by overwhelming heathen influences. died there were over 180,000 baptized Believers in Christ in the Toba Lake district. Today there Seventy years ago the island of Sumatra was all are in the Bataklands 510 schools with 32',700 heathen, like this lonely spot. Then most of the pupils, all receiving Christian instruction. There Batakkers, the native tribe of Sumatra, were are 788 teachers, and 2,200 elders in the Batak head-hunters and many were cannibals. Now church. The whole countryside is dotted with great changes have taken place. churches and schools. Nearly one-half million Ba- takkers are under the influence of Christ and tre- One of the greatest surprises we met was in mendous changes take place in home, social and the highlands of Sumatra. We had been traveling political life. for hours through mountains and jungle and had seen no signs of Christianity. On every side we Nommensen was original; he had great foresaw natives living in their filthy homes; their chil- sight, tremendous power and high ideals. His dren playing about naked. We saw the large fellow-workers found that for sympathetic and Batak house in which several families live to- constructive work it was desirable to fall in line gether in community style, each family occupying with him; and they did. a small part of the house. There were no windows in the houses and the air was almost unbearable Another outstanding feature in Nommensen's from the heat and smoke of fires used for cooking life was his devotion to His Lord. Honors were food. Here large families were raised and such piled upon him, but he refused to speak of them. conditions have existed for generations. When the Said he, "These honors are of little importance to boys reach the age of puberty they are isolated me; they give no real joy. Nothing should cap- from the rest of the family and are compelled to tivate my heart that is earth-born. I am only a live together in bachelor's quarters. poor sinner who desires to be saved by the ramson of Christ." Other villages, with a much poorer class of pagans, showed a very inferior type of building, As we saw the wonderful work of grace among although the social customs were very much the these ignorant heathen of two generations ago, we same. There were no schools for the boys and dedicated ourselves anew to the Lord's service, girls.. desiring to spend and be spent for his service. It We went on to the Toba Lake region and there is "not in vain in the Lord."
[36 ]
Bands in War,Torn
i -e{ By REV. ANDREW GIH, Bethel Mission, Hongkong 1)Be- I T WAS a summers night and the moon shone were bombed there was no raid when we were brightly. We were in Kuling up among the preaching in any particular city. In Chenghsien hills where the famous Summer Bible Confer- the church leaders thought at first that we could ences are held – a sort of "Chinese Keswick." not have any night meetings because the electric Many missionaries and Chinese workers usually lights might be put off at any time. But we used come together here for spiritual refreshing· and gas light and the church was crowded night after for preparation for work. night. A number accepted Christ and on the last I was preaching in the Union Church when we Sunday morning fifteen converts were baptized.
heard the first air-alarm. It was a clear, striking Bombs and Busses sound, and a sudden feeling of fear, inexpressible, came over the people. The thought came over me Early Monday morning I went to the bus sta- of the uncertainty of life and that all ought to tion to leave for our next stopping place. The bus make sure of their soul's salvation. I made the was already crowded but I managed to get a seat.
appeal and about four or five responded. After About two hours after we left the city we heard that we scattered and a few of us sat on the rocks that it had been bombed. After I had made half under the trees while the Japanese bombing planes the journey I had to change to another bus across raided the province. We prayed that God would the river. This bus was over-crowded and I could protect us and deliver us from awful destruction. not persuade the conductor to take me. Several Soon after "all clear" was sounded; our hearts hundred people would be waiting for me at my were filled with gratitude that the planes, which next meeting place and if I missed the bus I had had been coming toward us, had changed their no way of getting there in time. I was left behind direction. but reminded the Lord that I had prayed that I Early one morning without any warning we might be at the meetings that night. It was early • saw three planes flying toward us, away up in in the afternoon and I was hungry so I went to the sky. At first we thought they were Chinese buy a bowl of rice. While I was eating, the sta- planes. But God knew they were not; suddenly tion master sent to tell me that a second bus was thick clouds covered the whole residential area, going and that I could go on it. That certainly and we could hear the whirr of the planes over was an answer to prayer. I was only about half our heads. It was reported later that a factory an hour late for the meeting. We filled all our had been bombed about ten miles distant and sev- engagements except one in a city that had been eral people were killed or wounded. bombed too often so that the people had left for Four of us from Bethel were at Kuling and it the country. Liling was bombed just before our was a joy to see Christian workers with a sense meetings and we thought that the people would of the reality and nearness of Christ, going out to not come out; but the Lord did a wonderful thing face difficulties and dangers. Some were soon to and night after night the big church was so face this awful war in their districts. We may crowded that we had to preach to the children first never see them again on this earth but we thank and then send them away to make room for the God that they received a blessing at Kuling. adults. We had to tell late-comers to come the Our way back to Shanghai being cut off, we next evening for many were already standing in decided, after much prayer, to go to Hunan Prov- the aisles. About one third of the people in the ince for evangelistic meetings. That was last Sep- city attended these meetings. Every convert re- tember. Fortunately we bought our tickets to go ceived a Gospel copy and during that week more by a British boat up the Yangtze to Hankow than twelve hundred copies were given out.
where we could take the train to Hunan. The The Rev. Frank Ling, who was leader of an- ship was so crowded that we were compelled to other Bethel Band which worked in Kweichow sleep on the deck, packed together like sardines. Province writes that going through these moun- The Lord wonderfully led us. We spent four tainous districts if there were not busses they had months holding evangelistic meetings in different to ride in chairs. In one city there was only one cities and although many places in the province chair and one of the two chair-bearers was unable [37]
to carry. So Mr. Ling and Mr. Yang had to walk begotten Son to die for their sins. As we travel and to climb up the hills. Many times they had to from place to place we never meet Christians who stop on the roadside to pray for strength.. After feel bitter toward Japan but they pray that peace the first day they were so tired when they reached and order may be restored. I pray that God will the small village that they hunted for a hotel to grant righteousness and justice in the Far East.
spend the night. There were only three rooms- Japan and China have so much in common that one of which was for cows and pigs. One room they ought to live in peace as neighbors. May offered for their sleeping room was so dark and God grant that these two nations may come to filthy that they could not sleep there so they went understand each other.
out to the guest room. Here they found no bed One of the Chinese Christians, Mr. Ernest Yin, but some empty coffins and coffin lids. Spreading the Provincial Minister of Finance for Hunan, their bedding on the coffins they went to sleep. wrote a letter requesting Christians in China and Mr. Ling said to his friend, "Weare not dead yet, all over the world to observe a day of prayer on but we are tasting death !" Christ had not where behalf of China. He wrote: to lay his head, but they had a coffin. That night I am writing you on a very urgent matter that the Lord they slept very soundly, not even conscious that has laid upon my heart, and one that I am sure to which they were sleeping so near to the cows and pigs. you too have given great consideration. It is the matter of prayer. On the third day they lost their way going by a small footpath through thick woods. They in- It is nearly one year since the war started in China and quired the way several times and at last found the at present it looks as if it will be a long drawn out conflict. The awful destruction and great loss of so many innocent main road. In some places they could not buy lives weighs me down with grief. I am burdened to know anything to eat-not even eggs. Mr. Ling finally what we Christians should do. I know of only one thing was able to buy some rice-porridge but the next we do and that is to pray. day he had dysentery as a result of eating it. The Lord has laid it on my heart to suggest to a few friends that as a group we might suggest a Day of Prayer There were many difficulties in traveling. One for Christians in China and in foreign lands. Can we not stand unitedly in definite prayer that God will bring about day the bus in which he was riding got out of a speedy and righteous settlement to this awful conflict? order along the hilly roads. The driver was not a mechanic and he could not repair it. There was I realize that we in China, whether engaged in Governno other bus going that way so the passengers got ment service or in any other pursuits have grievously sinned against God. But I believe that if we humble our- out and walked to the nearest village to find selves and call upon the Lord He will hear us and save us. lodging. Mr. Ling felt too weak to walk so was Therefore I believe it will be pleasing to Him if we set left behind and slept in the bus that night with apart a Day of Prayer. I suggest September 4th, or even the driver. They could see the hungry wolves on an earlier date for this purpose. the hilltops, but God protected them and they slept well. This mission band traveled four thou- In an address by Madame Chiang Kai-Shek at. Hankow, s.he says: sand miles; they walked on foot four days, rode The Generalissimo and I feel that no words we could in chairs for eleven days and held over sixty meet- speak could sufficiently express our debt of gratitude to ings. with definite conversions. the missionary body all over China who have been a help to the distressed and the best of friends, to hundreds of A Glorious Revival thousands of refugees. You may remember a few years ago it was quite the fashion to decry missionary efforts. Another Bethel Band in Kwangsi Province re- There was even a commission sent from America to inves- ported glorious revivals and many cried to the tigate mission work because there was a general feeling that missionary efforts had been a failure. There were Lord for salvation. Kwangsi has been most strict also people who asked where were the successors of Livin the conscription of law and that province alone ingstone, Morrison and others? Is the missionary spirit has furnished the Government with about half a dead? If we are really impartial and look around us and million men. The Christian Missionary Alliance take an impartial view of what has happened in the last Bible School there was emptied of young men. A nine months I :would say their successors are right here! military officer came to meetings one night and Everyone of the missionaries possesses the same valour was converted so that the next day he brought his whole family and urged them to accept Jesus and the same undaunted spirit that the missionaries of old had. I would go a step farther. When we picture old Dr. Morrison in a sanpan with his Chinese teacher, work- Christ as their Saviour. He wanted to be sure ing under the heat of the tropical sun on the translation of the Bible into Chinese, while edicts from the Emperor that he might meet his loved ones in Heaven. had been issued against him, we think of that as being Certainly hearts are hungry all over China. We very heroic. But when we think of what the missionaries have done during the last nine months, I would say that would like to send out more young men to bring these missionaries have not been one whit less heroic. . . • the message of God's love and salvation to the sin- ·stricken, broken hearts. The refugees now num- Coming back from the war it was the missionaries who ber 100,000,000 and many have lost all their visualized the need of refugee zones and saved hundreds of thousands of people, men, women and children. Here earthly possessions. They need to know the One in Hankow you have started refugee camps and your In- who loves and cares for them, who gave His only . ternational Red Cross Committee has organized help for
CHRISTIAN BANDS IN WAR-TORN CHINA
our wounded soldiers. In Kaifeng they have well-organ- more. We are planning to send a group of workized plans for establishing a refugee zone whenever the, ers, headed by Rev. Frank Ling, to start a large need arises. From all over China come reports of work orphanage in Tuhshan, Kweichow. The China like this. Those of you who are here now have done so Inland Mission has kindly offered property there much for our people! We do appreciate it. for this purpose. Remember us in your prayer. Since the loss of our mission property in Shang- These quotations show the general feeling hai the Bethel Mission is branching out. We have among the Christians in China. They feel guilty now one hospital in the French Concession 'in before God and realize their own helplessness. Shanghai and another was opened last May to take They pray for forgiveness and depend on God and care of the war babies. The Gospel Hall work has His mercy. Throughout China people are also been re-opened in Shanghai. In Hongkong we very grateful to the foreign missionaries. It is have over fifty promising young men and' young time for the Christian churches all over the world to stir themselves to relieve the suffering and to women in our Bible School. The Orphanage here preach the Gospel in our distressed land. We be- receives new children almost every week. Opporlieve that we have unprecedented opportunities tunities for preaching are wonderful. We lost our before us. press but the printing department is stilI going on, and we have printed Dr. R. E. Neighbour's As for the war orphan question: Madame Chiang Kai-shek in her letter to me says: book, "Victorious Living," Dr. Oswald Smith's on "The Revival We Need," and Dr. Walter Wilson's I am exceedingly glad that your mission feels that it "Miracles in a Doctor's Life." Tens of thousands will be possible for you to take care of fifty war orphans. of tracts and a monthly magazine in Chinese are There are so many tens of thousands of these destitute, also printed on our press. And now the Bethel homeless little ones, that anything we can do to better Bands will again be sent to the needy fields. ' The their lot is only a drop in the bucket. Yet, it is incumbent need is great, but our God is greater. Pray that upon us as Chinese, and as Christians, to do all that we much blessing may accompany our efforts to bring can on their behalf. about the greater things, for His Kingdom.
The fifty war orphans are already cared for by the mission in Hongkong and there are thousands MOVING DAY IN A CANTON HOSPITAL Mrs. Theodore D. Stevenson (Beatrice Scott), an American missionary in Canton, sends this interesting account of moving into their new hospital before it was bombed by the Japanese.
"Char-women, with beaming smiles, carried heavy pails of water and scrubbed all day long and far into the night-and if they dropped an occasional cleaning rag down the new drains and flooded a floor or two, it was with the best of intentions and only because they had never met proper plumbing before. The gardeners left their beloved pots of chrysanthemums (an unusual thing) and moved heavy cupboards hither and yon. The hospital carpenter stayed up until the wee, small hours adding last minute touches to the furniture. Even the nurses lent a hand and voluntarily cleaned windows (a very 'face-losing' business for nurses).
"Downstairs the doctors were adding finis.hing touches to their smart new offices and examining rooms, and seeing to it that the ferns and blackwood furniture in the adjoining waiting room were placed in conventionally staff attitudes. Carpenters hammered; electricians installed and blew out fuses with equally cheerful rapidity; the telephone company put in a local dial system which everyone must stop their work to tryout; the elevator men (who were being paid by the day and therefor,e did not share the general enthusiasm for accomplishment) reluctantly put their final screws in place; the kitchen staff, proud in their new aprons, triumphantly served up the first meal; the first baby was born in the new delivery room.
"And then, unbelievably, we were in; all the wheels were in motion. "Best of all, this new efficiency is for everyone. The public wards and private rooms with bath are equally attractive and convenient-same curtains and spreads, same electric fixtures, same devoted nursing care, and the same chance to hear about Christ, the Life. "One patient remarked: 'We like your hospital because it is so clean,' by which she meant new, empty of the evil spirits that lurk in dead corpses. We hope it is 'clean' in that very sense-purged of the evil spirits of superstition, ignorance, callousness, pain-and that its example will count for good in this community and city and country."
A Revival in Angola, West
By MAURICE E. PARSONS, Elisabethville, Belgian Congo A REVIVAL has been sweeping over the An- such a vision of the havoc his unforgiving spirit gola Mission field for more than a year. was working among his people, that he could not The leader of the Methodist Conference, stay in bed. Hastening to the river, he got into evangelist Joaquim Bernardo, received a genuine his canoe and paddled the 20 miles to the village baptism of the Holy Spirit about four years ago. of the other pastor. There he poured out a con- This changed him from a shifting, uncertain, in- fession of his own wrongness and besought foreffective preacher into a man aflame with a pas- giveness. This completely broke the other, and sion for souls, mightily empowered in prayer and he in turn, with tears and sobs, took the blame. preaching so that he is greatly used in winning Peace flooded their souls. souls. One of his Spirit-filled workers is a grandmother who has been called "the bride" because Together they returned to the scene of the speshe walks very slowly as do African brides in cial meetings and after they told their story it going to the weddings. In trudging from village was not long before there were outpourings of the to village to pray with needy souls at these revival Spirit. Darkness was changed to light; blindness meetings, her aged feet have become so sore that to sight; sorrow to joy; and strife to peace. Folshe can hardly walk; and yet she keeps on with lowing this revival most of the people of the vilher work for God. lage went to the second village and paved the way for a revival there by asking pardon for past atti- This corps of workers began meetings in one tudes and actions, and then joined in singing, village and after several days the people still sat praying and rejoicing with their friends. They stolidly as the invitations were given. There was spent a week in winning victories in heart and no spirit of prayer or revival. What was the life through the power of the Spirit. Individual matter? It was discovered that the local pastor hearts had been made right, and there was marand another had become jealous of each other and velous "peace on earth among men of good will," neither would budge toward confessing and ask- because there was born in Bethlehem One whose ing forgiveness. This attitude of the pastors had name is not only "The Prince of Peace," but also spread to their people so that there was animosity "Jesus" "for He shall save His people from their between the two villages. sins."
Joaquim Bernardo and the others were pray- I have met many such examples of the grace ing that God's Spirit might break through. Fi- and power of God in my two years in Africa. nally one night there came to the pastor a great There are whitened fields in which there are few conviction of his own sinfulness and pride and laborers.
White Fields in Rhodesia By BISHOP JOHN McKENDREE SPRINGER, Umtala, Southern Rhodesia Bishop for Africa of the Methodist Episcopal Church "BEHOLD ye among, the heathen, and regard engaged in service as class leaders, stewards, and wonder marvelously." As we shuttle nurses and foremen, and hundreds as capable back and forth across Central Africa be- teachers, evangelists, and ministers. Truly God tween the Atlantic and Indian Oceans for the con- is working "a work in your time which you will ferences, visiting stations and seeing some work not believe though it be told you." This is as true of other societies and touching a camp meeting in 1938 A. D. as it was in Habakkuk's time. now and then, we are thrilled to see the thousands This year we attended seven conferences, two of joy-lit faces and to note the transformed lives. of which were interdenominational. The first was Large numbers of African Christians are actively the 60th anniversary of Protestant Missions in [40 ]
THE GOSPEL THE CITY NEEDS
the Congo and was held at Leopoldville. Two hun- definitely building up one Church-"The Church dred and forty native delegates. from eighteen dif- of Christ in Congo." ferent tribes gathered for the first conference of . Next came the All-Angola Conference held at the Congo Methodist Church, which preceded the Chilesso. For this forty-one missionaries and naconference of missionaries. Most of these people tives were present from nine different societies. understood one of the three native languages used: The president, citing the intensive practice of Kikongo, Lingala or Kiluba. Many of them also athletes, musicians anil others, gave new content understood French, which was used in some of to the words of Paul to Timothy to "exercise thythe sessions. self unto Godliness." Considering that in this Col- ony, as in the Congo, there is intense opposition In addition, three hundred natives, trained for on the part of Roman Catholics to Protestant Misthe choir, had been assembled from these tribes, sions, this became very appropriately a dominant and their voices blended beautifully. The cloth note in the Conference. for their vestments was given by the textile company which, from cotton grown in the Colony, Preceding each of our five Annual Methodist weaves 60% of the calico used in the Congo; and Conferences we had a three days' Retreat. ,a tailoring firm made them up free of cost. Many local firms donated food and gave other help to The revival in Angola, reported a year ago, has this Native Christian Conference. continued through the year. Over a thousand have professed conversion to. Christ. The day A pageant was given in a natural amphitheater after the Angola Conference closed, John Webba, on the west bank of Stanley Pool, a lake-like the senior minister of the Conference, entered widening of the mighty Congo, near the very spot into his rest. Webba assured his sorrowing wife where the first missionary, Bentley, landed sixty that God was taking him "Home" and that he was years ago to build his station among the wildest not afraid, and that the heavenly Father would of savages. This landing was depicted in one care for her and the children. He left five sons, episode. Other scenes portrayed the way in which all in Christian work, including an eider and a the Government had put an end to s},ave trading, deacon. As a boy, this prince of the Kingdom had and showed how medical missions are routing the been considered by his heathen chief as worth old-time witch doctor. There were seats for 5,000, merely the price of four razor-back pigs, and had but the demand was such that the performance been given as payment for a fine in lieu of the had to be repeated on the next day. The highest porkers. Government officials attended and were greatly pleased. On the closing Sunday of the Native The Congo Conference was held at Sandoa, and Conference vast congregations joined in services over 800 partook of the Communio.n, though it was in the three languages.. only sixteen years since the Brintons cleared a place in which to build the grass huts in which In the Missionary Conference one hundred and they had to live all through the first rainy season. twenty-six delegates from twenty-two Protestant Talk of miracles! When we saw the congregation societies spent eight days in fellowship, prayer of some 2,000 Christians assembled at the Church and the discussion of problems and policy. In that first Sunday and thought of the other thouthe Congo there is the fullest comity in the Prot- sands throughout the circuit, where there had not estant group, all working as though united in one been more than a dozen Christians sixteen years society, joyfully acknowledging one Lord, and ago, our hearts sang the Hallelujah Chorus.
The Gospel the City Needs By A. SCOTT, New York* "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; Christ died for the ungodly. Through Him lies and .this is the victory that overcometh the world, even individual salvation as well as the one effective our faith." remedy for the social ills of the day but even the most consecrated of Christians are prone to wan- T HE city needs the Gospel of Christ. It is der into concern over prison conditions and their obviously true that there is no spiritual need reforms, conditions in the so..called slum areas, of one class of society greater than that of temperance, the motion-picture evils, war and another class. The crying need of the day in peace, and many varieties and shades of modern which we live is a reproclaiming of the Gospel of political and economic philosophy. The ills of the Christ to all men everywhere. body social are many and, while true, none of • Brought to Christ In the McAuley Cremorne MisSion.
them are according to the Will of God. Christians since been washed from the sands of Galilee's energetically spend time tilting at these wind- shore, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. mills, all the while failing to realize the full significance of our Lord's words, "Ye must be born There are citizens other than Christians, who again." For is it not only through that which is are concerned with the ills of the day, as is eviborn of the spirit that the day of social regenera- denced by a trend in civic thought. The differtion will ever be possible? Meanwhile we mis- ence existing between those others and the Christake gpod causes for the one good cause-the re- tian lies in the remedy proposed for application. demption of humanity by everlastinglyproclaim~ The civic forum is no longer a platform from ing the everlasting Gospel of the Son of God. which are heard the words of the wise; no longer the nations press, nor again the voice of the radio, Are there fOI1ces of evil abroad in the city? Are but the thinking processes of the entire people is there spectres of poverty, greed, lust, crime, vice, gravely concerned with the welfare of society. pleasure seeking to the exclusion of all else, and Within' itself economically distressed, politically the s·pectres of moral looseness and laxity to be disturbed, morally retrogressed and s,piritually seen on every hand? Can the aim of the Chris- decadent, the nation derives but little comfort tian, of the mission or the "up-town" church, be from events beyond its borders. All over the anything other than to point to the Christ of Calvary as the remedy for all that is contrary to the world there exists a state of near-chaos needing will of God? Can the substance of any Gospel but little to become chao3 in the absolute. The that is to save humanity from itself be anything present lies shrouded in doubt, while the future other than the sacrificial death of Him who said, is darkened by fear. And yet, for this nation and "I am the way, the truth, and the life"? On what those beyond our borders, there is a way out; it is the road back to God and back to a reverence is emphasis to be placed other than on the human for the things properly to be reverenced. The need for its one and only Saviour? The Gospel road back is the road leading forward whereon lies the realization that man's will cannot run the city needs is today that old, old story, first contrary to the Will of God. proclaimed by Him whose footprints have long DILEMMAS MUST BE FACED IN CHINA Christian forces in China are realizing that war brings moral problems, by-products, as well as those that have to do with refugees, evacuation and the like. One of them is the opium traffic. One earnest layman advised silence regarding opium, lest embarrassment be caused the central government, which, he said, was largely dependent on opium revenue for carrying on the war; but those in a position to know say that Chiang Kai-shek has been and is uncom- promising in his efforts to suppress the cultivation of the poppy even at the expense of amaz- ingly large revenues. It is in the areas occupied by Japanese that the traffic is flourishing, and if there is to be a fight against this evil it must be by Christian forces that remain there.
Another problem concerns the choice of silence, or defiance in connection with preaching.
Occasionally, warnings are given against proclaiming any doctrine of God that might be in- terpreted as a slight ag.ainst the emperor. There has even been a suggestion from high mis- sion circles that certain publicity material prepared for the Madras Conference which indi- cated that body's intention to exalt the supremacy of God above any state authority might make it more difficult to secure the attendance of the delegations from one or another totali- tarian state. Some missionary leaders in China have begun to realize that the carrying on of church work in conquered territory does not insure freedom from that kind of problem.
A third quandary has to do with the use of a foreign flag, for more than once mission- aries have been asked to lend their national flag to protect a chur.ch or school which legally belongs to the Chinese; and still anoth.er question is that of sale of property to the Japanese.
Shanghai offers an illustration. Under pressll:re from Washington the Japanese agreed to re- turn the property of the University of Shanghai, which they had occupied since last autumn.
But they specified that it should not be used either as a Chinese school or as a residence for for- eign missionaries. Also they refused to issue passes to the missionaries or university represen- tatives to traverse the roads leading to the campus. Negotiations led to the suggestion that the Japanese purchase the buildings and grounds. But Chinese faculty members, and Board of Managers, to a man, rejected the proposition. They would rather be without a college than accept even the huge sum suggested. -Christian Century.
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II Effective Ways of Working 'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE W. lVlcGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA A Solo in Costume more familiar to your group, but can add so much to your year's be sure that the mood of the study. It is true that a wide- The hymn which follows is one music interprets suitably the awake committee can find out written for use in the Leonard emotion of the hymn. many things from many sources Theological College in Jubbul- and do without the book, but it pore, Central Provinces, India. Marbled Halls of Ancient is also true that many a commit- It may be sung to anyone of Kingdoms tee will have neither the time several tunes which are noted nor the sources of information; below. Marbled halls of ancient kingdoms, and that many another commit- Mighty empires passed away, tee has to choose between find- Have this sung as a solo with ing out and putting into effect. the singer in the costume of In- Baffled lore and mystic longing, You handicap your committee by dia. Introduce the solo with the Join the cry for life today. failing to put into their hands information about its origin. the result of much research Suggest that in this and other Open is the door effectual, which, in a pamphlet like this, hymns of aspiration we join See the multitudes that yearn, concentrates ideas and materials with Christian friends in India which have taken weeks to get in feeling that only through Reaching up from crushed existence, together. Give your committee Christ can that beloved country 'Tis for life their hearts do burn. this tool and then expect good find the true Way of Life. use to be made of it. It will re- "Show us Jesus!" Hear the cry of sult in much more effective work Use it again in some program Multitudes in thronging mart! on their part. on India given for the whole church, with the same introduc- Send us, Lord, our Pentecost to A Book Dinner tion. Bear the Cross to India's Heart! We might take a hint from a If you wish instead to have the Forth there goes the weary pilgrim sorority group in Illinois. They missionary society use it as a Seeking peace in lotus shrines; needed books for their library. hymn during their India study, Each girl was asked to bring ask your choir director to help Though the proffered ways are legion, back in the fall a book she had choose that tune for it which will Still the heart of India pines. enjoyed during the summer. The best lend itself to congregational chapter then had a book dinner. singing. Then have a time when Christ the livin~ way we offer, They used the books brought, as it is learned. This should not be High we hold His Cross of love, centerpieces. For after-dinner a part of the devotional period, speeches, each girl told why she but the devotional period may Joyfully we join in service, liked the book she had contribwell be shortened occasionally to Build we beauty -from above. uted. A Fall, or New Year's insert in the program a five- or Book Dinner might launch our ten-minute "learning period" "Show us Jesus!" Hear the cry of groups in some very worth-while when new hymns such as this Multitudes in thronging mart! reading. Even if only a very are learned. If you give time few books are donated the interto learning it, be sure it is used Send us, Lord, our Pentecost to est created in them will secure frequently enough thereafter to Bear the Cross to India's Heart! their effective use. Write the warrant the time thus spent. name of the donor in the front "E'er abide in me," says Jesus, of each book and lightly paste in The tune to which this is some- "Would ye fruits of Spirit bear," a slip of paper on which each one times sung is "Clem." These who reads the book may put her other tunes are good-"Panoply Yea, abide in us, we ~ray Thee, name. of Light"; "Feliciter"; and for Grant us power to do and dare. congregational use "Hymn to Stimulate Reading Joy." The last named requires So, we pledge Thee who hast called us, the repetition of the third and In one fellowship sublime, A meeting often ends early or fourth lines of music, sung very someone who was to have been softly, for the refrain. Other All we are in glad abandon, tunes in the same meter may be Make us prophets of our time.
"Show us Jesus!" Hear the cry of Multitudes in thronging mart!
Send us, Lord, our Pentecost to Bear the Cross to India's Heart!
-C. Stanley Thoburn.
Help Your Social Committee In studying a foreign country like India, it is only fair to your social committee to give them some help in their planning. Twenty-five cents will bring you "Fun and Festival from India," which contains many ideas for decorating, for music, for menus, and for all that local color which [43 ]
on the program unexpectedly The business women came di- ful and clear-cut presentations fails. One organization has a rect to the church from their by people able to speak with aulibrary committee whose mem- offices, those arriving early hav- thority. bers are always prepared with ing time to enj oy a bit of visitone or more book reviews. Just ing. Those for whom the trip We cite this case, not as one a word from the leader in an was longer, or who were free to be copied, but as an example aside, and a delightful and stim- later, arrived just in time for of a church ready to find a way ulating book review appears on to give its business and profesthe program as if it had been the meal. sional women the missionary planned as a part of it. Since At six-thirty the supper was education they needed and these reviews never increase the wanted at a time and in a way usual length of the meeting they over and tables were cleared. which could enlist the greatest are always enjoyed and do much The program lasted from six- number. to increase the reading-desires of the members. thirty to a quarter to eight. The To insist on old forms of or- business was brief and efficiently ganization – on ancient times Burma Comes to Iowa planned; devotionals were mean- and places and ways of meeting ingful but short; and talks or is to hamper the cause. Find the At a young people's rally in addresses were planned to take problems facing a group in con- Sheffield, Iowa, the Saturday an exact period. At 7: 45 the nection with their meeting for night dinner took the form of a benediction was pronounced, so missionary education. Discover Burmese scene in which the that any member with an eve- the type of work which will chalposts of the room simulated ning engagement was free to go. lenge them. Arrange a way of palm trees, the menu cards were getting together which will be in the shape of pagodas and the At times the church was de- both convenient and effective. menu written in Karen. Peanuts serted by eight o'clock except for Then keep the conditions inand sweets were served in cocoa- the woman employed to wash violate. nut shells. The pastor, his wife dishes. At other times a group and their children (formerly lingered for an hour or more, Use Dolls for Publicity missionaries in Burma) were enjoying each other's comments dressed in Karen costume and –or, just "visiting." Occasion- The W 0 men's Missionary sang, "Jesus Loves Me," in that ally an interesting speaker held Friend (October, 1938) carries tongue. On the long table was a sort of post-session as thought- an advertisement by Mrs. Elsie constructed a Burmese village provoking as the address. But Clark Krug, 2'227 St. Paul replete wit h thatched – roof this rose out of circumstances Street, Baltimore, Maryland, houses on stilts, groups of ele- and not through planning. which has a fine suggestion for phants standing about, and two publicity. Mrs. Krug has for pagodas in dominating position. Consider the situation: A sale India dolls, made in India Three devotional addresses were group of women from forty to in a home for widows. These given. The menu cOn";sted of sixty in number, who had so dolls represent different castes Me (rice), Dahsih (pi'kle rel- many conflicting interests and and occupations. Write for her ish), Thequitha (banana), Kapi responsibilities that a free eve- price-list. Her suggestion is (coffee), Ice Kri (ice cream), ning could not be discovered, that newspapers will gladly Ghethu (curry), Thagotha (to- found that they could take the photograph them and write armatoes), Goh Seh (cake). earlier hour, provided certain ticles about them. conditions were met. They had Meet the Situation of Your no responsibility for the meal be- Securing the right publicity yond paying. (For years a dol- for special meetings is a weak Group lar per member per year pro- point in most church groups. vided the meal and dishwasher.) Newspapers are always ready to A church in a busy Kansas They were content with a meal use really interesting copy. town found a method of securing so simple that its cost and prep- They cannot be expected to run regular and large attendance of aration were reduced to a min- the dull sort of announcement business women at their mission- imum. There was promptness in that attracts no one. ary guild meeting once a Bonth. starting and clock-like regularity in clos.ing. A good program was Snappy and news-worthy A flat, yearly charge was made provided, usually from outside write-ups, especially when ac-. each member to cover the cost of the group. companied by pictures suitable the very inexpensive supper for making cuts and really tellserved promptly at six o'clock Perhaps some of these condi- ing a story, will have ready acten times a year. Note that an tions are not ideal. But cancel ceptance in many newspaper absent member's supper-fee was one of them and that particular offices. available to equalize costs. group would have dissolved. For instance, had the leaders at- We hope later to devote an is- Three women of the church, tempted to provide for the pro- sue to the question of effective who did not belong to the group, gram from within the group, a publicity and would be glad to prepared a simple, well-balanced certain proportion would imme- receive accounts of especially efmeal. diately have dropped out. They fective publicity for missionary wanted to be stimulated and events in your church. forced to think, through force-
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
We Want to Know who later spoke to the entire The book is true to its title. group, was inspired by the l:.S- The theme and motive of the life What was the most effective surance that she had before her of an Indian woman is her huspiece of work you did for Mis- women intelligent on the subject band. The charm of the book is sions last summer? Or the sum- of her address. Several members unusual. It portrays most delimer before? We do not neces- were able to listen with greater cately the devotion of the womsarily mean a meeting. Through delight because of their informal anhood of India to her ideal. what enterprise, technique, nov- "preview" of the speaker. Ramabai Ranade, its author, elty, or method did you affect moreover gives a moving picture the lives of members of your The words in which a speaker of the contrast between the purcongregation, missionary group adresses the group are only half dah-bound women of the averor individuals in a worthwhile of the service she may render. age household and the struggle way, in spite of heat, summer Choose with care a few persons for freedom on the part of these "slump," etc.? In other words with whom the speaker may chat who like herself in obedience to what did you do to make your in the social moments preceding the desire of an enlighted huswork, or some phase of it a suc- the meeting. Questions will flow band are defying custom and cess, in spite of the usual sum- much more readily following the tradition to leave seclusion and mer handicaps? address if there has been an op- enter public life. portunity for the speaker to Our May issue, according to meet at least a few of the mem- Something of the theme and present plans, will be devoted to bers in the right way. outlook of the book might be that problem, and we want to given by one woman, who must give others the best of your sug- Try This Game on India be able to enter with sympathy gestions. Address the editor of into the feelings and life of the these pages at 5718 Oak Avenue, A heart-warming little note Indian woman. The story itself Indianapolis, Indiana. from Mrs. Aitchison, the former may be given by another wom- editor of these pages, written in an, reading from the book if de~ Effective Personal pencil as she takes her enforced sired, as if she were seeing for Introductions rest-cure, has come to the pres- the first time her own words in ent editor. In it Mrs. Aitchison print. She should be dressed in Contrast these two situations. mentions a game on India, Know an Indian sari, as delicate and as -A younger member of a mis- Your Mission Lan d 8 – India, rich a one as possible, for the sionary group brought a guest which has come to her and Ranades were wealthy. to the meeting. She introduced which she feels would be interher to several who made her esting and worth-while. We are Learning Through Drama welcome with the inconsequen- delighted to have her recomtial pleasant chit-chat of new mendation, as a copy of the An interesting little playlet, acquaintances. Imagine their game has not so far reached us. prepared and published in India annoyance when she was later for use in the village schools to introduced as an outstanding The game is similar to the portray their own program, is worker in another denomination weH-known Lotto. The cards available at 10 cents a copy from and the speaker of the day. contain questions and answers Mabel W. Moomaw, Vocational They had lost a golden opportu- selected from the interdenom- Training S c h 0 0 1, Anklesvar, nity for informal· conversation inational mission study books on Broach District, India. It is enon some of the things, in which India. Two to fifteen people titled "My Son." they had been especially inter- may play. It will provide a ested, and felt that their speaker lively game period for from two Juniors would enjoy using must have thought them un- to fifteen children, young people this in a study of India. There usually unconcerned about her or adults. It costs only 50 cents are gaps in it which they would own background and interests. postpaid. need to fill after study. For in- stance, a child reports on the A tactful hostess of another Order from: The Literature Department, birds that are seen in the village. missionary group brought a The Women's General Missionary Society, This, in the village school pr~ guest. She introduced her to 904 Publication Building, Pittsburgh, Pa.. gram, is easily done. Our chilseveral members. Each time the or from Mrs. E. D. McKune, 211 Fifteenth dren would need to look up India hostess was able to mention Ave., S., Nampa, Idaho. and find out about birds there. some particular interest which the member had shown in the An Unusual Book Opportunity Its value would lie to a large type of enterprise carried on by extent, for children in this counthe visitor. Both were made to The autobiography of a lady try, in the study they would be feel that it was because of a of India, recently off the press, led to do in order to give it. common interest that she had offers a wonderful opportunity They might even make some brought them together; she for a book review. In the first changes in it to make it clearer chatted with them long enough place its title is "Himself," an to an American audience.. They after each introduction to be intriguing thing in itself. "An might get quite a bit of delight sure that each had a key to the autobiography of an Indian lady, from putting on something writ~ other's activities. The. guest, ten for and actually given by and called 'Himself'!" * writes children in India.
one woman inchedulously.
• "Himself" by Ramabai Ranade, trans- Jated by Katharine Gates. $2.00. Long- mans Green, N. Y., 1938,
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
A OALL TO PRAYER scenes, we know that with hus- such a warm purpose – to re- bands and children and servants member one another, to dedicate GOES OUT TO ALL PEOPLE and neighbors and friends, at themselves anew to creating the home or abroad, these good Kingdom of Heaven on earth, LET US PRAY: women created a contagious and engaging climate around them and to capture the attention of Father, grant that I may take which others undoubtedly copied. the listless and the lukewarm, my religion seriously and in- that all may realize a little of the vite the spirit of Jesus Christ The quality of goodness we to permeate everything I say mean includes ideals spiced with startling attraction to be discov- and do. imagination, and fine living done ered in Jesus Christ and to be for a purpose. Suppose that for expressed in lives touched afresh May the law of love be the law even one day in the year all such by His beauty! which governs my everyday women could pause, kneel in life. May I seek to reproduce prayer for one another – that This year's Service of Worship the warm friendliness of Jesus their common .dream for their for Friday, February 24, has in my home, my neighborhood, world might materialize, through been prepared by a group of my business life, and in my young women in the United smallest personal contact. -Albrecht Durer States, using as a theme, "Let us Help me to seek out some person themselves. Who knows what put our Love into Deeds-and or group whose immediate impetus this could give to Make it ReaL" It is a searching needs cry out for Christian weaker women trailing along in sequence of responsive readings, service and in mutual shar- the footsteps of their leaders? prayers, and hymns, with peri- ing give all that I am and have. For many years now the first ods of penetrating silence and a Friday in Lent has been set aside stirring roll call of the nations. Help me to study, work, and for the World Day of Prayer. It is designed to stab any wom- pray for better understanding East, West, North, South, from an awake into 'seeing herself as among people of all races and dawn to dusk, somewhere on the nations. Heln me to be will- face of the earth, women ac- someone expected to alter the ing to live dangerously that tually will be meeting for just trend of history and shift civili- peace may come in this our zation into a more truly Christ- day,O Lord. [46] like era: through the definite "God will not ask thy race, mention of the high traits in the Nor will he ask thy birth. character of Jesus. Alone he will demand of thee But even before the practical stimulus of the printed page is What hast thou done on reached, the cover itself offers· earth." the silent influence of Albrecht Let us put our love into deeds Durer's "Praying Hands." These and make it real. Hands have a legend significant enough to be told first to the THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER small interdenominational group which will meet beforehand to Sometimes we need a sudden plan the February 24th service, sentence to lift us into a new and then retold at the World Day focus on ourselves! Listen therefore to Emerson: "Civ- of Prayer service also, in order ilization is the history of good that their very patience may sugwomen-" as sudden, as provoc- gest the beauty vested in the ative as that! But is it true? Each one of us will at least agree humblest of us, when dedicated that it cannot be not true; for wherever a high civilization has to the highest. For Durer had been created and maintained, the a friend who had been trying to women have been as geared into be a great painter; but try as he it as the men; and, because of might through the years, greattheir quieter influence behind all ness passed him by; yet he nev- er gave up. One day Durer's imagination saw in those unsuc-
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
cessful hands not thwarted There is a similar benediction Hearty Welcome I dreams, but the incarnation of such genuine worth that he waiting to bless your town also! The women of the West Coast asked to draw them in the atti- are welcoming as a worthy suctude of prayer, to suggest the To promote such vital and vigor- cessor to the late Miss Adela J. dignity of labor and the bene- Ballard, Mrs. F. E. Shotwell, the diction of hope. ous fellowship the following sup- new Western Area Supervisor of Migrant Work, appointed by This is so symbolic of our own plies are available; and in case the Council of Women for Home consciousness of being neither Missions. brilliant nor famous; yet a qui- yours is one of the cities where et glory touches our merely aver- Those of us who have met Mrs. age hands when folded in the World Day of Prayer has Shotwell are delighted with her prayer: "May the beauty of the personality, with her back- never been observed, will you not ground of education and with Lord our God be upon us; and her qualification in experience. establish Thou the work of our consider that because you have Personally she has grace and hands; yea, the work of our charm; her degrees in secular hands establish Thou it." read these words you are there- and religious education as well as sociology assure excellent pro- That this has been an actual fore the very person to initiate fessional preparation and her result to communities observing experience in working with the World Day of Prayer, our the observance and to take the young people and church groups, 1938 report of it proves, one sec- as well as in Nevada Welfare first steps which these leaflets Work and in Colorado, Washingtion of which paints the picture: will list? . ton, Oregon and California mi- grant projects assure practical For the women of Shanghai the The following supplies for the application of her knowledge. Women's World Day of Prayer had Quite as much as with all these, unusual significance. "The love of observance should be ordered we are delighted with her evi- Christ our only hope," was the unify- dence of judgment and balance ing theme. The committee which set from denominational Boards: in difficult situations and with up the program was composed of her determination to restudy the Chinese, Japanese, German, Russian, Call to Prayer-free (in limited quan- needs as they are today and the English and American women. This tities) . effective program for the future. committee appointed a sub-committee to plan for a meeting in the Chinese Adult Program – "Let Us Put Our With the changing type of peolanguage. Love into Deeds – and Make It ple making up the migrant Real"-2 cents each, $2.00 per hun- group, from a largely foreign The Chinese service brought the e I erne n t never economically audience face to face with the implica- dred. above a subsistence level, to a tions of the love of Christ in our war- Young People's Program-"And Who group largely native Americans, torn city. In the midst of our tragedy many of them dispossessed farmand losses we were given to see we Is My Neighbor?" – 2 cents each, ers from the dust bowl, who have still had much to be thankful for. In formerly been independent, Mrs. the time of confession the personal $2.00 per hundred. Shotwell is proving herself an and national sins which have contrib- Children's Program-"God's Children understanding and h e I p f u 1 uted to this situation were confessed. friend. The forgiving love of Christ con- Live in Many Lands"-l cent each, strained the audience to forgive those We can think of no one better who have sinned against us. At the $1.00 per hundred. qualified for the four-fold apclose of this service, those who were Poster (llx17)-5 cents. proach necessary to work in the at home in the English language went The Church, A World Fellowship (A migrant areas: contacts with to the international service. . . . government workers, church Review of the World Day of Prayer, groups, employers and the mi- This year the international service March 5, 1938). Single copies free, grants themselves-all approachmet in the Community Church. es requiring wisdom and tact in Twelve different nations were repre- $1.00 per hundred. an unusual degree. The Council sented in the audience. Each one is indeed fortunate in its choice prayed in her own language. The MRS. F. E. SHOTWELL of Mrs. Shotwell. She will need earnest prayer offered by a Japanese our understanding and cooperawoman for the sufferers in the war This article was prepared by Miss Mar- tion. We pledge our support will long be remembered. The high garet T. Applegarth, Chairman of the World peak in the service was the candle Day of Prayer Committee of the National and wish her well.* lighting service when women repre- Committee of Church Women, representing senting different nations approached the National Council of Church Women, the • From ",letter to the editor from Mrs. R. L. the central candle to light the un- Foreign Missions Conference, and the Coun- Bowen, Vice President of the Southern Calilighted candles they carried. A holy cil of Women for Home Missions, Room 63, fornia Council of Federated Church Women. hush fell on the audience as the Jap- 297 Fourth Avenue, New York. anese and Chinese women from opposite aisles approached the central candle and at the same time lighted their candles to return to spread their light. It was so evident that the only way out was for the love of Christ to lift us all above narrow nationalism which is darkening our world. We were challenged to spread the light of His love as the only way out of the darkness which is fast enveloping us.
A Story for the
Yasha, the Refugee One Monday morning a visitor Down in the audience Karl came to talk to the whole school beamed with pride. He whis- By VIOLET WOOD, NEW YORK about health, for it was the first pered among the fifth grade day of Health Week. To all the boys, "Didn't I tell you he's Yasha stood in the school yard, children, except Yasha, it was smart?" unhappily the center of a circle like a holiday. For him it was of·· jeering boys. They were punishment, as he had to sit After the program was over with the first-graders and he Miss Inglis detained Karl and laughing and calling out "Yasha was so much bigger that he felt Yasha. "I am proud of you is a refugee! They threw him both," she said. "Yasha, you out of Russia! They threw him uncomfortable. may get your things and I will out of Germany! Yasha is a Miss Inglis made a little take you into the third grade to- Jew boy. He is ten years old day. If Karl continues to help and only in the first grade! He speech about their visitor, a you, I'll promote you until you're can't even speak English. Yasha in his class." is a refugee!" famous Russian doctor. When the doctor himself spoke, a At recess Karl told the other Miss Inglis, the principal, saw boys. He tossed off a few Rusall this as she looked down from whisper of surprise went around sion words that Yasha had her office window into the yard. among the fifth grade boys, "He taught him. The boys crowded She knew that if she called the around jealously, "How about tormentors off, she would only sounds just like Yasha!" Dr. your teaching us some Russian? add "teacher's pet" to the list of Malkin made them all laugh by Why don't we start a Russiannames given to Yasha. telling stories of germs that English club?" never go to sleep, but dig little She turned from the window "All right," said Karl, "if you to a boy standing beside her, and tunnels in unbrushed teeth and will let Yasha be president." said: "Karl, I am glad you came live happily in dirty finger nails. to see me about Yasha. I will "Sure," one of the boys an- He started a new story: "When swered, "if he's not mad at us .try to do something about it. I was a boy in Russia I was a for calling him names." belfer. Now I guess there is no What are you going to do?" one here who understands that At first Yasha could not be- "Well," Karl began, "last Sun- lieve that they wanted him, but word. Is there?" when he understood that they day we were talking in Sunday At the word belfer Yasha really meant it, he thought that school about persecution and I he was the happiest boy in told our teacher it sounded like jumped. He knew. His father what the boys do to Yasha. She had long ago been a belfer in America. said I ought to do something. I figured it out that he's really Russia. He raised his hand and Making Use of This Story smarter than we are 'cause he Dr. Malkin called on him. Yasha knows a little English, some spoke in rapid Russian, "A See how many famous Jews the chil- German and a lot of Russian. belfer is a boy leader who used dren can name. We only know English. Do you to bring the younger children think I could help him with Disraeli, twice Prime Minister of English?" home from school at night in old Great Britain. Russia when there were no "You certainly could," re- street lights. He walked at the Mendelssohn, composer of beautiful sponded Miss Inglis. "If you head and carried a lighted lan- hymns and songs. give him lessons faithfully, I'll be able to promote him much tern." Sarah Bernhardt, famous XIX cenfaster, for Yasha is a bright boy. Dr. Malkin said, "Very good. tury acress. Only his lack of English is holding him back." That is entirely right, but you Yehudi Menuhin, 21-year-old violin- must come up here and tell us ist of international fame. Several weeks went by. Yasha about it in English." was feverishly learning English Albert Einstein, mathematician, auunder the guidance of Karl. The Tremblingly Yasha faced the thor of theory of relativity. young teacher would have liked school, not wishing to tell the to bring his pupil into his Sun- doctor that he knew so little Benjamin Cardozo, Justice of the day school class, but Yasha jour- English he was only in the first Supreme Court of the United neyed every Sabbath with his grade. States. parents to the Synagogue in a near-by city. In spite of Karl's The doctor put his hand on the Stephen Wise, Jewish leader and kindness, Yasha was very un- boy's shoulder and said, "Now rabbi. happy. The boys often chased take your time, my boy. English him home shouting, "Yasha is a is much easier to speak than Ask the children to bring in current Jew boy, a refugee, a refugee!" Russian. Your Russian is per- clippings from magazines and news- fect. You do your school much papers about the Jewish persecution in Europe today. Let the teacher or credit." parent link up the story of the perse- Yasha suddenly lost his fear cution of the Pilgrims and their flight as refugees to America. and in good English told how his father, like Dr. Malkin, had been Give the children hymn books and a belfer in Russia. see how many hymns they can find, the music of which was composed by [48] Felix Mendelssohn, such as "Still, Still with Thee"; "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing."
~'!===================="~
~ OuJM!'n?;~~;sp':!~:cuS~~?Ok o71t EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO ~============~==================.~~ MISCELLANEOUS increased fivefold in Africa, Ja- introduced, and it is pervading pan and China, and sevenfold in the national life. Christianity Has Not Failed Africa. The increase since 1903 in Korea is seventyfold. There Minority Churches Who are bringing most credit were practically no Protestants to their country, and serving it in the Philippines in 1903; now The world Alliance for Intermost effectively in distant lands? there are 190,000. Seven out of national Friendship Through the asks the Central Christian Ad- everyone hundred Negro Af- Churches has adopted a minivocate. The answer is: "The ricans are now professing Chris- mum standard of liberty for missionaries." The Advocate tians-about one-half of whom churches that form a minority amplifies this answer:- are Protestants, and one-half in any country. The nine points Rom a n Catholics. Compared require: 1. Freedom to deter~ . . . The missionaries have been with Asia the baptized Chris- mine its faith and creed and life-savers; they have restrained Jap- tians in Africa are proportion- freedom from any imposition of anese raiders and rapers; they have ately over five times as numer- another philosophy or system of given first aid and hospital service to ous, and the missionaries are morals; 2. Freedom of public Chinese and Japanese alike. The pop- proportionately four times as and private worship, preaching ulation turns by thousands to the mis- many. and teaching, and freedom from sionaries. They stay, though local imposition of other religious cergovernment has collapsed and local The present number of Prot- emonies ; 3. Freedom to deterofficials have fled. estant missionaries is 27,483- mine its constitution within the or about 527 less than in 1925. limits of the laws of the state Nor are they immune from danger. Missionaries to Asia have de- and to administer its ownaf- Mission properties have been wrecked. creased by 2,345, and increased fairs; 4. Freedom to use the Nine Roman Catholic priests were in Africa by 2',158. Since 1925, mother tongue of its members in butchered-that's the exact word for the salaried staff of native work- all activities of church life; 5. it – at Chengtingfu, Hopei Province, ers has increased by one-third, Freedom to determine and conwhen the Japanese came in. Mission and now amounts to 203,468 trol the education of its minisstations have been looted. workers. There are now 17,789 ters and to decide upon their ordained Protestant nationals. suitability for service; 6. Free- The Japanese have been restrained It is significant to note that in dom to give religious education by the presence of missionaries, whom Japan during the past thirteen to their youth on the same conthey didn't dare to kill, and who years the m iss ion a r y body ditions as the majority churches would be witnesses of whatever out- dropped from 1,253 to 829, while and to bring them together in rages the invaders might commit or the ordained Japanese increased youth associations; 7. Freedom allow. Outside mission areas, the fate from 950 to 1,759. to support and carryon social of Chinese women has been a thing that cries to heaven for vengeance, In China and Japan, one out service, charitable w 0 r k and but very few Japanese soldiers have missionary activities at home dared invade mission premises. . . . of seven students of college and and abroad; 8. Freedom to use all rights open to citizens and The mission hospitals have been university age is in a Christian associations, e. g., the ownership swamped and swamped again by the of necessary property and coltides of wounded. In peace time they institution; in Korea the per- lection of funds; 9. Freedom of were the best hospitals in China, and exchange, cooperation and union their war work has been a miracle of centage is hi g her. Scripture with other groups of the same devotion, desperate toil, and personal church or with other Christian as well as surgical daring. translations have increased, the churches. largest growth being in Africa; Survey of World Missions and everywhere an astonishing All of this means simply that increase in Scripture distribu- members of minority churches The comprehensive statistics tion. should have the rights guaranof Protestant missions, issued teed to all citizens by any demoby the International Missionary But there is an arresting side cratic Bill of Rights. No church Council, is the result of two and to this survey. Out of a world is safe in a State where such a half years' work on the part pop u I a t ion of 2,095,000,000 rights are denied. of an able staff. The total Prot- there are still 1,377,000,000 nonestant Christian constituency in Christians. Progress in reach- -Christian Century. non-Christian lands has expand- ing unoccupied fields has not ed since 1925 from 8,340,000 to bee nmarked. However, into 13,036,000; or more than in the most lands the leaven has been previous twenty-two years. Communicants have, during the pres- [49 ] ent cenhry, trebled ili India;
Methodist Missions Reduced Pinewood. Two have already Orime Figures for New York been finished-The Call of Sam- The' Methodist Board of For- uel and The Good Samaritan– New York City's crime record eign Missions, at their 12'Oth and a third, Woman's Faith, is nearly ready." shows that the city mission task annual meeting in November, re- of the Christian Church is far port that war, and the domina- from finished. The New York Sun has just revealed some startion of increasingly large areas Beer "Ads" Turned Down tling facts, among them the fact by the totalitarian governments are steadily reducing the spread America's largest producer that there was a murder for of Protestantism and the possi- and distributor of short-length every day except one in 1936, bility of maintaining church in- motion picture advertising films, the latest year for which com- stitutions in mission countries; the Alexander Film Company, of plete statistics are available. As- and that freedom of religious Colorado Springs, Colo., has an- sault, robbery and larceny cases worship is meeting the strongest nounced its policy to drop ad- totaled 14,158, while minor fel- political opposition in the his- vertising of beer in its 7,782 onies reached 34,207. While the tory of Protestant missions. Op- contracted motion picture thea- major service of the Police Deposition to the work of ,the mis- ters. partment is the apprehension of sions in Japan, Korea and the In abandoning beer accounts, criminals, the prevention of conquered parts of China, in the firm is sacrificing an annual crime is also its responsibility. Italy and Italian colonies, in net income which has been ex- Constructive measures in crime Spain and in Germany was sin- ceeding $50,000. The action was prevention include provision for gled out in the report. Italian due to a belief that the other 77 outdoor playgrounds and 44 territory in Africa has become clients do not relish being placed indoor recreation centers. Morepractically impossible for Prot- in the company of beer adver- ever, the Police Athletic League estant missions, and should Ger- tisers on theater screens. This provided vents for young energy many's demand for the return of firm is reported to handle ap- in sport instead of crime, and colonies be granted it will place enrolled 34,407 members with under their domination territory proximately three-fourths 0 f attendance well beyond a million where Christian missions now such advertising in the country. in its sport events. exist; while if Franco wins in Its contracted theaters show to Spain, Protestant work is in more than 25,000,000 theater- For other measures in crime danger of being forbidden. Be- goers each week. prevention, the Police Departyond Spain, let it be remem- ment must continue to look to -Union Signal. the schools and to the churches, bered, lies all South America. and especially to the Sunday -New York Times. No Essays on Atheism schools.
NORTH AMERIOA A year ago the following ad- vertisement appeared in a Yak- Ohurch Boat in North Oarolina ima, Washington, paper: Religious Films In the isolated coastal regions In' 'Order tQ prQmQte tQlerance and a The many efforts during the brIOad-minded attitude toward reli- of North Carolina, a church boat past fifteen years to secure good giQUS questiQns, the American ASSQ- now is regularly taking religious religious films have not been a ciatiQn fQr the Advancement 'Of Athe- services to long-neglected com- ism is 'Offering prizes fQr the best lit- munities, many of which until success. England seems to be erary eXPQsitiQn 'Of arguments against the past summer had not seen a the Christian religiQn. . . . minister in more than two years. far in advance of America in this respect. The Manchester If the Christian religiQn is what its This work is under the direction Guardian recently observed that prQPQnents claim for it, it should welthe Religious Film Society is come the most searching and studious of Rev. A. H. Marshall, rector of investigation into its past, its present carrying on its program with set-up, and its possibilities fQr the fu- St. Philip's Church of Southexcellent effect. Says the Guard- ture. If it can't stand such an invesian's London correspondent: tigation, it is unworthy of the support port, N. C., and Mrs. Marshall. Together they visit isolated com- "The Religious Film Society given it. munities in their boat, the Jo- sephine Marshall, conducting and its publicity agent, the Cin- The American Association for the ema Christian Council, arranged services from the deck of the during the 'indoor' season of Advancement 'Of Atheism, therefore, boat anchored near docks, in cot- 1937-38 for over two thousand offers a first prize of fifty dollars, sec- tages, in private homes, and ond prize 'Of twenty-five dollars, and five additiQnal prizes of five dollars bookings of films, including two each for the best essays by pupils 'Of even in village grocery stores. high schools and junior colleges 'Of based on Tolstoy's Where Love Yakima County, 'On "The Folly and Despite the necessity of long Is, God Is and What Men Live Futility of Christianity." treks over swamp trails filled By. Several more new films will with poison ivy, mosquitoes and be added to the society's book- Interested to know what, if sand flies, residents of the area ing list for the coming season. any, was the response, the editor have greeted the services enthu- Episodes from the life of St. of the Sunday School Times siastically, and at times more Paul have been taken for a two- wrote the Association, and by than 100 on short notice have reel sound film, Faith Trium- return mail received the reply journeyed for miles to attend phant, which is being made at that no essays were submitted. the gatherings.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
It is estimated that more than munion work supported by the other natural resources; road 55 communities along the inland Church Boards that compose the construction to open up remote waterway are thus being served. Home Missions Coup-cil, the local areas; Indian arts and crafts; church is now almost self-sup- health service, relief and reha- -The Living Church. porting. The Rev. Harold H. bilitation. Eymann is the successor of the Cooperative Venture in I ate greatly beloved "Parson Many missionaries at work in Tennessee Tom" Stev·enson, the former the vicinity of some of these Boulder City pastor. activities are not favorably im- A new venture in cooperative pressed with all of them. Sevliving is being inaugurated at -The Presbyterian. eral feel that the Indians are Ravenscroft, Tenn., an aban- being subjected to so rapid a doned mining community. When Problems of the South change and so many new influthe mining company moved out, ences that they have been unable some sixty famili.es were left The population of the South is to make the adjustment satisfacstranded. The Rev. Ed win increasing more rapidly than torily. Tribal customs, so op- White, who has been a mission- that of any part of the United posed to Christian ideals and so ary in Cumberland County, un- States. Its excess of births over hampering to Christian training, dertook to relieve the situation; deaths is ten per thousand, as are encouraged by the Govern-. some young women volunteers compared with the national av- ment. The problem of increased were enlisted to take charge of erage of seven per thousand; drinking remains unsolved. a community house and the and already it has the most Farm Security Administration thickly populated rural area. -Monday Morning. sent a young couple to lend aid in rehabilitation through sub- The South must educate one- Chinese Presbyterian Church sistence farming. An option has third of the nation's children in San Francisco now been obtained from the min- with one-sixth of the nation's ing company on 7,000 acres of school revenues. Only 16 per The Chi n e s e Presbyterian mountain land, together with all cent of the children are in High Church of San Francisco obthe houses in the mining camp School, as compared with 24 per served its 85th anniversary in and all mineral rights at a price cent in other states. November. Although all Chiof $3.50 per acre. nese are fond of elaborate cele- The health-protection facili- brations, this occasion was a The leaders hope to secure ties of the South are limited. For simple one because of the suffergovernment loans for coopera- example, there are only one- ings in the home land. This tive enterprises at low rates of third as many doctors per capita church was organized November interest and to organize the com- in South Carolina as there are in 6, 1853, by Dr. William Speer, munity on a cooperative basis California. The South is defi- who had been a medical missionwith skilled farm and business cient in hospitals and clinics, as ary to China, and was the first management. There is, in all the well as in health workers. Many such organization of Chinese land, no more tragic story than counties have no facilities at all. outside of Asia. Since the beginthat of stranded communities in ning, the church has had Chithe southern highlands where The South leads the nation in nese pastors except for brief inmines have been mined out, tim- the employment of children in tervals. It maintains a close reber cutting completed and erod- farm and factory. One hundred lation to the communi,ty through ed hillside land depleted. The eight out of everyone thousand its present pastor, who serves wage earners are unable to move children between ten and fifteen on the staff of directors of vawhen the company moves. years old are employed in the rious civic 0 r g ani z a t ion s. South, compared to forty-seven Schools have been established -Christian Century. out of everyone thousand chil- and Christian homes set up in dren of these ages in the country China by those who have gone Churches Cooperate at as a whole. out from this c h u r c h. Ten Shasta Dam churches in China have been -New York Times. founded and supported by gifts The Home Missions Council from Chinese Presbyterians in will cooperate in interdenomina- The American Indian the United States. tional religious work for the families of the 7,000 persons According to the latest census, -Monday Morning. who are to be employed in build- about 50 per cent of all Amering the national government's ican Indians live in three states: LATIN AMERICA new Shasta Dam on the Sacra- Oklahoma, Arizona and New mento River, near Redding, in Mexico. This is an increase of Christian Education in Cuba northern California. One town 1.2 per cent a year for the past already has been built by the s eve n years. The agency in Cuban delegates to the Hagovernment and three 0 the r charge of federal activities for van a Congress on Christian town sites are being developed. Indians has an extensive pro- Work in 1929 proposed a plan At Boulder City, Nevada, which gram, which includes tribal or- for a continental federation of is another center of inter-com- ganization; increase of Indian evangelical churches, but the land-holdings; soil conservation plan met with no enthusiasm in and irrigation; conservation of
Cuba. Again in 1937, coopera- simplicity of their faith was most re- the whole community several tive fellowship was discussed at freshing. times before being invited to the Han a v a Conference on come in, but once he has gained Christian Education; and last In one village where w~ knew th~ngs a hearing, he will sit where the October definite plans material- were not right, opportumty was gIven family sits, comment as little as at the close of the meeting to set af- fairs straight; there followed such confessions and going to each other possible, preferring to let God ized at a Conference in Cama- speak for Himself through the giiey, Cuba, when, by unanimous and asking forgiveness for harsh simple, clear reading of one passage after another. Where vote, the Cuban Council of Chris- words or bitter thoughts as would put tian Education was formed. most American congregations to shame. . -Evangelical Christw,n. there has been a receptive spirit, Article I of the new constitu- he will suggest praying to God tion states "the purpose of the Fair Exchange No Robbery organization will be spiritu.al, just where they are. At fi.rst educational and fraternal, wIth C. H. Morris, American Bible their thoughts run somethmg special aim to promote the co- Society Agent in Amazonia, with like this: Is it really possible to operation of the evangelical two of the Society's launches pray to God, through J e sus churches in Cuba in the prom(jt- visited the immense archipelago Christ? Don't we need to pray ing of Christian education. It is in the mouth of the Amazon to an image, some visible nearour further purpose to enj oy the River, where most of the people by representation or representaworld-wide fellowship of the are rubber gatherers, and live Christian churches in affiliation under very unfavorable condi- tive of the far off God? Is no with the World's Sunday School tions. At one place, a man ex- other mediator necessary? No Association." pressed delight at the opportu- intercession by saint or virgin, nity to own a Bible, of which he apostle or martyr? How simply It appears that Cuba has do~e had heard but had never seen. he prays! It is just like talking more in the way of leadershIp "Read more," he pleaded, when training than most of the other the colporteur read to the end to a father! But does he think Latin American countries. There of a chapter. He paid for his that God will really hear him? is evidence of a broader and Bible with seven bunches of ba- Doesn't he need a priest? Why, deeper understanding of essen- nanas. An elderly blind widow tial Christianity and its rele- exchanged some corn for a Tes- he prays to God as though he vance to individual life. How- tament. knew Him, as though he ~ould ever, it must be noted that there see Him! Then they begm to is not the same sense of respon- In the course of this interestsibility for the maintenance an~ ing journey a great variety ?f listen to what the evangelist is extension of the Church. POSSI- commodities were received m saying; that they might know bly its nearness to the United exchange for the Scriptures. States, and the facilities there Here are some that helped to that they have access to the Fafor the support of pastors may make the launch resemble a partially explain this fact. traveling general store: 119 ther through Jesus Christ, II!ight fowls, 12 ducks, 8 parrots, 193 know their sins are forgIVen. -WSSA News. eggs., a large supply of bananas Usually, the family will start and maize, coconuts, rice, fish, daily family worship, and t~e On Mule Back in Honduras evangelist is content to leave It at that, with the suggestion that they invite their friends. Thus a congregation is formed.
-The Neglected Continent.
Miss Mabel Rowell gained a salt, vegetables and two canoe Growth by Persecution new understanding of the need paddles. in Honduras when she made a It is almost fifteen years since, two weeks' evangelistic t rip 'The s a I e s of the journey in answer to an urgent telegram, across the country on muleback. amounted to 1,897 volumes, in- missionaries of the Evangelical She writes in the Evangelical cluding 154 Bibles and 374 Tes- Union of South America entered Christian: taments. the little town of Catole de Rocha in Brazil. The story from There are no hotels in the villages Evangelism in Peru there is one of continuous persewhere we stopped, but every house cution; the greater the persecuhas a lean-to roof in front to shelter One of the most interesting tion the greater the progress; the calves, pigs, etc., during the nigh~, points in Peruvian evangelism and they will always allow travelers is its tendency to hinge around and the greater the progress the the privilege of slinging their hammocks there and usually the privilege households rather than individ- greater the persecution. This uals. Quite spontaneously, and of using their open fire in the kitchen. without comparing notes until area is a small outlaw kingdom, At one place we stayed I was awak- with two rival clans; and the ened several times in the night by a afterwards, national workers in word of the dominating clan is little fat pig who thought it would be nice to rub his back under my ham- different parts of the Republic law. While one clan reigns, the mock and incidentally on me. This other suffers, waiting opportutrip has taught me that there is no have been led to use the family nity to take revenge. Finding as the basis of their approach to such thing as private life in Honduras, the community. An evangelist favor in the eyes of the then at least in mountain sections. But may visit every family in a vil- dominating chief, the missionarthere are always compensations and lage before he finds the family ies, during their first visit. to instead of giving blessing to those dear believers I think I received. The he is looking for; perhaps visit the district were 0 accompamed
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
upon practically all of their ence have stated that there is no by the Committee, they are re- evangelistic excursions by a ser- real difference between them. turned to the Shipping Room of geant and two soldiers of the The Godless are those who lead the Committee on World Friend- State Police. Under this favor- the struggle against religion ac- ship among Children, at 207 ing wind, three churches were cording to the teachings of Karl East 19th Street, New York, erected by 1932. One was de- Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin. from which they are forwarded stroyed by enemies, but in 1938 These are not only Godless but directly to Spain. It is expected a fourth was built, and now a also Communists. Atheists are that the supply will be exhaust- national pastor is available to those who have separated them- ed before December 31st. take the oversight of the s e selves from religion, who belong churches. The work was pros- to socialist political groups but Methodists Keep Out of pering, new preaching points who have not yet accepted Com- Trouble with Nazis were established, and in his de- munism. Bishop John L. Nuelson, of sire to see further progress the -World Dominion Press. Zurich, Switzerland, rep 0 r t s young pastor invited another na- that the Methodist Episcopal tional pastor to hold a series of A Queen's Message to Youth Church organization in Germany meetings. This released a flood of bitter persecution which cul- Queen Wilhelmina, of Holland, and Austria have been cut loose minated in the pastor's forced recently celebrated her 58th from international ties and thus departure from the town to save birthday and the 40th year of have kept out of trouble with the his life. The encouraging fact is her reign. From the beginning Nazi Government. Catholic and that five or six people have been she realized that d i v i n e re- Lutheran Churches are state- sources would enable her to rule sponsored churches, their minisconverted. in peace and justice. In a broad- -The Neglected Continent. cast to her people, the Queen ters on the state payroll, so that Nazis look upon them as state urged youth to undertake great employees, and their utterances EUROPE responsibility with character, are judged as loyal or disloyal.
Freethinkers' Congress devotion, understanding and fi- On the other hand, Methodists a Failure delity. Her words have deep sig- support their own churches and nificance for the youth of today, preachers, as in America. There- The International Congress of not because of royal privilege fore, they have a degree of free- Freethinkers held in London in but because of a warm and hum- dom in speech and organization. September was considered a fail- ble faith which this great wom- -New York Times.
ure by the Russians. Their dele- an has in God. She said: Niemoller Can't Be Seen gation did not attend, but were Even at the time of my accession, I represented by an observer who was conscious of the insufficiency of Dr. Adolph Keller, of Geneva, read the speeches of absent lead- human knowledge and ability, and ers. The delicate international firmly believed that only the aid of was in Berlin some weeks ago, and asked the authorities, with- God could provide our wants. I now situation was one of the reasons look back on these forty years in the out much hope of s u c c e s s, advanced to dissuade them from light of the Lord's guidance and am whether he might see Martin attending. Information was also filled with gratitud'e. -Watchman-Examiner. Niemoller. Dr. Keller relates his conveyed from high and friendly experience: quarters, that their plan of in- Friendship for Spain To my surprise I received no resisting upon the communistic fusal. But the secret police which had and militant Godless character American children in Sunday re-arrested Niemoller knew better and of the Congress, might lead to schools and other groups are answered: "Niemoller can't be seen Government intervention and sending goodwill suitcases filled now or later."
Niemoller is to be silenced. This the suppression of the gathering with toys, clothing, soap and courageous voice is no longer to be heard. He would be free if he would as threatened public order. It is other articles to refugee Spanish reported that Russian Godless children as an expression of sell his liberty and promise to remain leaders will create an interna- sympathy. The suitcases are silent. There is a time for saying no and a time for saying yes. Niemoller tional commission to organize distributed in both Loyalist and would not be famous, if he would not future international congresses, Nationalist Spain by the Amer- be a symbol for a new type of Chris- tianity: a Elymbol for a militant under the expert guidance of ican Friends Service Committee. church, for a suffering church, for a Yaroslavsky, the i r president. The project is one which reli- church of witness who says again like The U. S. A. is suggested as the gious educators and many other Luther: Here I stand, I can't do otherwise. We speak sometimes of the meeting place of the next Con- leaders in children's work have unknown soldier. Niemoller is a solgress in 1939. found of great value in cultivat- dier of Christ known the world over, ing a spirit of international and it is a matter of Protestant Following the London Con- goodwill among children. solidarity not to forget him. gress, discussion has been stim- -Pageant.
ulated in several countries as to The suitcases can be secured the difference-if any-between from the Committee on World the terms "Godless" and "Athe- Friendship among Children at Confessional Church Leaders ist." Leaders in Moscow who $1.00 each. When filled in ac- Thus far, 77 pastors and were asked to define the differ- cordance with instructions given church officials of the German
Confessional Church have been afford meat, butter or fruit, and foreign influence, and all probsuspended from office by Nazi tea is used only as medicine. A lems based on proven facts. authority. There are 49 pastors pound of sugar costs half a day's Such a movement cannot fail to who have been forbidden by the wage. "We have nothing but revolutionize Ban t u political, hope," says Mr. Kremenlieff, agricultural, economic, social, state to enter the parishes to "but hope is strong. We be- religious and cultural organizawhich the church has assigned them. But most crippling of all lieve Bulgaria needs the Prot- tions. are the national speech prohibi- estant Christian message." He -Indian Social Reformer. tions, Redeverbote. Recent in- believes that the friendship of formation states that 41 leaders Christian democracies means Youth Oonference at Efulan much to the small nations of toof the Confessional Church are The West Africa Mission at now forbidden to preach in pub- day, and particularly to those Efulan has had its first Youth lic. Church leaders anticipate a Conference. For weeks in adbitter struggle this winter over who are making a profound vance preparations had been gothe control of church finances. ing on. The office boys mimeo- Of the 26 church districts in struggle to keep alive faith and graphed illustrated invitations Germany, 22' already have state- in red and black type. Regisappointed finance commissioners. hope. -Advance. The majority of these commis- tration tags had been cut out by sioners are men openly hostile to AFRIOA the school girls, and 300 proorganized Christianity. grams mimeographed and bound Revision of the Koran in yellow covers. A huge gaso- -Pageant. line drum of peanuts had been A professor in Al Azhar Uni- versity, Cairo, threw a bomb- shell into Mohammedan circles by demanding the revision of the shelled, roasted and ground by Visitor f'rom Bulgaria Holy Koran-to bring it in line the younger dormitory girls.
Rev. A. F. Kremenlieff is in with the times. He declared The 300 programs proved inadethe United States as a represent- that the punishments required quate. Of the registered deleative of the Union of Congre- by the Koran should be revised, gates, 125 paid six cents for gational Churches in Bulgaria, their food, and slept in the dorto plead the cause of forty Con- and cited two verses as ex- mitories. gregational churches in that amples: thieves, both men and country which were started by women, must have their hands One of the most attractive fea- American missionaries about cut off, according to the Koran; tures was the music, composed seventy years ago. and in a case of adultery, both for the occasion. One of the guilty parties are to receive 100 French teachers, a pastor's son, The first American mission- lashes. These punishments, the wrote out native tunes, and the aries went to Bulgaria over 100 missionaries wrote words that years ago on their way to Tur- Sheikh avers, are out of con- expressed the Conference theme key, seeking a field there, but formity with modern civilization. -"Christ liveth in me." finding unexpectedly a receptive His pronouncement caused such a flurry that a deputation of pro- -Presbyterian Board News. fessors and Mohammedan clergy people in Bulgaria, remained to urged an investigation to deter- Evangelical Work in Angola teach and preach the Gospel. mine whether such punishments Thirty missionaries of the Amer- are really being carried out in The President of Portugal reican Board have been in Bul- the Mohammedan world today. cently visited Angola, and mani- -Religious News Service. fested his good will toward garia, and when the last was evangelical work' in various withdrawn three years ago, be- ways. It is expected that the cause the American Board could Emancipation of the Blacks Colonial Minister will make a no longer be financially responsible for the work, practically The All-Africa Convention in- longer stay, and thus have opall Bulgarians. could read, cludes representatives of the portunity to see at first hand the largely as a result of the mis- natives of all Africa. This As- value of this work. Among the sion's educational program. sembly has just organized a re- visitors at the biennial meeting of the Evangelical Alliance was Mr. Kremenlieff says that Bul- search department to deal with the Portuguese Inspector of garia is the only tolerant coun- all questions concerning in- Schools, who was there to extry in the Balkans, and the only digenous races in Africa, which plain Portuguese ideals of edu- promises to raise the standard country where there are seven cation; and still another encourschools of American origin. The and insure the efficiency of Af- aging fact is that a colonial people are peasants, obliged to rican leadership. The movement paper, normally favorable to live very simply. The church has been launched by Africans which Mr. Kremenlieff serves as of academic attainment, who Catholic missions only, has reminister is in a town of 7,000 hope to establish study groups cently called attention to the valinhabitants, where there is not along the line of cultural, reli- uable work of Protestant misa single motor car, no piano– gious. and social justice activi- sionary societies.
only two bicycles, and two pri- ties; fundamental causes of so- Recently the Portuguese vate telephones. Very few can cial degeneration, the extent of League of Evangelical and Mis-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
sionary Action sent out the first Christ was the Messiah. He gave Progressive Iran !?ortuguese missionary to the his heart in faith to the Master Island of Sao Tome, where he is and announced his decision to The Shah is furthering a the only evangelical worker. At the congregation of which he movement to end illiteracy by first he encountered considerable had charge in one of the cities means of night schools for official opposition, but in re- of Palestine. At first they adults, and all illiterate adults sponse to a representation made thought he was mad, but were are required to attend. The b:y the League in Lisbon, permis- soon convinced that he was in municipalities which issue per- SIOn to preach has been granted his right mind and most sincere mits to various kinds of workers and as many as, 500 people have in what he said. He had to leave will refuse to do so, unless these attended the services. his position, of course, and was workers attend classes in the for some time in Beirut, but has various cities. Another sign of -World Dominion Pr~ss. now returned to the Holy Land. progress is seen in the new Girls' Handicraft School, where home- EASTERN ASIA -The Presbyterian. less girls in normal health, be- tween the ages of 12 and 18 are Near East Christian Council Refugees Too Long given free home care, with a three-year course of training in The Near East Christian "We have been refugees too domestic science, handicraft and long," an Armenian exclaimed child care. Council is the only cooperative bi~terly. But years of disap- pomtment and the unwillingness The Christian Church in Iran group in Bible lands, and is a of nations to admit them to citi- is the outgrowth of the work of zenship or even as temporary the Presbyterian Mission in the clearing house for information residents to give them a chance north, and the Church Mission- to make good, have still failed to ary Society in the south. The o~ work for Moslems and Jews. dull the aspirations of many that Church of both these missions they may yet be a nation, able to has a membership of more than FIve new organizations. were work, live and hope once more. 3,000. About 1,000 of these are ~h.e 10!1g drawn out misery of converted Moslems, more than ' received into membership in the hvmg m wretched shacks, ruin- 200 are converts from JUdaism, ing alike to their health and a few were formerly Zoroas- 90u~cil at its last meeting, mak- character, is in Syria gradually trians, and numbers are Arme- drawing to a close. In Aleppo nians and Assyrians. mg m all some forty missions there are less than 30 families now in the camps, but in Beirut -World Dominion Press. and Christian organizations in and Alexandretta there are still 2,000 or more carrying on a pre- INDIA AND BURMA full membership. The areas carious existence in the same tumbledown and leaky shelters, Are Hindus Losing Ground? represented on the Council are on the outskirts, of the city, as 16 years ago. A Hindu writer of Bombay North Africa, Egypt, Sudan says in an article in The Mah- It is amazing that they some- ratta: "The following figures Abyssinia, Syria and Palestine; how manage to retain a sem- indicate that the Hindus as a blance of decent home life, and community are deteriorating in Turkey, the Balkans, Arabia and spotless cleanliness. A few numbers. Between 1891 and straggling plants. in an old tin 1931, the total population of In- Mesopotamia, and Iran. The can are almost always to be seen, dia increased by 22 per cent in and not far off will be found a 40 years. But the percentage of Council cooperates with Sunday wooden shed (larger and more increase of Hindus was 15 per likely to be at least partially cent ~nd hence ~hey lost 7 per Schools and Bible Societies. watertight) which acts both as cent m populatIon; while the church and schoo1. Moslems increased by 35 per One of the converts, a former cent, and hence they gained 13 The Nansen Office for Refugee per cent. As against the gen- Jewish rabbi of Poland, was rid- Work closed at the end of 1938, eral average of increase the and although strong pressure Hindu numerical strength is i~g on a train one day in Pales- has been brought to bear on lower by 7 per cent; while all League officials in Geneva re- other communities have intme when he saw a man reading garding the need to replace it creased: Moslems by 35 per by a Refugees' Commission, to cent, Christians by 145 Sikhs a small book, and asked what it look after the interest and legal 127, Buddhists 79. The com- protection of the refugees, noth- parison of population between was. r"eTphlieedN. ewThTeesrtaabmbei n~ts"ktehde ing can yet be said as to the ac- 1891 and 1931 definitely shows man tual result. that Hindus alone are losing their numerical ground. "Why do you read a book of –.,-Evangelical Christian.
fables like that?" "Since you offer such a criticism," said the man, "I suppose you are very familiar with the New Testa- ment." The rabbi had to admit that he had never read it. Then the passenger went on: "Being a scholar, I am sure you will agree that it is not proper to speak good or evil of a book until one has read it. If you hwa~ine promise to read it, you may this Testament." The rabbi promised and took the Book. He began to read and was struck with the quotations in the Gos- pel of Matthew from the Old Testament, and the claim that they were fulfilled in Christ. He had not finished the first Gospel until he was convinced that
To Whom Shall They Go? Christian-Grace. A loving South India – the Scotch Pres- . It is. impressiv~ that so many suffering God rewards you; byterian, Lutheran, Methodist, m IndIa are lookmg wistfully to Jesus, and wondering if He is faith with the gift of righteous- Syrian Protestants and Anglican the friend they need. They have -makes some observations on ness. Continue ye in it. denominationalism. His experiseen the miracle of the loaves ences, he says, made him underand fishes reenacted in times of In the Etawah district Chris- stand the difference between the famine and scarcity in the his- East and the West in this retory of Christian Missions; they tians continually suffer for their spect. In the West, denominahave come within range of the tionalism is a history of mis- Church's ministry in medicine faith. "Take these 500 rupees understandings and quarrels; in and education; hope has been and forsake your Christian reli- the East, it is a history of enrevived by the scheme of rural richment because there has been reconstruction, and they have gion-or if you don't I shall soon so much cooperation. "This good point comes from the Lutherheard of "the Bread of Life that dispossess you of your alapnod~"r ans," or "that good thing comes cometh down from heaven" and said a Hindu landlord to from the Methodists." Someare not turning away. ' This village Christian. "I don't want times when one mission fails trend is as marked among through lack of support in the aboriginal peoples as among the 500 rupees. I wreapnlty-Cahstrios~ti"shis Depressed Classes. the astonishing home field, another mission steps in and takes hold. Here and In the hills of Assam a Chris- ing because that amount of there one finds one member of a tian leader, speaking for himself family an Anglican, another a money represents at least three years' income for him. That was several months ago. The landlord has already partially made good his threat by craftily and unlawfully taking part of his land.
and his clan, made this observa- Village Improvement through Methodist; upon asking why, t~on: ~'The future of our people the Church one finds it is because one brother moved from an Anglican lIes wIth Jesus Christ: only as we are loyal to Him, can we As a project of the "Rural neighborhood into a Methodist prosper as a people." From un- Reconstruction through a Liv- one, so that often one's denomlettered villagers in the Bhil ing Church," a clean-up village ination is determined by geogcountry comes a similar state- contest was undertaken. Rev. raphy, rather than dogma – a ment: "For us, Jesus Christ is J. C. Heinrich writes in Agri- by-product of the "comity of the true Guru: He alone can cultural Mission Notes: "We missions." save us." finished our Clean Village Chal- -The Mission Field.
What Is Religion? lenge Cup Contest on April v1i6l~ Christian President of a with an inspection of seven Rev. M. S. Pinkerton, of lages that made up the finals out Municipality Etawah, North India, writes of of one hundred villages that conan unusual meeting in the city tested. We had to cover 150 When the municipality of bazaar. A crowd composed of miles of village roads in one day, adherents of different religions and anyone who knows Indian Manmad first exercised its right had assembled to hear addresses village roads will tell you that under the new constitution to on "What Is Religion?" Four that is some covering. Martin- elect its own president, it unanireligions were represented by pur took first place." Mr. Hein- mously chose Mr. C. G. Chhatre, spokesmen: Jain, Sikh Hindu a former headmaster of one of an.d Christian. One could hardly rich and all the judges had a the Zenana Bible and Medical thmk of a broader subject, and meal with the Mohammedan dis- Mission's schools, who is wellto condense it into a half hour trict magistrate who is an old was not easy. student of Forman Christian known for his fine Christian College and has been a strong character. That the first free The Hindi term dhurm is in- backer of this clean village choice should fall upon a Christ~rpreted as either religion or effort. tian, is a matter for deep satisrIghteousness. Mr. Pinkerton faction. was the first speaker on the This R u r a 1 Reconstruction Christian dhurm. He tells us movement, which has a yearly Mr. Chhatre came as a master that a "thumb-nail" summary of grant from the government, has all the talks would be: to the Mission's Paton Memorial great possibilities. As a result Sikh-Be strong; follow your of fertilization and irrigation the School when only nineteen. As Teacher. wheat crop has more than doubled, a third factor in this the years passed, his aim became Jain – Knowledge of self. improvement being the use of Know thyself to be God, all selected seed from government increasingly the glory woof nGhoid~ powerful and righteous within experiment farms. and his life and witness the reputation of being incor- ruptible in all public affairs, and satisfied with none but the very best workmanship in all he thyself. Don't beg from God. undertook. His wife was head- Hindu-Works. Do righteous- The "Comity of Missions" mistress of the Hindu Girls' Mis- sion School for many years, and ness according to the rules of Mr. A. L. Jackson, after vis- won the trust of all around her. iting a number of missions in At a mass meeting held in his your caste or sect.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
honor after the election, Brah- children be given the opportu- the importance of this work in a mins, Hindus, Mohammedans, statement he made in 1926: Mahars and Christians all took nity to become useful members part. Speaking of Mr. Chhatre's "The conclusion was driven in character, one Hindu said it is of society. It is therefore pro- upon us that the Indian villager what it is because he follows the posed that these destitute chil- is not helped unless he is helped teachings of the Bible. dren be removed to some healthy simultaneously in every phase of spot outside the city, and be di- his life, and in regard to every -The Indian Witness. Vided according to their inclina- relationship he bears to others. tions and possibilities. Those The service must be comprehen- Among the Bhils who are capable of taking an sive to get anywhere, and it must education will be put in one in- be simultaneously comprehen- Rev. J. C. Koenig writes in the stitution, where special attention sive. In other words, what is Outlook of Missions of a visit will be paid to their mental de- wanted is not reform but reconmade to Ratlam, a station in velopment. Those who have an struction, from the center out Central India (where 20,000 aptitude to learn some industry and all around." were received into the Church will be put into an Industrial within the past twelve months) School. Those suffering from CHINA to work in collaboration with the mental deformity will be put in missionary there on the manu- another institution. About 100 Can Communists Be Christian? script of a union hymnal. In the acres of land would be required course of a fifty-mile drive to carry out this plan. Rev. Donald D. Rees, of Hanthrough the district, groups of kow, has been talking with a smiling Christians were met in -Baptist Missionary Re- missionary doctor, who thought nearly every village. In some view (India). it would be well to create a betvillages all inhabitants had ac- ter understanding between the cepted Christ, in others half of Rural Reconstruction in "Eighth Route Army" and the population, seldom less. Burma Christians. To this end he has There are nearly 400 villages been traveling through Shansi. with Christians in that area. Mr. Brayton C. Case, of He everywhere met a friendly Burma, reports a Rural Recon- response. Some of the listeners These new converts are Bhils; struction Rally in connection came afterward and said that their former religion, animism. with the meeting of the Burma they, too, were Christians. He Gone now is their fear of evil Christian Council. A resolution also met a number of the highest spirits; they believe that Christ was passed recommending that authorities among the Comis present to protect them in all mission stations have Rural Re- munists, and they all told him situations. Whereas drunken- construction committees to help they had nothing but friendly ness had been all too common, village churches carryon this feelings for missionaries. It the liquor vendors are now put form of activity along the lines seemed advisable to have this in to it to make a living. Officials of improved economic life, health writing, so when he met General testify that they have ceased to and recreation. Recreation is Chu Teh, in supreme command be a police problem. thought of in terms of its wider of the Red Army, he asked him significance as including inner for a message he could carry When the first Bhil inquirers spiritual renewal as well as so- back to other parts of China. presented themselves to the mis- cial stimulus. It is urged that Here is an English translation sionary he doubted their sin- these activities become a part of of the document: cerity, so to test them he empha- the normal expression of the sized that every true Christian Christian spirit in v i II age The Eighth Route Army expresses desires that others may be saved. churches. The Burma Christian its thanks and gratitude for the kind- "Teach your neighbors and bring Council committee will work out ness and help rendered to China by them to me," he said, "then I wggested activities for village the foreign missionaries during her shall baptize you." After some Christians, and the Judson Col- war of resistance, especially to those ti~e one inquirer came bringing lege group is asked to make up doctors and nurses who work under half a village with him, all of some traveling exhibits which great difficulties and dangers. Their them asking for baptism. This may be used along visual educa- work in China not only means a great test is still applied to every in- tion lines at suitable public oc- deal to the Chinese army, but also quirer. casions. renders tremendous service to Chinese refugees and people. I hope that our Beggar Children's Village Another resolution called the international friends will continue to attention of Mission Boards to support China's war against aggres- A children's village in the the desirability of recruiting sion, and that those doctors and nurses suburbs of Bombay, where desti- rural station missionaries from in the war zone will remain there to tute children can be housed and those who have had agricultural work. Furthermore, we welcome our trained, is contemplated by the college training. foreign friends to extend further their government of Bombay. There service in aiding China by taking care are nearly 10,000 homeless, beg- The late K. T. Paul, Rural of the sick and wounded in the war gar children in Bombay, and it Secretary of the National Coun- zone. The Eighth Route Army has no is felt to be essential that these cil of the Y. M. C. A., India, prejudice against missionaries. On Burma and Ceylon, recognized the contrary, we welcome them. For our war of resistance not only fights for the independence and freedom of
the Chinese nation, but also for the About 80 were present in the about 50,000 of them, who have maintenance of world peace. In this respect our goal is just the same. morning and 70 in the afternoon. been set adrift by the tides of There was preaching, singing war. Of this number, about (Signed) CHU TEH. 40,000 are now being cared for and testimonies, including Mr. by various philanthropic socie- -The Living Church. Tung's. DR. H. E. HENKE.
Refugees Want Bibles "The Three Musketeers" ties, while the other 10,000 roam the streets. Bishop Roberts, of Refugees who, in the stress of This is the name given admir- the Episcopal Church, received getting away, left their Bibles ingly to three Murdoch sisters, a letter from the Chinese pastor behind are buying new ones, say- Presbyterian missionaries in of St. Peter's Church in Shanging they cannot get along with- Hwaiyuan, China: Doctor Ag- hai in which he said: out their Bibles. Copies are be- nes, Nurse Margaret and Teaching made available not only for er-Evangelist Mary. The war A Refugee Children's Educational retreating Chinese, but also for caught them en route to China Committee has been organized to prothe invaders. The famous "Dare after furlough, and they were vide some schooling for these unforto Die" battalion in the final stopped in Shanghai, unable to tunate children. About twenty thousiege of Shanghai were all pro- get permission to go into the in- sand are receiving the benefit of two vided with pocket Testaments. terior. While marooned there, hours' schooling a day. The Govern- It will be recalled that restric- they took charge of a hospital ment has subsidized the ChildWelfare tions placed on the teaching of for Chinese war victims which Association with a certain sum of the Bible in mission schools has had been set up in the second money to care for the orphans only. been repealed. story of the old Chinese Cham- It is hoped that after the war the ber of Commerce building. Dr. Government will be able to provide – Watchman-Examiner. Agnes and Nurse Margaret fol- accommodations for all the orphans in lowed their usual professions, the country. The Government has Result of a Cure and Teacher-Evangelist Mary been collecting orphans in various places and has sent them to the in- A merchant of Shunteh, North terior to be taken care of. It is alleged that the Japanese are also collecting stray children in the occupied zones and have shipped thousands to Japan China, Mr. Tung Ming Shao, was kept the books. In tIme the pup- for some unknown purpose. One re- port is that they are to be imbued successfully operated on for pet Chinese government of the with Japanese ideas. amoebic abscess of the liver at district, moving its offices into the Hugh O'Neill Memorial Hos- the first floor of the building, As to war widows,-the Shanghai International Red Cross gave me a pital. Some weeks later he threatened to seize the upper figure of no less than 10,952 as asked the church people to come floors. "They won't do that "women without relatives and supto his home to hold meetings, easily," laughed one missionary port" from their camps. How many are outside the camps, they cannot and those who went were given informant, "for the Murdoch sis- tell.
a handbill which Mr. Tung had ters in themselves are equal to had printed for distribution. half a dozen puppet govern- Evangelists for Manchuria ments !" The following is a free transla- Finally, came permission to go Several missions are repre- . tion: sented in the student body of the Greetings; I used to get a disease into the interior, and they Newchwang Bible School in of big abdomen. Many doctors do not started immediately. Reaching Nanking they were given the Manchuria. The latest annual know what the disease was. And also report indicates that on the fac- choice of proceeding on a they haven't any way to cure it. Then crowded military train or wait- ulty and Board of the school are ing for the regular train. They representatives of the British I went to the Gospel Hospital of west decided on the military train as and Foreign Bible Society, the surer way of arriving. The of the south suburb, Shuntehfu City. next stage was Pengpu, where American Southern Baptists, Rpformed Presbyterians and On one side their doctors did their best they stayed overnight in a con- vent; and the last lap was on a others. Twenty-one student"! to me and on the other hand, I flatboat loaded with wine casks graduated last June, and all of and piled with rifles and machine them have found work wfth prayed very eagerly to Jesus Christ. guns. Hwaiyuan reached at last, churches, schools or hospitals no one met them; no one had I only stayed there one month and my dreamed they could get through in Manchuria. Visitors to the so soon. Heads lifted as they School are impressed with the heavy disease had been cured. This earnestness of the stu den t s, came along the street – war- the consecration of the teachers, is really wonderful. And I deeply strained faces broke into smiles the administration and the of recognition. strategic location in the heart of feel that Jesus cured me by their doc- -Monday Morning. the city, where students have tor's hands. They favored me so abundant opportunity to preach the Gospel. -The Christian. much that I should like to make it known to others. Therefore, on the 11th of the 5th moon from 10 to 12 in the morning and 3 to 5 in the after- noon at #64 of Indigo Market Street, I will invite the members of the Pres- byterian Mission to come to preach the Gospel, and I will also express out my former disease to you in detail. We will be very welcome if you have time to come. I am, (signed) Tung Ming Shao. .
When the day came for the "Wolf" Children Tibet's "Gospel Inn" service, benches were borrowed from neighbors, tea and water- The "wolf" children of Shang- The Gospel Inn, which came melon seeds were prepared. hai are homeless, hungry waifs, into being through the gift of a
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Moravian convert, is now an ac- sions, who has recently returned survival from slave days, and complished fact. The wayfarer from Japan reports 2,000,000 they are so despised that even may feed and stable his horse, Japanese under arms. News and children will have nothing to do and find for himself a shelter speech are rigidly censored; with them. When boys and girls and a resting-place, and the even to utter the word "individ- from this class were invited to a needful things. wherewith to cook ualism" may endanger one's lib- special Sunday school program his food. An evangelist goes in erty; all the Church is feeling in Kyoto, the regular pupils met and out, engaging the travelers the pressure of Government reg- them with a shower of stones.
in conversation, and by word ulation. Obviously, it is not easy "What about being kind?" the and example setting forth the for a small group of Protestant claims of Jesus Christ. So prac- teachers asked. "That will do tical and picturesque a way of Christians (204,000 out of for other folks," said the chilspreading the Gospel appeals to 67,000,000) to carryon their dren, "but we won't stay if they the pilgrim, the trader, and the program, yet the wonderful come to our program." Finally, thing is that the work is going a compromise was worked out; wayfarer alike, and each goes on on, and with added emphasis. the visitors stayed in one group his way refreshed and rested. Except in the necessity for far from the platform and the He carries in his mind a mem- cautiousness of statement, there ordinary pupils near the stage. ory of Christian charity: the has been no need for curtailment As the program progressed, Name of Jesus has sounded in of the religious program of any everyone became so interested his ears. -Life of Faith. school. No school reports inter- that segregation was forgotten.
JAPAN-CHOSEN nal difficulty and several are con- By the time the illustrated talk scious of an increased sense of on the childhood of Jesus came Government Seeks Hold intimacy and Christian fellow- on, all the children crowded on Churches ship between the missionary and around the teacher, with all so- Japanese members of their fac- cial lines wiped out.
Whereas the Japanese govern- ulties. The Oral School for the -Monday Morning. ment now deals with Christian Deaf in Tokyo made application churches as individual congre- to the gqvernment for incorpora- Their Happiest Class gations, it seems likely that in tion in January, but its applicathe future they will be dealt "With tion was denied because the A young missionary teaching according to their denomina- school's charter contained the English in the Girls' School in tional grouping, if the final draft words, "based on Christian prin- Tokyo gave a written assignment of the new regulatory law for ciples." The Mission voted to on "Why I Am Glad I Came to supervision of religious bodies forego the privileges of incor- Joshi Gakuin." She was not exaccepts the opinion current poration rather than remove the pecting the comment made by among members of the Educa- offending, but very fundamental every girl in the class. Some tion Ministry committee now clause. liked the good looking uniform studying the law. It is expected of the School; others were inthat each group would be re- In evangelism the watchword terested in the frequent visits of quired to select a representative has been "forward"; in fact, the foreign guests and still others who would be responsible to the Japanese Church recognizes the were pleased with the friendly government for keeping order in work of the missionaries as so spirit of the School, in contrast his group, and for seeing that important that it is asking that with government schools; yet his group obeys government reg- more workers be sent out. In everyone of the girls mentioned ulations and who would act as a response to this request, the her joy in attending the daily liaison between the government mission has sent the following chapel service. and the group. A reporter of appeal to the Board in New The Japan Advertiser was told York: -Monday Morning. by a representative of the Education Min i s try that these The Mission wishes to put itself on Records Broken in Chosen changes are being recommended record with all possible emphasis that in order to secure a closer con- these requests of the Japanese Church All Bible Institutes and Connection between the government cannot be treated lightly and should ferences in Korea have had recand the Christian churches, and be filled at the earliest possible mo- ord-breaking attendance during to make it possible for the gov- ment. Such opportunities do not wait! the year. Not only that- stuernment to make effective use of The fact that Japan is now involved dents have manifestly experithe Christian church groups in in a great emergency simply heightens enced spiritual uplift. Growth educating the people in the na- the urgency of these requests. With- in local societies and increased tional spirit of Japan. out possible doubt Japan is the dom- efficiency on the part of leaders inant nation of the Far East, so that are most gratifying. A new Working Under Difficulty as goes Japan, so goes the Orient. phase of this Institute work has This may truly be the last opportunity been in the line or correspond- Dr. Willis Lamott, new Direc- within this generation, at least, to en- ence. There have been sent ter what is still an open door. through the mail 369 Japanese, "Water-Level People"
tor of Publicity for the Presby- J apan has a class caned 127 Korean and 3 Chinese copies terian Board of Foreign Mis- "water-level people," probably a of the Gospel of John, with about
a dozen key verses marked in red received as much attention as tirely withdrawn its financial ink and a tract entitled, "Have they should have, and so there is support, but agrees not to paryou heard about Jesus?" now under consideration a ticipate in the management of Philippine Committee of the the Church, or exercise any con- About ten days later, these Foreign Missions Conference of trol over its teaching. were followed up with a tract North America, similar to those and a copy of the pamphlet, on the Far East, India and Af- Native congregations are now "Catechism on the Apostles' rica, through which interest is raising annually $6,000 to carry Creed," which will give them the created in these fields. the Gospel to unreached heathen gist of the essential doctrines of in New Guinea. salvation. At a meeting of the American Council of Missionary Boards -Moody Monthly. The rolls of the 84 churches Related to the Philippines last were gone over, and a handwrit- March, it was recommended that New Guinea Wilds ten invitation sent to every this Council become the Philipyoung baptized man on the roll, pine Committee of the Foreign Wild tribes in the center of urging those who had never Missions Conference; that its New Guinea's mandated terristudied in the Bible Institute to functions be mainly consultative tory, visited for the first time in do so and those who had already and advisory, and that it con- 1933, are no longer isolated. entered to come and continue stantly study policies and pro- Permanent government and mistheir course. There were some- gram for Christian work in the sion outposts have been estabthing over 200 of these letters Islands. It was also recom- lished there. When the discovsent out. One interesting result mended that one of the Secre- ery of about 200,000 people in was that quite a number who taries of the Foreign Missions this interior who had never had become slack in their attend- Conference be assigned for part- heard of Great Britain, the ance began coming to church time work in the Philippines. WorId War or the League of Naagain. tions, it was inconceivable that -Evangelical Bulletin. so huge a population could have Letters of sympathy, encour- remained unheard of 'So long. agement and assurance of inter- Protestants on Moluccas But since their discovery, extenest and prayers have gone out Islands sive developments have taken from the station, as well as the place. Five government outmonthly letters and leadership The Moluccas are the spice posts, manned by European ofmaterial that go to the country islands of the Dutch East Indies. ficers and native police recruited churches. The Protestant religion was in other parts of the territory, brought there in 1615 by the and ten missions are introducing Many Handicaps Dutch East India Company, who government and church in- brought ministers as well as fluence. Numerous m iss ion Rev. Edward Adams, of merchants. For three centuries schools have been founded in Taiku, Korea, in his annual per- Christian work was supervised various parts of the plateau, no sonal report, says the political from the island Amboina, and part of which is less than 5,000 atmosphere is far from con- the Dutch government supported feet above sea level. The climate ducive to Christian teaching, the undertaking, fully aware of is invigorating; hot days, but and adds: "You may read quite the civilizing influence of the nights cold enough to require a bit into that statement without Gospel. In 1935 a new epoch many blankets. The tribes differ danger of exaggeration." Five began, when both Church and in language, type and culture; years ago a week of meetings Government felt strongly that some are war-like. would bring from 100 to 200 de- the Church of the Spice Islands cisions; today, the number sel- should learn to stand on its own A recent visitor describes dom goes over 50. Wild rumors feet. A synod was called, and some of the types. Quills, shells, are afloat as to what will happen after a constitution for the new tusks, pieces of tin, even shirt to one who becomes a Christian. Church had been drafted, it re- buttons adorn the holes punc- Permission to hold meetings ceived both ecclesiastical and tured in ears and nose. Huge rests with local officials. Mr. governmental approval. The of- bunches of leaves hung from the Adams is convinced that the best ficial ties were severed and the back provide a cushion to sit on. way to meet the situatiOl; is to independent Moluksche Protes- The skin of the young girls emphasize evangelism. tantsche Kerk came into being, shines with pig grease. Some with a synod and nine mission are painted from head to foot ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC districts. Some idea as to the with vivid red, except forehead size of this Church may be gath- and nose, which stood out in con- Responsibility for the ered from the fact that there are spicuous black. Philippines 179,458 baptized members, or- ganized into 577 congregations, A system of roads is being de- Americans have very meager and served by 437 nat i v e veloped, and the people are enknowledge of the Filipinos, their preachers. couraged to cultivate gardens. needs and possibilities. As to be Long, spadelike sticks are used expected, the Islands have not The government has not en- for this purpose.
-New York Times.
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Central Africa Revisited. By D. M. Although he has spent only Even at these forbidding fron- Miller. Illus. 121 pp. 28. Africa tiers, the gates. open obstinately. Inland Mission. London.. 1938. seven years there, he has been Far back in the nineties of last century, Dr. Susie Carson Rijn- After an absence of some fif- able to delve beneath the surface teen years the author went on a hart, with her husband and intour of more than sixteen thou- and discover the depth of char- fant son,entering through the sand miles in Central Africa. latter gateway, reached the He was able to address over acter, the pathos and the humor twenty thousand people and vis- of the West African in a re- Lhasa district in Inner Tibet, but ited many of the stations and at the cost of the lives of her outposts familiar to him in pio- markable way. His experience two loved ones, and herself to neering days. be uncompromisingly ejected. has been wide, and his under- The great changes he saw in During the same decade, and facilities of travel, governments, standing and sympathy must reactions to the Gospel message, attempting entrance at the same missionary development and or- have made him a valuable mis- general Gateway, two young ganization were thrillingly en- sionary. couraging. The difficult task of men of the Christian and Mismaking a rapid tour of a great Certain chapters of this book sionary Alliance, the vanguard area is reported, and Mr. Miller are of outstanding value and inincludes vivid descriptions of of the Kansu-Tibetan Border country, the inhabitants, mission terest. The one on "West Africa Mission, reached the frontier stations and the hazardous ex- city of Old Taochow. This book citement of African travel. through the Centuries" shows an is the story of that great adven- Heartening accounts· of the immense amount of research ture, a thrilling tale of more spiritual awakening sweeping work, and will be of especial in- than two score years. These inover many parts of Central trepid pioneers, and the forces Africa are followed by the au- terest to anyone who studies histhor's reminder that the work of tory in the light of the happen- that followed, found themselves Protestant Missions in Africa at a natural divide between the must be carried on .against a ings of the present day. plains. and rolling farmlands of four-fold front – the paganism China proper and the forest clad of a passing age; Mohammedan- The author's explanations of ranges, deep ravines and grassism, the restless competitor of Christianity in large parts of native customs and superstitions covered plateaus of outer Tibet. Africa; non-evangelical activity This region during its long hiswhich is spreading with alarm- are accurate and readable and tory has been the meeting place ing rapidity; and modern materialistic civilization. show deep sympathy and love and battle ground of several branches of the human family, L. K. ANDERSON. for the African. and descendants of these still in- habit the area and struggle for Soudan's Second Sunup. By Des- Anyone with a taste for hunt- mond W. Bittinger. 1 map, 8 pages ing will get a real thrill from supremacy. Chief of these are of illustrations. 252 pp. Price, $2. the Chinese from the East, the Elgin Press, Elgin, Ill. 1937. reading the chapter on "Game Tibetans from the West and the One who has lived for many Trails," in which Mr. Bittinger Moslems from the ancient highyears in West Africa finds it re- way of Asia to the North West. freshing to read a book which tells more than one hair-raising Indeed again and again during gives one's own impressions in such a vivid and engaging way. experience. In another chapter, the decades recorded in this story, Moslems have risen in re- Mr. Bittinger is a missionary entitled: "Just what does a mis- bellion; Tibetans have made under the Church of the Breth- sionary do, anyhow?" he gives ren in the interior of the Soudan. border raids and Chinese have the intimate details of the sys- fought their way back to at least nominal control. The record of tem used by his Mission for such sanguinary struggles, plus bringing the Gospel to the peo- the awful scourge of the White Wolf savages and the more re-. ple of their district, and for edu- cent Communist commotions, make these pages a stirring mod- cating the young people.
The book is altogether delight- ful and valuable to study classes, ministers, and others interested in Africa. MARY R. GOOD.
Gateway to Tibet. By Robert B. Ek- vall, B.A., F.R.G.S. 8 vo. 198 pp. Christian Publications, Inc. Har- risburg, Pa.
There are all too few Gate- ways to the almost impenetrable Land of the Lamas – North Eastern India, Western Sze- Chwan, North Western Kansu.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishens on receipt of price.
[61 ]
ern history of that far-away he tells a story – and what a Japanese people. These lectures region. story!-which, as D. J. Findley have just been published in this But the author's motive is to says, is "more like a chapter in attractive volume. They are de- record quite another struggle. It a modern Acts of the Apostles" lightful reading, characterized is that of establishing Christ's than a book on missions. to a high degree by ability, wis- rule in those unruly regions. The story is divided into six- dom, breadth of view and fre- Work among the Moslems has teen short chapters which deal quent sparkles of wit. Whoever also been carried on with cour- with the work of a young man wishes to know what is best in age and has in some instances and his wife in the inland city Japan and the Japanese, and we won their admiration and friend- of Joazeiro, Brazil. This city, trust that the number is large, ship. But to change allegiance entirely unevangelized and un- should read this book. It shows from the Prophet of Arabia to friendly to the Evangelical mis- that there are better Japanese the Christ means death. One sionaries, is located in the ma- than those who are now ravag- laria-infested valley of the San ing China. Incidentally, it helps did so. Here is the sequel: "Two months later when one Francisco River. Mr. and Mrs. Americans to see themselves and of the missionaries rode through Duncan did the "impossible," their discrimination against J apthe threatening dangers and all under the guidance and power anese in migrants as a fair- the horrors of a freshly sacked of God's Spirit. They started minded Japanese observer sees city to see if there were any to without one Christian disciple us. ARTHUR J. BROWN.
be saved, the mutilated bodies and after five years they were The Poems and Verse of Betty Scott of Chi-ko-tse and his family lay able to build a church in which Starn. Portrait. 8 Vo. 129 pp.
outside the compound gate." there were hundreds of adher- Kelly & Walsh, Ltd., Shanghai, In happy contrast to this, the ants, with a commodious build- China. 1938.
freedom-loving Chinese, whether ing, and without incurring any The name of Betty Scott Stam in rich farming regions or debt. The first Brazilian pastor is known far and wide as the among the merchants and sol- of this church was won to Christ charming and brave young misdiers of the frontier, have heard under Mr. Duncan's ministry. sionary who, with her husband, the message gladly and in city, There is need for more mis- was killed by Chinese commutown and mud-walled mart sionaries like the Duncans to nists in 1934. The "Miracle groups great and small are form- show that the day of miracles is Baby," Priscilla, was saved and ing into a self-sustaining, self- not past. Evidences of this fact is now a charming little girl, livgoverning and self-propagating that God is working would lead ing with her grandparents, Dr. church of Christ. the church at home to support and Mrs. Charles E. Scott, in The major motive of the mis- missionary work more ade- Shantung, China. sion has been however, "to send quately. A. H. PERPETUO. These poems and blank verse, a missionary to Tibet and keep Lectures on Japan. By Inazo Nitobe. lovingly.gathered and published him there." In this respect too 373 pp. $2.00. University of Chi- cago Press. Chicago. 1938. for wider reading, reveal a rethe great dream has come true. markably beautiful and poetic In these times of universal character. The earliest was Not one but several workers are condemnation of the Japanese, it written when Betty was only is well that this book should re- eight and a half years old and now holding the fort in widely mind us that not all Japanese are the last ones twenty-seven years ruthless militarists. What Dr. later. They cover many subscattered stations. Long jour- Nitobe's attitude would be to- jects-nature, family, college ward his country's present in- life, human love, and Christian neys have been taken, even vasion of China cannot be thought and devotion. They are known, for he died in 1933. But worth reading. The collection reaching to the Goloks of the we do know that he was a man makes an excellent gift book worthy of all honor, a fine schol- and, like the story of "The Trigrass-lands, and there are invi- ar, a true statesman, a Christian umph of John and Betty Stam," gentleman of broad sympathies by Mrs. Howard Taylor, may be tations and earnest intentions to and international reputation. He purchased from the China In- was an active member of the land Mission, Germantown, Pa. visit peoples in the regions yet staff of the League of Nations in Geneva for seven years. He was The Christ. By A. Wendell Ross, far beyond the border mountain president of the Institute of Pa- D.D. Fleming H. Revell Company, cific Relations in 1929-31, and at New York, N. Y. 222 pp. $2.00. ranges. In twelve courageous chapters, The book is written with fine clarity and courage and contains information and inspiration for all who are and should be mis- sionary minded. A good map, some illustrations and a compre- hensive introduction add much to the understanding of the story. J. L. STEWART.
A Missionary Arrives in Brazil. By the time of his death was chair- Dr. Ross, a Kansas pastor, places T. Bentley Duncan. 192 pp. 28. 6d. man of the Japanese Council of the life of Christ before us as it Pickering and Inglis Ltd. London. the Institute. In the last year affects people today. With rare 1938. of his life, on his ninth visit to skill he blends the facts of the In the above volume Mr. Dun- America, he delivered a series of Gospel record with the needs of can does not generalize, or lectures on the social, political modern men. The result is a preach a sermon on missions; and cultural development of the solid study of the Redeemer
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
which has the authority of au- love for God, his sacrificial devo- value. It consists of series of thentic history fused with the tion to the masses and the addresses on the Apostle's Creed, force of contemporaneity. strength of his Christian convic- in the chapel of the Lutheran The chapters include "Jesus tions. Theological Seminary at Mt.
and Childhood," "Jesus and In the Italian artist, Leonardo Airy, by the late president of Women," "Jesus and Marriage," the Seminary. It is difficult to "Jesus and Modern Life," and da Vinci, Dr. Eastman sees also "Jesus and Tomorrow." Each the engineer and scientist born say anything new on a subject presents the treasures of Christ's out of wedlock and left in pov- Person and power as they satisfy erty at his father's death. He which has been so often disthe spiritual needs of believing did not have the schooling that people. The exaltation of Jesus cussed; but it is worth while to the Christ, the Son of the living the times offered but learned God, strikes a responsive chord from nature and in the school of have an old subject presented in in the reader's heart. The au- experience. At eighteen he came thor also shows how the evils a fresh and effective manner. and hypocrisies of Christ's day into touch with a famous natuare experimented in our day. ralist and astronomer and Ver- Dr. Jacob's purpose was not Dr. Ross successfully fulfils his rochio, a sculptor. He was aim: "to emphasize that the charged with heresy by the theological but devotional. Of New Testament Gospel will bring salvation, peace and eter- Church, was handicapped by course, he has expressed theonal life to all who believe." lack of funds but finally be- came court painter to Francis 1. logical views and he has occa- R. I. LINDQUIST. His painting of the "Last Sup- sionally raised questions that he Men of Power. Vol. II. By Fred per" nearly perished because he Eastman. 8 vo. 186 pp. $1.50. used oil paint on a clay base over has not adequately answered. Cokesbury Press. Nashville, Tenn. a damp refectory wall. But Leo- 1938. But the book as a whole is wise, nardo da Vinci's work survives. Lessons may be learned from luminous and helpful to a high each of these four famous men. degree, a tonic to faith and an aid to devotion. All who read will henceforth repeat this an- cient creed with a fuller and richer understanding of its meaning. ARTHUR J. BROWN.
The New Testament: a Translation in the Language of the People. By Charles B. Williams. 575 pp. $2.50. Bruce Humphries, Inc. Boston. These skillfully condensed bi- The Church Takes Root In India. By 1938. ographies deal with men famous Basil Mathews. Map. 12 mo. 198 in religion, art, war and litera- pages. $1.00 cloth. 60 cents paper. New Scripture translations by ture. The author is professor of Friendship Press, New York. 1938. Literature and Drama in the individuals are becoming numer- Chicago Theological Seminary The Church in the mission field is the main topic to be con- ous. While they cannot be conand has already published a sim- sidered at the coming Madras ilar volume dealing with Thomas Conference. India is one of the sidered substitutes for the stand- J efferson, Charles Dickens, Mat- most colorful, varied and im- ard versions, they are often help- portant mission fields in the thew Arnold and Louis Pasteur. world. It is the subject for mis- ful for comparative readings. Dr. Eastman draws a realistic sion study this coming year and This translation has been made Mr. Basil Mathews, who has repicture, dwelling on the weak cently visited India, has written by a well-known Baptist scholar this as the senior textbook. He points of his characters as well has a graphic, popular style, is who has made many contribuas revealing their strength and well acquainted with his subject tions to Biblical literature and and knows how to write. He exegesis, and is now Professor achievements. He shows Oliver gives a very "spotty" picture of of Greek and Ethics in Union Cromwell to be a stern, bloody India in brief compass. After de- University, Jackson, Tenn. He scribing village life and the says that "our aim is to make soldier and dictator, as well as a changing times in India, he tells this greatest book in the world religious zealot and self-sacrific- of the progress of Christianity readable and understandable by ing statesman. John Milton he and the building of the Church. the plain people," and that "this pictures not only as a poetic gen- The book has a good map, sta- is not a word-for-word transla- tistical tables, a helpful topical tion; it is rather a translation of ius, but as a political pam- reading list of eighty books and the thoughts of the writers. It phleteer, unloved by his own an index. Here is an excellent iS,the thoughts of our New Tesdaughters and h a v i n g few introduction to a fascinating tament, not its single words that subject. we have tried to translate." friends when he died at sixty Such an objective involves a risk years of age in blindness and that, in attempting to state what poverty. Francis of Assisi is a translator thinks that the in- spired writers intended to conpictured as an unusual man, a vey, he may sometimes be miswandering friar, "God's Troubadour," who exemplified voluntary poverty, humility, love and joy that was in conflict with prevail- The Faith of the Church. By taken, or unconsciously influing desire for wealth, mingled Charles M. Jacobs. 114 pp. $1.00. enced by his own theological pre- with pride, hatred and fear. The United Lutheran Pub. House. suppositions. Most Bible stusources of Francis' power are Philadelphia. 1938. dents are more desirous of know- stated as having been: his moth- We have read this little book ing just what the inspired er, his spiritual experience, his with warm appreciation of its writers actually said than in
knowing what any translator some of the great changes tak- Amos and the Famine of the thinks that they meant to say. ing place and their relation to Word; Hosea on Sin, Judgment, While the colloquial style of pres- Biblical prophecy and the future Love; Nahum on the Vengeance ent-day English lacks the stately of the Jews. The facts he brings of God; Habakkuk on the Probrhythm of the standard versions, out are of tremendous interest lems of Faith. Pastors and we feel sure that many students and importance, and the end is young Bible students will find will be grateful to this devout not yet. Read what he says, these brief, popular studies esscholar who has earnestly sought whether you do or do not agree pecially helpful. with the author in his concluto make the New Testament sions. Look on the Fields. By James more easily and fully understood. Stephen. 192 pp. IlIus. 28. 6d.
A. J. B. Impending Great Events. By John Pickering & Inglis. London. 1938. Ritchie. 12mo. 192 pp. 28. 6d. Prophecy and the Tottering Nations. Pickering and Inglis, Glasgow, 1938. Hoping to deepen interest in By Keith L. Brooks. 12mo. 100 pp. $1.00. Zondervan Publishing House, These addresses on "The Sec- the program of evangelization in Grand Rapids, Mich., 1938. ond Coming of Christ and sub- sequent Events" were delivered every land, the author has col- The editor of "Prophecy in Great Britain and in North Monthly" and author of "The and South America, but there is lected brief surveys of the work Jew and the Passion for Pales- nothing to indicate when. The tine," gives here an interesting author believes that the return in 34 different fields, made by study of Biblical Prophecy and of Christ draws near. Many modern times. This is all we earnest students of prophecy resident workers. The book has know of the author, an English- and of history agree with him man who has revised and en- and the possibility of the ap- value because it appraises the larged his earlier prophetic proach of this great event makes studies on the Last Days and the the study and preparation for it changed conditions in almost Second Coming. They are worthy every part of the world, due to government restrictions and other menacing forces.
Some encouraging features are noted, among them the in- creasing circulation of the Scrip- tures. H. H. F.
of attention, even though we of supreme importance. World Treasure Trails, Vol. II. may not agree with all the au- India. By Ethel E. Ward. Drawthor's interpretations and appli- Mr. Ritchie, whose father was ings. Paper, 50 cents. 125 pp. a well-known evangelist and Woman's M. S., Free Methodist cations. Church, Winona Lake, Indiana. Bible teacher, begins with a Mr. Brooks considers the re- study of "The Ages," and un- Juniors will like these true juvenation of the Roman Em- folds in a popular way the Bible tales of India, written by the pire under Mussolini as signif- teachings on the Second Com- daughter of a missionary-one ing, the Day of the Lord, the who loves the people of her naicant but does not look on II Rapture of Saints, Israel's fu- tive land. The stories describe Duce as the Antichrist. He ture, the "Appearing," the Mil- adventures with monkeys and quotes many political leaders, lennial Age, the "Last Day" and w i I d animals, children and scientists, historians, newspaper Eternity. The subject is too snakes; weddings and widows, much neglected by Christians. Moslems and Hindus. Each writers and Bible students to chapter is supplemented with a support his very positive opin- Why should the Day overtake us series of hints for those who ions. "Babylon," of Revelations, "as a thief" because of this neg- would follow these "treasure lect? Mr. Ritchie is a devout trails." It will be a llseful study Mr. Brooks takes to be the Bible student but he deals very book for Juniors. "Counterfeit Bride of Christ"; little with modern events. An the Red Horse and Potter's Clay index would be useful. he interprets to be Socialism and Bolshevism. In like manner he interprets the references to the Blue Skies. By Louise Harriwn Mc- "Man of Sin," the return of the Voices of the Twelve Hebrew Proph- Graw. 8vo. 262 pp. $1.00. Zon- Jews, the Jewish feasts, Apos- ets. By G. Camphell Morgan. 12mo. dervan Pub. House, Grand Rapids, tasy and the word of Christ to 160 pages. 28. 6d. Pickering and Mich. 1938. the Church of Laodicea. The Inglis, Glasgow, Scotland. This story of Christian work book stimulates us to prayerful The Minor Prophets, as they among Jews in an American city study of the Bible and the signs are generally called because of breathes a Christian spirit and of the times in modern history. the comparative brevity of their reveals a knowledge of Christ messages, are less knOWn! but as the only Saviour of both Jew Seeing Prophecy Fulfilled in Pales- not less important than. Isaiah and Gentile. The author shows tine. By Geo. T. B. Davis. IIlus. and the other "Major Prophets." acquaintance with Jews and 12mo. 127 pp. 18. 6d. net, paper. Dr. Morgan is a prince of ex- their attitude toward Christ and Pickering and Inglis, Glasgow, 1938. positors-always incisive, clear, Christians; also she reveals Mr. Davis, a Bible evangelist spiritual and practical. He deals truly the ignorance, indifference who has widely promoted the with the Bible intelligently, as and antipathy of most nominal "Million Testaments Campaign" the inspired "Word of God" and Christians toward the Jews.
in China, South America and shows the practical value of the Through the story runs a double elsewhere, has recently visited message of each prophet for the romance, with many complica- Palestine. He here describes present day – for example: tions.
Notes New Boole. Union Church in
Sudan (Concluded from second cover.) Christ Among the Telugus. Carol Rai Bahadur N. K. Mukerji, of Graham. 16 pp. 3d. S. P. G. in All Christian communities at Allahabad, was called home as he was F. P. London. Malakal, the headquarters of the taking his place in the Katra Presby- Upper Nile Province and an im- terian Church for the morning serv- Each with His Own Brush. Daniel portant center in the Egyptian ice Sunday, October 30, 1938. Mr. J. Fleming. 86 pp. $1.50. Friend- Sudan, plan to unite to build a Mukerji had been carrying on his pro- ship Press. New York. common house of worship. gram of activities and had attended the General Assembly of the United Good Morning. Louie D. Newton. Although there are representatives Church of North India late in October. 92 pp. 75 cents. Broadman Press. of the Greek and Coptic Orthodox He was the treasurer of the Assembly. Nashville. Churches, the American United Pres- For thirty-four years, N. K. Mukerji byterian Mission at Doleib Hill, the had been secretary of the North India It Will Be Daybreak Soon. Archi- Armenian Church, the Church of Book and Tract Society of Allahabad. bald Rutledge. 129 pp. $1.25. Scotland and the Church of England, He was among the first Christians to Revell. there is no Church in which any of be placed in executive charge of a these communions can worship. In great inter-Church enterprise. "To Lesson Commentary for Sunday addition to these, there are a certain meet him was a tonic, for there was Schools. Edited by Chas. Wiles number of Christian Shilluks, Dinkas, strength in his character." His duties and D. Burt Smith. 320 pp. $1.75. Baris, etc. as Secretary of the "Tract Society" United Lutheran Publication House. were hea:vy but he found time for Philadelphia. As it is impossible for any of these many outside responsibilities. For two to have their own special churches, it terms he was president of the Indian The Horizons of Stewardship. Her- was decided, at a general meeting held Christian Association and served as man C. Weber. 116 pp. $1.25. on August 16, at which all these secretary and president of the U. P. Revell. New York. churches were well represented, to Christian Council. At the time of his build a church in which each body can death he was Chairman of the Civil Guy Bullen. By His Friends. 136 pp. hold services according to the customs Rights Committee of the U. P. Chris- 58. Highway Press. London. and rites of that church, and on occatian Council and was president-elect sions to have united services. of the All-India Indian Christian As- Women and the Way. Christ and the sociation. Mr. Mukerji served for six- World's Womanhood. A Sympo- In the erection of this church, there teen years as a member of the Alla- sium. 196 pp. $1.00, cloth; 50 is no idea of speeding the movement habad Municipal Board and was Vice- cents, paper. Friendship Press. towards union. The ministers and Chairman for a number of years. He New York. priests of each church will, when they voluntarily retired from the Board but are available, conduct services accordconsented to serve as Special Railway The Wild Rue. A Study of Muham- ing to the rites and customs of their Magistrate. He was an active mem- madan Magic and Folklore in Iran. own church. ber of the Upper Chamber of the Bess Allen Donaldson. 216 pp. Provincial Legislative Assembly. He 108. 6d. Luzac & Co. London. The Sudan Government is allotting wrote: "You will believe me when I an excellent site in a central part of say that it is always my desire to do Getting Acquainted with Our Friends Malakal at a "peppercorn" rent.· my utmost to render whatever service in France. Sarah G. Klein. (A lies in my power to the Christians." Unit in World Friendship-Junior -Egyptian Mail. Grades.) 30 pp. 60 cents. Revell. New York. * Contributions should be sent to repre- Toward a Literature World. Frank sentatives of cooperating churches at Malakal C. LaubaCh, 178 pp. $1.75. For-' Or to the National Bank of Egypt. Khar- eign Missions Conference. New toum. Sudan. York.
TESTIMONY OF THE QUEEN SALOTE OF TONGA * The folloWing testimony to the influence and good achieved by Christian missions in the Pacific was recently given by the Queen of Tonga and by the Prince Consort, Tungi.
I speak as the represehtative of the women of Tonga. We are a small land, and a small people. We are only on the way in education and in the knowledge of the things and happenings that belong to the great world outside. We are not a wealthy people. We have very little money. No one is very rich, but no one is in want. Our people are a cheerful people. The root of that cheerfulness lies in two things-our faith and our land. Before the Christian Church came our people were cheerful, but they were living in serfdom and fear. They did not realize that they were serfs, but when the missionaries came with the truth of Jesus, and the King's heart was touched, he led them to realize their serfdom; then with the knowledge of God real cheerfulness came, and freedom from fear. Although they arrived at Wchheeenrfut hlneelsasn dthwroausgdhistthriebiur tefadittho, they were still poor, and had no way to show their faith. them, they were able to prove their faith. Now they are free and every one has his own land granted by the Sovereign. The freedom that they enjoy is different. If the workers "strike," everything becomes hard and difficult, and the comforts of life are affected. But such things cannot happen here. In our land no one can disturb the contentment. No one can create a strike. If a man wants to fish, he may fish. If he wants to grow yams, he may grow yams. If he does not want to do so, he does not grow them! That is the way the Tongans live. The Church is developing a healthy tone. It has its ups and downs, but we have a firm and constant faith in God. In Him is our trust. We are one with you in our desire to further the Gospel in heathen lands. There will be many providences hard to understand, but God is with us.
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Do Not Miss THE MOSLEM WORLD PUBUSHED BY THB HARTFORD SBMINARY FOUNDATION Edif:ors: SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, EDWIN E. CALVERLEY Some Articles in the January Number Islam. at the Madras Council •• Nicol Macnicol Dr. Kraemer on Islam. W. G. Shellabea:r Missions in North Africa • Harold B. Smith Christianity and the Arabic Mind • Mounir R. Sa'adah Mohammedan Teaching About Jesus James Robson Mohammed and Divorce in the Koran Richard Bell Missions to Moslems in China Claude L. Pickens The Ali Ilahis Mirza Karam Book Reviews Current Topics Survey of Periodicals Sue Molkson Foster ,. SUBSCRIBE NOW …-.- . – ~o Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) In combination with THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF mE WORLD 1~6 Fifth Avenue, New York City $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents.) British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN & SC<YIT. 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight Shillings a Year, net
The Missionary Review of the World — June 1938
1938
The Modern City Number Christ at the Center of City Life Aubrey S. Moore Meeting the Modem City Problems Herbert E. Eberhardt. The Youth Problem in the City What Church Federations Can Do Robert V. Russell God and Company……Unlimited Walter R. Mee Serving Christ in Crowded Streets M. W. Pullen Preaching the Gospel to City Folk Putting the Gospel to the Test Robert A. McKibben Contacts with Industrial Workers Harry A. Ironside When a Policeman Is Transformed J. F. Harrison The Inner and the Outer City A. J. Muste A United Church Project Paul Buffa What a Suburban Church Can Do Best Books on the City Problem Ernest G. Guthrie G. R. Larson 25 Cents a Copy Frank A. Fitt Charles H. Sears $2.50 a Year '
to Remember September 21-28 – General Council, PARENTS~ ••
United Church of Canada, Toronto, June 2-General Synod, Reformed Canada. In the Foreign Mission Field Church in America, Asbury Park, N. J. October 5-12 – United L u the ran Endorse Calvert: School Church in America, Biennial Con- Home Study Courses June 2-Fiftieth Anniversary of the vention, Baltimore, Md. Women's Missionary Society, Gen- Eor Childrel!l eral Synod of the Evangelical and October 14-20 – American Lutheran Reformed Church, Akron, Ohio. Church, Biennial Convention, San- Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- dU!lky, Ohio. tion Department, will give your child a superior elementary education ••• by mail, June 7-27-Indian Workers Confer- regardless of where you may live. Modences. Four Regional Conferences ern, approved courses from this famous of the National Fellowship of In- , Personal Items school are being used by parents allover dian Workers. (1) The Oklahoma the world with outstanding success. Conference, to be held at Dwight Mr. Robert L. Latimer for 45 years Training School, Marble City, Okla., treasurer of the Board of Foreign Give your children the advantages of these June 7-9. (2) The Southwest Re- Missions of the United Presbyterian interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, gional Conference, at the Navajo Church has retired and his place has and attractive materials. Instruction is Methodist School, Farmington,N.M., , been fill~d by Dr. R. W. Caldwell, Fi-, under the personal guidance of teachers in June 14-16. (3) Pacific Northwest nancial Secretary of the Board. Calvert's prominent and successful private Regional Conference, at the Nez day school in Baltimore. Perces Camp Meeting Grounds, *** Craigmont, Idaho, June 20-22. (4) Write today for booklet of complete in- The Midwest Regional Conference, Dr. Mills J. Taylor, Associate Sec- formation. Costs are low. at the College of Agriculture, Uni- retary of the United Presbyterian versity of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., Board of Foreign Missions plans to CALVERT SCHOOL , June 24-27. These Conferences are visit the mission fields, leaving Ameropen to all friends of the Indians. ica about May first, with Mrs. Taylor ISOW. Tuscany Road ' and returning in January, 1939. Baltimor. + Maryland June 8-Synod of Christian Reformed *** United States. At Amarillo, Texas, Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 6,500 persons heard the Gipsy, and Dr. Paul J. Braisted, General Sec- many more were unable to get into the June 9-15-Norwegian Lutheran retary of the Student Volunteer Move- auditorium. Synod Convention, Mankato, Min- ment, has been elected Campus Sec- retary for the University Christian Sir Wilfred *T. *Gr*enfell, who has nesota. Mission to succeed the Rev. J. Max- served 45 years as a voluntary med- June 15-22-General Council of Con- well Adams. Dr. Braisted will give ical missionary in Newfoundland and gregational and Christian Churches, only a portion of his time to his new Labrador, recently celebrated his 73d office. birthday on an island off the coast of Beloit, Wisconsin. Georgia. Because of a chronic heart *** ailment, he may never be able 'to re- June 16-24 – Winona School of Mis- turn to Labrador, where hospitals, sions, Winona Lake, Indiana. Mrs. . Bi~op Henry,W. Hobson, of Cin- schools and nursing stations bear his Wm. Eckert, 1612 South 11th St., CinnatI, has been elected president of Maywood, Illinois. the "Movement for World Christi- name. anity," an interdenominational organ- June 18-25 ~ Geneva Summer School ization created in 1934, as a result of Obituary Notel for Missionary Education, Geneva the Laymen's Commission Report on Lake, Wisconsin. Write for infor- Foreign Missions. Bishop Hobson has The Rev. Dr. Eddy H. Greeley, for mation to Mrs. Paul H. Wezaman, attracted wide interest by literally fifty years a missionary of the Meth- 177 So. Humphrey Ave., Oak Park, carrying the church to the people in a odist Episcopal Church in Liberia and specially constructed trailer, called Rhodesia, died on April 8, at; Old Ill. Umtali, Rhodesia, at the age of 80 years. He was born at Owakonna, June 22-29 – General Synod, Evan- "St. Paul's Wayside Cathedral," re- Minnesota, in 1857, and was a cousin gelical and Reformed Churches, placing the cathedral in downtown of Horace Greeley. After graduation Columbus, Ohio. Cincinnati, as reported in the REVIEW from Hamblein University, St. Paul, he sailed for Liberia in 1888. He June 25-27-National Council of Fed- for April. *** introduced new plant life into Old erated Church Women, Eagles Umtali to add to the variety of native Mrs. J. P. White, editor of the foods. He was known especially as a Mere, Pa. Women's Missionary Magazine of the hymnodist and translator and for United Presbyterian Church. who has some years wrote the Sunday school June 25-July 2-Mt. Hermon Feder- been touring the foreign field of the lessons for missionaries and teachers. ated School of Missions, Mt. Her- Church, arrived in America on April mon, Cal. 14. Miss Anna A. Milligan, former C. Luther Fr*y, P*h.D* ., who did con- Educational Secretary of the United June 26-July 1- Church Conference Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- siderable work on the census of re- of Social Workers, Seattle, Wash- ligious bodies in the United States ington. and for five years was professor of Sociology in the University of Roch- June 28-July 3 – International Con- sions. who has spent the winter in ester, died on April 12, after a brief vention of Christian Endeavor, Egypt, will make a wider visit of for- illness. From 1922 to 1933 Dr. Fry Columbus, Ohio. eign ,missions before returning to was Director of the Bureau of Stand- ards of the Institute of Social and Re- July 11-19 – Northfield Missionary America. ** ligious Research of New York. He Conference, Northfield, Mass. Miss H*. was the author of "American Vil- Corona Rayle Cook, 16 Farnham Dr. James Rushbrooke, Execu- lagers," "The United States Looks tive Secretary of the Baptist World at Its Churches," and other volumes. St., Portland, Maine. Alliance, went to Bucharest to study He was born in Philadelphia, the'son the situation faced by Baptists in July 12-August 17 – Winona Lake Roumania, ana was granted an inter- (Concluded on 3d cO'IJer.) School of Theology, Winona Lake, view by King Carol and the Rou- Indiana. manian premier. The difficulties now seem to be under control. August 23-29-World Conference on International Friendship Through the Churches, Larvik, Norway. Evangelist G*ips*y *Smith. now 77 September 6-20 – World's You n g years old, declares that he has never Women's Gh r i s t ian Association, addressed greater crowds or more Canada. , September 11-16-International Con- eager young people, and has never vention of the Disciples of Christ, seen greater results of presenting the Gospel than in his latest tour of the Denver, Colo.
MISSIONARY I want to express a word of appre- Malwa-the Great
REVIEW OF THE WORLD ciation for the REVIEW and what it means in the program of missions. When Ihe good wOl'k VOL. LXI JUNE, 1938 No.6 Leaders in our missionary societies and groups throughout the country p.o calls yo. Basi … sail Publication and Business omc_ subscribe to it regularly. During our Third and Reily Sts., Harrlsburc, Pa. annual convention in June, when our This year marks a full century of P & 0 new program of missions is inaugu- service to the lands beyond Suez! When- Editorial and Executive omc_ rated, special prominence is given to ever you are called to the other side of the 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. the place that the REVIEW has in help- world, choose this traditional route. Cross Entered as second-class matter at ing to create effective missionary pro- to England by Cunard White Star … and grams. It is our sincere wish that the then embark in a great liner of the P & 0 Post Omce, Harrlsburc, P•., under REVIEW will continue to hold this im- and British India fleets, led by the new Act of March 3, 1879. portant place in the program of mis- 23,500-ton Stratheden and Strathallan, sions. featuring air-conditioned dining saloons 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. in first class, hot and cold running water Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. ADAM W. MILLER, throughout, built-in out-of-door swimming Published monthly, except August. Secretary of the Missionary pools, children'.s playrooms! Regular ser- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. vice to Egypt, Sudan, Persian Gulf, India, British agents – Marshall, Morgan Board of the Church of Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, China, and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, God. Japan, Australia, East and South Africa, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Mauritius. Special reductions and gener- 10 shillings • year. *** ous baggage allowance for missionaries.
MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- I have been reading the February Convenient through bookings can be ar- LISHING CO., INC. REVIEW today. Have greatly enjoyed rangedbyyourtravelagentoranyoffice of it. It is filled with material that helps BOARD OF DIRECTORS the missionary hope and spirit. The CUNARD WHITE STU UNE ROBE'RT E. SPEBR, Pre••dent articles are helpful and discerning. A. L. WABN8HUl8, Vice-Prerident "The World-Wide Outlook" pages are General Agents W ALTBR McDOUGALL, Treasurer especially helpful. The Moslem Num- DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secr8tarll ber has also been very useful to mis- 25 Broadway and 638 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. sionary groups. PAUL J. BRAl8TBD SAMUEL McCruu. CAVlIBT REV. STEPHEN J. COREY, D.D., Secretary of the United Christip,n D. J. FANT )lR8. ORRIN R. JUDD Missionary Socie·ty, Indianapo- WM. B. LIPPHABD lis, Ind. ERIC M. NORTH SAMUEL M. ZWEMII1I *** Editorial Chat I read THE REVIEW with great in- terest and profit and wish you all suc- "We have the honor to present"- cess in the conduct of this fine magaour City Mission Study Number of the zine. REVIEW. As usual, more papers came in than one issue–even a larger one H. D. DAVIES, –can accommodate. But it is a large Chicago Regional Secretary, Misand important subject, and worthy of careful study. Other articles on the sions Council of the Congrega- City and the Church will appear in tional and Christian Churches. the July and September numbers. They are some of the best-do not THE PRESBYTERIAn miss them. See the list of held-over articles mentioned on our back cover. -:- The only weekly in the Presbyterian Church. Previous spec*ial *mis*sion study num- .:- Its message is based upon bers have been in great demand, and the Revealed Word of God. some have been sold out before late orders could be filled. Order early. .:- Goes into every state in the Uni6n, U. S. possessions *** and many foreign countries.
The following are some unsolicited Subscription rate – $2.50 comments on the REVIEW recently re- Ministerial rate – – $2.00 ceived: SOc. exfra–Canadian postage *** $1.S0 extra– Foreign postage I follow the articles published in THE PRESBYTERIAn the REVIEW with great interest. Last week I wrote up a note for the Evan- 121 7 Market Street gelical and Reformed Messenger Philadelphia, Pa. recommending the REVIEW to our pastors and general readers. Nothing [257 ] would please me more than to learn that it had won new subscribers.
F. A. GOETSCH, Associate Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions,Evangeli- cal Synod of N. A.
*** The REVIEW is so valuable to us in our Mission Study that we are turning to you for help in planning our program for next year.
MRS. W. J. GOODWIN. Louisville, Kentucky.
Aerial Surveys
THE MODERN CITY – LOWER NEW YORK – AND ITS TOWERS (One building may accommodate 15,000 tenants and employees) Wide World Photo HUMANITY IN A MODE,RN CITY – TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE RPVIB ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 6 JUNE, 1938 Topics of the Times CHRIST AND THE MODERN CITY their parks, or with their night life; with their Two American cities (New York and Chicago) commercial activity and culture or with suffering each has a population larger than the whole of humanity; with their magnificent houses or with the United States in 1780. Fourteen of our cities their slums; with their educational institutions contain more people than the estimated popula- or their jails; with their rapid transit or their tion of the whole Roman Empire in Europe at rapid moral decline; with their churches or their saloons and brothels? We know how He dealt the time of Christ. New York City has a larger with Jerusalem, the Royal City. He came there population than Central America, or Arabia, or the whole of Australia (which has nearly the area to teach and to heal, to rebuke and to warn; He wept over the sin and hardness of heart of the of the United States). people; He suffered indignities at the hands of There are ninety-six cities in the United States the chief rulers in Church and State, but He de- with over 100,000 each and 500 cities each with lighted in the children; He loved even His eneover 15,000. These cities represent not only a mies and gave His life to save them from sin and great mass of humanity but here we find, in al- death. Would Jesus look differently on the cities most any large city, men of all races and lan- of today with their mixed multitudes? guages, in all degrees of poverty and wealth, of ignorance and culture; almost every type of reli- 1. If Jesus Christ came to America today, we gious faith and superstition is represented- know that He would first of all look on our city voodooism and theosophy, spiritism and demon- with clear discernment. He would delight in true worship, Islam and Hinduism, Shinto and Confu- beauty but would distinguish between the tawdry cianism, as well as every kind of Christian sect. material things that pass away, and the beauty of life and character that abide. He would see What elements of good and evil are contend- clearly the difference between the wealth that ing for the mastery in these centers of population men seek after and the riches that abide; between -banditry and honest business, commercialized the power that politicians and magnates crave vice and purity, selfish capitalism and philan- and the power that brings life out of death. He thropy, self-seeking labor and sacrificial service, would distinguish between the churches that can anti-God activity and Christian missions! boast only of wealth and social prestige, with What a field for Christian witness and activity beautiful equipment and elaborate ritual, and is presented in the modern city! How would Jesus those churches that may be worshiping only in a Christ look on our American cities if He should transformed saloon but where Christ is exalted, visit them in the flesh today? We know how God where the Gospel is preached and where men, looked on Sodom and its wickedness, and on Baby- women and children are being born anew through lon, the "mother of harlots," in spite of its pal- the power of the Spirit of God. He would disaces and hanging gardens; on Nineveh with its tinguish between empty eloquence and the quiet godlessness and ignorance; on Jerusalem, the testimony of some obscure saint. backsliding city over which Christ wept. How would He look today on New York, Chicago, De- 2. Jesus Christ, today, if He visited our city, troit, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, St. Louis, would look on the multitudes with compassion as He did in ancient Palestine. He would weep with New Orleans, Los Angeles? Would He be most those who weep and rejoice with those who have ~1JlJ?ress~d. w~th ~heir skfline and the beauty of true cause for jOf. H;e would s~I!athiz~ wit.l1.
~ 259 ~
the sufferers and with those who are oppressed lowering standards in morals and in legislation, by money-getters or political bosses. He would the mad rush to increase armaments and growing distinguish between those who are sinned against, threats of international wars-all these and other and those who lead others astray; between the troubles tend to make men so fearful and full of "bandit" who has had little chance to know a bet- self-pity that many of us are tempted to forget ter way of life, and the honored "bandit" in high the more critical condition of others. As a result places who sins against light. He would denounce we neglect to help them in their hour of need. the hypocrites of all names and stations, and Many appeals have been made to bring help to would say to the misled and underprivileged, "Go, the suffering Chinese in this devastating, unjust sin no more." and cruel war that has been thrust upon them. The Red Cross and other philanthropic and mis- 3. Jesus Christ today would come to our city to sionary agencies are appealing for help for the give instruction and encouragement where they millions of Chi1tese sufferers-the vast hordes of are most needed. He would cheer the struggling wounded, the famine stricken because of war, pastor and the troubled parents. Where the truth those suffering from venereal disease (due largely of God is proclaimed and the love of God is mani- to the invading soldiers), and from cholera and fested' His presence would give light in darkness other epidemics. Doctors, nurses and funds are so that people would flock again to His standard. sorely needed to care for these wounded and dis- He would give hope to the faithful who are eased, to supply ambulances, medicines, bandages, tempted to discouragement, and would point out food and general hospitalization. The need is the way of victory through sacrifice. He would greater than ever and yet the response from make clear again the spiritual forces by which America has been smaller than in any previous He will overcome the world, and would call men crisis. Only about one-third of the $1,000,000 for to "leave all and follow" Him. which appeal was made, has been given. There is need for $5,000,000 from America. Chinese We have every reason to believe that if Jesus doctors and nurses and missionary forces are do- Christ came to our city today-unless He came ing their utmost, but they are hindered by lack In power to wipe out all evil and to establish His of supplies. Relief funds are now practically ex- Kingdom-He would look with compassion on the city and its inhabitants, and would preach and hausted.* The accompanying map shows how teach and work to make the Father known, and to bring new life and godliness to fruition as widespread is the area of conflict and how gener- He did nineteen hundred years ago. Would we ally the missionaries have remained at their posts receive Him differently than men received Him to minister to sufferers, in spite of personal disthen? tress and danger.
But if Jesus Christ is God and meant what He The Chinese Christians are also doing their utsaid then He is here today-not only in our city most. The following extracts from a letter from but in every city; not only in our cities, but in a Chinese Christian, Rev. Andrew Gih of the ,our towns and villages; He is in every home and Bethel Mission, Shanghai, shows how the work of church, every shop and factory, every school and Christ goes on, in spite of difficulties. Mr. Gih office, and in every individual where He is re- writes: ceived and is given the right of way. Today, as then, "to as many as receive Him" to them does When the war broke out in Shanghai, our people (of He give the right to become Children of God- Bethel Mission) had to flee to the International Concesfrom every class and tongue and nation. Would sions for safety. The hospital staff (in four hospitals) He offer any other remedy for sin and misery to- went right on with their work for wounded soldiers and day than He offered in the first century? Would our Christian nurses had the joy of serving and witness· He not tell His followers today in our cities to ing to the wounded; our evangelists were also busily enfollow Him and to make known the Way of Life gaged in preaching in many of the 200 refugee camps. to others by teaching men in private and in pub- The largest of these camps had fifteen thousand refugees, lic to know Him and to observe all the things He the smallest several hundred. Many broken hearts were has commanded us? Only when Christ is recog- bound up with the healing Gospel of Christ. We could nized and received by all the multitudes in our not carry on our schools as the section where our Bethel cities, will they truly become cities of God. What Compound is located -was badly bombarded, our Orphanage are we doing to help fulfil the purpose of God and was burned, and other buildings were damaged. All our the command of Christ to make known the Good belongings were looted and the Japanese still occupy our News and the power that He came to proclaim? beautiful Compound. The Hospital workers are still car- rying on in our branch Hospital in Shanghai but our OUR RESPONSE TO CHINA'S NEED Orphanage, Publishing Department, Bible Seminary and Evangelistic Bands have all been moved to Hongkong. • Rising taxes, increased cost of living, unemploy- ment, strikes in industry, depression in business, We thank God that He has preserved all our lives and we are able to carryon the work. Some evangelists are now preaching in the interior; one Band in Yunnan, another in Szechuan and others in Kwangsi, Kweichow • Contributions should be sent to mission boards having work In China. or the National Red Cross. Washington. D. C.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
There is only one way to overcome evil, and that is with positive good. There is only one truly good and that is God. Love is the only remedy for hate; life is the only effective antidote to death. Jesus Christ is the only salvation for in- dividuals and for the world. Therefore mission- aries go into all the world to spread the truth, the love, the life of God. as these are made known in Jesus Christ.
• .N _' JEWRY IN DISTRESS! WHAT OF IT?
, ;HE~~I ' …, American Jews, 4,500,000 in number, are out . .. . .. .. . ,—",""–. to raise $9,600,000 in 1938. This vast sum is for . –. ,-) relief of os,tracized and persecuted Jews in Europe and to aid in their settlement in Palestine or else- .. . " where, as circum.stances permit. -"~' -.: .: ~…~ The tidal wave of anti-Semitism has spread to Ii.~- Germany, Austria, Poland, Roumania and begins even to inundate Great Britain and America. The 'QR zons (8'-4"") OF CHlM essential cause of this widespread anti-Semitism is the economic distress in the world today. In UIlLOCUIOIOPAJIIIIllW prosperous times anti-Semitism rarely occurs. Hitler's racial ideology is another factor, as is the PROf'IstAJlftllS8101SWIOlS unfortunate behavior of some individual Jews. Business shrewdness, and in some cases dishon- kebdot "'p""e1Ittaoit,. esty, are other factors, but who persecutes all wtth_o…….. p"rlUU>ellt Gentiles because of shrewdness or personal dis- honesty? =:::~~"tl::~:nt In Poland there are 3,500,000 Jews, of whom .~. . .NU) …U.t …rIt. 1,000,000 are starving, who are involved. Rou- mania has 1,000,000 Jews while Germany has WHERE JAPANESE AND MISSIONARIES ARE OPERATING- only 350,000 and Austria about 200,000. All these DIFFERENTLY are menaced and for them American Jews are seeking to raise $9,600,000 this year. Incidentally and Chehkiang Provinces. They have been facing danger!; since 1914 American Jews have provided $87,- from air raids, but all witness to the power of the Holy 000,000 for the relief of European Jews. Spirit in changing many lives. Owing to the abnormal conditions, the traveling is difficult, so that it took sixteen In Germany, in addition to the Jews, there are days to reach the place of the first campaign in Kweichow. about 1,000,000 non-Aryans, and in Austria 600,- Another Band is going to Hunan and the fourth to the 000 or more. Any man, woman or child with at northern part of Kwangtung Province. We do not know least one Jewish grandparent, or one who is marhow long we will be allowed to preach unmolested. We ried to a Jew is classed as a non-Aryan and theremust spread the Good News before it is too late. The fore receives the same treatment as a Jew. Japanese give no liberty to the Chinese preachers in occupied territories. Pray that God will grant peace in the Thus there are approximately 7,000,000 folk in Far East and pray for those who are lifting up Christ Europe who, because of Jewish ancestry near or among the Chinese. There are wonderful opportunities, remote, are unwanted by their fellow citizens. especially in the interior of China. People are receptive And partly because of anti-Jewish sentiment, but to the Gospel and they realize life is uncertain and prop- more largely because of unemployment crises, erty is not dependable. Thank God "we know whom we they are not wanted anywhere else. Even in Palhave believed and we are persuaded that He is able to estine the number actually able to enter there in keep that which we have committed unto Him against one year has been reduced from 61,000 in 1935 that day." to less than 10,000 in 1937. Moreover, the Jew- Arab conflict in Palestine, coupled with the British It is more and more evident that it is impos- Partition proposals, has served to arouse the Mossible to carry out any isolation policy-either lem world and to increase the anti-Semitic sentinational or individual. War in one country will ment there. involve other nations, however much we may strive to prevent it. Famine and economic The net result of all this is a growing fearfultroubles in one land affect others. Disease will ness, uncertainty and insecurity in the hearts and spread in spite of sanitary measures. Immoral- minds of Jewry throughout the world. ity, selfish ambition and false philosophy cannot be confined within any national boundaries. Irreligion and anti-Christian, or anti-Jewish, propaganda spreads from party to party, from class to class, and from country to country, when not checked by positive faith and by the dissemination of God's truth.
Why should Christians be concerned with the ous in providing hospitality to these victims of fate of Jewish and non-Aryan victims of anti- a present day cruel autocracy? We especially need Semitism; why should we take upon ourselves to be on guard lest this unchristian racial dis- the responsibility of caring for these non-Aryans? crimination gains a foothold here. Propaganda is First of all because we are Christians and many a vicious thing and is powerful in formulating of these non-Aryans are Christians by faith. J ew- public opinion. We should strenuously oppose the ry is aiding admirably and sacrificially the Jewish anti-Jewish propaganda in America; we should victims, and has even helped non-Aryan victims, pray for persecuted Jewry and for a change of though the latter are definitely Christendom's re- heart in their persecutors. Here is a great op- sponsibility. But up-to-date, Christendom has not portunity to show the spirit of Christ and to do, been as generous as Jewry. The result is grievous individually and collectively everything we can distress and suffering among the Jewish, non- to combat the causes and consequences of anti- Aryan and Christian refugees. What right have Semitism. Tli'e-se are inescapable responsibilities Christians in America to protest against anti- of all who claim to be Christian.
Semlitism in Europe while we do nothing effective- CONRAD HOFFMANN, JR. ly to aid the victims of such racial discrimination?
We need to be reminded of the good Samaritan as weU as of the Levite and the priest in our Lord's FOURTEEN POINTS FOR FOREIGN parable. There is an American Committee* to aid MISSIONS Christian refugees from Germany and this committee needs financial help to meet the growing 1. Every book in the New Testament was writdistress. A few instances of the flotsam and jet- ten by a foreign missionary. sam of human wreckage in the wake of the present tidal wave of anti-Semitism, are the fol- 2. Every letter in the New Testament that was lowing: written to an individual was written to a convert of a foreign missionary. 1. Mr. F- is a pharmacist, non-Aryan, but a Christian by faith having won the Iron Cross, the Front Trench 3. Every epistle in the New Testament that was Fighter's, and the wounded-in-service medals. As a non- writteB to a church was written to a for- Aryan he was no longer allowed to run his private phar- eign missionary church. macy in Germany, and was forcibly compelled to sublet. Now he is in America looking for work and hopes later 4. Every book in the New Testament that was to be joined by his wife and two sons as soon as he is written to a community of believers was able to support them. Before he could leave Germany he written to a general group of foreign mishad to pay 81% of his funds as a "flight tax." sionary churches.
5. The one book of prophecy in the New Testa- 2. Mrs. U- was a Christian Gentile woman, married ment was written to the seven foreign misto a Jew in Vienna; her husband is no longer allowed to sionary churches in Asia. work. She is a teacher of Germanics, but being married 6. The only authoritative history of the early to a Jew she, too, is not allowed to work. Christian Church is a foreign missionary journal. 3. Mr. T- was a government expert on Social Security 7. The disciples were called Christians first in and Socialized Medicine; a non-Aryan Christian, and a a foreign missionary community. member of the German Confessional Church group of which Dr. Niemoller is the leader. Now he is in America 8. The language of the books of the New Testaas a transient but hopes soon to be admitted on the quota ment is the missionary language. and then to find work. 9. The map of the early Christian world is the 4. Rev. F- was a non-Aryan Protestant clergyman in tracing of the journeys of the first mis- Germany. Not being allowed to preach there, on the advice of his pastoral colleagues, he went to Vienna to work for a Swedish Society and did remarkably well. sionaries.
Since Hitler's annexation of Austria, this pastor has been 10. Of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, every compelled to flee to Prague and then to Sweden. apostle except one became a missionary.
We might go on and cite case after case of 11. The only man among the twelve apostles who people who need help, financially and above all did not become a missionary became a spiritually. In New York City, the Jews have traitor.
established a reception service and a center for 12. The problems which arose in the early Church Jewish refugees, but nothing of the kind has yet were largely questions of missionary pro- been done by the Christians for the Christian cedure.
refugees. 13. Only a foreign missionary could write an Should not Christians of America, the: strong- everlasting gospel.
hold of liberty, equality and democracy be gener- 14. According to the apostles, missionary service is the highest expression of Christian life.
• Mr. Frank Ritchie. Secretary, American Commlttl'le fOr German WILLIAM ADAMS BROWN. Refugees. 287 Fourtli Ave.. New York City,
at the Center of City
By AUBREY S. MOORE, Chicago Superintendent of Chicago Home Missionary Society, Methodist Episcopal Church A YOUNG man, a college and theological ent languages. The first church has a fine build- school graduate just beginning his minis- jng with more than fifty rooms, including a large try in the city, came to discuss his work. gymnasium, a swimming pool, a cafeteria, an as- As he sat in my office, looking out across the roofs sembly hall that will accommodate more than one of the buildings, and yet seeing not the buildings thousand people and a beautiful chapel. This but the streets filled with boys and girls and men building is filled afternoons .and evenings. More and women, he said with something of compas- than one hundred and forty classes, club meetings sion in his voice as well as in his gaze, "The Peo- and group meetings, exclusive of devotional meetpIe! The People!" jngs, are held each week. The total registered at- tendance for March, this year, was 10,623. The I instinctively turned to a picture which hangs program includes classes in sewing, cooking, on my office wall-the picture of another young printing, dramatics, bookkeeping, stenography, man looking across a valley at another city more vocational guidance, knitting, playing the harthan two thousand years ago. As this other monica, first aid, etc. These boys and girls are Young Man looks at the city He weeps and says: kept off the streets, which of itself is worth while, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this and at the same time they are learning something thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!" of value under leaders who know the importance I breathed a prayer that this other young man, of character development in the lives of young with his splendid preparation for service might people. be held steady, that his vision might be kept clear, his heart be kept pure, and that his enthusiasm In some Institutional and Community Churches, might be inseparably joined to the purpose of that one finds a program that is broad enough in scope other Young Man who will ever weep over the and sufficiently varied in character to appeal to city until it shall become like unto "the Holy Jeru- all age groups. Last summer one pastor gave a salem, descending out of Heaven from God." series of open-air Gospel addresses with a stereop- ticon. He reported an attendance of over 8,000 "Home Mission Work in a City" seeks to place per week. Early in March one church office re- Jesus Christ at the center of the City's life. Home ported twenty-two baseball teams already regismissionaries are not primarily interested in any tered for the coming season-one of the sure signs particular creed, but rather in making Christ of Spring. dominant in the lives of individuals and groupsthe determining factor in their conduct. The task The city is becoming disturbed over the alarmwill not be completed until politics, industry, so- jng increase in Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile cial life, and religious life shall acknowledge Him Crime. Two weeki; ago, in one issue of a daily as Lord and Master and seek to do His will. paper, there were the names of forty boys, with the average age under sixteen years, who were There are certain types of work in the city to arrested for crimes all the way from petty theft which those who are in any way responsible for to murder. It has been estimated that six thou- Mission Work today must of necessity give sand six hundred Protestant boys and girls will thought. appear before the Juvenile Court of Chicago in 1938, and that of this number more than two The Institutional Church is perhaps the most thousand will be there for the first time. In conwidely known agency of the Church in the con- ference with a Probation Officer a few days ago gested centers of the great city. One such typical I was told of the attempts being made to save church, with a seven-day and seven-evening pro- these boys and girls from the careers towards gram every week, is located in the midst of a which they seem to be moving so rapidly. By the group of many thousands of people among whom time many of these boys come before the Juvenile more than twenty different languages are spoken. Court it may be too late to do much for them. Another typical church is said to be the only Eng- The difficulty is farther back. lish-speaking church in a community of more than 250,000 people speaking more than thirty differ- [263]
The first evidence of a wrong tendency in the to perpetuate the use of any language other than boy or girl that comes to the attention of the au- the English language in churches that must ulti- thorities outside of the home is truancy. This is mately minister to English-speaking American said to begin at seven years and reach its "highest citizens.
incidence" at thirteen or fourteen. Truancy! Among the problems which we face is that of Delinquency! Crime! This is the order. The the slowly dying church in the downtown or nearone leads naturally to the other. In a careful downtown district. In one denomination in a study, covering a period of several years, it was typical city more than twenty churches have been found that more than half of the Juvenile Crim- either closed outright or merged with other inals had been truants. In an effort to get to the churches during the past twenty years. The root of the matter students are finding themselves merger plan is frequently resorted to as a faceface to face with home situations and community environment. A Protestant representative at the saving devic~t It has its appeal. However, in so Juvenile Court and at the Juvenile Detention far as the merged church is concerned the results Home, a highly trained, consecrated young are about the same. A 'group of members are transferred to the strengthened organization but woman, follows the cases assigned to her to the many scatter and find new homes, if at all, elsehomes and to the communities from which they where. The churches at the heart of the city die come in an attempt to cleanse the fountain at its first. And then slowly but surely the circle is source. Case after case could be presented that enlarged until in due season one can scarcely find would bear eloquent testimony to the effectiveness a "going" concern among the few remaining of this program of Mission Work in a great City. churches in or near the downtown section. And No longer do immigrants fill the already con- this is true in spite of the fact that the population gested centers of our cities. With the decrease in in the neighborhood of these churches may have immigration that problem is giving us less con- doubled or tripled or even quadrupled in the meancern, although in some of our largest cities more time. It can all be explained, but to explain it is than seventy percent of the people are either foreign born or the children of foreign-born parents. not to solve the problem. The "mixing bowl" is at work but its task has not been completed. The children of these foreign- Thirty years ago a certain large church in the born parents attend our public schools, they play near downtown section of a great city was packed in our streets, and breathe the atmosphere of our to the doors-gallery and all. The city authori- American cities until their very freedom creates ties were said to have stationed policemen at the an unhappy situation. In some localities our mis- doors to prevent dangerous overcrowding. This sion worker's chief task seems to be that of a church included among its members men and mediator who seeks to enable these alert children women from every walk in life-railroad executo adjust themselves to the demands of their for- tives, financiers and men prominent in the busieign-born parents and to assist the parents, with ness and professional life of the city. Today a an "old country" background, to understand their mere handful of good but discouraged people own children as they react to their new environ- carryon in a building that is rapidly deteriorat- ing; and yet there are more people per square ment. mile in that neighborhood today than ever before. The families of wealth have moved to the suburbs Lost Moorings and the local group can no longer support a resi- Many thousands in these groups, if they ever dent pastor. This church would be pronounced had a vital religious faith, have broken from their near dead. And this is but an extreme example religious moorings and are helplessly afloat, dere- of what one finds all too often in our large cities.
lict fashion, or are openly disregarding all moral What had really happened in this case? Slowly and religious claims upon their lives. Work but surely the people who had supported this in- among these people is fascinating. The young stitution died or moved from the downtown sec- people form a most inviting and responsive group, tion to the less crowded areas or to the suburbs.
while a right approach to the adults will assure a As the older group moved out another crowded in.
heartening measure of success. For many years But this new group was made up of renters and it seemed to be necessary to provide a foreign- roomers who were incapable of carrying the finan- born leader for these people. Today, however, cial burden if they had been willing to do so. So with few if any immigrants to deal with, and with with the steady decrease in support came a cor- an increasing number of young people, American responding retrenchment in the program until to- born and trained in our public schools, it is be- day there is none. Had it been possible for the coming less and less necessary to present a bi- members of this church in the heyday of its pros- lingual program. The day has come when many perity to have created an endowment, and thereby believe it to be not only unnecessary but unwise made possible an income sufficient to provide a
CHRIST AT THE CENTER OF CITY LIFE
continuously effective program, might there not The Social agencies are doing excellent: work. have been a different story to tell today? Or, sup- In our own city there are said to be twenty-two pose there had been funds available from the districts with a population of 50,000 to the square Mission Boards to supplement and stabilize the mile in which the environment is detrimental to decreasing income of this church, what would the best interests of the· growing boy and girl. have been the result? Community projects under the guidance of the de- partment of Research Sociology of the Institute We must face our responsibility for these down- for Juvenile Research have been located in three town areas. Just so long as there is a constituency of these districts and in each of the three truancy, for which we are clearly responsible in any com- delinquency and crime have steadily decreased. munity, just so long must we remain in the community adapting our program to the needs of the The Christian Church has ever pioneered in people whom we seek to serve. And in order to needy fields until an awakened Social conscience do this it becomes equally clear that funds in in- came to recognize the responsibility of the comcreasing amounts must be available from outside munityas a whole. But after the city, through its sources to supplement the decreasing incomes of various agencies, has done its best will there not these churches until, if possible, a local supporting remain for the Church the task of evangelizing constituency can once again be developed. successive generations? This, after all, we may find is its primary function. Indeed the chief In our thinking of Mission Work in a City, at- task of the Church seems to be to work itself out tention is often fixed upon the so-called blighted of a job. In the Seer's vision of the Holy City areas or areas of deterioration which are usually there was no temple. It was no longer needed. the truancy and crime centers.' Frequently too However, that day in the modern city seems to be little attention is focused upon the Boulevards. a great way off. "The Kingdoms of this world Slum minds are not all confined to so-called slum are" not yet "become the Kingdoms of our Lord, areas. The "certain rich man" of the parable and of his Christ." Until that takes place there was farther from the Kingdom of God than Laz- will continue to be a place for "Home Mission arus. We have also a mission to the Boulevard Work in a City." sections of our cities. Many Boulevard dwellers are heart-hungry for a little disinterested friend- PERCENTAGE RURAL AND liness and for a sane interpretation of the Word of God. A surprising number of them would be URBAN POPULATION willing to render a high order of sacrificial service for their Lord and Master if given an opportunity. 8Y 10 YEAR PERIODS We have no more right to neglect them than we have to neglect any other group. Jesus was per- 1c!&O – 1930 fectly willing to have "the Rich Young Ruler" use his money to aid the poor. Is it not reasonable to '''Dr. 5H 4167. suppose that the wealth of Boulevard friends would be acceptable to Him if given in the proper 1900 13LO 1.9Z0 1.9"0 spirit? The consecrated wealth of the Boulevards could be used to transform the slums. RURAL In the field of Social Service and Charity uBB"50? 514 56.2. changes are rapidly taking place. Community Chests and Community Funds are used to support l~OO J6.90 1900 1910 1920 H30 the more elaborate rather than the less highly organized forms of ministry. These funds are URBAN usually not available for religious work or for programs too closely connected with the religious activities of the church. The tendency appears to be to divorce social and charity work from the religious program and to place it under the direction of trained social workers who are responsible to their own organization. If social agencies and civic organizations are to assume responsibility for the physical and economic well-being and for the social adjustment of the underprivileged, what is to be the future of Christian Mission Work in the City? Will it mean that the churches must withdraw or confine their efforts to a technically spiritual ministry?
Modern City
By REV. HERBERT E. EBERHARDT, B.D., Indianapolis, Indiana President of the International Union of Gospel Missions DISTANCE lends enchantment, even in mis- product of tlte groups to be considered later. It sion fields. When we hear of poverty, of is to these youth that the city missionary must squalid homes and dirty children, of dis- appeal, by games, playgrounds, picnics, singing, ease and sin in India, many feel a peculiar thrill! class work, vacation schools and summer camps. Describe the same conditions in India-napolis and we shudder; we draw our skirts about us and A mission visitor in Rochester, N. Y., calling are tempted to "pass by on the other side" as we on underprivileged homes, invited a girl to the cry, "Unclean!" How oft we have heard it said, mission Sunday School. The child asked, "What "Well, they don't need to live that way," or "They kind of a show is it?" In that she typifies thouought to know better," or perhaps, "If they had sands of other children. But she came, and to saved as I have"! the surprise of all, won first place in the vacation Bible school. That may be true, but the conditions are here and we must face them. Every great city fur- Ira Smith, superintendent of the Children's nishes a real missionary field, one that most di- Gospel Mission of Newark, N. J., led a child to rectly affects all of us. We have often said of the Christ in an open-air park service. That child crowd of transients in our city missions, "If we later brought the entire family into the mission don't take care of these men, they'll take care of and in time the mother, of foreign descent, was us." At the mourner's bench of one of our rescue employed by a large church as its city missionary. missions a penitent surrendered a loaded revolver, confessing that he was on his way to commit a A New England Methodist pastor, graduate of robbery when arrested by the music! Most mis- Union Seminary, came to Christ in the Wheeler sions have in their "museums" guns, billy clubs, Mission at Indianapolis when a small boy, the blackjacks, whiskey bottles, dope and what not, first of an entire family.
There probably is no field so promising and so productive as this among the boys and girls whom as evidence of the direct bearing which city mis- the church often cannot reach except through the sion work has on the lives of all of us. city missions.
These home-mission groups are varied, and Some Problem Homes much larger than one might suppose. Let us consider briefly six such groups. They represent Closely related is the American problem home, more than one half of our population, when we the result of poverty or heredity, divorce, irreconsider that the total church membership of the ligion, sin and unbelief. No prayer, no Bible United States includes only about one half. Many reading, no worship – God's Name used only in an election has been "swung" by a minority group profanity! This is becoming an increasing probholding the balance of power. Skilled politicians lem. It is known that many of the boys on the know the importance of winning the colored vote road today are the direct result of broken homes. -many times enough in itself to secure a victory Social workers hear over and over again, "Dad in election. This same principle applies in the and Mother separated." Some one has aptly said field of missionary service. Special populations, that we ought to sing, "Where is my wandering large or small, may vitally influence the welfare mother tonight?" of the entire community. The city missionary has an entree into these The Non-Churched Children homes, sometimes through death, or arrests or a child in the vacation Bible school. A social We consider first the thousands of children and service contact, such as is made possible by the youth in our cities who are not under the influence Council of Federated Church Women of Indian- of the church and do not attend Sunday School. apolis which employs its own representative in a In them lies the future of our cities; they are the city mission, often proves an open sesame to an seed-bed of our future problems, and hence should otherwise impregnable heart or home. A table or be considered first. They are also the direct by- chair, or garments, or a friendly visit may inspire [266 ] confidence and awaken interest, when all else employed, always welcome and specially well fails. "I was hungry and ye fed me." These treated, the mission says, "The church does care, people are not dressed for church; they have no we are interested in you, Christ has a place in money to give; they are not concerned; often His program for you." This attitude is of practhey do not feel wanted. The writer was once tical value in that it proves its faith by its works -meals, beds, clothes, free service of many kinds.
There is no better preventive of radicalism and atheistic Communism in America than this quiet, Christ-like influence of our Gospel missions and other Christian social service. It is unob- trusive, not heralded with banners, but no one can estimate the amount of preventive work ac- complished. A lighthouse is not only to be cred- ited for rescues made, but for the many more wrecks prevented. Every city mission is a veritable and effective lighthouse.
It is a known fact, demonstrated repeatedly, that there are far fewer arrests or calls for police aid (if any at all) in mission shelters than in gov- ernment or purely charitable shelters. The unem- ployed respect and respond to the kindly attitude of a Christian. .The "cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple" has more than one reward!
The Drink Evil in Our Cities Social workers know that repeal of the Eight- eenth Amendment has brought marked increases WHICH WAY ARE THEY HEADED? PhDtography by H. E. Gray. Waifs-not in India but in Indianapolis. THE OLD DOOR AND THE NEW pastor of a city church where considerable ob- The mission stands on the spot where stood the old saloon. jection was felt because these folks were coming into the church as the result of a schoolhouse mission service.
If the home is the foundation of our nation, then surely here is worth-while missionary service. We remember that Jesus accepted an invitation to the Pharisee's house, and that the Scribes said, "This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them." He knew the importance of such work.
Among the Unemployed This group, numbering several millions, possibly 12,000,000 today, has been too much neglected, and is potentially the most dangerous, forming a natural hotbed for radicalism. Any failure on the part of our missionary program here may prove disastrous. When the priest and the Levite "go by on the other side" and an anti- Christian Samaritan proves the true neighbor, the results are not so good.
For many years the only agencies caring for these unfortunate classes were those with a religious motive or impulse, particularly our Christian rescue missions, which Bishop Freeman once termed, "The Church in Overalls." To the un-
in the inevitable results of liquor; prohibition Has the church cared? Has she prepared worktimes at their worst were remarkably better than ers for this special field? Has she offered youth under license; the evils of the old saloon are back a vocation here? The Church Federation of Cinwith multiplied dangers, supported by radio, auto- cinnati maintains a prison chaplain, a unique mobile, the modern press, lowered moral stand- work. The Indianapolis Federation supports a ards, and the changed status of women. full-time Christian social worker for court service.
The tavern, the dance hall, the "new deal" Above all, the Gospel provides the needed and gambling mania, the false concept of morals, all only remedy. But preparatory to that, kindly tend to produce a tremendous challenge to the guidance, appreciated letters, sympathetic parole, wisest and most intense missionary program- changed environment, medical and psychiatric missionary, because the power of Christ, and not treatment, fellowship groups, all have a curative reform or legislation, is the ultimate solution. as well as :q!,eventive value. A survey might re- veal two thuigs: that most missions are engaged Beginning 65 years ago with the establishment in some form of prison service, and that most by Jerry McAuley, himself a twice-born man, of prison services, in and out of prison, are conthe now famous McAuley Water Street Mission in ducted by gospel missions. New York City, much of the work of rescue missions has been made necessary by liquor and its Transients in Our Cities naturally attendant evils. When a man has been A great army, thousands of them, men, boys, of "beaten and robbed" where else can he go? When all ages – not tramps – are wandering over this no one else cares, when he has no funds, where country. Many are seasonal laborers traveling to can he go but to a Gospel mission? If he does not go there, what is his future? A MISSIONARY LEADING A SERVICE IN A CITY JAIL But, thank God, when he goes, often a miracle find the next temporary job. Many are the prodtakes place and a new man is born. "If any man uct of the divorce evil-increasingly so! Most of be in Christ, he is a new creature," and indeed them are unemployed. Mission records show he is. Recently we met a man who has been an among them college graduates, business men, proactive member of a Methodist church for forty- fessional men, and all classes and types. The dethree years. He staggered into a small rescue pression has greatly increased their number. mission hall some years ago. Now, seventeen years later, he is a Sunday School superintendent. There have been three stages in their treatment. There are thousands like him-once drunkards, First, the care offered solely by missions, the Salor worse, who are now ministers, evangelists, song vation Army, the Volunteers, and other Christian directors, honored laymen, mission superintend- agencies, for many years. They have been fed, ents, missionaries. "Oh, say but I'm glad," and housed, clothed, but above all, evangelized, with many other Gospel hymns have come from the marty happy results. fervent pen of such a twice-born man! Here surely is a field for missionary specialists-and Second, the strictly social or community shelter how productive! "I was sick and ye visited me," of recent yeirs, often with no religion, but with said Jesus, our Lord. boxing, movies, games, and other diversions. This has proved expensive and nonproductive. The Prison Population Third, and more recent, the Transient Pro- J. Edgar Hoover's recent figures as to the num- gram of the United States Government, the first ber of men and women incarcerated in the United national effort to solve this problem. It only in- States are staggering. Even worse are the records creased the problem, however, and was abanof potential criminals, paroled men,· and affiliates doned. Thousands of men, particularly young now on our streets. But we are thinking here of men and boys, welcomed the opportunity of beanother larger group whom we mission folks know all too well-the families of these men and women form a much, much larger group. They comprise a larges~'tion of our population but they obviously tryt6 conceal their identity. They are out of touch with and probably beyond the reach of the church.
To neglect them is to fail Christ and to endanger ourselves. "I was in; prison and ye came unto me" still carries promise. of reward. At such a time hardened hearts are often tender; homes are lonely and open to a kindly word. Here is a rich and ready field for Christian service.
MEETING MODERN CITY PROBLEMS
coming the guests of Uncle Sam. The complete people from every state in the Union may be lack of any religious program also proved de- touched in a short period in one locality. "A moralizing. stranger and ye took me in" becomes a reality here. They literally come from "the highways Now we are in a fourth stage wherein the tran- and the hedges," often to receive more than the sient problem is again being handled, in most proverbial "pie-in-the-sky," the knight-of-the-road cases, by the Christian agencies with the coopera- slang for religion. THE UNION CITY MISSION BUILDING, MINNEAPOLIS We have enumerated briefly six of the most tion of Central Registration Bureaus to avoid needy and most promising of special populaduplication of effort. There seems to be no ulti- tions in our key cities. There are others, of mate solution of the transient problem, but there course, but seventeen years of direct contact, are certain desirable steps that may be effective- handling more than 100 men each day, toa careful case-work program, the outlawing of gether with hundreds of problem families, hitchhiking, a thorough work program, and the have indicated that these fields are probably correction of social conditions which create tran- the most neglected and yet perhaps the most siency. But most promising of all is a strong productive. The city missions that specialize evangelistic approach, with the belief that chang- with these groups have been rightfully termed ing the man himself is the surest way of changing "The Churches at Work Downtown." Their conditions. This has been proven in sixty-five interdenominational character, practical apyears of mission services, where it is believed that proach,city-wide appeal, and combination of "placing a new man in the suit is better than relief plus, offers the Christian church an placing a new suit on the man." Here is a great immediate and most vital open door for anmissionary field for the church, with most unex- swering the age-long question of the Old Tespected possibilities. Take at random, for example, tament, "Am I my brother's keeper?" and of a few cases in one Middle-West mission. Among the New, "Who is my neighbor?" the thousands of men apply.ing for aid we find a Perhaps this rapid survey will at least be sugminister's son who had "hot-footed" from a col- gestive and will stimulate a new interest in anlege where his father was formerly treasurer; a other phase of "home missions." Study groups college professor who had formerly taught one of the directors of the mission; the brother of a very JM ' THE JERRY MCAULEY ' ,MISSION, NEW YORK CITY prominent social worker; the black sheep of a f~mi1y whose name appears on a county court- maybe led to seek further knowledge of the facts house cornerstone; the son of.a member of a state and some day there may be a mission study course legislature; .the son of a form'er American consul on this specialized field. The possibilities of direct at Bremen; an escaped convict who voluntarily Gospel preaching and witnessing may be carried returned to a state's prison; a former pastor, an back to the church with a fresh emphasis. Epworth League president. The field for service is unlimited and the opportunities are amazing;
Youth Problem of the
By REV. ROBERT V. RUSSELL, New York Director of Religious Education, Baptist City Societies THE youth who lives in a modern city is never because they are overwhelmed they tend to turn entirely free from congestion. He is subject to the more sltperficial, the more obvious things,. to a kind of machine-gun rat-a-tat-tat of ap- Into the midst of all this is set the Christian" peals-to pleasure, to material gain, to various Gospel, mediated to youth of the city in various groups or enterprises in the body politic. In his ways. Set down in the midst of his community world he is always at the edge of – or possibly is a church. It may be a big city church with under-a kind of smoke-pall of futility, emanating more edifice than program or itll~y be a center from the slow-burning fires of disillusionment or of activity under Christian auspic~s 'with a seventhe ashes of cynicism. day-a-week program crying. <;>u.f for adequate He needs room, psychological room, for his self equipment. Or it may lie somewhere between to expand, his soul to grow. He needs criteria for these two. But the church represents the voice his choosing, a norm for living amid changing of the Christian Evangel, however weak or stam- codes and conflicting standards. He needs a cause mering it may be in the midst of the city clamor.
(oh, how he needs a cause!) that is not restricted Those who know the life of the city are likely to to one arc of life, but which gathers up all of life say, "If that were only true, but are there not when he gives himself to it, that integrates all great stretches in the city, where the message of the phases of living for him in one resolve, that Christ is needed most, that are practically un- answers youth's question, "What am I to live churched?" This is so-and even more than this for?" -for according to delinquency maps the areas of Moreover, today's youth lives in a not-normal highest incidence of juvenile delinquency are world. Not that it is abnormal or crazy; nor is often shown to be those areas from which the it necessary to hope for "back-to-normal," but churches have most consistently moved away.
to the young pe'rson from fifteen to twenty-four But this is not all of the answer, for church socie- years of age, things do not seem to be what he is ties and city mission societies have made it pos- told they once were. Half of the people seem to sible to maintain churches in places where the be wishing for the return of something that once community itself could not possibly support a was, and the other half seem to be looking for- minister and staff to carryon the type of pro- ward, with varying degrees of eagerness, to some- gram that is needed.
thing that is to be. Youth wonders. One phase of the youth problem is this matter Asked about his outlook upon life recently one of communities of special need. One cannot look of these young people said, to the writer: "Well, upon the city without recognizing that in most the future is not clear because things seem to be cases the distance between streets that are proudly all changed around. We hear about the days of shown to visitors and areas that are shamefully prosperity-high wages, plenty of jobs-but we below the standard in living conditions is only a do not know about that by experience. Most of matter of a few blocks. Neither can one look the friends that I had in high school are looking upon the youth of the city as all set in a one-tone for some kind of a job, or are working at any pattern. They constitute a variegated design- kind of a job for very low wages. We wonder a kind of kaleidoscope of interrelated back- what the prospects are ahead." grounds, national, racial and cultural. In New "Youth of the city," according to another speak- York City, for example (where probably this is ing as a member of a discussion panel, "is looking more pronounced), a study of the 1930 census for a good time (considering it as a birthright); figures shows that of the youth living in the five looking for a job; and looking for something to boroughs who are between the ages of fifteen and believe in." twenty-four, 73.2% are either themselves foreign A denominational adult leader of youth re- born or one or both of their parents come from marked recently that the youth of today are over- oth_er lands. In the Bronx the percentage is 82.6 whelmed by the complexities and the difficulties and in Brooklyn 78.8, while in Manhattan, alwhen they try to look objectively at their world; though the percentage is somewhat lower (63.3ro) [270 ] another element is introduced in the 12.2% of tional. One of those whom the writer has ques- Negro youth in this borough. What varieties of tioned regarding this problem replied that he felt social heritage, national customs and behaviour that youth's most acute need was for a meaningpatterns are represented by figures like these! ful fellowship in which his own individual life There is also the youth who come from "the may count for something. It was the opinon of this man, a youth leader, that youth are not able farm," which gave up 40 % of its youth (in the to feel always the sense of this larger fellowship in their own church. It may be because the youth group from ten to twenty years) to the city in group in the church is quite small or it may be the decade between 1920 and 1930. In New York because the adult members of the church do not City again the religious pattern is varied. The appear to give sufficient place to youth in the life Welfare Council reports in its publication, Better of the church and the management of its affairs. Times, of April 5, 1937, a study in which it was Every field worker in the area of youth activities found (by visiting each hundredth residential ad- is familiar with the complaint of the young people, dress in the city and questioning the youth from after they have had an experience in a city-wide sixteen to twenty-four years of age), that 49% re- fellowship or camp or summer conference, that when they return to their own local church they ported themselves as Roman Catholics, 31 % as do not seem to be able to make the church people understand their desire or to comprehend their Jewish and 1870 as Protestant. No doubt these situation. It is here that the city-wide or regional figures would be different for other cities but it is groupings of young people function from time to obvious that for any city of significant size there time, in youth councils, week-end conferences, or may need to be a considerable revision of former larger gatherings. The smaller groups of youth assumptions as to religious majorities. realize that they are part of a larger fellowship; they meet youth of other churches or of other de- Here again, the Church Society or the City Mis- nominations; they are inspired by a leadership sion Society has been the carrier of the Christian that it may not be possible for the local church to message. Many immigrant groups have colonized provide, and they meet and plan with leaders who are in constant touch with youth, know their probin areas consistent with the economic limitations lems, and "speak their language." There is a placed upon them, and it is almost impossible to growing fellowship-growing somewhat slowly it picture the conditions of physical congestion and must be said-around the United Youth Program spiritual depression under which the children projected by the Christian Youth Council of North grow into their youth. Here is set down the bi- America. This is related to the International lingual church under the ministry of a foreign- Council of Religious Education representing a speaking pastor, oft-times with a staff of one or large number of denominational groups and remore workers trained in religious education and lating itself to the major Christian youth orsocial service. A dramatic illustration of the re- ganizations. sults of this kind of work was given at a recent dinner meeting of the Baptist Social Union and Youth and the Local Church New York City Baptist Mission Society when some forty young people, both men and women, Of course the most effective and most direct representing a dozen different national groups work with youth will be done in the local church, from these by-lingual churches, sat upon the platform. Five young people gave responses to the especially in the suburbs or semi-suburban areas. theme of the evening; one of them (Czechoslovak) For while the suburban youth is not city-bred in was engaged in banking; one (Italian) was a the truest sense, neither is he rural- far, far teacher in a city high school and the others were from it! He has been infected with the cynicism, either studying or held positions in business es- disillusionment and unrealities of urban philosotablishments. All had found opportunity for phies without knowing personally so much about growth – psychological room – in a Christian the conditions of city life whch have given rise to church supported by a city-wide organization. these attitudes. This type of youth must be caught The writer knows of one instance in which a by an attractively presented, intelligently con- "gang" of what some might call "hoodlum" youth, ceived and largely youth-directed set of activities was invited by the pastor of the neighborhood which leads him to recognize the church as the church to transfer its activities from the street best place for him to spend a good share of his (where it was causing some annoyance) to the leisure time. A typical program of this type is inside of the church building. Subsequently this being followed in one of the churches in New group became one of the "clubs" of the church York City. A Sunday evening program consists and some of its members found places of service of a supper, a chapel service, and interest groups. in the program of the church itself.
Another phase of the youth problem is being attacked from another angle – that of youth fellowships, both denominational and interdenomina-
The terminology is that of the sea with "courses" There is also an imperious demand for a listed which may be "charted" under the direction changed philosophy of human relationships-ecoof a "crew" of leaders and with "cruises" begin- nomic and social. The survival of the fittest thening on certain dates, continuing for a number of ory when applied to human relations is untenable. weeks, and then terminating, to be followed within A disturbing phase of the life of the city youth is a week or two by another "cruise" with a different the seeming tendency to forget one's idealism set of interest groups. One virtue of this program when one begins to prosper materially or is reis that the interests are selected by a group of the ceiving some special recognition. Jesus met it in young people of the church and are built around the Rich Young Ruler. Here was a personable, their own suggestions. There are such topics as : "successful" young man, confronted with the "Choosing One's Life Work"; "Social Problems charge of disregard of his social obligations. At of Our City"; "Love, Courtship and Marriage"; the close of the interview the young man "went "How Can I Find God?"; "Boy and Girl Relation- away sorrowf-ul." One wonders whether he was ships"; "Science and Religion"; "The Art of not saying also in his heart, "The man must think Praying." Each interest is carried for a few I'm a fool!" weeks and the young people are invited to remain each Sunday evening as long as there is a hot-spot This insidious thing that we might perhaps call of interest to hold them. This church is a magnet a personal-prosperity-inspired unconcern is apt of centripetal force every Sunday evening for to become a part of the maturing process of the from one hundred to one hundred and forty young most promising individuals among city youth and people. youth will respond to a program in which it must be recognized not only as a characteristic they have a part with informed, dynamic leaders. of the urban psychology but also as a moral chal- lenge which, if it is not met adequately, becomes One of the most acute needs of youth is for en- a spiritual defeat. One of the most decisive op~ terprises in which they may have the opportunity portunities of the Christian church is the inspirfor the practice .of democracy-in which they may ing of the youth of the city by helping them to feel themselves factors. Unfortunately in many share the comradeship of adults who are themchurches this is what they do not find. selves successful-"men among men"-but who are also Christ-inspired persons, engaged in a mu- If it is true that youth is "looking for something tual quest for the highest realization of the "statto believe in," then the church stands on the thres- ure of the fullness of Christ"-not for themselves hold of an oportunity – the opportunity to con- alone, but also for the other-the "forgotten"- vince youth that here is a democracy in microcosm man. in which he can have a part, a cause to which he may dedicate himself, a Master who will not let What is this if it is not the missionary motive, him down. the witnessing urge, the continuing determination of those who have "been with Jesus" to share that Two or three things need to be emphasized in which we know. The youth problem in the city Christian work with city youth. There must be is a challenge to the Christian forces for the dea larger place for youth in the program of the velopment of a spiritually adequate leadership. church. It is a truism to say that the church can- "The blind cannot lead the blind," for to those not live unless it can succeed in holding its youth, who "study to show themselves approved," God yet it seems to be recognized generally that one opens many doors. of the church's outstanding problems is its youth problem. On the other hand churches that are Youth time is decision time. Through the home, most successful in work with youth are those who give to youth a voice in the councils of the church the Sunday School and the communicant's class, and present an interpretation of the objectives of the church in terms that youth can understand this important work of teaching and winning and claim for himself. must go on perennially. In one large city of New There is need also for a comprehending and sympathetic adult leader·ship for youth. It is a York State, which is an important educational question whether youth comes more in contact with the minister, trained and consecrated to his center, an interview program is being carried on work, or with an adult lay leadership which has not been trained and whose consecration may this winter in behalf of youth. Over nineteen leave considerable to be desired. In spite of what has been said for the larger recognition and par- hundred written applications were sent in by ticipation of youth in its own program the youth problem will never be solved by youth themselves. youth within thirty days after the plan was in- The most serious aspect of the youth problem is an adult problem. augurated, requesting interviews with some Christian person – pastor or teacher – to help them with personal problems. These interviews are being conducted on Saturdays and Sundays by a group of devoted individuals who know the prob- lems of youth. When we work with childhood and youth we are not "saving the lost but saving from loss." JESSE M. BADER.
CLERGYMEN LOOKING INTO INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS AT CARNEGIE-ILLINOIS STEEL CO
What Church Federations Can Do By WALTER R. MEE, Chicago, Illinois Executive Secretary of the Chicago Church Federation THE story of one great American city is, in of labor relations, strikes and struggles for power its general phases, the story of every large between labor and capital. metropolitan center in the country. Rapid growth, expanding industry, improved transpor- These are some of the city's characteristics tation have all combined to produce, in the last which confront the modern church. These are a five decades, characteristics in every American few of the practical problems upon which the city which challenge the Church and confront its church must strive to bring its Christian influministry. ence, while, at the same time, discharging its su- preme responsibility for the Christian life and There is in every large city the tendency of spiritual growth of city men and women. populations to shift .rapidly as more prosperous families move out to finer residential areas or sub- To Christian leaders faced with such changing, urban districts. Into the abandoned central wards ever-troubled and needy communities, there has of the city there come, on the other hand, great become increasingly evident the conviction that numbers of foreign-born, with large families of individual churches or even individual denominalower economic status, seeking the city's cheapest tions cannot make any great and lasting impreshousing. In complex,conglomerate patterns they sion on such city problems. Here is a need that settle close to the business district; later they too can be adequately met only by programs of cooppush outward into adjacent areas as soon as their eration uniting the resources, the ideals and the economic fortunes permit. Thus population tides energies of every church, every denomination, of a city constantly ebb and flow. The result is within the city's limits. Where the Christian community disintegration, deteriorating housing, church is most staunch and where its program is delinquency and racial conflicts, as central areas most effective today, we find a strong Federation of the city lose their more substantial members of the city's churches, maintaining a widespread and receive newcomer groups. program under a single leadership, unitedly doing the work of Christ in the city. . There are the political aspects of a great city, with the apparently inevitable tendency in every In Chicago one finds these characteristics of the urban center toward political corruption, ineffi- large city in some of their most pronounced ciency and vice in greater or less degree. stages. Here is a Federation of Protestant churches that effectively illustrates wh,fltchurch There is the vast industrial life which all cities Federations can do to save the city. The Chicago have in common, with its ever-present problems Church Federation was org.anized in 1907 and [273 ]
4~; I[I[!rt·~; (I) ;t3;11 ~ I] ~:l?1 i e,l ~ II 77 WEST WASHINGTON STREET 18 DENOMINATIONS 1049 CHURCHES Denominations which are Members of the Chica80 Church Federation BAPTIST CHURCHES North LUTHERAN REFORMED CHURCH IN AMI CHURCH Of THE BRETHREN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES AFRICAN METHODIST [PISCOPAL REfORMED EPISCOPAL DISCIPLES Of CHRIST AmlCAN MEntODI5T [PIS. ZION REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH METHODIST PROTESTANT 'UNITED BRETHREN I EVANGElICAlSt REFORMED PRESBYT£RlAN CHURCH INU5.A UNITED PRESBYTERIAN fRIENDS The purpose offhis organization is founile IJewrious branches of the Christian churches in Chicd80 and vicinitv in d continuous co-operative endeavor to bring the Gospel to all the people and to promote the application of the law of Christ in every relation of life ,——-~ – -, I OF"F"lCE:RS I I BOARD of TRUSTEES I I OF"F"ICE fTAF"F" I I EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 1 • DEPARTMENTS I CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOMANS DEPARTMENT "I"SocIALRELATIONS COMMITTEES Co-ordinating DIVISIONS COMMITTEES Ludership Traininll Vacation Schools -!1jviHes inthe Field Missionary Rtli~ious 'I15tructiOll W"kdaySchools Education Drama, Recreation Social Service and Interracia I – – – – DIVISIONS Welfare Children Social Action. BeHerFilms YounS People …. r -. — – — Adult meetmg. delegates from churche .Metropolitan Chicagos onlq Month/I} of '.Innttehredefnieoldm.mofa.CtlOhrnisatliaonr8Eadmu.czaa.ttiloonn. Workers – Boys Parental School Park Ridge School for Girls Criminal 'Court – fide/is Inn COMMISSIONS I • -. I I WORLD F"RIENDSHIP I I I 1 I R~~~~,T,NS I I~TEELRATRIAOCNJ~L I I PUBLICITY I I I I I I 1 I L I • CI.HNUDRUCSHTRAYND COMITY EVANGELISM MINISTRY IN THEd STANDING.COMMITTEE: I PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS Armistice Day J M• •t l n i i '
STANDING CQt:1t:1ITTEE~: Outdoor Evangelism Emploljed Workers:- county Jail FiElds Foreign Origin Groups and Lenten Noon-day Meetings Bridewell Communih" service Geneva School for Girls Unified Evangelistic- Juvenile Court Strategy Program Juvenile Detention Home -Survey Oak Forest Infirmary -Chaplains City Council MeetingsI–… Hines Memorial Hospital ….. Undenominational Churches …..BOY~Rdo~rhter Institutions -=– COMMITTEES l I CHURCH I FINANCE 1 1 I PROTEST AND APPROVAL DIRECTORY .
I ENDORSEMENTS I . I UNION MINISTERS MEETING 1 C.H.KETCHt.
HOW AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL CHURCH FEDERATION IS ORGANIZED
WHAT CHURCH FEDERATIONS CAN DO
today is directing a program involving the inter- More directly related to the task of "saving the ests and assistance of 1,049 churches of eighteen city" from its own evils and destructive tendencies denominations, representing a membership roll are other aspects of the Federation's program. of 750,000. It is a program carried on by over The annual report of 1937 records enlargement 500 religious workers serving gratuitously on and development of a new department of Social eighteen commissions and committees. The board Service with a paid staff to correlate the work of of trustees consists of 110 influential religious and Federation committees and commissions in this social leaders of the city. field and to relate more closely the churches of Chicago with the social service and medical agen- The work of this Federation shows how closely cies of the city. Under the leadership of this dethe organization is matching the stride of the partment the Federation has maintained for some church to the growth of Chicago. To undergird years a supervision service in the Boys' Court of its work with factual knowledge, and to direct Chicago. By means of this service hundreds of more intelligently its comity program which boys brought into the court are placed under the strives to eliminate competition and duplication care of the Federation's case workers instead of receiving jail sentences. A FI L IPINO COMMUNITY CHURCH GROU P , CHICAGO One of the activities sponsor ed by the Ch icago Church Federa tion. The second major concern of the Federation is the friendly, constructive, religiously-motivated among churches while seeing to it that no area service rendered by chaplains and other paid goes unchurched, the Chicago Church Federation workers in the public institutions of Chicago. has for some years maintained a United Religious This has been a significant ministry to the inmates Survey. The survey attempts to bring together of hospitals, jails, prisons, courts, the county data of a statistical, sociological, economic and farm and other institutions for the destitute, the religious nature about each sector of the city. Against this background the Comity Commission sick and the erring. has analyzed the history, the program and the fu- What of the many human problems and civic ture service of the Protestant churches in each area in order that such information may enable dangers which arise from the racial composition denominational leaders to eliminate more intelli- of large cities, from its labor crises, from its gently competition between churches while better political complexities and its immoral influences? adapting programs of stronger institutions to the Here, too, the church must have a militant, united particular needs of their communities as indicated voice. In Chicago active departments, commisby the surveys. sions and committees of the Chicago Church Fed- eration bring to a focus the concern of ministers For the first time in history a group of metro- and members of all denominations, providing politan churches is basing its effort to "save" a media for investigation and dissemination of incity not alone on spiritual fervor and theological formation to every church, and offering a recogtechnique, but on a careful study of the facts con- nized organ through which protest or approval of cerning the life about them, replacing a policy of the city's churchmen may be expressed in effeccompetitive drift with one of cooperative inten- tive manner to city officials and law enforcement tion. The Chicago Church Federation is combining, it has been said by a prominent denomina- agencies. tionalleader, "the method of the scientist and the An annual city-wide observance of Race RelaviaiQn of the prophet." tions Sunday, including an interchange of pulpits between scores of white and colored ministers, and numerous meetings throughout the year, in- crease the understanding and brotherhood that must ultimately prevail between all men, regard- less of color or nationality.
A special commission of the Federation closely studies industrial problems and the role the church should take in industrial conflicts. In many instances the standards and practices of Christianity have influenced the trend of the city's industrial life and affairs, outside of the tradi- tional vista of the community church. Frequently the City Federation of a large urban center, in behalf of hundreds of city churches, can speak challengingly and vigorously for arbitration, for the privileges of labor or the rights of capital, for the improvement of working conditions and the passage of satisfactQry laws.
Through letters, conferences, interviews with thousands of human souls living in its congested city and state officials and by means of the city's neighborhoods. In the end it will be the building newspapers, the Federation may lead strenuous of more religious cities which will ultimately prove fights upon undesirable elements of city life. Last to be the most valuable contribution of Church year the Federation led in the movement to repeal Federations. an ordinance licensing gambling establishments, to close offensive theatrical productions, to stim- Surely, in the fields of evangelism, of Christian ulate more aggressive citizenship, and to protect education, and of spiritual life, the value of coopthe honesty of public elections and the security of eration between evangelical denominations by the ballot box. means of central leadership becomes clear; for the city presents a tangled, sharp animosity to the Because the school system of Chicago-with its practice and teachings of Christ. apparent political influences, the tendencies of its curriculum, and some of the standards of its op- When individual churches unite, when denomeration – recently became a civic issue, it was inational lead'ership cooperates in city-wide relicharacteristic of Protestant leadership in this city gious mass meetings, in interdenominational days that the united denominations s,hould turn atten- of prayer, in downtown Lenten worship services, tion to this phase of urban life. A committee on in far-reaching Preaching Missions and Schools Public Education was organized to provide a of Christian Living, in radio broadcasts and clearing house for churches which take public edu- young people's conferences, as is true in Chicago, cation seriously, and to point out channels through then our Christianity assumes a dramatic appeal, which both churches and individuals may render a magnitude and a forcefulness which enable it to useful s'ervice. arouse the indifferent city.
In addition to these activities, which some may In these two phases of city life-its practical, consider as' "extra-curricular" tasks of the church everyday problems and its great s,piritual needin its work in the great city, there remain the City Federations of churches continue to provide fundamental religious needs of thousands and effective leadership and dramatic techniques to save American cities of this generation.
"God. & Company, Unlimited"
By MILTON W. PULLEN, New York City Pastor of the Central Park Baptist Church, New York CAN you imagine a business house that would ten lepers who asked for cleansing "Only those of bar the door to its neighbors, or a com- you who have been baptized are eligible for heal- mercial firm that would insist that all of its ing." The only credentials the dying thief on the customers become members of the company? The cross presented were in the form of a prayer and Church, which is the biggest business in the on the strength of it Jesus promised him "Paraworld, is doing exactly that. The Founder of the dise." Church proclaimed "My House shall be called the House of Prayer for all people." Too often this In any great city a local church in a community has been changed to read: "Accept our creed and of homes may consider itself the center of a posyou will be welcome in our church." sible "100,000 customers." So long as human hearts are incurably religious and so long as men "God & Company, UnIt'd." needs to be written and women and children sin and suffer and seek in large letters over the doorway to every church -just so long the Church has a responsibility to building. After 1,900 years the vision of the every person within reach of its doors. Founder of the Company has been lost. Hospitals do not require patients to "belong" Jesus did not require a certificate of church before they may be admitted to the Operating membership from the 5,000 before they could Room. The simple fact that a man is sick opens share in partaking of the loaves and fishes. The every door and puts at his disposal the skill of the Sermon on the Mount was preached to the dis- surgeons and the facilities of the institution, often ciples, but we hear no protest from the Great without money and without price. A hospital con- Preacher when the multitude listened in. It siders itself, and is considered by the community, would be difficult to imagine Jesus saying to the a health Mecca for folk of all races, creeds and
"GOD & COMPANY, UNLIMITED"
cultures. On the other hand, a church in the neighbors, many of whom are neither Protestant same block is usually considered the personal nor Christian. The attitude of the neighborhood property of the Methodists, or the Baptists, or the originally was one of apathy and of suspicion. Catholics or of some other proprietory group. It Our problem at first was to build good will; to does not take the 100,000 possible customers long that end we set about getting acquainted with the to learn that their need is not necessarily a guar- folk round about us. We visited every store withantee of help. The Church seeks to make new in a radius of several blocks, but we did not ask members who will become regular "sitters" at the business people for anything except their worship services and regular contributors to the friendship. We offered to give them the names budget; consequently, the average Pastor gen- and addresses of our Church Members and sugerally must busy himself with the routine matters gested that they circularize these church neighinvolved in keeping the church solvent and suc- bors of theirs by mail as often as they liked. We cessful. This too often means just one thing- joined the local Chamber of Commerce and atperpetuating an institution largely for the sake of tended meetings regularly. Officials of the the institution. Chamber were used occasionally as special Speak- ers at Church Suppers, club affairs, etc. We ac- Many a conscientious minister rebels and longs cepted an invitation to sit on the dais between the to be the Pastor of the whole community. He Mayor and a United States Senator at a testiloves the people outside his church about whom monial dinner to a local politician and we are inno one else seems to care. The tragedy is that in clined to think that it was our presence that made too many cases the Church no longer exists for the dais the only table in the hotel dining-room the community-rather, the community must that was not drenched with liquor. "support the Church." The problem is too largely "Come, Get Acquainted" one of money since churches have bills to pay, repairs to make and salaries to meet. Many a An approach to the rank and file of the neighpastor is placed in the embarrassing position of borhood was made through the distribution of feeling obliged to spend much of his time and attractive cards with a "Come Get Acquainted" energy in raising money. A rich old vestryman invitation. We sent out members of the Church with a grouch thus often has first claim on the who went from door to door with a smile and a pastor, rather than a gang of street boys shooting friendly invitation that was seldom rebuffed. "craps" on the church steps. When there was a death near the church, we An increasing number of ministers are rising went to express sympathy, and upon the invitato protest against the old order – young fellows tion of the family we remained to conduct a brief just out of Seminary, middle-aged rebels of ex- funeral service. When a fee was offered, we gave perience, and old veterans with vision-are say- it back saying, "We want no money for help and ing to the churches of America, "The Church was sympathy in times of death." The news spread made for Man, not Man for the Church." They that here was a church that did not have its hand are insisting that the raising of money is inci- out for money and that only wished to be friendly. dental, while a ministry to the sick and the suffering and the seeking is the real work of the Church. Our next approach was to the children. This is They are insisting "Open wide the door and say a prolific neighborhood and the coming generation with Jesus 'Whosoever will, let him come' even is everywhere under foot. We built a gymnasium though he comes only for what he can get and may with shower and locker-rooms and said to the never join or give the Church a nickel." "But," children, "Come in and play." When they dissome official of the church may say, "this is sui- covered that a Jew and a Catholic and an Unbecide. What about the money we need for local ex- liever were as welcome as any of our own Sunday penses and for our Missionary Budget?" As a School children, they literally laid siege to the matter of fact, if the Church has done its work church pleading for a club and a Leader. We well it will have fewer financial worries. A Chris- advised them to ask permission at home and at tian who is thoroughly Christian is a generous church to join a club in our building and we urged Christian, but an unregenerate Church Member them to make it clear that, although every club who can "take his religion or leave it" must be would be led by a Christian Leader and would feaeternally urged to give to the Church and its work. ture a brief period of worship at each session, no Or a church may have a top-heavy budget. boy or girl now attending another church would be asked to join this church. Next we purchased The church I serve is attempting to render a a moving picture machine and once more circularcommunity service to its 100,000 possible cus- ized the neighborhood with news of the "Chiltomers. Located on the congested East Side of dren's Hour," with the two-cent Movies each Manhattan Island in an area of deterioration, this Thursday from 6: 30 to 8: 00 p. m. From 250 to church is the center of· much of the life of its 300 children come to this activity each week.
They sing lustily patriotic and religious songs, A Library is maintained where decent books listen to the Bible or hero story, bow reverently are loaned. Sunday School, Sunday morning and during the prayer and laugh uproariously during evening Worship Services, Church Prayer Serv- the four reels of motion pictures. At intermis- ices, Apartment Prayer Services, and all kinds of sions invitations are given to the children to at- religious meetings are regular weekly activities, tend Sunday School and to join various clubs. and everyone who comes into the building is in- When they leave, the children are given a letter, vited to attend.
signed by the Pastor, inviting the parents to vari- Why did this church, twenty years ago, attempt ous church meetings and activities if they do not this sort of an approach to its neighbors? Partly attend another church. We send home also "Hello, because its Leaders believed the church possessed Neighbor" cards inviting the parents to come to a treasure too valuable to be selfishly hoarded the neighborhood meetings in the Church Audi- within its walls for the benefit of its Members torium each Sunday night, with moving pictures only; partly~-because of a small Spanish boy and as the attraction and a twenty-minute worship his gang who were trouble makers. They almost service and sermonette as a feature. always found the church door locked and so they Young people were invited to join dramatic pounded on it, threw rocks at it and even cut their initials in it. They found a can of paint and covclubs. The girls were organized into cooking ered the front door with specimens of futuristic classes, sewing classes, singing classes; children art. Decidedly out of patience, the church-worker were put into children's choirs, a week-day school in charge hid just inside the church and, when the of religious education and, during the summer, a gang returned again to the fray, the worker gave Daily Vacation Bible School. Down through the chase. After running a block he caught the years many have shown themselves ready to join leader, a Spanish lad of about ten, and brought instruction classes in preparation for Church him back to the church in righteous wrath and Membership. virtuous triumph. "Now," he chortled, "now we will deal with this gang of rowdies." He was just Women have been organized into Mother's calling Police Headquarters when he thought to Clubs, Bible study groups, and a White Cross ask the boy his name and why he and his gang Sewing Circle. The men are invited to join a hated the Church. The boy replied tearfully,"My Men's Club and have fitted up the Tower Room name is Emanuel Jesus. We do not hate the of the church with fresh paint, new furniture, a Church. We come to play on the church steps bepool table, checkers and chess and a radio. The cause there are no playgrounds and we find exciteroom can scarcely accommodate the growing ment pounding on the locked church door." The group of neighborhood men. worker was stricken to the heart. Suddenly he saw a great light-it was not the gang of boys Young people, with no possible privacy in their who was guilty, rather the church that kept its "railroad fiats," have enthusiastically painted and door locked against the neighborhood. He realfurnished a "parlor," just inside the front door ized that he had kept "Emanuel Jesus" loc~ed outwhere they enjoy clean social contacts, and where side the Church of the original Jesus who once upon occasion they may even do their courting. said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and Dozens of them have gravitated to the three Sun- forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of day-night Societies. Here, under competent Chris- Heaven." tian leaders, they spend an hour in worship and in the discussion of topics vitally interesting to them. Some of these topics follow: "Is War a Necessary Evil?"
"Can Crime and Poverty be Cured?"
"What Has the Church to Offer to Youth?" The ninety-six metropolitan districts of 1930 "Is a Lie Ever Justifiable?" contained almost 801'0 of the total urban popula- "Who Is My Neighbor?" tion. "What Is the Value of a College Education?"
"Is Jesus the Answer to World Confusion?" In view of the nearly 301'0 increase of urban "What of Love, E'ngagement, Marriage and Divorce?" population during the last census decade (from The charm of these meetings is their frank and 54,305,000 in 1920 to 68,955,000 in 1930 or a gain unrepressed discussion. in urban population of 26.91'0) and in view of We also set ourselves to find jobs for the job- the American assumption that all cities grow, one less, so far as possible to feed the hungry, to give is quite unprepared to learn that many cities fared friendly help to the juvenile delinquent and to se- badly during the decade. Nearly one-half of cities cure scholarships for young people interested in with 10,000 population or over-354 out of 746- a college education. Everyone with a problem or failed to keep up with the population increase of a heartache is encouraged to talk it over with the the nation as a whole, while 512 cities from 25,000 workers. For years the Pastor's Office has been population to 100,000, actually lost population in- thronged by lines of troubled folk. cluding four cities in the 100,000 group.
Christ in Crowded
By DR. ROBERT A. McKIBBEN, . Los Angeles, California Superintendent of "All Nations Foundation"
I F JESUS were to walk the streets in the neigh- laundry workers were started, a girls' club, a borhood of "All Nations" in Los Angeles, he boysl club, and a small library to make possible a would find forty thousand people crowded into closer acquaintance with those less fortunate. one square mile, descendants of almost every race As new needs were revealed, new opportunities on the face of the globe; these include thousands were recognized. With Christian faith and intelof unattached transient men, ten to fifteen oc- ligence, a ministry was begun to that community cupying a room built for two; young women which outgrew the buildings and facilities of the forced to ply their trade as prostitutes or prefer- church. The old property was sold and two apartring that manner of livelihood to other personal- ment buildings and a play area were purchased. ity-destroying trades; mothers seeking to protect A "Church of All Nations" was started, and by their daughters amid conditions of vice and crime; those who disapproved it was called "The Church residents who have sought this area hoping to of All Notions." hide themselves in such surroundings; aged persons barely eking out an existence; children try- The need for additional workers and for new ing to play Indian or tag and barely escaping buildings became apparent. The site selected was death as they dodge in and out among trucks and justified when later studies revealed that more autos; youth wondering how they are to get a boys and girls per thousand population were gostart so as to marry. ing to the juvenile court from this area than from any other in the entire city. After Dr. and Mrs. In this part of the city, Christ would discover Oxnam had completed ten years of Christian minno house built in the last forty years, no home istry in this area, and had successfully led in a with less than two persons. per room (including campaign to build, equip and staff a Christian kitchen or dining room), no lawns or parks, no service station in the heart of the city, he was playgrounds other than one connected with a called to the Episcopacy of his church. small school. He would find one liquor establishment on the average to every two hundred and Today the All Nations Foundation includes the seventy of the population; here the theaters Church of All Nations, the All Nations Boys' Club, schedule "strip-tease dancers" for the benefit of the All Nations Community House, the All Naunattached men; here are quack doctors and heal- tions Clinic, Hollenbeck Center and Sunset Center, ers, night missions that deal out bread and soup and the All Nations Camp. All of these are owned as, bait not only for those whose souls need sal- and operated by the Methodist Episcopal Church, vaging but for those whose money support such some units being supported by the Community proje~ts. Jesus wept over the City of Jerusalem Chest, Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs, and and He would have just cause to weep over this women's organizations. Service is rendered with- "City of the Angels." The church in the city out regard to class, creed, or color. today must fight and fight hard alongside other organizations if the many degrading influences af- The second ten years has now been added to the fecting the life of individuals are to be overcome, record of service. Houses are twenty years older; if conditions are to be altered, and if the city the population is transient; the problems of unbeautiful is to be created where there may be life adapted men, prostitution and liquor have inabundant. creased with population; play area has lessened by incoming warehous-es and industry. These Twenty years ago a young minister, the Rev- hardly indicate progress but in this neighborhood, erend G. Bromley Oxnam, later a Bishop of the where juvenile delinquency was at its worst, the Methodist Episcopal Church, came fresh from the Judge of the Juvenile Court has said, "All Naseminary and, with his wife was assigned to the tions is spoiling my business." area described. His church was rapidly being deserted by "We Americans" as they moved into After the completion of the new buildings and better communities. Noonday luncheons for the equipping and staffing for the larger program, the public school authorities noticed a decided change for the better on the part of the youth who [279 ]
were participants in the activities at All Nations. for folk from our neighborhood to adjust to new There was a change for the better in attitudes and communities and to life in a new church. Their habits of the children and in personality traits. habits and attitudes are not readily accepted by A study under the Department of Sociology at the the new group; they are not given social status University of Southern California revealed that and there is often a lack of warmth in the wel- in five years time juvenile delinquency was re- come accorded them. Thus much that has been duced 65% within a mile radius of "All Nations." gained may be lost, but there have been gains for A View of All Nations the Master individually and socially. It is recog- nized that one can point out individuals about The work at All Nations was registering effec- whom a thrilling story can be told-ignoring the tively in the area of life with which Jesus was hundreds with whom we have failed. There have most concerned and upon which he placed the been failures, particularly among the adults. All greatest value, the personal life and character of Nations has,been more concerned with youth. In an individual. The All Nations Foundation is one of our offices there is being accumulated "be- community rather than institutionally centered. fore and after" pictures. Boys and girls are seen Its program aims at the individual and his needs as they have come into activities – with their rather than the mass ap.proach. A glance at All clothes in tatters, dirty, physically retarded in Nations as an organization may most clearly de- school and dwarfed in outlook on life; somehow scribe how its work is carried on. they have caught something best described by the Each of the seven units of service has its, own word "spirit" that has changed their personality executive board which is responsible to the board and purpose as they have grown with us. The of trustees for devising programs and activities, "before and after" pictures show something of recommending its personnel and its budget. The what has taken place. The Gospel of Jesus and Church of All Nations is a completely organized the Spirit of Christ have registered outwardly as church which seeks to link individuals and fam- well as inwardly in the life of the individuals.
ilies to the church of their own choice. If that is Some time ago an anonymous donor made not possible and there is no choice, then every ef- available $40,000 to make a -scientific and thor- fort is made to link them with this Church of All oughgoing study of the youth of our community.
Nations'. Because of the transient population the The first 200 youth studied revealed that they had church membership will always be small and no 1,154 problems – mental, physical, social, spir- stable membership can be built up. itual. We at All Nations, the school authorities, The Boys' Club and Girls' Club each has a three- the family, and other organizations who might be story separate building to house their activities. serving the family, recognized less than 20% of Hollenbeck and Sunset Centers are located two those problems. In other words, the youth of our miles from the main buildings, while the moun- community were facing an 80'10 handicap.
tain camp is ninety miles away. About two hun- For instance, there was a young Japanese lad dred volunteers serve in varying capacities in the who never participated in the normal group or several units and there are twenty full-time paid club life other than merely attending. He was staff members and twenty part-time staff. Dur- never elected to office and could not even read a ing the past ten years there has been an increase verse out of the Bible. Now that nationality is in the budget-from $35,000 to $65,000 a year. in no wise retarded mentally. As we studied this During the past five years a $20,000 camp has youth we tried from every angle to discover what been constructed. These facts are further evi- was wrong. Finally a very simple test was given dence that this type of approach to anti-Christian which revealed a slight speech defect. Six months and anti-social life is not only recognized by in a university speech clinic eliminated that de- church members but by non-church members an~ fect in a lad who had been retarded four years in folk of other faith, who do not hesitate to con- school. Another lad who was rapidly developing tribute to its support. There has been no financial an inferiority complex eagerly entered into life drive nor is anyone in the field for finances. The within his own age range, was elected an officer program and its results in terms of Christian per- in his club, and was one of the first to request a sonality is its own credential. high school young people's organization. The Christ would not find in this area a large num- simple defect might have wrecked the personality ber of persons connected with the church within of this youth, but his growth was advanced by a this organization. As soon as a family begins to slight Christian service.
show promise of reconstruction, we urge them to Another youth, a half-breed from Texas, was move out of the coinmunity. It is not a good place kicked out of his home at the age of nine, and to raise their children, thus we cannot build up arrived in San Diego via a box car, determined to a large church membership. We find it difficult become a newsboy. Finding that the only way to
SERVING CHRIST IN CROWDED STREETS
occupy the most remunerative corner was by fight- bully leader finally turned in a gangster's revolver ing his way to the top, after twenty-three battles which he had stolen from an automobile. These in twenty-eight days he occupied that corner. two groups of youth pledged us that they would Then he moved to Los Angeles to "conquer a call off the gang warfare. Finally, as the five larger world." He was so successful as a fighter older fellows were about to leave, the boys' leader that the prize-fight ring offered him a contract. suggested that when they arrived at the high On his way to the eastern part of the city to sign school tomorrow somone would probably slip up a contract, he dropped in to our Boys' Club and behind them and call them "yellow." They disbecame interested in talking with the Director. cussed such a situation rather thoroughly. To He stayed on as a member, finally became a volun- this same bully, who professed to be a Christian, teer leader and later a part-time staff member. we suggested that here was a place where the He decided to enter the field of Christian service Master would help him. That was four years ago to youth and began an uphill fight to educate him- and not one act of hatred has been observed in self. Graduating from high school at twenty-five, these four years between these two groups, as he then went to the university, and for two years they have met one another on the street and in was young people's director in one of the city school. This former "bully gangster" last year churches. Upon graduation he became assistant served as president of his high school student head of one of the large boys' agencies and today body, winning a univerity scholarship, and today is a prominent and successful Christian leader. is studying for the Christian ministry.
There was a time when we were bothered The old Seventh Street Gang, with some fifteen with petty stealing and finally discovered that "Frenchy," one of our boys, was being used by a members, was one of the worst gangs in police clever pickpocket and thieving gang. When anything was stolen all we needed was to tell him history. They robbed, stole and were accredited things must be brought back and then more was returned than we had missed. Three years' mem- with burning down one of the school buildings in bership in the activities of this human service station brought about a transformation in the life of the neighborhood. A young lad was forced to this young man. One day he approached me, saying, "You know, I'm different." There was a new move into the neighborhood because of the famspirit in that youngster. When his club was offered a very elaborate Thanksgiving dinner he ily's financial difficulties. Like most boys he was the one who led in the movement to see that wanted company and went out into the street to what was to be provided for him and his pals, find it. Without knowing it, he became a member should be given to those who needed food much of this old Seventh Street Gang. He had never more. As chairman of the committee after he robbed or stolen before. He was a natural, norcame back from his first jaunt out into human mal boy wanting excitement and he got it. So helpfulness his remark was, "That's the first kind able was he that he became the leader of this old deed I've ever done." Seventh Street Gang. One day he dropped in at the All Nations playground and laughed and Some time ago we became aware of a feud or sneered at what was going on. He came again gang warfare among some of the youth. It grew another day and still another. Finally he joined to rather serious proportions before we discovered in the activities and soon brought one of the memwhat it was all about. A bully, an older boy, had bers of the gang with him. He too laughed and been mistreating three younger boys until they sneered and refused to participate but it was not finally determined they would stand it no longer. long until the appeal of fun got the best of him One evening they ganged up on him in the alley and he followed the leader. All fifteen of that gang joined All Nations and were later baptized. and when he came out of the hospital he decided That leader of the Seventh Street Gang became to retaliate and formed a gang with the help of a member of the board of trustees governing All four other fellows. The three youngsters, discov- Nations. ering this, organized a gang Qf ten. We called the boys in singly and collectively, even summon- These are evidences of a change in attitude, a ing the parents in most cases. When we were change in habit, and a change in personality which through, on the desk of the boys' leader there were we believe that Jesus Christ would recognize as deposited pieces of pipe a foot long, nicely taped a part of the Kingdom of God movement which he on one end in order that it might not slip while sought to create in this old world. being used, brass knuckles, pieces of steel that would fit into the palm of a hand and knives. The The Church is most effective as it translates the Gospel of Jesus Christ into practical forms of hu- man helpfulness. Such evidences of Christian love and understanding eventually find a response in the hearts of those who reside "on the other side of Main Street."
the Gospel in a City
By H. A. IRONSIDE, Litt.D.
Pastor of the Moody Memorial Church, Chicago THE new dispensation was ushered in on the wide to welcome people to hear the Gospel and to day of Pentecost in a city, and that the enjoy Christiftn fellowship. The main auditorium guiltiest city in the entire world. John Bun- has seats for 4,040 people and there are some yan has well used the term "a Jerusalem sinner" seventeen other halls and rooms used every Sun- for the very worst kind of an offender. In Jeru- day (many of them much more frequently) for salem, Ghrist had demonstrated His deity by Sunday School work, young people's meetings and many marvelous works. There He had proclaimed other 'gatherings of various kinds. It has never His wondrous message of grace. Even the chil- been found necessary to use unscriptural methods dren had welcomed Him enthusiastically and in order to draw people. From 3,000 to 4,500 many joined with them as they cried, "Hosanna people are found in this church twice every Sun- to the King that cometh in the name of the Lord." day, listening to plain, simple, Bible preaching.
Yet it was in the same city a few days later that In the morning service we endeavor to expound He was rejected, and outside the gate of that city the Word for the building up of the people of God, he was nailed to a cross. But when he appeared going through book after book of the Bible and to His disciples as the Risen One, he commanded finding constant interest in this method of presentthem to go into the entire world, beginning at ing the truth. The Sunday night meetings are Jerusalem, and to preach to all men the Good evangelistic gatherings where the Gospel is pro- News of remission of sins through faith in Him. claimed with no uncertain sound. The three R's And so the first great revival took place in that are continually insisted on: man's Ruin by sin, very city where fifty days before He had been so the necessity of Regeneration by the Holy Spirit, cruelly and wickedly crucified. and Redemption by the precious. blood of Christ; T.oday the grace of God is as truly sufficient for almost invariably there is definite response in the the city as for the rural community. In spite of way of anxious souls coming to the inquiry room, the varied attractions which the average metrop- seeking for light and help. It is my firm convic- olis provides – its theaters, its cinemas, its tav- tion that wherever these methods are followed, ems, dance halls and kindred places where every under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, people will possible appeal is made to the lust of the flesh, the find their way to the church that refuses to know lust of the eye and the pride of life-the Gospel anything among men "save Jesus Christ and Him is still the power of God unto salvation to every- crucified." one that believeth, in the city as elsewhere. Eight Not for a moment do I mean to imply that we years in the largest evangelistic center of the City should ignore men's social and economic needs. A of Chicago have demonstrated this beyond a department for ministering to those in financial doubt. There is abundant proof that men will tr.ouble is maintained in this church, and through still come to hear the Gospel and will respond to it many poor, distressed .ones have been helped that Gospel if it be preached in dependence on and numbers have been won to Christ.
God, in simplicity and in the power of the Holy Personal evangelism is emphasized and it is Spirit. Dwight L. Moody began his work in this doubtful if there are many wh.o make public pro- great city more than seventy-five years ago. His fession in this church who have not been spoken little church was largely made up of poor, neg- to personally by some friend, inviting them to the lected people wh.o had been won for Christ by meetings and trying to lead them to Christ.
Moody's faithful testimony and kindly interest; The Sunday School work has a pr.ominent place, today there stands in close proximity t.o the city's for we believe that the instruction of boys and great business district, a massive temple erected girls in the Word of God, even before they have in memory of the evangelist and to the glory of definitely decided for Christ, is like setting every- the Christ he preached. The Moody Memorial thing in order for a fire in the stove or furnace.
Church is a building which, as we often announce, Then the match of evangelism often starts the has over three hundred doors and all swinging flame which burns brightly unto eternal life.
[282 ] DR. IRONSIDE AND AN AUDIENCE IN THE MOODY MEMIORIAL CHURCH, CHICAGO Moody himself began as a Sunday School worker their courtesy the Moody Church uses this station and the Moody Sunday School today is an out- to broadcast the Sunday morning services which standing testimony to the value of his methods in thus carry the message into places we could otherdealing with young and old. wise never contact. The Christian Business Men's Committee uses another station, and so reaches In many cities, since the advent of the automo- many more. bile, open-air meetings have become alinost taboo. It is difficult to gather people together to hear the In the neighboring town of Cicero there is a message on the streets when parking space is at a splendid work of evangelism carried on from the premium and it is well nigh impossible to find a Cicero Bible Church. In fact, time would fail me place where a crowd can be gathered. But for to tell all that God is doing through many of the years every summer, open-air testimony has been independent tabernacles, as well as recognized given in various places where it is possible to over- evangelical churches and Gospel halls, the Salvacome these obstacles. Many a wanderer has been tion Army and other groups, who are constantly reached in this way. at it, not only reaching the submerged classes, but the higher-ups as well, with the glad, glorious mes- In this great city there have been other remark- sage of God's free salvation for sinful men. able movements throughout the years, and God has owned them in a marvelous way. Downtown One thing is very striking. When some in the heart of the loop, theater meetings have churches close their doors for the summer, or give been carried on by a Christian Business Men's up any attempt to hold a Sunday night meeting, Committee at the noon hour for nearly eight the churches that stand for a full, clear Gospel years, with the exception of the hot summer find that the crowds will come,and that there is months when outdoor meetings take their place. no occasion whatever to relax their activities in These meetings have resulted in the conversion of the sumWIer months. In many"instances they remany, numbers of whom return from time to time double them. to bear testimony to the reality of the change in their lives. As a result of an experience of nearly fifty years preaching Christ I have no note of pessimism to Radio ministry has proven to be a great help sound. I do not find, as some insist, that there is in giving the Gospel to the city. The Moody Bible a decrease of interest in spiritual realities. On Institute maintains its own station WMBI, carry- the contrary, I can say honestly that there has ing on a continuous evangelistic testimony, which never been a time, excepting during the special reaches tens of thousands of homes. Through great awakenings which have occurred at dif-
ferent intervals in our history as a nation, when drunkard out of the slums, get him to sign the people were so ready to listen to the Gospel, if pre7 pledge and if possible to keep it, clean him up and sented in a kindly and gracious manner by men give him a good suit of clothes, remove him and and women filled with the Holy Spirit, who have his family to a nice, little home in the suburbs, no axes of their own to grind, but who are seeking give him gainful employment, and then let him to make Christ known to those who need Him. die and go to hell unsaved-really, it is not worth while, and I for one would not attempt it." These As to the social gospel-this term which is so are serious words that we may well take to heart. widely used today is, to say the least, extra-scrip- Our great business should be preparing men for tural, and often means "putting the cart before eternity, and when they close with Christ, their the horse." Our Lord Jesus did not say to his dis- outward circumstances will soon undergo a marciples, "Go ye into all the world and seek to clean velous change. Our Lord's words are still apup the slums, to introduce better sanitary condi- plicable, "Seeks.-ye first the Kingdom of God and tions, to improve the environment of the poor and his righteousness and all these things shall be relieve the wants of the needy, to build hospitals added unto you." and endow schools and universities." He did say, "Go'ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to Let me add a word as to Christian education. every creature." But wherever that Gpspel goes, The term "Religious Education" is one that I it proves to be not only the power of God unto abominate. It savors too much of a carnal con- Salvation to everyone that believeth, but it brings ception of religiousness, as fitting a man for untold temporal blessing in its train. The best heaven, in place of emphasizing the importance social work is that which is definitely linked with of a new birth. But Christian education, if really evangelistic testimony. It is true that it would be that, is of great importance. To start with the folly to preach the Gospel to a starving man when youngest children and seek to bring them up in it is possible first to provide him with a good meal, the nurture and admonition of the Lord, ever inbut, unfortunately, the great danger is that phi- sisting on the importance of their own definite lanthropists will be satisfied with giving him the acceptance of Christ, but making them acquainted meal and forget that the need of his soul is far from their earliest days with the great outstandgreater than that of his body. I remember hear- ing truths of the Word of God, will go far toward ing old General William Booth of the Salvation building a substantial Christian constituency in Army talking to a large group of officers when their later years. The danger comes, however, lecturing on "the submerged tenth" in connection if Bible knowledge and catechetical instruction is with his "Darkest England" project. I can see substituted for a definite work of the Holy Spirit the flash in his eye and hear that powerful voice of God, producing conviction and leading the soul yet, as he exclaimed, "Take a poverty-stricken to personal decision for Christ.
Putting the Gospel to the Test By REV. J. F. HARRISON Director of Practical Work, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago HERE are some of the many experiences of large for his age, eleven, with a serious little face those who are putting the Gospel to the and quiet, dignified manner. Just as the meeting was to be closed with prayer Robert said, "I'd like test in our cities. to have Jesus for my Saviour but I've never heard In the Bible class in homes-At the close of the this story and I don't quite understand it all." Bible story the teacher gave, as usual, the invitation to any child present to open his heart and He was asked to stay and talk it over after the ask the Lord Jesus to come in. Several in the others had left. As the other children were obclass of twenty-five expressed the desire. While taining their assortment of caps, coats, mufflers, the other children bowed their heads and closed mittens and galoshes, Robert and the teacher went their eyes, those wishing to accept Christ stood up, into the kitchen to be alone. There Robert told her confessed their sins and their need of a Saviour. that his mother and father were separated and One boy, Robert, there for the first time, seemed he had been sent to a home for unfortunate chiltouched but he did not express a desire. He was dren. "The worst of it is," he said, "that Daddy
PUTTING THE GOSPEL TO THE TEXT
MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE STUDENTS STARTING OUT TO CARRY THE GOSPEL TO THE CITY and Mummy seemto have forgotten me. I haven't In the jail-The following is from a letter writeven heard from either of them in over three months." Robert's big brown eyes filled with ten by an ex-convict: tears and lips tried hard not to tremble. "I have just returned from the South and There was unspeakable joy in telling Robert that God has said: "When thy mother and thy thought I had better answer your letter. I was father forsake thee, then the Lord will take thee up." He learned that God, the Heavenly Father, over at the Institute on Sunday and I heard a very wanted him to be .His little boy; that God so loved him (Robert) that He sent His only begotten Son helpful service. I am now a very devoted reader that if Robert would believe in Him he should never perish but have a loving Father in Heaven of the Testament which you so kindly gave me. watching over him day and night. He listened so eagerly as he was told how he might be taken into lt gives me great strength and courage to carry the family of God. He asked Jesus to take away all his sins and to adopt him for His own little boy on. forever. "You were a great comfort to me while I was in In the mission–One evening during the testimony meeting a man came forward to say that he prison. God bless you for helping me find the wanted to take Christ as his Saviour. He was a typical bum, intoxicated and filthy. At first the Light. My entire life and way of living have been leader thought he was a "moocher" (one of the kind that profess to accept Christ and then ask changed and I praise Him daily and pray cQnfor a dime to buy a drink) but after taking him into the back room and praying with him we tinually for further guidance and comfort. I hope found that he was sincere. you will always remember me in your prayers. He had spent twenty-three years of his life in a peniteritiary and had been out only a few Sometime I should like to have you make arrangemonths. He was lonely and despondent. As he passed the mission he heard the singing and came ments for me to be baptized." in. He felt that he needed God and accepted Jesus as his Saviour, giving his testimony publicly. In the .hospital-On a Sunday afternoon as I was visiting in the Hospital I stopped beside .the bed of a Jew. After speaking with him for a few minutes I offered him a tract. I never saw a man change so suddenly. He cursed me and he cursed God and Jesus Christ. I opened my Bible and started to read from the Old Testa- ment certain things pertaining to the Jews. He listened until I referred to Jesus Christ. After he had agreed to the fact of God, the truth of the Old Testament, and to the laws and ordinances of the Old Testament, I asked him if he ever took a lamb or a bullock to the priest for a sacrifice for his sins. Of course he had not. I read to him from the Gospel of Matthew without telling him
where I was reading. He agreed to the truth of sands of dollars in intoxicating liquor. For some the portions that I read and when I told him they days he had been under conviction of sin and this were from the New Testament he would not be- night, in desperation, he had been walking the lieve me. I left a Gospel of John and some tracts, streets seeking God. He passed a mission, and telling him I would call again in a few days. going in, explained his desires. They prayed with him but he received the idea that until he could When I returned he had read the Gospel of either speak in tongues or prophesy he was un- John and said that he believed it was true. To saved. make sure that he understood, I went back through the Bible, showing him that Jesus Christ was "the For the greater part of an hour we stood behind Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the a schoolhouse near a street lamp where we were world," and that He was the eternal sacrifice. The undisturbed, and here this man found the Light. man finally prayed and wept for joy that he had He has been a gangster, and had associated with found the Messiah. some of the bi~est politicians in Chicago, and had a great battle to fight. Later I brought hjm aNew Testament with the Psalms, and he took them as ,a man grasping for One Sunday afternoon I walked up to his apart- a life line. He fairly "ate the Word" and in three ment and found him in a very low frame of mind. weeks his Bible was almost worn out. The remedy prescribed was the confession of Jesus Christ before his associates. In the open air-One evening, after a prayer service, we drove to our district and scouted The next Wednesday evening he came to see me around for a good location. We decided that the and the first thing he said was: "Well, I have Lord wanted us to speak on a corner in a neighbor- done it. I have burned every bridge I had." After hood where Germans, Poles, Russians, Serbians, two days of thinking and praying and reading the Italians and Roumanians reside. We started with Word of God he had come to the conclusion that the song service and in a few minutes over 125 it had to be a clean break. Wednesday morning people had gathered from all directions. Three he went out to the gangsters' headquarters where special songs followed and then the message was he requested that his name be taken off the list. given and those who desired further information The men thought at first he was drunk; then, that and help were asked to step out from the crowd. he was crazy. He was offered whiskey and money About two thirds did so and personal work lasted which he refused, telling them that all the money for half an hour. We knew that the Lord had he got from them was fools' money. He then told given a special blessing and we were jubilant. them of the step he had made and that he was all We found that 63 people had been dealt with and through with them and the kind of life they led. 38 had professed conversion. Nearly four hun- dred tracts had been distributed and people had After convincing them of his sincerity he went taken twenty-one Gospels of John. Other names to several places where he owed bills, paid them . were taken and Gospels were mailed later. so as to have nothing to draw him into the temp- tation of his former life. When he had made the In the street-One evening I had a feeling that slate clean he had ten cents left which he used I must go for a walk. After about twenty minutes in calling up a former friend. I turned the corner to go to my ,apartment, but felt that I should cross the street. As I stepped "Broke but happier than in years," he said and up on the walk a man passed me and I held out a felt as if a burden had been lifted from his shoul- tract which he took. After walking about twenty ders. Without a job and no connections, he faced steps he turned and said, "May I talk with you?" life with more confidence than he had ever known. This man has since been sorely tried as he has His first question was: "Must I speak in sought work. However, God has now graciously tongues to be saved, or believe in any other of provided his need. these things, such as prophesying or healing?" Does the gospel work today? Moody Bible In- I learned that this man had drunk down thou- stitute students say, "Yes."
Why cannot the young people's groups and the church congregations, unite to meet the common task of taking the Gospel to the whole community without disturbing the forms and the confessions of the individual church and the individual denomination? If we do not do this and do it quickly, how can we hope to make our city part of the kingdom of God? .
Let these be our three objectives: 1. To minister as Christian individuals in so far as possible to all whose condition is a challenge to Chris- tian friendliness. 2. To bring the common conscience of the church to bear upon community conditions that are unjust and that degrade life. 3. To carry the preaching and the teaching functions of the church out to those who are at present unreached. ROBERT W. SEARLE.
with the Industrial
By REV. A. J. MUSTE Director of Labor Temple, New York I GNAZIO SILONE is the foremost Italian nov- quisitive, pseudo-scientific, materialistic indus- elist of today. Being an anti-Fascist he does trialism which has been the "respectable religion." not reside in Italy. A few years ago he at- But none of these faiths is meeting the world's tained fame with a novel entitled "Fontamara" needs; on the contrary, under their leadership (Bitter Stream) which pictures village life under and amid their clashing, the world is headed for Fascism. Later he published another novel, catastrophe. "Bread and Wine," which is his portrayal of how Fascism may be overcome. The hero of the book The basic reason why these rival faiths are failwas in the secular revolutionary movement in ing to meet the world's needs and are leading it Italy before Mussolini came to power. Now, ac- to catastrophe is that they are built upon rotten cording to the story, he is back in Italy working moral and spiritual foundations; they deny some in the underground movement for a free regime, of the most fundamental concepts of the Christian but with a very different approach and methods view of the world and of man. from those previously employed. Here are some typical utterances which Silone puts in the mouth We briefly mention three points at which Chrisof his hero: tianity stands in opposition to materialistic indus- trialism, Fascism and Communism. First, the The dictator's henchman must be opposed not with other three systems all hold degraded and degrading henchmen who merely spoke differently, but with men who conceptions as to the nature of the individual, in lived and acted differently…. The evil I see around me contradistinction to the Christian view that the is deeper than politics. It is a canker. . . . There is the human being is spiritual, a child of God, having class-struggle, the struggle between the town and the moral dignity and worth. Let us illustrate. To country, but underlying all these things there is man, a the pseudo-scientific world-view of the pre-war poor, weak, terrified animal. The canker has penetrated period which saw everything in terms of mechanto his marrow. . . . All that remained alive and inde- ism, the human being is "a highly temporary structible of Christianity in me was revived: a Chris- chemical episode on a most petty planet" or "a tianity that neither abdicates in the face of Mammon, nor tiny lump of impure carbon and water." To a proposes concordats with Pontius Pilate, nor offers easy certain kind of industrialism, man is a mere cog careers to the ambitious, but rather leads to prison, seeing in a machine. Henry Ford once said, in effect, that crucifixion is no longer practised. that it is the duty of management to take the load off the worker's back and put it on the machine, For anyone who is acquainted with the modern and to take the load off the worker's mind and literature, especially that of "the Left," which has put it on the office. From the spiritual and moral influenced the thinking of industrial workers in point of view, what is left that is human in a the western world even though not many of them creature with nothing on its back and nothing on . read it, these sentences sound a startlingly new its mind? And practically, of course, this creanote. Yet dozens of quotations could be cited from ture ends on the scrapheap of industry, lucky if recent essays, poems and novels of such impor- the state adopts him as a ward. tant figures as Aldous Huxley, Edmund Wilson, John Dos Passos, Sidney Hook, Josephine John- In Fascism the human being is degraded to a son, W. H. Auden, Andre Gide, Eugene Lyons mere pawn in the hands of the totalitarian State. and others in which the same approach is implicit In Communism the proletariat, idealized in the if not quite so explicit as in Silone's book. People abstract, is in the concrete subjected to the dicin this mood are likely to be much more receptive tatorship of an absolutist Party, and in the Party to the Christian message and philosophy than the member is a pawn: if the Party says that a they have been until recently. man must steal, lie, spy upon and betray his What has brought about this new trend in mod- closest friend, he has no alternative. ern thought? We may put it in this way. The Second, all of these systems, as might be inthree modern faiths which have been rivals to Christianity on the soil of Christendom itself are ferred, regard the system rather than the indi- Fascism, Communism and the get-rich-quick, ac- vidual as important. "Keep this system, with all our marvelous inventions and progress, just as it [287 ]
is, and all will be well; we shall progress auto- man is a part. For obviously, man is a dependent, matically and forever"-is or was the naIve faith a contingent being. We did not create ourselves. of a materialistic capitalism. "Smash it all and Weare the product, the creation of something- put another system in its place and all our prob- Some One. lems will be solved"-is the equally naIve faith of the secularist Marxist. Christianity knows that Of what, then? Of whom? Creatures of mat- any "system" is only human beings living in cer- ter? "Tiny lumps of impure carbon and water"? tain relationships; unless something happens in How then can we, out of "mere matter," produce the human being, nothing has happened at all. creatures who can make moral decisions and re- spect themselves? Or is man the product of some Third, all of these systems believe in power and vast cosmic mechanism? How shall he then be- domination. They reject and despise gentleness, come more than a cog in that impersonal machine? meekness, love. They believe that "the end justi- fies the means." They think that the world can No, if our problem is what so many are coming somehow, by violence, ruthlessness, repression, again to see, what "high religion" has always _ dictatorship, reach the goal of peace and democ- known it to be, then must we not conclude that racy and brotherhood. The civilized, capitalistic there is no salvation for us from suicide, indi- world believed this doctrine so firmly that twenty vidual and collective, no means of maintaining or years ago it spent directly and indirectly thirty recovering the self-respect without which man million human lives and four hundred billion dol- cannot go on living, unless man can know him- lars' worth of wealth in a war that was to make self as the creation of Spirit, living in a universe the world finally "safe for democracy" and put which is somehow governed by moral and spir- an end to war. Having observed the results, this itual law? Is there then any escape from "the capitalistic world cannot yet make up its mind to gods many and lords many" who rule this age save renounce the method of war, even though that too in "the one God, the Father," whose very nature involves a bit of risk, any more than Russia is it is to produce sons and daughters who can re- prepared to renounce the method of dictatorship, spect themselves and love each other? Can there chekas, espionage and repression, though all it be then any Lord save the "one Lord, Jesus seems to lead to is more dictatorship, chew, Christ," who thus saw man and God and lived in espionage and repression. the light and power of that vision?
Obviously on the terms of any of these systems How else, furthermore, shall we find the dy- life becomes meaningless at last; human beings namic for building a sane and brotherly world? cannot respect themselves; they cannot make It is a question of dynamic. "Never higher than moral decisions because they do not think there in our time were the vital advantages." The vis- is such a thing as morality apart from expediency. ion of a new order has never been clearer; the Men who really think thus of themselves do not material resources are at hand. But confusion, worship God, do not create great art, do not build cynicism, ruthlessness, oppression, terror stalk democratic societies. To do these things we have the earth. "When hatred promised an immediate to believe in the dignity and moral worth of man. dividend all of us hated." We have to understand that the basic question is the nature and quality of the human being. We, who stand on Christian ground and who share the Christian experience, are alone able to The Christian message may again receive a speak with confidence to the "Wise Men" of our hearing which it has not had for some time, since day and to the industrial masses who have been 'a growing number of important writers, particu- under their influence; as Paul spoke to the men larly writers of "the Left," are beginning to pro- of Athens: "I observe, wherever I turn, that you claim again the great human and Christian truth are a most religious people. As I passed along that we must know whether human beings are and scanned your objects of worship, I actually creatures of spirit and so are capable of building came upon an altar with the inscription and living in a free fellowship; changing systems is not enough; the means that men use inevitably TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. determine the ends they achieve. I proclaim to you this God whom you worship in If we really become desperately concerned about your ignorance." the nature and quality of the human being; if we are convinced that we cannot build a new world The Church of Christ today is confronted, as merely by changes in external arrangements, that in its first days, with dictatorship, absolutisms, we must have first of all people capable of making modern Cresarisms – persecuted and hounded by moral decisions and living in a free society, then them. It will probably become increasingly diffi- inevitably the argument will have to be pushed a cult in all lands for the Church to meet the de- step farther back. We have to ask what is the mands of the State for an absolute allegiance and nature and character of the universe of which .retain its own soul. The Church may well be put again in the position of a small minority spiritual fellowship in a hostile world, driven to carryon
A POLICEMAN TRANSFORMED
its worship in the catacombs, "in deserts and Christian evangelism to the industrial worker mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth." must meet him in the arena of his intellect. It On the other hand men everywhere are sensing must prove itself competent to demonstrate the that such a world is doomed and are raising their inadequacy and falsehood of materialistic indusvoices again in the cry for the help which is to trialism, F,ascism and Marxism. It must meet be found only in the Eternal Word of God's re- the worker in the arena of his needs as a cog in deeming love, which by grace is ours. the machine of industry. It must be the voice of a church which does not attempt to defend, much A church which is not prepared to undergo the less to identify its own fate with that of a selfish terrific intellectual and theological labor involved economic order, based on acquisitiveness and in translating its Gospel into the language and strife or with a political order based on violence thought-forms of our day-as Paul, John, Origen, and dictatorship. It must be a church which Augustine, Luther and Calvin did for their day brings the economic order under the judgment of -will not be able to "speak to the condition" of Christ and must insist that in all relationships His these people. A church which, like the Russian spirit and teaching shall be the standard. On church under the Czars, becomes a mere bulwark these terms the Church will also be able to proof the existing order, deaf to human needs, bless- claim to the workers the prophetic truth that they ing or condoning the war-system, a mere tool of will reap nothing but disillusionment and despair the Cresars and the economic and political Cresar- if they seek to achieve freedom and peace and ism of our day-such a church will not be able to brotherhood by the way of dictatorship and vio- "speak to the condition" of troubled and seeking lence and hate. modern men. But a church which is prepared to think through and state the Christian faith in the Modern Christian evangelism must also prolanguage of the present age; a church that is claim to industrial workers the personal Gospelready to be indeed an international fellowship, the eternal message that each man must settle his animated by and obedient to the spirit of Jesus, own account with God; he can by no means pass ready to break loose from entangling alliances on to ,another the responsibility of his own sin or with the Cresars and Cresarism of today, and eager to "society" or "the system"; nevertheless he canto seek to realize the will of God on earth as it is not himself settle that account nor carry that in Heaven – such a church is in a position to burden; God himself by grace wipes out the accall upon modern "Wise Men" and masses alike count and takes upon His own redemptive love the to follow Christ and not Barabbas. This church burden, and so sets man, His child, free and makes will call today with more likelihood of being him a member of the church – the fellowship of heeded than for many decades past. the Redeemed.
A Policeman Transformed By PAUL L. BUFFA, New York City A CERTAIN Christian worker has taken ad- Meadows, where the new Exposition Grounds are vantage of the dearth of candidates in all being landscaped, the policeman drove his car off Fraternal Orders and made it part of his the road and stopped it on an ash dump. To his astonished companion he began to speak of his responsibility to give some of his time to large own spiritual problem. After being confirmed in his mother's church, he never entered a church. groups of men who are always looking for inter- He had tried to live a clean, upright life; he was esting speakers. He has found that the plain happy in his family life, his mother making a story of God's redeeming love, told without an- home for him. Being ambitious and capable, he thropomorphic "gaucheries," without mythology was studying with a view to advancement and and ecclesiastical trappings, always secures the therefore had not yet given thought to getting rapt attention of many rather sophisticated audi- married. He was popular with the "boys" with ences. whom he worked but, said he, "I am not popular with myself. I wish I could become different. I On one such errand, during the first week of am not at rest when I am alone with myself." last November, after he had delivered his message and while putting on his overcoat in the ante- The police officer stated he had talked with sevroom, dismally considering the long street car and eral clergymen-"all very nice men; but some subway journey from Brooklyn to the Bronx, he were too learned for me and said things which was approached by a tall man in a police officer's sounded lovely but did not mean anything to me. uniform who offered to take him home in his car.
While the two were crossing the Flushing
Others treated me like a Bowery tramp and ex- she had gained hope and that the Holy Spirit was horted me to give up my 'wickedness' ; others gave at work in her heart. me easy assurances that I was all right and all I needed was to join their particular church." He New Year's Eve came around and with it the was neither learned, wicked nor desirous of Watch-night service in the Christian worker's church membership, but he was hungry and parish. It was a Candle Lighting Service and, thirsty for new incentives and new motivations after everyone had gone home, he made his cusand a new drive. tomary rounds to make sure all was right in the building. At about one o'clock in the morning, The Christian worker, who does not believe in there was a terrific pounding on the main door of argumentation but in the unfailing power of the the church. The worker opened it and was sur- Word of God when "fitly spoken," quietly asked prised by the sight of his policeman friend accomhis heavenly Father for guidance and was led to panied by over a dozen of the toughest and shadquote (Ezekiel 36: 26), "A new heart also will I iest characters,;irom his neighborhood, together give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; with a generous sprinkling of the "caulyflowered and I will take away the stony heart out of your ear," punch drunk "punks" who love to be conflesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." sidered dangerous, without being really criminal at heart. The policeman apologized for the late- Having slowly repeated this word of promise ness of the hour but he had to finish his day's three times, he felt compelled to silence. For sev- work. He had received the Pastor's circular aneral minutes an atmosphere of tenseness and ex- nouncing the Candle Lighting Service and had depectancy pervaded the car. Then the policeman cided to come and place his candle on the Altar. spoke: He had conceived the plan of inviting the hangers- on, who, at night, are always loafing in front of a "It may be inconvenient to kneel in this car; certain saloon in the vicinity. He remarked: but I feel there should be prayer here. If I stick "They were not in a position to say no; so here my knees in your eyes, just forgive me; my legs we are!" are rather long." Having lit a candle and placed it in the proper He then asked the Christian worker to pray. place he turned to the motley crew who, in the The worker told him to pray for himself. An- penumbra of the church, looked like some of other silence followed, when there took place the Dore's damned; he told them the laws of man most beautiful thing which can happen on earth had touched many of them but evidently had -that which causes the Angels in Heaven to re- helped them very little. He asked if, like himself, JOIce. In simple, sincere language, the young any of them would give the Saviour a chance. policeman started groping for the hand of the Father, which was stretched out to him in his Three of those boys have since come to the darkness. Before the two arose from their knees, Christian worker for spiritual guidance. this valiant young man had taken his oath of allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ. To the verse quoted in the car on the Flushing Meadows, the worker now would add the marvel- Thanksgiving Day came around and with it ous words of Ezekiel 36: 29. joy was brought to many, and silent, bitter sor- "And I will call for the corn and I will increase row to others. Our police friend was cruising in it." a Radio Car with his Irish partner, when the screams of women and children from the windows "The greatest church in all the land, of a tenement drew their attention; upon inves- With wealth and power in its control, tigation, it was found that a young mother had tried to commit suicide by inhaling gas and to Holds naught but ashes in its hand, asphyxiate also her little children. The Irish Unless it guards the city's soul. officer went for the telephone while our policeman proceeded to administer first aid. He succeeded in What means this stately granite pile, reviving the woman when, in a hysterical fit she To Christian worship set apart, badly bit his finger, cursing him for bringing her back to life. When he saw her physical life re- If crowded streets, mile upon mile, turning he felt immediately concerned for her Feel not the throbbing of its heart? spiritual life and, disregarding his own hurt, he raised his heart in prayer to God on her behalf. "Respond, 0 church! these myriad calls After completing his day's duty, tired and hungry, Appealing, come from street and mart, the officer, before even taking food, made it a point to pick up the Christian worker and take Where every man whom sin enthralls, him to see the woman who had been snatched from Expects a welcome to thy heart. such untimely end. He found that, in her despair, Reach out, 0 church! this is the hour To make thy ministry complete!
God waits, to furnish thee with power, To lift the city to his feet."
A SKETCH OF THE CONCENTRATION
THE GOODS AND ILLS OF . URBAN LIFE / INNER CITY AREA OUTER CITY AREA RESIDENTIAL SUBURB~ " FOREIGN BORN MINGLING OF NATIONALITIES NATIVE AMERICAN POOR HOUSING APARTMENTS-HIGH RENT SPACIOUS RESIDENCES —……… ~ Af~ POOR HOME FURNISHINGS LOW RATE OF HOME OWNERSHIP LOW AATEOF HOME OWNERSHIP1HIGH RATE OF HOMEOWNERSHI! , DOWNTOWN MUNICIPAL COMFORTABLE FURNISHINGS 'f/<-P~.~ ~ . CROWDING LIMITED SPACE MUCH SPACE PER PERSON POOR LIGHT AND AIR LESS SMOKE AND DIRT PURER AIR BUILDINCS (:)", ('" POOR PLA'1 FACILITIES LIM1TED PLAY FACiliTIES GOOD PLAV FACILITIES LIBRARIES .~.~, – MUSEUMS NO TREES AND GRASS FEW TREES-SMALL VAROS TREES AND CRASS 0~ DIRTV STREET~AlLEYS CLEAN STREETS THEATRES ~ti;E§~<~:_:> IHIGHHIDHGEIHAGTHHINRFBAATIRENTBTYHDTUREBAAETTREHCURLOASTISE I BIG STORES LOW BIRTH RATE lOW BIRTH RATE LOW INFANT DEATH RATE OFFICE BUILDING CENTRAL BANKS LOW DEATH flATE BY TUBERCULOSIS TRANSPDRTATIO CENTRE ~~ ~'yZ HIGH DELINQUENCV RATE JINCREASING DELINQUENCY RATE, LOW DElINQUENCV RATE -' ~'~~~,,»'/INADEQUATE FOOD AND CLOTHING/ADEQUATE FOOD AND CLOTHING / PLENTY OF FOOD AND CLOTHING/ I MUCH UNEMPLOYMENT I I LITTLE UNEMPLOVMENT ;/ I I I MEDIUM RELIEF ~ATES ~ HIGH REUEF RATES LOW RELIEF RATES LOW WAGE II I MODERATE INCOME HIGH INCOME I I '"' "OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF' LEADERSHIP RAPID MOVEMENT FROM / LOW "MOBILITY RATE CONCENTRATION OF -ILLS" PLACE TO PLACE / ICONCENTRATION OF "GOODS"j The Inner and the Outer City By REV. ERNEST GRAHAM GUTHRIE, D.D., LL.D.
General Director of the Chicago Congregational Union I T IS impossible to describe a Modern American ulation, an accumulation of problems of poverty, City in terms that would be true of all, for they delinquency, and crime. So hostile is this environ- differ widely in what they do to and with hu- ment to human life that, no matter what racial man life. Nor is it easy to describe in general group takes up its aoode in these areas, no matter terms. the varied relationships of the Christian how good the stock from which they have come, Church to these differing patterns of life. We sooner or later the same signs of deterioration becan, however, recognize certain facts that create come starkly revealed. And yet out of these very one of the major problems with which the Church areas have come some of the best life we have, has to deal. There is a flight of human life to- rising on ladders visible and invisible to high wards the suburbs, under the drive of the home- place in industry and commerce, in the arts and making instinct, carrying with it many of the religion, in the public life of the city and the naablest citizens, and much of the wealth and other tion. The outer area of the city, with singular resource that was formerly available for the In- exceptions, in industrial suburbs, and even "subner City. The ultimate result is, that the city has urban slums," is marked by the power of wealth, two sharply contrasted areas. The one is marked the advantages of education and superior trainby poor housing, suffocating densities of pop- ing, and, often by a" deep ignorance of, and de- [291 ]
tachment from, the massed disadvantages to is never primary, although often it grows with human life in the central area from which they the growth of all the rest. This means that every have escaped. suburban church has one such relationship to an The resources of the Christian Church have in institution of the Inner City, and the strongest the main followed the course of this economic and churches may have four or five. On the other social drive. The great churches of the suburbs hand, every institution in the Inner City has, in are, in the first instance, the products of this turn, some three to six suburban churches as an movement, and it would not be difficult to substan- inner circle of dynamic fellowship. This Plan is tiate the thesis that these churches have not only fostered within the general organization of the been built up at the expense of the old mother church for the whole city, and is guided constantly churches of the Inner City, but are still dependent by a Cooperating Committee of eighteen repre- upon them for much of their best Christian lead- sentatives of the suburban churches, but the point ership. This movement of the Church life leaves is that these relationships are direct. They grow behind it a situation that is tragically familiar. at both ends through deepening understanding The older fortresses of the faith and service are, and knowledge, and above all by mutual respect with outstanding exceptions, being constantly de- and mutual service, as common participants in pleted, not only in financial resources but in the one faith and one Christian trust.
character of their ministerial and lay leadership, The various strands of this fellowship are all at the very moment when they are facing new important and for different reasons: and often alien populations and the vast complexity of human problems that are the result of the (1) The local boards of the Inner City institubasic movement referred to above. The total re- tions are drawn from the several churches to sult is that the Christian Church is weaKest, in which they are related, and are so carefully chosen every form of resource, in the very area of the that it is not too much to say that many of these most bitter and complex human need. institutions have a calibre of Christian men and women directing them that is, on the average, But that the Christian Church is not satisfied higher than that of anyone of the suburban to leave this situation as it stands, that it is seek- churches related to them. Nor are these men and ing a way and is finding a way to return in the women concerned with finances and bills alone. power of its faith and service into the Inner City Here is one powerful enough to change the whole there is abundant evidence. It is the purpose of attitude of the police to a foreign group the instithis article to briefly indicate some of the ways tution serves. Another caused even a Judge of a in which this is being, and can be increasingly court to be disciplined for unseemly reference to done by a si.ngle communion, by a united Prot- the race for which the Center was maintained. A estantism, and by the still more comprehensive third reaches into the City government, to correct action of the religious leadership of the city as a the menace to health of open drains and sewers. whole. Still others, of the right training and gifts, help the institution to evolve from simply doing am- The Strategy of a Single Communion The first necessity is for any given communion bulance work for those wounded by hardship and to establish an adequate stake of its own life and evil into a powerful center of thought and action, service in the Inner City. If we leave aside, for striking constructively to eliminate the sources of the moment, the older original churches, this stake misery at their origin.
is represented by a group of institutions that (2) A second and a golden strand is the stream range all the way from Rescue Missions and For- of volunteer assistance in the service of these in- eign-Speaking Churches, to Neighborhood Houses, stitutions. The original settlement movement was which are the Church's forms of the Settlement an effort to give to the blighted areas of our cities Movement, and smaller churches of the conven- the kind of intelligence, high moral character, and tional type. One of the vexed questions within trained service and leadership for education, several of our communions at the present time is recreation, and community reconstruction, of to determine in what proportions its resources which these areas had been depleted. To the set- should be divided between churches that build the tlements of London came some of the best life of fellowship and institutions whose ministry is Oxford and Cambridge Universities. In these poured forth, without hope of any kind of return, training grounds were created some of the great out of the chalice of a self-forgetting service. Proconsuls of the empire who, like Milner in Af- Our problem is to create a vital sense of fellow- rica, however highly placed, never forgot how the ship between these two arms of the Church's serv- other half lived and the high trust they held for ice. In one communion what is known as the Fel- that other half. 'From these suburban churches lowship Plan binds these two groups together in have come volunteers, equaling and sometimes a multitude of strands of which the financial bond surpassing in number, the regular staffs of these
THE INNER AND THE OUTER CITY
MEXICAN BOYS AND GIRLS ENACTING THE CHRISTMAS STORY IN FIRMAN HOUSE, CHICAGO institutions, who have given their talents freely ways consciously and wisely kept subordinate, to communities which yesterday they did not even nevertheless grows in a myriad ways. Equipment arrives, from baseball bats to an organ, for the know existed. institution; boys and girls are given opportunities (3) A third important strand is the leadership to recover their health; scholarships are founded by which the more talented may climb towards at both ends of the relationship. The fellowship high careers; golden ladders are let down into the is conceived to be mutual, and it is increasingly darkness, not one, but many. And when any great becoming so. The business of the leader of the single undertaking for some desperate need of a Inner City institution is to enlarge the social con:" single community is set before the communion as sciousness and quicken the social conscience of a whole, it is not the four or five suburban the suburban church; and, where the leader of churches that are its inner circle of fellowship the suburban church rightly uses his opportunity, alone, that respond, but the entire fellowship of his church, at meeting after meeting, in group churches, rising in a single year to contributions after group, is exposed to the cruel pressure and amounting to $75,000, beyond all that is given by the disfiguring results of the city's pitiless forces, the central organization of the Church. As one on other neighborhoods. But always these tragic of the active leaders in this plan has said, "Its scenes are depicted by a leader who offers through basis is found in the fact that fundamentally each his own institution an arm of Christian service one of us regards himself as a part of this great and power that day in and day out is battling city and the city a part of himself." against these evils for human life. As a consequence, many of these churches are beginning to We turn, for a 'moment, to the old mother ask for surveys of the neighborhoods in which churches in the heart of the city. Some of these their related institutions work to go beyond vague are still strong in membership, in resource and impressions and face directly the bitter facts. influence. They have maintained themselves, amidst the currents and the tides that have swept (4) We can hardly wonder that, where these, others into weakness or oblivion. They are susand other strands, of direct fellowship are grow- tained by the loyalty of members who live in the ing in strength, the financial exchange between these two arms of Christ's service, which is al-
suburbs, but whose spiritual home is in the heart bankruptcy and moral and spiritual treason that of the city. And how greatly some of these old it is? Are no great spiritual questions being churches are maintained, a center of tranquility asked,if not in the churches of the suburbs, then amidst the increasing perturbation, full of deep in the souls of suburban men and women as they and great ministries to myriads of lives otherwise drop off, at their quiet stations in the evening, without close human ties, sanctuaries of all forms and pass, through long avenues of beauty to their and moods of worship, on whose altar, as one of homes, or as, in the morning, their train stops their ministers has said, "will burri unobtrusively for a moment to give them a close sight of the but perpetually, a flame symbolizing the everlast- blighted areas of the great city's life?" ing presence of a Friendly God." Perhaps there is no greater service rendered by the suburbs to In one of our great cities the united religious the Inner City than by those who maintain such leadership has set itself to analyze the forces that loyalties, as long as life lasts, and who are sup- make and mar the city, to give a synoptic picture ported in their loyalty by the approval of minis- of the vast orga'frism, as a whole, and this picture ters and churches in the suburbs who look not at is being painted by economists, by industrialists, their own things alone. by politicians, mid all that great company who know how the segment of its mighty life with On the other hand, is' there anything more which they are familiar came to be, what exactly tragic, and, in a great sense, more unnecessary, are the sources of its evils, and from which directhan the dying back of these great centers of wor- tion its salvation must come. ship for lack of support? One by one they perish within their own little denominational fellowships It is only as the organic wholeness of the city that can no longer maintain them. Will the day slowly forms itself in the minds and hearts and never come when these things will be counted challenges the wills of the total leadership of the among the scandals and the high crimes of our Church, in all its branches, and in all its locations, divided Protestantism? Is there not sufficient that the great Kingdom of cooperative life, topower, despite the tribal spirit that still infects wards which the true Church ever lives and them, working with the rising tide of protest serves, will come to pass. In Elizabeth Goudge's against their divided and composite futility, for "A City of Bells," it is said of the old Canon of the Protestant churches to take their stand on the Cathedral, as he moved, one Christmas eve, this at least, and determine that, no matter who through the slums of that Cathedral city: "He comes or who goes, as long as human life inhabits hated segregation, inevitable though he knew it these inner areas, there shall be enough great to be. He hated the barriers of time and age and churches to give a united witness, a united serv- class and language. He longed for the time when ice, and enduring expression to the high resolve all the different lights carried by man in the pagthat, under God, it will not let the heart of the eantry of life should grow into one." city go. No greater service could the churches of the suburbs, as a whole, of every and all commun- Enough has been said above of the active and ions, render than to take an unbroken stand that serving church in the city to show that those diftheir gifts shall not be made to the Inner City ferent lights have grown into one, wherever privexcept under the high policy and technique of, a ilege has shared with those who lack it, wherever United Church. love has found the way to blend life's myriad lights together, in the fellowship that is of, in, Different Lights Grow Into One and through Christ. But these things, of which we dream, and for which we work, in the great- But these are at best but superficial movements ness of our hope, will never come to pass until the towards the greater solidarity of life, that must power of God in Christ so invests His Church be realized in the Modern City. The church in the that we shall learn anew what the Church is and suburbs must delve deeper into its owngonscience can be when it becomes in reality "the act of God and ask, of those who can answer it, "How came in Christ in the midst of time." these things to be?" What industry was it that enticed these 200,000 Negroes from their cabins There are churches which say to their people in the Southland and hurled them, helpless, into the great maelstrom of the city? By whose mor- that one of the requirements of Christian fellowtal and human enactment do both Church and City have on their hands, this multitude of ap- ship is service for which no material reward is parently insoluble problems? paid. One church has, in addition to those who "By whose retreat from citizenship of the great city into the toy citizenship of the beautiful sub- give service in its own program, nearly one hunurban village, does municipal government become the combination of graft and cloaked crime of dred and fifty members who regularly each week are working in the community as volunteers in Christ's name. They are teaching the blind, work- ing in hospitals, calling on the aged, leading groups in boys' and girls' clubs, helping out in other churches. ROBERT W. SEARLE.
A United Church
By the REV. GORDON R. LAHRSON, New York Minister of the Henry Street United Church I NTERDENOMINATIONALISM has often been greener pastures. Why move as long as the com- an interesting subject for speculation and de- munity is filled with human beings whom the bate. The recent conferences in Oxford and Church of Christ is supposed to serve, regardless Edinburgh indicate certain avenues of cooperative of their social or economic rating? effort upon which all Protestant groups may travel. Too frequently, however, the much-ado These two churches have had a flexible minisabout denominations getting together has been try which has sought to interpret the message of like Mark Twain's observation concerning the Christ in light of the human problems and condiweather, it is a subject of much talk but nothing tions in the community. No church can long exist is done about it. While a feeling of helplessness in Manhattan with a static program. Traditional may be justified in the attempt to bring about practices must often yield to newer methods; and ecclesiastical union between certain denominations, church union is being successfully attempted yet, is not the glory of a rich tradition for any .inon the common ground of Christian service. stitution a ministry of service with enough viSIOn Two of the oldest churches in Manhattan, the and understanding to adapt itself to the deepest Mariners'Temple (Baptist) and the Sea and Land needs of men? (Presbyterian), have now joined forces in a united Christian program. The ministers and Mariners' Temple was built in 1795 as the workers in the two churches have been brought Oliver Street Baptist Church and is the oldest together and a coordination of activities has been Baptist edifice in New York City. It was rebuilt affected. While each church maintains its eccle- in 1844, and since that time has been known as siastical identity, all worship and service enter- Mariners' Temple. It is frequently referred to prises have been combined under one adminis- as the "Mother of Churches," several Baptist churches in the city having sprung from it– tration. American, Chinese, Danish, Italian, Norwegian, In evaluating this significant step of church Lettish, Swedish and Russian. Baptist work in Sweden, Norway and Denmark was begun by seaunion, one must recognize the drastic changes men who were members of Mariners' Temple. which have taken place in downtown New York, During the pioneer days, other members of the affecting every aspect of community life. With "Mother Church" were instrumental in organizing the shifting of Anglo-Saxon populations away churches in Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. A very from the downtown area, the vast majority of impressive work was carried on among seamen in churches have joined in the exodus. This commu- the early days and from this ministry came the nity upheaval, however, has not resulted in a name by which the church has been popularly dearth of human beings. Great masses are forced known. The daily and nightly ministry to hometo live in these congested areas, in a setting which less men has been an outstanding feature of the lacks many cultural and spiritual advantages. work, and throughout its history this church has People with small incomes must dwell in these opened its doors to people of high and low degree. deteriorated, tenement districts. The same has been true of the Church of the Only a few of the old churches have been able Sea and Land. The present building goes back to to remain to interpret Christ's way of life to the the year 1817. It has had a dramatic history. throngs of human souls who must live in these Frederick Bruckbauer's book, "The Kirk on "haunts of wretchedness and need." Among the Rutgers Farm," portrays the thrilling story of few the Mariners' Temple and the Church of Sea this church up to the year 1919. George Alexand'Land are outstanding examples. Facing the ander, in his introduction to the book, made this social changes of more than a hundred years in revealing observation: the lower east side, these churches have stayed on the job, adapting their ministry to meet the needs In its first half century it sheltered a worshipping conof the changing population. They did not run gregation of staid Knickerbocker type, which, though blest away when their leading members moved to with a ministry of extraordinary ability and spiritual power, succumbed to its unfriendly environment and per- ished.
[295 ]
In its second half-century it became the home of a flock who come for aid. A large number have been of God, poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith, to whom the environment even when changing from bad to given a new hold on life through this work. worse, was a challenge to faith and valiant service. ("The The week is filled with many activities, includ- Kirk on Rutgers Farm," Frederick Bruckbauer, page 5.) ing movies for children, Weekday Church School, The Sea and Land has carried on work not only Boys' and Girls' Clubs, Greek Service, Spanish for English-speaking peoples but for Italians, Service, meetings of Italian groups, Women's So- Greeks, Russians, Spaniards and Jews. At pres- cieties, Gymnasium Classes and Socials. ent, the Italian congregation ranks as one of the strong, foreign-speaking Protestant groups in the The work with children and young people is one city. For many years Sea and Land also had an of the most challenging aspects of the program, important work with seamen when such a minis- for the building of Christian character in childtry was vitally needed. Always the purpose has hood and adolescence constitute a major function been to serve the people of the community. Mr. of every Christian church. Bruckbauer fittingly expressed the spirit of the church. The lower ea~ side is rapidly changing. The new Knickerbocker Village, with its 1,600 fam- ilies, has already made a difference. It is like a lovely oasis in the midst of a desert. The Henry Never has this been a selfish, self-contained organism, Street United Church is providing a place in its but a living, throbbing influence that went out beyond the program of worship and service for the unshadow of its gray walls, prodigal in giving to others the churched people who live there. At present, good things of the gospel that were fostered there. Many scores of old tenement buildings are being torn a church at home and abroad has cause to bless Market Street for the men and women that she brought up in the down, and a re-zoning of the entire district is benurture and admonition of the Lord. ("The Kirk on ing proposed, making it predominantly residential. Rutgers Farm," Bruckbauer, page 105.) If these plans are carried out, a new community Today, the Henry Street United Church brings will come into being. Whatever the changes, together these famous institutions. Once again, Henry Street United Church will once more seek they have met the need of a change which means to adapt its ministry to meet the needs of the more effective service. Each group discovered people.
that it was seeking to do alone that which could be Many hope that there will be enough social accomplished more effectively in a cooperative imagination to provide the kind of housing that enterprise. There has not been the disposition on will be decent and respectable and at the same the part of either church to bemoan the loss of de- time within the economic means of families now nominational glory. Rather, there is a sense of living in the tenements. Those who work in pride in being a part of a denominationalism that underprivileged areas are keenly aware that has the glory of an interdenominational spirit and Christianity must do more than extend the hand a cooperative movement for the common good of of personal kindness. These people need also a the community. social and economic environment with the kind of This Union has made possible stronger leader- soil in which the seeds of personal character can ship and the interchanging of ideas and the fel- grow. When such conditions are provided, the lowship under a united staff of workers. Both beauty and power of the Christian life will find buildings are used: Mariners' Temple (at 3 Henry the best opportunity for expression. Then the Street) and the Sea and Land (at 61 Henry missionary efforts of the church will count for the Street) are only one block apart and the two most. "Men do not gather grapes of thorns or buildings provide adequate equipment for the figs of thistles." Truly this principle applies to work. The Sunday program includes Church social as well as to personal living.
School, Morning Worship, Italian Service in the The vision and support of this united enterprise afternoon, Young People's Meeting and Evening come from the New York City Baptist Mission Worship. Society, the Church Extension Committee of the The ministry of the United Church to homeless New York Presbytery and the New York City men is unique. A Service is held for them every Mission (interdenominational). The work of the night in Hubbell Hall of Mariners' Temple. Food Henry Street United Church is indicative of the and free lodging are provided daily for as large a indispensable part which City Societies have in number as can be accommodated. During the win- bringing the Christian message to our crowded ter as many as 200 men are kept for a single night. urban communities. The splendid way in which Friendly counsel is given to individuals as young these societies have been working together in and old pour out their heart-breaking stories of sponsoring the work reveals a significant phase misfortune. The purpose of this ministry is to of interdenominational cooperation. We have dis- aid in the rehabilitation of manhood. Frequently covered that such church union is a great success men of fine education and culture are among those when expressed in terms of Christian service.
"What Can a Suburban Church Do?"
By the REV. FRANK FlIT, D.D.
The Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan T HIS church is situated three miles from the applies to all of life across the whole world, the official limits and nine miles from the chief groundwork is laid for a vital and intelligent serv- shopping center of the fourth largest city in ice to the multitudes who live in the near-by city.
the United States. It stands on the rim of a half- The condition of the world since 1914 has been circle of twenty square miles containing nearly compelling us to loosen and to thrust away our two million people. Within that half-circle are theological strait-jackets. Now, in this year gathered races and religions from all the world. 1938, as all of us are compelled to gaze at the very We have almost a thousand adult members, per- pit of hell by the terrible course of events, we see haps fifteen per cent of whom would be reckoned clearly, as never before, the true meaning of in the well-to-do class. A similar proportion Christ's message of salvation to mankind. That would be counted at the other end of the economic message means redemption for a man's nature, scale. The remaining seventy per cent of the for his home, for his school, for his shop and members belong to the middle-class group, neither store 'and factory and for his local and state and rich, nor poor. All local groups are represented, national government. It is a message for a man take part in the services and sit on the official and for the society in which he lives. It is for the boards. We have a very adequate church house individual and for all men. This is the conviction in which a program is carried on seven days a by which we Christians truly live and serve. week. In its tradition and opportunity there is nothing in what this particular church may offer Bonds of Service and Understanding to the near-by city which cannot be offered by al- Such a conception of the Christian Gospel is most any of the thousands of Protestant suburban certain to bear fruit in a process of education and churches surrounding the ninety-four cities of the service between the suburban church and the city. United States which in the 1930 census had a pop- It is quite incredible that such a Gospel should be ulation of over one hundred thousand. Some proclaimed and accepted without a constantly inchurches, more favored by resources and per- creasing interchange of information and effort. sonnel and opportunity, can offer more, and some Like other churches this church has its regular churches, less favored, can offer less. services of prayer and praise and instruction.
Th~ First Essential Here are some sample speeches addressed to groups in the interests of the city in recent weeks. Surely the first essential of such a church in its In their aggregate they were heard by the maoffering to the city is that the Christian Gospel jority of the adult members of the church. proclaimed from its pulpit, believed in by its members and assumed in its program from begin- "Making a Department Store a Civic Institution," by ning to end, is as broad and deep as human life the publicity director of a large department store; and its varied needs. Although the Grosse Pointe Farms church must of necessity bear certain "Mosaic or Melting Pot," by a member of the Detroit labels, in the sense that it is Presbyterian in its Council of Social Agencies; connection and witnesses to evangelical Christianity, there is nothing denominational in its offering "Life in a Settlement House," by the director of a setto the city. We believe that the Christian Gospel tlement; is greater than anyone parish or any single denomination, and that the flow of a redeeming and "Security amidst Uncertainty," by the special supertransforming Divine Grace can come down all visor of the Detroit Edison Company; channels that minister truly to mankind in the name of Christ. When such a conception of the "Cooperatives in Michigan," by an authority on coop- Gospel is proclaimed and believed, when the as- eratives; sumption of the entire parish is that the Gospel "The Church and Youth Delinquency," by a member of the Social Service Department of the Detroit Council of Churches; "The Negro of Detroit," by an authority; "Human Interest in Industry," by the personnel director of a large automobile company; "Bargaining between Employer and Employee," by an official in a large industry; [ 297]
"The Christian Approach to the Jew," by a Christian perance organization. Again the list might be minister, formerly Jewish; considerably extended. Almost every man and woman who holds an official position within the "Detroit's Challenge to the Churches," by the director membership also holds some official position in of the Church Extension Board, given before the the agencies which minister to Detroit's need, and Sunday morning congregation. many other men and women in the membership, holding no special responsibility within the parish, In the yearly program of activities there are are giving hours of their time each week to some many carefully planned service projects. The var- outside service. ious groups within the parish are brought into contact with the city needs and institutions. Some Two decades ago a distinguished English samples of this in recent weeks are listed. preacher who exercised a remarkable ministry on New York's Fifth Avenue is reported to have said The Married People's Class visited the Florence that one of his major problems was that he did Crittenton Home on a Sunday afternoon; not have sufficient tasks to offer to his people. That can only be true if the tasks are limited to The Women's Association visited a Community the local church organization. After all, there are House in an underprivileged district directed only a limited number of services within the local by our denomination; church, and the larger the parish the less is the proportion who can serve. But outside the church, A Professional Women's Club sponsored a Sun- particularly if that church be in or near a city, day night story hour at a Protestant Chil- there is no limit upon the opportunity for service. dren's Home; The mission Sunday Schools, the hospital boards, the settlement houses, the Y. W. C. A., and the Sunday School classes visited Negro churches, Y: M. C. A.-there is almost no end to the open- hospitals, old peoples' homes, settlements, ings. Heroic workers among the underprivileged bringing toys, clothing, etc. are sighing for the active personal assistance of the men and women of the churches. Let it be The list could be made much longer. Through- understood that every church member is expected out the year numerous organized trips take place. to serve his fellows by attaching himself to some The effort is made to give every member of the agency which ministers to human need. church a chance to become acquainted with the needy phases of Detroit's life and to appreciate The Offering in Money the methods by which the Christian forces are meeting those needs. It is safe to claim that no The question of the financial responsibility of adult member of the parish has any excuse for the suburban church is left to the last. That is pleading ignorance of the open sores of civiliza- where it belongs. First must come the proclamation in the city so close at hand. tion of the Christian message and the obligation to shoulder the responsibility. Then must come The Offering in Personnel the education in vivid terms of the proportions of the responsibility. Then must come the actual When such a Gospel is proclaimed, and when working amid the need. Then, last of all and with such an inter-related program of education is af- this careful preparation, is the' basis laid which forded, it is to be expected that earnest-minded makes the financial appeal compelling. Convicand devoted men and women within the church tion, education, participation, giving-those are membership will offer themselves for service and the four steps in the full rich contact between the accept positions of responsibility in those religious suburban church and the city. And the methods and philanthropic organizations which minister by which the money will be collected will be nudirectly to the needs of the city. A trustee and merous. Who can chart them? In the local treasurer of our church is the active head and church there is the official treasurer of benevoldirector of the Detroit Community Fund under ences. There are the gifts from Sunday School which some eighty agencies minister to the life classes and other groups. There are the appeals of the city, many of them under Christian aus- from the agencies outside the church. There is pices. The president of the trustees is also presi- the Community Fund through which most givers dent of a leading hospital board, and a former in these days prefer to donate their largest subpresident of the trustees is president of another scriptions. In addition, there are the ,anonymous hospital board. The teacher of a woman's class offerings which keep coming in, the private exin our Sunday School is president of the Detroit pressions of an earnest generosity which the giver Y. W. C. A. The president of our Women's Asso- would reveal only to God. Who can measure all ciation is also president of Detroit's Women's City of these? After all, it is not the method, but the Club and a former president of our Association motive behind it, which counts. is president of Detroit's Colony Club. A woman member of the church is president of Detroit's Protestant Children's Home. Another member is treasurer of the same institution. Still another member is president of the Allied Youth, a tem-
It would be quite impossible, even if it were de- of the evicted family into their new home. After sirable, to reckon up the giving in money to the that he slipped away without even stopping to tell needs of Detroit by the members of this parish. his name. Adding together amounts that are known, through the church treasurers, through the Detroit Com- Just as there is courage and practical kindness munity Fund and through other channels, it would so, too, there is happiness and love. But the handequal several times the budget of the local church. icaps are too great-the blight and misery and In all probability it should be much greater than waste of life are tragic. it is. There are few among us who really give away money to the point where it means personal The people whom you have met in the foregodeprivation. Let us be grateful for the number, ing pages are not creatures of the imaginationfound among rich and moderately circumstanced they are actual human beings. In some instances and poor, who really give to the point of sacrifice the details of their stories have been somewhat and set the standard for the rest of us. altered. In no instance has a story been exagger- ated. And they are not all dwellers in one city. This is a brief report of what one suburban Moreover, their counterparts may be found in any church is attempting to accomplish in the direc- one of the 6'06 communities in the United States tion of the great city on the border of which it having a population of 1'0,'0'0'0 or more-part of an stands. Undoubtedly other suburban churches are aggregate population of more than 64,'0'0'0,'0'00. doing more. Some suburban churches, because of limitations beyond their control, are not able to Has not every city its lonely aged, its physicaldo as much. The point is that every suburban ly, socially, and economically handicapped, its negchurch must do what it can. The order and lected and delinquent children? Are there not in method of procedure, as it has been found fruitful nearly every city one or more groups which suffer in at least one such church, has been pointed out. from prejudice and discrimination? It has been The Christian Gospel, wide, deep and high, in its said that "every American community has its New Testament power and glory, for every aspect slums or substandard area." And every city has of human need; the carefully planned, educational its impoverished families whose income is less connection between the agencies of the church and than the amount necessary for the maintenance of the agencies of the city; the going forth of con- healthy life. secrated men and women within the church to minister where they are needed, offering their These then are neighbors to us all! varied talents to the varied opportunities; and lastly, and as a natural result, the giving of money MARK A. DAWBER. to support the good causes. Surely this is what any suburban church can do for any city. What we Christians have to give is Christ and NEIGHBORS IN THE SLUMS what we have to tell to this urban world is the It is well to remember that there is probably story of Christ. We want to give to the present more courage to the square foot in the slums than on the avenues. And there is abounding kind- world once again the teaching of Christ. One of ness among the poor. Dickens said, "What the poor mean to the poor only God and the poor the reasons why some of the strong and powerful know." people in our big or little communities have been I remember a man who, coming home after a fruitless quest for work, found an unknown neigh- so hesitant with respect to what their duties are bor's goods upon the sidewalk. The evicted family were just sitting there, dejected and helpless. in a modern world, with its constantly demanding The returning job seeker took the situation in at a glance, rolled a barrel to the middle of the side- social changes, is that they have not paid adequate walk, placed a pan upon it, and appealed to everyone who came along the street. When money attention to the teaching of Jesus Christ. The enough had been secured he searched the neighberhood until he found an available fiat, paid a most sure approach we have to make to the people month's rent in advance, and then recruited a gang of men who moved the household possessions in our churches, when we wish to impress upon them the real significance of what is called the social gospel, is what Jesus himself taught. We begin with the assumption that when the Lord Jesus spoke He knew that He was speaking with authority. We are having to begin to present that argument all over again. I heard one person, who was engaged in the marvelous task of religious education, teaching the Christian religion to chil- dren and young people; one of the first things he told them was that they "should not assume that what Jesus said was right," but that they must hear Him critically. It is a help to me to know that Jesus was right, that He really spoke with authority. J. V. MOLDENHAWER.
MONEY IS MYSELF – IS IT MINE? * How can we raise a generation of men and women who will understand the truth about the stewardship of money? Here is a financial creed for Christians who wish to be good stew- ards: 1. Money is not "filthy lucre"; it is not the "devil's coin"; it is stored-up power. Money is much more than a standard medium of exchange. Money represents coined manhood. The five or ten dollars or more paid me for a day's work represents so much toil of my hand and brain. Through money I can also employ men to toil for me. Thus it sets me free from the limits of place so that I can heal the sick in China, or teach the children of India, or light up the dark places of Africa.
2. My money is mine only in trust; it belongs to God, sinc~I myself belong to Him. He created me, and created wealth. Christ redeemed me-purchased me with His own life- blood.
3. God is expecting me to use this money-this stored-up power-to build His churches and preach His gospel, to train His workers and send them out to teach and heal, and to save His children and help establish His rule of righteousness and brotherhood and peace.
4. To use my income aright so as to please God is one of my first responsibilities as a Chris- tian. Until I make up my mind to do this, my prayers and confessions and claims will be like saying "Lord, Lord," while not doing the will of my Father.
5. God tells me to set aside a definite proportion of my income for His work. By this I acknowledge my debt to God and His sovereignty over all my possessions. By acting on this principle, I also guard against selfishness. Giving away money on impulse and without prayer and regularity is not in harmony with the importance of God's work.
6. The proportion of my income set aside for God's purposes should be not less than one- tenth and may be much more, according to the standard given in the Old Testament. I am re- ceiving far more from God than did the ancient Hebrews or the men of any former generation, and God expects me to give not less than one-tenth and more if I am able, for my debt is great and the need is great.
7. I should seek to use money for God as carefully as I use my resources in my ordinary business. I should study the needs of the Church and the world-wide work of Christ so that I will give wisely. If I give systematically and pray with my giving, God will multiply my gift and bless the results.
8. But money is not only a means of service, it may also be a dangerous weapon. It com- mands so many things that men often forget the real values which it can never purchase: the riches of righteousness, love, happiness, a clear conscience and fellowship with God. Three rich men stand forth in prominence in the Gospel pages. One was a fool who bartered his soul for barns and acres; one was a man hard of heart and blind, who saw neither God nor his beggar brother at his door. The third lacked the courage to leave his wealth and choose the higher good by following Jesus.
9. Money spells opportunity. Today, when money offers men so many chances for self- indulgence, it also brings great opportunities for loving service. Never were doors, at home and abroad, so wide open and so appealing. Never were the forces for education and evan- gelism and Christian service so well organized. Never were there so many men and women waiting to be put into service through the use of money.
10. Money also spells obligation. Not only are the Church and Jesus Christ saying this, but the State is saying it, and so are conscience and common sense. Christian faith and loyal- ty are not shown by those who leave large gifts to heirs who have not earned it, who do not need it, and who cannot be trusted to administer it wisely. But the greatest responsibility is not in leaving money behind when we can no longer use it; the greatest obligation is in the use if it while we live. What a tremendous obligation rests upon the man who has been entrusted with wealth or the ability to get wealth. The war against poverty and suffering and igno- rance and sin is with us all the time; money is one great weapon against these, when entrust- ed to wise heads and loving hearts. It is a powerful means by which my life may be given to God and made more fruitful and beneficial to mankind.
• Adapted from the United Ohurch Reoord.
Ways of
'fested Met1wds for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO NEW HOME MISSION women will have a part in writing the reading up on the subject will BUILDING MATERIAL programs for the eleven meetings of convince you of its significance the year. .. . Mrs. Dan Brummitt, and its possibilities. Program The Department Editor is national vice-president, will plan the handicapped, as always at this lessons and point out "The Skyline of builders will be interested in the City." Bridges in History and Legend, time of the year, by the fact that "Widening Horizons" will be a two- by W. J. and S. R. Watson, a book brimful of poems, stories, the program builders to whom months' study of the fields and projshe usually turns for "Effective quotations, etc. Ask for it at Ways of Working" have not yet ects of the women's missionary enter- your public library." (Suggested prise of the M. E. Church:. this 'U!i~l include both home and !oretgn actwt- had opportunity to familiarize ties. for reference only.) themselves with the new study "New Horizons in Christian Relabooks and incorporate them into "The function of bridges may workable plans in time for the tiohs" will be a two-months' study of be described as the starting of a June issue, copy for which must the missionary work of the women of stream of human traffic hitherto be sent weeks in advance of pub- the M. E. Church South and the Meth- impossible; the surmounting of lication. Some of the denomina- odist Protestant Church. This is to a barrier, the linking up of two tional magazines ann 0 u n c e give understanding and preparation worlds divided by a gulf." (Enfrankly that "While information for future relationships with all the cyclopredia. ) as to themes and titles of text- women of United Methodism. books can be furnished, the "There can be little doubt that study courses cannot be ready An Achievements Poster upon which in many ways the story of bridge earlier than June." Hence it goals accomplished may be marked building is the story of civilizawill be necessary to supplement will again be included in the study tion." (Franklin D. Roosevelt.) 'our material on the Home Mis- course. sion topic, "The City," with Most of these programs verify other timeless plans which can Bridges the theme in that they disregard be adapted to any program pres- the invidious distinction between entation, and await the harvest This has been chosen for the the "home" and the "foreign" from summer conferences for theme of the women of the sections of the world-field and more specific outlines. Northern Baptist Convention present a blended and unified for 1938-39. It is a particularly theme. Much abbreviated, they "Forward Looking Plans" fertile and adaptable one. run as follows: Under this title Woman's The builder who first bridged Ni- THE INTER-BOROUGH BRIDGE Home Missions says: agara's gorge, The Bridge which Connects Our Before he swung his cable shore to City with God's City shore, "A Prayer for the City," from Sent out across the gulf his venturing kite Bearing a slender cord for unseen hands To grasp upon a farther cliff and draw The ,Forward Looking Committee A greater cord, and then a greater Prayers of the Social Awakenfelt that the task they faced this year yet; ing, by Rauschenbusch. was somewhat different from that of former committees. Naturally, they Till' at last across the chasm swung Ten-minute Talk, "The City" should be forward looking in offering The cable-then the mighty bridge in (its growth in the last decades, plans for the year's study in methods its importance in our civilization and achievement. They should also air. today. The sociology teacher in cultivate a spirit of readiness for new So we may send our little timid near-by high school or college adjustments that would help every would have material for rewoman to look farther in her own mis- thought sponse. See "City Man," chapsionary service and relationship than Across the void, out to God's reaching ters 1 and 2). she has ever done before. "New Horizons" therefore was the theme chosen hands, Ten-minute Talk, "What Our for the coming year. Send out our love and faith to thread Church Can Do for the City" (t h r 0 ugh establishing new Mrs. Merle English, secretary of the deep, churches, through the Christian Wesleyan Service Guild and a mem- Thought after thought until the little ber of the "Spiritual Life Committee cord Has greatened to a chain no chance can break, And-we are anchored to the Infinite!
EDWIN MARKHAM.
will write the devotional book, "New "If on first thought 'Bridges' Center, by helping our bilingual Horizons in Worship." Conference women, missionaries, seems an unusual theme for mis- neighborhood church. If you sionary programs, even a hasty live in a city secure a map and national officers and local auxiliary [301 ]
locate the projects of its city means the professors as well. every woman into the church, in mission work). Education must be evangelized." friendship, getting our neigh- Ten-minute devotional. (The Bible begins in a garden but (E. Stanley Jones.) bors, in evangelism, getting the soon drives man out. It then tells about cities. It ends with Panel Discussion: Why Is strength of united effort in orthe City of God coming down out of heaven. Gen. 1: 1-5, 27-31. Education a Legitimate Interest ganized missionary work, to get Amos 5: 4-24. Rev. 2'1: 1-7. Pray that our cities may become of a MissionarySociety? (Choose power for all in Jesus Christ God's cities.) at least five intelligent persons (the devotional). THE PEACE BRIDGE seated around a table discussing ON THE BRIDGE The Bible in Many Languages this question. They might con- Missionaries, reaching the sider (1) need of trained work- This program is on the responpeople, had to become the philologists and translators of the ers in local churches, (2) train- sibility of each individual for world, in order to supply the Bible. Thus they built the lexi- ing of future lay readers in our Christian Citizenship. It lends cons and grammars and translated the Bible into over 100 lan- home mission fields, (3) need of itself especially well to another guages in Africa and more than a score in India-more than 600 trained native leaders in the for-'" consideration of "The City." A living languages the world over today. Thus they surmounted eign field, (4) our contribution round table discussion on "The the lingual barriers and built bridges of intercommunication as (insert name of the denomina- Needs of Your Community" is and possible understanding. tion) to denominational schools suggested, with sub-topics as Through the printed word, inclusive of magazines and papers, in America, our educational follows: we are helping to build the foundations for Christian literature work abroad, to union Christian (1) The Temperance Advocatein lands where reading will be colleges. Other suggestions are What is being done in temperance one of the chief methods of edu- (1) a reception to the graduates education, the number of local places cation. Acts 2: 5-12. Psalm 19: 1-4. Dan. 7: 13, 14. in the local church, (2) presenta- dispensing liquor, etc. t I·On f the work f th e IocaI st u- Ar(e2)thTehekinMd ootifonpicPtiucrteusreshSowcnouitn- Five-minute talks on (a) the your community the kind you want American Indian Bible, (b) the 0 0 young people to see? etc. Spanish Bible, (c) the Burmese Bible, (d) Bible translations into dent counsellor, (3) arousing the language of India. interest in some near-by denom- Review the work of the Com- inational college.) (3) The Reporter on Gamblingmittee on Christian Literature Closing prayer for youth What is being done to obliterate it for Women and Children in Mission Fields, as this is the project around the world. This program locally? for the World Day of Prayer. Iends 1·tseIf to theCl·ty t heme. you(4r ) grTohuep, Pyeoaucer cPormompaugnaitnyd,istta-kinIgs In advance, ask the member- THE SILVER BRIDGE part in the study of international reship to bring Bibles in other lan- This is a meeting for exhibi- lations? In the Peace Movement? guages. tion of White Cross gifts (for mission hospital work) , and (5) The Member of the League of THE BRIDGE IN BUILDING Women Voters-The voter's obliga- tion in community and national af- Our Students suggests that they be arranged fairs. "The Christian Church must set· its own house in order and as for a shower, with ribbon tied THE OLD COVERED BRIDGE get ready for the greatest crisis to each hidden gift. Give each in history. . . . It must win the Village Work in India students. The students have member a ribbon and let her changed. Never have they been hunt for the "shower gift." On With masses of India crossing more open and responsive than each gift has been fastened a tag the bridge from ignorance and now to a message that is sincere, containing a fact or two about superstition to new life, the topic real and adequate. . We must the missionary for whom it is in- symbolizes the old ways giving launch a" nation-wide movement tended, the tags to be taken home place to the new. to win the high school, the college, the university students to as souvenirs. When all packages 1. Describe life in villages of India. have been found, group them ac- 2. Review work of our Christian centhe Christian Way. And this cording to their destination ready for presentation by the ters in that country. president to the guests of honor 3. Ten-minute discussion of the values (impersonated by members of of Christian centers in rural com- the society), each such "guest" munities. responding with an account of 4. Moving picture or stereoptic·on lec- her work and the joy the gifts ture on "Village Life in India." 5. Base devotionals on the villages in which Christ lived and worked.
will bring. A summer Christ- THE TOWER BRIDGE mas tree or an umbrella ar- ranged like a tree with gifts tied The Ministry of Healing a Tower on may be substituted. of Strength to All Nations Prayer that the gifts may Arrange program specific to bridge the distance and carry the medical mission work of the love of Jesus to those receiv- your denominaton, having "A ing the articles. Consultation of Doctors in In- dia," contrasting hospital work THE SWING BRIDGE used by missionary pioneers and ours today, impersonating actual HTo-geth-er-to-get-her"
This may consist of five-min- medical missionaries nQW Qn ute talks in regard to getting their felds.. etc.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
THE FOOT BRIDGE books, to be hunted for and read "I also knew a Methodist; He couldn't sing, he said. It Connects Our Neighbor's when all are found. He'd holler 'glory' loud enough, Home with Ours The missions end of the en- To almost raise the dead. "Seeing You r Neighbor," velope tells the story of life But as to his apportionment, "Loving Your Neighbor," "The Neighbor's Response," might be abundant or its lack. Though his barns were waxtopics under which to consider Stewardship ought not to be ing fat, this theme, the last being by women in the old-world costume thought of primarily in terms of His s h 0 uti n g wasn't loud and the new. enough possessions. Neither can it be thought of apart from posses- To ever help raise that!
sions. Charity that begins at home, THE TOLL BRIDGE and stays. at home, dies of close "God bends from heaven above confinement. . A Visualization.of the Budget and says: MARION LAWRANCE. 'I gave thee the gift of Life; On a map of the world mark *** Art thou not blessed in many your location and church, then William Allen White, in mak- ways?
from this take bright ribbons to ing a magnificent gift to human- Are my heaven and earth at the countries in which your home ity, said that there are three strife?
and foreign missionaries are la- kicks in every dollars: one kick I gave thee of my seed to sow; boring, giving number of mis- when you earn it; one when you Bring thou Me thy hundredsionaries in each country, the save it; and one when you give fold.' high lights of their work, etc., it away. *** Can I look up with face aglow closing with a meditation on And answer, 'Father, here is "Are We Faithful Stewards." Give more if you would have gold?' " Opening of gift boxes. more, Spend less and you will want *** THE INVISIBLE BRIDGE Time: A recent Sunday morn- less, "Christ – the Invisible Bridge Keep all and you will lose all. ing. Place: A near-by drug store. that Leads from Earth MAE ROTHROCK. Customer: "Give me change for a dime, please." to Heaven" *** Clerk: "Certainly, and I hope Reading of Longfellow's poem One of the biggest and short- you enjoy the sermon!" on "Follow Me." est sermons ever preached was *** Solo, "Were You There When that by Dean Swift on an occa- They Crucified My Lord ?" sion when a special appeal was Dramatization-"The Proces- being made for funds. The The Miser: sion of the Ages," covering wom- Bishop of London had been in- "Pity that poor old man whose en of Christ's day, saints of the vited to give the sermon of the golden store, middle ages, frontier women, occasion, but when he failed to If stacked, were high as foreign-speaking neighbors in appear, Dean Swift was called yonder minaret; America today, women of other upon. He mounted the pulpit Yea, pity him; he covets lands, women of the Church to- and said, "My text is, 'He that more and moreday, etc. (This is to be secured giveth to the poor lendeth to the His soul has never had a from Baptist state promotion Lord.' Those who believe in the birthday yet." offices, but could readily be im- security, down with the cash!" *** -From "The Window of provised as desired by those out- Y. W. A."
side the denomination.) "We can do more than we've The Secret of Power The suggestion is made that ever done, this meeting be held in the form And not feel a whit the The secret of Christianity is of a Spring Breakfast, asking worse; that you can have Power if you women to respond briefly to the Loving never emptied a heart, are willing to accept Jesus Christ topics of Love, Joy, Peace, Go- Nor did giving empty a as a Lord and yield the absolute ing, Coming, Getting, the last purse." allegiance to him. Do you think talk being on "Christ." Each *** St. Francis or Luther or Carey woman lights a candle in a "Once I knew a Baptist; or Wesley did what they did in seven-branched candlestick as He had a pious look, their own power? These men she finishes, the central candle He had been wholly im- were certain that they did not. representing Christ. mersed- And so were Moody and Philips Sayings on the Subject Except his pocketbook. Brooks. So in fact are all those of Giving He'd put a nickel on the plate who really produce abiding re- And then with might and sults. One and all, they say, "It Arrange the s e attractively main is God who worketh in us." And and let members of the circle He'd sing, 'When we asunder God will work in you if you de- read them. They may be in a part sire to have him.
basket, on flowers, or hidden in It gives us inward pain.' ROBERT W. SEARLE.
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BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, Nmv YORK, N. Y.
——-~·-.–I~ THE CITY AND OLD face the inevitable and do all in ting acquainted. The Indian our power to help in the adjust-" school and the missionaries could AMERICANS ments which must be made. help by letting city churches know where their people "go There is much discussion re- Although the majority of the garding "minority g r 0 ups." into town" to live; then be will- Who are they? A Mashpee Indian young men and women ing to go nine-tenths of the way. (American) ,Indian boy on Cape from the schools return to their The Indians are reserved and Cod was refused work recently home communities or take posibecause he was an alien. An fear they are not wanted. Give Oneida woman in Milwaukee tions in the government service them a place in the church and was asked how long it was since there are many who are seeking a share in its work. Do not treat her people came to this country. education, professional or busi- them as novelties. They make She answered, "several years"; ness training or work in the not wishing, she told me, to em- true and loyal friends and it is barrass those kind white ladies towns and cities near or far worth much effort to secure this by telling them who she really from the reservations. In some loyalty and friendship for our- s tat e s, Oklahoma especially, selves and our churches. was! many Indian families live in the "But how do they happen to As proof of what can be done towns which have grown up on we can look at the clubs of Inbe in the cities?" is a question their former reservations. They dian girls in City Y. W. C. A.'s. often asked. And the next one are at home and yet are pracis, "Are there any in my town?" The oldest club in the Oakland, For many years some of us have tically strangers in these new California, Association is the had countless opportunities of communities. Children are en- Four Winds Club. Reno, Neintroducing our friends to the tering into all phases of public aliens among whom they as a vada, has two clubs, the newest minority group have come to school life but few of them have one for the Indian girls in public find work and to live in the found their pIa c e in the school. The Los Angeles Club is strange new world which has churches. grown up on old camp grounds perhaps the oldest. It was where the deer and the buffalo Studies of various kinds and around 25 years ago that Cynare no more. Why do they come? in various cities have been made thia Big Tree was president. regarding their Indian citizens Years ago I asked Miss Julia Her husband posed for the Lathrop what we could do to and transient dwellers. The statue, "The End of the Trail," keep Indian young people from most complete is that made by but as he had short hair, Cynthia going to the cities. "Nothing," Mr. G. E. E. Lindquist, of the posed for the long braids. They she answered quickly, "Why Society for the Propagation of should they differ from any were beautiful as she presided at young people in feeling the lure the Gospel, of Oklahoma City, the club meetings. Syracuse, of the city?" This was even be- with the cooperation of the Min- New York, has the most eastern fore the movies were as wide- isterial Alliance, the Y. M. C. A., spread as they are now, with of these clubs, which are to be their pictures of the wealth and the Y. W. C. A., and the Indian found in many cities east, west, wonders of the city, and before Service Employment officers. It north and south. Then there drouth and dust bowls and grass- is impossible to give even a sum- are the cities in which the Inhoppers were driving all before mary of the report in this arthem. dian girls have become so much ticle, but it shows that other a part of the community and the Miss Lathrop did not mean cities should be studied in the Association that they join clubs that we should not make every same manner, and ways opened effort to keep Indian Youth from and classes with girls of all races the economic struggle to which by which the churches can serve and no longer feel happier in they were wholly unaccustomed, this group. It was found that segregating themselves. but she did mean that we must the majority of the Indians in Oklahoma City were members of This transition from segrega- the Mission churches at their tion to complete friendliness homes-the very missions prob- with all, is taking place in the ably to which these city churches public schools and should con- were contributing. tinue and increase. But most of What can be done about it? all it should be encouraged and First, look about you-a scien- fostered in our town and city tific study or just a friendly get- churches. There are few reser- [304 ]
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
vations left; the number of "full and an appeal from an American opposite a great school center. blood" Indians will continue to citizen brought action. Then, I Disquieting rumors of events godecrease. They are fellow citi- ing on in the school were conzens, fellow Christians with all found that the property was stantly brought to the men and our church people. Let us do owned by one of the large women of the community. Peoour part in making them feel ple spoke of the high school and that all are one in Christ. schools in the East-a Christian shook their heads. Some of the college which sounds a fine mes- leading officers of the church Prepared by Miss Edith M. Dabb, member sage of social reform; I found, sent their boys away to acadof the Committee on Indian Work of the too, that this was one of the emies. But what about poorer Home Missions Council and the Council of school's investments which had families who could not afford W'omen for Home Missions. never paid. There are other private schools? Had the' church any obligation for these chil- Making Your City God's City problems in connection with bet- dren? In our country with its ter housing. Recently elaborate separation of church and state, Did you ever think what housing programs in many cities has the church performed its your city would be like if it were have replaced slums with large full duty to the school by its God's City? Sunday services in the commu- spacious buildings, but have they nity? John, the Apostle, had such a ministered to the need of poor vision on a Sunday afternoon people, or made a little more God's city will be a city of long ago-a vision not alone of comfort for families of the mid- neighborliness. Many an urban his city but of all the world. dle class? Is Italy making more dweller of today might ask the "The kingdoms of this world are progress in housing than Amer- age-old question of the lawyerbecome the kingdoms of our "and who is my neighbor?" I Lord and of his Christ, and he ica? What must your city do to live in a community of 5,000 peoshall reign forever and forever." house its people in a way com- ple, housed in two blocks. After It was a distraught world that six months there, I am ac- John faced. His own city, mensurate with abundant liv- quainted with only two of the Ephesus, was rich and beautiful. ing? 5,000 people, and I have met It contained one of the greatest them in connections outside the libraries in the world and a uni- If your city is to be God's city, community. In earlier days oldversity which was a famed cen- it must have every provision to fashioned neighborliness solved ter of Greek culture. But John many relief and health problems. knew also of the distressing need make sick people well and to Are our substitutes today as efof its poor people, of the many keep well people from getting fectual? youth in that city who had no sick. What wonderful things opportunity for abundant life. God's city will be a city of Was he thinking of his city on philanthropists and doctors have that Sunday afternoon when in done for the poor of our genera- w 0 r s hip. We do not lack a vision he saw "The new Jeru- tion! What fine laws we have salem, coming down from God, to help maintain health! But churches in our cities.. If you out of heaven, made ready as a even yet the middle-class man bride adorned for her husband" ; who cannot lay claim to a free will look out of the window as and when he heard voices say- hospital bed must spend in a ing, "The tabernacle of God is few months of illness the earn- you ride along on the train, you with men, and he shall dwell ings of a lifetime-his security with them and they shall be his will be surprised how often on peoples"? Have you, a Chris- for old age. tian of today, any such vision of the skyline, the steeple or the your city becoming God's city? God's city must be a place of economic justice. First Avenue, tower of a church may be seen. In God's city abundant life must be possible for everyone. with its lines of miserable tene- Exquisite in architecture are Can that be true in the housing ments leans heavily against the the churches in our cities. But conditions of your city? "You beautiful modern buildings of what proportion of the people in can kill a man as easily with a the city attend those churches on house as with a pistol, only the Second Avenue. anyone Sunday? How far does process is longer and more pain- There are other forms· of jus- the influence of the Master reach ful," someone has said. A few outside the walls of those years ago, in calling among some tice in the city of God: political churches to the children playing Italian friends, I found them liv- justice, legal justice. Does your on the streets, to the brokening in a tenement the sanitary hearted or distraught cooped up condition of which was so un- city boast of these? What a in apartments near by? It is wholesome that it was affecting dream Israel had when the peo- not more churches or more beauthe health of all the families liv- ple believed that their God might tiful buildi~gs that we need, for ing there. Intensely disturbed be their king, and that their worship, but more of the spirit by the dreadful condition, I ap- prophet who guided their actions of the Christ. "And I, if I be pealed to the Board of Health, on earth might be God's repre- lifted up, will draw all men unto me." How can you make your sentative. Will we ever have city God's city? political justice until some of that conception comes to Amer- Prepared by Miss Alice W . .s. Brimson, ican cities? member of the Executive Committee of the If your city is to be God's city, Council of Women for Home Missions.
it will be a community where education is carried on in a way to lead young lives into rich, in- telligent social living. In a cer- tain city, a large church was just
r OUJM!n?:~~;sp';!~:cu5?t~~Ok
~~~J~.I~,===============–==E=D=IT=E=D=B=Y==M=R=S'=H==EN=R=I=ET=T=A=H=='_F=ER=G=U=S=ON_,_X==EN=I=A_,_O=H=IO==================~ AFRICA when the waiting room is full at an end by the Italian conquest, Medical Work in Morocco 7: 30 in the morning. a party of the workers were Conquest by Healing tells the "Each morning w hen the '. able to take up their quarters story of the beginnings of med- women have gathered we have a in Khartoum with a view to ical work for women and chil- short service of prayer, gospel starting fresh work in an entire- dren in Fez. In 1888, Miss teaching and hymn-singing. The ly new field on the Ethiopian women generally listen well; we border, in the Anglo-Egyptian Emma Herdman, of the North know that some of them come Sudan.
Africa Mission came to Fez to only to hear the teaching, and A considerable delay has oc- start work. There were no make the need of medicine an curred before any effective work roads, 0 n I y cam e I or mule excuse for coming. After this can be done, but now, after the little service we take about twen- necessary negotiations h a v e tracks; no inns or hotels. Trav- ty-five women into the dispen- been concluded, permission has elers were obliged to car r y sary and attend to their ail- been given by the Sudan Gov- ments. Teaching and hymn-sing- ernment for a station to be everything they required. Miss ing goes on in the waiting room opened in the Maban tribe, at a Herdman and her two compan- with those who are left behind place called Boin. The area ions had to consent to being accompanied by a Moorish soldier, till the first lot have passed out north of this is dominated by as a sign of authority for the by a second door. There are not Mohammedanism, and permis- great results to be seen from all sion has not been given to beundertaking. He was so old and this fifty years' work; but we gin work there. Permission is infirm that the ladies had to believe that the old Indian Mo- being sought to open a mission help him mount his horse, but hammedan was right when he for the K 0 mat rib e. The said, 'In the Day of Resurrec- Maban and Koma people have he served as notice to all they might meet that they were un- tion many Christians will arise much in common. They are pader protection of the government. from Moslem graves.' " gan, wholly uninfluenced by Mo- When they arrived in Fez, Unusual Methods hammedanism. they found that no one would The difficulties that have to be rent them a house, so they had to put up with a caravanserai. Here is the way one foreign overcome are the cost of maih- Later, the Sultan let it he known missionary in Africa obtains a taining a base so far from civithat anyone who wished to rent hearing for the Gospel message. lization, the hardships of travel, them a house had nothing to fear the home building problem and from the government. S 0 0 n The natives were timid, and not learning the unwritten lanafter that Miss Herdman and easily approached, so when mis- guages.-The Christian. her fellow workers opened a dis- sionaries trek softly through the pensary, which is still going on. For several years, two days were jungle to a cluster of huts there Uganda After Sixty Years given to men; now, there is only is usually a quick exodus of the Women's Dispensary. Miss S. M. Denison has this to say women and children in panic at Prebendary W. Wilson Cash, of the work: sight of a white face. Cupping Secretary of the Church Mis- sionary Society, closed an evan- "There are now s eve r a I his hands over his mouth the gelistic mission in Uganda with French Government Dispensa- missionary shouts after them; a sermon in the great Namirries and two Hospitals for na- "Have you heard the goo d embe Cathedral, with over 2,000 tives in the city, but this has news?" Fern i n i n e curiosity reverent Africans pre sen t. not lessened the numbers of causes them to halt cautiously, Looking down from the pulpit those who come to us. We still and the speaker adds, "About have from 800 to 1,000 patients God's Son?" This has often he saw, in review, the work of each month. There would be proved to be the beginning of a sixty years of the Uganda Mismore if we could manage to at- new group of believers.-Alli- sion. Here are some of his imtend to a greater number; each ance Weekly. pressions: day people are turned away New Field of Work (1) Every tribe in Uganda was represented at the service, When the promising work of tribes that for hundreds of years the Sudan Interior Mission in had been incessantly at war. Ethiopia was rudely brought to (2) All the people present [306 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
were free, men and women. man was referring to a solar great family, and cook their Forty chiefs had liberated every eclipse of a few years before. meals around the same fires. slave because they were fellow- This proved to be the case, and Often a patient comes with his Christians. he was greatly interested in the whole family, that he may have scientific explanation. The mis- company along the way. (3) Many in the congregation sionary then went on to say that had formerly been haunted by he had come to tell him of the At the larger hospitals are superstition, had tried to propi- true God, who made the sun, training schools for nurses, and tiate evil spirits by human sac- and the moon (which they call here the mission has an imporrifices; now they all worshiped the sun's wife); as well as the tant part to play. If a native God as revealed in Christ. stars, the world, trees and nurse has not been brought up rivers; the God who, in His under the influence of the mis- (4) This self-supporting and love, had given His Son for our sion and learned to know Jesus self-governing c h u r c h raises salvation. A young man who Christ, the chances are that he more than 9,000 pounds every had listened intently, said: "The will degenerate into a practitionyear for the maintenance and old men in this country would er, doing things not much differextension of its work. greatly rejoice if you would ex- ent from the old witch-doctors. plain this affair to them. It Christianity has indeed taken would be well for you to tell us -Congo Mission News. root in Uganda, and church about the true God." members are reaching out in all Greater Freedom in Angola directions to witness for Christ. Medicine in the Bush They have carried the Gospel His Excellency, the Governor not only to all parts of Uganda, Modern medicine in the Con- General of Angola, in reply to but members are serving as mis- go is being practiced along sev- an appeal by the missions for a sionaries in the Sudan, the Bel- eral lines. There are the hospi- ruling on the question of evangian Congo, the Pigmy Forest, tals in large centers, for the na- gelism, in which work they have in Ruanda and Urundi. Recent- tive as well as for the white been hindered by officials in ly, some men walked 300 miles population; the bush station certain parts of Angola, has sent to appeal for more missionaries. hospitals; the rural dispensa- the following communication: They were not thinking of white ries and the visits of doctors and men but of Africans as mission- sanitary agents in the villages. "Doubts have arisen as to aries for their fellow-Africans. whether foreign missionaries The large hospitals compare may do evangelistic work out- -C. M. S. Outlook. quite favorably with the average side of mission stations journey- hospital in Europe; and the ing through the native villages. When God Died rural dispensaries where native It is understood that as evangel- nurses are in charge might be ism is the way in which mis- R. V. Reynolds, a writer for compared with first-aid stations. sionaries propagate their reli- World Dominion, visited the The bush station hospital serves gion, they may, as many as are Marakwet tribe in Kenya, a as a sort of approach in reach- competent for such work, carry region which, so far as he knew, ing the native sick. These latter on such among natives in their had not previously been visited are usually in the charge of mis- settlements." by' any missionary. An old man sion doctors, and are carried on said to him: "I am very much as regular missionary w 0 r k; This permISSIOn does not puzzled over God's death." Al- and while the greater part of mea n that missionaries may most as much puzzled as the old the work is done for the natives, build, or own houses for evanman, Mr. Reynolds asked, "Did there is always a certain amount gelistic work in the villages. God really die?" "Oh, yes," was to be done for other mission- That would require special authe answer, "several seasons ago a r i e s, and occasionally for thorization. at the second hour of the day white traders. At these bush God became very ill and died." hospitals, the x-ray, special lab- -World Dominion Press. As he said this he indicated the oratory procedures, all the modtime by pointing where the sun ern mechanical appliances and Education of Women would be at eight o'clock in the sometimes even electric lights morning. He was then asked are in most cases things to be "Educate a man you educate whether God remained dead. desired, but not obtained. an individual, but educate a "No," said he, "after a while he woman and you educate a famgot better and came to life A bush hospital is a very ily." This axiom governs the again; but I am overcome to democratic p I ace. Here are Native Administration Commisknow about this affair. It is a gather.ed· people of many tribes sion in regard to the education bad thing when God dies; so and languages. Knowing that of women in South Africa. The many things go wrong. Locusts they may have to stay some time Commission urges a more thorcome, and famine." at the hospital, they bring with ough training of women teach- them things to work with, such ers, the establishment of more Remembering that this tribe as the making of mats, baskets, primary schools, the opening up has an undue reverence for the etc. They live together as one of secondary education to girls, sun, amounting almost to sun- the training of nurses and teachworship, it occurred to the mis- ers of domestic science; also, sionary that possibly the old the thorough teaching of domes- tic arts in all schools for girls.
However, the Commission turns tiniest village may have a place American missionary organizathe cold shoulder to the idea of of meeting. co-education, in spite of the suc- tions are at work there, the cess of the Church of Scotland Here is an extract from a let- largest single cultural and reli- School in Kikuyu. ter of one of Mr. Gale's con- gious investment being the Jeru- -South African Outlook. verts: salem Y. M. C. A.
The Malagasy Church "We think of the work of the The fact that the work in Gospel achieved here by our fa- Who Are the Alaouites? Madagascar continues to progress in spite of the fewness of ther. More than a hundred A sect of Islam, followers of European workers there indicates that the Malagasy have de- churches he has built in our Ali, are known as Alaouites. veloped considerably of late in the matter of self-control and land, and year by year each of They are illiterate, and under self-support. these churches beheld his face the bondage of powerful over- The 14th of August last was and heard ~rom his own lips the lords. From these people came the centenary of the death of Word of LIfe. W~er~ver. there . patients to the Kennedy Memo- Rasalama, the first Malagasy Christian martyr. The whole of was a human habItatIOn In the '> rial Hospital in Tripoli, and to the Malagasy Protestant Church remembered this great event in Marofotsy land.. even to the them went evangelists to follow the i r church history. About 40,000 people gathered on the smallest hut bUIlt of grass and up the contacts made in the hoss pot w her e Rasalama was speared to death, remembering leaves, the;re he stooped to.enter pital. Young women from the with gratitude her faith and all that it had meant to them; and that. he mIght lead our trIbe to Junior College tried for several at the same time proving that her death had not been in vain. ChrIst. He showed l?ve to the summers to raise the social level The task of the Malagasy most debased, and kIndness to of the women in a needy Alaou- Church is one of the first mag- those who ,oppose<l: the Gospel, ite village. Throughout the ennitude. A spirit of materialism and nationalism is affecting the that. he mIght brIng them to tire district colporteurs toured, life and outlook of the people, C~rIst. ~ar G,od se.nd us a man giving out portions of the Scripand additional w 0 r k e r s are WIth a spIrIt lIke ,hIS. M,ay the tures, and proclaiming Christ. greatly needed. work of redempb?n wh~ch he Pastors worked from two cen- be.gal!, be accomplIshed. I~ our ters, and later the British Syria Friends Service C.ounsel. trIbe. -World Domtnwn. Mission sent a nurse evangelist, Church Planting in WESTERN ASIA and a young convert from Islam. Madagascar Following all this seed-sowing, W. Kendall Gale after leading Hard Pressed Palestine the Presbyterian Mission has some of the Malagasy people, opened a new center in Massyaf, step by step, to a realization of Writing in the New York Sun a government center to which sin, and from that to a Saviour on "The Truth About Palestine," Alaouites come to transact their from sin, asks: "Would you like Mr. Phelps Adams says that business. Except for the family to have a church and learn more four opposing elements are in of the evangelist, not a single about God and this Jesus; to the unfortunate clash in the Christian lived in this town of know what is really sin that you Holy Land, One is the pressure 3,000. may not be wrong before Him, of 16,000,000 Jews seeking to and about the way of salvation make Palestine their national Within two months the evanand eternal life?" home; another, the 100,000,000 gelist had made amazingprog- Arabs who know that the coun- ress. He had gained the friend- An eager "Yes" is the usual try is too small to accommodate ship of the best people and of response, for these are strange all the oppressed Jews in the government officials. His wife things they have heard and they world today; the third, the had enlightened the women in wish to know more. Then out British Empire, which finds Pal- various phases of family welcomes a sheet of paper; every estine essential as a military fare. Already, there is marked name is taken down, with age base in the eastern Mediterra- improvement in behavior, cleanand name of village. French law nean and fourth, the expanding liness and a spirit of helpfulpermits worship in a hut, if ten Italian Empire. The situation ness. Here is pioneer evangeladult si2'natures are secured (or is complicated by the ambiguous ism that promises large returns. crosses in lieu of signatures). promises made to both Jews and Eighty signatures assures the -Syria News Quarterly. erection of a church, so that the Arabs. In return for Arab aid Christianity in Iran to the Allied cause, the British promised to recognize Arab in- Rev. H. H. Riggs, accompa- dependence; while to the Jews nied by representatives of the they promised to establish for Near East Christian Council, them a national home in Pales- the British and Foreign Bible tine. Thus the final fate of Pal- Society, World's Sunday School estine depends upon reconciling Association and some other or- these two promises, or the vic- ganizations, made a visit to the tory of one of these four oppos- missions of Iran, and has record- ing forces. ed some of their impressions.
About 10,000 Americans are First in importance was the living in Palestine, of whom unity of s p i r it noticeable 9,000 are American Jews. Eight throughout the country between
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the missionaries and members There is ready sale for the Bible, good. Women from the four of the local c h u r-c he s; also and small groups of people are corners of India came to the among the different elements of meeting regularly to study it in latest session in Nagpur. The the Iranian Churches. An evi- many places. resolutions dealt with primary dence of this unity was seen in The Bishop of Iran gives a education, the main emphasis a communion service attended typical incident. being for free and compulsory by the group. The five elders "About two years ago nine education throughout the land, were an Assyrian, a Kurd, an people came to an important and that these primary schools American, an Armenian and a town and were accepted by the be open to both boys and girls Hebrew Christian. The same church council the r e as in- of every caste and religion. Res- spirit was seen in many of the quirers. Last autumn a colpor- olutions on soc i a I questions churches visited. In some of teur visited the place, to find formed another large group.
these the majority of the mem- about twenty men who all con- Subjects dealt wit h included bers of the church are converts fessed .to their faith in Christ. rural uplift, condition of women from non-Christian religions of They said that no one had been in jails, prohibition, d rug s, Iran, but in perfect fellowship out to visit them, and that they cruelty to animals, equal rights with them are others whose an- had not been able to get teach- for women, age of marriage and cestors have for centuries been ing; and so they had decided to many other things.
Christians. While in some places appoint one of themselves as a The conference stands square- differences of language have led leader, and to obtain a sp€cial ly for prohibition and for peace.
to separate churches, act u a I place, to which they could in- Here is a message from Nagpur union in some others and the co- vite new inquirers." for American women: "We are operation of all these different The newspaper Iran reports a convinced that increasing armaelements everywhere, are proof great advance in adult educa- ments of warfare by land, sea of the strength of the Christian tion. In June last there were and air, and the harnessing of movement in Iran. 1,597 classes and an enrolment the knowledge of science for the Another striking fact in the of 93,371. The Institute of purpose of destruction are not Preaching and Public Speaking going to bring peace to a strickchurch situation in Iran is an received 4'00 students. Primary en world. We feel that it is element of both strength and school enrolment also increased through the weapons of love weakness. Relatively few of the by 15,255, and that of middle alone that a new order can be churches have full-time ordained schools by 3,271. Teheran Uni- ushered in. Standing on the ministers; but the leadership of versity enrolled 1,549 students, the Church is nevertheless Iran- of whom 86 were girls. Boy threshold of another year we ian as to administration, and Scouts are popular and number dedicate ourselves to non-viomuch of the preaching is being 18,354. lence in thought, word and deed, and appeal to women throughout done by laymen who feel that the world to join hands with us, the responsibility rests upon INDIA, BURMA, SIAM for we are confident that this them. doctrine alone can quell the de- sire for possession, can save the The visitors were also im- All-India Women's Conference nations from racial jealousies pressed by the fact that while and communal strife, and pro- Thirteen years ago the Di- tect humanity from oppression some converts had been cast off rector of Public Instruction in and exploitation." by family and friends, for others Bengal called on the women of the acceptance of Christianity India to "tell us with one voice -World Call. had not necessitated a break of what they want, and keep on family ties; and few seemed to telling it until they get it." This Woman's Place question the right of any indi- challenge led to the formation of the All-India Women's Con- Woman's place is not in the vidual to choose the religion he ference, which has from its be- home in rural India; it is in the thought to be the true one.
Inquiring. Minds in Iran ginning concerned itself with field, to supplement the family education and social reform. income. In the rainy season Better roads, more rap i d Political activity is taboo. The when field work is impossible, transit, increasing number of Conference has been laughed at she has her only chance to break schools, a wider outlook through and called futile, but has accom- the monotony of her life by gosnewspapers and new freedom plished a great deal. No one can siping with her neighbors. "Cotfor women, all are having their estimate how much it has helped tag~ Industries" seemed to be influence in opening the minds to shape public opinion. the answer. A special fund proof Iranian villagers. With these There are now 118 branches vided by three rural missions changes has come a spirit of in- scattered over India. The an- paid for the training of a teachquiry, followed by a readiness nual meetings of these branches er and she in turn taught three to listen to the Gospel. Public have d eve lop e d leadership g i r I s what she herself had preaching is not permitted ex- among women, trained them in learned. Two of them, with a cept in the few villages where public speaking and in service. Bible woman, went to a near-by there is a church, but Iranian Women of all religions plan and village to teach the women some Christians may teach their faith. work together for the common simple crafts, while the third
stayed at home to teach her the depressed classes, and social that one of its number has been neighbors. At the end of the six reforms on many other lines. appointed as Chairman. He has weeks' experiment a number of long been recognized as an able women not only had tangible re- The thought of educated peo- and responsible statesman. His sults of their efforts in handi- ple is arrested, and centers for wife has also been honored by work, but passed a creditable the cultivation of deeper spir- being chosen President of the examination on the Gospel of ituality are multiplying. There All-India Christian Association. Mark, which had been taught are multitudes of followers who them as they sat weaving. The are reading the Bible and other -The Indian Witness. whole project turned out to be a Christian literature who do not "seven days wonder" to the com- call themselves Christian, but Industrial Project at Cossipors munity. who are influenced by His life and teaching. The India Industrial Mission -Presbyterian Board News. Beautiful churches, 0 f ten at Cossipors, which is training Century's Work for Girls somewhat adapted to Indian ar- chitecture, are r i sin g every- ~elf-supporting evangelists, has An ancient Ahmednagar prov- where. Many congregations are erb said: "A woman's wisdom seated on the floor in Indian sent out a traveling workshop should not extend beyond the style, and use Indian music and oven"; and an Indian gentleman Indian forms. Christian gather- wit h f 0 u r trained mechanic was heard to remark: "To teach ings are notable for order, cleana donkey is just as possible as to liness and attractiveness of ap- preachers. It undertakes to reteach a woman." The refuta- parel, especially notable among tion of this idea can be seen in the women. Many village wom- pair metal work, overhaul mathe 76 girls who have just en come to meetings with bright passed their examination at colored or clean white saris. The chinery, do general repairs in Ahmednagar Girls' High School, men and boys show commendaas well as in the happy homes ble care in their appearance and the line of cement, wood and presided over by girls trained in clothing. Followers of 0 the r India's Christian schools. The faiths, attracted by such gath- paint work. This is done during secret lies in the fact that conse- erings, are increasingly attencrated educators have passed on tive, respectful and approacha- the day. Evenings and Sundays to the women of India the story ble, undoubtedly impressed by of Christ's redeeming love, dur- the influence Christianity' is are devoted to evangelism. ing this School's hundred years' having upon the masses, and history in training several thou- seeking to know the reasons for A second-hand Ford van and sand Indian girls. it. The cumulative effect of a century or more of intensive trailer were fitted up with living -Dnyanodaya. evangelization is manifest to ob- servers who are able to look be- accommodations, tools and weld- Christianity's Growing low the surface. Influence ing p I ant. The preacher-me- Two Reforms Undertaken "One cannot travel widely chanics work on various repairs throughout India and Burma in The United Provinces Govthese days without being im- ernment is undertaking two spe- along the way, in order that pressed by the enormous sweep cial reforms w h i c h have the of Christianity in one way or support of all the better ele- they may be entirely self-sup· an 0 the r," says a Methodist ments of the country. A prohi- Board Secretary, who recently bition program is being worked porting. Excellent results are made a visit there. He found out, and is in the experimental strong, well-equipped central stage in a number of districts. reported. -So S. Times. churches, colleges, high schools, It should be noted that the liquor middle and primary schools, evil has not yet gained the hold Sangli Movable School theological and other training on the general population that it schools, hospitals, dispensaries, has in occidental countries. Having seen the Booker T. asylums for the treatment of Was hi n g ton "Agricultural leprosy and tuberculosis, centers The other proposed reform is School on Wheels" actually at for the reclamation of criminal the abolition of bribery among work in a small village, Dr. J. L. tribes. Christianity has been government officials. This vice the leading force in rural and has a very deep hold, and little Goheen was moved to secure a agricultural experimentation, in or no effort has heretofore been similar one for the Sangli In· village reconstruction, in special made either to create public dustrial and Agricultural School forms of work for women and sentiment against it or to pass with which he is connected; and children, in the production of laws to eradicate it. An Anti- this hope was realized in 1931. literature, in the attack on illit- Corruption Committee is to be It is not an exact duplicate of eracy, the relief and uplift of appointed, and the Christian Washington's School, but in the community rejoices in the fact main, the idea is the same. It has been fitted up so as to be of special use in the way of prac- tical teaching and demonstra· tion to the people of village In· dia, through the use of charts, posters and pictures on all kinds of subjects pertaining to village life. It carries samples of seeds of improved and tested varieties of field and garden crops and specimens of potatoes and sweet potatoes, groundnuts, wool, cot- ton, etc. There are books on ag- ricultural and similar subjects in Marathi and English as a ref· erence library, and there are simple and useful books on many subjects for sale. There is a medicine chest with much need·
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ed remedies, a gramophone and limit the number admitted. The us. What our inherent powers a magic lantern and cinema total enrolment of the entire of endurance, philosophy and paprojector with small special elec- School was 328 at the close of tience have enabled us to do in tric generating unit. last year. Most of the appro- the past they will fortify us to priations from the Board went do in the present, as well as in The school will stop from 30 into scholarships for children the future." to 45 days in any given place, from out-villages, and sixty boys this depending on the size of the and girls w ere helped, who The Church and War Relief place and interest shown. otherwise would not have been able to attend school. Even with The National Christian Coun- -Indian Witness. this help, parents are required cil, representing sixteen Protes- to pay something toward the ex- tant denominations in China, has Medical Outposts penses. The chief problem is to been ever since the recent Sino- secure sufficient funds to main- Japan war began, a clearing- On the northwestern frontier, tain the kind of school that can house for information both in five hospitals guard as many successfully compete with the securing news from almost all mountain passes, and receive pa- government schools. parts of China and in forwardtients from countries which, for ing news. It has constantly rethe most part, do not acknowl- -Siam Outlook. ceived detailed information reedge Christ and where Chris- garding conditions in the war tianity may not be preached. CHINA area, such as has not come to any Most of these patients, if they other agency in China. It has embraced Christianity, would Spiritual Mobilization sifted this material and prepared meet death upon their return. for publication in the foreign Slowly but surely, medical treat- In an address made on March daily press in China as well as ment and the kind atmosphere 15, Madame Chiang Kai-shek in a considerable number of Chiof a Christian hospital are work- said spiritual mobilization is of nese church papers. ing changes. Suspicion is giv- the most vital consequence to ing way to friendliness, sullen- China, and announced a move- In addition to its work of pubness to smiles, until the patients ment to stimulate public interest lication, it has conducted a leave with a new outlook on life. and active participation in three weekly broadcast both in Eng- Sometimes patients are entirely major national requirements: lish and in Chinese since Sepchanged even in a week, and for the practical application of the tember 5, to support the morale such results these frontier mis- tenets of the New Life Move- of the Christian Church. When sion medical centers are worth ment; the continuance of reso- news of indiscriminate aeroplane while. lute and unfaltering resistance bombing b e cam e generally against the Japanese invaders, known, there was panic in many Chiengrai Christian School and the planning of realistic church centers, and these broad- measures for reconstruction and casts helped many Christian Definite progress has bee n rehabilitation in the vast areas groups to stay at their posts, made in improving the standing that have been deliberately laid especially when associated with of this School during the past waste by the Japanese. hospital and refugee work. year. The English and Bible departments have had the help of Here are a few extracts from Perhaps the one Christian ora teacher who spent five years her address: ganization in China with the in the Philippines preparing for greatest difficulties to face is the such leadership. It is difficult to "Our barbaric enemies have Y. M. C. A. This is because of include much religious teaching boasted that they intend to beat the hatred of the Japanese army during regular school hours, be- us to our knees and break our toward Chinese students. All cause of strict rules laid down spirit. We shall show these the big patriotic movements and by the government, but in the enemies, as we shall show our disturbances in China have been boarding department and the friends, that in the blood of our initiated by students. A large Christian Endeavor Soc i e t y fellow men and the ashes of our number of schools and universimuch of such teaching is worked burned homes has flowered a ties in the occupied areas have in. All the teachers are active new national spirit. suffered damage or complete dein the religious work of the com- struction, and several of the munity, and many of them help "We shall show them that the leading institutions have moved in the out-village churches on new China that was in the mak- far into the interior. Sunday. The School furnished ing, before war was invoked to the superintendent and several destroy it, is still marching on- Southern Methodists Lose teachers in the Sunday School, wiser, more patriotic, and un- Heavily officers of the King's Daughters a!raid. We Chinese, .in our long and Christian Endeavor leaders. hIstory, have survived great nat- Before the outbreak of hostili- Thus, the School might be called ural and political calamities; we ties last August, the Southern the backbone of the church in have triumphed over prolonged Methodist Episcopal Mis s ion Chiengrai. adversity, and we have carried maintained 60 churches, over 30 our culture and civilization and chapels, three large hospitals, There is also a kindergarten, our nat ion a I entity safely one un i ve r sit y, ten middle which has become so popular through the ages, no matter that it was found necessary to what nations rose or fell about
schools and more than 30 pri- that last year in two places the looked about for ways to cause mary schools in the populous Band left behind groups of from his houses and lands to be con- Shanghai – Nanking – Hangchow thirty to forty inquirers, and fiscated on the ground that he area. Today, as a result of Ja- this year in another place a had no legal right to them since pan's invasion, all but one of the group of some twenty-five. Of he became a Christian. A few churches, all but two of the edu- these a few already have been of the leading Buddhists in the cational institutions, and all baptized. Foster states that he country went so far as to say three hospitals, which had taken is particularly impressed by the that they would rather a whole 89 years, considerable sums of extensiveness and thoroughness village became Christian than money, and the enthusiasm of a of the Band's house-to-house vis- that one of his rank should re- large number of American mis- itation. Their presence has been nounce the faith of his father. sionaries and Chinese to build an inspiration. Still, this intelligent and cul- -The King's Business. tured young man with two years up, have been either completely destroyed or partially damaged Outlook in Tibet '>of Christian experience tells his by shell-fire and aerial bombs. fellow Christians that when he Material losses alone, accord- In spite of a relatively slow was suffering the intrigues and ing to a conservative estimate, rate of progress and many dis- persecution of his erstwhile relareach the figure of over $300,- appointments, the Superintend- tions and friends, his greatest 000. All enterprises, religious, ent of the Moravian Mission in support were the words of the medical and educational, under- Tibet reports that the outlook is text he had chosen: "Rej oice taken by the American Southern bright, and work among the in the Lord alway: and again I Methodists in this region are at Tibetans exceedingly w 0 r t h say rejoice." present at a standstill. It will while. One most encouraging -Moravian Missions.
take several decades to restore feature is the sense of responsithe losses sustained. JAPAN-CHOSEN bility that has developed in the organized churches, with their Thirteen Commandments "Spreading Light Mountain" ordained native ministers, evan- Japanese leaders, threatened The Biola Evangelistic Bands gelists and elders. by fascism and distressed by the are groups of from six to ten Tibetan evangelists are mani- continuance of the war which was expected to speedily reach a men, trained at Hunan Bible In- festing greater readiness for victorious end, have formed a stitute (which is the China self-sacrifice. Two have recently "Central Federation of General branch of Los Angeles Bible In- Spiritual Mobilization," and this stitute). Many have questioned left their homes to serve in has promulgated the following lonely places; one to open up thirteen "commandments": whether these bands are still at new work and the other to take work during the present strug- charge of a difficult field when 1. Every morning give prayers to gle. Dr. Frank A. Keller, of the missionary goes home on the Imperial Grand Shrine and pray Changsha, writes that five of for the safety of the Imperial Family. furlough. Another wishes to these bands are now at work in learn rock carving, so that he 2. Hoist the National Flag properly peace and safety. Small self- may carve wayside pulpits. At on holidays. supporting churches are being Leh, all the Christians from var- 3. Worship the deities and endeavor formed in districts where the ious stations assembled to con- for the harmony of the family. Gospel was unknown previously. fess their shortcomings, and to Band number 4 began work in pray for renewed spiritual life. 4. Live on a budget, pay cash, save October from Liu Kuang Ling regularly, and buy National bonds. -The Indian Witness. 5. Wear simple clothes and avoid foreign-style hair-dressing. as a center, the name meaning Tibetan's Maiden Sermon 6. Observe wedding, funeral and "Spreading Light Mountain"- a prophetic name, for in eleven Not long ago a member of one other home affair!! simply but sol- emnly. weeks the Gospel story was told of the oldest and most aristo- 7. Reform the mad custom of late to bed and late to rise. in 4,265 homes where it had cratic families in Western Tibet 8. Economize on metal, wool, cotton, never been heard before. Fifty conducted the Sunday service in inquirers came to a definite de- the small church at Leh, Ladak. paper and fuel and utilize wasted and His text, "Rejoice in the Lord other buried things. cision; two sorcerers were con- 9. Endeavor to prevent fire and prepare for air raids. verted and two homes were alway; and again I say rejoice," cleared of idols. Before the seemed paradoxical for most of 10. Rear the children to be strong band left, a little self-supportng his experiences were of the sort in mind and body. to make o.ne weep rather than church was established. A well- 11. Have bodily exercise every day to train the mind and body.
to-do convert is supplying a rej oice. Two years ago he be- 12. Economize in drinking sake. 13. Be friendly to neighbors and room for the services. came a Christian and his Bud- help one another. Reports from other bands are dhist relatives contrived to equally gratifying. Their work involve him in a charge of em- This may be regarded as pav- is appreciated by missionaries, bezzling state funds. The fact ing the way for making the sacas well as by the Chinese. Rev. that he was acquitted only served rifices the government expects J. N. Foster, the superintendent to make them more determined to demand. -Christian Advocate. of the Yiyang Circuit, reports to bring about his ruin, so they
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Urged to Keep Silent a building that will head up the work satisfactorily become A Japanese writes to Amer- Christian Endeavor, Y. M. C. A. voluntary leaders in the local ican friends: and Junior Boys' work, and also village churches from which serve a-s office space for mission- they come. Under the auspices "I would urge you to use the aries and nationals in the vari- of one Mission alone-the Amerutmost caution as regards what ous other activities of the ican Presbyterian – nine such you say or do concerning this Church. It will be operated schools are held each year. One crisis. At this juncture Japan under the management of the for girls reached its high water is taking action at the peril of Bible Institute, so there will be mark last year, with an attend- her future destiny, according to no competition and fullest coop- ance of 67 for the five weeks'
whether she succeeds or fails. eration, especially in educational work. It is not surprising that As a matter of course, the whole facilities. in numbers and spiritual force nation is aroused. Without this the Korean Church is one of the feeling of intensity Japan could Education in Korea strongest.
not fight the war, though our The Evangelistic Farmers' AUSTRALIA AND government does not declare it School at Masan, Korea, has THE ISLANDS a war. The whole of Japan is bought ten acres of very rich soil now resorting to a procedure for experimental farming; the New Field Opening unanimously supported by our income is to be applied to the people, and not a single soul is maintenance of the S c h 0 0 1. The decision of an Australian suffered to protest. If anyone Buildings to be erected will be of you feel inclined to protest according to Korean rural style. firm to search for oil in Papua against this course there may be no other way than for you to re- Since there are more than ten has made possible a considerable main silent. At any rate, I do churches in this vicinity, the stuheartily request you to remain dents will have opportunity to do extension of the work of the completely silent. religious educational work. The Unevangelized Fields Mission "On the other hand, if you ob- School will also send out wellject to this course, you may ex- trained farmers whose influence there. This company will shortly press your attitude on the will do much to improve farm ground that you are a foreigner, send out a large number of men but please bear in mind that life. such liberty of speech, if exer- The only Christian college for to prospect, and their equipment cised by you, will not be acceptable nor will it be recognized in women in all Korea is Ewha Col- will include six large launches; this country. Still I hope that lege. At present, it fairly brisnothing unhappy will come and where prospectors go, the about between you and our peo- tles with great ambitions from ple. It is our urgent prayer that within and great expectations missionaries can go. Hitherto in our relations to each other we may get along smoothly and with from without. Graduates are they have been greatly hindered the utmost friendliness, without expected to enter the field of any ill will and with no mis- church and community service because of poor means of transunderstanding until the present trouble is ended." or rural welfare. This calls for port – small and dangerous an extension center for commu- -Bulletin of English Meth- nity work; also, a course in canoes. -Life of Faith. odist Mission, Canton. nursing and public health. Em- C. E. Convention in Melbourne phasis must be placed more upon the Christian nature of the The first Christian Endeavor School, since the secular and hos- Society in Australia was founded tile forces continually multiply. in 1888, resulting directly from a Christian Endeavor Constitu- -Korea Mission Field. tion which a sailor from New- buryport, Mass., had carried in his pocket. In 1893, the United Society of C. E. was formed in Australia, and a year later a World C. E. Union. In 1894, Coordinated Effort Korea Sets Example Australian Christian Endeav- orers had launched their mis- A missionary in Taiku, Korea, In the creation of its Bible sionary program in a most pracwrites that one of the most hope- Schools, the Manchurian Church tical form, when a society was ful projects of the past year has has followed the example of organized among the Aborigines been the effort to consolidate the Korea, a Church which in pro- at LePerouse, New South Wales.
Christian activities of that city, portion to its size is the most This being Australia's na- especially among the young peo- vigorous in the Orient. For tional jubilee year, dating from ple. A man with both univer- years the Korean Church has the first settlement of this com- sity and seminary training was made it a practice to send work- monwealth, it is fitting that the secured to organize this work, ers to its annual schools for spe- fiftieth birthday of Australian and permission was secured cial training. Usually, these C. E. should be observed by en- from the Board to use the Bible schools last six weeks,and stu- tertaining the tenth World Institute compound as a center dents are expected to attend Christian Convention. This is from which to work. Earnest them for two or three years in to be held in Melbourne, August efforts are being made to erect succession. Those who complete 2-8 of this year.
New Hebrides Mission LATIN AMERICA Negro Missionaries to Indians The New Hebridean of today Evangelizing the Firemen Negro missionaries are workis a different person from his forefathers, who murdered the Doors do not open easily for ing among the aboriginal Inpioneer missionaries, John Wil- the Gospel in Mexico, but Mr. F. dians of Central America, the liams and James Harris in 1839. J. Huegel writes of one that Valiente tribes, who live in the His environment and manner of forests of Panama. There are living have altered, largely opened in Mexico City when he about 10,000 of these, and their through outside forces; some became acquainted with the fire mode of living is hardly changed have been for the better, but chief, with four stations and 250 sin c e Christopher Columbus others have been disastrous. landed on their coast in 150l. Depopulation has gone on stead- men under his charge. He is Mr. E. S. Alphonse is a Methily, until no longer do crowds eager for his men to have the odist pioneer among these peoline the beaches when a vessel ,.ple. When he first went there arrives. But amid changing con- Gospel. In all four of these sta- twenty-one years ago, the Inditions, the upbuilding of Chris- tions systematic Bible study has tian character goes on. The begun. Says Mr. Huegel: missionary has a two-fold task; first, to bring Christ into the "One afternoon in the hall at dians called him a crow, because hearts; and second, to stand as Santa Julia just as I came to the of his black skin, and were suspithe natives' friend against harm- close of the message and was cious of him. Now there is a ful outside influences. If it were about to make a call for the men Christian community of 500, and not for these influences it would to accept Christ as their Saviour, a number of Christian schools. be possible for native Christian the fire alarm rang. You can Mr. Alphonse was the first to leaders to hold their people in the imagine my feelings, for nat- study their language and reduce Way of Life. These natives very urally every man leaped for his it to writing. A grammar, sevquickly learn foreign ways- boots and helmet and before I eral books of the Bible, a hymn whether they be right or wrong. could catch my breath, was gone. book and a catechism have been They had gone to put out a fire produced in the Valiente tongue. -United Church Record. and I had come to kindle one. -The Life of Faith. Filipinos Seek Union "Some 200 Testaments have Last February Philippine been given out and the eagerness Opening Doors Christians made another significant advance on the road of co- of the men for study promises a In Colombia, a number of facoperation and union by forming tors are contributing to wider the Philippine Federation of harvest of souls for the Kingdom opening doors than ever before Evangelical Churches. This is the third in a series of three or- of God." -World Call. ganizations set up since 1901 to guide the Christian movement in Santo Domingo on the Air to the entrance of the Gospel. the way of unity and peace. The Improved methods of transporfirst was the Evangelical Union. It grew into the National Chris- For two and a half years the tation, especially the building of tian Council organized in 1929. Now the federation marks a still Evangelical Church of the Do- highways, are making many new further growth and the pros- minican Republic has been regions accessible. Fanaticism pects of comparatively early preaching the Gospel over the is gradually giving way, even in organic union of all major denominations are hopeful. air. In all this time, except for the isolated areas; and the new The object of the federation is two nights when the government constitution adopted in 1936 as- "to unite various Christian bodies and agencies in the Philip- shut off all the radios in Tru- sures liberty of conscience in the pines for the twofold purpose of securing comity, cooperation and jillo City, the capital, the weekly matter of religion. Two selfeffectiveness in their operation, and searching out possible bases program has gone on. From supporting and self-governing for organic union with the view to bringing the churches to such Venezuela, Colombia, Central churches were organized last union in due time." America, Cuba, Porto Rico, even year in the state of Tolima. -Christian Century. from the United States and as Missionaries and national far away as Maine, have come workers are constantly meeting requests for special hymns. new problems. There is a greatly Worship groups meet in the awakened interest in education homes, and follow that broad- on the part of the people in gen- cast; one group in Venezuela eral; parents are pathetically writes that this broadcast is the eager for their children to have only worship service they have. the opportunities which they did A group of Cuban Christians not have. Parent-teacher meet- who lost their church building in ings, enlarged libraries, im- a hurricane meet for this serv- proved equipment of schools and ice, and a restaurant proprietor philanthropic projects sponsor~d in Porto Rico sent a small con- by students all indicate a pro- tribution from his patrons who gressive trend.
listen to the restaurant radio. Two new buses added to mis- He is confident that there has sion equipment will greatly aid been at least one definite decision in evangelistic work, and the for Christ as a result of the pro- Spanish publication Evangelista gram. Colombiano will bring the Gos-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
pel to many living in isolated "To study the possibilities of the simpler and more efficient the areas. The bookstore has in- foundation of a daily newspaper and working of the Federation. creased its stock, and doubled its a press association; These plans for a greater meascirculation. ure of cooperation have yet to be "To prepare a worship manual; approved by the churches con- -Colombian Clippings. "To promote a revised translation of cerned. When this approval has the Bible; been given the Federation will Indian Ohurch in Peru "To study social problems in the enter on a new era of usefulness light of the Gospel, and to the whole evangelical cause in Such a work has been estab- "To disseminate information con- Brazil. lished among the Indians of cerning the work done by the intersouthern Peru, after seven years national movements. -World D.ominion Press. of progressive evangelism. In 1931, these people had never MIGUEL RIZZO, JR." NORTH AMERIOA heard the Gospel message; today, there are 500 Christians in Gospel Boat on Amazon A Return to Ohrist? twelve communities, eight of which are properly organized Medical relief w 0 r k has An Episcopal Bishop of Chichurches, with their own leaders, proved to be a valuable entering cago sees, in the recent unpreceelders and deacons, conducted wedge for the Gospel message in dented church attendance during quite independently by the na- Brazil. A Seventh Day Advent- Lent, a return to religion to face tionals. In spite of the fact that ist missionary writes: the challenge of the present day. 95 per cent of the people are Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyteilliterate, the converts have "During the flood season the rian, Baptist and other churches manifested a steady spiritual Amazon and its tributaries rise are also reported to have had growth. This the missionaries about fifty feet above normal, larger congregations than in attribute to three factors: the and when these waters subside many years, with a marked deepvital prayer life of the churches; each year, there is an epidemic ening of reverence and earnestthe persecution through which, of fever. This year the govern- ness. as individuals and as communi- ment furnished us with $1,000 ties, they have had to pass; and worth of medicine, and in a five- Said the Chicago Bishop: the very high standard of con- month period we were able to duct, supported by strict disci- treat 5,800 sufferers. We have It looks as if the great religious pline, which prevails in the an electric light plant on our awakening for which the Christian churches.-Life of Faith. boat and every night we hold Church has been praying to meet the services somewhere along the spread of paganism and the defeat of The Ohristian Task in Brazil river. The light attracts the na- worldliness, is at hand. Worshipers tives for miles around. In one are revealing a new earnestness, a The Evangelical Congress of village where we were stoned new devotion to their faith which Brazil which met in Sao Paulo in six years ago we this year bap- comes only from a sense of frustra- December, 1936, was composed tized twenty-five people. tion and helplessness. It has often of official commissions from six been that man's extremity is God's different denominations. The "These Christians along the opportunity. declarations of the Congress are river believe in the 'Win One' proof of the attitude of the movement. Three of our boys I believe the hour has struck. This churches toward the ideal of co- go out each Friday night to a Lenten season should bring joy to the operation am 0 n g Christians. neighboring village where they hearts of all true Christians every- Here they are: "The situations have organized a Sabbath school, where, because God is again being enof the Brazilian Protestants, di- and the latest report received throned in human hearts. vided in various churches, is a from them tells of thirty-nine problem to be solved. It is neces- members being present." -Living Church. sary to make an effort in favor of the union of the churches Evangelical Federation Why Honor Ingersoll? through an ample formula Progress which respects principles and In March, 1937, a resolution established practices. The Con- The Evangelical Federation of was introduced in the House of gress committed to the Federa- Brazil has drawn up a modus Representatives proposing the tion the following tasks: vivendi for the churches and erection in Washington, D. C., of missions which are affiliated a monument in memory of Rob- "To investigate what is the religious with it. This has been prepared ert G. Ingersoll, the famous insituation of the zones occupied by the by a special committee in order fidel lecturer. The First Baptist churches; to solve problems arising from Church of Paso Robles, Cali- over-occupation of some fields, fornia, protests to the Govern- "To organize a general plan of evan- to ensure the adequate occupa- ment that since the plan is gelization; and to organize the pro- tion of regions not yet reached, sponsored by an atheist organigrams for teaching religion in the and to eliminate friction in inter- zation, and that organization has public schools; denominational relations. At alleged affiliations with the In- the same time, certain Articles ternational Freethought Union "To promote the Qrganization of the of the Constitution of the Evan- of Europe, and that the monuyoung people; gelical Federation of Brazil have ment is proposed as a "recogni- tion of Robert G. Ingersoll's been modified so as to make most noteworthy contribution to the emancipation of mankind
from religious superstition," A New York Church "The colony will be a place where more than 1,000 homes, they are unalterably opposed to "Resolves" built in the Moorish style of architecture, will be set up in the any legislation of that character. Christ Church, New York, very near future. Land in the Further reasons for their objec- Dr. R. W. Sockman, pastor, is Gardens Heights section has altion are expressed in these discussing world topics at the ready been purchased with mid-week services; and the con- funds representing contributions words: sensus of opinion is gathered to- to the Moorish Science Temple gether in a set of resolutions. of America, and construction on "That we recognize the impor- Sometimes these are transmitted some of the houses was begun tance of Christian faith and to the groups concerned. Some about a month ago. We feel that practice in regard to the safety of the topics already discussed the colony we are anticipating and well-being of democracy. are the religious situation in ,will provide better housing con- That we believe the enemies of Mexico; the boycott of Japanese ditions for the persons in this .Christianity seek to express goods, and more recently the De- country of Moorish descent, and their contempt for God, the pressed Classes in India. The will permit them to practice the Bible and our Christ by the erec- resolutions adopted in this in- customs and religious tenets of tion of· this glorification of Rob- stance were: Morocco. It will establish a defiert G. Ingersoll. That it is our nite religious center for us." opinion that this would encour- WHEREAS, The outcaste millions of age the youth of our land in India for centuries have been disfran- New Church for Hoopa Indians atheism, materialism, radical- chised by the Hindu religion of their ism and revolt against God and rightful position as "sons of God and The Hoopa Indian Reservation established government." in California has a population of approximately 2,000; 1,100 of -Christianity Today. joint heirs with Christ"; and these are children between the WHEREAS, 3,000,000 or more of the ages of 6 and 18. About 3,000 acres are under cultivation, but Religious Education Council outcaste people have responded to the the average per capita income of Gospel as presented by Christian mis- these Indians is only about $120 The 20th Session of the Inter- sionaries and have accepted the Chris- a year. national Council of Religious tian faith; and Education is to assemble in In the Hoopa Presbyterian Columbus, Ohio, June 28-July 3. WHEREAS, Christianity has brought Church there are 83 members, The theme for this convention is to these hope instead of despair, free- with 115 in the Sunday School. "The Christian Challenge to the dom instead of endless slavery, knowl- There are two outstations, the edge in place of ignorance, self-respect most promising of which is instead of self-degradation; and Weitchpec, where the interest has been growing steadily, espe- WHEREAS, Leaders of the outcaste cially during the past two years. A fine constituency has been de- Modern World," and eight out- classes seeing these changes have veloped and upwards of forty . urged their 60,000,000 fellow outcastes church members are enrolled. comes are hoped for as a result to abandon Hinduism and seek a new They are ready to effect a forof the deliberations: religion; and mal church organization. Mrs. Nellie Masten, a devoted Chris- 1. An improved a t m 0 s p her e WHEREAS, It is our belief that such tian Indian, has deeded the Board a site for a church, and throughout North America in which a reconstruction of the social order money is available to put up the building. The Indians will take to carry out a steady and continuous can only be carried through on the care of practically all the labor involved. program of Christian education. lines of Christ's teachings and that any other possibilities seem to be di- Alaskan Leaders All 2. A clearer understanding of the nature of Christian education and its rectly in the line of revolution or civil Graduates of Sheldon Jackson responsibilities. strife; therefore, be it School in Sitka qualify for posi- tions that call for excellent train- 3. An increased recognition of the Resolved, That we, the members of ing. One of them is responsible existence of many practical steps Christ Church, New York City, up- for organizing cooperatives in which may be taken by lay and pro- hold and support our missionaries and Alaskan villages; two are nurses fessional church workers in fulfilling their work in India in their self-sacri- in government hospitals; three the Christian challenge through Chris- ficing labors for these· needy and re- are teachers in government tian education. sponsive people, millions of whom will schools. Others are in mission undoubtedly turn to Christianity for work; one is the minister at 4. Help on specific problems which release from their present captivity each delegate faces back home which into the new liberty of the Gospel of will put new zest into the work of the Christ; and be it further churches from which they come. Resolved, That we send a letter to 5. A deepening of the religious ex- the bishops of our church in India asperience of every delegate which will suring them of our sympathy and inprovide the dynamic without which all terest in these inspiring days. of our efforts will be in vain. -Indian Witness. 6. A great stimulus to the work of Christian education in every part of the North American continent through Moorish Colony in America the publicity, before, during and after Plans are under way for the the convention.
7. Greater unity and closer coopera- establishment of a Moorish Coltion of Christian forces. ony at Yaphank, L. 1., which is 8. Delegates to the convention will to serve as a mecca for the 20,- return to their local communities to 000 Moors in Greater New York and surrounding area. The form an informed nucleus of local Grand Seik Turner-EI, spokes- leaders who understand more fully and definitely the basic principles and outreach of Christian education. man for the Moorish Council, -Advance. explains the plan:
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Wainwright Pre s b y t e ria n in two or three decades. When and Work, issues this warning; Church, another is nurse at reminded that thousands of no protest should be made on a Sheldon Jackson School. The gatherings of Christians were political basis because this would two native organizations, the being held throughout Germany, increase the danger in which Alaska Native Brotherhood and with no interference from au- Pastor Niemoller stands. It is the Alaska Native Sisterhood, thorities, Dr. Barth explained important that churches should whose objectives are competent that at such meetings the only state clearly that the reason for Christian citizenship, have al- message allowed was one which their protest is that he has taken ways been under the leadership Hitler considered "harmless." A his stand entirely on the basis of of former students of Sheldon spiritual gospel is permitted, but the rig h t of the Christian Jackson School. only so far as it does not affect Church to proclaim the Word of the actions of men on earth. God. Expressions of sympathy -Monday Morning. There is no toleration at all for on any other basis would only the teaching of real Christian increase his danger. The Ger- EUROPE ethics, which mean something in man Government should be in- the present situation in Ger- formed in no uncertain terms Something Alive in Denmark many-for example, "race wor- that concern for Pastor NiemOl- ship," anti-Semitism, the cult of ler is very widely felt. Here are some characteristics hatred, etc. of student Christian work in Dr. Henriod also calls atten-. Denmark: -Religious N eW8 Service. tion to the gravity of the present world situation, manifested by (1) The emphasis of instruc- Fascist Youth Niemoller's continued imprisontion is upon the awakening of ment after being cleared in a the spirit rather than upon the There is something ominous trial. Christian churches should acquiring of knowledge or skill. in the official report that Ger- be awake to the danger at the (2) The method of instruction many's juvenile crime record has root of such a situation in its stresses the "living word." increased 40 per cent in the past religious and ethical implica- (3) The historical approach three years. In the depression tions. characterizes a 11 instruction, years of 1931 and 1932 there was even the sciences, and history is a rise in juvenile thefts, but then Pastor Niemoller's spirit rea living subject. (4) The sub- they were driven to crime by mains unbroken, as is shown by ject matter is confined largely to poverty and hunger. Today, the the following extract from one those subjects which are useful record shows that less than 10 of his letters to his wife: to the average man in his per- per cent are motivated in lawsonal or civic life. (5) There lessness by poverty. Somehow in these last six months are no grades, credits, degrees or the ship of the Church has got afloat examinations. The primary em- Brutality has been the pop- again. The color is dimmed, the masts phasis is upon instruction and ular word of Nazi leaders, and are broken, the whole appearance is not on competition among stu- violence their approved method. not handsome; but the Lord Christ dents. (6) The fact of a group German youth follow their lead- still sits at the helm, and the ship of students living together is ers. Two or three afternoons moves forward. . . . utilized as a fundamental edu- and Sunday belong to the Hitler cational medium. The teachers You t h, irrespective of the And I think my imprisonment also utilize this opportunity by living schools. During this period they belongs to the holy humor of God. with the students and using their are trained in Nazi ideals, which First the mocking laughter: "Now influence to create a cooperative include the "instinct of freedom" we've got that fellow" and then the community. (7) The schools are against the school and the fam- imprisonment; and what are the conalso dominated by a high ethical ily. The result is now evident. sequences? Full churches, a praying purpose. They seek to give the Only the more serious crimes community. student the opportunity to know ever come before the courts. himself, and to supply him with The report says that moral of- To get bitter about such things the motivation to exert a con- fenses increased over 150 per would be shameful ingratitude. structive influence in all rela- cent, and that all crime is most tionships of life. flagrant among college students. Anti-Alcohol Museum Thus Fascism bears its fruit. -Intercollegian and Far With all the fanfare the Poles Horizons. -The Churchman. like so much, the Minister for Social Welfare recently opened German Youth and the Church Pastor Niemoller's the Anti-Alcohol Museum in Imprisonment Warsaw, one of the first of its Dr. Karl Barth, addressing a kind in the world. There are group of church leaders in Lon- In regard to the petitions pre- twenty-four departments dealdon, said that it is Hitler's inten- sented to the German Govern- ing with as many phases of the tion to cut German youth off ment on behalf of Pastor Nie- alcohol problem. Arresting disfrom all church connection, so moller, Dr. Henry L. Henriod, plays trace the history of the that the Church, becoming a so- general secretary of the Univer- battle against alcohol. Photociety of old people, will die with- sal Christian Council for Life graphs and diagrams show how alcoholism is treated. The tech- nical use of alcohol is described. The discoveries of science about alcohol are set forth. The value
of propaganda for and against disturbed by the Soviet order are where there are no 'Keep Out' alcohol is assessed. The problem of alcoholism in art and among the church members. signs against the inquisitive and caricature is presented, with abundant illustration. There is questioning mind. Disinterested a display of non-alcoholic drinks. Some fourteen departments in MISCELLANEOUS research cannot survive in an the museum are given to exhibits Good Will Commandments atmosphere of compulsion and on alcoholism in relation to repression. Particularly in the health, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, child welfare, school Dr. Walter W. Van Kirk of broad range of subjects covered life, the family, suicide, acci- the Federal Council has pro- by the social sciences, and in the dents at work, sports, business posed "Ten Commandments of humanities as well, the world and many other interests. Ap- Good Will." They reflect a spirit has recently witnessed in several propriately enough, there is a sorely needed in the present countries the progressive disinfrank appraisal of alcohol as a tegration of creative scholarmeans of raising national and world crisis: municipal revenues. ship." 1. I will respect all men and women '" -The Christian Advocate. -Christian Advocate. regardless of their race or religion.
Christians Resist Soviet 2. I will protect and defend my Pressure neighbor and my neighbor's children Salvation Army Year Book against the ravages of racial or reli- Moscow has opened a new gious bigotry. This Year Book for 1938 indrive to curb the churches. The arrests of clerymen during the 3. I will exemplify in my own life cludes a list of outstanding Salpast year, culminating in the arrest of twenty-five on Russian the spirit of goodwill and understand- vation Army events of 1937, Easter on treason charges, fo- ing. with much interesting informacused attention once more on the tion as to nationalities among status of religion in the Soviet 4. I will challenge the philosophy which the Army works, the lan- Union. It would be hard to of racial superiority by whomsoever parallel in modern times the per- it may be proclaimed, whether by guages in which it preaches and secution the Church in Russia has had to endure during the kings, dictators or demagogues. twenty years of the Bolshevik regime, yet one finds religion 5. I will not be misled by the lying a glossary of Army terIns. holding on with amazing te- propaganda of those who seek to set nacity-both holding and carry- race against race or nation against Under the heading, "Signs and ing on. According to a despatch nation. Wonders," M a j 0 r Reginald to the New York Times, great Woods, of International Headnumbers of young people still at- 6. I will refuse to support any or- quarters, describes the begintend church, as was strikingly ganization that has for its purpose evidenced by the overflowing churches on Easter Sunday. the spreading of anti-Semitism, anti- ning, in London, of work among Catholicism or anti-Protestantism. the deaf. There were 120 peo- Factors in the renewed activi- ple present at the first meeting. ties against religion are the un- 7. I will establish comradeship with Similar endeavors have, for expected stubbornness of the all those who seek to exalt the spirit many years, been a feature of people, and the signs of progress of love and reconciliation throughout in the Church. The Soviet gov- the world. ernment now frowns upon the anti-religious excesses of earlier 8. I will attribute to those who dif- the activities in Sweden, Noryears. Freedom of religion is fer from me the same degree of singuaranteed by the constitution, cerity that I claim for myself. way, Finland, Denmark and the but in actual practice the Soviet Near East. can close any church it sees fit 9. I will uphold the civil rights and on the grounds that the building religious liberties of all citizens and The Home League, a work is needed by the State. Widening of the streets has caused groups whether I agree with them or among women with 100,000 many prominent churches to be not. demolished. Recent arrests are members in the British Isles, is based on alleged plots against 10. I will do more than live and let the government. The code for live; I will live and help live. described. U n d e r the title, treason is broad and loose, so "From Fetish. W 0 r s hip to that the greater number of those New Barriers Christ," Col. Ethelbert Grimes tells of fourteen years' work in Rockefeller Foundation is West Africa, where there are finding them. Operating in fifty- 20,000 Salvationists, located in two countries, from Norway to 350 centers. An article on "Mi- the Fiji Islands, the Rockefeller gration and Settlement" reveals Foundation has been encounter- that more than 200,000 persons ing difficulties as it has tried to have been taken from over- spend something over $9,500,000 crowded areas to lands overseas a year in the dissemination of since this department of the knowledge. In some fields where work was started. It is said that they formerly went it is now fewer than 1 per cent have useless to go because the search proved failures.
for truth has been made impos- -The Christian.
sible by local conditions. While the Foundation works without Said the Robin to the Sparrow, 'I regard to political doctrines, should really like to know creeds or sects, it has become Why these anxious human beings harder and harder to follow this rush about and worry so?'
ideal. Says Dr. Raymond B. Said the Sparrow to the Robin, Fosdick: "Objective scholarship 'Friend, I think that it must be is possible only where thought is That they have no heavenly Father free t and fr~edQm ~IHl ~{CJst onl~ such as qare}) for you and w,e.,' "
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information BOOKS ON THE CITY AND THE CITY CHURCH RECOMMENDED BY THE REV. CHARLES H. SEARS, D.D.
Foremost among these books The Crowded Ways. By Charles sions. (Home Missions Council, are those announced by the Mis- Hatch Sears and The City's Church, New York City, 25 cents.) sionary Education Movement of By H. Paul Douglass. Two book'! the United States and Canada, published by the M. E. M. in 1929. City, The. Robert E. Park, Ernest designed particularly for mission W. Burgess and Roderick D. Mcstlldy courses. We list in the The Movement announces Kenzie. Chicago, University of order given by the Movement; manuals to assist in the study Chicago Press, 1925. $2.00. they may be secured from of the major books, guides for Friendship Press, 150 Fifth community and church surveys, Our Cities. Their role in the Nation- Avenue, New York City. and other helpful materials. al Economy. June, 1937. Report of the Urbanism Committee to The The American City and Its Church. It is possible for any group National Resources Committee. The basic study for adults. By Sam- to greatly extend its study of Washington, U. S. Government uel C. Kincheloe, is a careful analy- the city by use of biographies Printing Office, 1937. 50 cents. sis of city environment and adap- and autobiographies such as (Especially useful in this study be- tation of the program of the church "The Story of a Varied Life," cause of its striking maps and to this environment. Both from !:tis by W. S. Rainsford, (Double- charts.) academic and practical approach day, Doran & Company). "Ed- Dr. Kincheloe speaks with author- ward Judson, Interpreter of City Church, The. H. Paul Doug- ity. God," (Judson Press). Dr. H. lass. New York, Friendship Press, Paul Douglass' books remain of 1929. Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 25 City Man. By Charles Hatch Sears. permanent value, "The City cents. A new imprint edition, recently Church," "How to Study the published by Harpers. This is a City Church," "1000 City Church City Planning. Charles Hatch study of the intensive form of ur- C h u r c h e s," and particular Sears, editor. Philadelphia, The ban development, the metropolitan church surveys, Springfield and Judson Press, 1928. $1.25. community, with particular empha- St. Louis notable, (Harper & sis upon the eife<:!t of this environ- Brothers) . We call particular Suggestions to Leaders of Study ment upon the city man himself. attention to Dr. Wilbur C. Hal- Classes using "The American City (M. E. M. 75 cents.) lenbeck's study of Church City and Its Church"; by Kenneth D. Societies "Urban Organization Miller. Paper 15 cents. City Shadows. By Robert W. Searle. of Protestantism." Finally, ev- For the senior high school age, ery student of the city should My Community, My Church, and Me I equally valu,able for others, here is secure a copy of "Our Cities, by Wilbur C. Hallenbeck (Study a revealing series of true stories of Their Role in the National Econ- and Action Series). Paper 35 cents. city life. omy," a publication of the Na- tional Resources Committee, for Urban Scene, by Margueritte Har- Street Corners. By Harold B. Hunt- sale by the Superintendent of mon Bro. (A pictorial book for all ing. As a source book for juniors, Documents, Washington, D. C., youth and adult grades.) Paper this is particularly valuable for its at fifty cents a copy. 25 cents. portrayal of the work of churches arid social agencies. OTHER BOOKS ON THE CITY A Course for Young People on the Church in the City, by Owen Geer. All . Around the City. By Esther City Challenges the Church. Ad- Paper 25 cents. Freivogel. For primary children. dresses made at an Interdenomina- A story of how two children from tional Conference on the City A Course for Seniors on the Church the country find friendly places and Church, January 13 and 14, 1937. in the City, by Donald Gordon Stew- friendly faces in the city. Under the auspices of the Commit- art. Paper 25 cents. tee on City and New Americans of City and Church in Transition. By the Home Missions Council and the The City I Would Build, by Emily Murray H. Leiifer, published by Council of Women for Home Mis- Gaither. For intermediates. Paper Willett, Clark & Co. The book is a 35 cents. (A work book for both in- definite outgrowth of the request termediates and their leaders.) made by the Committee on City and New Americans for a study of A Junior Teacher's Guide for study- the medium-sized city. It summa- ing the Church in the City, by Nina rizes results of a four-year study of Millen. For elementary grades. Pa- 140 cities which have a population per 25 cents. of from 50 to 150,000. A Primary Teacher's Guide for Studying the Church in the City, by Esther Freivogel. Paper 25 cents.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[319 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Joe Lives in the City, bv Jeanette tions, substitutions and correc- make a modern village; he in- Perkins Brown. (A picture book tion of the text are not always troduced the bicycle into Borneo for primary children.) Paper 25 easily grasped. Dr. Jeffery of and organized river fleets and cents. Cairo is preparing a critical edi- little holding companies to keep tion of the Koran text, which alive the commercial life of the (Above publications obtainable from when completed will be of great community. At the same time Missionary Education Movement, value to all missionaries to Mos- he was winning them to God, New York.) lems. It will facilitate their task spreading the Gospel of Christ of interpreting the Gospel to farther and farther into the Churching the Small City, by Wil- those who have, in their own Dyak-head-hunter filled jungles. bur C. HaIlenbeck. (A method of sacred book, countless stumbling Finally in 1935 in Sarawak, at study and survey of a smaIler city.) blocks against a' right under- the age of 63 he passed into the Paper 25 cents. Home Missions standing of the Holy Scriptures. greater Glory Beyond, but not Council, New York. 'ttntil he had seen a large part of S. M. ZWEMER. his ambitious plans mature and The Qur'an. By Richard BeIl, B.D., bear fruits. D.D. Volume 1. pp. 343, $6.00. T. Tuan Hoover of Borneo. By Frank & T. Clark, Edinburgh, 1937. T. Cartwright; 186 pp. $1.75. Ab- Dr. Cartwright, the Secretary ingdon Press, New York, 1937. of the Methodist Episcopal There is no lack of English Board of Foreign Missions, was translations of the Koran. Those The work of the Christian himself a missionary for eleven by Sale, Palmer, Rodwell are missionary has never been easy, years in China. His personal well known, and each is distin- but even so, unusual difficulties contacts with Hoover left many guished for special points of val- were encountered by Jam e s memories which are brought out ue. In addition, we have had in Matthews Hoover, the stalwart in glowing, moving biography recent years four translations bearer of the Gospel into the that depicts true Christian adby Mohammedans. Nevertheless, steaming jungles of Malaya. venture as well as inspirational this is the first t.t~anslation with achievement. a critical rearrangement of the "Tuan Hoover," a Pennsylcontents of the chapters and it vania village boy, shortly after MARSHALL R. HALL. therefore fills a gap. One cannot the turn of the present century, state more clearly the justifica- heard the call to the foreign Ship East-Ship West. By Elizabeth tion for this piece of scholarly field; he obeyed and spent thirty Miller Lobingier. 87 pp. $1.00 work and its character than by years as a real pioneer mission- Friendship Press, New York. 1937. quoting from the preface: ary of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Blest with an un- This is a children's book with The translation goes frankly on the usually rugged physique and a definite purpose-to train the assumption that the Qur'an was in ability to withstand hardship, he youthful mind in the way of written form when the redactors was the ideal type for the par- peace among nations. In six difstarted their work, whether actuaIly ticular work he was called upon ferent stories, children are told written by Muhammad himself, as I to do. How well he did it, and that nations need not fight when personally believe, or by others at his how enduring are the results he they have disputes to settle. War dictation. This conclusion also has left behind must stand as a is shown to be foolish, and in been forced upon me in the course of monument which all Christians summing up a list of war's evils my work. The translation itself must may well admire. is contrasted with the blessings furnish the proof. If, by the hypoth- of peace. The book deserves a esis that the present form of the Mr. Hoover began his work wide reading among our chil- QUr'an rests upon a careful repro- in Malaya with only a moderate dren, seeing how important it is duction of a confusion of written doc- preparation, but it was soon de- that right ideals should be conuments, that confusion has been in termined that he was the man stantly set before them. any considerable number of passages to take over the difficult task of cleared up, the hypothesis will have carrying the Gospel to the Chi- Little Talks to Little Folks. By C. justified itself. All the possibilities nese immigrants from Foochow A. Puncker. 92 pp. Is. Pickering of confusion in written documents who were settled in Borneo. He & Inglis, London. 1937. have had to be considered-correc- accepted the challenge and went tions, interlinear additions, additions to work among them-on a The author has given chilon the margins, deletions and substi- crocodile-filled river in the ma- dren's talks for over 25 years, tutions, pieces cut off from a passage laria rid den jungle. Here he and the stories in this volume and wrongly placed, passages written found them, miserable, afraid are the ones that seemed to im- on the back of others and then read and alone, overwhelmed with press his small hearers most. continuously, front and back foIlowing home-sickness for their home- Realizing that the only way to each other. It is to this, rather than land. get the children's attention is to to textual defects, or to confusion in interest them, he introduces a Muhammad's own thought and style With all the strength of his va r i e t y of subjects – ants, that the dreary welter of the Qur'an huge body and stout heart he set watches, escalators, and for the so often deplored by Western writers to work. Among the material cur i 0 u s – "bent sunbeams." is due. advantages he brought to them These talks are a practical help were electricity, an ice plant, to those who would lead the Dr. Bell of the Edinburgh lights and other conveniences to "lambs into the fold." University has unraveled many of the puzzles that confront the reader, but he has also left un- solved a still larger number. His translation is accurate but not always literal, as we have in Palmer's translation. The de- vices used to indicate altera-
Book. Cbe. Upper
Church Comity. A Study of Cooper- July, August, Now READY FOR DISTRIBUTION ative Church Extension in Ameri- can Cities. H. Paul Douglass. Se tember The Daily Devotional Guide Garden City, N. Y., DoubledaYi of 1,000,000 People – Issued Doran & Co., for Institute of Socia Quarterly in English, Spanish, and Religious Research, 1929. (Out and Roman Urdu of print.) THE UPPER ROOM is beinq distributed in 25,000 churches. Church in the Changing City. Case representing every evangelical denomination. We have evi- Studies Illustrating Adaptation. dence of thousands of family altars beinq established and New York, George H. Doran Co., daily devotions in the home beinq conducted. with the aid of for Institute of Social and Religious THE UPPER ROOM as a devotional quide. The best help Research, 1927. (Out of print.) available for individual devotions.
Community Survey in Relation to Church Efficiency, The. Charles E. Carroll. New York, Abingdon Press, 1915.
Negro Problems in the Cities. Subscription price, 30 cents per year" postpaid. Pastors may secure ten or Thomas Jackson Woofter, Jr. New more copies on consignment to be paid for, when sold at 5 cents per copy. York, Institute of Social andRe- ligious Research, 1928. (Out of Send all orders to THE UPPER ROOM, Doctors' Bldg., Nashville, Tenn. print.) 1000 City Churches. Phases of Adaptation to Urban Environment. H. Paul Douglass. New York, George H. Doran Co., for Institute of So- Types from City Streets. By Hutch- troduced the pension plan of the cial and Religious Research, 1926. ins, Hapgood, New York, 1910. (Harper & Brothers. $2.50.) • • Presbyterian Church. Redemption of the City. Charles Christian Message in a Non-Chris- Hatch Sears. Philadelphia, The tian World. Hendrik Kraemer. • Griffith & Rowland Press, ,1911. 455 pp. $3.00. Harper Bros. New Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 35 cents. York. 1938. Dr. George B. Winton, missionary, , Social Characteristics of Cities. editor and educator" died March 11, William F. Ogburn. Chicago, Inter- Fun and Festival from India. Rose in Nashville, Tenn., in his 78th year. Wright. 48 pp.' 25 cents. Friend- Soon after entering the ministry of ship Press. New York. the Methodist Church, South, he went to Mexico, where he served as pastor, national City Managers' Associa- president of the theological school in San Luis Potosi, and as editor of tion, 850 E. 58th Street, Chicago, Obituary Not.. E1JQ,ngelista Me:mcana,. From 1926 Ill., 1937. Paper, $1.00. until his death he wrote regularly the (Concluded from 2d cover.) "Watch Tower" column of the No,sh- ~trategy of City Church .Planning. 'ViUe Christian Advocate. Ross W. Sanderson. New York, . . '. a of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. L.Fry and Institute of Social and Religious Rev. Harry *Co.m'p.ton, one of the Research, 1932. (Out of print.) was graduated from Muhlenberg Col- The Shame of Our Cities. By lin- lege in 1916. earliest educational evangelists in coln Steffins. South America, died December 30, in Mr. Cecil Henry Polhill, member Delaware, Ohio. He had been on the of the original "Cambridge Seven," retired list since 1919. He first served died at his, home at Hempstead, Eng- in Chile, then in Montevideo, and land, March 9. Two other members of later was president of Quito CoIIege, .!,mn~ this "Cambridge Seven" are still liv- ing, Sir Montague Beauchamp and D. in Ecuador. • * • E. Hoste of the China Inland Mission. of tbe Mr. Polhill was educated at Eaton Miss Emily L. Peterson, Presby- School and was converted and led to terian missionary in India since 1913, €bri~tian offer his life to Christian service where she was principal of the Girls' through the late Dwight L. Moody. Middle School in Saharanpur, died in He sailed for China in 1885 and served India, March 17,at the age of 58. as a missionary in Shensi, Kansu and Miss Peterson worked in the New Szchwan, where he did effective work York City Mission for five years be- fore going to India. There, in addi- lLift among the Tibetans on the western tion to directing the Indian faculty and aQout 150 students, she spent cA BOOK of worship in song, com- border of China. He retired from many hours visiting in homes, going China in 1902 but continued to give into areas where cholera and small himself and his means to promote the pox were raging in order to bring work of the China Inland Mission. comfort to the suffering; helping in community projects and working for •• • the better .education of women. Rev. Charles Scott Deming, an American Methodist missionary in •• • bining a hymnal for general Mrs. Isabel Edgar McFarland, wife church use, and a song book for evan- of Rev. A. J. McFarland, D.D., passed to the Heaven Home, in February in e;elistic purposes. Oitly songs sOund Latakia, Syria. Here they began their m the faith and inspirationaf in char- work on the Mission Field in 1906, acter included–.emphasizing Evan~el at Mersine, and at Latakia after the war. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland were ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Manchuria and Korea for thirty- among that band of veteran mission- Many of the new—the best of the old. three years, died in a Brookyln hos- aries of the Reformed Presbyterian pital on March 15. For a number of Church. Dr. McFarland is retiring 504 Songs Responsive Readings years he was an officer of the Chris- and returning to America this sum- tian Literature Society of Korea, and mer. Topical Index Gold Embossed Published in round notes and Roxite cloth had translated several theological edition only at $65.00 per lOO-an especially books into Korean. He returned from low price. Single copy, SSc postpaid. Manchuria on furlough last December. Writ<! today f<rr ~etumable sample copy ••• CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. Dr. W. Courtland Robinson, for- mer editor of The Presbytrian, died in 1502 NORTH THIRD STREET HARRISBURG, PA. Delhi, New York, Marc:h 15. I!e w:as chairman of the commIttee whIch In-
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 inBuential and able editor of the Bombay Guardian. Dr. J. Sumner Stone called him, "The White Yogi."
When George Bowen died in 1888 there was call for a worthy biography but its preparation was delayed. Later all the biographical material-including his diaries, letters, reminiscences, and the books and pamphlets of which he was author-was turned over to Dr. Speer. This material has now been put into shape for publication and the result is a frank and stimulating picture of the man,-his experiences, unique character, forceful views and methods of work. Here is a life story that is of absorbing interest and will richly reward the thoughtful reader. The book is now ready for delivery. .
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. A Decisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. From 1850 to 1855. IV. Life in New York, 1840·1844. XIV. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XV. TenYears of Independent Work. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XVI. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. XVII. The Bombay Guardian. VIII. ftisMissionary Appointment. XVIII. IX. The Voyage to India, 1847. XIX. Relations with the American Board. X. Beginning Missionary Work. Association with the Methodist Church.
Bowen as a Writer.
Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin.
Closing Testimony. • This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY IS6 Fifth Avenue. New York MORE ABOUT THE MODERN CITY and HOW THE CHURCH CAN MEET ITS PROBLEMS Coming in the July and September Numbers The Church Challenges the City Dwight J. Bradley Looking to the City Tomorrow Charles H. Sears Religious Problems of a Mid-West City L. Merle Rymph What a Downtown Church Can Do The Privileged Helping the Underprivileged Frederick B. Fisher A Charge Rather Than a Retreat Samuel E. West Responsibility for a Whole Community What Does Outdoor Evangelism Accomplish Richard E. Scully WiUiam C. Munds . J. Arthur Springer ORDER COPIES OF THESE NUMBERS FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SOCIETY 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrilburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L PIERSON, Editor
The Missionary Review of the World — March 1938
1938
The Present Situation in China . Frank W. Price The Wind Shifts in Mexico By a Resident 0/ the Republic A Visit to Beautiful Formosa George H. Winn Religious Situation in Soviet Russia Nicholas Arseniev A Trip Into Closed Afghanistan J. Christy Wilson The New Outlook in India Alexander McLeish Foreign Mission Appeals Today H. Kerr Taylor ZS Cents a Cop, $2.50 a YeaT
to Ran'ember PLAN NOW to Spend Next Summer's Vacation with Amer-
ica's Greatest Theological Teachers. March 4-World Day of Prayer. March 23-24 – United Stewardship Winona Lake School of Theology, Winona Lake, Indiana Council, Columbus, Ohio. For MinUte…, Teacher., Mla.ionarie., Sunday Sc:hool Worker. and Laymen April 28-General Conference, Meth- 5 0 Courses leading to Regular Theological Degrees – Cost Reasonable July 12 to August 17 – Two Terms 15 Days Ea.ch – Interdenominational Free odist Episcopal Church, South, Bir- Rooms Evangelical Faith and High Scholarship Combined mingham, Ala. Dr. W. E. BiedenroH, Directo. (Ask for free Prospectus, Dr. l. A. H……. D_ May 12-16-Southern Baptist Conven- tion, Richmond, Va.
May lB-22-General Missionary Con- the preliminary conference of the . tion from Princeton Seminary, in 1887, ference of the Woman's Missionary proposed WorId Council of Churches he married Helen M. Pierson, the eld· Union of Friends in America, to be held at Utrecht, Holland, May est daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Whittier, California. Mrs. Bertha Arthur T. Pierson, and together they S. Snmpter, Argonia, Kans., Sec- 9-13. … … • sailed for Japan under appointment retary. bJf'tbe Presbyterian Board of Foreign Dr. W. Bruce Wilson has been Missions. They served successively in May 19-General Assembly, Presby- elected Secretary of the United Pres- Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Kyoto and terian Church in U. S., Meridian, byterian Board of American Missions Shimonoseki, Japan, for thirty years Miss. to fill the vaenncy caused by the death and ten additional years among the of Dr. R. A. Hutchison, on December Japanese in Korea. Tbey were hon- May 2S-General Assembly, United 11. Dr. Wilson became Associate orably retired in 1928 and made their Presbyterian Church !>f Nor t h home in New Haven, Connecticut, un- Amenea, Cleveland, OhiO. • • • Secretary of the Board a year ago. til the death of Mrs. Curtis. They Professor Kenneth S. Latourette are. survived by a daughter, Miss May 26-General Assembly, Presby- will deliver the N. A. Powell Lectures Grace P. Curtis, formerly a mission- terian Church in U. S. A., Philadel- in the Canadian School of Missions, ary in Japan, and three sons, Pierson phia, Pa. Toronto, April 4th to 9th. The last Curtis, Senior Master in the Stony three series of lectures have been Brook School for Boys; Ralph R. May 31-June 4 – Triennial Conven- given by Dr. Nicol MacNicol, Prof. Curtis of Wilton, Connecticut, an offi- tion, and 50th Anniversary, Wom- D. J. Fleming and Dr. Thomas Jesse cial of the New York Central Rail- an's Missionary Society of the Jones. General Synod, Evangelical and Reformed Church, Akron, Ohio.
June 2 – General Synod, Reformed road; and Gordon A. Curtis, formerly Church in America, Asbury Park, N.J. Obituary Note. . . a missionary in China, now Minister June lS-22-General Council of Con- Rev. Frederick S. Curtis, for forty of Music in the Independent Church gregational and Christian Churches, years a Presbyterian missionary in of Wilmington, Delaware.
Beloit, Wisconsin. … Japan and Korea, died on February Rev. Thomas E. Stevenson, "Par- June 2S-July 2-Interdenominational 6th at the home of his brother-in-law, son Tom," of Boulder City, Nevada, Conference of Missions, Eagles Delavan L. Pierson, Upper Montclair, was killed on Christmas Eve by a N.J. . . car with a drunken driver at the Mere, Pa. Mr. Curtis was born in Norwalk, June 2B-July 3-Twentieth Interna- wheel. He had won a fight to keep Connecticut, on October 11, 1861, the liquor out of Boulder City. tional Convention on Christian Edu- son of David Seymour Curtis and cation, Columbus, Ohio. Isabelle Raymond. After his gradua- … September–G e n era I Committee, World's Student Christian Federa- Bishop Elias Cotgell, 80 years old, a great Negro 1eader, died on .!,mn~ December 4. Bishop Cottrell founded tion, Japan. December 13-30-International Mis- of tbe . colleges in M1ississippi, Arkansas, sionary Council, Madras, India. Alabama and Texas.
… …
Mrs. Courtenay H. Fenn, who went ((bri~tian out to China as a missionary of the Per.onal Item. Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., in Dr. John G. Goucher, deceased, JLife 1893, and was recently honorably refounder and benefactor of Aoyama tired, entered into the life beyond on Gakuin in Tokyo, has just received cA BOOK of wonhip in song, com- February 5th from her home in Upper posthumous honor by the dedication bining a hymnal for general Montclair, N. J. Dr. and Mrl!; Fenn church use, and a song book for evan- gave forty years of loving sernce to . . of a bronze medallion placed in a gelistic purposes. Oilly songs sound China and the Chinese. They passed in the laith and inspirational in char- through the siege of the" Legations at large stone in front of Aoyama Ga- Peiping during the Boxer Rebellion in kuin Theological School. 1900. Even now Dr. Fenn del!ires to return to China to revise his Chitlese … acter induded–.emphasizing Evangel- Dictionary. … * * ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Paul Rader, former President of Many of the new—the best of the.old. REVIEWS WANTED the Christian, and Missionary Al- Miss Helen Burns, of Miss Michi liance, and afterwards pastor of the 504 Songs Responsive Readings KawaU's Christian School in, Tokyo, Moody Church, Chicago, is in London would like to have back numbers of for five months, ending in May, to Topical Index Gold Embossed THE REVIEW for the use of shut-ins work at Mildmay Center. In the and for program material for their United States he has been pressing Published in round notes and Roxite cloth missionary society. If any of our readthe claims of the World-wide Witness edition only at $65.00 per l00-an especially low price. Single copy, S5c postpaid. Fellowship. … … …
Dr. Lewis S. Mudge, of Philadel- Write today frw retum4ble .ample copy ers would like to forward their copies phia, has been selected as a repre- CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. after reading they may be s~nt to Sentative of the Presbyterian and Mrs. G.' N. Pidcock, Box 13, Blooms- THIRD AND REILY STREETS bury, N. J., who will forward them to Reformed Churches of America to be one of America's twelve delegates to HARRISBURG, PA. Japan.
MISSIONARY Please accept my congratulations
the magazine." REVIEW OF THE WORLD MRS. SANFORD E. COBB, Secre- DIllLAVAN L. PIIIIRSON, Edttor tary for Missionary Education, Reformed Church in America, VOL. LXI MARCH,1938 No.3 New York.
Publication and Business Olllce– *** Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. "THE MISSIONARY REVIEW brings Editorial and Executive Olllce– to me much of inspiration and guid- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ance." Entered as second-class matter at MRS. PEARL JOHNSON SCHIND- Post Olllce, Harrisburg, Pa., under LER, Linton, N. D. Act of March 3, 1879. A CORRECTION-DR. SA'EED The great white Empresses hold 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. every speed record to and from Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. KURDISTANI the Orient. 10 days direct to Published monthly, except August. Yokohama by Empress of Asia All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. In our December REVIEW (page or Empress of Russia. Or only British agents – Marshall, Morgan 569) there was a picture of Dr. Sa'eed three days more via Hawaii by and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, Kurdistani, the Kurdish Christian Empress of Japan, largest and London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, physician of Teheran (not Isfahan). fastest on the Pacific, or Empress 10 shllings a year. Due to inaccurate information, the of Canada. Connect at Honolulu statement was made, under the por- from California ports. MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- trait, that the Doctor had been im- LISHING CO., INC. prisoned by the Iranian Government From Vancouver and Victoria "for his Christian faith and courage." to Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, BOARD OF DIRECTORS He was imprisoned but Dr. J. Christy Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila. ROllERT E. SPEER. President Wilson writes that this is an error. Details from YOUR TRAVEL A. L. WARNSHUIS. Viae-President Dr. Sa'eed Kurdistani was taken into AGENT or Canadian Pacific.: WALTER McDOUGALL. Treasurer custody "for having written a letter 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. DELAVAN L. PIERSON. Secretary of condolence to the family of a Kurd- ish chief who had died in his home in PAUL J. BRAISTED Teheran, where he (the chief) was SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT required to live lest he stir up trou- D. J. FANT ble among his people. Dr. Sa'eed MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Kurdistani made the remark in his WM. B. LIPPHARD letter that it was fortunate the chief ERIC M. NORTH had died in his own house rather than SAMUEL M. ZWEMIIIR in jail, like some others. This letter was read by the censor and the police Editorial Chat thought there might be some political implications in what he had written, The annual meeting of the Mis- whereas he meant it merely as a letsionary Review Publishing Company ter of sympathy to the bereaved famwas postponed on account of the lack ily. The good Doctor was held in of a quorum; the date on which it custody for several months but friends will be held will be announced later. were allowed to visit him. He was finally released when his son sent a *** long telegram explaining the whole affair to his Majesty Riza Pahlevi Many articles and requests are re- himself." ceived for the pUblication of articles on such topics as Peace, Race Rela- PARENTS … tions, Social Justice and Law Enforcement. Althougoh we sympathize In the F01'eignMission Field with these movements we do not deal to any extent with these topics, un- Endorse Calvert School less they are directly related to world Home Study Courses evangelization and training for Christian service, because we are con- for Children vinced that Christ deals primarily with the spiritual need of all man- Calvert School, through its Home Instruckind, the need of each individual for tion Department, will give your child a spiritual regeneration and whole- superior elementary education •.• by mail, souled surrender and obedience to regardless of where you may live. Mod- Christ as the only Saviour and Lord. ern, approved courses from this famous Other remedies are only surface school are being used by parents all over treatment of symptoms and do not the world with outstanding success. eradicate the disease, the sin that is destroying mankind and is disrupting Give your children the advantages of these homes, communities and nations. interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, and attractive materials. Instruction is *** under the personal guidance of teachers in Calvert's prominent and successful private Here are some comments on the day school in Baltimore. REVIEW, recently received from our readers: Write today for booklet of complete in- "THE REVIEW is proving of great formation. Costs are low. value in the work of our Department. t CALVERT SCHOOL The articles are to the point and help 180W. Tuscany Road us in the various phases of missionary education needs. I am especially Baltimore oQo Maryland advertising the "Moslem World" issue in connection with our church study of Arabia on account of the Fiftieth Anniversary of our Arabian Mission.
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TODAY. SUNRISE PRAYER MEETING AT A YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONFERENCE
GRADUATING CLASS' IN A MISSION KINDERGARTEN AT DAILOTEI SIGNS OF THE GROWTH OF CHRISTIANITY IN FORMOSA
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 3 MARCH,1938 Topics of the Times RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA preparation of all citizens for participation in national defense is being inaugurated. By REV. FRANK W. PRICE, Shanghai The end of the war seems far off. Japan's peace Missiorwry of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. terms have been reported to include the follow- ing: collaboration between Japan and China in During December and January the area of war, an anti-communist policy; demilitarized zones devastation and suffering in China greatly wid- and Japanese garrisons in China; an economic ened. The Japanese captured Nanking (Decem- agreement between China, Manchukuo and Japan ber 13) and Hangchow (December 24). Fight- on Japan's terms; war indemnities. A missioning has now extended near Hangchow, around ary writes from central China, "We do not yet Wuhu and north and northwes~t of Nanking. In know of any real hope for middle ground between Shantung province, Tsinan was captured on De- the sweeping Japanese intentions and the Chinese cember 27: Since then the Japanese armies have determination to hold some degree of independpressed toward the vital railway junction of Su- ence. Meanwhile misery reigns in much of China, chow near the Kiangsu-Shantung border. Chi- and the problems of the future pile up for both nese forces have been massed in great numbers countries." to defend the 150-mile-wide corridor traversed by the east-west Lung Hai Railway. The closing of "I feel that we individually and as a race have the gap between the two invading armies would to suffer much more before there may come a put Japan in a position to attack Hankow, the better day for us," wrote Dr. Wu Yi-fang, presiimportant city on the Yangtse. However, guerilla dent of Ginling College for Women as she left operations by mobile units are continually har- Nanking to join a group of teachers and students rassing the invaders' lines of communication and in Wuchang. But the leaders and people of China have slowed up the Japanese advance. About have already demonstrated that they can meet half of Shansi province has been occupied but the danger and suffering with marvelous fortitude. Eighth Route Army (former communist army) Not only have soldiers shown courage; thousands has successfully resisted further penetration. In of workers on the railways and in postal and telesouth China, Canton has been under strict martial graph offices have carried on under fire. Mails law. Japanese air raids upon cities of Kwang- have been delivered with remarkable efficiency ;tung and upon the vital Canton-Hankow Railway except in some areas now occupied by the J aphave been increasingly severe. anese army. Boy and Girl Scouts have risked their lives in rescuing wounded civilians. The In spite of critical defeats in the Shanghai- women of the nation are organizing for relief Hangchow-Nanking triangle, the government and people of China seem determined to continue the work. Schools have moved to central and west struggle for a long time. Generalissimo Chiang, China and teachers are serving for mere "living in six broadcast messages to the nation, has urged allowances." Millions of the common people, greater effort and sacrifice until freedom has been driven from their homes, have accepted their won. Visitors report that he is "full of confi- hardships bravely as part of their sacrifice for dence, physically fresh and buoyant." He and the nation. other leaders see hope of ultimate victory th~ough a protracted war which will wear out Japan "China is bleeding upon the thorns of this inthrough the costliness of an extended occupation. vasion," writes Dr. E. Stanley Jones. Missions A great program of "mass mobilization" with and the Christian Church are bleeding too. But the Christian witness has been a bright star in [115 ]
0, • the night of suffering. "As I leave China," con- out news and messages of encouragement to tinues Dr. Jones, "I want to pay my tribute of Christian workers all over China. gratitude to the Christians of China, both missionary and Chinese, who are holding so steady In East China War Zone and true in this time of national calamity. I am proud to belong to such a band. There is a tough- The destruction of property in the region beness of fibre in them that is the result of years of tween Shanghai and Nanking has been appalling. facing crisis after crisis. The missionary enter- Air raids, fires from incendiary bombs and shells prise has faced many a crisis in China and has and finally the burning of property by retreating grown under each one of them. It will come Chinese troops have laid waste the once great and through this one, too, perhaps purified." populous cities of Soochow, Wusih, Changchow, Chinkiang, and Sungkiang. Hundreds of smaller In the Shanghai Area cities and towns have been ruined. Much mission and church property has. suffered. All the mis- "In an area of but six square miles, that nor- sion buildings of the Presbyterian Church, U. S., mally cared :for a population of nearly two mil- in Kiangyin, hospital, schools and missionary lions, utterly destitute refugees are now numbered residences were burned. Sections of the Presbynot by tens of thousands but by hundreds of thou- terian and Methodist Hospitals in Soochow were sands. To us has come the sudden challenge to burned. In Kashing a Roman Catholic orphanage save this flotsam." More than 175 camps have was bombed resulting in the death of 86 children. been established in Shanghai, to house 150,000 Hospitals, schools, churches and missionary homes people. The Nantao Safety Zone, under the di- in most of this area have been looted. The beaurection of Father Jacquinot, has 250,000. Includ- tiful city oof Hangchow has been spared the tering destitute refugees living with relatives or rible destruction visited on other places, but the friends there are about three-fourths of a million city has now only one-fifth its former population. in need of food. Many missionaries living temporarily in Shanghai have been giving full time Property losses have been estimated at $500,- to help in the refugee camps. 000,000. The life of nearly twenty million people has been tragically disrupted. They have been People are returning but slowly to the devas- driven to the four winds before the invading tated sections around the International Settle- armies and when ·they return it will be to desolate ment. Chapei is a city of desolation. A few homes or to farms without animals and seed. One missionaries have been permitted to visit their news dispatch from China said that not even in former centers of work. At the Southern Baptist the World War was there such widespread desocompound in Hongkew "the condition is terrible." lation. The dormitories of Eliza Yates School were shelled, the classroom building burned and resi- Many missionaries refused to leave when the dences have been demolished and looted. The fighting raged in east China. The North China University of Shanghai property is occupied by Daily News said oof the missionaries in Soochow, Japanese soldiers and all faculty residences have "From the beginning of hostilities this intrepid been looted. Margaret Williamson Hospital was little band with their able Chinese assistants, have destroyed after the fighting had- ended. The ex- carried on without cessation." Dr. Mason Young, tent of other damage to mission and church Miss Lucy Grier, a nurse, Rev. Charles McDaniel buildings is not yet fully known. and others took wounded civilians and patients from a hospital foor the insane to an island in The University of Shanghai, St. John's Uni- Lake Tai, and stayed with them for weeks. Other versity and twenty Christian middle schools are missionaries stayed with Chinese Christians in continuing their work in the International and villages and were noot heard of for weeks. Rev. French Settlements. Churches are full on Sun- D. F. Stamps and Miss Mary Demarest of the days. But Shanghai, formerly a nerve-center of Southern Baptist Mission in Yangchow were remission work in China, has been cut off :to a large portted missing for nearly two months. A misextent from the inland. Missionaries have with sionary doctor wrote, "The future is very dark great difficulty secured military passes too inspect and this whole section may be swept clean before their stations even near Shanghai. The Japanese it is over-we can only live day by day trusting rure evidently working for control of the Interna- in Him." Twenty-eight missionaries stayed in tional Settlement and censorship on cables and Hangchow and fourteen in Nanking through the mails has been tightened. The economic future siege and capture of those cities and with them of Shanghai is very dark. But the Christian many fearless Ch~nese Christian workers, caring forces are undaunted as they seek to minister for thousands of refugees in "safety zones." with the love of Christ to those in need. The Christian Broadcasting Station continues to send The missions which have suffered most heavily in the lower Yangtze region are the Southern
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
Methodist, Northern and Southern Presbyterian, year. A provisional government was set up in Northern and Southern Bap.tist, Disciples and December, staffed by corrupt pro-Japanese pup- London Mission. Fighting now presses in upon pets. So far no outstanding, able Chinese has stations in north Kiangsu and southern Chekiang. been willing to coopera.te with the Japanese in their plans for an autonomous north China. Dr. Robert F. Fitch, of Hangchow, writes, "The repercussions will be f~lt everywhere in east Christian educators are determined to carryon, China; cold and hunger will be experienced by not to falter in their program, to conciliate where millions of the poor. For several months to come, necessary but not to give in on questions of prinperhaps into the late spring and summer there ciple. The Japanese officials are seeking to conwill be an overwhelming need for further aid trol the schools and all references to nationalist from outside sources especially from the Christian China have been deleted from the textbooks. The churches of the West." Confucian classics have been substituted for so- cial sciences and ethics. Slogans everywhere The Fall of Nanking ex:tol the aims of the Japanese army. Chinese students have been compelled to join parades cele- The story of the fall of Nanking and the sub- brating Japanese victories. There have been sequent weeks of terror has been graphically told raids on libraries and offices of teachers, and some in news dispatches from China. A. T. Steele re- teachers have been arrested. Japanese is to be ported in the New York Sun, "The fall of Nan- the main foreign language in the universities. king would have been infinitely more frightful if However, four middle schools in Peiping and not for the courageous efforts of a handful of Tungchow have an enrollment of 2,350, only one American missionaries and German business men thousand less than last year, and Yenching who stayed throughout the siege." But these (Christian) University now has over 500 stubrave fourteen ran risks which nearly cost them dents. The strain on principals and teachers is their lives once and again. severe. "Do you wonder," one writes, "that our educators, Chinese and foreign, are growing A cable from one of the missionaries who had grayer each month now than in five years prehelped to maintruin the safety zone, received on viously?" January 18, said, "University of Nanking sheltering thirty thousand refugees. This service from The Japanese advance into southern Hopei has December 13 has been tenaciously maintained caused widespread desolation. One missionary amid dishonor by soldiers, murdering, wounding, estimates that seventy per cent of ,the people of wholesale raping resulting in violent terror. In- north China evacuated. "Many of our mission stitutional losses moderate. Majority residences stations were completely wrecked, and the vilpartly looted. Staff splendid despite injuries, lages were almost empty of inhabitants. Crops danger, unspeakable distress. Ginling College were left rotting in the fields, unharvested. The situation comparable. Christian Hospital service whole countryside was lifeless." The invasion unique. Relief needs dominate city." was accompanied by constant foraging, looting and raping. "It is all more cruelly ruthless than Included in the Safety Zone, and hence spared anything in the American press descriptions," the material destruction inflicted upon the rest of another missionary wrote. Paotingfu suffered Nanking, were the University of Nanking, Ginling especially during and after the siege but mission- College, Nanking Theological Seminary, Wome,n's aries of the American Board and Presbyterian Bible Training School, Ming Deh PresbyterIan missions have continued to serve there. School for Girls and many missionary homes. In the area occupied by the Japanese, evangelis- In spite of the sudden advance of the Japanese tic work is going on. "Chinese Christian leaders," armies both the University of Nanking and Gin- one report says, "are everywhere showing a faith, ling College were able to move their staffs and courage and determination which no obstacles .so considerable equipment to central and west far apparently can defeat. These men are an lll- China. The government also succeeded in mov- spiration to their missionary colleagues. The ing 19,000 out of the 20,000 cases in which it had Church in the north does not intend to abdicate." packed the art treasures from the National Mu- At the county seat of Chowchow an evangelist seum. and his family and other Christians, total of sev- enteen, were killed by a bomb in one church yard. Nanking is at present little more than a Jap- "The Chowchow experience," a missionary writes, anese armed camp, subject ,to raids from Chinese "brings to me forcefully the realization that the airplanes. The city and surrounding region have Church, the real Church is a fellowship. Organonly a small fraction of the former population. ization, property and programs may disappe~r, The Safe.ty Zone is daily feeding 50,000 of the but little groups of Christians who are one WIth most destitute. Christ in God will continue."
The War in North China The people of Hopei province have been ex- periencing the force of Japanese rule for half a
The Church of the Brethren mission field in students. The churches are active and a new ex- eastern Shansi was first to feel the eff'ect of in- tension service to rural churches is proving very vasion. A woman missionary from this region fruitful.
writes that the countryside was ravaged bare. "I "We will go ahead as long as possible," writes have spent weeks in the midst of hell. When one one missionary. Most of the missionary women thinks of :the great areas of this country of which and children have left the province.
this is a fair example, it is too awful to contem- South and Central China plate." Several members of the Brethren Mission have been reported missing. The New York Kwangtung has suffered from incessant air Times of February 2 carried a report, through raids, the objectives apparently being the de- Hankow, that three missionaries had been shot struction of government-owned property, the by a Japanese sentry: Rev. and Mrs. Alva Harsh terrorizing of the ,civilian population and the of Petersburg, W. Va., and Miss Minerva Neher, prevention of sea-going commerce. Casualties Laverne, Cal. have been high, especially among civilians.
The Japanese lines at one time reached as far The churches and schools have tried to consouth as Fenchow and Taiku in the American tinue, many with emergency programs. Hospitals Board Mission field. The Oberlin-Shansi School have rendered courageous service. Many Chrisat Taiku moved first to Yuncheng, Shansi, then to tian institutions have organized first-aid corps. Shanhsien, Honan province. It may move further The Union Theological and Bible Training schools inland. The Ming I School at Fengyang moved in Canton have had one hundred per cent atto Tsishan in the southwest of the province where tendance. The College department of Lingnan the China Inland Mission has strong work under University has been maintained at Canton, under Chinese leadership. Many missionaries are re- the leadership of the new president, Mr. Lei Yingmaining in Shansi and also in Shensi to the west. lam. True Light and Pui Ying Schools moved to The Japanese are said to have about 140,000 Hongkong. The Union Normal School and Mei troops in Shansi alone. Wa School were bombed on December 31. The dining hall of Union Normal and the main build- In Suiyuan and Chahar provinces the Japanese ing of Mei Wa were severely damaged. The Ma army holds the main points but, in all the north- Kwong Home for the Blind was removed to ern provinces, irregular Chinese troops and local Macao. defense organizations are making the garrisoning of the area more difficult for the invaders. Relief Hainan Island has been fairly quiet in spite of needs are serious in Peiping, Tientsin and all the some bombings and the constant fear of attack conquered territory. by gunboats.
Shantung was spared war until late in Decem- One report from south China gave high praise ber, but Governor Han's vaccilating policy left to three women missionaries of the English Presthe province without a plan of defense and J ap- byterian Mission who had stayed on at Swatow anese occupation was rapid. Part of Tsinan city and helped to maintain morale among the Chriswas destroyed but the buildings of Cheeloo Uni- tian leaders and people there. versity have escaped damage, according to latest word. Fighting around Tsining, an important "I cannot close this letter," writes one missionmission center, has been especially severe. Suf- ary, "without giving expression to the evidence fering in Shantung has been accentuated by a of the wonderful spirit of our church leaders in flood last summer which made two million people this time of national crisis, especially in their dehomeless. termination to keep the spiritual side of the church uppermost and at the same time express Many missionaries, sojourning at Tsingtau, their loyalty to their country. Chinese church have left for Shanghai or other ports. A con- leaders have not been heard to preach hate; their siderable number, chiefly men, remained at their prayers always include a petition for Japan, espestations. cially the Christians of Japan." "Don't worry about us missionaries," writes another, "but pray In Chekiang and Fukien for the poor Chinese people."
Southern Chekiang and Fukien have been least The biggest battle of the war is now raging in touched by war of any coastal region, but Amay Central China, northern Kiangsu and Anhwei has felt the hot breath of attack. and in Honan province. More than 500 mission- Professor E. M. Stowe, of Fukien Christian aries normally live in this area. Several mission- University, writes that the University and Chris- aries of the United Church of Canada returned tian schools of the province have been carrying to their stations in Honan after furlough only on as usual, "a seemingly miraculous oasis in a two months ago, and a great number of mission- sea of chaos and blood." The new Union Theo- aries in the fighting zone will carryon at their logical College at Changchow has opened with 26 own risk.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
The Yangtze River below Wuhu is blocked There are 60 mISSIOn centers of 16 mission sowith booms. Since the capture of Nanking and cieties and more than 430 missionaries in the Wuhu there has been a considerable exodus of great area. Since the chance of Szechwan ever missionary families from Kuling but a number being occupied by Japanese armies is very small remain and the schools for foreign children are the strategic importance of this province from being maintained. The school at Chikungshan the standpoint of the Chinese government and has closed. defense and from the standpoint of Christian work and planning for the future cannot be over- The Wuhan cities (Hankow, Wuchang and estimated. Hanyang) have been bombed many times and air raids have reached as far up river as Ichang. But Government universities have moved to Chungotherwise the provinces of Hupeh and Hunan kiang and Chengtu. In one city 24 temporary have been quiet, and Christian work has suffered buildings were erected in 40 days. The Univercomparatively little. The effect of the great mi- sity of Nanking has moved to Chengtu and will gration from east China is felt everywhere and cooperate with West China Christian University. many cities have increased rapidly in population. Cheeloo Medical School has also moved from Hospitals are crowded and Yale's Emergency Shantung to Szechwan. Hospital in Hunan has prepared to receive 2,000 wounded soldiers. Chinese National Organizations Plans for mass mobilization and education of The National Christian Council continues its the people in self-defense are being promoted ac- office in Shanghai but is working more through tively in these central provinces. Hunan prov- regional organizations especially in central and ince is being made an important area in agricul- west China. The National Christian Council has tural experiments and rural reorganization which issued a "Call to a Forward Movement," suggestwill increase its productivity as a source of food ing a threefold emergency program for the supply. churches: relief, spiritual uplift and cooperation of the churches with other agencies in service to Dr. W. Y. Chen, of the National Christian the people. Christians are being urged to give a Council, wrote, after a visit to central China, "The cent a day to relief work. spirit of the people in the churches is simply wonderful." Many inland stations write of the help A Y. M. C. A. leader in China writes, "We need which Christian leaders and their families from your continued undergirding. All are determined east China have brought to them in their work. to stay though positions dangerous." Mr. George The churches are active in relief work and stu- Fitch at Nanking, Mr. Eugene Turner at Hangdents of Christian schools are participating in chow, Mr. R. S. Hall at Tsinan, and Mr. Edward many service activities. Lockwood at Canton are rendering notable serv- ice in places of peril. The National Committee of The railway from Wachang to Canton is still Y. M. C. A.'s has organized emergency service open despite repeated bombings. The new motor for soldiers in 28 cities. One hundred full-time road from Changsha to Kweilin will be completed secretaries have been allocated to this work while soon. The Eurasia planes still fly from Hong- two hundred are carrying on the regular Associakong to central and west China and carry mails. tion program where possible. The Peiping Y. M. C. A. has cooperated with the Red Cross in In West China relief work and recreational ac:tivities for wound- ed soldiers. Through hut work, soldier clubs, serv- Bishop Ralph A. Ward, of the Methodist Church ice to wounded in hospitals, help to soldiers at in Szechwan province, writes, "The rapid and railway junctions, travelling units, a work comsweeping changes in national life are affecting parable to that of the Y. M. C. A. during the World great changes in Szechwan. Thousands of stu- War is being done and with very limited funds. dE:mts and teachers, business and professional people and government officials are bringing a The Y. W. C. A. has organized its women membroader outlook, many material things and crea- bers into many forms of service and is helping to tive power. Many of the newcomers are Chris- train civilians in first aid, health work, and the tians. Most of them are at least awakened spir- meeting of emergency needs. itually. The local Christian communities need adjustment to the new opportunities, not to speak Interruption of Educational Work of their need for more vital Christian faith and life for themselves." Such is the unexpected new Fifty per cent of the Chinese colleges and uniopportunity in west China. versities have been closed or forced to suspend. The Ministry of Education has established two Szechwan is larger in size than the British Isles temporary universities, one at Sian and another and contains a population of over 70,000,000. It at Changsha. Nankai, Gentral University and has some of the most fertile farm land in China.
Futan University have new quarters in Chung- cans in China and :the Advisory Committee of king. Tsinghua and National Peking University China Famine Relief. are now located in Changsha. The new location of some Christian colleges has been noted. College The International Red Cross is taking over adstudents and graduates are not being encouraged ministration of a large number of refugee camps yet to join the fighting services but at least one- in Shanghai and is extending the "Morris plan." half of the 45,000 college students are engaged in The Salvation Army has been most successful in war-time studies. Many have joined the War- conducting clean camps and in feeding the refutime Students' Service Corps. gees wholesome food at very low cost.
The Christian colleges are playing a noble part Christian relief committees everywhere are in the National life during the crisis. Yenching, most active in helping. "The least that Christian as has been mentioned, carries on in Peiping with organizations can do under circumstances like an enrollment of over 500. Cheeloo University these is to make the-maximum contribution to ease medical students have been transferred to Cheng- pain, to heal the wounded and create channels tu, other students to various institutions. Ginling for the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ, to find ex- College is operating in three units, at Shanghai, pression in the midst of carnage and strife," at Hwa Chung College and at Wes:t China Union writes one Christian group. The National Chris- University. The University of Nanking has moved tian Council has sent out flying squads to survey to west China. Soochow University suffered heavy needs in devastated areas and give help where losses to its property and is still closed. The Uni- possible. versity of Shanghai continues work in temporary quarters in the French Concession and St. John's The outstanding service of the Christian hos- University carries on. Hangchow Christian Col- pitals everywhere has won high praise from all lege has not suffered damage to property although classes of Chinese. The work has been carried Japanese guns are now located nearby. Some on often in great danger and frequently without teachers and students transferred to a small town sufficient medical supplies. One missionary from in Anhwei province. Fukien Christian University north Kiangsu went 1200 miles to Hankow and and Hwa Nan College, Foochow, have been able to back in order to secure needed drugs. In some keep going without serious interruption. Lingnan areas Chris,tian forces have joined with govern- University, Canton, has 460 students on the ment forces in medical service. Christian field campus. The opening enrollment of Hwachung hospital units are being planned. College, Wuchang, was fifty per cent above normal due to admission of students from other schools. The Chinese government and army were utterly West China Union University, Chengtu, has an unprepared to care for such large numbers of enrollment twice that of last year. Classrooms wounded soldiers. Dr. A. R. Kepler after a tour and laboratories are utilized in successive shifts. through eight provinces reported, "I return to All the colleges are incurring serious deficits this Shanghai from my journey with the wounded solyear, although operating costs have been reduced dier as my most poignant memory. I can't get to bare essentials. him out of my thoughts. He is the most pitiable person in China today. The chances are that he The Need for Relief Work must eat all the bitterness of the refugee, inade- quate clothing, insufficient nourishment, no pro- Never have the Chinese themselves done so tection from rain and· biting north wind, wounds much for their suffering fellow-countrymen as festering through lack of surgical care." It may they are doing today. Chinese doctors have volun- be days or weeks before he gets from the front teered in large numbers for medical service, one line to the medical centers at Nanchang, Sian, hundred going from Shanghai alone. The Shang- Wuhan or Changsha. Dr. Kepler continues, "The hai Chinese churches contributed $40,000. Local war was unwanted by China. The government relief committees have been formed in a large was not prepared to face so formidable an enemy, number of cities. But the need is so great that and one so thoroughly prepared and equipped outside help is imperative. with every conceivable modern missile and instru- ment of destruction. These poor wounded men The Federal Council of Churches, Foreign Mis- are a summons to the Christian forces in China sions Conference, China Famine Relief, Inc., and and throughout the world to come to their rescue other organizations have appealed for relief funds and set agencies in operation which will look after with limited results. All mission societies have their needs." He urges a Christian Medical Auxilmade special appeals. The American Red Cross iary to work in close cooperation with governin September authorized chapters to receive funds ment medical units. but initiated no campaign. Funds will be administered through a committee of prominent Ameri- One missionary, after visiting the vast camp for wounded soldiers and war viotims at Sian, wrote, "It is the largest mass of suffering human-
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
ity I have ever seen. Yet there was no groaning nor has the Church ever before stood out so clearor complaining even from stretcher cases who ly as a minister of good will and helpfulness to were borne past me by tired Boy Scouts." our suffering people."
The danger of epidemics will increase as spring BATES COLLEGE PROJECT IN ARABIA and summer come on, and all kinds of medical supplies will be needed. Eight Bates College students came back to Christians all over China have been contribut- campus after the Student Volunteer Convention ing to relief funds and women have been making garments for wounded civilians and soldiers. One at Buffalo in 1932, and had decided to adopt a misgroup made 1600 wadded vests and in each sewed sionary project suggested at the convention. a printed Scripture verse and message of comfort. Missionaries and Chinese Christian workers have Through personal sacrifice they volunteered to been visiting camps of wounded soldiers to give send to Dr. W. Harold Storm in Arabia fifty dolcomfort. To one missionary who was on his way to this service Madame Chiang Kai-shek said, lars for his medical work. Interesting letters and "And do not forget to ,tell them of the One who pictures came back as a result. An emergency suffered more than they." operation on the desert sands, an eye disease en- The Outlook and the Opportunity dured for years, cured, a child made over in the hospital-such incidents graphically described President Wu Yi-fang of Ginling College, Chairman of the National Christian Council, held the students and heightened their interest. wrote to friends in America, "In regard to the general situation in China, I don't see any possible Later the so-called Student Volunteer group lost improvement immediately and we must face the probable result of withdrawing to Szechwan, Yu- its identity by merging with the Christian Service nan, Kwangsi and Kweichow provinces. As to how long this process may take, no one can tell. Club. Just as Dr. Storm was about to sail back to I sound, I am afraid, very pessimistic, but in fact I am qui,te confident of the ultimate triumph of Arabia, Dr. Rayborn Zerby, adviser to the Chrisright over might." tian Association on the campus, suggested that President Francis C. Wei, of Hwa Hung Col- Dr. Storm be invited to return to the campus lege, now in America, said recently, "Wheth.er China is defeated or victorious the need for ChrIS- again to interest the Christian Association, comtianity and for Christian higher education will prising all the students of the College, in support be greater than before. If China shall be victorious, she will have all the greater need for of his project. Christianity to use wisely her new position and power. If she should be defeated, she will need The invitation was accepted. Dr. Storm was Christian courage and wisdom in dealing with the problems that will confront her." due to appear at chapel. His train was late.
A missionary leader writes, "As soon as hostili- Chapel began. There was a long hymn. The ties cease, under restrictions and difficulties such as we have never before experienced, we are going President prayed longer than usual. As he turned to have a tremendous opportunity to preach and teach our Christian faith." Af.ter his two months' to sit down, Dr. Storm appeared breathless. "A preaching tour in central and west China, Dr. E. Stanley Jones declared that China presented the storm has burst upon you," he began, and he truly greatest challenge to Christianity of any land in the world today. carried by storm the student body that morning.
Finally, this message from the Executive Coun- In the evening a large number of students came to cil of the Methodist Episcopal Church in China, may be taken as an appreciation and an appeal see pictures of his Arabian friends, of diseases from all Christians in China today: and operations, of desert travel and to hear his "Never before have the loyal confidences and intimate cooperation between the Chinese and the story of healing body and soul. He showed armissionary groups of our church in China been so plainly evident nor so distinctly stimUlating, ticles used in Arabian tent life: the mat for dates -and these articles he presented to Bates College as a permanent Arabian exhibit.
Since that time annually in the Bates Chapel the work of Dr. Storm has been presented and an offering has been made by students and faculty.
The Y.M.C.A. purchased and sent to Dr. Storm an "eye kit" such as was used during the War by field surgeons. This kit accompanies him on his desert trips.
The adoption of Dr. Storm by Bates students has been peculiarly fortunate because he has a personality which appeals to students; because his work carries with it so much of the humani- tarian appeal; and because he has made such a successful effort to keep in touch with the campus.
Here is a means of widening horizons of college students that means a deepening of the religious faith of those who appreciate the spiritual side of such missionary work. MIRIAM: B. MABEE.
WHAT IS IN A NAME IN CHINA?
By GEOFFREY W. ROYALL "What's in a name?" Forty million Chinese would answer, "Chang," another thirty-five million would reply, "Wang," and a paltry thirty million would bow and say, "My unworthy name is Li." In other words, approximately one hundred million, or almost one quarter of the people of the Dragon Kingdom answer to the name of Chang, Wang or Li. Suppose they all had telephones!
Try to visualize the name of every third American being identical; or imagine everyone in the British Isles, with perhaps the exception of Wales, having precisely the same surname. Such a proposition literally knocks the imagination down and out. The above staggering state of ~ffairs actually exists in Cathay.
The "Four Hundred Million Customers" ,that Carl Crow has introduced to you of the Oc- cident~ have but five hundred surnames among them all! The Smiths, Joneses and Browns that jostle us in the telephone directory have their unique counterparts in the Changs, Wangs and Lis of China. The word Chang has several meanings, the best of which perhaps is "stretch" ; Wang means "king"; Li is translated "plum." The fourth most prevalent name in this cus- tard-colored kingdom is Chao meaning "hasten."
Originally the Chinese had but four hundred thirty-eight surnames. These were tabulated by a scholar in the early Sung dynasty and appear in booklet form under the title Pai Chia Hsing-"All the Clan Names." These surnames are printed in groups of four which enable the native student to memorize them more easily. The average school boy is able to quote the whole list of four hundred thirty-eight by memory and to write them on demand!
China is a kingdom of villages. Their name is legion. Every walled town has mush- roomed about it between five hundred and two thousand hamlets. Very often the natives of a whole village will have the same name.
Ten centuries before Christ, when the family system had not yet come into prominence, marriage in China was not under the strict ethical code of the sages as it was later at the advent of Confucius, Laotzi, and Mencius. At that time there was no definite system of sur- names. Men and women mingled more or less freely together so that often a child was born without the mother being sure of the father's identity. During this comparatively early period in Chinese history (known as the To Fu Ch'ih) a child was generally gIVen its mother's name and not that of its other parent. As Oriental civilization progressed the family gradually be- came the strong link that held society together. A man had one wife and when he wished to leave his property to his son, he insisted on the latter taking his name and propagating the family interests. However, it was not until ,the time of the Chan-Kueh (the Warring States, 403-221 B. C.) that family names began to take on any semblance of permanency. Even then they were subject to change.
Chinese surnames and their English meanings are undoubtedly as brimful of human in- terest as our Occidental names are to them. After a careful study of the clan names I have translated and arranged the most interesting into groups.
The majority of us are acquainted with such family names as Green, Brown, White, Black, and Grey. While the Middle Kingdom has a White family, she has no claim to any Browns, Blacks, Greens or Greys. However, true to the Oriental love of bri&1ht colors, China has a Mr. Blue, Mr. Yellow, Mr. Red, Mr. Crimson, and even a Mr. Colour.
The West has a group of animal surnames. such as Bear, Pig, Fox, Wolf and Lyon. Be- sides the Bear family, China boasts a Mr. Ox, Mr. Camel, Mr. Goat, Mr. Dragon, a Mr. Horse, and also a Mr. Cart!
Before China became a Republic the arranging of weddings was an affair that bristled with superstition. This is still the case in the rural districts. The Mei-Ren, or Middle Man who had the delicate task of choosing a wife for his client, first learned the name of a likely maid before he enquired about her appearance and ability. Supposing the young man's family name were "Ox" and the girl were a member of the "Red" family, the parents of the young lady would object to such a match on the grounds that after the marriage Mr. Ox might "see red"! It is very doubtful if Mr. Cash and Miss Waste would make a good husband and wife. For similar reasons the Fish family, unless they belonged to the New China, would never marry their daughter to young Master Hook! On the other hand the parents of Miss Water might favorably consider the son of the Well family as a son-in-law. . . .
Are you acquainted with the Happy and Sing families? No? China is! Time and sand meet in other places than the hour glass, for among the mustard-colored sons of Han there is actually a Mr. Time and a Mr. Sand! . . . Perhaps the most unique galaxy in this remarkable constellation is Mr. Season, Mr. Summer, Mr. Warm, Mr. Autumn, Mr. Winter and Mr. Cold!
Winds Shift in
-··<tli{l!;;11===B=y=a=R=E=S=ID=E=N=T=O=F=TH=E=RE=P=U=B=LI=C==~I~ T HREE years ago. a mighty spiritual cQnflict Then suddenly the tide turned. NQt a missiQn- was being waged here in Mexico.. It was a ary Qr pastQr cQmprising the praying grQUp critical hQur, fQr cQmmunism was sweeping dQubted fQr a mQment but that GQd had laid bare Qver the land. The aggressive atheism which His Almighty Arm and had wrQught a miracle. streamed daily Qver radio. channels was blasphe- The mQst radical members Qf the cabinet were mQUS and deadly in its purpQse. The whQle edu- dismissed. It was nQthing shQrt Qf a revQlutiQn.
catiQnal system Qf the cQuntry was being re- The natiQn was shaken. Since that hQur there vamped fQr the purpQse Qf prQpagating atheistic has been a steady shifting Qf the winds. To. what cQmmunism. SchQQI teachers, agents Qf the gQV- extent Satan has been bruised under the feet Qf ernment, were being murdered in every state by the saints, if I may use the ApQstle Paul's lanthe rebelliQus "plebe." Children in public schQQls guage, will be indicated by this simple circum- were being taught to. march to. the tune Qf Uno, stance. On Christmas Eve, I heard brQadcasted dos.. no hay Di6s- (Qne, twO.; there is no. GQd). frQm a GQvernment statiQn, the Christian hymn, One was almQst afraid to. mentiQn the name Qf "Little LQrd Jesus Asleep in the Hay." As the Jesus. MissiQn schQQls were clQsed. All rQads wQrds "I IQve thee, LQrd Jesus," came sweetly were leading to. Russia. Qver the air, my thQughts went back to. the prayer cQnflic.t and I remembered the blasphemy Qne was This is the fact withQut gQing into. many re- lated questiQns. The type Qf RQmanism which WQnt to. hear frQm such statiQns three years ago.. fQr centuries had dQminated the land and which All are cQnscious Qf the marvellQus shift in the fQr gQQd reaSQns had fallen into disrepute, had winds in Mexico.. Heavenly breezes are taking prepared the SQil fQr the anti-religiQus sentiment the place Qf the deadly arctic blasts that had been that was nQW grQwing so. rapidly. This and Qther blQwing. NQwevery day brings fresh cQnfirmaquestiQns Qf a similar nature we will nQt discuss tiQns. DQQrs fQr the Gospel are Qpening so. rapidhere. ly that Christian wQrkers are nQt able to. enter them all. FurthermQre, we are seeing that all A grQUp Qf Evangelical pastQrs and missiQn- things wQrked tQgether fQr gQQd, God causing aries, deeply cQncerned, decided to. meet daily fQr prayer. FQr eight mQnths every mQrning at 6: 30 even the wrath Qf men to. praise Him. Unfruitful they literally bQmbarded Heaven. It was a tre- branches Qf Christian service in which there mendQus cQnflict waged in the heavenlies. There seemed to. be no. evidence Qf Divine life, were was no. mere saying Qf prayers-it was agQnized wiped Qut, and there has CQme a return to. vital intercessiQn; it was a case Qf thrQwing dQwn the evangelism. If we stand firmly with Chris,t and gauntlet to. the "prince Qf this wQrld," and then Qbey His cQmmand to. go. into. all the wQrld and fighting it Qut with his demQniacal fQrces; it was preach the GQspel, then when stQrms and flQQds wrestling with "principalities and PQwers" that CQme, Qur hQuse stands firmly Qn the Rock. prevail in this wQrld's darkness. The fQrces prQ- The shift in the winds is evident in a thQusand moting atheism were nOot merely gQvernment Qffi- ways. The head Qf the Bible SQciety tells me cials Qr a few radical members Qf cabinet; it was that they have just clQsed their best year. The nQt due Qnly to. the influence Qf Russia. Satan Y. M. C. A. has infQrmed me that they had never himself was marshaling his fQrces; the CQmmu- had such a fruitful year as the Qne just ended. nistic "ideQIQgia" was but an instrument in his Evangelical pastQrs, missiQnaries, cQlpQrteurs, hands. There was a feeling of QPpressiQn, SQme- deacQnesses, Christian wQrkers Qf every kind have . thing indefinable that stifled Qne's spirit. Only a new gleam in their eyes. Heavenly breezes are GQd CQuld turn the tide. FQr eight mQnths the blQwing. thrQne Qf GQd was besieged by this devQted and determined grQUp Qf intercessQrs. They felt them- It is true that missiQn schQQls, abQlished three selves whQlly dependent Qn GQd. He alQne CQuld years ago., are still clQsed, but Christian fQrces fQrmerly given to. educatiQn are nQW wQrking hurl back the infernal fQrces that were taking alQng definitely evangelistic lines, and WQuld nQt cQntrQI Qf the land. With dQgged persistence return to. the Qld Qrder if they eQuId.
they prayed and refused to. be discouraged. If the letter Qf the law is still in many respects [123 ]
unfriendly to the Christian Church, at least to the the winds of such a revival are now beginning to Roman Catholic Church, even here the law is be- blow no one can doubt. On all sides there are the coming more and more a dead letter. There is a fragrant heavenly breezes. Christian workers, new spirit abroad. Officials all over ,the land far from being discouraged, are on the march recognize the difference between Evangelical work with eager, wistful looks upon their faces. True, and the old Roman Catholic order. Though their the Roman Catholic Church has received a blow enmity to the latter, for reasons clear to even the from which she will never recover. But in her most superficial observer, is not abated, and prob- place the Sun of Righteousness is ari.sing with ably will not decrease, their friendly attitude to- healing in his wings. We covet the prayer of ward Protestants becomes ever more pronounced. Christian people everywhere that God may raise up laborers. "The harvest is plenteous but the To illustrate: For a year or more the Gospel laborers are few." has been preached in the Mexican Federal Prison. Then suddenly the door was closed. This led to a TO TRAIN MISSIONARIES TO MOSLEMS call to prayer that God who had opened the door would keep it open. After much prayer the case The Henry Martyn School of Islamic Studie'S was presented to the head of the Federal District, who expressed real satisfaction because of the One-seventh of the world's population is Moswork and iss.ued an order that the workers be per- lem. To lead a Moslem to Christ, without a knowlmitted to go ahead unmolested. Hundreds in this edge of the teaching and practices of Islam is like great prison have accepted Christ as their per- trying to lead a Jew to Christ, without having an sonal Saviour and are eagerly studying the Scrip- adequate knowledge of the Old Testament. But tures. how is the average missionary and Christian worker going to wade through the voluminous A recent experience with the firemen of the city writings of Moslem apologies and the replies by reveals the hunger in men's hearts for the Word Christian scholars to their declarations that the of God. A casual call at the Central Fire Station, Bible is corrupted, the Koran abrogates the Bible, with' a New Testament, elicited such a fervent Christ was a mere human prophet, Christ never response that in a short time Bible classes were died on the Cross, there is no need for the atoneorganized in all four stations. The chief, a thirty- ment, no resurrection occurred, and other obsecond degree Mason, was eager that his men jections? should be acquainted with the Bible. Some two hundred Testaments were given out and it was a One answer to this great need for a training joy to sit with these men about a great table in center for missionaries and Christian workers is their station library, and to read and expound the the Henry Martyn School at Lahore, opened in Word of God. Unfortunately, Police Headquarters 1930. It was appropriate that such a center are in the upper stories of the same building occu- should be opened in the Punjab in the heart of pied by the Central Fire Station. When the police eighty millions of Moslems. learned about the work among the firemen the result was a suspension of the Bible classes. As- The most remarkable feature of this School has surance has been given, however, that after the been the training of Moslem converts and Indian storm has blown over, the classes will be resumed. workers who have felt the call to bring the Gospel Not all depar,tments of the Government are aware to Moslems. Workers representing twenty-one of the shift in the winds, as this incident reveals. different missionary societies have already taken advantage of the course in Lahore, some having A mighty Salvation Army movement is under come from as far away as Kashgar, Chinese way in the Federal District, under the guidance of Turkestan and Inland China. ' the Spirit of God. The work was begun by a Mexican government inspector, who had found Twenty-seven Extension Courses have been Christ and began witnessing to the "down-and- conducted throughout the length and breadth of outs" of the worst section of the city. Without India, which mean that hundreds of Indian Chrisany knowledge of the Salvation Army, this con- tians have been given a new vision for work vert, Sr. Guzman, developed a work with an evan- among Mohammedans. gelistic emphasis even stronger than that which is found in the Salvation Army today. Sr. Guz- The School, with all its great opportunities, has man and a group of his Christian "soldiers" re- been threatened by the possibility of having to cently attended a Salvation Army Congress in close because of the lack of $2,500 required an- Atlanta, Georgia, where he received the Army flag nually for running expenses. Such a far-reaching from General Evangeline Booth herself, and was work run on such a small amount of money is officially adopted into the Army. remarkable; to close the school would be a catas- trophe.* The eight months of intercession had as one of its objects a spiritual revival in Mexico. That • Subscriptions may be sent to the Treasurer, The Henry Martyn School, 9 Masson Road, Lahore, India.
SYNOD OF THE PRESBYTE'RIAN CHURCH IN FORMOSA-1937
A Visit to Beautiful Formosa –eel I By REV. GEORGE H. WINN, Seoul, Chosen I )it- ~==========================~ A PORTUGUESE sea captain, beholding the Mackay. He was my interpreter for part of the beauties of the island, called Taiwan by the conference. Japanese under whose government it has We docked at a modern wharf at Keelung and been for forty years, exclaimed in Portuguese went to the home of Miss Adams in Tamsui, the Ihla Formosa – "Beautiful Isle" – and that has most beautiful of the Formosan mission stations.
since remained its English name. After Sunday at Tamsui we went on south to For many years we have desired to see For- Tainan by an all-day train journey to attend the mosa. As a little boy I had taken from my fa- conference of Christian workers. The Japanese ther's bookshelves the story of Dr. George Leslie train service is excellent and at numberless sta- Mackay's lif,e and had read it with interest, so it tions side lines branch off to huge sugar plan- was a great thrill to go to Formosa and there take tations.
dinner in the home of his son, the Rev. George Many pushcars are used where the energy is [125 ]
provided by two men who ride down hills and and the coffee bean grow in the mISSIOn comsometimes pole the car at five or six mnes an hour. pounds; at Tainan the compound contains many In addition to the coastal line on which we rode rose-apple trees from which they gain an income there was an inner parallel line through the moun- of about 200 yen. Brilliantly-colored wild shrubtains, but an earthquake damaged that line so bery abounds everywhere. Many of the mimosa greatly that s,eventy-five million yen would be have flowers of a greenish yellow, instead of the necessary to restore its tunnels and bridges. One pink to which we were accustomed; trees, similar train had just gone through a tunnel when the to the acacia in foliage, bloom in brilliant reds and earthquake came and destroyed the tunnel behind yellows. Banyan trees are common and at the it and the bridge ahead. Only this f'lpring, two railroad stations are trained and trimmed to spell years later, did they manage to get the train out out the names of the stations. of the predicament. The soil is exceedingly fertile so that two, and Water buffalo are everywhere in the rice fields; occasionally three, crops of rice a year are haras they plow and harrow, the driver pours water vested. Sugar cane is abundant, and the world's supply of camphor comes from Formosa. Bamboo is present everywhere, being planted around the villages to protect them from typhoon winds.
Many tons of bamboo are shipped to America. Coal is also abundant and petroleum, gold and silver are found.
At Tainan we had a unique experience-a ride in a bamboo boat. Some twenty large bamboo poles are bound together in a curved raft. With sails set, the raft slips along, the water rushing through the cracks from one en~ to the other. To keep passengers out of the water, tubs are pro- vided; and in them we sat high and dry with water all around.
In Formosa are the aboriginees of the moun- tains, driven there when the Chinese invaded the island some four hundred years ago. They are of Malay descent and were head hunters. The more civilized tribes remained in the nlains and intermingled with the Hakkas from China. The Amoy Chinese are the largest element of aU, and there are some 300,000 Japanese who have ruled the land for forty years, since the Treaty of Shi- monoseki. Our chief interest in the people was in their relation to Christ. There are four mission sta- tions, two in the north, two in the south. The Protestant church, mostly Presbyterian, numbers about 50,000, making one Christian in a hundred.
ABORIGINES AND AN EDUCATED FORMOSAN WOMAN The Roman Catholic group is very weak. The Presbyterian churches number about one hundred over the animal with a long-handled dipper. If and seventy, served by forty pastors. Although they are dry their skin cracks. Everywhere flocks graduates of the Theological Seminary are more of ducks with their keepers are to be seen wad- numerous than that, they must work on probation dling in the water along the roads, their keepers for three years, studying and taking examinations strolling after them in leisurely manner holding before they are ordained. No church is built exumbrellas aloft. It is amusing to observe the cept by approval of a committee of Presbytery haste with which the ducks automatically seek the who pass on plans and see if sufficient funds are side of the road at the sound of the honk of an available. The church is practically self-supportauto. ing and self-governing.
The island reminds one of Hawaii. The lux- The missionary conference had an attendance uriant flora of the tropics greeted the eye, and the of some 140 pastors and unordained. workers. The fragrance of the same flowers used for the Ha- latter are seminary graduates, largely young men waiian lei gr,eeted the nostrils. Banana, papaya and forward looking, with a zeal for Christ. It
A VISIT TO BEAUTIFUL FORMOSA
was a real inspiration to be with them for the a Women's School. Church Kindergartens have week. been added recently and are a powerful 'agency in linking the homes with the Church. The First church at Tainan has one of the best organized Sunday schools I have seen, made up Presbyterian missionary work in North Forof some four hundred children and young people. mosa is conducted from two centers, Taihoku and One hundred .of the young folk are .organized into Tamsui. The work in South Formosa is under preaching bands and go out from Sunday to Sun- the Presbyterian .Church of England. day to preach. There were five hundred Christians present at the morning worship service. The MacKay Memorial Hospital was built at Outside many stood around the doors and win- Taihoku to carryon medical work and is filled to dows, while others sat in the shade of the trees to capacity. There is a leprosy clinic for out-palisten. It was a well-dressed audience and seemed tients, closely identified with the Happy Mount largely composed of the business and professional Leprosy Colony. To the patients in every hosclasses, though some in coarse work clothes were pita;} department the story of Christ the Great not ashamed to come in with them. The singing Physician is made very clear. was hearty and accurate in pitch, and I was interested to note a blind man in front singing and General evangelistic work is carried on among following the service in the Braille. the Aboriginal tribes to build up an indigenous, self-governing, self-supporting and self-propa- The second service of the day, instead of being gating church. The native Christian churches at night was in the afternoon, at the Peaceful have their .own governing body, the North For- East Gate Church, which has a membership of mosa Presbytery, which, with that of the Presbyseven hundred. That service also was well at- terian Church of England in South F.ormosa form tended in spite of a heavy downpour. The pastor the Presbyterian Synod of Formosa. is a strong leader, a convert from the Plainsmen. The orderliness and quiet reverence of the wor- The evangelistic work is promoted byaggresship in that church created a truly spiritual at- sive teaching and preaching. A three-year movemosphere. ment was begun by the native Presbytery which seeks t.o quicken the whole church life through Let me tell the story of a Formosan magistrate. prayer, Bible study and various forms of service. He loved the savages and did his best to keep Revival services have been held by Evangelist them from coming down on head-hunting expedi- Dr. Sung of China. Thousands attended; huntions. They, on their part, respected him and dreds were converted and several hundred preachknew that he was a true friend. One day they ing bands were formed, the members pledging said they must have one more head for a great festival. In vain did the magistrate protest. themselves to testify to Christ at least once a Finally he asked whether they would make this week. Thus the whole spiritual life of the church their last such raid. They made an agreement to has been quickened. so do, so he said, "At early dawn I'll send a man dressed in red. Take him." Sure enough a figure The spirit of Christian youth in Formosa was in red appeared. He was shot and his head taken evident at the conference of 1936 when two hunin high glee, but soon their savage rejoicing was dred delegates, men and women, testified of their turned to mourning for they found that this man joy in Christian fellowship. The first Preachers' in red was none other than their best friend, the Wives' Conference of North Formosa was held in magistrate who had given himself for his people. Tamsui for three days, attended by forty-three The people saw the evil of their ways and re- preachers' wives. Definite w.ork among the pented. From that time head hunting has not women and girls of congregations was planned. been practiced. This man's stone memorial stands The Formosan Women's Missionary Society has at a spot near where he gave his life. now over 400 members and is actively interested in the work of the Bible women who receive excel- *** lent training in the Women's School at Tamsui.
PRESBYTERIAN WORK IN FORMOSA Japanese Government regulations n.ow require that all missionaries in Formosa use the Japanese Evangelical missionary work in North For- language instead of Formosan Chinese. This m.osa is conducted under the auspices of the Pres- change has placed a heavy load of language study byterian Church in Canada and has followed the on missionaries, but they are finding that the two general plan outlined by the pi.oneer missionary, languages will be of value in evangelism. Dr. George Leslie MacKay. He undertook to give the Formosans the best possible Christian educa- Changes in the educational situation have left tion in order to train them for life and service. our missionaries free to devote themselves to teaching the Gospel and training Formosans to There have been established a Boys' Middle carryon the work so that in time to come native School, a Girls' School, a Theological College and Christians may assume the responsibility of evan- gelizing their own people, and native homes will become centers of religious Ufe.
Situation in Soviet Russia*
By NICHOLASARSENIEV, Warsaw, Poland Professor of Theology in University of Warsaw .nA..NY investigation into the religious situ~tion accordingly. I.t seems as if events were pressing in Soviet Russia is met wth baffling difficul- towards a spiritual issue and this makes the pres- . ties, but in this intricate and seemingly ent moment a significant one from the religious confused panorama certain facts stand out clearly. point of view.
(1) There seems to be an increase of religious A Closer Survey of Facts feeling and of religious energy among the people. Possibly it is the manifestation of this, rather In spite of every eff.ort on the part of the Bolthan the feeling its·elf, that has increased. sheviks, it was found impossible to strangle all religious life by persecution. This very persecu- (2) Methods of anti-religi.ous propaganda' and tion has had the opposite effect and religi.on has, of religious persecution have, to a great extent, in many cases, been strengthened and driven more failed, and there is disappointment among Bol- deeply than ever into the lives of the Russian peosheviks as to the results of their struggle against ple. Every n.ow and again this religious convicreligion. tion seems to spread in ever-widening circles, sometimes among the most unexpected elements (3) The Bolsheviks had to adopt some changes of the population. in their handling .of the religious question. These changes are mainly of a tactical, not of an essen- Let me quote from an interesting article by E. tial character. Most of them are only means of Yaroslavsky, the leader.of the League of Militant concealing the real state of things. Alth.ough Atheists.1 In reply to his questi.on: "Who goes these "veils" or "screens" are transparently to church-people belonging to what strata of the clumsy they have proved effective, and friends of population ?" the following is the answer: the Soviet Government in foreign countries accept them, with no wish for further investigation. In At the factory Fmser (in Moscow) quite a number of other words, these changes (t.o a great extent only workmen are missing from work on church holidays. In fictitious) represent a policy of deceit, built on a the religious organizations of the province of Gorky (pregigantic scale and used by the Bolsheviks to mis- viously Nijny-Novgorod) four per cent of the presidents lead public .opini.on in foreign countries~ of parish councils are workmen. . . . There is a railway village, Kbstych, where 10,000 workmen live. Among the (4) Religious persecution c.ontinues in Soviet communists this village is known as the 'priest health re- Russia, although there are some changes in its sort,' more than fifty priests live there. In Petrozavodsk application. in the parish councils of the churches Onejskaya and Neglinskaya workmen predominate. Let us take the (5) In the main, the general picture .of the offi- Church of the Transfiguration in Irkutsk: there are, on cial attitude to religion in Soviet Russia is much the whole, 911 believers in the community, among them the same as it has been for five .or six years. The 866 women of whom 40 per cent work in factories. Ijevsk difference lies in the greater religious activity of is a factory town. In 1936 the local priest Pletzky was a the Believers and in the collapse of many of the former workman. . . .
methods of anti-religious propaganda. In the railway village D.oobliantchina, the The collapse of anti-religious propaganda, due church choir consists of fifty singers, many of to lack of c.ollaborators, becomes more manifest them young people; the majority are railway day by day. This, however, does not mean a workmen. In the village Ilovay-Rojdestvenskaya change in the attitude of the Government. One (near the station Brigadirskaya), inhabited string of its bow, that of anti-religious propa- mostly by railway workmen, the church has re- ganda, is broken, or rather damaged; ,the .other, cently been restored.2 The miners in the Donetz that of vi.olent destruction of church-buildings and district, having obtained from the authorities ma- objects of religious art and the putting to death terials for building their homes, handed them over of bishops, priests and many Believers, continues for the restoration of the churches and chapels.
to functi.on. Bolsheviks are realizing more and Children are again being baptized. Before the more the unabated power .of religion and hate it • Condensed from Wo.rld Domini,on (London), January, 1938. 1 Anti1"eZigiosnik, No.6, 1937. 2 Communist paper Goodok, quoted in the Warsaw paper Slo1}o, 28th August, 1937.
[128 ] entrance to dangerous coal mines public prayers The growth of religious life is especially conare said.3 spicuous in the country, notwithstanding the col- lectivization of the peasant classes. In collective There is a remarkable spread of religion among farms it is not uncommon to find priests celethe young people, who are especially the object of brating religious services in a barn or shed which anti-religious propaganda in Soviet Russia, and has been turned into a chapel.lO In the province even among the c.omsomoltzy (members of the of Nijni-Novgorod the peasants have started "con- Youth Communist League). The Review of the secrating" their huts, which means that they ask Youth Communist League, the Comsomole Truth, a priest to come and conduct a short service and gives a picture of the growth of religious feeling sprinkle the hut with "holy water." In some vilamong the young generation in the province of lages even the village authorities (themselves Voronej. The girls have founded a "secret mon- peasants, although members of the Communist astery"; fifteen girls from two kolkhose (i.e., col- Party) are being influenced by the general relilectivized villages) joined it immediately. Boys gious awakening and make no objection to and girls go to communion, are wedded in church processions or to public prayers being said churches, observe church fasts and religious rites. by the clergy in the village schools at the opening Young married couples baptize their children. In of the school yearY Church holidays – special spite of all this these young people continue to be Days to St. Nicholas, St. John, St. Peter, St. Paul, numbered among the Coms.omoltzy.4 St. Elija, and our Lady of Kazan, are celebrated by the peasantry, and especial reverence is paid The Bolshevic Review, Socialistic Agriculture, to the feasts of Transfiguration and Assumption. speaks of groups organized by the young people In the small town of Alexin (formerly province for the reading of the Bible.5 In the district of of Toula) religious funerals of the faithful take Zaslavsk (province of Vinnitza) three Comso- place. In the .community of Boorilovsk (district moltzy have signed the request for re-opening the of Efremov) numbering 1,300 inhabitants, all church.6 In Beresovsk very early in the morning families baptize their children, with the exception people may be seen gathering in a churchyard, of five or six.12 where priests are celebrating. (This means that there is not a church left in the locality.) The This enhancement of religious activity seems to Oural Workman writing of this adds: "It is sad be backed up and fostered, much against the aims that many young persons are in the crowd." In of the Bolsheviks themselves, by the new constithe province of Nijni-Novgorod the leader of the tution of Soviet Russia, passed in 1936, by which local board of instruction was entrusted with an the right of citizenship (i.e., the right to vote) investigation into the state of the schools. He has been restored to ministers of religion. The found that boys in primary and secondary schools Believers seem sometimes to consider these "conwere singing in church choirs. In smaller towns stitutional changes," which are meant, in the and villages schoolboys might be seen asking a main, to remain a dead letter, as something which clergyman's blessing when they met him in the might improve the religious situation in Russia. street. 7 In dealing with local authorities they often appeal to these changes, as giving them a new legal stand- A Bolshevik journalist, Kosharev, tells us in the ing. They sometimes feel sufficiently emboldened Soviet paper Pravda that the Comsomoltzy go to to present petitions to the Government for perchurch, are wedded in churches and baptize their mission to re-open churches. These petitions, acchildren: Soviet students take part in church cording to report, are signed, not only by members choirs in Penza and Ulyanovsk. At the thirteenth of "collective farms," but even, here and there, by Communist Party conference in Kiev much was members of the Communist Youth Organization. said about schoolboys and girls buying small icons and crosses in the churches. Yaroslavsky tells usS The review Antireligioznik13 tells us that the that in the Gorky province in twenty-two districts priests try to explain in their own way paragraph there are 182 members of church parish councils 124 of the New Constitution: of Comsomol age, that is, between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. Bishop Silvester was In many places, even in the province of Moscow, the recently arrested in Torjok. He had great in- faithful celebrated in the churches solemn services of fluence on the young people. As a protest against thanksgiving for the promulgation of the new Constituhis imprisonment some of the Comsomoltzy threw tion. In their sermons priests praised its authors and away their Communist certificates.9 expressed their gratitude to God. In the province of Yaroslav the peasants of the collective farms talk of the 3 Bolshevik paper Trood-. Compare Slovo, 5th and 12th September, necessity of re-opening churches,14 1937. 10 Slovo, 4th April, 1937. 4 Slovo, 3rd October, 1937. 11 The Bolshevic Review, Socialistic Agriculture, 1937. • Siovo, 10th October, 1937. 12 Antireligioznik, No.4, April, 1937. 6 Antireligiosnik, No.4. April, 1937. ]3 Antireligioznik, No.4, April, 1937. • Siovo, 6th June, 1937. 14 Socialistic Oulture, quoted in the paper Pravos/avnaya Russ, 8 Bolchevic, No.4, 1937. Vladimirovo Tchecho-Slovakia, 10th July, 1937. • Slovo, 5th September, 1937.
Even the village authorities are telling members of the The redoubling of persecution shows that these anti-religious propaganda movement that Believers and "friendly hints" fall on fruitful soil. The Soviet ministers of the cult are now in possession of the same Government can be thankful te these informers. rights as other citizens.15 We, too, have reason to thank them, for, through the rage and hate of these collaborators of the The movement for re-opening churches seems to spread Soviet executioners, out of those very reports through many parts of Russia. In the district of Zaslavsk which are meant to be weapons of persecution and three Comsomoltzy have signed a request for that pur- which have already sealed the fate of many bepose.16 lievers, how be;autifully there shines forth the religious fervor of the humble clergy and the The Meaning faithful people.
These reports are brought out as a charge It is interesting to note the response to the reagainst Believers. Names are given where they quests for the re-dpening of churches. There seem are available. The Bolshevik authorities will prob- to have been occasions when the results were faably see to it that such happenings shall not be vorable. The Kharbin papers contain the memrepeated, and that the persons in question shall oirs of a certain Mrs. Kravtchenko-Kostenko, who be punished. The following may be read, for in- left Soviet Russia in March of this year. She stance, as a distinct denunciation: tells of a terrible drought in the Volga region in – the summer of 1936. The people became restive The parish council of the church Neglinskaya (in Petro- and demanded the re-opening of the St. Elija zavodsk) has for its chairman the carpenter Kijin, a work- church in the town of Balashov. A petition was man from the Onega factory. The workmen Frolov and sent to Stalin himself who at once complied with Anookov are members of the same parish council. The the request by a telegram, being afraid (accordpresident of the parish council of the Zaretzkaya church ing to Mrs. Kravtchenko) of troubles among the is also a factory woman, Arifmetikova. We could quote peasantry. The general attitude of the Soviet many similar examples. . . . When a religious funeral of Government towards such questions, however, is a workman of the Onega factory took place, seventy-five clearly stated in a decree in the "religious" secworkmen of the factory were present. Neither party or- tion of the G.P.V., which alone has the authority ganization, nor Comsomol nor communist trade union cared to grant such petitions. Four requirements are in the least that church people should use the funeral of necessary for the re-opening of a church: (1) It a workman for a religious demonstration. must be proved that the people asking for this are politically trustworthy; (2) the church in ques- It would be astonishing if hints such as these, tion should not be situated within less than onegiven by spies of the Soviet Government, should quarter-of-an-hour's walk from the nearest school remain unnoticed by that Government. We may (this condition alone is enough to make all these be sure that the workmen of the Onega factory applications worthless); (3) there must be no had to pay dearly for their participation at a reli- "founded" objections from the local godless league gious funeral and in parish councils! 11 to the re-opening of the church!
The informer of the paper Ouralsky Rabotchy As to the promises of the new constitution, they says: are meant, to a large extent, to deceive public opinion outside Russia. The effect produced on This year the church "Fathers" have developed an un- Believers seems to have been unexpected by the precedented activity. In the district of Voroshilovsk, under Government. The religious tide has been strengthcover of "divine words," the papers are making counter- ened. That explains the cry of rage that fills the revolutionary propaganda against the most important Bolshevik periodicals for the year 1937 to a measures of the Government. In March of this year the greater extent than before. They are doing their priest Slavtza, of the church of Gorodistshe, threatened best to restore the balance, by redoubling the govfrom the pulpit those among the Believers who would allow ernmental support of anti-religious propaganda their children to be educated under atheistic teaching. on the one hand and by pursuing the line of phys- The sermon of the priest was directed against the Soviet ical suppression on the other. The reports in the methods of education. Bolshevik papers that we have quoted are pre- liminary steps pointing out the enemy to the In the village Lenktva the priest Kotchetkoff has com- authorities. The sequel is often exile or even the posed a special prayer for pacification of the church. The death-sentence for the victim. prayer was directed against the collective farms and tended to excite dissatisfaction against the Bolshevik au- Anti-Religious Propaganda thorities. This holy priest took special "care" of tlie atheistic youth. The activity of the priests does not limit The inner impulse of the anti-religious propaitself to the precincts of the church buildings. At the ganda movement is dying out. The breakdown of station of Oosolskaya men and women from the collective the Godless Movement is a fact to be reckoned farms may often be met, talking "peacefully" on religious SUbjects. In the village of Eskino the ex-priest gathers the people in the evenings in his room for prayer. (This means that the church has been closed and taken away from the Believers.) Every evening the singing of a choir may be heard from the house of this holy father.
Such information provides a most efficient and terrible weapon for the suppression of religion.
15 Socialistic AgricuUure, See Slovo,. 16 AntireZigiosni/(;, No.4, 1937. 17 Unhappily this proved to be true.
RELIGIOUS SITUATION IN SOVIET RUSSIA
with (the Godless policy of the Soviets, of course, on relentlessly? Here we come at last to the true still continues). In sixteen provinces of the Sovi~t nature of things.
Union the leagues of the Militant Godless have The Metropolitan Peter, the real lo.cum tenens ceased to exist. Some of them, before dissolving, of the vacant Patriarchal Seat of Russia, died last handed their archives over to the councils of reli- year in exile under terrible conditions. His lawful gious communities. The records of the atheistic successor, Metropolitan Cyrill of Kazan (ap- league of Vyshni-Volotchok, for instance, are in pointed twelve years ago by the Patriarch Ty- the custody of the local Evangelical community.l8 chon) is condemned to forced labor, which means The General Secretary of the League of the Mili- an awful death – slow, painful, in dirt, stench, tant Godless, Olestshuk, gives a survey of the state hunger, exhaustion and humiliation, eaten by ver- of utter decadence and inner dissolution of the min and covered by wounds and loathsome rags.
organizations throughout the country.l9 In Mos- What has become of the many bishops and in- cow there was not a single active godless member numerable thousands of priests and Believers still among the workmen of Moscow factories who in the labor camps (death camps would be a truer could be invited to take part in a conference dedi- description) of the G.P.U.? 24 A Bolshevik official cated to the problem of improving and heightening statement gives the figure of 9,126 "ministers of the activity of the League.2o cult" in these terrible camps of compulsory The Constitution and Religion work.25 This figure is clearly an underestimate: added to these there are numbers in exile in the The wording of the paragraph of the new con- wildest parts of northern Russia and Siberia. The stitution concerning religion runs as follows :21 destruction of churches continues. There was a In order to secure full freedom of conscience to the pause in the destruction of the well-known "Pascitizens of the Union of the Soviets, the Church is sep- sion Monastery" (Strastnoy) in Moscow, but it arated from the State and the School from the Church. has been renewed with energy.26 The famous The liberty of practicing religious cults and of anti-religious propaganda is vouchsafed to all citizens. Vydubitzky monastery near Kiev, dating from 1070, has been quite recently destroyed.27 During The former text (May,1929) stated that liberty the first half of 1937 no fewer than 612: churches was acknowledged by law to "religious confessions have been pulled down in Soviet Russia.28 Orders and anti-religious propaganda." The 1918 text have been given for the destruction of a further was worded, ". . . liberty of religious and anti- 2,900 churches and 63 monasteries.29 Many of the religious propaganda." It can be seen that there big towns have not a single church left.
is no vital difference between the texts of 1929 and A fierce campaign against the Orthodox clergy 1936, and we know that the quite liberal and tol- has resulted in many executions. In the rooms of erant wording of the 1929 text did not protect the former theological academy of Moscow a High Believers from the most atrocious treatment, it School for Atheistic Culture has been opened.30 merely served as a sort of screen to cover the in- In August, 1937, tWe'llty-nine clergymen were sencreasing religious persecution.22 tenced to death and shot in east Siberia. In Kras- noyarsk, as a penalty for influencing young peo- What guarantee is there that the nearly iden- ple towards religion, five Orthodox, three Roman tical text of 1936, restated solemnly as part of the Catholic priests and ten Baptists were sentenced new constitution, will make things easier? to ten to fifteen years in SovieJt concentration camps.31 Of greater interest are paragraphs 135 and 136, restoring the right to vote to the clergy.23 It is Where is the liberty, the tolerance, proclaimed our prayer that this will really mean an improve- by the Soviet Government? Let us try to sum up ment in the religious situation. A Christian's at- the religious situation in Soviet Russia in a few titude towards the Soviets depends ultimately on words. It is dark indeed, and stained-and sancthe latter's real (not fictitious) attitude towards tified-by blood and suffering, but there are rays religion. How can this "restoration" of clergy of hope. In God's good purpose there is a rising and Believers to the full right of citizenship (in tide of spiritual life in the country which has been passing, it may be remembered that this right strengthened by the very means destined by goddoes not mean very much in Soviet Russia) be less men to stamp i.t out. reconciled with the persecution of religion going 1.8 See the Bolshevik Review, Oommunist O,/Jtwre, Slow, 6th June, •• Descriptions of Ilfe In labor camps may be found in Prisoner ot 1937. the O.G.P.U., by George Kitchin (Longmans, London, 1935), and 19 Antireligiosnik, No, 7, August, 1937. AU8 dem Lande der Stummen, by Alexandra Anzerowa (Bresla.u, 2Q See Slovo, No. 37, 1937. 21 Paragraph 124. Bergstadverlag, 1936). 25 S. B. Sove, Die Orlhodoxe Kirohe in Sowjetrubkf,nd und in der 22 See my article in the German Cathollc monthly Hoohland, seP- Emig,ration (Eine Heilige Kirohe, 1937, Heft 1/3). tember, 1936. 26 Slovo, 30th May, 1937. 23 The text of paragraph 135 runs: "All the citizens of the U"S.S.R., 27 SZOvo, 18th April, 1937. 28 Dei,. Riell. Komme, September, 1937. having attained the age of eighteen, have, independently of their 29 La Libre Belgique, 3rd July, 1937. race, nationaIlty, confession, and social origin, the right to partake 30 Prawslavnaja Rus8, 25th September, 1937. at the elections of deputies and can themselves be elected, with the at. Slo1)o, 19th September, 1937. exception of lunatics and of persons who have been condemned by Tribunal to be deprived of right of election."
A Trip into Closed Afghanistan*
A Vacation Trip with the Expedition of the American Institute of Iranian Art and Archteology, Visiting Meshed, in Southeastern Iran, and Visiting Herat, in Afghanistan By the REV. J. CHRISTY WILSON, D.D., Tabriz, Persia Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A ..
W E LEFT Meshed in the afternoon and Afghanistan, it would no doubt be a most difficult drove 150 miles to the Iranian border cus- and, at first, a field of very small apparent results. toms at Yusephabad. The director of cus- When the changes come, however, which have so toms was a former student of the Alborz College affected other Moslem lands and are bound sooner in Teheran. A concrete monument marks the or later to reach Afghanistan, it would be won- boundary of Iran and Afghanistan. derful to have Christian representatives already The border post is at Islamgaleh, where our established on the ground.
passports were inspected. Everyone speaks Per- The head of the national hospital told me that sian but Pushtu has recently been made the official there are only two qualified doctors and several language. others with some little private training for a city After leaving the border, we followed a made 60,000 to 75,000 inhabitants. This doctor promroad with crushed stone surface, but in places ised to invite Dr. Hoffman, in Meshed, or Dr. heavy sand had drifted over the highway. The Cochran to come to Herat to consult on the build- Afghan legation in London had warned Mr. Pope ing of a new government hospital. This may dethat it might be best to avoid night driving, but velop into an opportunity for establishing close we were overtaken with darkness in the desert relations between the medical work of our mission and drove on for about two hours to Herat. The· in Meshed and Afghanistan. distance from the border post to Herat is about The fabulous country of Afghanistan is very eighty miles. We were entertained at the hotel operated for foreigners by the Afghan Govern- much like Iran of yesterday. The men all wear white turbans, with one end dangling down the ment. There is entirely a different spirit among the back or over a shoulder, which caused my servant, Ali, to remark, "It appears that all the men are people of Afghanistan from that which we see in mullahs up here." We found that roving bands Iran today. All the enthusiasm for the new and novel and for progress is lacking, except in a few of Afghan raiders are not fiction, for there was a wounded Iranian officer at Turbat-i~Sheikh Jam individuals. There seems to be great religious conservation and fanaticism. The women are who had received a long bullet wound through the upper part of his led in a fight near the border on tightly veiled in costumes that were prevalent in Iran thirty or forty years ago. ,.Some of the the previous day. We fitted one of the spring beds in the back of our truck as a hospital cot, with women wear white or colored "charshabs" in the street, though the majority are black. When we plenty of mattresses and quilts, so that he could lie down at full length. We had come up in three were taking pictures from the roof of the J ami' Mosque men were sent ahead to cry out a warning . and a half hours, but it took six on the return trip lest by chance there should be women in some with our wounded officer. The road was rough, and even with careful driving it must have been near-by yard who might be seen even from such a painful trip for him, though he said he was very a distance by our profane eyes. comfortable, and expressed his appreciation to I gave out a few Christian tracts and Gospels, Donald Wilber and me by drawing us down to his where there was evident desire for them. Should an opening come for the missionary occupation of bed, after we had delivered him safely to the mili- tary hospital in Meshed, and giving us each a re- • Condensed from The Presbyterian. sounding kiss.
[ 132]
New Outlook·in
By ALEXANDER McLEISH, London, England Survey Department of the World Dominion Press A RECENT visit to India and careful study of foreigner will come into right relationship with the work of many missions has produced his Indian brethren. Almost any work can be some strong impressions concerning. the carried on which the group agrees to do; there mIssIOnary situation. Just at a time when the is practically no limit to its possibilities. In view response to the Christian Gospel is at its greatest of the great incompleted evangelistic task before the missions are hard pressed to maintain the us every talent can be pooled and utilized.
work. The additions to the Evangelical Christian The need of India must be approached realisti- community are between 200,000 and 250,000 a cally. At this stage of the Christian enterprise, year, and the problem of shepherding them, train- for the foreigner to repeat the experience of the ing pastors and teachers, and pressing forward pioneers of 120 years ago and to bury himself in to meet ever-increasing opportunities for evan- an unevangelized area, as if there was no heritage gelism, is increasingly difficult. There are prob- of the Christian faith and experience in India ably not less than 4,000,000 Evangelical Chris- upon which the newcomer could build, seems to tians in India today, and the witness of many of many observers a foolish policy. Every newcomer .these is the main factor in the great increase of should surely become fully aware of this accumu- the Christian community. This fact must greatly lated experience, and should not repeat the mis- affect all future missionary policy. takes of the past, nor neglect the opportunities Our objective is the evangelization of all India, that have opened on every hand.
and in this the individual Christian witness has To adjust oneself to a new outlook may be diffiproved the most potent factor. It, therefore, must cult, but it must be done if we are to preserve be our great aim to make that Christian witness precious lives and to utilize aright the financial more effective. How can this be made effective? resources, acquired with difficulty. There is great The first necessity is the organizing and equip- waste of both these resources today in India; ping of the Indian Church as the primary evangelizing agency in its own land. In this the for- there is a call for collective action on the part of eigner need no longer take up alone pioneer work missions in dealing with the opportunities and which can be better done by the Indian himself or needs of their respective areas, and for the estab- through effective cooperation with Indian work- lishment of a new relationship on terms of equal- ers. The missionary has the more difficult work ity with Indian fellow workers. Workers of the of undergirding the Indian Church, contributing type who could fulfil this position, do exist but, to tasks still beyond its power, such as the train..: for the most part, they are not being effectively ing of pastors and teachers, the support of pioneer used by missions. Many are working "on their evangelists, and all that will help the Church to own," or have gone into secular professions and discharge its evangelistic task as effectively as business. Meanwhile missions employ workers possible. All this the foreign mission can do with- on srnall salaries, who are not the best kind of out pauperizing or destroying the self-respect of leaders for the Christian community which they the Church and its leaders. serve. There is no solution to this situation from There are many young people who feel the the point of view of the mission; the true solu- claims of the Indian mission field today. The diffi- tion is to accept the viewpoint of the Indian culty in regard to these is to know. what to advise. Church which in these matters must be served by Some things stand out clearly. The first is that both Indian and European in full and generous any new work should be done in cooperation.with cooperation.
Indian leaders of the right stamp. Everywhere Experience has shown that a Church built up by ashrams, or brotherhood fellowships, are spring- foreign effort remains an exotic or conglomerate ing up, and this is one of the ways in which India entity which fails to fit into the community life.
herself is pointing to the solution of co-working Further, continued foreign control of the grow- with the foreigner. The ashram, or fellowship ing Church is unhealthy. All this denotes that team work, insures from the beginning that the there is need to revise our policies and ask whether [133 ]
the mission-centric plan of work is wise and in complete fellowship with them. Only in this whether we can find a better way. I am convinced way can the great and growing response to the that there is a better way, more difficult certainly, Gospel be met. yet the only way to build the Church of the future in India. An example of what is here urged can be found in the work of the Diocese of the Bishop of Dor- There is in India an average of only nine mis- nakal where a large Indian staff under Indian disionaries to each 1,000,000 people in India, and rection works with a few Europeans who do just there are as a result great unoccupied fields con- that special kind of work for which they are spetaining many millions of people. There are 670,- cially fitted, namely, training teachers and pastors 000 villages, of which Chdstians certainly cannot for the Church of the future. There are other be found in more than 70,000. These many vil- examples Of the new order in India, but they are lages can never be reached by foreign enterprise; it is, therefore, imperative that plans be made de- a still all too few. Qld traditions and practices are liberately to reach them through the Indian Church. The task at the moment is to find Indian dying slowly, but new day has dawned on the leaders and to associate with them kindred spirits Christian enterprise in India, and it behooves us from Christian lands who will be prepared to work to realize this and plan our part as foreign mis- sion workers in the evangelization of that great continent in a new spirit and with a new humility.
Rethinking Missions With Moslems -e{ I By S. NEALE ALTER, Hama, Syria (1921-) I ~.- ~==========================~ ONE of the great ancient Greek philosophers social, political and industrial tenets, must bring has given us the three steps for rethinking. all people into the Christian fold by a strong These are: careful statements of a thesis, world-wide missionary propaganda. By this the- the antithesis, and the synthesis. Following these sis Christianity makes a direct antagonistic attack three steps we shall state briefly the thesis for on Islam. This attitude has been justified by the missions during the last century, the antithesis following claims: to this from the point of view of the thoughtful First, the only true form of monotheism is Moslem and finally we shall consider a new syn- found in Christianity – unity in Trinity. The thesis of missions to Islam. When one attempts to "rethink missions" with monotheism of Judaism is considered inferior be- cause too primitive, while the monotheism of Moslems one needs to take into account the atti- Islam is judged to be a perversion of that of tudes and opinions of Moslems who really do some ,Judaism and Christianity and therefore even less genuine thinking. While these represent less than tenable. two percent of the Moslems at present, they are the ones who will determine the future course of Second, Christianity claims to possess the one Islam. The unthinking masses do not acknowl- and only doctrine which guarantees salvation from edge that there could be any true thesis for Chris- sin and entrance into Eternal Life. This doctrine tian missionary work among Moslems, and a new has been developed by the Christian Church and synthesis would be considered as the rankest form reduced to creeds.
of heresy-a compromise with the devil himself. Third, modern Western civilization is held to With the thinking Manodslepmr,esheonwtsevaern, the situation be superior to all others, and is a direct result of is quite different encouraging Christianity. This civilization has usually in- challenge for both missionaries and Moslems to cluded the political, social and industrial orders do some real rethinking, preferably in joint con- current in the countries from which missionaries ferences. are sent. Western civilization is introduced by The Thesis; In brief the Christian thesis for promoting modern education and by supplanting missions to Islam has been somewhat as follows: the less ideal social, industrial and political orders, Christianity being the only true religion, holding by those prevailing in the West. The expansion of the one true form of monotheism, possessing the Christian political and industrial imperialism of one true doctrine of salvation and having superior the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries have
RETHINKING MISSIONS WITH MOSLEMS
made this claim seem to be important in the eyes on a much higher plain of physical, cultural and of the "sending groups." spiritual well-being than similar workers in the Moslem Near and Far East, but that Western in- Fourth, the Christian Church, as an institution, dustrialism, democracy and culture are the endeavors to absorb into itself all people of the panacea for all the ills of mankind, the thoughtful world. The great weakness to this project has Moslem is no longer as naive and ready to accept been the fact that there have been so many com- this claim as he was twenty-five years ago. The peting forms that the Church has taken. Each thoughtful Moslem will continue to look West inbranch of the Church shows an unwillingness to stead of East for material inspiration but he is make serious modifications in its particular doc- not willing to accept everything without many trines and forms of worship. As numerical gain serious reservations and modifications. has been too often considered as the measuring rod for success; different missions have even Thoughtful Moslems also disagree with the often been in strong competition with each other, claim that Western civilization is entirely the reand with the national faiths of other Christian sult of the Christian religion. They claim that groups among whom they were working. many factors, such as modern science, secular edu- cation, mechanical inventions, imperialism, and Fifth, the claims as to Jesus have often made it change of itrade routes, have also played very im- portant parts in Western progress. necessary for a convert to accept all the implica- The fourth claim that the Christian Church tions, interpretations and creedal statements of should absorb all the people of the world is rejected since the thoughtful Moslem sees little the particular sending group. It was seldom that evidence of its realization. He makes serious objections to the results which he sees in the even minor modifications were permitted among effect of absorption on some of the individuals who have been taken into the Christian Church. new Believers. . But to the claim, that one must accept the his- The Antithesis to this thesis for missions, torical creedal statements about Jesus, the brought by modern thoughtful Moslems may be thoughtful Moslem takes the greatest exception. stated as follows: Moslems claim that the Chris- Missionaries go to Moslems to make Jesus Christ tian form of monotheism is not superior to all known to those with whom they come in contact. others but that their simpler form is better. In There is no greater need than this since Moslems fact many thinking Moslems feel that many do not really know the Jesus as He is revealed in Christians believe in three Gods, since it is diffi- the Gospels. The statements in the Koran about cult to recognize their complicated belief in the "Aisa" are often far from correct. Trinity as true monotheism. Thoughtful, well informed Moslems do, however, recognize that many After coming into contact with missionaries Protestants hold a true monotheism. Some even who make Jesus Christ known, many thoughtful go further and acknowledge that the modern Prot- Moslems are willing to correct the false historical estant conception of monotheism would have a statements of the Koran and accept the Gospel good influence on Islam, since it would vitalize rather than the Koran as the true history. Also the austere desert deism of Islam. But most Mos- many are willing to admit that Jesus Christ must lems would prefer austere deism rather than any- have a superior place to Mohammed, and some are thing that seemed to them to be a compromise even willing to accept Him as offering the true with polytheism. way of salvation, but they reject some of the dog- matic interpretations that do not seem to be . As to the second claim that Christians have the proved conclusively in the Gospels. Koranic interonly true doctrine of salvation, the. reply is that pretation has become such a fine art that those life in all its fulness of past, present and future skilled in tafseer can prove anything by an appeal cannot be reduced to any short dogmatic formula. to the Koran. When a thoughtful Moslem has Islam claims to have reduced this process to the given up these interpretations he is not anxious minimum in teaching that one may obtain salva- to accept a new set of interpretations that seem tion simply by repeating with serious intent the to him to be speCUlative. formula, "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet." When Christians pre- The Synthesis. We can only point out a few sent to thoughtful Moslems a new set of dogmatic observations as to factors which must be taken formulas, they do not receive a very enthusiastic into account in a new synthesis. response. Dogmatics have ceased vitally to interest them. First Islam should not be classed with poly- theistic heathen religions but should be recognized To claim that Western civilization is superior as one of the great monotheistic faiths. The task to all others, thoughtful Moslems reply that there of the missionary is not to destroy such faith but is no objection to the claim that modern medicine is much superior to the quack practices of Moslemsheikhs, and that the agricultural and industrial methods of the West enable workers to live
"to fulfil" on any and all occasions. Moslems who club. A true synthesis takes into account all the come into contact with him on the basis of under- facts and issues or difference between the two standing, impartial research, and good-will should points of view, in order to see where these differ- not be pressed into a new spiritual bondage of ences may be brought into agreement without dogmatism, but should be brought into the fuller sacrificing the truth or essential issues; finally liberty of Christ. the purpose is to make a clear statement of the Second, Christian missionary methods should essential variations which cannot be brought into avoid controversy as far as possible; instead there agreements. The new synthesis will thus show should be direct, simple and positive presentation that Christianity and Islam have many very vital of the Scriptural message of Jesus Christ, relating differences, such as the austere desert deism as it to modern life. We should emphasize beliefs contrasted to Jesus' teaching of the Fatherhood and practices which Christians and Moslems hold of God. To recognize such a vital difference is not in common and be tolerant in matters where we sufficient to clear ,:pp the issue, since there are do not agree. Anyone familiar with Islam will some who will choose the austere deism, just as realize that there are many differences of opinion there are those who choose to live in the desert and that there is not much danger of compromise. rather than among the most beautiful gardens.
Third, Christians should cease to measure suc- Islam also differs from Christianity in that cess in terms of numbers brought into the church. Islam knows practically nothing of that spiritual It may be better to make it difficult for a Moslem freedom which we have in the Gospel of Jesus to make a formal break with his own community Christ. The spirit-controlled life is of more im- in order to join the Christian community. This portance than assent to dogmatic creeds or ritual- might be done not by placing obstacles in his way, istic deeds performed to obtain merit. Moslems but by placing the responsibility for such a break have much to learn in this respect from the life on those who wish to make the break with Islam. and teaching of Jesus Christ. Moslems should This policy may seem to some missionaries un- recognize that there is a very vital connection be- fair, since there are already so many difficulties tween the high ethical demands of the Gospel of for a convert, but this course would avoid many Christ and the cultural and educational develq,p- of the unfortunate situations which now arise. ments in the West. For instance modern science Such an announced policy would also go far to- demands an honesty similar to that required by wards eliminating the misunderstandings with Jesus. Satisfactory government administration thoughtful Moslems over the matter of proselytiz- and international relationships, which are so de- ing from their group. This might also lessen the pendent on right attitudes towards others, un- prejudice against Christian missions. selfishness, brotherhood, and truthfulness, cannot Fourth, we should allow the freedom provided be developed by ,the compromising ethics of Islam.
for in the New Testament to every Mosle.m who Christian nations have only partially realized this is willing to extend a fraternal spiritual fellow- fact since they still use the same compromising ship to Christians. At present Jesus and Mo- ethics as those taught by Mohammed.
hammed are in direct competition, and Islam has But the greatest difference between Christianity developed a system of dogmatics regarding Mo- and Islam is in the Way of salvation. Islam de- hammed which is similar to the historic dogmatic pends almost entirely on the formal acceptance of theology of the Church. A thoughtful Moslem dogmatic creeds, and the performance of meri- who has recently rejected these dogmatic claims torious deeds prescribed in a ritual. Islam knows for Mohammed is not usually prepared to accept little or nothing about those deeper spiritual reali- without question a new set of dogmatic theological ties of salvation secured through Jesus Christ statements. Yet many wish to accept Jesus as the which offers the abundant life here and hereafter.
New Testament reveals Him. An Indian Moslem A new synthesis will make this difference more is reported to have said: "India wants your clear to all.
Christ but not your Christianity." Many thought- A comprehensive synthesis, such as is here sug- ful Moslems are anxious to enter that spiritual gested, will require time. Conferences are needed fellowship in Jesus the Christ, but do not want between spiritually minded, thoughtful Christians the trappings of Western doctrines and practices. and Moslems who are willing to do good, honest Fifth: When we speak of a new synthesis of rethinking, instead of merely rationalizing and missions to Islam, we do not mean a compromise seeking new defenses for their much loved and in which we attempt t~ bring the truths of the honored dogmas which may no longer offer a vital thesis and the antithesis into acceptable agree- way of life. Such a synthesis has become a vital ment, as is the case often in the political sphere. necessity in order that we may find and keep a Neither can we "soft-pedal" differences and imi- vital reality, in regard to life and faith, in the tate the "hail-fellow-well-met" spirit of the Rotary face of modern materialism.
Post Office Christian
-01§{ I By REV. B. G. LOVELACE, General Secretary, London 1}!Ie– W HAT is the P.O.C.A.? It is a work built men and women gather to hear the heaven-sent up step by step thrDugh over fifty years, message from men of God. Here, toO', pDstmen a WDrk begun and continued in God, and have come for rest and refreshment, specially set having but Dne aim, to' extend His Kingdom and apart for their use. The ,testimony of one was: glDrify His Name. "If it were not for this place I should gO' to' the *** public-house or sit on the curb." Weekly meet- ings drew many, and as the men passed on to In the year 1875, Miss Annie Hodgkin, then a other districts and others took their place, numyoung girl, was staying at BDurnemDuth, and be- bers were blessed. Times have changed; the postcame interested in the work of Miss Whiteway, men nDW having better duties, the rest rooms are who sought to help policemen and postmen by no longer needed, but the meeting room remains, means of Christian literature sent through the and there the weekly Prayer Meeting still holds post. Four years later Miss Hodgkin, with her its own. Again and again have the prayers offamily, settled at Surbiton, and there this interest fered there been abundantly answered. was deepened. She tried to touch the postmen of Kingston in the same way, also arranging meet- A worker in the Central Telegraph Office, Lonings for them, and fDllowed up these efforts with don, was so moved by the daily life testimony of practical interest. This small beginning proved a colleague, herself a P.O.C.A. member, that he to be the start Df a life-work. was led to make the great surrender, and ere long the purpose was formed to devote his life to the Another seed was in preparation. In Central telling forth of the Glad Tidings. He came into London a group of Post Office men were keenly the work as Home Evangelist, and is, after but a feeling the need of the deepening of their own few years in the Baptist ministry, with us today spiritual life and fuller facilities for helping their as General Secretary, and, with all his knowledge colleagues in things spiritual. To this group came of official life behind, has from the first proved tidings of the work at Kingston. They got into indeed to be sent of God. As Home Evangelist, touch with Miss Edmonstone, who had taken up Mr. LDvelace was able to' make tours and open up the work, and together they planned in the Lord. many Provincial Offices. This was the definite start of the Association as such. Two simple aims were: Other activities multiplied. Miss Edmonstone was led to ask for the use of a rODm for work 1. To band together in prayer and fellowship amDng the boys of the Savings Bank Department. the Christians of the Service; The Ladies' Branches also came intO' being, for soon the Money Order, Returned Letter, Clearing 2. To seek to win their fellow-workers for House, and later on the Telephone Departments Christ.
The P.O.C.A. has never swerved from loyalty had each their Dwn branch.
to the whole truth of God as set forth in the Scrip- At one of the early meetings at Kingston-on- tures; the Word of the Cross has ever been its Thames a member prayed fDr God's biessing on final ultimatum. *** the work in its beginnings and that it might grow and spread all over the world. This prayer was The work marvellously grew. An Institute was never forgotten, and was destined to be wonder- opened in London and found its home in one build- fully answered.
ing after another, until it finally settled at the India-To the meetings for the ladies of the present Headquarters, 62, Bartholomew Close, Savings Bank came, among others, one whose which have been occupied for some twenty-five heart was already Christ's, and who soon became years. There in narrDW and sDmewhat dark a staunch member Df the branch and a help in rooms the light of God shone, and memories of seeking others. The desire for missionary service hallowed hours spent there are still precious. To- was born, and at a Keswick Convention, where day, "62~' has become a familiar password. Here she was Dne of a P.O.C.A. party, Miss Hale of- counsel has been sought and counsel given; here fered herself to God f.Dr work abroad. Ih the [137 ]
meantime, the prayer seed had been maturing the work. Time fails to tell of the sacrificial givin another direction. Some members in Dublin ing, of the P.O.C.A. Boat, and of the souls and Belfast had been travailing in prayer for reached. Now other workers have gone out; India, and through their gifts and initiative, first Bible classes are held, a Gospel paper is circulated a Gospel paper was started and then a native widely, correspondence is largely used, and the evangelist appointed to work in the Post Offices Scriptures are distributed. of Ceylon. It was not long before Madras was touched, then the Punjab, Calcutta and Bombay. South America – A young girl, entering the The work of the evangelist at Gujerat revealed office, was invited to a P.O.C.A. meeting. Brought the need of a lady worker for the families of offi- up in a Christian home, its godly influence was cials, and at a Keswick Convention the call came with her, although as yet religion had not seemed to a P.O.C.A. worker who was at the time Hon- very attractive. But she accepted the invitation, orary Secretary for Belfast. She went out to and at one of the first meetings the message of the India the same year. We have now besides, a na- friendship of J~sus Christ so came home to her tive worker, Mr. Mathews in the South, and a that she received Him as Saviour and before long Gospel paper, "Bright Echoes," is circulated the desire for service in the regions beyond was through the country. implanted. South America became the object of. her prayers and Miss Goldsmith had the definite Japan-Some years before Miss Hale's call to call to South America. She went out, and has India, Japan was touched with Gospel literature labored there now over twenty years, editing the through the voluntary work of missionaries of paper "EI Correo," a magazine for Spanish-speakother Societies. At present advance is greatly ing countries, aided and encouraged by her husneeded, and will be made as funds and helpers are band, Mr. Curtis. Through the influence of their given. The Savings Bank had given of their best work, branches have been started in Brazil and for India, the P.ostal and Telegraph Staffs were Mexico, helped by voluntary workers in those to point the way to China, and eventually to send parts, and Peru and Venezuela are also being also from their ranks to that country. touched in a similar way.
China-At a time when there was no effort for A Postmaster in North Argentina noticed a China, suddenly one day a Scotch postman sent little packet of "Correo," the P .O.C.A. Gospel "Ten shillings for China." "After many days" paper, in his office. Attracted by the name, which this little seed bore fruit. The need was contin- means "The Gospel Mail," he opened the paper, ually remembered before God at the Central and for the first time in his life he read of the Prayer Meeting and by many interested else- Good Tidings of life. It awoke in him a deep where, and prayer was answered in a remarkable thirst for further light, a Bible was obtained, Gosway. pel meetings attended, and finally the man became a sincere follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hard At the time of the Boxer troubles the Empress by his office he built a little preaching hall as a of China had a telegram sent all over her empire, token of his gratitude to God for the blessing rethe wording of which was as follows: "The for- ceived, and there he conducts a Sunday School and eigners must be killed, the foreigners retiring other meetings. must still be killed." This telegram fell into the hands of two telegraphists, not Christians, whose South Africa-The Provincial Branches were hearts were so touched with the desperate plight slowly increasing, and a good deal of spade and of the foreigners that they put the word "Pro- trowel work had been going on. One member tected" for the word "Killed." Swiftly the mes- spent his holidays touring "on the wheel" on besage ran over the wires from town to town: "The half of the work; another visited Germany, which foreigners must be protected, the foreigners re- was opening up. This work was shared by the tiring must still be protected." Before the mis- Scattered Branch, which came to include members take was noticed hundred~ of lives were saved. not only in the then United Kingdom, but also in The story quickly spread to England, and it came many Colonies and Dependencies. The South Afas a challenge to the P.O.C.A. to send the Gospel rican Branch grew out of the Scattered Branch. A to their Chinese colleagues. Prayer became more member up-country wrote telling of the deep need definite, and when the Chinese Imperial Post Office of himself and those working with him for spirwas established it was felt that the time was ripe itual help. "I have longed," he wrote, "to live as for a start. It was arranged to send out Bibles a Christian should, but the life here is deadly and Testaments to all the Post Offices in China, monotonous; the loneliness of the veldt has got then numbering only 1,000, with greetings from into my soul." A seed of longing desire from a their comrades in this country. The response was troubled heart became the means for a definite so wonderful that Mr. James Heal, then of the work in South Africa, and another life was sur- China Inland Mission, was led to give himself to rendered that the purposes of God might not fail.
THE POST OFFICE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
Mrs. Goslin, of the South African General Mis- have heard the call of God and put themselves at sion, gave herself for this work. With Cape Town His disposal, to witness and serve while still as a centre, touch was soon made with offices and carrying on the daily round. The Association calls individuals up and down the country, and today loudly today for more such surrendered lives. many are blessing God for the P.O.C.A. in their What could not be done if God had such a witness midst. The present Hon. Secretary, Miss Findlay, and one or two of the first members are still in every Post Office in the land? * among the chief helpers. A Post Office influenced for Christ is not only a Egypt-The work in Egypt, where an Arabic receiving station but a distributing centre. So paper circulates, began with a few scattered mem- often the life of a little community in various bers, and now reaches Post Offices in a fairly wide countries centers around the Post Office. The area and numbers many members. On one occa- work of the P.O.C.A., which commenced over fifty sion the village postman took Mr. Upson to see years ago, has now become world-wide in its the Postmaster. For a long time after supper scope. Every fresh advance has been born in they discussed the Gospel, and finally the Post- prayer and its foundations laid in the distribution master brought his family for evening worship. of the Word of God. Thus country after country has opened to the work through its missionaries Europe-In Europe we have the same story to and workers, and Gospel magazines are regularly tell; the seed of prayer sown and the purpose of distributed to postal officials in over thirty-three God worked out through those whose hearts were countries. At the present time the response from touched to respond to the call. The work in Italy inquiring souls is growing greatly and the hand arose through the prayers of a Scotch postman, of God is upon work and workers in manifest and and the first year's issue of the quarterly Gospel growing blessing. It would be of strategic impaper was made possible by the gift of a whole portance for the Kingdom of God if He graciously year's rise of salary by a lady in the service. This raised up a fellowship of service among the Post work showed the best method of touching other Offices of the United States on behalf of the great European countries, i.e., through Gospel papers work yet to be done among Post Office employees specially prepared and distributed widely through throughout the world in leading them to a living the post. France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Ice- faith in Christ. In some instances this work is land, are all reached in this way. One other line being done on virgin soil as in Portuguese Guinea, of work used is the distribution of the Scriptures; Goa, and Timor, where there is neither missionthese have been widely circulated in Russia, and ary nor Christian missionary work of any kind. are still being given in Esthonia. In the Euro- Yet the post is wide open, and this constitutes not pean work every fresh country entered has been only ari opportunity but a challenge. Each of our the result of some individual appeal for prayer Gospel magazines contains an offer of a free copy for an open door in the land. of the Scriptures, and in this way contact has been made with thousands of men and women in the There remains much land to be possessed. The Post Offices which has led many of them to faith perusal of even one copy of the "Quarterly Mail," in Christ. the official organ of the Association, will show the world-wide nature of its activities. Very early in MISSIONS AS A OAREER its history John Wes'ley's motto, "The world is my parish," was adopted, and today the P.O.C.A. Charles M. Sheldon, the author of "In His Steps," tells is working in every continent. For many years the Society was known as the International Postal, of a university class reunion, where one alumnus asked: Telegraph and Telephone Christian Association, the present title having been more recently "How do you account for Manley's going as a missionadopted as more concise. ary? He was the most intellectual and brilliant man in *** our class. Now it has been years since I have heard of It will be evident that such a work as here described could not have been maintained by the him. Poor fellow! A great career lost!" Service alone, unless by support from a very large percentage of its members. The Christian public The speaker was the head of a corporation and had has greatly helped, and their gifts and interest have been a distinct boon. And this is not out of spent all his life since graduation in piling up money. His the way, for does not the Post Office serve all? 'And any Gospel work on a sound basis will appeal companion, a distinguished journalist, replied: "I have a to the people of God. letter here from Manley enclosing a little circular. His There have been and still are Christians who work includes a great hospital for surgical cases; a preaching circle of fourteen stations and outstations; a publishing house that ranks among the first in the East, and a boys' training school with an attendance of 500 students. He has twenty-seven assistant workers in vari- ous departments." The big businessman replied: "I apologize to Manley; I did not know what a great career a modern missionary has. By the side of it my own is small." -Watchman-Examiner.
• Gifts for the work should be sent to the General Secretary, the Rev. B. G. Lovelace, Post Olllce Christian Association, 62, Bartho- lomew Close, London, E. C. 1.
Mission Appeals
By the REV. H. KERR TAYLOR, D.D., Nashville, Tennessee Foreign Missionary Educational Secretary, Presbyterian Church in the United States W HETHER we now call it "Foreign Mis- ", sions," or "International Christianity," or quaintance with religious and mission matters is "World Christian Community," or just the quite aware of this. Kingdom of God, our problem remains to raise the eyes and the interest of Christians at home to the If, however, we are convinced of the integrity outlying, less-favored areas of the world that of the missionary enterprise, what remains in the know not the Good News of the incarnation of light of changed conditions, of our missionary the Son of God. Certainly for a few more decades appeal to the people in the home churches? What at least this is a task ,that must derive its support are the vital facts that make legitimate an emfrom Christian churches and societies in Western phasis in the present-day call for money and men churches for people in area6 overseas. and deep concern for the areas of earth overseas? We believe that the integrity of the appeals of the A generation or even a decade or more ago the former days carryover with much of their appeal for interest and support was concrete. strength into the world situation today, and that Those overseas lands were called "heathen" lands, the newer conditions, born of the very success and still unopened and untouched with the Gospel. values of the cause of Christ in the world, only The religions and cultures there were admittedly emphasize and underscore the reality of the abidnon-Christian. The soul-stirring appeals of those ing missionary need and the claim of these needy days were effective: the untouched fields; the areas on more privileged communities. millions in total darkness who were going into eternity at the rate of so many every minute; Missionary appeal has always been most effecheathen concepts; ,the prevalence of cannibalism, tively made along the lines of a real need, of a polygamy, slavery, infanticide; the degradation great opportunity, and of the results that such of woman and the universal practice of idolatry. work may legitimately be expected to produce.
Today the emphasis has changed; so has the It is necessary to put in the very forefront the basis of appeal for interest and support. The stupendous need presented by an unfinished task. task to some extent has lost its pioneer appeal. As one recalls the mighty appeals of a generation The coastal areas and river and railroad towns in ago for untouched areas of the world and its peothe mission fields have been reached to some ex- pIes, one thinks of the exceedingly small number tent with the Gospel story. Great independent of cities and towns and villages that have been churches now stand in the cities of Tokyo, Shang- effectively reached today by the messengers of the hai, Canton, Calcutta, Bombay, Cairo, Johannes- Gospel of Christ. There are hundreds of millions burg, Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City. Multitudes of human beings who still are in exactly the same of voices in lesser known cities and towns in these condition as were those of whom we were told in "non-Christian" fields praise the one God and former days. Something must be done to reach Father of us all even though they have not all ac- these people. They continue to live and stumble, cepted Christ as the only Saviour. to question and die, without a knowledge of the truth of God. Think of the tens of thousands of The world, too, is shrinking in its size. Life in villages in China, Japan, India, Africa and other any land is not nearly so provincial and primitive lands into which has never yet gone a messenger as once it was. Steamships, Clipper planes, ra- with the Gospel. Here is a condition that we negdios, telegraph, telephone, commerce and interna- leet at peril to ourselves. The newer and more tibnal dependence and conflicts have brought that advanced problems and policies at home and about. In the whole world Christian community abroad cannot ignore it. This was a major apthere has come a corresponding shift from a peal for an awakening Church a few decades ago. purely personal and devotional emphasis to a ,But consistency in our attitude requires that fuller recognition of the social implications of something must yet be done to overtake these Christianity. Anyone with even a passing ac- same great needs that exist today.
Loyalty, to the service of Christ, and the sacri- [140 ] fice of those who have served in these hard places for the expenditure of life and money. Men are urges completion of the task so nobly begun. It encouraged by dividends – material or spiritual. is obviously wise to build now on foundations Young workers looking to foreign service wish to so well and so sacrificially laid, that the task may be assured that, as a return for the giving of their go on without interruption. The missionary task lives to such service, there is offered a reasonable has rarely in any field reached a final stage. The promise of definite and worth-while achievement. typical Protestant congregation in the Far East, it has been said, is a group of about fifty Chris- There is much to say on this point. The church tians surrounded by 25,000 non-Christians. The should be informed of indigenous church growth, same thing is true in other fields. Here is the of well-planned occupation of the field, of virile possibility of a strategic advance. In terms of native church leadership and effective movements military strategy the Church should bring up its of advance. reserves. There is nothing more appealing and convinc- Present-Day Opportunities ing than reports and illustrations of strong per- sonalities, indicative of the reality and vitality of One recalls the appeals once made for men and the church in fDreign lands. How great is the enmeans and united prayer that doors then closed couragement that has come through Toyohiko might be opened. There are few such closed doors Kagawa and Bishop Azariah, T. Z. Koo and multoday. It is exceptional today when a missionary titudes of others in every mission field. cannot stand and preach or teach or heal in the Name of Christ in any place on the earth's sur- The Church at home needs to realize the great face. The fact that God answered these prayers service and influence that the missionary enterand Dpened the doors should nerve us to a renewed prise is exerting on the field. Such a book as "Beeffort to occupy the openings now before' us. We yond Statistics," by S. J. Corey, presents a most prayed for the opening of doors into great geo- convincing argument. In social uplift, in health graphical areas. That prayer was answered. measures, in education, in the creation of good Life areas, too, of every kind stand open today. will, in the ameliorating of such great evils as The field of service for properly qualified foreign unbridled prostitution, intemperance, use of narworkers remains wide and the opportunity is cotics, unchecked causes of famine and plague, ours. The messenger must be well prepared, in- mi'ssiDnaries have rendered outstanding service. telligent and of sympathetic heart, but the field As Dr. Corey says, "NDbody but an intellectual fDr such a worker is almost unlimited. provincial, a moral agnostic, ,or a dDgmatic quack can be cynical about these great results of mis- The missionary message is fresh and vital; it sions." has a universal background; it personalizes, as it were, an ecumenical conception of what the The Protestant Christian enterprise has abun- Church of Christ is. There is experience to meet dantly proved its essential relation to the world's a difficult task. There is needed on mission fields life. It has fought its way to its present position those who can bear witness to the universal char- of commanding influence in a world in spite of acter and claims of the Christian faith. It is too pronounced and strong opposition where there easy for the growing Church to conceive of itself should have been alliance. The missionary cause, as a separate entity with little or no relation to a as it has been carried on, has little Df which to Christian world fellowship. Provinciality is al- be ashamed; it has much fDr which it may be ways a curse of Church life. For health and in- thankful and to which it can point with pride. spiration the newer churches need association with older and more experienced churches. There is less provincialism in our day than there was when the missionary enterprise was born. Never was the experience of the Church needed For that let us thank God. World events and namore than on mission fields tDday. There is no tional interdependence have forced us to think in necessity for the younger churches to make all the more inclusive modes. Foreign service is not mistakes that have for decades weakened or made merely so "foreign" as it once was. It has come futile much of the effDrt of churches in other closer home. lands. The mDdern missionary, with trained mind and heart, and with vital contact with President Roosevelt, standing in Chicago in Oc- Christ, can mediate the best in Christian expei'i- tober, 1937, made a clarion call to men of all races ence; from his peculiar position he can guide to. return to and live by the principles of the past pitfalls in church policy and life. Prince of Peace. Here was truly a nDtable em- phasis on the work of the missionary. FDr how Convincing Results shall nations believe and live by the principles and life of One of whom they have not heard? The supporters Df missi,onary work wish to And how shall they hear without a preacher? feel that there are encouraging results to show And how shall they preach except they be sent?
Christians everywhere need to waken to the reality, the ,opportunity and the success of a di-
vinely appointed task well begun. Foreign mis- new faith and courage. Every church and every sions have weathered a perfect siege of side-line church member true to Christ must face the criticism. Weare more than standing unshaken claims of this world enterprise which has successin a world whose current philosophy has led it into fully stood the test of time. a cheapened over-concern with the mere tinsels of life. We need to have faith and courage and Move to the fore! God himself waits morale strengthened in the thought that God is And must wait till thou come. with us and that the task well begun has been Men are God's prophets, carried forward to its pre'sent magnificent stage. Though ages lie dumb. While we cannot point to a service that has not Halts the Christ Kingdom had its mistakes and while we yet have many With conquest so near? things to learn, we have much for which to praise Thou art the cause, then, God. We need to go on with the enterprise with Thou man at Jj.he rear- M.ove to the fore!
When a man receive's the Lord Jesus Christ he also receives the power of God to pass through all his being, and to be exhibited in the world for the glory of God and for :the salva- tion of others. The principle and practice of self-sacrifice should control him at every point so that, exactly following in the steps of his Redeemer, as a faithful imitation of Christ, the man should be known as one who, by his life, recommends Jesus Christ to others.
PREB. H. W. WEBB-PEPLOE.
SOME WORLD SUNDAY SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS IN 1937 1. In the Apostolic Church of Armenia, Sunday school work, well established in Syria and Palestine, has been extended for the first time to Egypt, Cyprus and Iran (Persia), under the leadership of Levon Zenian.
2. Secretary Newell S. Booth, of the Belgian Congo, has published an indigenous manual, "Serving God in the Sunday School," which will have wide use among Sunday school workers throughout Africa.
3. Sunday school work in Brazil has been greatly advanced through the call of an associate, Sr. Jose Del Nero, to serve with Rodolfo Anders, general secretary.
4. The indigenous program in China for training leaders for voluntary service in the church, in spite of the outbreak of hostilities, has made remarkable advance.
5. The ancient Coptic church in Egypt is vigorously promoting the formation of Sunday schools and is working in close cooperation with the other churches in Egypt.
6. The ZOE movement w,ithin the Orthodox Church in Greece has been accorded official approval by the (Greek Church) Holy Synod to include Sunday school classes for girls taught by women teachers.
7. In spite of decrease in Japan, bo,th in the number of Sunday schools and in enrollment of pupils due to the growing spirit of militarism, the National Sunday School Association i,s steadily pushing forward its work.
8. In Korea; many outstanding Sunday school leaders have been imprisoned becaus,e of their unwillingness to worship at Shinto shrines and so place government 10Yialities before their loyalty to Christ.
9. The conviction among evangelical leaders in Mexico has deepened that the Sunday school d'S the best- agency to meet the needs for religious education since such education is now restricted by law ,to homes and registered church buildings.
10. The holding of a seoond annual general Sunday School Convention for the Bantu (natives) in. the Union of South Africa has resulted in a decided advance in Sunday school work ;among Bantu children.
11. Puerto Rico has the largest Sunday school enrollment in any Spanish-speaking area in the world.
12. In Turkey, the churches are maintaining Sunday schools as "Children Worship Services," in order to comply with the law which prohibits the conduct of schools without govern- mental supervision.
Ways of
crested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home i EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO '~I"==~=========================================== Ministers and Missions-in Re- sermon, and having a church Number 3: In addition to hav- geared for departmental mis- ing a membership well organized lation to the Local Church sionary study, I depend mainly and manned for missions, gives upon the dynamic of frequent up his evening service for six The key man to the missionary en- contact with live missionaries weeks, beginning on the first terprise in America today, the one (live in all senses of the word) Sunday in November, to a school who will determine more than anyone who not only speak from my of missions in which every deelse the attitude of the church to the pulpit but meet integral church partment (except the Primary, movement, is not the board secretary, groups-such as the young peo- which has its instruction at the or the foreign missionary, but the pas- ple's society-and also as many regular Sunday school hour) has tor of the local church. He it is who of the membership in their its own group session under the stands before the congregation every homes as practical. Weare a most competent instructors- Sunday morning as the expounder of missionary church. (This an- largely college professors-meetthose things which are held to be of swer is satisfactory, but we ing at the opening for a fifteentranscendent value in human life. . . . should also like to have heard minute assembly period in which Christian missions is not thought of of a correlated, integrated plan stereopticon slides, moving picas a one-sided operation in which we through which the missionary tures, brief dramatic sketches or are the active ones while they (the machinery in the church reaches talks by authoritative speakers non-Christian world) remain recep- its maximum efficiency and de- are presented. This has proved tive, but rather a reciprocal interplay velopes its full potentialities. such a success that after the first of influences between two foci. . . . But far be it from us to criticize year or so the other denomina- The minister must be reasonably cer- any plan that works.) tions of the community united in tain with reference to the attitude the effort, and thus an advance which he should seek to develop in Number 2: Had an outstand- has been made not only in mishis people. From now on, attitudes ing innovation in the way of a sion study but that of the denomare the main thing which America Men's Missionary League in inational comity-which must lie can contribute. What is required is which the masculine members at the foundation of the eventual that the attitude within should be kept pace with the feminine in church unity of which many of made to correspond with the facts in definite mission study and con- us dream. the changing world without. . . . Re- served the special efficiency of ligious history is being written rapidly business and professional men Number 4- has had six or eight in these days. The details are con- in the undertaking of actual successive Family Church Nights fusing and must be left to those con- field projects, in community, beginning in the autumn, in cerned. The really prophetic ministry country-wide and foreign work. which the mid-week service is will discover the major trends and given over to an all-church suppresent these to his congregation in (What a splendid group to turn per-substantial but simple and such a manner that their attitudes loose in the special Civic and Peace inexpensive enough to be within may keep abreast of the times and projects stressed in this year's plans the reach of most of the memtheir support may be continued to an in all the denominations! See THE bers. The ensuing meeting inenterprise which is doomed to change REVIEW, page 155 of the March, 1937, cludes a devotional period and so long as it is alive. issue for picture and an article on this missionary presentations in the endeavor.) way of the mission study books, This declaration of an out- addresses, dramatic sketches, standing Christian thinker is so This league holds meetings in pictures, lively programs sponcentral in the present mission- other churches, puts out a pam- sored by the various missionary ary situation that the Depart- phlet with full directions for or- organizations, and even lively ment Editor asked a number of ganization and work. social features, of a homogeneous pastors what their policies and nature. This works well in his practices were in the matter, (Published by Board of Adminis- membership and is looked forwith the following results. Be- tration United Presbyterian Church, ward to eagerly each year. hind each numeral there stands Publication Bldg., Pittsburgh, Pa.) the name of a bona fide clergy- Number 5, whose plan apman: Its leader, Rev. G. A. Brown, peared in the January, 1938, is- 238 Princeton Ave., Elyria, Number 1: Taking missions Ohio, will give help to any into be an essential part of the quirer who will enclose postage warp and woof of a Christian for reply. life, I do not preach occasional missionary sermons but, using [143 ] missionary facts and illustrations in the normal course of any
sue of THE REVIEW, uses the the church at home is visibly suf- Japan – p I a y let, "Let's be midweek service over a definite fering from "marasmus"? Send Friends." China – description period most profitably by hav- us your own or your pastor's of China. Have some one impering a School of Broadening Hori- plan to pass along to those poor sonate missionaries. They might zons-for the children's groups preachers of an anemic Gospel. wish to introduce a couple of during the church worship hour, Chinese children. Play some and for the young peoples' and Another key man in mission- deck games. Africa – be sure adult groups during the B.Y.P.U. ary teaching is the Sunday and point out the Southern Cross hour. The mi.ssionary prayer school superintendent. The De- and other constellations (use partment Editor is especially suggestions from Chapter 1, meeting at the midweek service anxious to get helps from and Congo Crosses, to give atmosis held once a month for eight for him. Write to the address phere); visit mission stations months. Four meetings are to at the head of this Department there; meet missionaries and be on the Moslem world and four if you have any suggestions. learn about work. on the rural theme. Three progressive rural pastors, alive to More Briefs from Our Homeward B 0 un d: Group present-day problems, are to singing; reading-"Two Roostcome in and speak on outstand- Exchanges ers" or "The Pig and the Hen" ing points in their work. A or "The North Wind and the The following Around the Sun"; special music; New York stereopticon lecture on colpor- World Cruise is an adaptable Harbor – song, "America the tage work will climax the pro- plan taken from The EvangelVcal Beautiful"; Negro spirituals. grams on rural life, while a mov- Missionary World: Kentucky-just in time for the ing picture on the Mohammedan missionary meeting; devotiontopic will complete the series. Take in all points of interest, als; brief business meeting. but especially concentrate on Much earnest work and thought our mission stations. Leave Home A g a in: Farewellswere put upon this plan in order from San Francisco and stop at hymn of parting. to coordinate comprehensively Japan, China, Africa, dock on the eastern coast and visit Ken- A Missionary Picnic was anall the features of the work. tucky. other usable plan. Last June the Baltimore district of the Evan- Number 6 takes a study book Supplies necessary for the gelicals met for a picnic, groups for six successive mid wee k journey: Boat-can be made by gathering from all directions meetings and has the subject arranging chairs in the shape of from early morn to the sunset a ship with crepe paper around hour which climaxed the day. matter briefly and attractively the outside. Then in the center, Everyone was ready to contribsummarized by some speaker by using a long table, crepe ute something to the success of paper and cardboard, you can the day – races, contests and who can be held within his time fashion the smoke stacks; Gas- games for the children. A mis- -a different speaker for each energy; Oil-enthusiasm; Goal sion band gave a demonstration chapter. Accompanying stere- Chart-maps; Tickets-dues or and an original song. A debate opticon or moving pictures ought fare; Passport-your baby pic- on "Why I Believe in Missions" ture; Schedule-program; Ko- was very interesting. Towards to be used wherever possible. dak-an inquiring mind and its evening girls came from their On an average, the services thus pictures. places of business and mothers gave them supper from the picutilized are the best attended in Organization: Pilot – presi- nic baskets. Then all sat on the the entire year, especially on dent; Chief mechanic-program hillside facing the setting sun picture nights; and incidentally, chairman; Hostess – meeting and the girls held an impressive hostess; Purser – treasurer; sunset service. Scripture readthe problem of What to Do With Recorder – secretary; Guide- ing and prayer were followed by the Prayer Meeting Hour is person in charge of tour or the two beautiful mi.ssionary stories. solved for the time being. advisor; Red Caps-entertain- "Abide with Me," sung by the ment committee; Fruit seller- company, closed the service. The Number 7 – and the name dispenses f r u its, sandwiches, Spirit had drawn us into one back of that numeral is Legion candy, etc.; Newsboy – litera- large, happy family. -number 7 has no plan or con- ture committee – dispenses all sistent practice or definite policy church periodicals. A Convention with the BirdiS whatsoever, stating all un- furnishes a picturesque meeting Invitations in the form of cir- attraction even to those not yet ashamed that the handling of culars announcing the date of interested in missions: missions had been left mostly to tour and rates: C r u i s e- "the sisters," as they had the "Around the World Cruise" ; Invitation Ship-Goodwill; Shipping Comtime and seemed to be better in- pany-Evangelical lines. Come, let us go to birdland formed and more interested than And see what they can tell the rest. "0, a few missionary Suggested Schedule: Song- instrumental or vocal (Star About the work of Missions illustrations are occasionally in- Spangled Banner) as the ship Which we should know so well. troduced into a sermon but the leaves port; Explanation of tour congregation didn't seem to care —'Guide; Group Singing; Brief The meeting will be held (date and Description of Japan; Touring place). for that sort of preaching." And yet these otherwise worthy men are under commission to preach the whole Gospel in which the winning of the world for Jesus Christ is fundamental! Is it any wonder that missions lag and
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Decorations home life necessary to the wel- a coordinated plan of missionary fare of young girls in a city. promotion. The following ele- If possible, make this an outdoor meeting. If it must be held indoors Another problem is that of ments are suggested for incluat night, try and make the room as finding wholesome recreation in sion: suggestive of the out-of-doors as pos- most cities. . . . Con g est e d sible. Bird nests, bird baths, stuffed streets and cheap motion picture 1. The preparation and distribution birds and even a few canaries will houses form their places of help to make you feel closer to God's amusement. Out of these come of missionary materials and nature. hundreds of girls and young supplies. women with vicious tastes and Devotions low ideals to make up a group 2. The promotion of missions through of undesirable citizens. Our in- institutes, conventions, assem- Call to Worship–Read Mat. 6: 26. terest in Christian Citizenship blies and like gatherings. Solo by Canary (one dressed in yel- should lead us to do the follow- ing simple ,things in our several 3. The propagation of the mission- low)-"This is my Father's communities: World." ary cause through church pe- Scripture Promises (read by different 1. A group of white women in each riodicals and church school members)-Isa. 40: 31; Ps. 103: city should get first-hand information literature. . 5; 91: 1-5; Mat. 10: 29-31; Deut. on how the Colored women in the 4. The promotion of special mission- 32: 11, 12. lowest economic class live in their par- ary days and periods. ticular city. The group should work Program – Take a bird's-eye with a housing committee, or if none 5. The deputation and itineration of view of certain mission stations. exists it should form one for the pur- missionaries on furlough. Have members give word pic- pose of bringing to the attention of tures of activities upon the sev- the privileged people their responsi- 6. The cultivation of the Christian eral fields as seen while soaring ~ilit~ for seein~ to it that Negroes WorId View among student life. high above them. These word hve m surroundmgs that will produce pictures will be based upon facts, good citizens. 7. The regular and -systematic culbut the presentation will need to ture of pastors in the missionbe largely imaginative in order 2. A committee on employment and ary idea. to secure the best effect. employment standards should be found to work with the Negro women who 8. The building of a program of mtis- The Evangelical Missionary must labor long hours for little pay, World is replete with practical and who as a result cannot care prop- sionary education and promosuggestions. erly for their homes and children. In tion in the local church. the long run it might be possible to 9. The enlistment of the annual cO?!.- Problems that Confront build up public .sentiment for paying ference missionary societies for heads of families wages sufficient to active participation in this pro- Women and Girls reduce the number of such Negro gram.' women. 10. The complete correlation of this An address by Lucy Dean Slow, Dean of Women in Howard 3. A committee should be formed to program with that of all other University, may well be pon- find out what opportunities exist for agencies affected thereby. dered by us all. It appeared in caring for girls during their leisure The Evangelical Missionary time. . . . The Church could be of "Peace ,on earth, goodwill to World: service, for their own lecture rooms men." Shall we help our boys and parish halls could be used as cen- and girls to cultivate an attitude In discussing some of the ters of constructive recreation. of International Peace? . . . problems of Colored women and girls precipitated by their con- 4. Finally it seems to me that all How about Christmas gifts that tact with city life and their at- of us need to be aware of what is go- will suggest thoughts of Peace? tempts at adjustment to it … ing on in our cities to this group of … From the Women's Interwe find that all of them have people. . . . With the economic prob- national League for Peace and their roots primarily in the eco- lem solved, it will be easier to solve Freedom, Pennsylvania branch nomic condition of the people. the social and moral problems, . . . Many very serious prob- at 1924 Chestnut St., Philadellems face these newcomers (in A Comprehensive Outreach phia, you may obtain a list of the exodus from farm to city), the most serious of which is Dr. Carl Heinmiller, Field Sec- toys which can be purchased in maintaining a home. All too retary of the Missionary Society four of the leading stores of frequently the bulk of the Negro in the Evangelical church, in his Philadelphia. Names of the population is forced to occupy annual report, says ,this about a manufacturers will be sent upon alley dwellings and old houses comprehensive outreach: request to those wishing to .order deserted by better paid whites. through local stares. The list Often these are lacking in sani- I would like to share with this consists of board games, card tation and are located irr sur- body a growing conviction of the games, handwork sets, maps, roundings not con d u c i veto imperative need for a more com- puzzles, pictures, indoor games, wholesome living. . . . When prehensive program of missionyou consider that approximately ary education by this Board, in dolls and figures, and the prices 51 per cent of the Negro married order that we may effectively are stated. Send for the leaflet, women are employed as against confront our constituency with The New Patriotism Is Peace; 22 per cent of the white married the "planetary dimensions" of Building the International Mind women, you can realize how diffi- the Gospel. I am wondering if through Toys. . . . Are you cult it is to maintain the proper the time has not come thoroughly thinking of books for your young to study our present procedure for the purpose of formulating friends? From our literature headquarters you may secure Broken Guns, Ship East – Ship West, Victories of Peace, each 50 cents in paper, one dollar in cloth.
This suggestion from The Evangelical World is of great importance. The books mentioned may be secured from any mis- sionary literature headquarters; and the gifts will be just as appropriate on birthdays and other gift-giving occasions as on Chrlst- mas.-EDITOR. .
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE,NEW YORK, N. Y.
J =============================I~ Study Quietness "I Stand Amid Eternal Ways" "Time out now to bury the dead"; "Who's this fellow? Here's his head;" Paul, the pastor and mission- -Burroughs. A man lets out a piteous cryary, true to his understanding of "I'm going to the Lord on high!" the unique Way of Christ, wrote ==;=~–~ to the Thessalonian Christians, Another dying man looks roundconcerning love ,of the brethren; Photograph by Dorothy L. Webster "I guess – I'm going neath the . . . ye yourselves are taught of "SPIRIT OF PEACE" God to love one another; for in- ground": deed ye do it toward all the Peter Colonn&, aged 15, hears So it is both day and night, brethren that are in all Mace- The Call to Battle Everywhere its "Fight, fight, fight!" donia. But we exhort you, None will miss you in your grave; brethren, that ye abound more Hark! The bugle's triumphant sound They've gQt their own lives to save. and more; and that ye study to Throughout the dismal woods around; be quiet, and to do your own Dig your trenches firm and steep, I think now you'll understand business and to work with your Get a place where you can sleep. War's not music and a band; hands . . . that ye may walk Hark! The sound of marching feet- Nor a uniform neat and trim, becomingly toward them that The enemy we're going to greet, But tragedy both stark and grim. are without, and may have need "Come on, boys, we'll make a charge"; of nothing. "Gee, that cannon sure is large." Is this "Call to Battle," heard I hear a whining close at hand; by a schoolboy, in any way the Does quietness really accom- "Duck! A shell's about to land"; responsibility 0 f Christians? plish all this? All night long the shelling. goes, What shall we do about it? While in the trees a soft wmd blows; When? Peaceful Change "What's the use? I'm going to die." "Keep on; make another try." Shall We Cure War? "Do you remember, Little Boom! Boom! Boom! The cannons Chipmunk,what the Spider Armistice 1918! First Con- Woman told the Children of the roar, ference on the Cause and Cure Sun when they started out to Why this killing and this gore? of War, 1925. January 1938, subdue the enemies?" "That thing once was Johnny Jones, the Thirteenth Conference on Now's a mass of blood and bones; the Cause and Cure of War had The old man with his face still Billy was my friend and true, for the theme, "A Present-Day serene after years of hardship Now he's dead and buried, too." Program for Peace." smiled at his Little Chipmunk. [146 ] From the Call to the thir- "Repeat the words I have teenth Conference, we find the taught you. Repeat them every positive emphases that "Our morning when you greet the sun. business at the Conference will Repeat them now." be to reinforce our knowledge, to refresh our courage, redouble Na Nai said in a low voice- our efforts, and reaffirm our be- liefs, having in mind that saying Put your feet down in peace. of President Masaryk's-"Noth- ing kills an idea that is really be- Put your hands down in peace. lieved in."
Put your head down in peace. The implication in the Call is, if enough Americans believe in Then your feet are peaceful.· the idea of preventing the use of Then your hands are peaceful. war as a national policy in set- tling disputes with any govern- YQur body is peaceful. . ment on the face of the earth, then "the present-day program Your mind is peaceful. for peace" will be given a chance to develop in our home communi- Your voice is peaceful. ties. By such efforts, our coun- For, my children, remember this, The trail is beautiful-Be still.
-From . Laura Adam.s Armer: Dark Circle of Branches. By permission of Longmans, Green & Co., New York.
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
try may finally become peace- Henry Adams' idea that if he others who attended the Thirminded and peace-acting in all and two friends returned "say, teenth Conference on the Cause relations of life. This will not in 1938-their centenary-they and Cure of War agree with mean absence of struggle or lack might see the mistakes of their Mrs. Harper Sibley who closed own lives made clear in the light the program with the consideraof force, but the field of action of the mistakes of their succes- tion of "War and Religion," will be in the scientific and sors; perhaps then for the first namely, that there is a dynamic moral realms, and also in the re- time since man began his edu- strength in the Christian faith ligious field. cation . . . they would find a in the Fatherhood of God which can and may soon triumph over Felix Morley said early in the world, that sensitive and timid all opposition to the present-day Conference, "If we want to build natures could regard without a program for peace. machinery for peace out of our shudder." True, they find it not! vast store of knowledge, it must It is quite clear that education Carrie Chapman Catt, invinbe built by a group of like- for peace must include practise cible soul and inspiration of all of new ways by the present gen- peacemakers, spoke unforgetminded people." He presented "four points of achievement" of erations. table words: "there is a new the "late" Brussels Conference. way. Anyone who feels inclined In this 1938 Conference such might add this new one to the He gave other indications from subjects as World Economic Co- old. . . . Just how ashamed are present events of the beginnings operation, Raw Materials and you of War history, and of the of a new world order. Colonies, Trade Barriers and Currencies, American Capital, years the human race has The responsibility of powerful Labor, and the Farmer, became wasted its brain power in innations for world peace was the personal affairs of those at- venting new armaments to kill, urged by most of the speakers. tending. Doubtless these mat- instead of trying to find a way The discipline needed to walk ters will become more and more the common possession of our to stop war. If you are not the road of world peace must be citizens in their present pursuit ashamed now, ask God to make accepted by an increasing num- you ashamed. It would be the ber of persons and groups. The of livelihood and happiness. If greatest blessing that could discipline for peace will be it is not happening where you come to you. When you have costly, perhaps greater than the live and work, send straightway to the National Committee on become ashamed, work to make cost of the World War. It seems your family, your friends and to be a matter .of responsibility the Cause and Cure of War, 1622 on the part .of the people, mean- Grand Central Terminal Build- townsmen ashamed likewise. I ing ourselves. The choice neces- ing, New York, for the report of long to s,ee a great army of the sitates positive and steady con- the Conference and the Mara- ashamed, marching up Capitol victions as to the means used to thon Round Table material. The Hill to our Government, in order achieve peace. National Peace Conference, 8 that, together, we may make a West 40th Street, is in the midst gigantic apology for man's war The Conference program did of a fifteen-month campaign for record. . . . It is not from argu- "reinforce our knowledge" on ments that peace will come, but World Economic Cooperation. an international scale. There The Conference frankly poses it wHl arise out of the purified was a review of the ways used this question to the public: "Are souls of men who have put internationally in opposition to you willing to make as the price morality above immorality." for peace a fraction of the sacwar, the plans for the interna- rifices you would make for My mind and heart turn to tional peace campaign, and a war?" possible international pol ice the observance of the World Day John Donald Adams, in the of Prayer, on March fourth, for force. There was the considera- January Atlantic Monthly, con- which the people are preparing. tion of American policies to pre- tends that "personal conscience vent war, such as Neutrality, The Day is .observed annually in the United States has fallen the first Friday in Lent by Concerted Action as in Boycott to a new low in our history as a and Sanctions, our Country's nation." "Where personal con- Christians round the world. Far-Eastern Pol icy, and the science dies, there is no free- The theme is "The Church – A Reciprocal Trade Agreements dom." He is positive and help- World Fellowship." The civil strife in our own country and which seem to be basic to the ful in his emphasis that "the new world order. There were personal conscience is nourished the use of queer methods of fili- Round Table discussions on the and sustained by faith, and by bustering and the like, increased Far East, an International Po- the ready assumption of individ- armament and show of giant lice Force, Spain in Europe, force give us deep concern over Danger Spots in Eastern Eu- ual moral responsibility for in- dividual acts." With Christians, the public welfare. rope. Able leaders opened the it should not be necessary for "Justice brings us peace and subjects which were then fur- Mr. Adams or anyone, "to con- quiet; honesty renders us sether explored by folk who care, tend" this point. cure; my people shall have and who will, not only to be edu- homes of peace and rest in cated for peace but to be effec- The church women and many houses undisturbed. (Isaiah 32: tive for world p€ace. 17 Moffatt.) In a Christmas letter sent to This Issue of the Bulletin has been pre- pared by Miss Anne Seesholtz. former editor. the writer, a friend quoted
AMERICA sions, asserts that our Govern- Itinerating in
ment's use of the term "good Literary Cooperation in neighbor" carries with it impli- , Rev. H. A. Martin, Presby- Mexico cations of tremendous responsi- terian minister in Lageado, Mat- bility. "If America is going to to Grosso, Brazil, has lived in Evangelical writers h a v e be really a good neighbor nation this interior for 20 years, 2,000 formed a Union, by means of it cannot be that in any super- miles from the seaport of Sao which all engaged in evangeli- ficial way," thinks Dr. Odell. Paulo. Most of his time is spent cal publication will have a way "It must be the result of an im- traveling among the natives by of exchanging articles, arrang- pulse within. We must be a mule train. He does most of his ing unified statements on mat- Christian nation if we are going sleeping in hammocks strung ters of general interest, and to carry into effect in any real between two trees in the jungle. generally becoming better ac- way a good-neighbor policy. He says: "If we slept on the quainted with similar work in And we cannot do it if we expect ground, huge black ants would other denominations. It is hoped something in return." descend on us in armies, and that all petitions for help in con- would infect us with fever from struction of churches, Christian Dr. Odell emphasized that their bites." centers and other kinds of en- there would be no fundamental terprise iss u e d by various worth to any neighborly policy Since Brazil is a country withchurches of the country will by our government "unless mo- out fences, the mission party has have a greater publicity as a re- tivated by something genuine in something of a problem to keep sult of this Union. our hearts." its mules from straying while it encamps overnight. With each -World Dominion Press. Colombia a Backward Land mule train there is a horse known as the "godmother" of Bibles for Nicaraguans Colombia is one of South the pack. At night the mules America's most difficult mission are allowed to roam free, but The American Bible Society fields. After· more than eighty the horse is hobbled and a bell is printing 3,000 Miskito New years of occupation there are is affixed to its neck. Because Testaments for the Moravian now only twenty-six national of the strange affinity which the Mission in Nicaragua, of which ordained workers, serving forty- mules have for horses they never a portion have been shipped. six organized churches with a stray far away. The demand for Miskito Scrip- membership of 1,196. The Suntures has grown with the in- day-school enrolment is 2,245. Mr. Martin supervises. the crease of adult literacy. This Many new missionary societies mission work in Matto Grosso, language is spoken by almost are entering this field, most of and in addition to evangelism 25,000 people of Nicaragua and them of the independent and has under his care a training Honduras along the east coast, faith groups. In one year the school for teachers at Burity. and for about 25,0 miles up the total number of missionaries has He discreetly refrains from com- Coco River. It was reduced to jumped from 87 to 113. There menting on the policies of the writing by missionaries over is an open struggle in Colombia new government of Brazil. ninety years ago, and the whole between church and state. While New Testament has been avail- religious conditions are back- Drive Against Liquor in Chile able since 1905. It was revised ward the country is making rapand published by the American id development in many other The present government in Bible Society in 1926. ways. This is particularly true Chile is whipping up sentiment in means of transportation. to restrict the sale of intoxicants. -Bible Society Record. There is even a proposal to de- Among the aggressive evan- stroy many of the vineyards. Implication in Term "Good gelical missions are the Presby- The president and his advisors Neighbor" terian, U. S. A., the Christian warn that the future of the na- and Missionary Alliance, the tion will be imperiled unless Dr. E. A. Odell, Secretary for Gospel Missionary Union, the drastic action is taken to curb the West Indies of the Presby- Cumberland Presbyterian and the drink menace. The brewers terian Board of National Mis- the Scandinavian Alliance. say, as they say in the U. S., that the problem is one for education, [148 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
not for legal handling. But open, an organization known as be given by teachers that have left Chilean women want to see some the Union Evangelique Interna- the churches. In exceptional circumaction, along with education. tionale D'Etudiants is seeking to stances special instruction can be fur- They have, to produce action, "buy up the opportunities." It merged ten organizations, in- nished for children remaining in the cluding the Feminine C i vic Christian Church by teachers who Party, the Pro-Emancipation of is estimated that there are 45,– are "ecclesiastical professionals." Women Movement, the American Women's Club, the Feminine 000 young men and women -The Living Church. Evangelical Club, the Chilean Women's Association, the Club studying in Paris, about 8,000 de Professores, the Woman's Federation, and the Methodist of whom are from other parts Finland-Protestant Bulwark Feminine Federation. of Europe and overseas. The Union has an attractive club- Religiously, Finland is the -Christian Advocate. room, converted from an old eastern outpost of Protestant- coach stable, and conveniently ism, facing Greek Catholicism of EUROPE situated in the heart of the Uni- versity Quarter. Here meeting;;, yesterday and militant atheism An Achievement in Giving Bible-study groups, and social of today. The Finnish Church gatherings are held each week. forms the shock troop of Lu- To secure local gifts of £10,- The president is a French teach- theranism against the onslaught 500 in two weeks to restore a er, the vice-president a Chris- of persecution and a propaganda church in Wolverhampton, Eng- tian Japanese student. No fewer of godlessness that has· almost land, is probably a world record than 20 nationalities are reprein rapid fund raising. The sented in the meetings. destroyed the Church in Russia, mayor launched the appeal for Ukrainia and elsewhere east of £10,000; 28,000 letters were A new venture in 1937 was a the Baltic. m a i led to householders; a Young People's House Party, short film, in which the mayor held at Vennes, Switzerland. Lutheranism was brought to appealed to the town, was shown The daily program included con- Finland through Swedish influin nearly all the cinemas; the versational Bible study, fol- ence, a change that developed in church was floodlit every night, lowed by a season of prayer. Alopen until 10, and visited by together more than 1,000 young a conservative and gradual manthousands in groups escorted by people attended the four camps. ner. Although Finland has felt guides; the local newspaper gave daily support of the cam- -The Christian. the influence of various cross paign. currents and religious move- ments which have affected Prot- A change of mayors. took place estantism, it has been remarkduring the period, and the new one took up the appeal at once. ably free from internal schisms Fourteen days to the minute from the start of the appeal, the Plan to Subjugate Church and separatism. Ninety-eight mayor went to the church steps per cent of the entire Finnish and announced the total received. A service of thanksgiv- A December issue Qf the population of three and one-half ing followed. Schwarze Korps, a Nazi period- million people, are members of ical, announces a "program for the Lutheran Church. It is not Paris Evangelical Student the future German Church" noticeably affected by the insid- Union which seems to offer little to ious forces of atheism and Bol- choose between exile or martyr- shevism that continually seep About four-fifths of the popu- dom for those who remain Chris- through its borders. lation in France have drifted fro m all religious mooring. tian. Here is the "program" : AFRICA French Protestants n u m b e r scarcely more than a million, (1) Germany proclaims a State remost of them in the south where ligion to which all citizens, without today are evidences of revived exception, are obligated. This new Sunday Schools Imperative interest in Bible study. religion is based on the "revelation For some time the Egyptian Although opportunities for of God in nature, and in destiny, life Government has been working evangelistic efforts are becom- and death of the peoples." on a program of compulsory eding fewer in several European ucation, and it is now being put countries, there is still complete (2) The churches will be permitted into effect. One of the serious liberty for Gospel teaching in to exist as purely private institu- Republican France. Realizing tions if they subordinate themselves that the door may not remain in sermon and teachings to the basIc problems confronting the Chris- doctrines of the general State re- ligion. tian community is that of the re- ligious lessons in these compul- (3) The State refuses all coopera- tion with the churches. It removes sory schools. These lessons are its protection from them and refuses in the Koran and Islamic teach- the financial support hitherto paid ings. While the children of to them. Christians are not required to (4) The State confiscates all attend these religious lessons, it church property on the grounds that "this property was created through is inevitable that much of the the joint cooperation of all citizens, and in a period when State and Moslem teaching given to other Church were still an entity." Con- children will be imbibed by vent schools and institutions and mon- Christian children. Further- astic settlements will therefore be more, these children are without disbanded. (5) Religious instruction in the religious training unless the churches Will be conducted in the Christian community is suffici- service of the State religion, and will ently large to make some spe-
cial provision on its own ac- said; "I do forget so." As they yet be the grave of Italy; and to count. It is therefore most repeated to him the story of the have ordered his son, living in important that an effective Sun- Cross his face lit up, and he said, Jerusalem, to pay no attention to day school program be main- "Oh, now I begin to remember! any invitation from this same -So S. Times. tained. Sheikh Metry Dewairy 'fell me more." source.
has a large· part in promoting A young man who had op- Locusts, and a Revival this work. posed the Gospel put his hand Aggressive Evangelism in on the old man's shoulder and Bolobo is a town of about Morocco 5,000 inhabitants, on the river said to the missionary: "This is bank about 450 miles from the The Southern Morocco Mis- mouth of the Congo. In its large sion attains its jubilee this year. the only one in the village in hinterland an extensive evan- whose heart your words have en- tered." -Life of Faith.
In this fanatically Moslem land, New Ohristians gelistic work has been carried on a staff of 25 missionaries carry > for nearly fifty years, and a on educational, medical and Results of the preaching mis- large c~urch membership had evangelistic work in several cen- sion in Efulan, Presbyterian been bUIlt up: But whIle the ters. As always where Islam is WbeeysotnAd freixcpaecsttaattiioonn~ went so far church grew m numbers, there in power, the work is not easy. that help was a falling away in quality. Medical work proves a most use- was sought to examine the 642 ~here were plenty of fluent naful means of contact. Those who who publicly confessed Christ, to tlV~ P!eachers, and several evanjourney to the mission for medi- see if it were the real thing. gelIstIc teams, put the he~then cal attention are never allowed After the missionary preached knew that the mner experIence to depart until the Gospel mes- his sermon he told these people of the church members who sage has been presented in some that he did not want them to preached to them was not greatly form. come forward unless they really different from their own.
Mr. Robert Nairn, of Mar- meant it. It was not just to have In 1934, the missionary staff raksh, tells in The Christian how one's name written, but it must called a conference of pivotal the medical work leads to evan- be a real confession of faith in men and women, hoping for a gelistic opportunity. Mission- Jesus as their Saviour. After complete renewal. Far from aries, visiting a village for the that 600 came forward. producing a singleness of pur- first time, sought out two wom- In some parts of this field pose,. th~ deacons. resented t~e en, who, they remembered, had there have been people so afraid ImplIcatIOn o~ faIlure ?~ theIr come from that village to the that they might confess if talked pll;rt .and ~et~hated by ~ItIng the dispensary some time before. The result was that the mission- ttoh~ythkantewthethye would hide when mISSIOnarIes shortcommgs. The personal workers frank discussion proved to be aries were warmly welcomed, were in their town. These were salutary. The deacons declared and at a meeting in the small people who knew they should be that cooperation was impossihouse of one of the women the room was crowded with an at- gCihvreisutpiatnhs~ but who could not ble, and, atfet enrsiot hnr, e etl;meyo nut h~asniof things of this world. increased tentive congregation. Arrange- One man went away from his mously tendered theIr resIgnaments have been made to visit town when he knew the preach- tion. On the first Sunday. of the village each month. Increasing numbers of Jews, ing mission was t ocwomn inog~lya ntdo January, 1935, no CommunIon went to another service could be observed.. Then living in all parts of Morocco, find the mission there, and con- swarms of locusts were SIghted have been visiting the dispen- fessed in that church. near Bolobo. The European offi- cial was instructed by telephone sary in Marraksh. No oppor- to organize beating parties and tunity is lost of testifying to Ohaos in Ethiopia keep the locusts from alighting. them of their Messiah. Scrip- For three days the people weature copies are sold every day. Mussolini has arranged that ried themselves in the effort to Lantern services usually prove the Roman Catholic Prelate of preserve their maize, manioo popular, and provide. excellent Rhodes shall officiate at the and ground nuts, and then the opportunity for presenting the crowning of a Roman Emperor locusts departed without doing Christian message. of Abyssinia. But it is not so any material damage. sure there will be a crowning. A Moor's Fidelity A condition of chaos is reported The coming of the locusts was in Ethiopia, with guerilla war- effectual in bringing within a Here is an example of endur- fare and shortage of food. The week a revival, a conviction of ing faith. A convert of the conquerors move about only in sin and testimony. North Africa Mission in Mo- large companies and protected rocco is over 70, and on a recent by airplanes. Haile Selassie is -The Christian.
visit the missionaries found that said to have refused Mussolini's Native Health Problem his memory was failing rapidly; offer of the Abyssinian throne but his trust in the Saviour was under Italian protection, with Unsatisfactory health condi- Rteadfast. "Tell me again," he the remark that Ethiopia would tions among the natives of South
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Africa is disturbing the Govern- Sabbath in Palestine sionaries and there have been conversions in many pal'lts. ment and public opinion. Gen- Tel-Aviv in Palestine has the distinction of being the only 100 S. M. ZWEMER. eral Smuts is quoted as saying: per cent Jewish city in the world. Last year, a series of Iran Attacks Illiteracy "The natives in this country meetings all over Palestine cul- minated in a conference at Tel- The Boy Scout Movement is are getting rotten with disease Aviv, during which lectures were spreading rapidly in Iran, under given on how to observe the Sab- government support. Eve r y and are becoming a menace to bath in agriculture, industry, town of any size has a troop; it ~tc. This movement is supported is claimed there are 50,000 civilization. Something will III the highest Jewish circles. Scouts in the country. They are organized and directed by an have to be done, the condition is For some time the arrival of American, Thomas R. Gibson. the Sabbath has been proclaimed becoming worse and worse." on Friday afternoon all aroun<l The government encourage- Tel-Aviv by the blowing of the ment of adult education also Agit3;tion . over native physical Shophar, or ram's horn trumpet grows apace. Night classes in of Biblical days. After dark reading and writing are condeterIOratIOn and the serious there blazes from the dome of ducted in all the provinces. Il- the synagogue an electric sign lustrated posters showing the death rate among their children "Remember the sabbath day to' value of education are placed keep it holy." The reformers everywhere. At present, so has been increased by an outcry want to see every Jew in the many people have enrolled in synagogue on Sabbath and pri- these courses that it is taxing from urban areas that native vate motor cars put away. the department of education to provide the necessary teachers servants are carrying wide- -Alliance Weekly. and equipment. The hope is that illiteracy will be abolished in two spread infection into the homes Decline of Islam years. -Christian Century.
of the whites. Tuberculosis and Islam no longer has the INDIA AND BURMA strength and power of 40 years other p~lmonary troubles, per- ago, and gates of brass are be- Training in Evangelism ing opened. Modern Arabia has son~l dlsease~, and. unsanitary a~ area. of one million square Those who know the value of mIles, wIth about eight million college trained women evangelhabIts prevaIl among natives people, and is the center of a ists in America and England feel great non-Christian religion. that similar training should be who are in daily contact with Islam has been bound together available to Indian women stu- by the annual pilgrimage to Mec- dents, in view of the present white people and their cphriledpraern~ ca from all parts of the world. open door for Christian teachand who handle and The Government blue book on ing. This has led to a new ven- the subject shows a shrinkage in ture in one area of the United their food. A demand for com- the number of pilgrims from Church of Northern India. Two 300,000 twenty or >thirty years members of the Bible Women's pulsory medical examination is ago to about 50,000 last year. Institute committee of the Pun- During the last 50 years marvel- jab Church Council were asked being'made, but there are legal lous progress has been made in to make a tour of girls' middle Arabia. The slave traffic has training and high schools and and other difficulties. The root been stopped, the old social sys- the women's college to present tem is uprooted, and it will not the challenge of evangelism and difficulty can be dealt with by be long before Egypt and Arabia Bible teaching as a vocation. follow the example of Iran and The idea was well received and relieving malnutrition and re- Turkey in the emancipation of discussion brought out reports womanhood. Ibn Sa'oud has of actual evangelistic and social moyi~g its source in poverty. been raised up >to develop and service projects being carried on unify his country. Roads have by the various groups. It is ThIs Illvolves the whole economic been made through the desert, hoped that the day will come and the automobile has replaced when Indian youth will have and industrial situation. the camel as a means of trans- their equivalent of the Student portation. Modern developments Volunteer organization. -World Dominion Press. have helped missions, and Ara- bia has now nine hospitals along Another Sundar Singh? WESTERN ASIA the c?ast. Arabs are watching the lIves of the Christian mis- A young sikh is preaching in The Power of Initiative western India, with the result Modern Turkey has coined a new word which means "·the power of initiative." It is on everr tong~e at present. A deputy III parlIament and editor of a monthly magazine, New Education, discusses it in an article.
rower of ~nitiative, he says, can eXIst only wIth freedom. As there was no freedom in the country in the days, of a Moslem theocracy and ab- solutIsm, there could have been no power of initiative. Those who be- lieved everything came directly from God considered it a sin to begin a work on their own initiative. The Sulta~s thought themselves as irresponsIble as God, as infallible as God tal;s1e t hseuhssthiatd~otew of God on earth and of the Prop het; 'these d~d not desIre to have anyone in the kmgdo~ with personal initiative.
There IS freedom, now in Turkey, therefore also the power of initiative.
. . . There is much work which the power of initiative can accomplish by creative science and industry and in !he domain of literature and learnmg.
Fascist government would do well to ponder this. -World Dominion Press.
that the number of Bibles. sold halls each with rooms for 150 Scripture texts in brilliant colors increased from 500 to 12,000 in students and for two unmarried beside the way. Two Christian a year. members of the staff and a cer- hostels have been opened where tain number of tutors. The 450 travelers may obtain a night's This Sikh was converted by or more delegates to the World lodging, hear the Gospel, and reading some literature on a steamer going to Canada. World Missionary Conference can be pass on. In one town an attrac- Dominion says: "He has all the conveniently accommodated. tive newspaper is being produced fire of an apostle. He preaches Christ and Him crucified, and The college moved from Ma- monthly, on the back page of tells Christians that they must dras city to its new home at which a Gospel message is themselves be convicted of all Tambaram six months ago. In printed. sin if they expect to see the non- Christian so convicted. He is the work of the college several Siam Sends Missionaries roving the churches of the Pun- missions cooperate; from the jab as Sadhu Singh used to do. How he lives is a marvel. He proceeds of the "British Colleges. Siamese Christian churches of never asks for money and re- Appeal" a sum of £10,000 was •Chiengmai have recently sent fuses it, except for his railway given last year toward the new out five young people into misfares, and he has no collections at his meetings. He tells simply Tambaram set-up. sionary service. Two of the five how Christ brings. into his life joy which he vainly sought as a The Church in the Punjab are foreign missionaries, having Sikh." gone over the border into Yun- In honor of pioneers who laid nan Province, China. Kiulung- In This Case-Not! the foundations for the Church kiang was formerly a station of of Christ in the Punjab, great the Yunnan Mission of the Pres- Rev. S. P. Hieb, pastor of a groups of Christians poured into byterian Church, but was transchurch in Sholapur, denies the Ludhiana last October, carrying ferred to the Siam Mission bestatement of a recent Ripley banners and singing psalms un- cause, although in China, the "Believe It or Not" cartoon, til two thousand registration language and customs closely rewhich called this-"the Christian badges had been used up, and semble those of Siam. Robbers' Church-the strangest still more delegates arrived for church in the world . . . whose the three-day celebration. One A missionary who attended a entire congregation consists of day the crowd marched through farewell service for them rerobbers from the hereditary the streets of the city, displaying marked that "they are going criminal tribes of India." The Bible verses, preaching, singing, with quaking knees, but going." fact is the church is called "The in a remarkable procession over City of Hope Church." Less a mile long. At a community -Monday Morning. than one-half its membership is supper, 2,700 Christians, gathdrawn from the people of Crim- ered from all walks of life, from Judson College inal Tribes. It is inaccurate to village and city, many former represent that all, or most of the untouchables, ate together in the Judson College, Burma, has "Crims" are joining the church, bond of Christian fellowship. reached the highest enrolment in that people who still have crim- its history – 337 – classified as inal habits are accepted as The Principal of the Theolog- follows: 197 Christians, 75 Budchurch members, or that the ical School, Rev. S. N. Talib-ud- dhists, 48 Hindus, 14 Mohamstigma of their former occupa- Din, sounded the challenge that medans; 117 Burmese, 108 Kation is attached to Christians in inasmuch as America has pro- rens, 70 Indians, 22 European, the church. vided money and leadership, the 10 Chinese, 4 Chins, 2 Kachins, Indian Church must now give 2 Mons, 2 Shans; 102 women, Madras Christian College in money and men and service to 235 men. There are 248 students meet the unparalleled opportuni- in residence, 157 men and 91 New Location ties for the presentation of women. Ninety-nine students Christ in India today. At the receive aid in some form. Tambaram is the new location closing consecration service it of Madras Christian College, was decided to raise during the Two Sunday schools are mainpremier Christian college in In- next five years a Centennial tained for Burmese children in dia. It is 16 miles from the city Fund of ten thousand rupees for a near-by village, with 107 of Madras, but connected by ef- evangelism. pupils and 12 teachers. The Inficient electric railway service. dian Church, which developed The college is built on about 400 -Presbyterian Tribune. from efforts of the college stuacres of land and on the model dents, meets regularly in the of the residential universities of Ways of Working chapel and its pastor has a gen- Oxford and Cambridge in Eng- uinely evangelistic influence. land, and of Harvard and Yale in the United States. It has four -':"'Burma News.
Moravian missionaries in Ti- CHINA bet use various methods of mak- Christ the Only Hope ing God's Word known. One missionary, adapting the method Chinese Christians in North China are praying for Chris- of the Buddhists who carve holy tians in Japan. When a Japa- words upon the rocks for pass- ing pilgrims to see, stencils
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
nese Christian soldier comes Throughout the country there is scene of battle moved from into church the words, "I am a growing recognition of the ab- Chapei to the western district of also a Christian," banishes at solute necessity of honesty in ad- Shanghai, St. John's campus once the expression of strain ministration, and men whose in- was on the very edge of the batand apprehension on the faces tegrity is beyond question are tlefield and it became necessary of the people. An English- being sought to fill positions of for everyone to evacuate. speaking soldier came-an en- trust. In spite of war, a new gineering college graduate and China is being built, and the -The Living Church. a Sunday school teacher in Ja- Christian Church is being asked pan-"What a pity I What a to furnish the ideals. Y. W. C. A. Service pity I" cried a young Chinese teacher. The man talked with The Silver Lining The Young Women's Christhe Chinese pastor and asked for tian Association is rendering a verse from the Chinese Bible, A missionary in P e i pin g valuable service in China during since he was going to the front, writes the Presbyterian Board the present struggle in meeting together with the pastor's auto- of a station prayer meeting in urgent human needs. Refugee graph. He wished to carry it in which a report was given of ex- camps, first aid classes and clinhis hat. The verse given him periences in Paotingfu, when the ics were the first response to the was, "Where there is neither city was taken by the Japanese. situation; a woman's service Jew nor G r e e k, barbarian, The courageous and convincing center has bee n established Scythian, bond or free, but testimony of the Chinese Chris- which combines into one large Christ is all and in all." tians in the face of wounds and unit a refugee camp for unem- death, the equally impressive at- ployed Chinese women, a hostel More than one individual Jap- titude and conversation of Japa- for factory girls already at anese soldier and officer has said nese Christian soldiers under the work, and a vocational training they would prefer not to be in compulsory sway of a military center for those still unable to this war, but "we are under or- system which enrolls all able- return to, or find work; units ders." bodied men for war; and the of industrial girls have gone to evident use of this testimony by the front to aid in helping both An American woman whose the Holy Spirit in the conversion soldiers and civilians. name is known nationally was of many; all demonstrate that no walking along a street in Japan matter how dark the world out- It is gratifying to note that a few weeks ago just before sail- look may be, God's overruling the regular forward-looking proing for the United States. A providence is making even the gram of the association is being Japanese gentleman fell into wrath of man to praise Him. carried on throughout the counstep beside her, asked if she try; some of the national staff were not an American, and St. J ohn:'s University members are remaining at headapologized for speaking to her Carries On quarters in Shanghai, while but said he felt that he must. eight others have gone to Han- He said, "I don't know who you The work of Christian educa- kow to establish a national headare, but you are going to Amer- tion goes on in Shanghai. St. quarters in Central China, and ica and I want you to tell the John's University began its fall to be ready to follow the Gov- American people that we J apa- term five weeks late in a huge ernment if it moves farther innese do not want this war-We office building constructed of land. Every cent of money do not want to fight China. It concrete in the heart of the busi- raised for pursuing the program is only the militarist party in ness district. goes directly to China. control, and we are helpless." The many practical difficulties Movements in Central Asia War and Christianity connected with such a move were met and overcome by the The missionary occupation of A writer in The Christian Ad- acting president, William Sung, Chinese Turkestan has been exvocate declares there never has and the administrative staff in a ceedingly thin, but so long as it been a time in China when an- most efficient manner. Funds was possible to do so, two pioneer tagonism to Christian teaching for the extra expenses such as missionaries, George Hunter and was so rapidly disappearing. rent and the transportation of Percy Mather, traveled up and The work and spirit of the furniture were collected from down sowing the seed of the Church are making themselves the alumni. The enrolment of Gospel in preparation for a harso strongly felt in high places students was greater than ever, vest yet to be garnered. They that they are quietly permeating many universities in China be- sought to reach the most remote the life of the people, breaking ing unable to open at all, and peoples, and succeeded in spreaddown prejudices and removing their students transferring to ing the knowledge of Christ and barriers, which a few years ago St. John's. distributing Scriptures over an seemed immovable. Old super- enormous area. stitions are disintegrating and About half of the staff conopening up an unhindered way tinued to live on the university Meanwhile, on the Western for the message of the Christ as campus which was guarded by side, the Swedish Mission in the Saviour of men from sin. British soldiers; but when the Kashgar, by medical and educa- tional methods, maintained a
steady effort to reach the Moslem he has been speaking night after In his plea for vigorous suppopulation. At present it is not night to packed audiences. It is port of missions, Mr. Castle used possible to report accurately the reported that young people are Japan, the country with which missionary effort of Chinese especially restless and bewil- he is familiar, as an example of Turkestan because of the critical dered at the situation, and are the need for such work. "We political situation, but there has earnestly seeking for the lead hear people say, 'I will not give been advance in that territory which Dr. Kagawa is so capable to missions in Japan.' If they which lies south of the Kara- of giving. feel so bitterly toward Japan, koram Pass. There are plans they should give more freely for new effort at the starting The National Christian Coun- than ever before, since, in their point for all caravans moving to- cil of Japan announces: "One own opinion, the Japanese are ward Chinese and R u s s ian of the primary objects of hold- desperately in need of Christian Turkestan. ing the 1938 World Christian {)tandards of conduct. The use- Conference in the Orient was to fulness of missions is not in the Nothing could be more impor- make it possible for the attend- least dependent on whether we tant than to establish work ance of full delegations from the approve or disapprove the acwhich will influence traders and younger churches." This may tions of the government of the travelers who form these cara- not now be possible, but the country where the missions are vans and supply them with Council reports that it will co- established." Scriptures. There is talk of es- operate as far as possible in tablishing bases from which making the meeting to be held Another speaker, B ish 0 p hitherto closed provinces, such in India in December, 1938, a Tucker, himself a former misas Yasin, Hunza and Nagar, can success. sionary to Japan, defended the be pentrated, and there is hope existence of missions in Japan of occupying an area known as – World Dominion Press. against the criticism of those the Trans-zoji-Ia field which is who hold that Japan's present accessible from the Kashmir Practice in Leadership conduct toward China does not border, and which will greatly justify missionary effort. affect pioneer work in Ladakh A little over a year ago the and Baltistan. Osaka English School decided "Perhaps we do not realize to organize a Sunday school to that Christian nations some- -Mildred Cable. take the place of week-day Bible times do not show evidence of classes. At that time there was Christianity in practical con- JAPAN-CHOSEN not even one student who had duct," he said. ever had the experience of lead- Kagawa's Christmas Gift ing a worship program of any Christian influence in Japan kind, and only three who would "has won an almost complete American friends of Kagawa, lead in public prayer. It was victory" in elevating m 0 r a I have sent him a Christmas gift not easy to plan worship pro- standards of the Japanese in soof $1,000 to continue his service. grams for an untrained group cial, industrial, business and More than 350 persons had a of this kind, who had never be- philanthropic life. While admitpart in this gift. Probably there fore had any connection with a ting that perhaps it has failed in has never been a time in his life Sunday school and who knew regard to influencing the nationwhen Kagawa was in more need little about Christianity. But alistic attitude of the Japanese, of a practical demonstration of gradually the i r interest in- Bishop Tucker said: "I believe Christian brotherhood than the creased, and a few "born lead- the cause may be that as the present. ers" were discovered. Only once Japanese watched the activities or twice has anyone declined to of Christian countries in the Or- Rev. J. Henry Carpenter, 285 take part when asked, and then ient, witnessing certain degrees Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn, N. with good excuse. There is an of aggression, they have not Y., is treasurer of this fund, average attendance of fifty. gathered that Christianity has which has a balance of $100 still much influence on Christian govin the bank, and promises of -World Outlook. ernments;" -N. Y. Times. more to come. Christian Front Urged Aid for China -The Living Church. At a missionary rally last Jan- Here is proof that not all Jap- Difficulties Beset the N. C. C. uary in the Cathedral of St. John anese are militarists. Rev. H. H. the Divine, New York, William Kano, minister in charge of the The National Christian Coun- R. Castle, former U. S. ambas- Episcopal Church's work among cil's United Campaign of Evan- sador to Japan, appealed to Japanese farmers in Western gelism has been slowed up by Christianity to present "a united Nebraska, has sent a gift of $10 the Sino-Japanese crisis. The front against the forces of re- to the China Emergency Fund. thinking of the nation is given action and evil." He branded As further proof, a young J apawholly to the struggle being communism as reversion to the nese artist, son of Yone Noguchi, waged. Only in Tokyo are the primitive, and Naziism and Fas- made a drawing of a Chinese meetings arranged in the Spring cism as enemies of individual mother and child, to be sold at of 1937 for Dr. Kagawa being liberty. a benefit in New York City for carried out as planned. There
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the Chinese. The drawing was 2. Learning to listen while God always been a matter of uncerpurchased by a Chinese business speaks, and to obey what He says. tainty. Recently the Dutch Govman of New York. When asked ernment has made a thorough why he contributed his work to 3. Telling to other people the good survey of their part of the this end, Mr. Noguchi is quoted results that have come to their lives. island, with the result that the as saying: population is now estimated at There have been surprising results. over a million. Here are num- I give this drawing to make the Many school girls have confessed that berless tribes and races un- Americans understand that the Japa- they have been cheating in examina- reached except as viewed from nese are not all militaristic. I am tion, and have resolved that, at what- the air. They are generally just as distressed for the Japanese as ever cost to their marks, they would known as Papuans (curly). for the Chinese. Whereas in China cheat no more. They have confessed They are black, have curly hair, people are killed and hearts are brok- to the matron that they stole food and in many cases are still proben, in Japan children will be raised and fruit from the cupboard when ably cannibals. Nearly one hunwith hearts hardened to a race next she was not around, and have re- dred Dyak Christians of Borneo to them if they win this war. solved to return or pay for all they have been employed by a gold have stolen. Some have confessed to mining company, and have gone -The Churchman. stealing money and have planned to to New Guinea. Some of the Chi- return it. There is a new conscience nese missionaries of the Chinese Year's Growth in Chosen about obeying the rules of the school Foreign Missionary Union are and dormitory. feeling a call to this island, which Rev. C. A. Clark writes in save Greenland, is the largest Pyengyang News that 1937 was These young people spend an hour island in the world. a remarkable year in the rural or so each day in quiet times together, field. Every church has been listening silently to hear what God -The Pioneer. filled to overflowing; four con- says. The answers they are getting gregations are building new, and are practical, and are resulting in In Dutch East Indies larger churches. As a gesture of such striking changes that everybody sharing, Mr. Clark contributed notices them. The Dutch East Indies is one 10 yen to each; except for this of the largest fields of the Christhe people have met the entire C. E. Jubilee in Australia tian and Missionary Alliance. Recost. cently the Government withdrew The following call has been its objections to the Alliance us- Mr. Clark began work in his issued: "Ninety thousand Aus- ing a hydroplane in one of the field fourteen years ago when tralasian Christian Endeavor- districts of Borneo which is exthere were 21 churches; two or ers affectionately and enthusias- ceedingly difficult of access. The three of these barely started. tically invite their comrades of only condition is that the plane Today, there are 45 churches in every nationality to come to Mel- shall be nominally owned by a the same area. Five women bourne, the entertaining city of Dutch subject. As a Dutch misworkers are paid in full by the the Tenth World's Christan En- sionary was due to arrive on the churches. Each church last year deavor Convention-August 2nd field a few weeks ago, there is had a week of Bible classes. to 8th, 1938. We earnestly ask not likely to be any further ob- that you will make every effort jection. This method of trans- ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC throughout your territory to or- port will save the missionaries ganize a representative delega- much time, and will be a safer Bible Course for Formosa tion and thus kindle fires of con- way of traveling than by the secration, fellowship, unity and swift-flowing river. The Canadian Mission in For- goodwill that will spread from mosa asked for a Japanese Melbourne to the utmost corners The Alliance has a Bible translation of Dr. W. L. Sival- of the earth. . . . school in Makassar, Celebes, len's Bib I e Correspondence where about 170 students were Course, for use among Japanese "Christian youth, 'neath the enrolled during last year, pre- Christians in Formosa. This has Southern Cross, holds out to you paring to preach the Gospel in now been made, making this the ready hand of welcome and the unevangelized parts of the course available in Korean, Chi- affection. A young nation, fac- islands. Nearly 3,000 converts nese and Japanese. The number ing the dawn of a great future, were baptized in 1936, most of now enrolled is over 10,000 and whose people are imbued with these being in Borneo, and those who have finished the the highest instincts of friendli- bringing the Christian commucourse are more than 3,000. ness, invites you to mingle with nity in that island to more than her sons and daughters in for- 11,000. . -The Christian. -Pyengyang News. mulating a covenant-program of world evangelism, world unity NORTH AMERICA The Real Thing and world peace." Our National Leakage Some of the young people in -N. C. C. Bulletin. Dansalan, P. 1., have resolved to Prof. Charles J. Bushnell, of take their Christianity in earn- Unexplored New Guinea Toledo University, and other ines:t by doing these three things: The entire coastline of New 1. Analyzing their lives, getting Guinea has been assigned to the rid of every little sin, and surrender- Dutch missions. Many thouing completely to God. sands have been reached, but the task of evangelizing the interior of that great island is an enor- mous one. The population has
vestigators have recently sup- their signed cards. Among those 1938, in eastern, central and Pa- plied some startling figures in signing were: cific areas. The theme will be regard to crime's economic drain 33 Catholics 1 People's "Presbyterian Young People in on the nation. For example, in 49 Episcopalians the World Christian Communi- Church the time those defaulted war 53 Presbyterians 93 Methodists ty." Each conference will con- 2 Brethren 1 Pentecostal -debts have been running, the ac- 1 Mormon 2 Church tinue for five days, and each will <cumulated crime bill would pay be led by Dr. Harold McAfee for all the wars in history. This 12 Congregation- of God Robinson. College students will alists 3 Swedish appalling drain includes a gam- 14 Christian Mission have time set aside in each for bling bill of $4,000,000,000; $3,- Scientists 3 Greek consideration of their particular 500,000,000 lost through com- 7 Evangelicals Orthodox problems, and to plan for regionmercial frauds, diverting funds 1 Salvationist ,al student organization. 45 Lutherans 6 St. Andrew from legitimate channels; the 4 Disciples Protestant 1 St. Lucas loss from crimes against prop- . 30 Baptists 19 Unsigned Inquiry Into Student Affiliation erty; the half million annual ar- -Po T. L. Quarterly.
rests; the 2'00,000 prison population with an annual turnover University Christian Mission The Episcopal Church has of fifty per cent, the police, made a survey, and announces courts, transportation and insti- The Federal C 0 U n c i I of that 47,729 of the nation's stututions estimated at never less Churches announces a "Univer- dents are Episcopalian, or one than $10,000,000,000 and as sity Christian Mission" to be sixth of all college students. The high as $15,000,000,000. conducted at the invitation of survey also disclosed that a total leading educational institutions of 88.3'1'0 of students in Ameri- If even a fraction of this mon- of the nation during 1938. It is can colleges have a definite reey were saved by preventive a united effort on the part of all ligious preference. These figmeasures, it would stimulate g r 0 ups engaged in student ures are based on information business; and a large propor- Christian work to present the received from 1,340 institutes of tion of the taxes spent on the claim of Christian faith and life higher learning, involving 82'8,- futile turnover of a constantly upon students of America. 071 students. recruited criminal class could be put to constructive purposes- The primary purpose is to Methodists, with 156,423, or 18.89 education, libraries, recreational confront students wit h the percent, led the list of denominations. facilities, health and mental hy- claims of Christ upon their lives, giene. and to lead them to a definite Roman Catholics were second with Christian discipleship. The time 122,786 students, or 14.83 per cent. Let it be noted that this loss is opportune for a new religious is cumulative in its effects, in- movement a m 0 n g students. Other groups in order were: creasing both taxes and cost of Many are seriously looking for Baptist, 99,219. living. a Divine Master in whom they Presbyterian, 88,473. may believe, and for a cause to Congregational and Christian, 48,- Gospels for Evanston, Ill., which they may commit them- 354. Protestant Episcopal, 47,729. Lutheran, 38,339. Hebrew, 32,405. Disciples of Christ, 13,921.
High School selves. The aim of the Mission Christian Science, 12,282. will be to make the strongest Latter Day Saints (Mormon), 11,- Through the cooperation of the possible presentation of Christ, 428. principal of the Evanston High and of what He means for the School, the Scripture League of life of the individual and of the It was found that in nine Evanston placed a Gospel of St. world. The Mission has been or- states it is illegal to inquire into John on the desk of each boy <and ganized under the chairmanship the religious preferences of stugirl in the different assembly of Dr. John A. Mackay, Presi- dents. -The Living Church. rooms, and the matter was dent of Princeton Theological briefly explained to them by the Seminary, who s e influential Mormons on Relief assembly teacher. They were leadership a m 0 n g thoughtful told that the acceptance of the Christians is recognized on all Statements appear from time book must be entirely voluntary sides. to time to the effect that the and that if they did not wish to Mormon Church has taken care keep it they could drop it in a Presbyterian Youth of its own relief problems durbox on their way out of the Conferences ing the depression, and since. A room. Less than 500 of the 3,000 Presbyterian missionary at Wa~ Gospels were refused. After An attempt to do something satch-Logan Academy calls this reading the Gospels through, al- on a national basis about Pres- "publicity" for the Latter Day byterian young people in their Saints, and says that 42 per cent of Mt. Pleasant-about 90 per most 400 signed the P. T. L. relationship to the United Chris- cent Mormon-is on government membership cards and received tian Youth Movement and to the relief; the situation in other their Testaments. The Scrip- Student Christian Movement parts of Utah is similar, or ture League reported that 361 takes form in plans for three worse. The state supervisor of marked "I accept Christ" on conferences in June and July, social work, a Mormon, by the
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
way, says that the Mormon in distant and islated places turn War Resisters Church does very little in this almost invariably to the mission- The War Resisters' Internaconnection. tional is pledged to refuse sup- aries for advice, for interpreters, port ,to any kind of war and to -Monday Morning. for hospitality. Thus the Chris- tian Church has its own sources work for the removal of all The Race Question of information, which on the causes of war. It has members whole are more complete and As a follow-up of last year's in sixty-eight countries, and in study of the American Negro, more trustworthy than any other twenty-five of these there are fifty-two organized groups. The two conferences of church wom- sources dealing with the same headquarters in London reports en have been held, one at Asbury class of facts. The nearest ap- Park, N. J., the other at Evans- proach to a General Headquar- that "open work is now absoton, Ill. Considerable attention ters for the world's Protestant lutely impossible" in Germany, was given to reports from de- churches is the International and that in Italy correspondence nominational representatives as Missionary Council, which deals can only be "erratic and carried to how far their groups had with what would be called in military parlance the expedi- on with great discretion." But progressed in their racial atti- tionary forces of the churches. the Peace Pledge Union in Great tudes, and the specific results of Britain has 127,000 members,- in -Presbyterian Tribune. five hundred groups with its their recent study. These re- own weekly newspaper. In the ports showed long standing in- Some Figures Do Not Lie United States there are 13,000 terest in the Negro, first as an members of the War Resisters' object of missionary endeavor, Churches uninterested in mis- League, and the movement con-. sions eventually die. The Watchnext as the center of a great man-Examin.er supports t his tinues to grow in numbers and moral controversy that split sev- effectiveness. The Bel g ian eral of the denominations, then theory with the following figures. Union Against War, an absolute as a hopeless freedman who In 1832 there were 3,000 anti- pacifist organization, includes needed education and leadership missionary and 3,000 missionary 75,000 members of the Flemish training, and finally the increas- Baptists in one state. Fifty Ex-Servicemen's Association and ing shift from simply doing years later there were still 3,000 things for the Negro to thinking anti-missionary Baptists, while 20,000 members of the Anti-Wal' of him as a fellow human being the missionary group had grown League.-Christian Advocate.
whose help is needed in the to 37,000. In North Carolina, building of a Christian America. Baptists divided in 1840 on mis- More Light on Old Testament. It was reported that Negroes are receiving greater recognition in sions. There were then 1,200 Knowledge of ancient empires: the administrative agencies of anti-missionary Baptists, and and peoples is being enlarged so. twice as many committed to mis- rapidly that facts which confirm most denominations; that equal sions. Fifty years later the the truth of the Bible are being. treatment of racial minorities is anti-missionary group had not required by many denominations increased in number, while the brought to light constantly. In when they hold official gather- missionary group had in their Egypt, Palestine and Mesopo.., ings; but that all these advances tamia, patient archeologists are are only a small beginning to- churches 300,000 members. unearthing information which ward better racial relations. World Preaching Mission renders rationalistic interpreta..
tions untenable. Sir Charles Dr. Jesse M. Bader, Director Marston and Sir Henry Well- MISOELLANEOUS of the National Preaching Mis- come are among those who have sion, announces a World Preach- not only contributed generously Missions-an Information ing Mission, with participation to various archreological expedi.,. Bureau The 25,000 missionaries sta- by all evangelical churches in all tions; but have recorded the tioned all over the world know lands, in 1940. Arrangements findings in a series of books. intimately the facts about the are well under way in some The latest of these is Sir Charles people among whom they labor, countries. Marston's new volume, "The and possess a mass of informa- Widespread interest, as great Bible Comes Alive." One of his tion far greater than that col- as that during the 1936 missions, most striking refutations of lected by news agencies, or by and a marked benefit to the criticism is in regard to the lit- governments. If the League of churches of all communions have erary ability possessed by the Nations, for example, wants to been reported from the eleven Israelites from the time of know exactly what the situation cities visited by the National Moses. He proves that so far is in regard to a mandated por- Preaching Mission last autumn. from being illiterate, they were tion of Africa, it often has to At every center the city's largest far superior to the nations turn to the missionaries to ob- auditorium was used for the around them, and had at least tain accurate and unbiased in- mass meetings, and in most in- three alphabetical scripts. Thus formation. Newspaper corre- stances it was completely filled the theory of oral transmissioq is set aside. spondents covering assignment on one or more days. Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~-======~==~~~======~=======I~ China Through a College Window. have yet to discover a portrait Miss Carmichael has the eye By William G. Sewell. 183 pp. of Mohammed anywhere in of an artist, the soul of a poet, a $1.00. Friendship Press, New York. China. • heart of love, the vision of a 1937. We recommend this book as a spirit-filled missionary and the The author of this delightful readable account of the funda- mind of Christ. Her book is mental changes taking place in filled with facts and incidentsbook is a well-known chemist in some grave and some gay-that Clrinese educational circles. Al- the youth of China today. though he gives the fictitious stir the reader and lead to a dename of "Ren I" for his univer- C. L. PICKENS. sire to share in such a vital, lifesity, the book very well describes "West China Union University" Windows. By Amy Carmichael. Il- giving work. The 36 pictures at Chengtu, Szechuan. lustrated. 8vo. 247 pp. Paper, 38. 6d.; cloth, 58. 6d. May be or- are unique and fascinating; the Prof. Sewell, who has been dered from Hope Church Sunday quotations are striking, but the connected with the Friends' School, St. Louis, Mo. 1937. deep impression is made by the Service Council since 1924, says, Real stimulus to faith and de- vastness of the spiritual need of "The sole design of the book is votion comes from this very at- the people of India. When we to portray life as it is lived today tractive, beautifully illustrated, hear the words, "the voice of among Chinese students in the spiritually impressive Dohnavur thy brother's blood crieth unto city removed from the extremes book. In it Miss Carmichael- me from the ground," we realof coastal influences." However, now on a bed of pain-tells how ize that our answer to that cry the fascinating pen sketches of "windows in heaven" have been opened to supply the needs- must be the message of the lifethe Chinese character, both an- giving blood of Christ. cient and modern, as portrayed in actual experience, makes the temporal and spiritual- of the "Ask and It Shall Be Given You." understanding of the changes in family of 700 children and work- By Ida Goepp Pierson. 8vo. 140 new China easily understood. This book gives an excellent ers connected with the various pp. $1.50. Wm. B. Eerdman Pub. view of Chinese life, and is more phases of the work at Dohnavur Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. 1937. readable than Lin Yu-tang's "My Country and My People," and the neighboring villages. Mrs. George P. Pierson was Here we learn much about this for forty years a faithful and which is a little heavy for steady remarkable work of faith and efficient praying missionary in reading. labor of love and its fruitage. Japan. Her husband testified We see rare photographic and that she was a woman of prayer T.he author's summing up of pen pictures that visualize the and knew from experience the the Christian approach to the scenes. We hear why they fact that God answers prayer. needed electric lights-not only Here are her Bible studies on student is commended to others. for the hospital work but to the subject. The book is not a He says: "The spiritual help avoid snakes; thirteen cobras logical treatise on prayer but they need is not gained through caught one afternoon-and rats Mrs. Pierson has gone over Bible study groups and religious -one hundred invaded a single many of the 255 prayers of the bathroom in a few weeks! The Old Testament and the 209 New services alone. What really mat- electric lights were given in an- Testament petitions to discover ters is the quality of life of those swer to prayer. There are many the subjects, the laws, and the who profess themselves Chris- stories of the hospital – "Place power of prayer. She includes tians; for right living is really of Heavenly Healing"; the res- interesting and suggestive obinfectious." cue of the little boys and girls servations on the unanswered from lives of sin and shame; the prayers of the Bible and on the There is one statement which "angel's weekly finance meet- prayers of God and evil people. should be challenged. On page ing"; the gifts offered by chil- It is interesting to note that no 41, Mr. Sewell says, "In his dren; the life in the nursery; prayers are recorded in Leviti- experiences in a haunted house; cus, Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, simple bedroom he (the Chinese satanic attacks; fiery trials; Proverbs or Songs of Solomon. student) hangs pictures, not battles against ill-health; vic- Some books have even no referonly of Confucius and the Bud- tories. ence to prayer. Jesus' example dha, but also of Jesus Christ, Chwant Dze, Mohammed and the great ones of the world." We Any of the books noted In these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on. receipt of price.
[158 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
A Definite Experience of Faith and Consecration Is Our Heritage Every Christian owes more to the past than the fact of a Christ who is our divine Lord~ The experiences of redeemed men are our most pre- cious heritage. In their hearts and lives have been demonstrated the evidences of the saving grace of the Son of God.
On May 24th more than 10,000,000 Methodists throughout the world are commemorating the Aldersgate experience of John Wesley, in which he uttered those words cherished by evangelical believers the world around, HI felt my heart strangely warmed."
The April, May, June issue of THE UPPER ROOM is dedicated to the faith of millions of Christians in a definite experience of faith and consecration that warms the heart of the confessing believer.
Remember that THE UPPER ROOM, EL APOSENTO ALTO, is now avail- able in Spanish at the same price and on the same terms as the English edition.
Of course, all pastors will want a supply of this issue and we advise you to place your order early. It is now ready for you.
Five cents per copy in quantities of 10 or more. Individual, yearly sub- scription, 30 cents; foreign, 40 ¥JIM….. cents.
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and teachings on prayer are will be deeply interested in the brief chapters Dr. Huizenga re- most fruitful. wealth and variety of the facts lates some of the high lights in The book offers an excellent cited and in what was said by the career of this missionary basis for further study. It is delegates from the various counstrictly biblical. tries. It is true that "much leader, and gives some of the water has flowed under the The appearance and clearness bridge" since August, 1936, but tributes paid at the time of his of the volume would be improved if the many Scripture quotations most of the contents of this vol- death in 1936. had been printed in a different ume is of abiding value. Our retype. gret are that it deals with the Going out in 1900, Mr. Brink "problems of the Pacific" as if labored at three strategic points, Tohatchi, Toadlena and Farm- ington, all on the New Mexico side of the broad expanse of the An Ambassador in Bonds. The Story they were solely social, economic Navaho reservation. At Farm- of William Henry Jackson, the and political, and with no ap- parent recognition of the sig~ ington, "L.P." saw "several of Blind Priest of Burma. By May C. Purser. 64 pp. 6d. S. P. G. nificance of the moral and spir- his long-cherished missionary London. ambitions realized . . . his itual forces that are operating translations come from the press The story of a consecrated and and the contribution of the and distributed in the field; his remarkably talented blind young Christian missionary enterprise. first native Navaho evangelist, Englishman, who made his phys- Something more is involved in J. C. Morgan, set aside by the ical handicaps count in service these "problems" than trade and Board for the work of the Lord; for his Master. The story is politics. ARTHUR J. BROWN. saw his proposed chain of mis- written by one who knew him as sion stations to reach all the out- a sister and an associate in The Land of Umbrellas. Lessons on lying Navahos of the reservation work. A missionary of the the Church in Burma. By Ruth accepted by the Synod." Henrich. Is. S.P.G. London. 1937. S.P.G., he gave his life to the Someone has called Brink blind of Burma, created a Bur- A missionary study book for "the Cadmus of the Navaho mese Braille type and estab- Juniors, comprising t wei v e tribe," as he is said to be the lished the school for the blind. studies on the work of the first to put the Navaho tongue Deeply appreciative of Burmese Church of England in Burma. music, poetry and national cus- It includes maps, a picture sheet, into writing. He compiled a toms, he adopted the national leader's helps, much fine illus- grammar and dictionary and translated portions of the Bible dress. The Government of In- trative material, and practical into a language which the Amerdia awarded him the Kaiser-i- project suggestions. While defi- Hind medal. Though living in nitely concerned with the work ican Bible Society designates as perpetual darkness, "there was of the Church of England in "a very complex language, with verb forms that can express an zest and joy in his living, and in Burma, the material is excellent, almost infinite variety of shades his dying there was no room for clearly and attractively pre- of meaning, in sounds that do tears." RUTH WILDER BRAISTED. sented, and would be helpful as not lend themselves readily to source material to any Junior representation in our English Problems of the Pacific, 19'36. Edited group studying Burma. alphabet." His translations by W. L. Holland and Kate L. RUTH WILDER BRAISTED. also included Gospel hymns.
Mitchell. $5.00. University of Today the Navaho youth are Chicl'.go Press, Chicago. 1937. Leonard Peter Brink. By Lee S. learning to read and understand The problems of the Pacific Huizenga. 66 pp. Cloth, 75 cents; the English Bible but they love have become world problems. paper, 50 cents. Zondervan Pub- to sing the hymns in their na- lishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich. They are increasingly difficult 1937. tive language. and ominous, and no solution is now in sight. This volume con- . Dr. Huizenga, himself a med- J. C. Morgan, a converted tains a large amount of informa- ical missionary and at one time Na-vaho and recognized leader tion upon certain phases of these in the Navaho field, tells the life among his people, who served problems. It is a summary of story of another missionary, under "L.P." for many years, the proceedings of the Sixth who spent thirty-five years as a gives a fitting tribute to this Conference of the Institute of pioneer among the Navahos, Gospel messenger to the Red Pacific Relations, held in Yosem- and was known to his friends Men: "The great success of his ite National Park, in August, and admirers by the familiar missionary work among the 1936. The sub-title, "Aims and sobriquet of "L.P." Dr. Henry Navahos can be summed up in a Results of Social and Economic Beets, a pioneer in Christian few words: Meekness, kindness, Policies in Pacific Countries," in- work of the Christian Reformed honesty and unselfishness. He dicates both the scope and the Church, writes an Introduction. was never too busy to sit down and talk with the Indians . . .
limitations of the volume. The "L.P." was a veteran of the by the hour, . . . about their "countries" referred to are the Cross, and a constant source of affairs in general, and finally.
United States, China, Japan and inspiration to young and old, to end up with some Gospel mes- Russia. The student of missions Indians and whites. In eight sage." G. E. E. LINDQUIST.
for the
The Federal Council offers this DOES YOUR MINISTER TAKE prayer for mercy, grace and peace: CHURCH Almighty God, our Father, from MANAGEMENT I whom every family in heaven and earth is named, hear our prayer for Thy children in other lands who live in the midst of conflict and death, who UFound in Pro.peroru Churcha" are wounded in spirit or in body by If not, have a subscription entered in his man's inhumanity to man. Have mercy upon them and sustain them in name or the name of the church. their dark hour of trial and tempta- It will pay big dividends. tion. Forgive us our 'indolence and faithlessness in not teaching nations $2.50 per year CHURCH MANAGEMENT a better way than strife. Purge our 2 years, $4.00 Auditorium Building Cleveland, Ohio .own hearts of racial and national an- tagoonGisomdso. f love, draw us all so close the present American Standard Edi- China Through a College Window. unto Thyself that we may be enabled tion of the Bible in the light of the Wm. G. Sewell. 183 pp. $1.00. by Thy Grace to pr'tl. for our enemies resUlts of modern scholarship, this re- Friendship Press. New York. as did Christ himse , to put away all 'vision to be designed for use in public malice, and to subdue the hateful and private worship, and to be in the Eclipse in Ethiopia. Esme Ritchie promptings of evil. So may our fel- direction of the simple, classic Eng- Rice. 124 pp. 40 cents. Marshall, lowship within Thy Church Universal lish style of the King James Version. Morgan & Scott. London. endure in spite of distance, falsehood and bloodshed. The work is :to begin at once, The Open Door in China. A Scrip- Gather us together with all our and will require about five years tural Interpretation of Missio'ns by Christian brothers of every tongue for completion. a Missionary. M. A. Hopkins. 189 and nation beneath the Cross of -Christian Observer. pp. 35 cents. R. C. Annan, 2813 Christ, that in humility we may learn Mary St., St. Joseph, Mo.
Problems of the Pacific. Edited by of Him how to serve Thee in healing W. L. Holland and Kate L. Mitchell. the wounds of a stricken world. En- $5.00. University of Chicago. Chilarge our hearts to respond to suffer- New Boole. cago, Ill. ing and need that we may give and Religion in Central America. 147 pp. not count the cost. "Ask and It Shall Be Given You." $2.00 or 58. World Dominion Press. Ida Goepp Pierson. 140 pp. $1.50. New York and London. May Thy wisdom guide us. May Wm. B. Eerdman. Grand Rapids, Thrilling Voices of the Past. T. Thy power sustain us. And may Thy Mich. Christie Innes. 150 pp. 28. 6d. love keep us ever. Amen.
New Version of Bible Planned Der Arbeitslohn in China (in Ger- Pickering & Inglis. London. The Interna.tional Council of man). Paul Arndt, Djini Shen and The Missionary Education of Adults. Chu-Fen Lo. Paper, -'1.50 RMi; Religious Education is an or- cloth, 9 RM. Hans Buske, Leipzig, John Leslie Lobingier. 182 pp. ganization of about forty Protes- Germany. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 80 cents. Mistant denominations which are sionary Education ~vement. New cooperating in matters affecting Arab and lew in Prophecy and His- York. tory. C. H. Titterton. 32 pp. 6d. Goforth of China. By Rosalind Go- Pickering & Inglis. London. forth. 364 pp. $2.00. Zondervau.
Christian religious education. Pub. House. Grand Rapids, Mich.
In 1929, this Council appointed ~n Unusual GJ'Xew <lIoolr on the Christ the Life. D. M. McIntyre. 93 a committee, composed of well- pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. Lonknown scholars, to explore the DistinctWe TTUth 0fClaristiani,.,t don. need of a further revision of the text of the American Standard The Resurred:ion of A Black Civilization: A Social Study version of the Bible. It agreed of an Australian Tribe. W. Lloyd that the last forty years has been the Human Body Warner. 612 pp. $5. Harper. New York. 168. Macmillan. Lon- don.
especially fruitful in the discov- by The Christian Approach It,o. I eW8. eryof manuscript materials of- Charles Singer. 30 pp. fering new resources for the NORMAN H. CAMP & Unwin. London. Allen better understanding of the New Testament. They reported: Author of Thinking With God, etc. The Wailing Wall. Olga Levertoss. 136 pp. 38. 6d. Mowbray. London. That we record the conviction that I s CHRIST now living in a human there is need for a version which em- body of flesh and bones? Where? Christian Faith and the Modern bodies the best results of modern Will the bodies of all dead men be State. Nils Ehrenstrom. Tra'ns. scholarship as to the meaning of the raised from the grave? When? Can by D. Patrick and O. Wyon. 2(1).- Scriptures, and expresses this mean- Christians distinguish between truth pp. 68. Student Christian Move- 'ing in English diction which is de- and error? How? These and other ment. London. signed for use in public and private vital questions considered in this timely worship, and preserves those qualities book on the outstanding message of World Peace and Christian Missions. which have given to the King James the early Church. Harold E. Fey. 64 pp. 25 cents. Version a supreme place in English Friendship Press. London. literature. We, therefore, define the Bound in blue cloth, stamped in gold; task of the American Standard Bible 127 pages; attractive two-color jacket; Race Attitudes in South Africa: Committee to be that of revision of 75 cents. Order Your Copy Now! Historical, Experimental and Psy- cholOgical Studies. I. D. MacCrone. The Bible Institute Colportage Association 328 pp. 128. 6d. Oxford Univer- 848 North Well. Street, Chic:ago sity Press. London.
LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN, OF
By ROBERT E. SPEER This is the biography of a very remarkable Christian missionary to India and for twenty years the influential and able editor of the Bombay Guardian. Dr. J. Sumner Stone called him, "The White Yogi."
When George Bowen died in 1888 there was call for a worthy biography but its preparation was . delayed. Later all the biographical material-including his diaries, letters, reminiscences, and the books and pamphlets of which he was author-was turned over to Dr. Speer. This material has now been put into shape for publication and the result is a frank and stimulating picture of the man,-his experiences, unique character, forceful views and methods of work. Here is a life story that is of absorbing interest and will richly reward the thoughtful reader. The book is now ready for delivery.
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. A Decisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. From 1850 to 1855. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. Ten Years of Independent Work. IV. Life in New York, 1840·1844. XIV. The Bombay Guardian. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XV. Relations with the American Board. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XVI. Association with the Methodist Church. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. XVII. Bowen as a Writer. VIII. His Missionary Appointment. XVIII. Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin. IX. The Voyage to India, 1847. XIX. Closing Testimony. X. Beginning Missionary Work.
This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY IS6 Fifth Avenue, New York 11fE MISSIONARY ~RID This illustrated evangelical missionary monthly will keep readers in touch with the need of men for Christ and His Gospel and relates graphically the story. of the progress of missionary work in all lands.
$2.50 a year; 25 cents a copy Among the coming articles are the following: How CAN WE IMPROVE MISSIONARY ADMINISTRATION? ………… William Paton THE MOVEMENT FOR WORLD CHRISTIANITY …………… '" ….. Julius Richter ENCOURAGEMENTS IN THE EVANGELIZATION OF MOSLEMS …………. George Swan BLACK AND WHITE IN SOUTH AFRICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth G. Grubb SHOULD THE MISSIONS WITHDRAW FROM INSTITUTIONAL WORK? …. Baez Camargo THE MINISTER AND MISsiONARY EDUCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. H. Arnup MISSIONS IN A REALISTIC WORLD ………………… , … '" ….. H. B. DAVIES MANSUR SANG-CHRISTIAN DERVISH …………………… J. CHRISTY WILSON PROSECUTING THE GoSPEL IN BRAZIL ……………………….. E. doAmarol LOOKING BACK ON OUR FURLOUGH …………………..•……. Roy Phillips TWO NEW TWELVE-MONTH SUBSCRIPTIO~S WILL BE SENT FOR $4.00 MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING CO., Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa.
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The Missionary Review of the World — February 1938
1938
From Confucius to Christ Andrew Gih Effective Missionary Appeals Today Cleland B. McAfee The Dynamic of Philippine Progress Enrique C. Sobrepena What a Missionary Knows Geoffrey W. Royall Missionary Pioneering Today Kenneth G. Grubb The Foreign Missionary of Tomorrow J. Lovell Murray Christian Unity in Santo Domingo Barney N. Morgan 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Yea"
MISSIONARY To have the restoration of Palestine so phenomenal-.-
REVIEW OF THE WORLD To have the building of Jerusalem so progressive·– DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor To have the wealth of the Dead Sea so extraordinary— VOL. LXI FEB., 1938 No.2 To have the unfolding of Bible prophecy so manifestly before our eyes— Publication and Business Office– Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. is to cry out, "THE JEW! THE JEW!" , Editorial and Executive Office– Read this timely and attention-holding volume- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-class matter at THE JEW AND HIS MISSION (IN NEW AND REVISED EDITION) Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. By HENRY OSTROM, D.O., Author, Bible Teacher and Evangelist 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Library Cloth Covers, 156 pages, only $1.00 net Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. The Bible Institute Colportage Association, 848 North Wells St., Chicago, III. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan important place in the program of the active members of the committee and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, missions." are Mr. Philip Benson, president of London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, the Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn; 10 shillings a year. ADAM W. MILLER, Secretary of Dr. Hugh R. Monro, president of the the Missionary Board of the Stony Brook Assembly, and Mr. James MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Church of God. E. Bennett, attorney, Bible teacher LISHING CO., INC. and radio speaker. The secretary is BOARD OF DIRECTORS *** Rev. Alexander H. Sauerwein of the First Presbyterian Church, Flushing, ROUERT E. SPEER, President "I follow the articles published in N. Y. A. L. WABNSHUIS, Vice-President THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE W ALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer WORLD with great interest." March 4. World Day of Prayer.. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary The day of prayer for missions was PAUL J. BBAlSTED REV. F. A. GOETSCH, D.D., begun in 1887 by Presbyterian women SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Executive Secretary, Board of the U. S. A. and was made a World D. J. FANT of Foreign Missions, Evan- Day of Prayer in 1927. lt is now ob- MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD gelical Synod of North Amer- served in more than fifty countries, WM. B. LIPPHARD ica. beginning in New Zealand and the Emc M. NORTH Fiji Islands at daybreak and contin- SAMUEL M. ZWEMER *** uing westward around the world until the day ends forty hours later at Editorial Chat "I have been a reader of your splen- Gambell on the St. Lawrence Island did magazine for many years and off the coast of Alaska. Plans are under way for two more would not like to get along without it. special numbers of THE REVIEW this lt is a great help m giving the needed II If you use year. Our June issue is to be devoted information regarding missions the to the important Home Mission topic world over." for 1938-1939, "Christ and the City Today." Very attractive and stim- STELLA WOOD, Editor, Albert ulating articles, with noteworthy au- Lea, Minn. thors, are promised. *** Our October issue is to be devoted to that great continental peninsula- "I have been a reader of THE MIS- India – the land of many races, SIONARY REVIEW for nearly ten years languages, castes, religions and op- and value it highly. Its material is portunities. This i& an especially excellent and helpfuL" fascinating subject. MRS. M. W. DOUGHERTY, Morn- *** mg Sun, Iowa.
The annual business meeting of CHRIST AND THE WORLD'S PRINTING THE REVIEW is to be held at 156 Fifth FAIR Avenue, New York, on February 10th, YOU will profit from an acat 2 P. M. The next great World's Fair is to quaintanceship with us. We be held near Flushing, a suburb of do the job complete in our own *** New York, on Long Island in 1939-40. plant, whether it be large or Already the grounds and buildings on small. The special numbers of THE REVIEW Flushing Bay are taking form and the on Rural America and Moslem Lands architects and exhibitors promise a While our specialty is Books, have been in great demand and orders most attractive, complete and unusual Magatines and Pamphlets, yet for additional copies continue to be exhibit – scientific, industrial, educa- we have a variety of modern received. tional and recreational. A Committee equipment to meet all the re- of New York Christian laymen and quirements of your particular *** women have also formed a committee job. You will find our service to promote Christian activity at the prompt, careful and courteous. Here are some recent comments on Fair. This committee includes reprethe value of the magazine to our sentatives of over sixteen interdenom- Will you allow us to estimate readers: inational organizations, among which on your next printing? We be- are The National Laymen's Christian lieve you will be delighted with "I want to express appreciation for Fellowship, the Gideons, Union of our product, price and service. the MISSIONARY REVIEW and what it Gospel Missions, Pocket Testament means in the program of missions. League, Christian Youth Movement The EVANGELICAL PRESS Leaders in our missionary societies and the Missionary Review of the and groups throughout the country World. Printers of subscribe to it regularly. During our The Missionary Review of the World annual convention in June when our The main purpose of this committee new program of missions is inaugu- will be to present Christ and His Gos- PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE rated, special prominence is given to pel to those who attend the Fair-by Third end Reily Streets Herrlsburl, P•• the place that the REVIEW has in help- mass meetings, personal work, over ing to create effective missionary pro- the radio, by distribution of literature, grams. lt is our sincere wish that motion pictures and art, Christian THE REVIEW will continue to hold this education and entertainment. Among [ 65 ]
FILIPINO BABIES-MOTHER AND BABY DAY AT A MISSION HOSPITAL
SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON PARADE – DUMAGUETE PRESBYTERIANS TRAINING THE COMING GENERATION IN THE PHILIPPINES (see page 78) REVIE ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 2 FEBRUARY, 1938 Topics of the Times OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINA Christians have not wavered. Out of about six thousand Protestant foreign missionaries in China Larger harvests follow thorough harrowing; at the outbreak of hostilities over one-half remain better fruit is the result of careful pruning; light at their posts-many of them in the war-torn is increased by trimming the wick; spiritual areas. Most of the women with children have growth is stimulated by hardships and persecu- been evacuated to port cities or to the Philippines tion. This has always been true-in the days of and other countries, but the men who could do so the early Church, during the Reformation, and in are standing by to minister to the Chinese and to the modern missionary enterprise. It is true to- encourage the suffering people. Of the American day in China. In spite of many difficulties and Presbyterian missionaries, 115 remain at their dangers-or because men's hear.ts are made tender stations and 70 more have been transferred to by trials-increased spiritual fruitage is evident other points of service in c:uina. The spirit of among Chinese Christians today in the midst of the missionaries is shown in their disapproval of the horrors and hardships of a foreign invasion. the Government's "evacuation policy." They are While Japanese soldiers loot, ravish women, com- in no mood to withdraw. One missionary writes: mit cruelty and murder, the missionaries befriend "All feel that if it was worth while for us to come the Chinese who find refuge in their mission to China in time of peace, it is even more imporchurches, schools and compounds. A recent dis- tant for us to remain here in time of suffering patch from a Canadian insurance surveyor in and warfare-to heal the sick, feed the hungry Hangchow, at the time of its capture by Japanese and to preach the Gospel of Christ. Today is the soldiers, reports: day of challenge to missionaries. Woe betide us if we sound a retreat." Hundreds of women and girls found refuge in the six refugee camps established by thirty American, British The China Inland Mission reports on several and French missionaries throughout the city. Heroic places where God is working; among them there service was rendered by these plucky foreigners. Every is a revival at Salowu, Yunnan. Chinese woman and child who appealed for a haven in these camps was taken in, although all were badly over- The work began in the Bible School. The work spread crowded. . . . Bishop Curtis E. Clayton, of the Methodist among church leaders and church members. I have not Wayland Academy; Dr. K. Vaneverer; Gene Turner, of seen such a deep work among so many people since coming the Y. M. C. A. refugee camp; Mr. E. Fairclough, of the to China. We felt led to form a revival band, planning a China Inland Mission, and other Americans risked their visit of several months to various tribes and stations. The lives on many occasions. revival blessing is still spreading. Considerably more than one hundred church members have come out confessing The American Protestant Episcopal Mission re- sins, while fully one hundred unbelievers have come out ports great damage to their mission property, in- and made profession of conversion. cluding hospitals, churches, schools and residences in Shanghai, Kiangwan, Woosing, and elsewhere, Similar reports come from many stations scatbut the missionaries are still carrying on their tered throughout China. Pray for the missions work of witnessing and mercy. Many mission- and Chinese Christians particularly. aries and Chinese Christians have lost all their possessions in the battle zone. Many have been In the majority of the provinces the missionary passing through a baptism of fire and blood but work is continuing and all are encouraged by reports of revival movements in the churches and of numbers coming forward for baptism.
[67 ]
The following is an extract from a missionary's coming of Christ into the world. As to recent letter: progress The Korea Mission Field says: The people's hearts are very fearful, and we have a Half a million enrolled Christians, meeting in 5,000 special ministry amongst them just now-a ministry of places, in groups large and small, not only create an comfort and encouragement, and these days of distress are impression of a large organization but they render a great making openings for the Gospel. N ow is the time to put service. Tens of thousands of Korean youth are enrolled into practice what we have so often preached, namely, in extention Sunday schools, in day and night schools, in that our God whom we trust is able to deliver us and to children's clubs, and in Daily Vacation Bible Schools. give us His peace no matter what the outward circum- There are kindergartens, orphanages, homes for the aged. stances. The very fact that we are here is a help. A The Christians assist in flood relief, fight intemperance, sanctify the marriage relationship, elevate the home, edu- Chinese was heard to remark, cate their children and enlist in community betterment "Oh, they haven't run away yet." movements. "No," replied the other, "they believe and trust in God."
The British Baptists, writing of "New Oppor- As Korean Christians scatter into Japan, into tunities in Shensi," say that while in Shansi and Manchukuo, China, Mongolia, and Siberia, many Shantung work has been completely dislocated by become heralds of the Gospel to other peoples in the Japanese advance, there are great opportuni- these lands. Missionaries are being sent by the ties there for aggressive evangelism. Korean Church to the Chinese with satisfactory results. As the momentum of the Korean Church Rev. A. Keith Bryan writes from San Yuan: increases, an evangelized Korean people may do much to fulfil the purpose of God in the Far East. Several new village Sunday schools have been started. This work is still in its pioneer stage and is beset with CONSIDERING FOREIGN MISSION -difficulties, but shows great promise. . . . PROBLEMS AT TORONTO Weare planning a special campaign throughout all the churches in the Sanyuan and Fuyintstin districts. The Never in the history of the Foreign Missions object is to strengthen the faith of all church members at Conference has the missionary enterprise faced this time of national crisis and to enthuse those who have such a world crisis as in the warring world of grown cold and indifferent. today. For the first time in the more than forty years of close fellowship between the Foreign CHRISTIAN PROGRESS IN KOREA Mission Boards of Canada and the United States, the Conference met in Canada (Toronto, January In spite of poverty, hardships and persecution, the Church of Christ has grown and continues to 3-6) * for the forty-fifth annual session. grow in Chosen. Periodically Christians have been called upon to suffer and even today indi- The spirit of the Conference is hard to put into vidual Believers are being persecuted by their un- cold print; there was a depth of feeling and a believing neighbors. In the past, many attempts spiritual atmosphere which permeated every seshave been made to blot out Christianity and to sion. The periods of worship, the messages, the obliterate the Christians' Bible. Temporarily the papers all carried this atmosphere so that the number of Believers may have been reduced but whole program was a unit with the dominant note the Church has been purified and unafraid, and of "Maintaining the spirit of love in the midst of will endure as long as it is faithful to Christ. hate"; the love of God as revealed by Jesus Christ in the midst of a world filled with hate and greed. The Federal Council of Evangelical Missions in It was the message of a supernational Christian Korea recently reports: fellowship to a needy world. The outstanding result of the Conference were two resolutions The Korean Church has gathered momentum; its houses given below. of worship and school buildings dot the landscape everywhere. On Sundays, long lines of people can be seen Naturally much of the thought of the delegates going to and from the Christian services. Everybody in centered in the China-Japan situation. Again and Korea knows about the "Jesu Kyo" and knows something again it was emphasized that as followers of the of what this doctrine stands for, particularly in the field Christ we must live and teach the spirit of love of morals. regardless of the provocation for hate. Facing the present need in China the Conference adopted, The Roman Catholic Church in Korea has been in exist- with a rising vote, this very significant action. ence for over 150 years and reports 150,000 converts (in- cluding all adherents). The Protestant Church has been • The Canadian hosts excelled even their own noted hospitality in at work here for a little over fifty years and has won 225,000 baptized members, not counting enrolled Christians the plans which were made for the conference in the spacious hotel who are neither full members nor probationers. The total number of adherents in both churches is greater than ever and in every detail including a tea to the Conference on Women's before. Work and a complimentary dinner given t<> the delegates by the In all Korea there are at least 425,000 non- Roman Catholic Christians enrolled. There are Canadian Boards. Miss Mabel E. Emerson of the American Board, now more Christians here than there were in all as chairman of the conference, presided with great ability, wisdom, the Roman Empire one hundred years after the tact and with spiritual force. There were a hundred and ninety-six delegates and seventy-two visitors. G. S.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
A resolution concerning relief in China was wherever needed, developed along lines to reveal adopted, in substance as follows: the underlying motive of this world mission; co- operation not as graciously offered to the younger The Conference is confronted with a situation in the churches but as the inherent right of all groups. Far East which already involves human suffering on a Miss Lyon closed by speaking of the need of these scale unparalleled since the World War. Millions of men, newer concepts of the world mission in order to women and children are homeless and on the verge of meet the needs of a "world rocking on its base," starvation. They will perish unless the Christians of the and quoted from the bulletin of the Japanese Stuworld rally to their rescue. If in this hour of China's dents' Christian Association of North America, supreme distress the Christian churches of North America "In the present hour of darkness, even patient, rally to the help of the sufferers in China, they will give a peace-loving people are apt to fall into victims of demonstration of the reality of their own Christian char- dark despair. Yet, everyone who has made his acter and will strengthen their witness to the Gospel of or her deliberate choice with Christ must see Christ which they profess and proclaim.t through the present darkness the approaching dawn. . . . To lead men in the way of Jesus-a In view of this situation, be it world project indeed, and how glorious that North America can be one unit in that world adventure." Resolved: It is difficult in a few words to give a summary (1) That the Foreign Missions Conference recognizes of one of the most deeply stirring messages which that this is a primary responsibility which the Protestant came to the Conference from Dr. Lyman J. Shafer churches of North America must accept as their own and on "What should be the bearing of the foreign to which they must devote unstinted energy. missionary enterprise on world peace?" peace as a positive not a negative force; the building of a (2) That to carry forward the share of the Foreign world Christian community to give recognition to Missions Conference in this responsibility the Conference the values of nations and races and to proceed not appoint a special Committee on Relief in China with power across but through national units. "As Christians to add to their number, this committee to report to the we should seek not one vast world community of Committee of Reference and Counsel from time to time. like-minded people but as a federation of states which for mutual advantage-have given up the (3) That this committee be instructed to cooperate in notion of absolute sovereignty for each nation and Canada with the National Committee for the Relief of have accepted the principles of self-denial- the War Sufferers in China and in the United States, with way of the Cross – that the abundant life for all China Emergency Civilian Relief, Inc., the Federal Council may be realized." of Churches of Christ in America and other interested groups in making and carrying out effective plans to enlist Embodying the spirit of this message by Dr. the support of the Protestant Christians of North America. Shafer, another resolution was passed concerning progress toward world peace. (4) That the Conference urges all churches and mission boards in North America to do their utmost in responding The representatives from China and Japan who to the needs of the suffering people of China; and with were attending the Conference and particularly this in view, instructs the above named committee to ap- the Nationals from China embodied in a remarkproach the responsible church authorities to obtain effec- able way this spirit of love and Christian fellowtive action on their part by such concrete methods as a ship. China Relief Sunday, use of denominational publications, utilizing the services of China missionaries on furlough Dr. Mott and Dr. Warnshuis presented plans for and other plans to secure an early and generous response. the International Missionary Council at Madras, India (December 13-30, 1938). The theme will Outstanding messages were given at every ses- center around the universal Church as a Christian sion. The spirit of the Conference is revealed in fellowship creatively cooperating in presenting an the summaries of two of the messages. The first intensive evangel to the mind and heart of men dealt with "The Newer Concept of the North everywhere. The delegates will come from prac- American Missionary Program as Part of the tically all of the nations of the world, half of them World Project." Under the skilled leadership of being from the Asiatic and African churches and Miss Sarah Lyon, the Conference faced five types half from the churches of Europe and North and of patterns which reveal the field as the whole South America. The National Christian Council world, with the Church of North America as a in each country is making extensive preparation struggling unit in this world Church; this world in order that this Conference may be most sigmission of the Church going from East to West nificant in the development of the universal and not only from West to East; the new mis- Church. A call to prayer is going out to all sionary as a servant "realistic, flexible, compell- churches throughout the ·world since prayer preping, winsome"; "headquarters" not centering in aration is of the most vital importance in order North America as the home base but mission units 1" In response to this situation, there has been formed in Canada a National Committee for the Relief of W,ar Sufferers in China, in which the Canadian Red Cross Society and the Religious Bodies of Canada, cooperate. In the United States, while China Famine Relief, Inc., the American Red Cross, the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, the Foreign Missions Conference, and Mission Boards and other groups have secured and forwarded limited sums for relief, no adequate program has yet been undertaken. At the present time, a national movement is being launched by China Emergency Civilian Relief, Inc., which is being developed as a unified agency with the active cooperation of the Far East Committee of the Foreign Missions Conference, of the Federal Council and of other interested groups.
that the Conference may arrive at a united under- and stimulating statement that brought new constanding of the Will of God and of the mind of Christ for the World mission of Christianity. fidence as to the efforts of the City Government In the closing service of worship of the Confer- in promoting good living conditions, especially to ence, led by Dr. E. W. Wallace, Chancellor and President of the Victoria University of the Uni- the children of this metropolis of over seven milversity of Toronto, each delegate faced personally the responsibility of having been a delegate. "Our lion people, including all colors, races, languages, hearts have been burdened, our faith has been tested and yet our hearts have been warmed as faiths and conditions. news has come to us as to the ways in which God is moving in the hearts of men even in war-torn DI;. Robert W. Searle, Secretary of the Greater China. We have faced the glory of the expectation which lies before us." GERTRUDE SCHULTZ. New York Federation of Churches, gave a power- THIRTY YEARS OF HOME MISSION ful address at the annual dinner on "The Mission- COOPERATION ary Challenge of the City." (We hope to publish In 1908 three councils were formed to bring into closer cooperation the various Protestant this later.) Church bodies working for the advancement of Christianity in North America. These were the Much has already been accomplished in inter- Home Missions Council, the Council of Women for Home Missions and the Federal Council of denominational cooperation and by church federa- Churches of Christ in America. The first two of these interdenominational councils held their thir- tions in many states, and in promoting evangelical tieth annual meetings in New York City, January 9 to 12, .to consider reports of progress, to elect work for Spanish-speaking peoples of the Southofficers and plan for the future. The secretary of the Home Missions Council, Dr. Wm. R. King, west, as well as in other fields. Dr. Edward D. who for the past ten years has served the cause most effectively, has resigned because of ill health Kohlstedt, the re-elected President of the Home and has been succeeded by the Rev. Mark A. Dawber, for some years the able secretary of the Missions Council, gave a stimulating address on rural work for the Methodist Episcopal Church. As Dr. Dawber said in his inaugural address: the stupendous task before the Christian Church "The great job (of Home Missions) remains in America – to combat indifference, secularism, for the most part to be done. . . . The vast army of the poor and needy, the influence of the liquor communism, crime, intemperance, vice and other traffic, .the new social security measures, the decrease m incomes due to the 'depression,' the prob- evils by presenting Christ and His full Gospel, lems of church comity, the unemployed ministry and the changing status in foreign language with all of its implications. groups-all these and other conditions influence the Home Mission task today. . . . To date the The Council of Women for Home Missions have work of promoting comity and cooperation has been for the most part in the realm of the town been doing a remarkable work, not only by bringand country field. The next step is to see how far we can apply the principles of interdenomina- ing women's boards and societies into closer cotional cooperative service in the large cities." . "The City" is the topic for Home Mission study operation, but in promoting Christian activity in cIrcles for the year 1938-39 and will be dealt with in the June number of THE REVIEW. It was espe- behalf of American Indians and neglected Migrant cially noteworthy that the Mayor of New York Mr. F. H. LaGuardia (a member of the Protestant Groups. The Executive Secretary, Miss Edith E. Episcopal Church and a former interpreter at Ellis Island), addressed the conference on "Some Lowry, and the various committees gave encour- Social and Moral Problems of our City and How We Are Seeking to Solve Them." This was a clear aging reports on many phases of the work carried on independently and in cooperation with the Home Missions Council. The President of the Council of Women for Home Missions, Mrs. Au- gustus Trowbridge of the Protestant Episcopal Church, succeeds Mrs. Millard L. Robinson of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Home Mission task of the churches in America is far from completed and will not be finished until every man, woman and child in this great continent has the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Christ, and has available the facilities for Christian training; and until it is far more difficult than it is at present to exploit youth, the laboring classes and the underprivileged, and until true Americans are solidly united in combatting the evils of intemperance, injustice, vice and crime and warm.enhm.ognemstleyn devoted to the worship of Ggeond-' are to Christ, and Christians erally are enlisted in His service.
If thou wouldst walk with me, Take up thy cross: I carried mine-is thine, then, heavier?
Step for step, I walk with thee: Lay thy tired hand in Mine. Love bore for this alone The prints that press thy palm That I and thou together mighest walk.
-The Calvary.
Confucius to
-<II 1 By ANDREW GIH, B,the! M]"ion, Shangh.i, Chin. 11)10– I N A LARGE room full of Chinese boys and vidually. One by one the pupils stood before the girls a little lad of six was kneeling on a hard teacher with their backs to him and recited their bench. He was obliged to kneel there until he old lessons; then the teacher would read the new could recite from memory the daily portion of sev- portion to be learned, and they would return to eral pages from the Confucian ~lassics. He their seats. The confusion of so many voices was shouted the lines rhythmically at the top of his at first very distracting, but I soon became used voice, though the words conveyed no meaning to to it. A bright student could recite his lesson by him. noon, then in the afternoon he could receive a new assignment and thus make rapid progress. It was a bright, wintry February day when I started to school. In honor of the great occasion We went home for luncheon but hurried back my mother bought me a new wadded coat and as quickly as possible for our writing lesson. jacket. She combed my hair and tied a red string First we had to make our own ink by vigorously on my little queue. In my father's absence my rubbing a solid stick of ink around in an inkuncle took me to the school, carrying a red blanket, stand containing a little water until the liquid candles and incense. On entering the school build- was of proper consistency. We had no pens but ing I found a big room with 80 or 90 boys and brushes made of sheep hair. At first we merely girls, all reading aloud. The teacher, a man of painted in characters that had been outlined for about 50, with a ferocious-looking mustache, was us. In the second stage we traced the characters told by my uncle to enroll me as one of his pupils. on thin paper over the models written by the The red blanket was spread before the teacher, teacher. In the next stage we copied them freeand on it I knelt and kowtowed until he raised hand; finally we learned to imitate different me up. Then the candles were lighted and the famous styles of writing. incense burned before the tablet of Confucious, as I again kowtowed. After the writing period we shouted our lessons again until it was too dark to see. Then the The other children stopped their reading to teacher dismissed us one by one in order to keep watch me. Then suddenly, in the silence, I was us from fighting on the street. With no exercise terrified by the teacher striking the table a re- and no recess all day long of course the boys besounding blow with a heavy wooden ferule. In- came very restless and would pester the teacher stantly all the pupils began shouting out their with excuses to leave the room for a few minutes. lessons again. I was assigned to a table at which there were six students, four of them, unfortu- This Confucian school was not really conducted nately, my cousins! We soon formed a clique and according to Confucius' method. He had six subwere tormenting one of the other pupils. The jects in his curriculum-poetry, literature, cereteacher discovered our mischief and made us monies, music, horsemanship, archery. This was choose between being struck with the teacher's a well-rounded training, not just dull memory heavy ferule or kneeling on our benches until our work from the classics. With the pass-age of time lessons were learned. I chose to kneel, but soon the curriculum was divided into two branches, regretted it. The harder I tried to learn, the more wen and WU, the literary and the military. Those nervous I grew, the longer it took to memorize preparing for official tIOsition took the literary and the sorer my knees became!. course while those interested in national defense took courses that developed physical prowess. From early morning until late afternoon we did only two things-read aloud and learn to write. In the literary course the student spent years The children came to school as early as possible, memorizing the classics before he understood anysome were there at day-break. The teacher was thing of their meaning. If he was bright, in three early too and was pleased to see the first arrivals, or four years he could memorize several books and so eager for an education. While waiting for the be able to recognize more than 5,000 separate new lesson to be assigned the pupils would recite characters. Only then would the teacher begin past memory work-one or two whole books from to explain the meaning. This is still done in some cover to cover. The new lessons were taught indi- Confucian schools. The student listens carefully to the explanation and then studies the passage [71 ]
for himself; returning to the teacher he turns his is sin; and to call your brother man a "fool" is back and recites what he has learned. sin.
I spent five years in this school and, though fre- I found that if we measure our lives by the quently ill, I managed to memorize several books. Sermon on the Mount even the most moral Con- Then my father opened a school. I supposed that fucianist comes short of that high standard. Conthere I could come and go as I pleased. How I fucius teaches that we should return good for rejoiced, for I thought the day of my freedom had good, but Christ says, "Love your enemies, pray come. To relieve the monotony of school hours I for those who persecute you." Confucius warns bought a little bird but my father took it away us to do no wrong but he says nothing about how from me. I expected him to set it free, and had to treat those who wrong us. Christ points the trained it to come back to me! But my father way out when he says that love covers all. anticipated that and dashed the bird to the ground and killed it. I went on a "sit-down When someone asked Confucius about death, he strike" and mother had to come in as peace-maker. replied: "I can't understand life; how then can I found that my father was no longer my father I understand death?" There is nothing for the but my teacher! I had to go back to the same man's soul in Confucianism. We read in the old life! Bible: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after that the judgment." For truth, Confucius What Confucius Teaches uses a word which may be translated "Word" or "Way." He says: "The Word cannot be parted Confucius teaches .us to be good citizens and with; if it can be parted with it is not the Word." good rulers. His teaching is very practical and The Apostle John declares: "In the beginning materialistic and it is difficult to convert a true was the Word, and the Word was with God and disciple of Confucius to any religion. The great the Word was God; the Word was made flesh and scholars attack all religion as heresy and super- dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory – the stition. Confucianism divides society into four glory as of the only begotten of the Father full classes: scholars, farmers, laborers, merchants. of truth and grace." The one defines a principle; Since Buddhist monks belong to none of these the other introduces us to a divine Person, who classes, they contribute nothing to the nation but will give us the experience we seek. are parasites. Hence they are despised. Four occupations are open to the Confucian student: Confucius said, "If this is the Way, enter in; fishing, wood-gathering, farming, study. These if it is not, turn away." His followers have a all aim at material benefits. As the monks do mind for spiritual things but they seek without none of these, they are considered useless non- finding. Jesus Christ says: "I am the Way," and producers. The Confucianist worships Heaven, in Him we find the Way to life and God and our but it is only a formal ceremony. Confucianism problems are solved. ignores the soul or spiritual life of man. Many uninformed Westerners say, "Confucian- Later I discovered, as I learned more, that the ism is good enough for the Chinese; why teach teachings of Confucius are good for this life only. them Christianity?" I will tell you why I forsook I found that Christ promises both "a hundredfold Confucianism to become a Christian. I found that now in this present time – and in the world to Confucianism is only a human philosophy. In come eternal life." Confucianism is negative, Christ I found that which entirely satisfies not Christian teaching is positive. Confucius says, only my spiritual life but also my mind. Con- "Do not to others what you would not have them fucius says, "If it is not right do not look at it, do to you." Christ gives .the command positively. do not listen to it, do not speak of it, do not do it." That sounds very good, but Confucius imparts no As a Confucian scholar I had no use for reli- power to put that teaching into practice. My gion. Then·1 entered the high school of Bethel guilty soul cries out: "Yes, my Teacher, you are Mission in order to learn.English. Since the Bible right; you want me to see no evil, hear no evil, was taught in English I enrolled in that course speak no evil, do no evil. But I have done them and was greatly impressed with the Sermon on all. I have sinned already. I find guilt on my the Mount. Confucius says: "If you want to rule soul. Is there any way out?" His teaching only the nation you must settle your own house; to adds to my despair, for he says: "If one has rule your own house you must set an example in sinned against Heaven no prayer will accomplish your own life; to set a good example you must its end." In the Bible I find great comfort in the keep your heart right." He failed to realize that promise: "If we confess our sins He (God) is the heart of man is deceitful above all things and faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to desperately wicked. The Confucianist is a moral- cleanse us from all unrighteousness!" ist but he never condemns sin in the heart. On the other hand, Christ says that lust in the heart Confucius gives us his conception of God or the spiritual world in these words: "Respect the
FROM CONFUCIUS TO CHRIST
spiritual beings or gods, but keep yourself aloof Yes, Confucius died and his tomb is in Shan- from them; this is wisdom." He knew no for- tung. Costly buildings have been erected on the giveness for sin or no way to draw near to God; site where sacrifices are offered to the great Sage.
Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, revealed Visitors throng the place. His bones lie there, but God as our heavenly Father. Confucius warns us that fact spells doom. He is dead. Can a dead to keep away from God; Jesus Christ tells us to man save a living sinner? Jesus Christ gave His draw near to Him and we may come to know His life on the Cross, a sacrifice for the sin of others.
tender, loving heart. He was buried, but the grave failed to hold Him.
When, as a Confucianist, I started studying the He who raised Lazarus, the widow's son, and Bible, I knew that I came short of obeying the J airus' daughter, Himself rose from the dead on teachings of Christ. Under the teaching of Miss the third day. He who created life, and was not C. F. Tippet, I was convicted that I was a sinner worthy of death, could not be held by death. He needing salvation. I was told that Christ had "brought light and immortality to light through died on the Cross for sinners and that He is the the Gospel."
Lamb of God that "taketh away the sin of the Christ a Living Saviour world." I saw the Saviour on the Cross with out- Jesus Christ rose from the grave over 1,900 stretched hands and His compassionate voice call- years ago. God Himself gave witness to this ing, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are fact; the disciples left reliable testimony; the heavy laden and I will give you rest." whole course of history has been changed by this fact; we can accept the record. Christ was not Confucius did not die as a saviour and substi- merely a historical character like Confucius; He tute for sinners, but I learned that "while we were lives today. I have talked to Him and have re- yet sinners Christ died for us." Then my proud ceived answers from Him. I have fellowship with Confucian heart was softened and I was won to Him and experience His love. He is living today! . God through the wonderful love of Christ. I bowed my knees and for the first time prayed to A Chinese proverb 8ays, "The world can be God who so loved me that He gave His only be- changed but human nature can never be changed." gotten Son and had mercy on me, a sinner. The This is a hopeless philosophy. Confucius could loving Saviour answered my prayer and I was reform, educate, give knowledge, but he despaired received with assuring words: "My son, thy sins of human nature ever being changed. I know that are forgiven thee; go in peace." My burden Christ has changed my heart and has completely rolled away and assurance, peace, the joy of sal- transformed my life. "If any man be in Christ vation, was given me. he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." This, as I Confucius says nothing of making lost sinners can testify, is a blessed reality. righteous, but God says that by Christ "all that believe are justified from all things, from which Forty days after His resurrection Jesus Christ ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." In ascended into Heaven, while his disciples stood the court of Confucianism I would be a condemned gazing upward: There is nothing like this in the sinner forever; there was no way out. But when classics of Confucius. We have fairy stories in I came to the bar of God, in the name of Christ, Chinese; but this record is actually true. We I found the Way of pardon. His law demanded, know that it is a fact, because when Christ went "The soul that sinneth it shall die" ;-"the wages into Heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to carryon of sin is death." But in love His own Son took His work. Pentecost stands as a witness to the my punishment on the Cross. I entered the court of God a trembling, convicted sinner; I walked ascension of Christ. The Holy Spirit bears witout a free man, justified, righteous, through faith ness with my spirit that my Saviour is glorified.
in the Lord Jesus Christ. And the righteous Before Jesus went to the Cross, He gathered Judge on the bench had become my loving Father. His loved ones about Him and tenderly told them I was no more treated as a condemned sinner, no that He was "going to prepare a place" for them more a foreigner, but was received as a son into and would come again and receive them unto Him- the household of God. I was born again into self, saying, "that where I am, there ye may be God's family. Oh what joy and satisfaction I also." The return of Jesus Christ is the blessed found in the salvation provided by the Lord Jesus hope. When the dead in Christ rise the living Christ! No wonder the Psalmist cried, "0 taste .will be transformed. In the twinkling of an eye and see that the Lord is good." I would urge we shall be in the presence of the Lord Jesus everyone to come and taste the joy of salvation Christ.
offered through Christ. There is nothing of this sort in Confucianism; The practical-minded Confucianist asks: "Is no glorious future, no coming Kingdom. If Chris- Jesus Christ a real Saviour? If we are saved by tian faith misses these great truths it misses the His death, did not Confucius also die?" glorious promise of eternal life. Without these
fundamental truths, Christianity is not much bet- Our Lord's command, "Go ye into all the world ter than a pagan philosophy. and preach the gospel," is still a challenge to Christians, while one-tenth of the world's popula- Christianity has taken deep root in Chinese soil. tion is still unevangelized in China. The Chinese The Gospel seed faithfully sown by ambassadors may not be head-hunters and cannibals, but they of Christ is springing up and bearing fruit. Many need Christ. There is a great field waiting, white Chinese no longer look upon Christianity as a to the harvest, calling young men and women to foreign religion. Christianity is making progress come with the Gospel of Jesus Christ which they among a people with thousands of years of the themselves have found is the power of God unto practical, materialistic teaching of Confucius, be- salvation to everyone who believeth. Will you be cause Christ offers not a new set of rules, anew obedient to the command of our Lord Jesus philosophy, new ethics, a new religion, but Christ Christ: "Go ye into all the world and preach the offers Himself as a Person, a Saviour. Chris- Gospel to every creature"? tianity is Christ. We have religions enough. We have philosophies enough. But we are sinners and Confucius is a human teacher, not a prophet of we need a Saviour. There are, roughly speaking, God. two hundred million Chinese who have never yet heard the Gospel. Oh, give us a gospel; introduce Confucianism is a system of ethics, not a reus to a Saviour who is mighty to deliver and who ligion. saves to the uttermost! Confucianism is a materialistic philosophy, not Many problems are confronting China; we need a spiritual revelation. much help. But Christ is the solution to all these problems. Is it worth while to send missionaries Confucianism offers reformation, not regenerato China? Christ said, "What shall it profit a man tion. if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" If you should think Christianity a failure in China Confucianism recommends a philosophy of livlook at the thousands of young Chinese Christians ing, not the Way to Life. who are going into the streets and into the villages, preaching the Gospel to their own people. Confucianism deals with man's relation to man, That should put a ringing "Hallelujah" inte the not with man's true relation with God. hearts of every Christian. Confucianism is a recipe for the present, not a new life for all time.
What Confucius and his philosophy lacks, Christ and His Way of Life supplies.
INDIAN TRIBUTES TO A CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY The late Dr. William I. Chamberlain made an abiding impression during his service in South India. A memorial service was held in Vellore on October thirty-first and a public meeting of the Indian citizens was held on November fourth under the chairmanship of the Hindu Mayor of VeIlore. The well-deserved tribute was paid, not only to a great Christian missionary, but to the man who during. his residence in VeIlore rendered distinguished public service as Chairman of the Municipal Council, their term for Mayor. The Vellore citizens not only passed appropriate resolutions but they have launched the project to erect a library by public subscription as a tangible memorial to. one whom they highly honored.
The Madras Mail, principal paper of South India, paid eloquent tribute to Dr. Chamber- lain as the "Maker of Modern VeIlore." The paper printed letters from two distinguished Indian citizens – Sir Mahomed HabibuIlah, a Mohammedan high in government serVice, and Sir S. Radhakrishnan, a Hindu, one of the world's most well-known philosophers, now Pro- fessor of Logic at Oxford University. Sir Mahomed Habibullah wrote: "Dr. Chamberlain was almost my first and best friend in Vellore. There was no public movement in the District of North Arcot in general and in VeIlore in particular which he did not either initiate or sponsor. It was my'pdvilege to be associated with him in all his activi- ties, whether social, educational, humanitarian or political. I.t may fitly be said that he was practically the maker of modern Vellore.
"To a magnetic personality he added the charm of winning manners and suavity of temper. His devotion to duty, and the high conception of the conscientious discharge of the responsi- bilitiesappertaining to it, had become an object lesson to those who wished to succeed or had aspirations in life. H:;:vlng bEen his colleague on the Municipal Council (in Vellore) in differ- ent capacities, I can bear personal testimony to the contribution which he made to the civic life of Vellore.
"It was universally felt, when he finally left Vellore, that his departure would create a void which it would be hard to fill; experience proved that this fear was well-founded."
Missionary Appeals
By the REV. CLELAND B. McAFEE, D.D.
Secretary Emeritus of the Board of Foreign Missions, fi.- Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
T wo definite lines of appeal are always needed errand. Then his own part begins. His master at the home end of the missionary enterprise: leaves it to him to rise early or late, take long or for the dedication of life and for the dedica- short cuts in the road, and many other details. tion of resources; both appeals imply an earlier But when he arrives he must give account of his dedication of spiritual force. Experience shows faithfulness. that the money comes harder than the lives. Young people at this present hour seem to see in Just so Christian missionary work a larger opportunity I have God's bidding to perform; but mind than their elders count it to be. And body, all of me, though made and meant For that sole service, must consult, concert But what are the terms of appeal for either or With my own self and nobody beside, both the youth and their elders? What can make How to effect the same: God helps not else. the enterprise look so great and alluring to Christians that both life and money will be forth- It is not strange that from tiIn.e to time we must coming? stop and ask what are the best ways of doing what remains always as our task.
In the recent past the appeal was predominantly After all, missions continue to be a Christian double-the command of Christ and the need of movement and not merely a general humane enmankind throughout the world. Has anything deavor. It is, to be sure, the most humane enhappened to change the force of that double ap- deavor that humanity is now making, but it has peal? Have new elements emerged which weaken its roots in something deeper than kindly impulses the old appeal or that can make a stronger call toward other people. There is no effective plea than these? Can both appeals be reworded so that for missions which can be addressed to those who they may fit better into present-day moods? do not intend to be accounted Christians. If one really does not care greatly for Christ, he will not Certainly nothing has altered the essential pur- greatly care for Christ's call to service. One must pose of the missionary movement. There was no "come" before one will "go." There is not enough date nor any particular description of world con- ditions when the command of Christ was given, "drive" in a mere humanitarian movement to nor when at various periods the work was under- carry one overseas on a mission for Christ, nor taken afresh. Neither the command nor history to keep one there after the first shock of repulse permits evasion nor compromise. by those whom one means to benefit. Nor is there sufficient force in the social impulse to persuade The methods of work must be suited to the con- men in general to maintain persistent and sacriditions under which it is to be done. The New ficial giving. The motives for such a work must Testament gives no details as to what methods be powerful and continuous, not intermittent and should be followed. It brings us merely the clear- impulsive. The appeal has to be made to Chriscut word of our Master in six verbs: Go, preach tians, not to grown-up Boy Scouts who are exthe Gospel, make disciples, teach, baptize into the pected to do "a good deed every day," beautiful as triune Name, bear witness to Christ. To make that purpose is and fine as the habit is. this kind of work effective the continued presence of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit are The question keeps recurring whether we ought promised. How it is to be done, and what is to be still to continue to emphasize the dire need of the the general outcome, we are not told. Our part is world and of each individual for Christ and the to do the work, with the promise of God's presence life He can bring – spiritual, moral, social, ecoand power. nomic – or to stress instead the reconstructive programs of international peace, interracial un- Recall the illustration of Robert Browning in derstanding and the social justice. Are we his Prince Hohenstiehl Schwangau. The courier seeking only to bring individuals to Christ for is sent by his master on an errand and is given personal redemption or are we trying also to readequate equipment. He is told to go a thousand miles to a certain destination and to do a definite construct the social order under which so many [75 ]
wrongs are done and so much evil exists? Is it world. In some factors those lands merely share eternal life and Heaven we are offering, or are we in these needs with the rest of the world; in some seeking to establish the rule of God on earth? matters, non-Christian lands hold a tragic pre- eminence-in ignorance, in poverty, in social in- It would be a narrowing of our conception of difference, in callous neglect, in attitude toward the Gospel of Christ if we did not answer the women, in superstition, in unworthy and degradquestion with "both-and" rather than "either-or." ing human practices. In such particulars the The Gospel is adequate both for the individual "sending countries" are far beyond the "receiving and for all the world and is needed for both. Yet lands." If need is to be measured in quantity, in it is clear that miSSIonary concern continues to be lives affected, in weakness of corrective measures, primarily with the earlier half of the question. then ,the "receiving lands" must be counted far So many agencies are now at work on general in- more needy than the "sending lands." If it is international and interracial programs that they are sisted that dire needs still exist in all lands, the not in danger of serious neglect by good people, reply is a sad and unqualified admission of the much as they still need to be pressed. Enough fact, along with an earnest reminder that in some ought certainly to be included in the missionary lands many great agencies are at work for the appeal to make it very clear that the temporal correction or alleviation of these evils and that in earthly needs of men are of deep missionary con- other lands such agencies are lacking or feeble. cern. But the basic necessity for a new spirit in individual men and women is not emphasized as Certainly we cannot expect any permanent conmuch as is needed, nor is the need of the indi- cern for Christian missions if we do not look upon vidual considered today so much as it should be. them as a means of supplying some real need. This is a distinctive missionary task. It is sheer intrusion if those to whom we go do not need what we bring. We do not take gif.ts of Missionary advocates must make room in pro- medicine to a family in full health nor offer food gram and appeal for those who are called to carry and clothing to a family fully supplied against forward one phase of Christ's work for men, even the winter. If the religions of other lands are adethough they may feel that the part to which they quate, we need not present Christ to them. The are called is so important as to cover the whole appeal based on need is not invalidated, but it program. They may not welcome the more dis- must be used in humility and love and never in tinctly personal element we would emphasize, but arrogance or contempt. The facts assembled by we may welcome their part because it is truly part Dr. Stephen J. Corey in his "Beyond Statistics," of the whole. One group feels that nothing is are too abundant to leave any serious question of really of permanent value but individual sur- the service of missions to meet existing need, need render to Christ and personal redemption; an- much too real to be dismissed by occasional or other group feels that social reconstruction is frequent instances of culture and advantage found most important and alone can justify the pro- among the people by these other lands. gram. We can welcome both objectives for we can be sure that only spiritually reconstructed in- Today we recognize the newly arisen need in dividuals can properly reconstruct society, and the world for a unifying and mollifying spirit. that when an individual is really reconstructed When nations and races were safely distant from he will be ready to take his place as a rebuilder each other, their underlying defects made little or of the social order. Our Lord once warned His no difference. Today, when nations and races disciples against too narrow views of fellow- are in unavoidable contact, there must be either workers (Mark 9: 38f) , though He recognized conflict or understanding. Some form of world also that there is always danger of affiliations brotherhood mus·t develop, something that will which really vitiate His program (2 Cor. 6: 17, make men everywhere try to understand each 18). The issue is really not between the different other and to work in fellowship. If it is asked parts of the program but as to their order-which whether there can be a world brotherhood, the is primary and which is logical outcome. Too reply is that there is one now – the Christian many social developments and reformations have brotherhood. This is weak and ineffective in resulted from "preaching the simple Gospel" to many places, betrayed over and over again by allow us to count such work unimportant in the those who should be its staunchest supporters, but Christian movement. We must not reverse cause it is always present, checking its own violations, and effect; we must not try to produce the fruits challenging its membership to fuller sympathy, of the Christian life while we neglect its roots. shaming them for their failures. It is no weak The missionary movement is concerned centrally plea for missions that it is the largest single wi~h rootage, with cause, but collaterally it is also agency in forming this world brotherhood, and deeply concerned with fruits and with effect. that every man truly won to Christ automatically becomes a member of it. There is no short cut Much may be said about the downright and to its realization and it cannot be framed by legis- tragic needs which still mark the "non-Christian"
EFFECTIVE MISSIONARY APPEALS TODAY
lation nor by treaties or leagues. It must be the but a messenger of One who claims all men for outcome of the service of those who now follow Christ in seeking men everywhere to join the Himself. ranks of His followers. The process will be just 4. Noblesse oblige-making some decent effort as slow or as rapid as we make it, and its speed is measured by our faithfulness to this principal to share with those who lack them the undeserved method of service. favors of life which we possess. Christ is the great gift of God to us; who are we to let the Here is also the true basis for the much used gift stop with us? idea of "sharing"-the feeling that we go to other lands to "share" our best with them. Of course 5. The present wide ruin of life can be prewe should learn what they can teach us; every vented· by the new and renewing Spirit which missionary learns a vast deal from the land to Christ gives. If anyone doubts the ruin of life, which he goes. But on hiS" main errand for Christ let him look around; if it is ruined here it is he does not go as an inquirer, wondering if per- ruined yonder, equally or more, and ruin hurts haps he may learn something in the other land and brings death wherever it occurs. Certainly which will replace that to which he has given his the ruin is as dire there as here and there are life and for which he has gone out as a messenger few to bring the remedy there. of Good Tidings. If the people to whom he goes know something which he may well learn, much 6. The call to lay our Christian faith down more does he know something which they may alongside of world religions, in assurance that it well learn and that is his principal errand – to will carry its own argument and its conviction of give the knowledge of Christ and to start the truth. The missionary movement does not seek vital influences which flow out from Him. We to attack, as it does not adopt, these religions. have no successful appeal to young people who are The message and power of Christ merely gives not committed to Christ as their Lord and Sav- men of this day what many of their fathers once iour, first and foremost. Their knowledge of Him had-some knowledge of God and of another and and His truth will grow with the years, but its better Way of Life which they may accept if they roots must lie snugly in the life of the missionary will. Vital religions always have traveled, and before he s,tarts on his errand. races of men have accepted and followed new reli- gions many times in history. It is no impertinence The Appeal That Inspires Volunteers to present the Christian faith; if men of today find this faith better than the religion they have Let the effort, then, be made to phrase the ap- had, it is no more than their fathers did in acceptpeal of today in explicit terms. What have we to ing the faith they now have. After hearing an urge that will inspire the unreserved gift of lives address in which the Christian faith was preand possessions? sented, a young Hindu said: "The speaker did not mention our faith, but if what he says about the 1. The call to layout life where many others Christian faith is true, our faith is not true." cannot or do not go to help men. There is need One religion does not reform another; it replaces at home-yes, and thousands of people are here it. concerned for its supply; there is need abroadyes, and only tens of people, or none at all, are 7. The call to advance the whole program of concerned. Where shall the one life be laid out, human unity. The human race needs to have all if one is free to choose? its parts brought into right relationships around the best which any part of the race knows. This 2. The desire of earnest people in "mission lays the chief burden of world unity on the races lands" for help in removing hindrances in the way that know Christ and His vitalizing and unifying of their own people. The first missionaries went power. to foreign lands without being asked, simply because they were needed. Noone now needs to go 8. The call to bring relief to real need in many without being asked to meet needs, for these are lines-spiritual primarily, but intellectual, physikeenly felt in all lands. The "man of Macedonia" cal and social as well. The first relief is generally has come out of the vision and will meet the right brought to individuals, but it often leads to changworkers at the shore, sometimes alone and with- ing a whole social practice and to relieving need out a crowd of supporters, but ready to welcome in a wide circle. It would not be impertinent to men who will "help" him in making Christ known. seek to relieve real need in the next street; why should it be impertinent to relieve the need in an- 3. The opportunity in the name of Christ to other land? assert the value of personality against the contempt or low regard of masses of men and even of All this runs back to the fundamental assurance many rulers. The Christian missionary is the of Christ's desire as expressed in His commission prime believer in the value of men to whom he to His disciples, and to the promise of His abidgoes; he is no superior person going to inferiors, ing presence. There is no successful appeal for life or money for this enterprise to people who do not know Him.
Dynamic of Philippine
I I -~ By the REV. ENRIQUE C. SOBREPENA, D.D., Manila tg.··- FOR four decades the people of the United vide us more adequately with material benefits. States, through their government, have coop- As a result, there is now increased activity in the erated with the Filipinos in building a new cultivation of hitherto .untouched lands and the Filipino nation. The best things of America have development of our great mineral resources. With contributed to this development. The form of increased wealth for the people, there should come government of the Philippines has gradually been better living conditions for all.
builded in the form of that of the United States. During these last forty years sanitation, hy- With it there has come into our life knowledge giene, and medical science have greatly advanced and practice of those her e. Consequently, great principles of de- the Filipinos today are mocracy w h i c h have The Rev. Enrique C. Sobrepena, D.O., is the mod- generally healthier and helped the American sturdier than were those people to grow strong. erator of the United Evangelical Church of the Phil- of a generation ago. ippine Islands. He came to America to represent the Diseases which used to We Filipinos are now new church of his native land at the Centennial cele- send thousands of peoguaranteed in our own pIe to untimely graves Constitution the same bration of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. have now been brought rights of free speech, Dr. Sobrepena has been reelected bie.nnially moderator under control. The epifree press, free assem- of the United Church for five successive terms. He demics of cholera, diphbly, and free worship was also a member of the Constitutional Convention theria, typhoid fever, which we first enjoyed and smallpox-the ravunder the Constitution and he assisted in the drafting of the plan of govern- ages of which were well of the United States. known to the older gen- ment for the Philippine Commonwealth. eration _ are no longer To the United States Born in Caba, La Union, he was baptized and feared as formerly. Acwe owe also our system cording to a report reof popular education. joined the Evangelical Church while still attending centIy made by thePhl'l- In 1901 the American ippines Health Service, grade school. Upon completion of high school and t ran s p 0 r t steamer Thomas brought to the trade school courses, he served as a surveyor under the government. In 1920 he came to the United States and entered Macalester College. For two years he studied at Princeton Theological Seminary and took graduate courses in the University. He was graduated from Drew Theological Seminary in 1926. During his student dayS in Princeton and Drew he served as pastor of the Filipino Church in Brooklyn and was one of the founders and first president of the Filipino Students' Christian Moveme.nt, organized in 1923 dur- ing the Student Volunteer Movement convention in Philippines a thousand Indianapolis. smallpox – which used teacherR recruited from After returing to the Philippine Islands in 1926, to take toll of so many American colleges and Mr. Sobrepena became pastor of the United Church lives, to say nothing of schools 0 f education. in Manila and t<llught in the Union Theological S·em- marring the features of To them and to their inary. When the Union College of Manila was or- large numbers of people successors we owe the ganized, Dr. Sobrepena was called as president. -claimed not one viclarge decrease of illiter- tim last year. As a reacy _ an illiteracy due Dr. Sobrepena is a member of the board of trustees suIt of this scientific to the fact that previ- of Silliman University and the' Union Theological knowledge and other Seminary, has served as executive secretary of the Philippines Council of Religious Education and is editor of the local official organ of the United Evan- gelical Church, The Advance.
ously schools had been factors for the strength- intended almost entirely ening of physical life, for the children of those in power. As education the Filipino is much better prepared to take his and understanding have spread, so we have ad- part as a citizen.
vanced commercially, socially, and religiously. But the most significant contribution to our peo- Upon our educated citizens rests the success, and pIe has been made not by the government or by even the existence of our republican form of gov- commerce or by medicine, but by the evangelical ernment. churches of the United States. We Filipinos, as Our acquaintance with the Americans, who a people, had not been without some knowledge of have husbanded their national resources to afford the Christian religion. Spain, as a colonizing comfortable living conditions, has also inspired us power, brought to her subject peoples the institu- to develop our rich natural resources so as to pro- tions and doctrines of Christianity as she believed [78 ] EVANGELICAL STUDENTS, AS VOLUNTEER TEACHERS, CONDlTCTING A CHRISTIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL IN A VILLAGE' IN THE PHILIPPINES them. But religion, as we knew it before the churches has succeeded in drawing together Filicoming of the American missionaries, did not play pino men and women who believe in the teachings an important part in the transformation of the and the power of Jesus Christ. They are thus individual lives and in the vitalizution of social brought into a virile fellowship fired by a common progress. The presentation of Jesus Christ by purpose – that of making individual and social the messengers of the Gospel as an actual, pur- life thoroughly Christian. poseful reality for the release of men from the bondage of sin and selfishness-preparing them With the continued help of the older and for the life that is to make them veritable assets stronger churches of America, we believe that the in their communities – has made the life and Evangelical Church of the Philippines will grow in teachings of Christ truly vital factors in our na- strength and usefulness, accepting Jesus Christ tional progress. The evangelical missionary work as the dynamic force for the saving of individual carried on by the representatives of the American lives, for sanctifying social institutions, and en- riching all human relationships.
"During my ministry for nearly half a century I have tried to keep abreast of modern developments, and to keep in touch with modern knowledge, but through all the years I have carried on what people call an "evangelical" ministry. I do not see that historical criticism or scientific discovery or the new psychology invalidates in the slightest degree the central and essential Gospel that God was in Christ reconciling the world .to Himself."
J. D. JONES, Bournemouth, England.
a Missionary
By GEOFFREY W. ROYALL, Tientsin, Shantung Missionary of the Church of the Nazarene "KNoWLEDGE, like religion, must be 'ex- in the home lands, the responsibility to ageing perienced' in order to be known," Whipple parents on the 'white side of the world – these reminds us. There are many things that things are, forever greedily sapping the vital only editors know-and they won't tell! Likewise energy of the missionary, generally unconsciously, there are some things known only to' doctors, to for his mind and time are too taken up with his pastors and to mothers. I would tell the saga of immediate tasks to stop and think about them!
things that "only a missionary knows." This Did you ever bury a son or daughter in the knowledge comes from personal experience and jungle of a pagan land? No? Missionaries have.
not from books. Have you ever fought wicked spirits and matched The young missionary knows what it means to your wits with Satan's minions? Missionaries literally bid farewell to father, mother, brothers, have! Did you ever walk into villages where a sisters, and to an ever-increasing host- of friends white man has never stepped and where the name and set his face toward an alien heathen land to of Jesus has never been uttered? No? Well miswhich he has not even been invited. The pros- sionaries have-and are still doing so.
pects of furthering his education, the thoughts of The missionary knows what it means to say becoming successful in business, the possibilities goodbye to his children, to leave them at home for of building towers of friendships (the foundations education while father and mother return to of which have already been laid in youth), the heathen lands to help civilize, help educate and idea of fitting naturally into his place in a modern help save someone's else children! Drop into alcivilization-for all these things to be suddenly most any college and you will find splendid young wiped off the blackboard of life is no easy thing. men and women whose parents are a thousand A missionary knows the sudden jarring impact leagues away on mission fields. Neither parent of a heathen land. No one invited him to come! nor child considers his an unnecessary or unwill- He has been thinking white ever since he first ing sacrifice. This they do for Christ's sake.
looked into the mirror. Now his thinking must be These are among the things known to missionaries in terms of black, yellow or brown, depending -and their children.
upon the land in which he labors. His mother In the business world the basis upon which a tongue must now be painfully switched over to man is paid a salary depends, generally speaking, the staccato of the Kingdom of Kimonos, the sing- upon his ability. The better his education, the song of the Dragon Kingdom, the gutteral lan- more skilled his hand and the richer his experience guage of the pigmies or the mellifiuent rhythm of will mean that he can demand a larger remunerathe Spanish-speaking lands. He must master this tion for his services. The clergy, generally speaknew language, not that his pockets may be soon ing, receive their emolument according to their lined with silver, but that the King's crown may qualifications and experience. An older pastor be provided with adequate gems! will generally command a larger church and in- come than his inexperienced contemporary. On The abrupt change in climate and its inevitable the other hand a gifted young minister may be reaction upon the body, the natural mental strain that comes in the transition from the customs of placed in a better parish than an older man. The one nation to another, the resultant embarrass- remuneration of the missionary does not increase ment that follows his first efforts to speak an with his efficiency and experience and does not de- exotic language-all these are among the less sig- pend on the size of. his parish. The missionary nificant potpourri of expeI1iences that make up who is appointed to the superintendency of a mis- the background of the young missionary's novi- sion field receives larger responsibilities, more tiate. criticism, more sleepless nights and a greater de- mand upon his pocket-but nothing extra in it! Home-sickness is a common ailment among new Yes, the missionary is reimbursed in spiritual missionaries! To be surrounded year after year rewards-not in dollars! by superstition and darkness, the lack of Chris- tian fellowship that you take so much for granted The missionary knows what it means to have [80 ] to combat the unwholesome influence of fellow What should be the attitude of an evangelical countrymen on the mission field. For instance, a missionary in Spain or China today! He knows well-known tobacco company has as its slogan far better than any war correspondent just who here in the Orient: "A cigarette in the mouth of is in the right and who in the wrong. How often every Chinese within three years!" While two, does his righteous indignation clamor for expres- thousand coffins are piled within the vicinity of sion, only for discretion to step in and become the the Temple of Heaven (the execution ground) inevitable better part of valor, lest his tongue be- outside Peking, waiting to house the bodies of un- tray his legitimate disapproval of the powers that fortunate opium addicts and pedlars who may be illegitimately be! How often does the missionary executed this year, our so-called Christian nations sit upon a hypothetical fence and keep his mouth (one of which was originally partly responsible shut, for his garments must never smell of poli- for the introduction of opium into China) thrust tics. His ministry relates to the soul rather than out their minions with a milder form of poison to to the rice bowl. To express himself in favor of take its place! Big self-seeking oil companies either party would be to place himself between force up the price of gasolene and its by-products the Scylla of offending the people that he has come and gain a monopoly over a trade that could other- to help civilize, educate and save and the Charyb- wise sell its goods at thirty per cent below the dis of provoking the powers that be.
present figure and still make a profit. The inroad Disappointments and Ecstasy of unwholesome twentieth century films with the resultant lowering of social and moral standards, A missionary knows the keen disappointment is also among the galaxy of evils which make up of passing through sometimes a whole year withthe missionary's environment. out receiving a letter from those whom he counts Remember, a missionary has to keep the Stars among his dearest friends. "Of course we'll be and Stripes or the Union Jack from being dragged writing to you every month," was their glib promin the dust of international misunderstandings, as well as his primary task of keeping the banner of ise in farewell. They have not forgotten you (oh the Cross flying high and unsoiled. He is, as a no!) but they just don't think to sit down and rule, the first pioneer and the first ambassador to write you a real newsy letter. They prefer to give the pagan lands. Trade, commerce and interna- their nickle to Wriggley Junior inst€ad of to the tional relationships follow, rather than precede, Post Office! To one far from home there is no the footsteps of the missionary. emptiness like that of an empty mail-box. Read that again. How far can the Christian apostle to the heathen lower his standards without compromising? How What are the emotions and impressions of the can he keep a clear conscience and yet permit herald of the Gospel on his return to the Occident? certain heathen customs to continue even after a Only the missionary knows. Perhaps his mother family has embraced Christianity? A new con- or father died while he was on the mission field vert's plurality of wives for instance. These in- and will not be there to greet him. He has been tricate problems and perplexing questions and a royal ambassador of good will (without port- their answers are known only to the missionary. folio!) to the courts of the heathen as well as an Often a missionary knows what it means to evangelical envoy with insignia from his church. Only those vitally interested in his going will be dwell continually in the midst of a bandit-ridden, . on hand to greet him on his return. war-torn, famine-stricken land, where the toil, tears and triumphs of years may be apparently The advance of modern civilization since the swept away in a day. (The writer has just re- World War has been so pronounced and rapid, turned to Tientsin from an enforced 2,OOO-mile that the missionary of today, who returns to the trip to the interior. He went against the wishes homelands after an absence of only five years, will of his Consul and in a period of forty-five days discover more changes than his fellow minister of bumped directly and indirectly into war, floods, twenty years ago who returned after an absence earthquake and plague! The last seventeen days of ten years! Time marches on-the modern miswere spent in quarantine on a British ship off the sionary must keep pace as best he can.
coast of China under the surveillance of the al- For the first few weeks at home he will feel lost.
mond eye of Nippon. Cholera had menaced the His clothes may be out of date. His English vo- ship on its way from Shanghai and it broke out cabulary will in all probability need definite atten- before the boat reached Tientsin. Three passen- tio,n. The threads of civilization must be taken up gers died of the disease.) There are few, if any, where they were dropped. Calloused society is missionaries who have not at some time or other suspicious of him. His body will be weary and been pilloried as "foreign devils" or whose own his mind tired yet, following a few months of re- every-day customs have been mistaken by the na- laxation, it will be his privilege to spend the re- tives as barbarian gaucheries. mainder of his furlough in deputation work.
Then, rested, more or less, he will return to the tide that ebbs and flows or as the moon that regland of his ambassadorship. ularly loses its face once a month!
There is one more thing that is known only to Let a legion of missionaries (modern but not the missionary. It is the unspeakable ecstasy that modernistic) scattered along a score of far-flung fills his heart on seeing the Light of the Gospel battle fronts, and upon whom the sun never sets, break in upon men who were born and who have challenge you to barter your "interest" for a real lived their lives in darkness. To see heathendom genuine "burden." Interest is extrinsic, a genuine light its spiritual candle at his lamp without de- burden is always intrinsic. priving him of any flame-yes, this is the time when dollars are cheapest and spiritual diamonds These, then, are some of the things that "a misare the rarest! sionary knows." Think well upon them, add to them the call and claim of the Christless multi- If you, reader, are one of those who have only tudes and the dynamic commands of our Lordan effervescent, spasmodic interest in Foreign and then be lethargic if you dare! Missions-and they are a plethoric tribe-then go back and look for your cross! Your prayers and Today-send us more "oil for the lamps of your gifts are like your interest-sporadic, incon- China," more spiritual nurture for young Mother sistent and therefore not to be depended upon. India, more doctors and nurses for the "Black Alas, mere interest is like the proverbial railroad Ward in the World's Hospital," and more light time-table, a woman's mind, the weather-subject for the Kingdom of Kimonos. to change without notice! General interest may speak all languages and act all parts but it carries Tomorrow-we will share with you these "diano load. Mere interest has the security though monds in the rough"; polished by the power of not the virtue of principle. It is too much like the the Spirit, with your own hand you may set them into the crown of the King of kings.
Missionary Pioneering Today By KENNETH G. GRUBB, London, England Survey Department, World Dominion Press W HAT is a pioneer? This question, like world has no frontiers except those which he seeks most which raise a problem in definitions, to abolish. He admits no defeats and is satisfied is not easy to answer. There are pioneers with no victories-except the last. The pioneer of trade, as well as pioneers of ideas, of explora- spirit shows a genius for breaking bounds. tion, and of evangelization. When a soul detaches itself from the complex activities of its time, when The missionary pioneer has led the advance of amid the maze of committees, institutions, pre- Christianity into the non-Christian world. This occupations and criticisms of the day, a soul as- has been such a distinctive service that many asserts its freedom and plunges far away from its sociate the word "pioneer" almost exclusively own environment, then the pioneer spirit is born. with the attempt to reach unevangelized fields When that soul has realized the sum of its attain- with the Gospel of Christ. Some missions have ments, when it sinks back into that background been founded almost wholly on a pioneer policy: from which it arose, when the fruit of its initia- they have not wished to undertake the upbuilding tive has been gathered by the institution out of of the Church. It is obvious that, unless the which it was born, a pioneer achievement ends, pioneer has himself failed, his scope is limited. and the second stage begins-that of development Today, there are not many well populated regions where the Gospel has never been preached. The and consolidation. whole world has, in the main, been covered by a Some such conception would probably cover the network of missions, Roman Catholic and Prot- estant, which have created churches and congrevarious uses of the word pioneer. The missionary gations in many thousands of places. Such occuis concerned with evangelization, a living vibrat- pation is gravely inadequate, but the remaining ing process, which is ever claiming new leader- task can hardly be called a pioneer one. ship, new methods, and which ever leads onwards to new horizons. The pioneer is always breaking It is necessary to distinguish between "closed new ground and is working for the future. His lands" and the real pioneer task. If the Gospel has not been carried into certain areas like Af- cases, the best pioneer evangelists come from the ghanistan or Tibet, it is not because the Church Church itself, which, by its intimate ties with the has not borne these lands on its heart, but because life of the land, is better equipped to undertake there are artificial obstacles to evangelization. In the occupation of new areas. The place of the such cases the challenge wears the air of a pioneer missionary will then be behind the front line, task, but is actually of a different order. It is counselling and aiding, giving his time, perhaps, generally useless for a small mission to send out to the training of evangelists, and to that unob- one or two inexperienced men to sit down indefi- served but constant service of love which is the nitely on the borders of these lands; indiscreet essence of fellowship.
action puts the real advance even farther off. In This means that there will not be the same de- these cases there is no open door, but there is a mand in the future for the special type of pioneer call to prayer, which may be as effective in Amer- missionary who has been so useful in the past.
ica as in northwest India. This problem, in any It is notorious that pioneers are often difficult to case, is not one for inexperienced men. It seems live with; they are angular people; they are ac- absurd to put the more poorly equipped men to customed to facing critical situations entirely work on the most difficult task, if we are not to alone and to finding unusual solutions for totally expect failure. The highest wisdom, experience novel problems, and that on the spur of the mo- and devotion are needed when the obstacles are ment. These defects are those of their qualities.
greatest. The present-day situations do not demand less The pioneer task, in the old meaning of the initiative, and do not offer any the less scope for words, is limited. The writer can remember, personality. But they generally call for wisdom, hardly a decade ago, making a journey of nearly for the cooperative spirit, lor patience, sympathy six months without passing through one mission and understanding in an unusual degree. They station, but such areas were very sparsely popu- often suggest a reversal of our sense of what is lated. Does this mean that the greater part of important and unimportant; if rigid organiza- the population of the world is really evangelized? tion, efficiency, and the like represent the ideal of Unfortunately, No; this is far from being the good missionary work, then the sooner the ideal case. The christianization of the world is like an is abandoned the better.
incomplete mosaic. All over the map there are It may be doubted whether a consciousness of scores of small pieces of varying denominational the changed situation has fully penetrated the out- colors; between and among them there are very look of those training institutions which have many gaps where other pieces are needed to com- mainly prepared missionaries of the pioneer, plete the pattern. These gaps cannot be filled up evangelistic type. At the same time it is difficult by a piece of any color, by some new mission to agree with the implication of "Rethinking Mis- planting itself anywhere in cheerful faith. For sions" that only men of exceptional intellectual effective results it is essential that the denom- ability should be sent to the mission field. Such inational pattern, when complete, should at least men, in any vocation or profession, are rare, and present some degree of harmony. It is, therefore, in any event are by no means always the best rep- necessary that the completion of the task should resentatives of a cause which calls for devotion of be carefully considered in its relation to the exist- the heart as much as skill of the mind. The de- ing and adjacent churches. The zeal of those who mand of the present hour is not so much for men diligently pore over the map to see where a new of this type, as for men of simplicity and strength mission can by any means be dropped down may of character who have the courage to refuse popu- be admired but not commended. larity, abjure the temptations which accompany This does not mean that the day of the mission- influence. They will decline to spend time on any ary is over. A great need of recruits is felt by activities except the simplest, which are nearly almost every mission. In such a country as China always the most difficult, being for this reason the hundreds of new missionaries are required. But most neglected. Sympathy, humility, sacrificial the place of the missionary will, in the future, be living and unswerving loyalty are indispensable modified. There is some difference of opinion here, to the modern missionary. Unless he is loyal, how which arises from the different conditions in vari- can he expect to be of any service to a Church ous lands. In many cases the missionary can still which, as in the Far East today, is faced by grave do work, if not of a pioneer nature, then approxi- tests of faith, wisdom and courage?
mating to that. He can take the lead in opening Far from admitting any spiritual laxity, the up new districts, in establishing new congrega- present situation demands an immense increase tions, always in cooperation with the local church of spiritual power. The lonely pioneer is of neces- and in such a way that when the pioneer stages sity cast upon God; he has no other resource, and have been traversed the new congregation can no other hiding-place. The artificial conditions of find fellowship among the existing ones. In other civilization, along with accessibility of friends and
numerous available channels of help and support ground, environment and support through which bring a greater temptation to look elsewhere than alone the pioneer's initiative can be fruitful, and to God alone for inner strength and power of en- without which it will be both as spectacular and durance. It is strange to meet missionaries who as useless as a meteor in the night. To the Church, are unhappy if the wireless is not functioning as such, the majority of the great reforms, the maclearly. The old pioneer conditions did at least jority of the great missionary advances have apthrow a man back upon God; the writer has peared unrealizable. It has required the pioneer found few things so spiritually beneficial as being to break down the barriers, to destroy the vicious lost. The starving find God in a way in which He circles, and "to build above the deep intent the is rarely known by those who have never known deed." want. This sense of the utter indispensability of God, of the impossibility of any real help except The elements of solitude and uniqueness belong from Him, needs to be restored to the whole mis- to all pioneer acts. This solitude is not always sionary enterprise. external, it may be a loneliness of the heart. Alone, the Saviour moved to his appointed doom; Furthermore, every age is constantly offering alone St. Paul heard the Macedonian call; alone its pioneer problems. Every age brings the Luther stood before the Emperor at Worms. Church grave challenges, in the face of which the attitude of the majority is either silent acquies- I hear a voice you cannot hear cence or the voting of resolutions. But a resur- Which says I must not stay; gence of iniquity, under polite modern forms, is not to be met by resolutions but by resolution ex- I see a hand you cannot see, pressing itself in action. Someone must detach Which beckons me away. himself from the main drift of popular opinion, stand out, be made a fool and called a fanatic: he The pioneer's act is also unique: it can never be is a pioneer. In every age some grain of wheat repeated. Some things can only be done once: must fall into the ground and die; someone must Columbus discovered America and no one else can be crucified in order that by death life may ac- do it; Edison invented the phonograph and no quire meaning, and words be convicted of their one else can invent it. It is the privilege of the futility in the face of the deed. pioneer to do the unique act, which cannot be done a second time. In order to relate the work of the pioneer to the progress of the Church we must consider his func- It must be our prayer that the indigenous tions more closely. The pioneer is, in a sense, a churches of Africa and the East will also have solitary representative of an order that is to be. their own pioneers of thought. They must face He enters a new province with the Gospel exem- their own spiritual and intellectual problems, and their own pioneers must emerge in order to solve plifying in his own person the new life that is to them. Oliver Wendell Holmes divides thinkers into three classes: there are the original thinkers; come. In his own life and message he clears away there are the retailers of these men's thoughts, a mass of corruption that has come to be called a who are generally equipped with profound specusocial habit. He therefore stands for a new order lative powers; and there are the re-retailers who at present composed of one individual. He can popularize and illustrate. The first class are the do this because he is constantly compelled by an true pioneers of thought, and we must pray that internal necessity which is nothing less than an the Churches of our day may possess them. identity of life and action. He has to make a movement out of something which, either by ac- It must further be our prayer that the "younger quiescence or definition, has become a halt. He Churches" may have spiritual pioneers, men puts the whole essence of his faith and life into whose very presence in the congregation reveals action in his own field. the restlessness of a spiritual Alexander, ever sighing for new worlds to conquer. They must be But his field is also the field of the Church itself men who can call the fainting back to God, who -the world. The Church, although a divine so- can inspire the Church, and declare the whole purciety, is in its human aspect the medium of pose of God in and through His people, who can intercommunication through which individual freely face and accept responsibility in a constant Christian souls interact with one another. It is assurance of the love of God. Without such con- Christian individuals that make Church history. secrated spiritual pioneers, we may well despair It is the duty of the Church to provide the back- of the outcome of our missionary work.
Foreign Missionary of
By REV. J. LOVELL MURRAY, D.D.
Director of the Canadian School of Missions, Toronto, Canada "MISSIONARIES should be weighed, not the development of their churches rests largely on counted," said Dr. Gustav Warneck over their own nationals. The other is the percolating thirty years ago. That wise and learned into those churches of the intense spirit of na- tionalism which is abroad in their countries and missionary scholar was speaking in a time when which resents the leadership of foreigners. These the Christian missionary force throughout the factors, which have brought some perplexities as world was being widely discussed in terms of its well as much rejoicing to the missionaries on the numerical proportions. The quality of the work- field, have been having their effect too in the ers was not stressed as it is today. The Laymen's "sending countries." One of the reasons for the Missionary Movement was then presenting its sag in the missionary interest and response of challenge for the complete occupation of unevan- church members is undoubtedly the attitude which gelized lands on the basi,s of one missionary to says, "Why continue to harp on the question of every 25,000 of the population. The needs of each missions? The Churches over there are now in a field were presented largely by calculating the position to deal with the situation. And besides number of persons that made up the average they don't welcome our missionaries as once they "parish" of the missionaries working there. A did." similar emphasi,s had already characterized the recruiting appeal of the Student Volunteer Move- Are our missionaries still needed and wanted? ment. This was true especially of the first few When the then Educational Secretary of the Stuyears of its work, when the effort seemed to be dent Volunteers, Dr. Milton T. Stauffer, went to mainly one of mass production. the Jerusalem Meeting of the International Mis- sionary Council in 1928, this question was ringing The last quarter of a century has seen a de- in his ears. He had been hearing it in the colleges cided shift of attention from the quantitative to on all sides. He got what light he could at Jeruthe qualitative element in missionary personnel. salem and on his return wrote to prominent rep- The World Missionary Conference at Edinburgh resentatives of the younger churches, many of in 1910 chose the Preparation of Missionaries as whom had been present at Jerusalem, asking for one of its eight major themes. In line with its their frank opinion on the matter. A summary recommendations the Board of Missionary Prep- of their responses as published in a small volume, aration was established in North America and the "A Call for Colleagues," records all but unani- Board of Missionary Studies in Great Britain; mouslyan affirmative answer, although with qualand the questions of the selection and training of ifications as to the kind of missionaries wanted. missionaries have ever since received a generous The opinions of these eminent churchmen of the amount of attention in these and other "home Orient and Africa not only had weight in thembase" countries. At present, in anticipation of selves, but they also qualified as a cross-section of the Madras meeting, a committee is working the sentiment of their fellow-Christians. under the chairmanship of Professor D. J. Fleming on "The Future Task and Preparation of Has that sentiment changed in the interval? Is Missionaries." A particular evidence of this it generally true that our missionaries are still growing interest is found in the facilities that desired by the younger Churches, and if so, are have multiplied for the specialized training of they wanted in decreasing or increasing numbers? candidates and of missionaries on furlough. This question gives rise to two others. For what tasks are they now needed? And what attitude~ In recent years the questions of quantity and and equipment should they bring to the tasks? quality have both been brought into the front of These questions are obviously of basic importance missionary thinking by reason chiefly of two fac- in our missionary plans for the future and in our tors in the "receiving countries." One is the in- current missionary apologetic and appeal. creased competency and ,self-reliance of the Churches in those lands. They are recognizing in Like others actively engaged in missionary work an impressive and practical way that the responsi- at the home base we have been trying in our bility for the evangelizing of their countrymen and school to gauge the sentiment of the Churches in [85 ]
the field on all of these questions. We have made ness has yet been given, or where there are use of correspondence files, of books and periodi- certain. classes of the population unreached by cals, of field reports, of National Christian Coun- Christian effort, the combined resources of the cil documents, and particularly of the judgments older and younger Churches must be enlisted; and brought by several scores of missionaries each therefore that the missionary force should not year from many parts of the mission world. The only be made up to its pre-depression strength concensus of opinion gathered from these sources but be increased still further-and that without has been abundantly confirmed by three bishops, delay. all of them Orientals, whom we have interrogated within the past fortnight. They were Bishop P. S. Why Are They Needed? Sasaki, of the mid-Japan diocese, Bishop P. Lindel Tsen, of the Honan diocese in China, and Bishop Our second question was: For what special tasks V. S. Azariah, of the diocese of Dornakal, Chair- will missionaries be needed in the years before us? man of the National Christian Council of India. All three are trusted and experienced leaders of This is a subject 0 which much careful thought the indigenous Church, with their fingers on the pulse of Christian sentiment in their respective has been given recently and on which much light countries. may be expected from the Madras meeting. The tasks will of course vary in different fields. How Many Are Needed? Readers of THE REVIEW are familiar with a number of special demands which in general seem Our first question was: In what numbers, if at to be made by the changing conditions in which all, are our missionaries still desired? "Desired? missionary work is done – demands for literary Why by all means," they replied at once, appar- workers, religious education experts, specialists ently surprised by the question. They had no in industrial problems, in social service, in rural yearning for an avalanche of poorly furnished and betterment, in youth movements, in women's ill-adapted workers; but they felt strongly that work, etc. the numbers of suitable missionaries should be increased largely and promptly. Bishop Azariah The bishops quite agreed with these calls for pointed to the mass movements in India and to specialized attention. Doubtless, although the the bewilderment of the Church there as it faces subject was not discussed, they would appreciate the problem of shepherding and instructing the the values to be derived from a limited number of tens of thousands who are coming into its mem- short-term workers and also from brief visits by bership yearly. And back of these, are rank upon outstanding specialists, such as the visit which rank of these same depressed classes moving out Professor Luther A. Weigle recently paid to China of Hinduism, they know not whither. Islam is in the interests of religious education. But they ready to absorb them. Sikhism is ready. But the touched only lightly the matter of "specialists" Christian Church is handicapped because its ca- and talked rather of certain branches of Christian pable personnel already is enlisted almost to the effort to which some concentrated attention should limit. More missionaries are urgently needed to be given in the future. Bishop Sasaki emphasized develop teachers of Christian truth. rural evangelism. Necessary as it is to adjust our programs of education, medicine and literature to Bishop Sasaki said that missionary work hither- the actual life of the country people, he regards to had been mainly for middle-class people in evangelism as needing foremost attention. So also Japan, and he pleaded for a large corps of workers in social welfare work. Japan is giving a large from the West to give special attention to the attention to this problem. The missionary who upper classes and to the rural population. Bishop comes as a specialist may easily be just one more Tsen stated that the Chinese Church "would like social worker. His contribution should be disto have as many new missionaries as the Western tinctive by being thoroughly Christian, a phase of countries will allow." Only rabid nationalists evangelism, and should be in close connection with would discourage their coming. Bishop Azariah the Church. The Bishop pointed out that Japan spoke similarly for his cQuntry. "The Indian is also well equipped with state schools and col- Church has a real knowledge of ~ re(J,l need and leges. The justification for the Christian institusees greater opportunities in the future than it tion hereafter will be its effectiveness in building has ever faced and therefore desires a continuous Christian character and this must be its deterflow of missionaries." All three agreed that the mined effort. The result can be best attained if missionary's effort must always be to make him- a boy or a girl can pass through the whole educaself dispensable in his district by his training of tional process-primary school, middle school, colnationals. But they also agreed that so long as lege–under such an influence. there are unoccupied areas, or so-called occupied areas where in large districts no Christian wit- The Chinese situation, in Bishop Tsen's view, calls for a uniform adaptation in medical, educa- tional, and evangelistic work to the changing times. He mentioned religious education and rural work as calling for missionary specialists, giving instruction in Christian doctrine and in but added that looking ahead he saw in all the regard to the Christian Church. He must be preregular lines of service large opportunities for pared to give his life to the Indian Church. "He any missionary workers who would be sent out by should say a thousand times before coming to the older Churches. India, 'The Church must increase; I must de- -crease.''' And if he is to be the teacher of teach- Bishop Azariah felt that in India all mission- ers in the young Church he must be well prepared. aries should consider that for the immediate fu- Bishop Sasaki, in referring to the same thing, ture their primary task is to strengthen the Indian used the expression "the pastor of pastors." The Church. Nothing will invite their energies more same bishop said that most missionaries of the futhan the training of pastors and lay workers to ture, so far as Japan was concerned, should be care for the great ingatherings of today and to- specially qualified to work either among the upper morrow. He stressed the need for lay workers. classes or among the country people. In his own diocese there are no longer any paid evangelists. Church members are told that if It was Bishop Tsen who had most to say on they are Christians they will be evangelists. But this third question. He mentioned three importhey need training; and here the missionary can tant qualifications: (1) The missionary must be and must help. He referred to the new movement prepared to identify himself with the national inof caste people towards Christianity and pointed terests of the people, insofar as these are not conout that caste women will not learn from men. trary to Christian principles. He must regard Women missionaries are urgently needed to wit- himself not as a foreigner but as a member of the ness to them and to train women to do evangelistic community, and with sympathetic understanding work among them. Be had just appealed to the and naturalness must become one with the people. C. M. S. for more women to meet this need. And (2) He must come wide awake and scientifically he added with emphasis that all the Indian lay minded, as ready to learn as to teach. Instead of workers, and the pastors and teachers also, "are bringing along preconceived notions of Chinese needing the inspiration which the Western culture he must patiently seek to ascertain its Churches can contribute out of their centuries true character. He must be slow to condemn cusof Christian experience." This statement sug- toms, such as ancestor worship. Conversely he gests that the missionary should help the young must beware of representing all things Western Church, while achieving indigeneity, to appreciate as being Christian, for to the Chinese some of and to retain its connection with historical and them may seem to be quite otherwise. (3) He ecumenical Christianity. And again he spoke of must consider himself as a member of the local "the pioneer work to be done in unevangelized church. He must not think that he is there to areas and in the yet untouched communities in superintend, to lead, to "run" something, but evangelized districts"-a work in which the mis- must identify himself fully with the group. "I sionary has a large part to play. notice," said the bishop, "that in their thinking many missionaries put themselves apart from the What Kind Are Needed? indigenous churches. They say, 'You wanted to direct the church's affairs. Go and do it. We The third question was: What manner of men won't be in your way.' This is not healthy. There and women must they be who can effectively dis- is just one inclusive 'we.' We teach each other, charge these various tasks in the near future? we learn from each other.. We share the sorrows The bishops were of one mind in regard to certain and failures and also the joys and achievements basic qualifications. First among the categories of our common Church. We go along and we grow of fitness they placed a deep personal experience along together. The missionary may be short in of Christ that impels to witness, and with that a other points, but this attitude is too vitally imsubstantial knowledge of the Christian Scriptures. They felt that denominational views of doctrine portant to be neglected." and church organization were of quite minor importance as compared with "an unshakable faith This symposium of opinion is far from a comin Jesus Christ." They realized too that mental plete survey of the issues which this article was strength and alertness and adequate preparation were never so greatly needed as now. And each meant to embrace. But it was contributed by of them naturally included among necessary quali- "three wise men from the East" who are wielding fications an equipment for the special tasks of large influence in their respective countries and which he had previously been speaking. For example, Bishop Azariah was insistent that the mis- whose elevation as nationals to the episcopate is sionary of the future should be qualified not only a sign of the changing missionary times. It may for personal and public evangelism but also for therefore be taken as a fair synopsis of present thinking among the younger Churches which our missionaries have the privilege of serving. A NEWSPAPER MAN'S TESTIMONY TO MISSIONARIES IN CHINA The most significant job done by Americans in China is neither the buying nor the selling of goods. It is so great a work that it is altogether misunderstood by small minds and even smaller hearts. That is the tremendously important and valuable services of the American missionary.
. These men and women have gone to town and village, bringing with them not only the many varieties of Christianity, but a new cultural pattern; in my opinion, a nobler cultural pattern than the Chinese retained amid the disintegration of China's indigenous social and intellectual establishments during the last century.
Take, as an example, St. John's University in Shanghai, or the Shanghai College (which used to be the Shanghai Baptist College) or Lingnan University (which used to be called the Canton Christian College), or Yenching in Peking or Soochow University, or Yale-in-China- these and many more have kept the light of modern learning aflame in China during the dark days of civil war and revolution and change of government.
* '. * * These missionaries brought medicine and hospital and nursing and child welfare to China. They brought a new conception of social relationships-not man-for-his-family, but man-for- society – a broadening of viewpoint.
They planted the seeds of a social revolution, which, if it did not quickly make China strong, at any rate produced in China a forward-looking, progressive, non-opium smoking monogamous leadership.
Chiang Kai-shek and the Soongs are Christians. In fact, the Soong family is particularly notable for its Christian affiliations, for on the mother's side they trace themselves back to a famous figure at the end of the Ming dynasty who came under the influence of Ricci and whose daughter, Candida, was the first nun in China, while Charles Soong, the father, actually came to China from the United States to teach English and the Bible.
The present Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Dr. C. T. Wang, was .the first Chinese secretary of the Y. M. C. A. in China, while Dr. H. H. Iung, who was in this country recently and is now Premier of whatever remains of government in China, was secretary of the Chinese Y. M. C. A. in Japan at one time.
*** It is impossible to overemphasize the great value to China of the American missionary, of the American school and hospital situated in that country. And it is something to note in these days of collectivist materialism that there has been no return to the United States for this service. It has cost us more, over a century, than we ever earned out of our trade with China. It was the contribution of a well-off people to those who needed our help and assistance.
And it is to be noted here that, in a measure, we did as well by Japan. It is true that the Japanese, sooner than the Chinese, were ready to take over many schools and hospitals which American good will had established in their country. But for years our missionaries labored there, as in China-not forcing anything down unwilling throats, but offering help and service to those who were willing and eager to receive.
I have known the American missionary in China well. He has been my friend. I have lived at his house. He has dined at my table. I know of no human beings who are more self- sacrificing, more loyal to the people among whom they live, more generous and less materially rewarded for an arduous life than most American missionaries. No matter what happens to China, most of them will remain at their posts valiantly laboring for the simple people who love them.-George E. Sokolsky, in "The New York Herald-Tribune."
INTERRACIAL. INTERDENOMINATIONAL MISSIONARY HOSPITAL AT TRUJILLO CITY, SANTO
Christian Unity in Practice By BARNEY N. MORGAN Superintendent, Board for Christian Work in Santo Domingo ONE notable tendency in the Protestant been encouraging signs of Christian unity in the Church for which the last two decades are merging of different evangelical church groups to be remembered is the growing spirit of and the formation of one body out of diverse deunity, whether this has been expressed in actual nominational elements. It is encouraging to note union or is still in the realm of hope. In no place the similar moves toward unity which have taken has the need for true unity been felt more keenly place on fields where different denominations had than on the mission fields where a vision has been already established work in separate camps. the heritage of Protestantism. There was a day when Christians thought they had fundamental In the island of Santo Domingo a dream has bereasons for dividing into separate camps, each of come real and a new philosophy of missions is at which bore a different name. As one moves fur- work. Seventeen years ago when three major ther out from the center of controversy he often denominations of the United States faced realities moves closer to others in an effort to stand vic- there was born the Board for Christian Work in toriously in the face of common foes. The move Santo Domingo. The result has been a movement from a doctrine-centered, to a life-centered ap- which today is an example of Christian unity in proach to religious reality has brought to great action. It was conceived from the beginning as a groups of Christians a growing sense of oneness program of Christian service to a whole country. which demands definite, practical, outward ex- Four departments of activity were organized-the pression. evangelistic finding its center in the church, the medical, the educational and the social. These In many communities in America there have have operated under the direction of the field [89 ]
<, •
90 THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD [February superintendent and while each department has its statement, although the church definitely feels own leadership there has been a very decided itself to be heir to the best in the Christian tradiunity both in spirit and action. tion. The ministers have been drawn largely from the constituent denominations having work in The Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., the Meth- Puerto Rico, without regard to balance in numodist Episcopal Church, and the United Brethren ber, but there is being formed a national ministry, in Christ, have from the first acted as a unit in members of which are being ordained by the Genthe promotion of the work; since 1930 the Wes- eral Assembly of the churches. All work, with the leyan Methodist Church of England has also co- exception of that in the Puerto Plata – Samana operated but in 1834 they began to minister to districts-is in Spanish. the English-speaking colored people who a few years before had come to the northern part of the With such an origin the Church has never beisland from the United States and the neighboring come denominationally conscious. In fact even islands. An immigration of Negroes from Penn- the names of different groups have little or no connotation for the Dominican evangelical. This A PATIO SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS IN LA ROMANA has made possible the releasing of spiritual energy for real tasks and not in the building of straw men sylvania, New Jersey and the Carolinas brought to be defended. With a vision of Christian servthe demand for evangelical work. Shortly after ice, whether it be through the channels of the their arrival in 1824 they petitioned their former church proper or through the hospital or schools, churches in the United States for a minister but the evangelical movement has won the respect of no response came to their appeal. In 1832 a group all classes of Dominican society and counts as of twenty-four men signed a petition which was friends many outstanding intellectuals who are sent to the Missionary Society of the Wesleyan helping to shape the future of the Republic. The Methodist Church and in response there was sent relation to the established church – the Roman to Puerto Plata from Turk's Island the Rev. Wm. Catholic – has been one of friendship and the Tindall who established a church there in 1834 critical spirit of former days in many nominally and another in Samana in 1837. The work has Roman Catholic countries has been absent. The been hi-lingual (English-Spanish) with growing superintendent of the Evangelical work and the emphasis on the latter. Now old age and youth, present archbishop, ,an Italian born, naturalized fast growing into manhood, have joined hands American citizen, talk frequently over the common and are marching together down the highway of religious problems which both churches face. Christian unity, for the churches of these districts with a membership of over five hundred have be- Two factors which have aided greatly in the come an integral part of La Iglesia Evangelica approach to the people have been the annual In- Dominicana (The Do min i can Evangelical stitute of Religious Education, an intensive train- Church). The question of vested interests, bar- ing school for workers and young people throughrier to many mergers, scarcely entered into the out the island, and the weekly radio broadcast plan of union. All properties formerly owned by from Ciudad Trujillo. ThQ former has helped in the Wesleyan Methodist Church are being trans- the training of leaders in La Iglesia Evangelica ferred without monetary consideration to the Dominicana and the Free Methodist Church hav": Union Board. La Iglesia Evangelica Dominicana ing work in a separate district in the north of the is a national church and has no ecclesiastical af- island (established before the formation of the filition with any of the constituent denominations Union Board) and also in the preparation of of the Board. It is working out its own form of teachers for the public schools. Several successful government and statement of faith. Up to the teachers received all of their technical training in present no urgent need has been felt for the latter teaching methods in the institutes.
The weekly radio broadcast-a regular feature since August, 1935-has created a wide interest in and understanding of the evangelical program. The weekly program, with music by a trained choir of young people and a short address has given rise to favorable comment by many who are not evangelicals. Reports from all parts of the island and from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Venezuela, Columbia, Costa Rica and the United States bear testimony to the high type of program which is being broadcast.
Hospital Internacional- a part of the union program-is one of the outstanding medical insti- tutions of the country and is serving all classes of
CHRISTIAN UNITY IN PRACTICE
people. For the last eleven years it has been the THE EVANGELICAL UNION CHURCH IN TRUJILLO only source of supply for graduate nurses for the Republic and still maintains the only standard training school for nurses in the country. Less than two years ago the Dominican Red Cross established a school for nurses and the onry graduate nurse on the faculty is from Hospital Internacional which has an all-Dominican medical and nursing staff, with the exception of the superintendent of nurses. Unity with the other departments of the program is secured through the administration of the hospital under the direction of the general superintendent.
Three schools, functioning under the direction of an educational committee named by the General Assembly of the churches, are making a definite contribution in the education of Dominican youth for practical citizenship. All schools are inspected by the government and their standing is first class.
The Social department has made a recognized contribution to youth through the promotion of a Boy Scout and athletic program.
This union project is beyond the purely experimental stage and has developed a stability which augurs well for its future. New trails have been blazed and a highway is open toward Christian unity in this land which Columbus loved. The Republic is enj oying an era of peace and order and religious liberty is guaranteed. One hopes that the influence of this practical demonstration of Christian unity in action may spread to other lands so that oneness in Christ, who knows no dividing line of race, color, nationality, or denomination, may become reality.
CHRISTIANITY DOMINANT IN INDIA In his last public address before returning to India by way of England, Bishop Azariah, of Dornakal, said in New York: There are great opportunities for missionary work in India. One-half the people on the globe are trained in religions which were born in India. There is a peculiar sensitiveness to God in the Indian mind. India is permeated with religious feeling. . . .
It was less than 100 years ago that Christian missions were seriously begun in India. Today a great part of the people are stirred and the Christian religion is dominant in India. Many Indians believe that through Christianity India will become what she ought to be. . . . It was 75 years ago that the first outcaste came to learn and to be baptized. Now, there are in India 1,000,000 Christians, the greater part of them out-castes, but not all: in 1936 we baptized 11,428. They represent all castes. At first, the high-caste Indians came to discuss social questions. This is not so today; they come to be baptized.
Christianity grows quickly in India. This is because the Gospel is first preached to the poor. When Christianity is given first to the poor, it rises and permeates the rich. When Christianity is preached first to the rich and powerful, the reverse is true. . . .
All the people who have come within reach of the Christian message are studying Christianity. The hio,-h-castes and the out-castes are baptized together. This is because the Christian religion has transformed all castes.
-The Living Church. Christian Literature for China By FRANK R. MILLICAN, Shanghai Secretary of the Christian Literature Society for China THE missionary enterprise has mainly been of the literature agencies in China. I would not carried forward along evangelistic, educa- belittle the importance of educational work-I am tional and medical lives. When one reads not discussing that problem now. I would only reports of the millions of dollars annually given point out by way of contrast the tremendous sums and used for these three aspects of work, he can- spent for educational institutions and the meagre not fail to be impressed and filled with gratitude provisions made for anyone of our literature to God. But as we examine more carefully these agencies. Our policy has been millions for edumethods of establishing the Kingdom or rule of cation and thousands for supplying the educated God in mission lands one question arises: Have public with wholesome Christian literature. we fallen too easily into the assumption that these types of work are the only strategic ones? Have Educated people will read. For what purpose we overlooked other means which might be used then are we educating all these masses? Are we equally effectively? I have the deep conviction that educating them to be able to read the volumes of we have sadly neglected one of the most fruitful unwholesome, licentuous and atheistic literature methods of missionary promotion and Christian that is flooding the nation? Have we done our expression. Having lived for nearly thirty years duty when we put into their hands this new in China, where the scholar has been honored and weapon for either good or evil? Or are we where literature or the written page has been held morally obligated not only to create the ability to in sacred awe, we are all the more impressed with read but also to supply the type of literature that this omission in our missionary enterprise. will turn this new skill to constructive and en- nobling ends? Ag.ain I say the public in China While there has been a real failure to appreciate will read, and whether it be in the cities, on the the possibilities of literature as a means of evan- trains or in the country, they find literature of gelism, something along this line has been done. some sort at hand for their consumption. Are we There have been prophetic individuals who have content to let them feed their minds and souls on seen the vision and who have found or made ways whatever they can pick up-largely commercialof using Christian literature in evangelism. Some- ized trash or even worse-or do we feel the oblione may reply that literature naturally falls within gation to flood the reading public with constructhe general field of evangelism. This reply would tive and redemptive literature? be quite valid if literature had been given an adequate place under that heading. I would not Now to "sow China down with good Christian quarrel over the question of classification; that literature"-and that should be our motto-is no is, whether literature should have been a distinct small or unworthy task. It requires determined and conscious division in missionary strategy on and sustained effort. It demands a conscious and a par with education, medicine and evangelism or carefully planned program of cultivation, of pro- duction and of distribution. Our imaginations whether it has more properly been included under need a tremendous stretch to visualize properly the general heading of evangelism. What I do the task in the proportions i.t should be carried wish to emphasize in this article is the fact that forward. There are signs that the leaders in the the strategic importance of Christian literature in forward programs of the church are beginning to the missionary program has been very little ap- awaken a little to this obligation and opportunity. preciated in the conscious formulation of our pro- In more recent conferences and missionary programs and budgets. motion groups in the West we find references to this neglected aspect of our work. In China, too, Take for comparison the emphasis placed on this work is being considered more seriously than education in the past of missionary work. Take in the past. The Church of Christ in China, comthe astounding amount of funds expended for prising one-third of the Christians of China, has plant and staff and current budget in anyone of put literature into its program on a larger scale our larger educational institutions, and compare than formerly. A committee has been set up to this with the petty sums appropriated for anyone [92 ] make a study of the problem and to formulate a ment in Western and Christian thought. This has program of proceedure. This program as pre- done much to break down prejudice and open the sented to the recent General Assembly provided way for the acceptance of the Gospel message. At for the agencies to cultivate this new interest as the same time the C. L. S. always has published well as suggestiDns as to methods of cooperating distinctively Christian literature for this wider with the various literature societies now providing group of readers. Now that secular presses are literature for the church. This is a very hopeful adequately supplying the needs for general and sign. Other Chinese church groups are develop- secular literature the C. L. S. is concentrating ing the same interest. This raises the question more especially on books to supply the needs of what literature societies are working in China and the church. This includes both books for Chriswhat they are doing to meet this grDwing need. tians themselves and books for the reading public. Its catalog reveals a wide variety of subjects. Besides several smaller literature agencies in Starting with Bible Dictionaries and general China we have at least five larger agencies offer- wDrks it goes on to the Life and Teachings of Christ, Apologetics, Religious Education, Coming their services tD the churches. * The Religious parative Religion, Devotional Literature, Biog- raphy, and special works fDr women and children. Tract Society and the Christian Literature So- It aims to supply as far as possible all the literaciety are the two major literature agencies offer- ture needs of the Christian movement in China in ing their facilities to the Christian constituency at all aspects of its work, so far as these are not suplarge. All .of the above akencies have made splen- plied by other societies.. did contributions but all, too, have been greatly handicapped in their work by the lack of adequate The C. L. S. offers facilities f.or the publication funds. The cramping effect of limiting budgets of a wide range of literature frDm the best writers and the efforts to do wDrthy pieces of work an- in the Church in China as well as literature pronually withDut going into the red verge on the vided by special groups. Among the special tragic. What would happen in anyone of these groups working with the C. L. S. in this cooperainstitutions if they could have funds and plant tive task may be mentioned the S. P. C. K. (inand staff comparable to anyone of our larger edu- cluding the wDrk of the Literature Committee .of cational institutions? And just as it takes a large the Sheng Kung Huei (Anglican», Cheeloo number of educatiDnal institutions to meet the School of Theology, Nanking Seminary, the Navarious needs of China so it will probably require tional Christian C.ouncil and the NatiDnal C.omseveral strong literature agencies to meet the mittee for Christian Religi.ous Education in China growing and diverse needs .of the Christian move- (N. C. C. R. E.). There is also a cooperative ment in a country the size of China. We desire as working agreement with the Canadian Mission much cooperation and even organic union in our Press of West China. societies as we can bring about but we ought not to allow the difficulties in this line to hDld us back All the literature agencies in China have had in the great task before us. and still have their special friends and supporters in the West. The C. L. S. has had special enc.our- The Religious Tract Society celebrated its Dia- agement from groups in England and America mond Jubilee in 1936 and the Christian Literature recently in the form .of special provision for the Society is now celebrating its Golden Jubilee. support of Chinese members of the Executive and This represents sixty and fifty years of fruitful Administrative side of its w.ork. This is a step service by these well-known societies, respectively. forward from the loyal support to the general With a worthy history behind them they face the budget in the past. But this brings with it the future in this new day of increased .opportunities increased opportunities which can only be met by in the confidence that the Christian Church both decidedly increased amounts to the general budget in the West and in China will make it possible for to make possible the extensive work that the new them to increase their contributions manyfold. situation requires. It is because of this new op- The R. T. S. has always specialized on tracts for portunity and the demands of the Christian movewide distribution. At the same time it has pub- ments in China for a general forward advance in lished many larger "tracts" in the form of bODks its literature program that prompts this appeal to or booklets. Recently it is tending to put greater mission Boards and all other interested agencies emphasis on these more substantial works. The for adequate financial support. Let us prayerfully C. L. S. in the earlier years emphasized literature consider this great need and opportunity and in for the literati and works of general enlighten- loyal .obedience to Christ's command give our- selves more fully to the task of literature evan- • These are the China Baptist Publication Society In Shanghai, gelism in China. the Lutheran Book Concern in Hankow, the Association Press in Shanghai, the Religious Tract Society in Hankow, and the Christian Literature SOCiety in Shanghai. The Luthern and Baptist societies naturally specialize on literature for their own constituencies primarily. The Association Press issues books and booklets for special classes.
Story of Malam
By DR. A. P. STIRRETT, Nigeria, West Africa Missionary of the Sudan Interior Mission W HAT Moslems need is not argumentative gregation, in trembling voice he confessed himself literature in favor of Christianity, but a penitent sinner desiring to follow the Lord Jesus rather the "living and powerful" Word of Christ, and asking for the prayers of God's people. God, and that not in a foreign language but in The Judge attended the Baptismal Class for their mother tongue. some time. On the day Ibrahim was baptized his Some years ago a man named Ibrahim arrived wife ran away, and next day there came a letter in Jos, Nigeria, from one of the districts to the from her father saying that she would not return east where he had spent his childhood. He had until Ibrahim renounced Christ. Ibrahim wrote: been taught in all the traditions and customs of "I shall never renounce Him who loved me and Islam and, being an apt pupil at the Moslem died for me J"
school, he was taken into a Government school As a Christian he found that he was not wanted and taught the Roman alphabet. Until then he as Judge of the town of Jos. They wanted a Mos- had known only Arabic, which is always used in lem. The Government wished to rule according Moslem schools. His qualifications made him use- to ,the wishes of the people and asked Ibrahim ful to the Government, and after he had finished either to renounce his judgeship or to give up school they soon promoted him to the office of ChrrsCo He chose Christ and thus became a poor, Judge of the town of Jos-quite a lucrative posi- lone, wifeless man. ljOC only so, but he had the tion. care of his three children-one an infant in arms.
The Sudan Interior Missicn had opened the Jos Through all this Ibrahim came in triumph. One Bishara Church, and Ibrahim frequently came evening at Bishara Church he sang us a solo, in over from his office and house and would slip in the chorus of which are the following words: during the evening service. He sat in one of the Yesu, mai-kamnata. Ban yarda, Dan yarda. A raba back sea~s, no doubt to escape observation. The ni da Kai. (Jesus, my Beloved, I will not agree, I will preacher spoke of the superiority of Christ and not agree to be separated from Thee.) the Christian religion to every other prophet and Formerly when Judge Ibrahim walked the religion, but Ibrahim went away unsatisfied and streets of Jos, people would bow down to him.
unsaved. His faith in the Koran had been waver- Now he was called on to suffer many indignities.
ing, and he was not satisfied with Islam. He was despised and even cursed.
One day a man called on Judge Ibrahim, and After a time the tables were turned for Ibra- upon his departure handed him a copy of the him. The Government recognized that he was a Hausa New Testament. The mother tongue of good public servant and soon he was offered the Ibrahim is Hausa and, having been taught in the position of Treasurer of the Town of J os, an Government school the use of the Roman alpha- office he holds today. He often preaches in the bet, he was able to read this book. Here he had Bishara Church, and it is a real treat to hear him found what his soul needed! He read and re-read expound the Scriptures. He has married a Chris- the book, pondering and studying it, until he be- tian girl. His influence has been widely felt in came convinced ,that there was something wrong the community. Not long after his conversion he in his life. Promptly and honorably he sent away was used to lead to Christ another Moslem his two superfluous wives, retaining the one whom (Malam Mama, who was formerly the leader of he had first married. He hoped that in a short the Moslem worship in a small town near Jos).
time she too would become a Christian. Later he had the joy of seeing his own younger Then he realized that there was something more brother come out boldly for Jesus Christ. to be done. He must confess Christ. He began Surely it is the business of missionaries to teach to attend the morning Sunday services in the Bi- young men to read the Word of God. The whole shara (Gospel) Church, pow sitting well up to Bible has now been translated into the Hausa Ian- the front and there he heard the sweet Gospel guage, a tongue which reaches over 20,000,000 message. One Sunday morning, after a young people-Moslems and pagans. Let me ask God's man had arisen and expressed his desire to repent people to remember in prayer this great Hausa- and follow the Lord Jesus, Judge Ibrahim arose speaking multitude, praying that God will cause and came forward. Standing in front of the con- His word to run and be glorified among them.
[94 ] Effective Ways of Working 'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home I EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO '~I==-==============================~==========~I~~ More Nationality Nights REVIEW OF THE WORLD, June, dolls sent Japanese children by 1936; words and music, 15 America as the first project of An "Evening in Beautiful J a- cents, Marks Music Co., 225 the Committee on World Friend- West 46th St., New York City; ship among Children. All sang pan" culminated a term's study the Presbyterian Boa r d has words and music on a single Mexican, Italian and other folk of that land. Beside brief talks songs, to keep the foreign dolls sheet, free). One young woman in countenance; and finally we on different phases of Japanese read the words, the pianist sang all the dolls to sleep with played the stirring music and all an Italian lullaby. A girl of life, the girls gave an effective then joined in singing it, rising Italian descent, holding a doll with the Negro guests. During from Rome, gave one verse in tea ceremony, "The Froth of the the social hour, there was oppor- tunity for our congregation, and Italian. Gingerbread dolls and Liquid Jade," in cos tum e s program "scouts" from other tiny chocolate dolls were sold. rented from our Board. Films churches, to meet the visitors. Aside from money profits were a from the same source showed our friendly drawing together of difwork in Japan, and there were Our International Doll Show ferent nationals in the commuthree fine reels, free, from the featured not one but many lands. nity, and a widening of our Japanese Tourist Bureau, 551 Abbut three hundred dolls were thought to include all peoples. Fifth Avenue, N. Y. The exhibit present, and just about as many included "friendship to ken s" men, women and children. Dolls At our Scandinavian Day, demade for us by the girls of were borrowed from the Foreign Sturges Seminary, and hand-col- and Domestic Mission Boards, scribed in a previous issue, we ored woodcuts loaned, free, by from the National Board, Y. W. Shima Art Company, 16 West C. A., three collectors, and count- were asked "What next?" We 57th St., N. Y. As we have no less individuals inside and out- Japanese nationals locally, we side the church. The Swiss peo- hope to "go Armenian," knowing supplemented by visiting the ple knew who had a doll from Saturday Church School of the what canton, and the Scotch lo- a rug-maker who will help and Japanese Christian Institute and cated plaids. The display of attending the notable Christmas dolls from all over the world an Armenian friend who will be program there. made a real League of Nations. There was a Laplander on skis, resource person for costumes, The program for our Negro a South American fruit vendor, Night, culminating the season's Vatican guard, Korean couple; folk songs and native sweetstudy of the Negro, was fur- no color line, and no caste. We nished for us, in the interests of learned incidentally not only of meats. For another program, interracial understanding, by the costumes, sports, occupafriends from the H 0 use of tions, etc., of the various parts we count on the German Club in Friendliness, Negro Y. W. C. A., Jersey City, whose summer day- of the world, but also their ways the High School, which sings camp we had visited. The direc- of thinking. Most doll families tor gave readings from Negro ran to parents, boy and girl, but folk songs in Bavarian costumes, prose and poetry (many are in and a large German population. "Singers in the Dawn," 10 the Chinese gave prominence to We hope an Italian Lutheran cents, Commission on Interracial grandparents. B I u e ribbons Church will help us unlock Cooperation, 703 S tan dar d were formally given to the larg- Italy's rich store of music and Building, Atlanta, Georgia) ; an- est doll, smallest, oldest (150 art, and we have designs also on other told the origin of the spir- years) , best collection, most a Spanish Club in the high ituals, several of which they beautiful, most unusual, and to school, now that the current sang, and one played piano selec- the one from farthest away project of the Committee on tions by Negro composers, Sam- (India) . World Friendship among Chiluel Coleridge-Taylor and Nathan- dren is with Spanish children. ael Dett. They then distributed One girl told of the Japanese You will note that our general copies of the beautiful Negro na- doll festival, and of the 13,000 principle is to use volunteer local tional anthem (words by James aid wherever possible, drawing Weldon Johnson, MISSIONARY [95 ] on other denominations as well as our own, and interesting the general public. We aim to make the base of participation, and therefore interest, as wide as possible. – Florence G 0 r don, Weehawken, N. J.
Field Notes on Rural America has been carried on in villages come in the morning, with rep- and country with great succesrs." resentatives from all the denom- Wishing to find just how sev- Mrs. Belle Tracy Grimes and inations giving live talks and eral average rural communities Miss Merl Davis-both of whom exchanging helpful ideas, in the were endeavoring to improve the have taught extensively in coun- afternoon. religious and educational condi- try schools – write at consider- Both the contributors mention tions of their folk and especially able length of actual experiments that each church has its separate in Lucas County, Iowa. Few if missionary meetings-and that, to gear them for teamwork, the any country churches of their in this day of United Study denomination (Baptist) are sup- courses that are proving so val- Department Editor recently sent porting full-time ministers, two uable in affording cooperative of which they write being only opportunities and a world-wide questionnaires to country or vil- three miles apart, each accepting outlook! It would seem that half-time service, .the evening •mid-month meetings might be lage women of her acquaintance. congregations being practically held separately – or one every the same regardless of which three months – to consider de- Briefs of their replies may be church was taking its turn. nominational plans and specifics Each church has its own Sunday -leaving the regular monthly suggestive, not only to other school in the morning, with gatherings of a union nature. rural residents but to city dwell- good attendance. Both churches One of the villages – with two ers as well, since the latter's are trying to develop their young s t rug g lin g denominational knowledge of rural conditions people, in one case giving over churches only poorly supported and needs is becoming an ideal. to them the devotional services and attended-has a union meet- of the Sunday school. Miss Elizabeth B r y ant – a ing of the ladies' aid societies, country minister's daughter- The teamwork among the de- the services including benevolent writes that from her own ob- nominations in one village cited work, a luncheon, and an inservation and experience, not is excellent. The King's Her- structive missionary or enteronly the radio and the telephone alds, in the Methodist church, is taining program in the afterbut especially the college exten- attended by children from vari- noon. This is popular and very sion clubs have greatly dimin- ous other denominations, its per- well attended. One federated ished the loneliness of the farm- sonnel including members rang- church in the county is proving er's wife and children. The ing from the little folks up to a marked success. bringing of the college to the high-school age. A cap a b 1e farm has resulted in marked im- leader and teachers are chosen In 1914, a Lyceum Association was provement in men and methods. formed under a Presbyterian minis- County agents and other paid and meetings held on Sunday ter's leadership. This prospered for specialists have brought enlight- several years. But due to the fact enment and rendered the farm afternoons once a month. Chilsufficiently attractive to youth to dren take turns in leading the that the men sponsoring it were left induce attendance at agricul- to foot annual deficits caused by their tural colleges and subsequently devotional services. Each spring effort to bring high-grade entertainto attach these young folks to a special program is given at the ment to j;he rural community, a subagricultural life. College extension clubs, 4-H clubs, etc., are church and an offering taken stitute for the plan was sought. An educational in their purpose and which, added to the 25-cent Agricultural Short Course was dealso afford fine social centers for membership fee, goes to the sup- cided upon. Farmers were urged to the life of the entire family. The bring their best stock and products to spreading of knowledge of ar- port of a child on the foreign be exhibited and evaluated, the judges tistic crafts has developed latent and unsuspected possibilities, field. Parents pack the house being sent from the Iowa State Agriopening larger fields of endeavor on this occasion. A picnic later cultural College. The cooperating for young people searching for a affords a fine social opportunity churches furnished a 25-cent dinner worth-while life investment. In at noon and an entertainment for the fact, country life is made so at- and closes the year's work. evening. This prospered and grew tractive in some localities that people not making a success of Vacation Bible school is held into an agricultural fair covering four their work in cities have been led in another of these churches dur- counties. Good buildings have been ing the summer, with teachers erected for all exhibits, which include to do so on farms. The writer displays from schools, 4-H clubs, sewstresses the desirability of de- for the various grades selected ing and canning clubs, assortments of veloping leadership so far as fancy work, quilts and culinary prodpossible from the rural folk from the cooperating denomina- ucts. In a good dining hall, four aid themselves rather than import- tions. A public program and a societies serve meals all through the ing any but the original trainers, display of the handwork rounds term of four days, each society taking because the former have a grasp of the problems and a sympathet- out what has proved a popular one day. Most of the food being doic attitude of mind which no nated. the venture proves profitable outsider can have. "Spiritual in- endeavor. in dollars and cents. The young peofluences have not kept pace with Every summer a Sun day educational facilities,. but union ple patronize this fair eagerly, even mission study of a graded nature school convention draws together the small boys and girls displaying their pets, from ponies to puppies. the entire community, three Bap- Prizes are awarded. tist churches, a Methodist and a Presbyterian participating. The In response to the question as churches take turns in enter- to the means now used to relieve taining the convention. A Sun- the social isolation of country day school session and a sermon life, Mrs. Grimes says: "I don't
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
see how many more devices could a fellowship committed to the doing with a broom, as royalty passed, a be used. With school and college of God's will and to the extension of Finnish nobleman, a Swedish gentleparties, choruses, band practice, God's Kingdom in the home, in the man, an Italian ambassador and his club dances, movies and radio, community, in Canada and through- wife, the Polish president and his wife, most of the young people don't out the world. and others. The costumes were beauget enough sleep or time to tiful and extremely original, as not read." Good old Iowa is a long- Its study theme for the current year one was prepared beforehand. How settled state. Undoubtedly those is, "A New Church Faces a New wonderful such a project as this would things could not be said of nu- World." One of its avowed methods be in the United States, in order to merous communities far ,t her is the use of lantern slides, lectures get acquainted with the elements in west. And in all rural regions and lecturettes, one of the leading our "melting pot," and to put them on there is much room for improve- sets of pictures being "Touring With friendly terms with each other! ment in the selection and grade the United Church." of the activities. Remember the A Reading Course Planned which religious activities and facilities ANew Adventure Program is pro- has unique features is offered by one lag behind the social and educa- vided for the girls in conformity with of the auxiliaries in Alberta. The tional. the general study topic-"The United entire membership was divided into Church around the World." The girls' equal groups, each responsible for and Methods from Our Magazine special book, "Landing Fields," carries preparing one or more monthly pro- the student on imaginative visits to grams, part of the prescribed study Rack rather inaccessible places on Canadian book to be given. These monthly frontier and prairie, in Japanese city, groups were combined into three The "Ways of Working" of a larger groups meeting bi-weekly, for universal character which ap- in Indian and African villages and bookshelf reading, and the major part pear in the columns of the vari- many other places. By stories and of all three groups, with a membership ous denominational missionary letters, by poetry and word picture, ranging from 10 to 15, did their readmagazines sent in to this Depart- we are given sketches of people en- ing aloud at these meetings. A few ment monthly are so many and gaged in truly great adventures. A members chose to read at home; but so excellent that we only regret project leaflet gives two projects in the chief aim was to promote reading our space limitations make it im- outline and each has notes suggesting generally; to create a more lively inpossible to give more than an how it may be adapted for a depart- terest in missions, and strengthen' occasional sample, especially as mental project. A play is entitled, bonds of friendship in this field of enso many are accompanied by "Beyond the Skyline." This play deavor. As a fitting close of the practical demonstrations in the shows how Chinese young people are year's work, the three groups met toway of projects. A selection of gether in a social evening and each outstanding plans will, however, seeking to find what is the most val- woman contributed orally an outstandbe presented for some time to uable pursuit in life. A heart-warm- ing incident from the book read. come, in the conviction that ing project is "A Week at the Church These short talks were an inspiration, neighborly borrowings enrich all at All Nations Camp." In this moth- and aoll participating were most enthe participants. ers and children, together with mis- thusiastic for more reading the fol- sionary workers, comprise the party, lowing year. The United Church of Canada a large number of the mothers and furnishes so noble an endeavor half the children being from the A Dinner Basket towa r d interdenominational Church of All Nations, Toronto. The unity that we are particularly children were divided into groups by A popular means of suppleinterested in all its projects. ages and cared for during the morn- menting the treasury of the The Missionary Monthly, the of- ing by trained leaders. After cabin Queen Esther Standard Bearers ficial organ of its' Woman's So- inspection there was a worship and has been used by the girls' orciety, furnishes the following study period with the mothers, when ganization of the First M. E. items: interesting discussions took place. church, Hutchinson, Kansas. A After a rest period, swimming and basket is passed among the girls Its avowed aim is inspiring, cover- meeting in planned groups occupied and sometimes to auxiliary meming the union of all the women of the bers, friends or relatives outside church for the World Mission of the afternoon and it was not till the the organization. In the basket Christianity; the provision of mis- evening, when the children were in is something the girls have made sionary education for children, teen- bed, that the fun began with the -jelly, preserves, cake, cookies, age girls and young women; encour- mothers. A carefully planned pro- candy, salad, or other good agement of study, prayer and giving gram was given in the playhouse. A things. The one receiving it on behalf of Christian missions at group of the foreign-born mothers en- takes out something she would home and abroad; sharing in sending tertained the guests one evening. An- enjoy, and puts into a container the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every other night they taught some'of their -which is also included in the Canadian and to peoples of other games. Dances, fortune-telling and basket-the amount of money lands; aiding in the development of choral work were most enjoyed by the she thinks represents the worth the Christian Church in Canada and English-speaking group. A fashion of the article. Within three days of the world-wide Church of Jesus show took place. One lady made a she adds something of her own Christ; creating bonds of Christian dress out of six and a half sheets of making and sends the dinner friendship between its members and newspaper, five pins and fifteen tooth- basket on its way to the next peoples of other races and other lands; picks; another wore it, and the judg- person. This plan has unobjeclisting the whole membership in ing began. Two Ukrainian women tionable features not always in united effort for temperance, social took first and second prizes. The high- evidence a m 0 n g commercial welfare and world peace; building up light of the camp was a coronation ball, international in flavor, as the methods for raising money for king was a Yugoslavian young man who was assisting at the camp. church enterprises. – Adapted Thrones were built up on benches and from Woman's H.ome Missions. kindergarten chairs. The royal family preceded the king and queen, who entered dressed in curtains, with rugs for trains. Among those who were presented were an Ukrainian prince and princess, with crowns made of cheese, tinfoil and real wild flowers; a Macedonian peasant, a Bulgarian street cleaner who presented arms The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
OUR CHRISTIAN ERA A religious painting by F. Luis Mora, recently on display at the Grand Central Art Galleries. The work dramatizes the constant failure of Christians throughout the centuries to really put into practice the fundamentals of their reli- gion and challenges the Christianity of so-called Christian nations. In the background of the painting is shown the compassionate Christ still asking. "Forgive them, for they kno'w not what they do," and the entire foreground is filled with generations of armored men and youth amid the banners of many nations, throughout many centuries, all crowding toward war.
[98 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
. They rebelled against the organized a cooperative for irri- Religion became the dynamic words of God, and condemned the gation, another for marketing. in that community; all week counsel of the most High. . . . It introduced the raising of cit- long the church is the center of rus fruit, brought in an im- a life that is vitally related at "Fools because of their transgres- proved variety of hand loom, en- every point to its people. The sion, and because of their iniquities, couraged people to weave their Christian enterprise is busy, are afflicted. . . . Then they cry unto own cloth. As a result of these building such complete and well the Lord in their trouble, and he efforts, the school expanded its rounded communities all over saveth them out of their distresses. function to include adult educa- the world now. I.t is impossible tion, lending its facilities when to overemphasize their impor- "He sent his word, and healed them the church brought in a teacher tance.-World Peace and Chrisand delivered them from their destruc- who held classes for adults, send- tian Missions, by HAROLD E. tions. … ing out its own teacher to visit other communities and introduc- FEY. "Oh that men would praise the Lord ing a library. for his goodness, and for his wonder- Order from your denominational headquarful works to the children of men, and When the school taught the ters, Or from the Council of Women for sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, need for a better diet to over- Home Missions. 35 cents a copy. and declare h7:s work with rejoicing." come beri-'beri, the church or- ganized a campaign to get veg- Hymn PSALM 107. etable gardens planted and their products eaten when raised. The (Tune, SHACKELFORD) "But the fruit of the spirit is love, leading elder of the church soon joy, peace." "He that abideth in me had nine varieties of vegetables Hymns for Creative Living, No. 182. . . . the same bringeth forth much in his fields. Posters on prevafruit." lent diseases appeared on the All beau,tiful the 'l'lWrch of days, walls of both the church and the As seasons come and go; Love that is higher than the love of school. Classes in infant care men, were conducted by the church The hand that shaped the rose hath while the school inculcated high- wrought Reaching above all self, all others, er health standards among the even, children. Regular visits of a doc- The crystal of the snow. tor were arranged. Hath senf the hoary frost of heaven, Lifted upon one impulse that is pure: To glorify the God who is in heaven. An enterprising business man The flowing water sealed, in the neighborhood had secured And laid a silent loveliness Joy thnt is deeper than mere mortals some athletic equipment and was know, renting this out, charging a fee, On hill and wood and field. and collecting a percentage on A joy that flowers in a field of the bets which he encouraged on O'er white expanses sparkling pure sorrow, all contests. The officers of the The radiant morns unfold; church remonstrated with him That sees beyond man's cloud of pres- for fostering gambling, and The solemn splendors of the night ent pain when he refused to change his Burn brighter through the cold; methods, offered to buy his The blessed sunlight of God's bright equipment. When he declined to Life mounts in ev'ry thro,bbing vein, tomorrow. sen his profitable enterprise, Love deepens round the hea,rth, they bought some equipment of Peace that the world can neither give their own and soon, in spite of And clearer sounds the angel hymn, nor take, his angry demands tbat the "Good will to men on earth." church should s tic k to the A peace that passeth all our under- preaching of the Gospel, suc- o Thou, from whose unfathomed law standing. ceeded in putting him out of business by offering the use of The year in beauty flows, Tranquility that finds in every storm their own equipment free to Thyself the vision passing by That quiet born alone of God's com- teams which played without manding. gambling: Although they in- In crystal and in rose, curred his enmity, they put a Day unto day doth utter speech, Beloved, if your lives would bear such stop to the demoralization of fruit, their youth. They continued to And night to night proclaim, maintain socialized recreation In ever-changing words of light, Abide, Ye are the branches; Christ, facilities and gave their youth the root. training not only in athletic The wonder of Thy name. skills but in taking responsibil- HELEN FRAZEE-BoWER. ity for their own community FRANCES W. WILE. recreational life. Digging the Channels of "Cultivators of Earth Make Understanding the Best Citizens"
A description of one commu- The rebuilding of rural Amernity in the Philippines will show ica is of prime spiritual signifiwhat a basically important con- cance, not alone to rural life but tribution the missionary is mak- to the cities and the nation. ing to a world society in minia- Nearly three-quarters of all the ture. At the heart of a valley, churches in the United States a mile from the sea, is the vil- are rural in character. More lage. It contains the three es- church members are engaged in sential institutions of human agriculture than in any other insociety, hom e s, a school, a dustry. church. Surrounding the village are fields. Running through it There is a vital and universal is a stream. bond between the processes of agriculture and religious experi- The church is at the center of ence which we may well note. the life of this community. The Christian religion had its When a blight attacked the rice, beginnings among agricultural the economic welfare committee and pastoral people accustomed of the church brought an expert to grain fields, flocks of sheep, from the agricultural college herds of cattle, vineyards and three hundred miles away. It
sycamore trees. It seems to be mination which entered into the equilibrium of economic, social easier for man to see God in the fields, in the singing of a bird, in very fibre of American life. and religious forces must not be the setting of the sun or the rising of the moon, in the flowers The spread of settlements at the mercy of unruly profitand trees and in wild animal life, from the Atlantic to the Pacific serving forces whose pressure than in the complicated social is the story of the frontiersman's disturbs its balance. The Church and economic mechanism of a religion and Church, the valor of must help to resist these disturbgreat city. Throughout history the devoted men who, as preach- ing forces and their fickle, unfarmers have had their religions, ers of the Gospel, found their reasonable demands. For the their religious practices and way to the remotest hamlets or normal farmer, his home and his the irreligious organizations. actually led the way, as in the place of business are one, and, And if these today are imperiled case of Jason Lee, Marcus Whit- in spite of complaining, he will in America by disintegrating man and others. Nowhere else not desert the farm for the city forces, it is the business of .the has such an amazing spread of unless he is driven away by rural Church to adjust itself to, population carried with it Chris-> forces over which he and the and interpret, the best of the tian concepts, Christian institu- state and government have no new conditions. To those who tions, and Christian interpreta- control. Intimately involved in know the heart of rural America this problem is the rural Church i,t is clear that, even when hidden tions of life. by uncouth exteriors, the coun- But as life became more set- which ministers to his peculiar try people have expressed a gen- tled and society better organized, needs. uine faith in religious realities. so that one part of the country The picture of rural life of No people could have braved the could, in time of crop failure, yesterday, is a thing of "neighdangers and difficulties of the feed another, the sense of divine borships" – a fellow fee lin g American wilderness and con- providence in crop production growing out of common experiverted so much of it into a rich tended to lessen. Methods of ences and common responsibiligarden without feeling that a di- production changed; the farmer ties. How shall these neighborvine being was shaping their gradually lost his intimate con- ships that cluster about and destiny on a great new continent tact with ~he soil, until today support the rural Church, surthat would become the home of many agricultural enterprises vive? The leaders in nearly a virile Christian nation. are conducted like factories. every realm of interest sprang Automatic machinery has re- from the rural social order of Fortunately for those of us duced the number of hours on pioneer agriculture, and the na- the land, and that sense of a tion cannot do without this who believe ,that Jesus is the out- spiritual inship, of mystic precious reservoir of strength. unity, wit the land and the Isolation had its influence, also standing personality of all times, forces of n ture which man has its obstacles and difficulties, but cherished f r ages, has been di- it produced qualities of mind the greatest teacher of religious rectly affec ed. It is hardly to that have played a significant be believed hat the farmer who part in coloring our entire social truth, the revealer of the heart spends his orking hours at the structure. Nature provides an controls Of~'a tractor feels the atmosphere and opportunity in of God himself, and the Saviour same intim cy with the soil as which intellectual speculation from sin and death, America was did the far er who dug his soil and contemplative habits are debuilt by folk who called them- and plant d his crops with veloped. The rural mind is selves Christian. The early set- simple instruments in his own capable of logical reasoning, tlers brought with them the hands. Today the Church must deep thinking and high ideals. Christian Bible. They believed revive that kinship and link it to The rural Church is the focal in the God whom Jesus came to spiritual in1erpretations of rural point of these qualities and charreveal. They respected and ad- problems if religion expects to acteristics. It has made them mired Christian standards of have a place in the new economy. tangible to the farmer, given life, even when they failed to at- them expression and direction. tain them. It is easy to laugh in these days at the rigidity of Farming as a Way of Life It is the role of the rural Church Puritan ecclesiasticism, but it to keep alive in the hearts and contributed something to Amer- Is farming to follow a com- minds of people this sense of the ica which possibly never before mercial standard and be carried place of agriculture in the life of was used as a foundation for on primarily for financial profit, the nation. Above all should the building a new civilization. It or can it be made a wlty of life Church enable farm people to was a Christian way of living satisfying to the souls of a rural see in the daily rounds and comand working. We may change people and yielding to them mon tasks of agriculture a road greatly in the future, but it is to enough of the bounties of nature that may lead them daily nearer be doubted whether we can sever and factory products to make to God. MARK A. DAWBER.t the influences of those early living rich and joyful? If the t "Rebuilding Rural America" may be ordays. Because of the Christian soil must be enriched, so must dered from the Council of Women for Home ethic there was an appreciation the life of the farmer. The farm Missions. Paper, 60 cents; cloth, $1. is not primarily a place to make Prepared by Edna M. Springhorn, Chairof right and wrong, a sense of man of Committee on Conferences and duty and responsibility, a will- money but a place to live. Its Schools of Missions of the Council of Women ingness to endure and a deter- for !Jome Missipns,
World~wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO CHINA AND TIBET presence of these men in the gov- to come. . . . The firm resolution of ernment today that has helped to the missionaries to fulfil the demands A Ch:ristian Ambassador strengthen the moral fiber of the of the Christian movement in China nation. It is not inaccurate to has already won the admiration of the C. T. Wang, Chinese ambas- say that the Church of Christ to- Chinese of all classes, irrespective of sador to the U. S., said in an in- day is touching men and women their personal beliefs. The challenge terview: in all strata of society, from the to Christian loyalty has before never man in the street to the highest been more severe, and happily it is I am trying to be a Christian who authority in the land. being met in a true Christian spiritworks at it. I hgve a pew in my a spirit of which all followers of church at home, and I sit in it reg- Prayers for Japanese Christ may well be proud. ularly. I take time to talk over my political moves and statecraft with Picture, if you can, a clergy- Where Students Go to Church Jesus Christ. I think that needs to be man in any of the Allied coundone in China and in Americf', and in tries during 1914-1918 saying: Hangchow has a church atdiplomatic circles around the world. "Today we will pray especially tendance -problem that differs We all need to listen for the Voice. I for the German soldiers." Yet from that of most places. The have been playing the royal game of prayers for the Japanese soldiers principal of the Baptist Waystatecraft now for a good many years were said at the Cathedral of the land Academy writes: "One of as foreign minister, prime minister, Holy Saviour, Anking, China, the most difficult problems used and minister of this 01' thnt, not one led by the Rev. Robin Chen. to be how to get our students to of which is as important as being a go to church. Now the problem good minister of Jesus Christ. -The Living Church. is how to keep them away. Church members are so crowded I am proud of the fact that Christ Christian Loyalty Recognized out and so overwhelmed by the is gaining the heart and sympathy of increasing student attendance China. Believe me, that is happening. Here are extracts from an edi- that we have had to give formal His footsteps become clear and clearer torial written by a Chinese in permission to students to go to in the good earth of China with every the China Press of Shanghai. church." passing hour. Christian missionaries in China Student attendance figures Once we looked at the handful of have ignored their government's ad- bear out this remarkable state- Christians on the one hand and the vice to seek personal safety. They ment. There has been an avermnssed millions of China on the other have been urged to leave their posts age of 80 at the church midand said, "You better go home and and concentrate in sectors from which week prayer meeting, 200 in the forget it." But the handful stayed. evacuation under the protection of Academy chapel service (now The story of their staying is an epic their national forces may be compara- voluntary), 350 in church Sunwhich makes the defense of modern tively easy; and they have preferred day mornings, 400 in Sunday Madrid a sham battle. to remain in this war-torn country school and 150 in special extra- with their Chinese fellow-Christians, curriculum Bible classes. Today the handful is winning. unafraid and undaunted. The action of the missionaries has doubtless been Help for Sufferers -The Christian Herald. prompted by a sense of duty toward their evangelical cause and toward Chinese in America are mak- Trend Toward Christianity their fellowmen. To God they have ing great sacrifices for relief of pledged to march onward as true suffering. At first, efforts were Rev. Paul H. Bartel, Kwei- soldiers of the Cross, and to their fel- made to raise war funds but, as chow-Szechwan Mission, writes lowmen they have professed to bring the story of what is probably the in the Alliance Weekly that a a divine message of goodwill and spir- greatest suffering in the history definite trend toward Christian- itual comfort. of the world began to reach the ity has become very pronounced. United States, war chests were The encouraging fact is that the Admittedly, the Sino-Japanese war largely forgotten and all efforts Chinese Church itself is being must come to an end sooner or later. put on war relief. Considering vitalized and energized as never While the missionaries must look after the resources of the average Chibefore, with the result that great the present, they cannot ignore the nese in America, gifts are almost numbers are being added to its future. By deserting at the, first sign beyond belief. Reports from membership. Many men of of danger, they might betray the con- some communjties say they aYefpower and influence in the gov- fidence reposed in them by the Chinese ernment have come to know converts; by remaining together with Christ personally, and these men the converts, they would surely earn are filling their positions in the undying goodwill as well as .aifection, Spirit of Christ. Their testi- and lay the foundation for a greater mony and conduct are making a claim to Chinese support in the years tremendous impression u p 0 n Chinese officialdom. It is the [ 101 J
age $200 a person, and $500 a and father, his sister and mem- pastor, spent the last half of Sepfamily. bers of the Martchester C. 1. M. tember in North China as mes- Committee. Mr. Bosshardt held sengers from the Christians of There are 252 Protestant mis- his great audience for fifty min- Japan in carrying out the plan sion hospitals in China. Some utes, while unfolding v e r y as outlined. have been bombed, some have simply his wonderful story of been obliged to move for safety. God's sustaining power. He told Now that the situation is so Most of them are seriously af- modestly, and occasionally with much worse, the Council has exfected by lack of funds, for there humor, a remarkable story of pressed its desire to take part in are practically no pay patients hardship, suffering and endur- a national spiritual mobilization these days and there has been a ance. Mrs. Bosshardt also gave in the spirit of prayer for the tremendous increase in free her side of the story. establishment of good will. work. Literally thousands of sick and wounded are dependent -China's Millions.• -National Christian Counon these American mission hos- cil Bulletin. pitals. In Nanking and Wuhu, JAPAN-CHOSEN according to cabled reports, only Kagawa Suffers the mission hospitals are open. Christian Council Takes Stand Word comes that the great Student Relief The Japanese Government, at apostle of brotherhood and love, the outbreak of the present Kagawa, is bowed down with re- The International Stu den t crisis, sent a statement to all re- morse because of the Japanese Service, with the backing of the ligious groups outlining its atti- aggression in China, yet he con- World Student Christian Fed- tude and urging cooperation. tinues to preach the message of eration and three other large The National Christian Council the Prince of Peace. It is reinternational bodies, is endeav- of Japan sent the following ported that recently at one of his oring to raise sufficient funds to reply: meetings he stood silent for a care for Chinese destitute stu- long time with bowed head and dents. The first money will be Regarding the present incident we when he spoke he said, "This is used to evacuate them from the pledge ourselves to comply with the not Kagawa standing here. It is war area, but the larger portion purport of the Government's state- but his shadow. The real Kaof the funds will be used to ment and to render faithful services gawa is over there in China with undertake a three-point pro- to the state. the suffering mothers and chilgram: (1) to establish four dren mutilated and made hometemporary district universities In this emergency: 1. We recognize less by the war." outside the war zone; (2) to set our great responsibility as Christians up student hostels which will act for bringing about a spiritual awaken- Furthermore, his income is as dormitories; and (3) to cre- ing in our nation and we will redouble practically eliminated because ate a scholarship fund for the our efforts to this end. 2. In order to the war mania has stopped the neediest and worthiest Chinese express our appreciation of the toil of sale of his books, yet he is strugstudents. our Imperial troops we will undertake gling to carryon his far-reach- projects to comfort them. 3. We ear- ing service of evangelism and The reason for this appeal is nestly desire that this difficult crisis regeneration. A group of his the fact that 30,000 Chinese stu- may be solved as speedily as possible friends in America made up a dents are today unable to con- and with a minimum of sacrifice. "Kagawa Christmas Fund" to tinue their studies because of 4. It is our hope that this incident help him carryon. what passes for war in China. may result in the establishment of re- Five large universities have lations of good will definitely and for The shabby six foot square been totally destroyed and ten all time. To this end we ask our fel- shed in which Kagawa lived and others partially ruined. These low Christians throughout the Empire worked for fourteen years in the students want to continue their to pray most earnestly. slums of Kobe was about to be studies, but can only do so if swept away in a program of muaided. -Christian Century. Voted: 1. That the National Chris- nicipal reconstruction, when it tian Council establish a department to was rescued by a group of his The Bosshardts Tell cooperate with all Christian organiza- friends and is now given a per- Their Story tions and institutions in carrying out manent place in the garden of projects for comforting the Imperial the Good Neighbor Kindergarten Fully 2,500 people crowded troops and open a central office for in Kobe, as a memorial to his Albert Hall, Manchester, Eng- this purpose. 2. To send messengers dauntless spirit in "crossing the land, November 6, to hear Mr. and comfort bags. 3. To raise for this deathline." and Mrs. R. A. Bosshardt tell purpose a fund of Y10,000 as an the thrilling story of their cap- initial am:ount. 4. To set up a Com- -Living Church; Christian tivity by Communists. The ad- mission of Thirty to carry out these Century. dress was relayed to 500 more projects; the members of this commiRin the lower Hall, while 800 were sion to be chosen from the different Theory Needs Revision turned away. On the platform communions and Christian organizawere Mr. Bosshardt's mother tions. Kohachiro M i y a z a k i has founded a Christian society The Committee of Thirty was based on the idea that Japan is promptly named, with Dr. Wil- the Kingdom of God. He be- liam Axling a member. Comfort bags were made and distributed, but no religious literature was allowed to be put in. Secretary Akira Ebisawa and the Rev. Y. Manabe, a prominent Methodist
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
lieves that Amenominaka-nushi- wanted to work. Dr. Martin loves the three other workers, are now .on up-kami and the Christian God poor and needy and does not seek to a world tour expected to last six are identical, and that if Jesus gain friends that will do for him. months. After a series of brief had lived in Japan He would campaigns in the U. S., they exhave made annual pilgrimages to Please send our friend back to us pect to sail for Australia early the temple of Ise. He criticizes as soon as he is rested. God does not in February. The work there Christian missionaries and Ka- give us a friend like Dr. Martin but will be under the auspices of the gawa for not basing their mes- once in a lifetime. Please tell him "Campaigners for Christ," ,an sages on the national history and that my people are thinking and pray- Australian movement which is nationalist culture of Japan. ing for ·his return to us. making considerable headway. The United Presbyterian ob- The Team, however, expects to serves that had they done so, Sincerely, cooperate with ministers' counthey would experience difficulties cils and all other Christian orin writing their sermons at -Korean Echoes. ganizations which welcome their present. ministry. They hope to devote Women's Work in Korea some time to all the capital cities Salvation Army Oommended -Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, The Women's Missionary So- Hobart, Canberra, Sydney and Mr. S. Tokutomi, noted his- ciety usually holds its annual Brisbane. -The Christian. torian, journalist and leader of meeting just preceding the Genpublic opinion, recently wrote eral Assembly. Each of the Guns for Books an article in the Tokyo daily presbyterial societies in Chosen Nichi Nichi, in which he said: is entitled to send a delegate. It took 30 years for govern- All of the officers of the general ment and- missions to arouse in If anything is lacking today in society are Korean women, but the Filipino the desire for an Japan, I should say it is religious at- missionaries sometimes serve on mosphere. The Salvation Army has committees. The Korean women education. N ow, on the thresthe religion we need today. It appeals show much ability in carrying hold of the greatest educational to the common people. It teaches the on their work. opportunity that the Philippines duty of mutual love, mutual respect ever had, a policy has been and mutual help, on the basis of uni- At the last meeting delegates adopted that may prove one of versal brotherhood in the love of God. gave reports from the twenty- the greatest blows that civiliza- The Salvation Army, therefore, helps three presbyterial soc i e tie s, tion has suffered in the Islands. the nation. . . . which include a total of 1,023 A military program requires societies. that every school boy of 10 years Another article in the same or over must take military traindaily is by a distinguished states- On the wall in front of the ing. Every young man of 20 man and former Minister of J us- audience was the motto for the years must enter one of the nutice, Viscount Watanabe, who year, "Be thou faithful unto merous camps to take training. says: death." There were also maps Every school, private and public, of the world showing the great elementary, secondary, high or Political force is not almighty. proportion of the population of university, must teach military What politics can achieve is very lim- the world who are not yet Chris- training to its students, at great ited, and what politics fail to achieve tian. One of the officers of the expense to the government whose is limitless. It is religion that can do Society prepared a map of Korea financial resources are limited. limitless work in this limitless field on which was a red cross and a The system has so dug into the … and the Salvation Army, by its grapevine twined arourid it, with finances of the educational dereligion, is rendering limitless service branches and bunches of grapes partment that every school exin this limitless field. reaching to different parts of cept one in the Bontoc district Korea up into Manchuria, across has either been closed or reduced Do Medical Missions Pay? the Yellow Sea to Shantung to the first four grades. The Province in China and across to one that has remained open could A grateful Korean, able to ex- Japan. Each province of Korea not accommodate one-tenth of press himself in English, has was pictured and in each prov- the pupils from these barrios, written a mission secretary re- ince the presbyterial society even if it were possible for them garding the return of an Amer- named. The number of church to find a place to live. ican doctor: societies in each presbyterial was shown in figures. The result is that mission DEAR SIR: schools are pra.ctically swamped. -Women and Missions. The problem is one of taking Are you in peace? I hope you will care of the thousands who have excuse me, but my heart is so full of ISLANDS OF THE PAOIFIO been converted, and of trying in thanksgiving to God for what he has some way to help the thousands done for me through your servant in Around the World Revival who are eager for an education, Christ, Dr. Martin, who saved my life and a knowledge of the Kingdom and soul, I wanted to know if it were In none of the countries visited of God. -The Living Church. possible for my people to have him by evangelist J. Edwin Orr was back now. He cures our bodies and he more cordially received than loves us so much we find Jesus through in Australia; so marked was the Him. He is so gentle with the Ko- interest shown that he promised reans. I think his voice must be like to return at his earliest opporthat of Jesus. He befriended the tunity. Mr. and Mrs. Orr, with homeless, fed the hungry, cured the sick, found a job for those that
Airplane a Mission Adjunct are a Good Samaritan. You are be impressed anew with the im- a Good Samaritan." At last the portance of preserving these Aviation is proving a definite taxi-driver said: "That's twice rights for themselves." auxiliary of mission activities. you have called me a Good Sa- Not only is it used in locating maritan. What do you mean by Prison Reading tribes hitherto virtually un- that?" The Indian Christian known, but it enables mission- was astounded. "Have you never The American Library Assoaries to bring the Gospel to them heard the story of the Good Sa- ciation would take the affirmaquickly. FUrthermore, the use maritan," he asked the taxi- tive side in the much debated of planes makes such an impres- driver? "No, tell me about it." question: Reformation vs. Punsion on native tribes that they So the Christian gentleman from ishment as a prison objective. are more susceptible to the teach- India told an American taxi- At least, they know that good ings of Christianity. driver the story of the Good books have helped many an Samaritan, and left in his keep-' outlaw to drop his role of "pub- Dr. W. G. Turner, missionary ing a copy of the New Testament lic enemy." of the Seventh Day Adventists that he might learn more of the in the South Seas, has been using teachings of Jesus. Perhaps we Most of the 200,000 inmates a plane in the interior of New are not as Christian as we think of American prisons, according Guinea. The existence of the we are. to prison librarians, are eager to people with whom he has been follow reading courses, and their working, and who number sev- "Let Freedom Ring" unguided tastes are much the eral million, was unknown be- same as those of the average frefore 1931. They were discovered New York World's Fair vis- quenter of a public library. The by white miners in search of itors in 1939 will have their at- difficulty, as might be imagined, gold. The distance from sea- tention called to the importance is the lack of the kind of books ports is so great, the jungles are of liberty in worship by a statue they should have. The Federal so impenetrable and the lack of dedicated to "Freedom of Reli- Government, a few states, and a trails so complete, that aviation gion." This statute, with three city or two have sizeable librais virtually the only means of others symbolizing freedom of ries in their penal institutions, keeping in touch with them. press, freedom of assembly and but these are the exception With their planes, Dr. Turner freedom of speech, will be placed rather than the rule. Many, and his associates have been able in a prominent position. The many books are needed, and lito establish 40 schools among the group will be known as the brarians to offer guidance among natives and have made great "Four Freedoms." the shelves. progress in reducing the language to a written basis. Ap- Freedom of Religion will be -Christian Advocate. parently they have no religion portrayed by a young, modestly of their own. attired girl with her face raised "United Thank Offering" reverently toward the skies and These people are not canni- holding a prayer-book in her "Many a little makes a bals, but tribal warfare is their hands. On the base of the mickle," a Scotch proverb which principal pastime. They do not statue, which will be .thirty feet Episcopal women of the United use poisoned arrows, but the tall, a number of houses of wor- States put into practice, but with shafts are cruelly barbed and ship will be outlined to indicate larger results. The procedure of capable of inflicting death at 200 that freedom of worship in the the "United Thank Offering" is yards. Their. only civilized at- nation is not confined to anyone that whenever any woman of the tribute is that they are fine gar- sect or creed. church feels that she has some deners, and layout large areas special reason to be thankful, planted with sweet potatoes and The idea originated with Ar- she puts money in a box, and other native vegetables. thur H. Sulzberger, president every three months turns it over and publisher of the New York to a local treasurer. Here are NORTH AMERICA Times. The thought behind the some of the occasions for thank- idea, Mr. Sulzberger says, is that fulness: a woman who had lost Is America Christian? "freedom is something that must a pet dog dropped a dollar in the be won by each succeeding gen- box when the dog was returned. A cultured Christian gentle- eration. This has been clearly Another time her husband was man from India was stranded in proved since the war by the rise so late in coming home that she one of our eastern cities. Unable of dictatorships throughout the was seriously alarmed; when he to secure lodgings at any of the world. I feel that the New York showed up, the grateful woman hotels in town because of his World's Fair could do a genu- dropped a dime in the box! dark complexion, he was finally inely patriotic service if statues, befriended by a taxi-driver who symbolizing the four freedoms At the recent Episcopal Contook him to his humble lodgings guaranteed by the first amend- vention in Cincinnati, report and gave him his bed for the ment to the Constitution were was made Of total women's thank night. Several times during placed where the millions of offerings since 1 9 3 4. The their conversation the Indian visitors to the Fair could not fail amount was $861,030.52, $70,000 gentleman, expressing his grati- to see them, and could not fail to more than the total of 1934. All tude, happened to remark: "You of it will be devoted to those
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
mission services at home and noticed that fact." "There you in Mexico to open some Roman abroad conducted by women see it," declared the Eskimo, Catholic church for worship.
alone. "that is a work of the devil. It Sometimes these efforts succeed -The Churchman; Cincin- is he who is setting a snare for and sometimes they fail. In no nati Times-Star. us in order to get us to desecrate case is the whole country stirred the Holy Day. But you may rest by them. President Cardenas is Both Theory and Practice assured he will have no such reported as favoring the reopen- luck." ing of churches. He is compelled Sheldon Jackson School, Sitka, to move slowly because of the Alaska, knows the educational Before the summer ended violent anti-clericalism of some value of a boat, and a Tsimshian these sincere Christians had a of his supporters, and also be- Indian, who came to Sitka with rich, weekday harvest of seals. cause each State has its own Sheldon Jackson in 1888, has, regulations concerning religion. with the help of boys in the LATIN AMERICA Noone expects any modification School, recently built one. They of the religious laws. They will cut the timbers for the keel, keel- A Colporteur's Experiences remain on the statute books to son, deck beams and other parts be invoked against the Roman of the boat frame. They logged Colporteur Ceja of Puebla, Church, whenever the occasion yellow cedar trees and cut the Mexico, receives many insulting may arise. It seems obvious that ribs for the boat from them. letters, some threatening his life, as the Roman Church relaxes its Machin~-shop boys constructed all of them unsigned. As part opposition to the government's the 600-gallon Diesel tanks and of an organized campaign to run program of socialization, there built a sturdy rudder from an him and other workers out of will come a relaxation in the enold safe door, all under the direc- the place, the priest has taught forcement of these laws. tion of the machine-shop in- the children to sing a song which structor. This boat is used not says: President Cardenas has shown only for spreading the Gospel, his concern for the masses In his but for transporting students, Get out! Get out! Protestants, organization of cooperative sovisiting villages, hunting, fish- Get out of our nation. cieties, and by promoting legising, logging, Diesel demonstra- We wish to worship lation to safeguard the rights of tion c I ass e s and navigation The divine heart. labor. In education, special classes. -Monday Morning. stress has been placed upon rural Even in their salutations in schools, w h i c h increased to Eskimos Keep the Sabbath their patios or on the streets, the 10,000 in 1935 and to 11,000 in priests are teaching them to 1936. The present year will One sees what kind of Chris- change the usual Spanish greet- show an increase of approxitians the Eskimos have become ing : "To serve God and thee" mately 1,600. This is a striking when it is observed how they to Ave Maria purissima-"long record when one remembers that keep the Lord's Day. Their food live Christ, my life I am willing 20 years ago Mexico had no consists largely of seal meat, and to give for thee." One hears this rural schools. seals are abundant in Labrador. expression on all sides, spoken A Moravian missionary relates so rapidly the words cannot be Methodist Jubilee, Puerto Rico how, on four Sundays in succes- understood. sion, great schools of seals came This year marks the 2:5th aninto the harbor and played in In another town, Colporteur niversary of the founding of the the water in front of the mis- Ceja's knowledge of gasoline Puerto Rico Methodist Mission sion station; but on the follow- engines and simple mill ma- Conference. It was 37 years ago ing weekdays not a seal was to chinery gave him an entrance. that Charles W. Drees, who came be seen. He installed a mill for grinding there from Argentina, conducted corn, and Mrs. Ceja stayed sev- the first Methodist service on the When the fourth Sun day eral days to help the owners of Island. By the end of the first came, bringing an immense pack the new machine understand its year there were 835 members of seals, the missionary saw sev- manipulation. Now Ceja is help- and probationers, seven Sunday eral Eskimo men sitting on a ing the mayor of the town to schools, five preaching places, large rock on the beach. He build a reservoir and lay a pipe two congregations, $139 collected wondered how long it would be to bring water to the village. for benevolences, and $41 for before the men would leap into Thus serving the people, the ministerial support. In 1913, their kayaks and pounce upon priest has not been able to stir Puerto Rican Methodism was or- up hatred toward him.
-F. L. Meadows.
these seals; so he asked them Religion in Mexico ganized in a Conference. From why they did not go hunting. the original nucleus of thirty Then one E ski m 0 replied: According to Mission,s, the re- persons with which the first "Haven't you noticed that these ligious aspect of the Mexican service was started, a church has seals come in such great schools Revolution is slowly fading into arisen with twenty-four pastoral only on Sundays, and not one the background. The daily press charges with ninety-four con- appears on a weekday?" "Yes," from time to time reports move- gregations, comprising 3,778 replied the missionary, "I have ments in widely separated places m e m b e r san d probationers.
There are eighty-nine Sunday sage was a comparison of his The number of patients coming schools, with 6,343 pupils. own life with that of the same to the Presbyterian Hospital in Although Puerto Rico is a mis- experience through which the Rio Verde is small as yet, but sion field, it has both home and Apostle Paul passed. He realizes each returns home with a new foreign missionary work. The his need of being grounded in the idea of hospitals. This hospital, church has sent missionaries to Protestant faith, and is studying a rented private house, has four the Dominican Republic. day after day in the home of capable girls in training as -Christian Advocate. Don Arturo. When he had fin- nurses. With a population of ished his message, a hymn was 2,000, Rio Verde is the largest sung and an invitation extended town in the state of Goyaz. Education in Cuba -Monday Morning. to others to accept C h r i s t. After being closed almost con- Twenty-five responded, among EUROPE tinuously for six years for politi- them several students. cal reasons, the University of Church and State Havana and the original six pro- Missionary Forces Grow vincial institutes or high schools in Colombia The summer of 1937 will be have not only continued to func- remembered for the interna- tion normally since reopening During the past seven years, tional religious conferences in last January, but 14 new insti- the number of foreign mission- Europe. One of the main themes tutes have opened. Two of these aries in Colombia has increased at Oxford was the relation of are in Sancti Spiritus and from 59 to 160. This is due to church and state; and the series Guines, and one is near Caiba- several causes. 1. The return to of regional Baptist conferences rien. power of the Liberal party has came to grips with this question Cuba as a whole is slowly created great opportunities for in a practical way. Separation awakening to the need of a more preaching the Gospel to receptive of church and state was treated practical education for her peo- audiences. 2. Since the publica- in some form or another at each ple in place of the formal aca- tion of the survey of the North- one of these conferences-somedemic type which has always ern Republics of South America times in the presence of hostile prevailed. The Department of there has been a far better officials. Agriculture is taking the lead by knowledge of actual conditions France is the only country of sending out teams to sponsor existing in Colombia, and many Europe which has no problem tree-planting, agriculture, care missions and individuals have as to church and state relations, of cattle, homemaking classes, given attention to the vast op- while in Germany it is, of course, etc. Four of the Presbyterian portunities that the co u n try a burning question; and it is not Board's schools (at Sancti Spir- presents for the Gospel. 3. Bet- likely that there will ultimately itus, Cabaiguan, Cardenas and ter means of transport for open be any place for a free church Placetas) have used the services parts of the country which were in any totalitarian state. Deleof these teams. In Cardenas and hardly accessible some years ago. gates to these conferences in Sancti Spiritus, for example, 4. Many of the organizations eight countries were convinced boys' clubs for the planting of which have commenced work in it will be a long time before we vegetables have been organized Colombia are Faith Missions, see anything like a "U nit e d and a number of classes in do- which during recent years have States of Europe." mestic science and child care been able to increase their ac- -Missions. tivities considerably. The prohave been given.
-Monday Morning. portion of national workers to Christianity's Last Reserve foreign missionaries is now very Converted in Nicaragua low, and the question of the A Leipzig newspaper recently training of a national ministry, had an article about the Starzi, Jose M. Ruiz, a priest of the both lay and ordained, is one of a people who can be ,traced back Catholic Church for 18 years, considerable importance. to the Bogomilians of the early has been converted in Managua, Russian Middle Age, Evan- Nicaragua. He gave his first -World Dominion Press. gelicals who came up from By- public testimony in a Baptist No Doctors Wanted zantium. (Bogomilian means Church, October 31. The occa- "loved of God.") Their protest, sion is described in the Watch- In some mission areas medical which they felt was God-given, man-Examiner: work is the most successful way was against the secularization of "The school assembly hall was of introducing the Gospel. In the Church, and they often came crowded to overflowing and hun- the interior of Brazil, where liv- into conflict with the clerical ele- dreds were standing. He spoke ing conditions in general are ment. They were at times per- about thirty minutes and al- primitive and unhealthful, how- secuted, and in their testimony though we feared disorder, we ever, one finds a different situa- was often a strong admixture of had the best of attention during tion – people eager to hear the fanaticism.
his message. He gave a message Gospel but live in terror of doc- The Starzi were usually of the with a positive ring, sincere and tors and hospitals. They would lower class, but occasionally men forceful. The basis of his mes- rather die than go to a physician. from the aristocracy j 0 i ned
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
them; their testimony has never of Christian ideas. "We must two observations are pertinent. died out. Again and again one avoid rituals reminiscent of church ceremonies. These cere- (1) Even the best friends of hears of them, now in European monies are dead. Our National Russia, now in the forests of Si- Socialist ideology is not a sub- Russia, and those in sympathy beria. They are considered stitute but a new c rea t ion. saints by the common people but Christmas festivals in Protestant with some of her social objechandled rather gingerly by the parish houses are as divorced clergy. But the interesting thing from our ideology as the singing tives, must question whether of Christmas hymns. A solstice is that today there has been a ceremony must be substituted in communism can succeed if its revival of Starzentum in Soviet such form as to force out the for- Russia. Their purpose is to re- eign spirit through the strength progress depends on t h rea t, store the' Christian faith. They of our own faith." force and wholesale executions. travel on foot in simple peasant Bibles in Yugoslavia dress, staff in hand, with the (2) The relentless c r usa d e Gospel and crucifix in a bag on The National Bible Society of the back, seeking to bring ,back Scotland reports this incident against religion seems to have the Russian people to the naIve from Yugoslavia, told by a col- porteur. resulted in a shortage of spirsimplicity of Russian orthodox belief. They are loved by the Traveling by train, I showed some itual power to motivate the vast people, hated and persecuted by Bibles and Testaments to my fellowthe Soviet authorities. passengers. Sitting next to me was a social program. While commu- man who began to speak very lightly -So S. Times. of the Word of God, frankly confess- nism itself has created an emo- ing that he was an atheist. Wanting to show off, he bought five Testaments, tional energy comparable to that opened the window and threw them out one after another, to show his dis- in religion, it is apparent that respect for the Book. I felt deeply grieved, and wished to return him his the Russian program cannot per- money, but he gave no heed to my words. Some days later, on my way manently succeed until the reli- home, I passed again through this dis- trict, and seeing a gang of trainmen gious impulse in the soul of the standing, I approached them: with a people is again given freedom to friendly greeting. After a few words about the weather, I asked if any of express itself, and to furnish the them possessed a Bible, and if they read it, and took two copies out of my guiding principle of the nation's pocket. Instantly one of the men Needs of French Children shouted, "These look just like the life. -Missions. Books some of our men found on the State education in France line." It was true: the Testaments AFRICA leaves God out entirely, and thrown out by the atheist had been while a small percentage of rescued before rainy weather set in. ltaly in Ethiopia and the trainmen told me of the great French children have some sort joy they had in reading them. It was While the eyes of the world are of religious training at home, the in an exclusively Roman Catholic ter- turned upon the Far East, Musmajority grow up as virtual ritory that the Books were thrown solini is busy Italianizing Ethio- out, where perhaps no one would have pia, and a part of this program, pagans. In many cases adefi- bought the Word of God. as all the world knows, is maknite anti-God influence is seen ing Catholics of the natives. The Twenty Years of Communism Associated Press reports that in the schools. Says one educa- Mussolini's engineers have built, tor: "Leaving God out and It may be that Japan's aggres- or are completing eight Roman funding our moral code on a sion in China is partly due to Catholic churches with dozens purely human basis, we under- signs that all is not well in com.:. of auxiliary schools, dispensaries munist Russia-that she is in no and clinics in Ethiopia. The idea take to produce intelligent and condition to thwart Japanese of Catholic education is being brotherly citizens." Another plans. American tourists return pushed, and it is estimated that says, "We are not called upon to from Russia and report an at- 800 priests and 1,200 nuns will mosphere of tense uncertainty be needed. The Salesian Brothattack or deny the existence of there. erhood-famous for its work in God, but to give an education South Africa-has been authorwhich makes faith in God impos- Nevertheless, celebration of ized to lead in this program. sible." the communist revolution's 20th anniversary was carried out as Coptic churches and Moham- In the McAll Mission settle- in other years. With all due medan mosques are being reno- recognition of Russia's achieve- vated in line with Mussolini's ments in Paris and other towns ments during these 20 years, friendly gestures to Islam. It is not Ethiopian souls, but loyalty of France, Gospel truths are be- to his Roman Empire project that concerns him. ing taught to both children and adults. -The Christian.
No Christmas in Germany In aNew Field Christmas came again, but not As already noted, the expulin Germany so far as the Storm sion of missionaries from Abys- Troopers were concerned. The sinia led to the determination to chief of staff of this Nazi Guard open up fresh territory in the issued "Instructions for Cultural adjacent Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Exercises of Storm Troops." It This project has received unexis of the utmost importance, says pected gifts toward the extra Herr Lutze, to eliminate the financial responsibility entailed. "foreign ideology" of Christianity from the exercises of the Storm Troops, and create new forms and ceremonies which will have not even the faintest flavor 108 THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD [February Extension in another direction always finds lodgings. He helps Director of the German Baptist is marked by the commencement Missionary Society. of work among the lepers of the in the day's work, and bears Moslem provinces of the north. New Life in Angola Five doctors were needed if the witness for the Lord as opportufacilities provided by the British Methodist missionary E. E. Government were to be fully nity offers. Edling believes that Angola is grasped. Three of these are now seeing the harvest of all the seed at work, another is on his way In his travels he visits places sown there during the past 52 and the fifth is taking a course years. He writes: .of study of tropical diseases. where no missionary has ever "Our native evangelists are On a recent Sunday morning, been, away from all Christian constantly on the road" and still Dr. R. V. Bingham, general di- cannot keep up with the calls for rector of this work, led a service fellowship. He keeps in touch special meetings in outlying stain an area where seven years ago tions. They go to hold the meetthe natives were cannibals. Mo- with Tunis by letters posted ings, and people come pouring toring to another center he in from miles around. The work preached to a congregation of whenever he comes to a post has gone beyond us. 600, and in the evening he conducted a service at which 800- office, and these tell of a coura- "Meetings were being held in 900 people were present, and the a village that seemed to have missionary in charge apologized geous witness in face of many grown cold and indifferent, and for the smallness of ,the gather- too full of family quarrels to ing! The morning congregation difficulties. Many Moslems coh- make any progress. But more usually numbers 1,500, but in than 30 people gave their hearts the afternoon and evening many firm the truth of these accounts. to the Lord for the first time, go out to preach to their unevan- not to mention the old members gelized neighbors in surrounding In one village he was received who had been stirred to new life towns and villages. and warmth. One of the helpers very kindly by a sick old man, in these meetings was needed in A, native chief, who had rev- another place, but begged for one elled in tribal warfare and head who wept when he heard of the more day to help new converts. hunting, heard the Gospel from The trip was delayed for one a member of his own tribe. crucifixion of Christ; and when day, when it was seen that this Gathering that it demanded the was only the beginning. For renunciation of polygamy, lying, a few days later he lay on his four more days the meetings stealing and a variety of other went on, new people coming in sins, he declared that he had no death-bed, he refused to witness each day from all that region, use for it. Later he came into many of them heads of villages contact with the missionary, who to Mohammed, but assented who had stoutly resisted the ,startled him by saying, "Come Gospel for many years. Saturto Christ just as you are." when Medani spoke of Jesus as day night when the services finally came to a close with a Imagining that Christianity the Saviour. After the burial he great testimony meeting, 96 new had capitulated, he decided to at- names had been added to the tend mission services. Sunday was accused of converting the list. after Sunday found him in his place, and eventually the light old man to heresy. The men "This is typical of what has broke upon his heart. Now, he gone in since November. To finds that he no longer takes planned to kill him, but a wom- date the list of new converts pleasure in evil doing. since that time in all the villages an, grateful for healing, helped visited totals just about 1,000. -Life of Faith. A new spirit is abroad in the Medani to escape, supplying him whole field." Witnessing to Moslems with food and money. He had Raising Spiritual Standards A ministry of unmeasured value, involving hardship and to remain hidden for some days, The Lovedale Bible School, often peril, is that of Medani, a South Africa, was founded five converted Mohammedan of Te- and in his letter he asked for years ago to assist in deepening bessa, on the Algerian frontier. spiritual life. Its leaders recog- After helping in the mission for prayer that whether in life or in nize the danger of the growth of some years, he now journeys an African Church which is with caravans of Arabs. The death he might glorify God's satisfied with a low standard of average Tunisian countryman is faith and morals. There has hospitable, and as Medani car- name. -Life of Faith. been in some districts a recruries a stock of simple medicines descence of heathenism, because ,and sweets for the children, he German Mission in Cameroon As most of us know, the Brit- ish Government several years ago permitted the resumption of mission work by Germans in the section of the Cameroons which it holds under mandate. German Baptists, however, encountered serious obstacles in maintaining their work. Rigid regulations regarding the export of currency were among the chief of these, and for a time the continuance of German foreign mission work -not only by Baptists, but equally by members of other churches – d e pen d e d upon friendly assistance from Chris- tians of other lands; and British Baptists raised and sent several hundred pounds. The gravest crisis has passed, and it has re- cently become possible to rein- force the mission staff. Peculiar interest attaches to the departure for Africa of Helmut Simoleit, son of Dr. F. W. Simoleit, the well-known Vice-President of the Baptist World Alliance and converts have remained ignorant glory of Christ. Deeply im- doctors were men – had more of the elements of the faith they pressed, the Moslem said, "These women patients than men. This professed. are good words; I will hear you past year saw 455 babies born in The five-months courses of the again." six mission hospitals, Kerman- school have put nearly 50 evan- This, and other such incidents shah reporting one week with a gelists into the field. Entering convinced the British Syria Mis- baby every day-and triplets to the school with vague ideas sion that the training of native top it off with! An increasing about God, sin and salvation, evangelists must somehow be as- number of nurses are being they have had their whole atti- sured. Accordingly, plans are trained. In 1936, the Governtude transformed. A four-page under way for establishing a ment decided to inaugurate monthly, "Preachers' Help," is Bible School for Syria. The nurses' training as a branch of issued in Xhosa and Suto, and the educational program rapidly has 1,100 subscribers. It finds Mission Secretary has completed expanding under the direction of its way into every Province of its able Minister of Education, the Union, and into Southwest a world tour, chiefly to make this a graduate of Alborz College. project known. Rev. Evan R. Africa and Rhodesia. The Love- Harries is to be the first Prin- The educational impetus is dale Press also publishes a cipal, and Zaki Effendi of Port placing girls in positions as "Guide for Preachers and Bible ,typists, clerks and teachers. A Students" to meet their needs Said has accepted the post of knowledge of Eng 1ish and both in private study and as a tutor. The school will be opened French is considered essenUal textbook for training classes. in the Mission building at to secure the best of such em- Shimlan. -The Christian.
-So S. Times. Turkey's Development p19yment. -Women and Missions. Turkey is now chiefly intent WESTERN ASIA u p 0 n internal developments.
Cyprus Has a Sunday School The State controls the chief in- INDIA-BURMA-CEYLON Last year, an Armenian Sun- dustries, private enterprise ben- The Basis of Evangelization day school worker, with head- efiting by State initiative and quarters in Beirut, Syria, visited financial guarantees. The re- Indian missions need "re- Cyprus and organized the first cently signed Asiatic Pact be- thinking." Evangelical Chris- Sunday schools within the Ar- tween Turkey, Iran, Iraq and tians number at least 4,000,000, menian Church in Cyprus. He Afghanistan is designed to as- and to these approximately 250,- was received with enthusiasm, sure their internal development 000 are being added yearly. and reports that a Council of Re- equally with their territorial in- These believers, have been gathligious Education has been tegrity. Pan-islamism has re- ered chiefly through the witness formed for the Island, Sunday ceived a setback; an influential of changed lives and spontaneous school work in Larnaca has been intelligentsia in these countries testimony of Indian Christians; firmly established, and a series is pressing for religious reform. therefore the completion of the of lectures have been given to The missionary outlook is dis- unfinished task of India's evanteachers and prospective leaders tinctly promising, provided that gelization lies in making the on methods of teaching, and Christianity is presented not witness of her Church more principles of Christian educa- only as a Gospel of personal sal- effective. tion. The Armenian population vation, but of national regeneraon the island is about 4,000; tion and progress. The organization, training there were about 850 children enrolled in the Sunday schools. -World Dominion Press. and equipment, as well as the spiritual and material encour- Bible School for Syria New Day for Iranian Women agement of selected Indian work- ers is the pressing duty of mis- Evangelistic work has felt the sions. Nor is this enough. Vital collaboration between mission- Yusef, a young carpenter of effect of women's emancipation aries and Indian leaders on a Tyre, was converted from the in Iran. Galls may be made in basis of Christian fellowship and Moslem faith. Accompanying a Moslem homes, with less embar- perfect equality, will alone bring missionary on an itinerary to rassment to the hostess. A spirit into play the special contribution villages which it is possible for of open-minded inquiry is en- of each, which together, may the missionary to visit only once gendered with the passing of achieve a success denied to uniin two or three years, he sur- long established usage. lateral mission activity. One ef- prised himself in the discovery Again, medical work reflects fective point of contact is found of a gift for evangelism. One the new feeling. For years in the Ashram Movement. These Moslem asked Yusef why he had Iranian women have been in- brotherhood fellowships can left the fold of Islam. With creasingly willing to consult a serve to bring foreign missionsuperb Christian diplomacy, say- man physician, but never was aries and Indian colleagues into ing nothing derogatory to the there such willingness as today. this helpful relationship and prophet, he read passages from Year before last, two of our hos- generous cooperation.
his Bible which set forth the pitals-and their only American -World Dominion Press.
Madras Meeting of I. M. C. study, action and consultation. Their first move was to select The Hangchow Meeting of the The Meeting of the Council fur- four murderers as household International Missionary Coun- nishes the opportunity for this servants. The rest were set to cil is now to be known as the consultation among the repre- work building three villages. So Madras Meeting of the Interna- sentatives of national groups in ignorant were they of work that tional Missionary Council. On account of the disturbed condi- international conference. This each had to be taught how to use tions in the Far East the Council has decided to accept the invita- program, launched a year ago, a spade. Schools, offices and a will continue as planned. It has medical dispensary were built. tion of the National Christian Council of India and hold its emerged out of the life experi- A hand-weaving industry was meeting at Tambaram, on the campus of the Madras Christian ence of these national groups started, and these ex-criminals College. Tambaram is a suburb of Madras, in the semi-tropical and continues as a guiding in- have made clothes for themsoutheastern section of India. It is near the heart of the Mass fluence for thought, action and selves and for sale to all the Movement area where a strong Christian community is growing prayer around the world. Andaman Penal Settlements. In rapidly, and where visitors from other lands may observe much Student Evangelism in Ceylon' five year,:; the gangsters paid that will be instructive and en- back every penny loaned to them couraging. While the Indian For the past t'Yo year~ !he by the government to start in- Christians eagerly welcome the Jaffna In~er-Colleglate ChrIstIan dustries. They have built a dam coming of the Conference to Fel}o'Yshlp has held. an Evan- and reservoir, planted fruit Tambaram, Bishop A z aria h gehsh~ Week. Meetmg ~enters trees, built a hall for their Gosspoke on their behalf in hoping h~ve mcreased from nme to pel meetings. Men who were that the Conference would be nmeteen, a~d the work. was ex- hardened criminals can now be indeed an ecumenical conference tended to m~lude Jum?t: Sec- seen on Sundays teaching the bringing Christians from all ondary E!1ghsh .a!1d Bllmg~al Bible to the children of the colparts of the world to India. Al- Schools, m addlt.lOn· to HI?,h ony. Boys are now preparing though conditions are uncertain Schools. ¥eth~s mcluded "Wlt- for mission service. in the Far East, it is hoped that ~es.s me~~mgs, and to. keep th.e These two workers recently there will be a strong delegation WItness fr?m becom~ng a ~l- visited England, and said that in both from China and from J apan, as well as from other parts ography, WIthout pomt, Wlt- twenty-five years spent among of Asia, Africa, Latin America nesses we!e aske,~ to speak on criminals they had not lost the and the West. The condiitions such questIo~s a~ What C!0d has smallest of their .possessions.
which the Christians of these meant to me m bmes of dIfficulty However within an hour after two countries of Asia face are of major concern to Christians of ?r doubt, s?r!ow, defeat or joy; arriving' in civilized England, all lands, and make the strength- l~ ha!mO~IZI~~ pe:r:sona.l rela- Mrs. Sheard's umbrella was ening of Christian ties more tIOnshlps, m.glvmg dIrectIOn and stolen. -So S. Times. important than ever. The Chris- purpose to hfe"; and to address tian Church, the Church Univer- meetings, with topics such as Missionaries Help Ex-Patriots sal, must stand in united witness "God in Christ," "Forgiveness to its faith today. This· will not Through C h r i s t," "Me for The secretary of the "Servants be a conference only on prob- Christ." of India" Society made an extenlems in the Far East. It is the sive tour of three years in the regularly called decennial meet- The method usually adopted ,to Far East, America and in Ausing of the International Mission- register decisions is to take the tralia; and wherever Indians ary Council, coming together to senior students out for a quiet were living in these countries he consider fundamental problems retreat, or gather them together made it his business to visit of the Christian mission. It will for a quiet meeting, a week or them, and stay with them some ten days after the evangelistic time. As a result, he gives three be concerned with the world- week, with its emotional stress, general impressions with referwide witness of the universal is over. Students cannot be ence to the condition of Indians Church. The Faith by Which baptized without permission of overseas. First, "If generalizathe Church Lives, the Witness of parents or guardian. tions are permissible at all, it the Church to Its Faith, the may be said that in Trinidad, Inner Life of the Church, the -National Christian Coun- British Guiana and Fiji, where Church and Its Environment, cil Review. Indians were originally introand Closer Cooperation among duced under the indentured sys- Christians; these were the five Among Criminal Tribes tem, they are commendably topics named for world-wide better off than similar classes in Major Sheard and his wife of India." Second, "It is remark- the Salvation Army, after work- able that by their own self-help ing twenty-five years among the and against tremendous odds criminal tribes of India, were these Indians overseas have sent by the government four and made great progress." Third, a half years ago to the Andaman "We cannot be too grateful to the Islands in the Bay of Bengal, Christian missionaries who alone where 600 convicted murderers took interest in the uplift of the and robbers had been segre- Indians." -Dnyanodaya. gated. One hundred and twenty were chained as violent crim- inals. Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Apostle of China. Life of Samuel of God. No man contributed to thrilling facts. To illustrate: Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky. By James Arthur Muller. 275 pp. more than he to making the Often poverty in the mountains $2.50. Morehouse Pub. Co. New York and Milwaukee. 1937. Bible available to the Chinese is associated with high intelli- people. The foundations which gence and profound wisdom; This is a long overdue biog- he laid will endure forever. often Christian p e 0 pie have Professor Muller has done an raphy of one of the most re- shamed the state to action; good amazing piece of work in assem- roads and good schools and the markable missionaries of the bling the adequate material of Wider Parish, the Boy Scouts Nineteenth Century, Sam u e I this biography, when at first it Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky of seemed that all the material had and the 4-H Clubs are helping China. Schereschewsky was a been lost, and he has put it to- Russian Jew born in Lithuania, gether in the most simple and to reveal, and to make usable, May 6, 1831. He became a satisfactory way. The account "the precious things of the Christian through studying the of his researches should lead every missionary board to re- mountains." Mr. White has New Testament in Germany and solve to perfect its archives and given us a book, small in comassociation with Jewish Chris- preserve its irreplaceable treastian friends in America where ures of correspondence. pass, readable, sane, encour- aging. Perhaps we shall rememhe came in 1854. After two R. E. SPEER. ber best his quotation from a years in the Western Theological mountain man, who says: "We Seminary of the Presbyterian had so many churches we couldn't have a church."
Church in Allegheny, Pa., he Highland Heritage. By Edwin E. WM. J. HUTCHINS, transferred to the Protestant White. Friendship Press. Cloth, President, Berea College.
Episcopal Church and was sent $1.00; paper, 60 cents. New York. "It Is Hard to Be a Christian." By as a missionary to China in 1937. Samuel M. Zwemer. 159 pp. 3s. 6d.
1859. There his great work was Mr. White reveals his wide Marshall, Morgan & Scott. London. the founding of St. John's Uni- reading and his deep experience. 1931. versity in Shanghai and Bible He does not live in the realm of This is the full outpouring of .translation, though as bishop he romance inhabited by many a rich and noble experience. It had administrative charge of the writers. His spirit is that of is not testimony which cost nothwork of his mission from 1876 comradeship, rather than of con- ing. It bears "traces of having until his breakdown and paraly- descension. He emphasizes the bled." "Scars" and "loneliness" sis from sunstroke in 1881. For fact, often ignored, that the peo- and "the Cross" are not mere four years he sought to repair ple of the mountains were for a words lightly spoken. They show his health in Europe and then long time "in the thick of the na- forth realities through rents in for nine years, with a shattered tion's life. They played a large the veil. The book is not an body but an indomitable will, he part in the formation of new apologetic for unbelievers or a worked in America on his Bible states" and have always re- piece of impersonal doctrinal translation and revision of trans- sponded when the nation needed statement. It is a soul in Christ, lation, though he could write heroes to fight her battles. The speaking out of the glory and only by punching a typewriter mountains have suffered from tragedy of Christian life to other with a single finger. wanton exploitation; through souls in Christ, drinking of the In 1895 he returned to China ignorance or greed, the resources cup of which Christ drank and for two years and then from of forest, and soil, and minerals, being baptized with the baptism 1897 until his death in 1906 he all have been plundered. The with which He was baptized lived in Tokyo, tirelessly busy in author does not allow us to draw withal. Each chapter begins his colossal books. He was one down the curtains of our minds with an apt quotation from "Pilof the greatest linguists and as we pass abandoned mining grim's Progress" and the true most learned men of his time, a towns, rural slums, schools, the spirit of that Pilgrim breathes man of original and forceful playthings of some rural Tam- from every page. The book is character and a true and devoted many. full of fresh illustrative mate- Christian who rose above pov- As he compels us to face real- rial, and apt and unhackneyed erty and suffering by the grace ity, Mr. White calls our attention words of poetry, and its mes- Any of the books noted in these COllmns will be sent by the REvmw publishers on receipt of price.
[ 111 ] sage is spoken in short, truth- Stand Up and Preach. By Ambrose because the 'war-makers' did not telling sen ten c e s with the Moody Bailey, D.D. Round Table want these supplies damaged or warmth and glory of a true love Press, N. Y. 141 pp. $1.50. destroyed." For children today, of Christ. It deals with Chris- between the ages of 9 and 12 tian discipleship as the New This volume by a pastor of years, footnotes are often sup- Testament deals with it and with wide experience is announced as plied to give sources of inforlife in its tragedy as illumined "a formula for better preach- mation. Such documentation is by the Cross of Christ and com- ing." That an adequate formula valuable to carry conviction. forted with the love and joy of of this nature would be a power- Our boys and girls are far more God and finding its full mean- ful aid in this day of changing alert and mature than in preing beyond the things of time pulpit standards, none will dis- vious generations. and sense. It begins with a pute. The chapters deal with motif from Browning's "Easter such practical questions as the JAMES F. RlOOS. Day" : minister's calling, ideals, mes- sage, intellectual habits, sermon Along an Indian Road. A play by How very h'ard it is to be technique, etc. There is a wealth Mrs. Martin de Wolfe. 5 cents a A Christian! Hard for you and me. of counsel and illustration; in copy. Woman's Board of Foreign fact the book is largely a record Missions, Reformed Church, New And its lesson might be summed of personal experience. There York, or Hilda L. Olson, Marion up in Browning's closing words: are also lists of striking sermon Way, Rockport, Mass. topics which the author has used And so I live you see, with apparent success. The tone "Along an Indian Road," pic- Go through the world, try, prove, re- of the book is evangelical and tures Dr. Ida Scudder's work in while it contains much which is which the author (Ruth Scud- ject, suggestive and valuable, the dis- der) herself formerly had a Prefer, still struggling to effect criminating reader will sense a share. It sets before us the My warfare; happy that I can degree of inadequacy and incom- gathering of the Indian suffer- Be crossed and thwarted as a man, pleteness. There is, for example, ers, some of them lepers, with Not left in God's contempt apart, an inadequate recognition of the their groanings and grumblings With ghastly smooth life, dead at importance of doctrine; there is and jealousies; and then the ar- commendation of certain books rival of Dr. Ida who ministers heart. of questionable value, and some to them so patiently and kindly Tame in earth's paddock as her quotations are either carelessly that they say to one another, made or unfortunate. The book "The name of her God is Love." prize … does not live up to the promise Thank God, no paradise stands barred of its title and purpose. The play was recently given To entry, and I find it hard for the first time before the Fed- To be a Christian, as I said. HUGH R. MONRO. eration of Women's Missionary Societies in Poughkeepsie. Dr. Hard and glorious and alone "Broken Guns." By Eleanor Holston Wm. Bancroft Hill, who has worth while! ROBERT E. SPEER. Brainard. 120 pp. $1.00. Friend- watched Dr. Ida by the roadside, ship Press, New York. 1937. reports, "It is full of the Indian The Romantic Isles – A Sketch of atmosphere, very life-like with the Church in the West Indies. By The author of this wholesome mingled humor and pathos; and John Levo. 88 pp. S. P. G. and junior book knows how to pic- it held the large audience from S. P. C. K. London. ture the peace and war issue start to finish. It can easily be vividly for children and to give presented by a small society as This is more than a sketch of them a good background for well as by a large one; and it missionary work in the West their thinking. makes a very effective mission- ary appeal." Indies. As a handbook for the The story begins with the outstudy of the West Indies it has break of the World War and Accidents Will Happen. By Winifred portrays briefly the experiences M. Pearce. 126 pp. Is. 3d. Pickmuch to commend it. From of soldiers who fought. We see ering and Inglis, London. 1937. Columbus on down through the the part greed plays in the makages explorers, pirates, traders ing of war; what propaganda is A very readable story of the and English settlers are shown and does; who are the true pa- son of an English archreologist triots; finally, how the author who accompanies his father to in a clear-cut background for believes that peace can become Iraq, meets with rather queer the picture. That picture is the a fact, and what boys and girls accidents, learns something of can do to make this possible. the country and more than a West Indian folk of today-their little about things that are worth physical, moral, educational and There are no footnotes or ref- while in life. Several illustra- erences. They are needed to tions add to its value for a boy economical status, as these fac- in his early "teens." There is tors have in many ways deter- substantiate such statements as: plenty of adventure and an added mined their religious develop- "The German and French air- spice of mystery. ment. men did not bomb enemy mu- nition plants by agreement, JAMES CANTINE. The motive of the writer is to show the part in this develop- ment played by English philan- thropy and missionary effort; and what still remains to be done. For the casual visitor to the Islands as well as for the student this little book has a de- cided value. JAMES CANTINE.
to Remember FOR SALE Obituary
February 9-Annual Meeting, Mis- 48 new black poplin pleated choir Bishop Isaac Lane, oldest Bishop sionary Review Publishing Co., New gowns, academic style, $3.76 each. of world Methodism, died December 5 York. All or part. Write at once. in Jackson, Tenn., at the age of 103. Bishop Lane was born in slavery, and March 4-World Day of Prayer. LOUIS J. LINDNER was 29 years old when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. He March 23-24-United Stewardship 426-MRW Seventh Avenue helped to found the Colored Methodist Council, Columbus, Ohio New York City Church, and later established Lane College for Negroes. The Isaac Lane April 28~General Conference, Meth- Dr. H. H. Kung, the prominent Memorial Hospital was organized in odist Episcopal Church, South, Christian Chinese statesman, brother- 1934 by citizens of Jackson to per- Birmingham, Ala. in-law of Madame Chiang Kai-shek, petuate his name and work. has been made the Premier of China. May 12-16-Southern Baptist Conven- Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek has *** tion, Richmond, Va. given up this position in order that he may devote all his time to the defence Dr. Leopold Cohn, founder and May 19-General Assembly, Presby- of his country against the Japanese. former president of the American terian Church in U. S., Meridian, Board of Missions to the Jews, Inc., of Miss. *** Brooklyn, died recently. He was 75 years of age. Af':;er studying in the May 2S-General Assembly, United Miss Huang An-Ii, graduate of Yeshivas of Central Europe, Dr. Cohn Presbyterian Church of Nor t h Yenching University, is the first came to America and shortly after his America, Cleveland, Ohio. woman ever to be appointed by the arrival became a Christian. He went Chinese Government to fill a position to Edinburgh where he studied at the May 26-General Assembly, Presby- in its diplomatic service. She has Free Church College and on his return terian Church in U. S. A., Philadel- been appointed third secretary to the became a Christian missionary to the phia, Pa. Chinese Embassy in London. Jews of the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. June 2-General Synod, Reformed *** Church in America, Asbury Park, *** N. J. Rev. Robert F. Chisholm has been appointed General Secretary of the Rev. David Wendel Carter, for- June lS-22-General Council of Con- National Bible Society of Scotland. merly a missionary of the Methodist gregational and Christian Churches, In his student days, he was an as- Episcopal Church South, died in Texas Beloit, Wisconsin. sistant in the Glasgow Mission to on September 3, 1937. He welit to .Jews, and was the first Scottish mis- Mexico as a missionary in 1882 and June 28-July 3-;-Twentiet):1 .Interna- sionary to the Jews in Transylvania. since his retirement has worked among tional ConventIOn on ChrIstian Edu- He will also assume the editorship of the Mexicans in Texas. He was a cation, Columbus, Ohio. the Quarterly Record. cultured and effective missionary who knew how to deal with all classes of Personal Items *** people.
Prof. Roy Smith, missionary pro- Rev. G. W. Ridout is making his The Presbyterian fessor in Kobe University of Com- third missionary evangelistic trip to merce, has been decorated by the Sout:l America. He will preach and A weekly religious newspaper in Emperor with the Fifth Order of the hold evangelistic meetings in Panama, its lo6th year of continuous pub- Sacred Treasure in recognition of his Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Mon- lication under the same name. meritorious service as an educator. tevideo and Brazil. Dr. Ridout will Professor Smith has been in Japan work mostly with the Methodist It is conservative and evangelsince 1903, and continuously in edu- churches and schools, but will also be cational work as an instructor in associated with missions of the Pres- ical, gets its news by telegraph English. byterians, Baptists, Friends, :til ,zarene and keeps abreast of the times. and Christian Alliance. *** It goes into every state of the PARENTS •.• Rev. Norman J. Smith, of Yonkers, Union, the District of Columbia, N. Y., has been called to be General In the Foreign Mission Field and U. S. possessions. Secretary of the American-European Fellowship 156 Fifth Avenue, New Endorse Calvert: School It goes to Asia and Africa, South York City. This society supports Home St:udy Courses Christian missionaries in Europe. America, Canada and New Zealand Mr. Smith will also be managing for Children and into twelve countries of Eueditor of The EurQ'J)ea.n Har'Vest Field. He will continue to act as Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- rope. General Secretary of the All-Russian tion Department, will give your child a Evangelical Christian Union and edi- superior elementary education ••• by mail, Subscription Price, • • – $2.50 tor of The Gospel in Russia (formerly regardless of where you may live. Mod- Ministerial Rate, • • – $2.00 edited by the late Rev. I. S. Prok- ern, approved courses from this famous hanoff). Previously, Mr. Smith was school are being used by parents allover .50c. ext,a—Canadian postage with the Russia Bible and Evangeliza- the world with outstanding success. $1.00 extra—foreign postage tion Society and formerly he was a district secretary of tl.e American Give your children the advantages of these THE PRESBYTERIAN Sunday School Union, at Richmond, interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, Va. and attractive materials. Instruction is 1217 Market Str••t, Philad.lphia, Pa. under the personal guidance of teachers in *** Calvert's prominent and successful private day school in Baltimore. Rev. and Mrs. Alva Harsh and Miss Mineva Neher, missionaries of the Write today for booklet of complete in- Church of the Brethren, mysteriously formation. Costs are low. disappeared from their station at Show Yang, Shansi, China, on December 2. These three missionaries disappeared on their way home from visiting a French family but up to date no definite information has been received about them.
Resurrection of the Human o.In Unusual 'W,.ew qJoolt on the A History of the Modern and Con-
Body. By Norman H. Camp. 12mo. temporary Far East. P. H. Clyde. 127 pp. Bible Institute Colportage D;st;ncti"e Truth ofChristianity ! 858 pp. $6. Prentice-Hall, New Assn. Chicago. 1937. York. The Resurrect:ion of There is much confusion in The Invasion of China by the Westthe minds of Christians as to the the Human Body ern World. E. R. Hughes. 324 pp. time, form and nature of the 15s. A. & C. Black. London. resurrection. Even Evangelical by Bible students differ in their in- NORMAN H. CAMP Crisis in China: The Story of the terpretation of Bible passages. Author of Thinking With God, etc. Sian Mutiny. J. M. Bertram. Illus. Mr. Camp is an evangelistic 318 pp. lOs. 6d. Macmillan. Bible teacher, sponsored by the I s CHRIST now living in a human London. Moody Bible Institute. He is a body of flesh and bones? Where? clear thinker and firmly believes Will the bodies of all dead men be China at Work. Rudolf P. Hommel. that the only definite information raised from the grave? When? Can 366 pp. $5. John Day. New York. on the resurrectiQn Is found in Christians distinguish between truth the Christian Scriptures. He and error? How? These and other China Through a College Window. here presents clearly the case for vital questions considered in this timely William Sewell. 183 pp. 28. 6d. the physical resurrection of book on the outstanding message of London. Edinburgh House Press. Jesus Christ and of all believers the early Church. in Christ. His argument is based China Faces the Storm. Ronald on both Old and New Testaments Bound in blue cloth, stamped in gold; Rees. 158 pp. 28. Edinburgh bu.t he also appeals to the testi- 127 pages; attractive two-color jacket; House Press. London. monies of godly men and to the 75 cents. Order Your Copy Now! reasonableness of the belief Stone-Gateway and the Flowery found from the study of the The Bible Institute Colportage Association Miao. W. H. Hudspeth. Illus. analogies of nature, the desires 848 North Wells Street, Chicago 87 pp. ls. C&rgate Press. London. of the human heart and the justice of God. Christians will find For the Mountains – An Autobiog- On the Bombay Coast and Deccan: this study rewarding. raphy. William Goodell Frost. 352 The Origin and History of the pp. $3. Revell. New York. Bombay Diocese; W. Ashley-Brown. Medical Missions at Work. H. P. Illus. 280 pp. 8s. 6d. S. P. C. K. Thomson. 82 pp. 18. S. P. G., The Growing Menace of the "Social London. London. 1937. Gospel." J. E. Conant. 72 pp B. I. C. A. Chicago. A Tribe in Transition. D. N. Ma- A compact little book giving jumdar. Illus. 216 pp. lOs. 6d. vivid glimpses of the wide range The House on the Island. Grace Longmans. London. of medical missionary work Pettman. 182 pp. lB. 6el. Pickerfrom African huts to well devel- ing & Inglis. London. History of the Arabs. Philip K. oped medical schools in China. Hitti. Illus. 767 pp. $10.50. Mac- Pioneering, hospital work, nurse Happy Though Poor. Donald Grey millan. London and New York. training, public health and re- Barnhouse. 95 pp. ls. Pickering search all come in for attention. & Inglis. Londc;m. Iraq: A Study in Political Develop- It is primarily a book of descrip- ment. P. W. Ireland. Illus. 509 tions and narratives, us i n g Along an Indian Road. A Play. pp. 15s. Cape. London. plenty of first-hand "Close-ups," Mrs. Martin de Wolfe. 5 cents. rather than a discussion of prob- Woman's Board of Foreign Mis- African Genesis. Leo Frobenius and lem and policies, or of the phi- sions, Reformed Church in America, D. C. Foz. 236 pp. $3.75. Stacklosophy of medical missions. New York; and Hilda L. Olson, pole Sons. New York. However, the last chapter on Rockport, Mass. "The Meaning and the Motive" Black Hamlet: The Mind of an Afbrings out the Christ-like basis Poems of Faith. Edith E. McGee. rican Negro revealed by Psychoand demonstration of medical 39 pp. $1.00. Stratford Press. analysis. Wulf Sachs. 280 pp. missions with special focus. It Boston. lOs. 6d. Bles. London. is a very readable book with many usable stories. The Resurrection of the Human The Republics of South America: Body. Norman H. Camp. 127 pp. A Political, Economic and Cultural E. M. DODD. 75 cents. B. I. C. A. Chicago. Survey. 374 pp. 21s. Oxford Uni- versity Press. London. New Books Twelve Brave Boys Who Became Famous Men. Esther E. Enoch. Religion and Social Organization in Christian Faith and the Science of 95 pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. Central Polynesia. R. W. William- Today. J. H. Morrison. 228 pp. London. son. Edited by Ralph Piddington. $2.00. Cokesbury Press. Nashville. 372 pp. 258. Cambridge University Why Do I Believe the Bible Is God's Press. London. A Christian Layman's Handbook. Word? William Dallmann. 75 Robert M. Kurtz. 72 pp. 50 cents. cents. 138 pp. Concordia Pub. Co., 1938. Course in Bible Prophecy American Tract Society. New York. St. Louis. God's Program for the Future Windows of the World. Life of A Scriptural Study Each Week—52 Lesson,. Alfred H. Burton. F. W. Pitt. What Prophecy Is, How It Can Be Inlerpretf'd, Its 28. 6d. 162 pp. Pickering & Inglis. Belationahip to the Jew, the Gentile, and. the Church. London. Send 15c in stamps for current issue_ A Year of Children's Sermons. Jos- eph A. Schofield, Jr. $1.50. 192 pp. HRISTIAN PUBLICATlON5.IN<: Cokesbury Press. Nashville. 1502 II. Third Street, Harrisburg, Pa. Sidney James Wells Clark: A Vision of Foreign Missions. Roland Allen. 170 pp. 28. 6d. World Dominion Press. New York and London.
Henry T. Hodgkin: A Memoir. H. G. Wood. Illus. 281 pp. 58. Student Christian Movement Press. London.
~(J.NoiMi44 THE MOSLEM
PUBLISHED BY THE HARTFORD SEMINARY FOUNDATION Editors, SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, EDWIN E. CALVERLEY SOME ARTICLES IN THE JANUARY NUMBER Editorial••-Vita Nuova Duncan B. Macdonald Vivat, Crescat, Floreat Julius Richter Islam: An Interpretation Edwin E. Calverley The Problem of Central Asia (plate) Ernest E. Grimwood The Conciliatory Tone of Ibn 'Arabi Edward J. Jurji The Story of the Ka'ba Grant Alexander A New Day in Northern Nigeria A. H. Locke Verses Missing from the Qur'an Arthur Jeffery Mullah Sa'eed of Sena Frederick G. Coan Moslems in London. • • • • J. E. Buglry Book Reviews••• Current Topics Survey of Periodicals Sue Molleson Foster ••-.~ SUBSCRIBE NOW ~o(-_.
50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) In combination with THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD 1% Fifth Avenue, New York City $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents.) British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN & SCOTT, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight Shillings a Year, net THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN, OF INDIA By ROBERT E. SPEER This is the biography of a very remarkable Christian missionary to India and for twenty years the inBuential and able editor of the Bombay Guardian. Dr. J. Sumner Stone called him, "The White Yogi."
When George Bowen died in 1888 there was call for a worthy biography but its preparation was delayed. Later all the biographical material-including his diaries, letters, reminiscences, and the books and pamphlets of which he was author-was turned over to Dr. Speer. This material has now been put into shape for publication and the result is a frank and stimulating picture of the man,-his experiences, unique character; forceful views and methods of work. Here is a life story that is of absorbing interest and will richly reward the thoughtful reader. The book will be ready early in February.
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. A Decisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. From 1850 to 1855. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. Ten Years of Independent Work. IV. Life in New York, 1840-1844. XIV. The Bombay Guardian. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XV. Relations with the American Board. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XVI. Association with the Methodist Church. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. XVII. Bowen as a Writer. XVIII. Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin. VIII. His Missionary Appointment. XIX. Closing Testimony. IX. The Voyage to IndIa, 1847. X. Beginning Missionary Work.
This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 186 Fifth Avenue. New York
The Missionary Review of the World — October 1937
1937
Mohammedan World Number The Moslem World Today Dwight M. Donaldson Some Trends in the Moslem World Edward M. Dodd Influence of Moslem Superstitions Davida M. Finney Why Preach Christ to Moslems? Samuel M. Zwemer The Christian Approach to Moslems W. Wilson Cash Moslem Reactions to the Gospel James Haldane Educating Moslems for Christ John Van Ess A Christian Doctor Among Moslems Paul W. Harrison The Power of the Printed Page Mabel H. Erdman My Experience with Moslems Frank C. Laubach Moslem Views of "Those Nazarenes" J. Lowrie Anderson Christian and Moslem Homes Eleanor T. Calverley How to Interest Christians in Moslems Estella S. Aitchison Best Books on Moslems and Missions Samuel M. Zwemet'
25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember WORLD DOMINION SURVEY
September 27 – October 1 – Dallas, SURVEYING THE WORLD Texas. Pres., Mrs. E. R. Alderson, 561 Goodwin St., Dallas, Texas. Here is a series of real missionary sur- veys, scientific and evangelical, written with September 27 – October 1 – Houston, a grasp and definiteness of fact, a perspec- Texas. Dean, Mrs. A. B. Haynes, tive of view and a passion which makes 618 Highland Ave., Houston, Texas. them comparable to a military reconnais- sance. One after another the great fields October 2-6 – Triennial Convention. of missionary endeavof afe being covered Women's Missionary Society of the with topogf~phical accuracy from a stand- United Lutheran Church. Buffalo. point vitally evangelical and entirely non- denominational. The books come from the October 3-Presbyterian World Com- munion Sunday. press bound like government monographs, in big type and made vivid by splendid maps.
October 5-6 – Southern Mountain Catalogue on Application Mention The Missionary Ret'iew Child Service Conference; under auspices of Save the Children Fund WORLD DOMINION OFFICES of America, Inc. Hotel McAlpin, New York. 156 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY October 5-6 – Warren, Ohio. Mrs. The Rev. George S. McCune, D.D., ceived an honorary doctorate degree George Konold, 314 Scott St., N. E., LL.D., for about 30 years a Presby- from Yale in June. At a meeting of Warren, Ohio. terian missionary in Korea and presi- the Associated Boards for Christian dent of the Union Christian College Colleges in China, he made a clear October 6-12-Annual Meeting, Wom- of Pyengyang has joined the admin- statement of his Christian faith, and an's Home Missionary Society, istrative staff of the Moody Bible In- of the part that that faith had in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Se- stitute of Chicago, and will also teach release of the Generalissimo last attle, Wash. and assist in the evangelistic pro- Christmas. gram. Dr. McCune was also for a October 14-15 — Interracial Confer- time president of Huron College, '" * .. ences. Asbury Park, N. J. South Dakota, and brings real talents, Dr. Raymond C. Walker, pastor of October 21- Baltimore, Md. Mrs. experience and spiritual strength to the Market Square Presbyterian David D. Baker, 410 N. Calhoun the service of the Institute. Church of Harrisburg, Pa., was win- St., Baltimore, Md. ner of the $150 prize offered by the * … '" Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- October 24-31-Presbyterian Centen- sions for the best missionary sermon nial Week. Mr. Dugald Campbell, agent of the preached in connection with the cele- bration of the Board's centennial. November 7-11-International Good- National Bible Society of Scotland, is Dr. Walker's subject was: "These Are Will Congress. Boston. retiring as agent for Northern Africa the Great Days of God." Other prizes since he can no longer undertake the went to Dr. George E. Sweazey, of Your Missionary Activities long pioneer journeys on the fringes Danville, Ky., Dr. George Johnson of of the Sahara Desert, and other parts Lincoln University, and Dr. Paul F. Should begin at home. Get a of Africa, as he has done for many supply of our years. He hopes to spend the re- .. . Barackman, of Brookly.n.. . New York. mainder of his days in Johannesburg, GOSPEL TRACTS James Hardy Dillard, eighty-year- .. South Africa. old president of the Jeanes Fund for Sound, attractive, convincing the Improvement of Negro Education, '" '" has received the Theodore Roosevelt Sample package, 250. medal for 1937. This medal is given Mr. Arthur T. Upson, formerly of annually for human achievement or FAITH, PRAYER and TRACT LEAGUE the Nile Mission Press, has returned the development of American char- to Palestine from England. He will acter. Dr. Dillard receives the award Dept.R.W. Muskegon Heights, Mich. be at Mt. Carmel until December 10, "in recognition of sixty years of wise and subsequently at Fairhaven, Alex- and devoted work in behalf of the Personal Items andria, Egypt. He plans to do mis- American Negro, and the creation of sionary work and to give Bible read- a better understanding between the Dr. Iran Lee Holt, minister of St. ings in various places to help weaker white race and the black."
John's Methodist Episcopal Church, Christians. … '" … ~Obituary Note'S South, St. Louis, Mo., and a former General Evangeline Booth left Rev. William Milne, a Presbyterian London on September 22 for a tour missionary stationed on the Island of president of the Federal Council of of the United States and Canada. Nguna, New Hebrides, was killed by Churches, has been appointed chair- After conducting the Salvation a native April 27. Army's annual Congress in Atlanta, man of the Federal Council's new New York, and Chicago, she will go The native was the son of the chief to Winnipeg, returning to New York of the village near the mission sta- Commission for the Study of Chris- tion, and he had seemed demented. by way of Montreal. He attacked several natives who ran tian Unity. The commission is to be- to the mission station, where Mr. and * * '" Mrs. Nottage, missionaries from angin its work when sufficient financial other island, were present on a visit. Dr. H. H. Kung, the Minister of support for it has been secured. Finance in the National Government The madman rushed at the mission- of China, and vice-president of the aries with an axe and struck Mr. Dr. and Mrs. '"Ern'"est'" Lyons, veteran Executive Yuan (vice-premier in the Milne with the axe. Government), has recently visited Methodist missionaries to the Philip- America. He is an earnest Christian Then the village chief commanded and stands next to the Premier, one of his men to shoot his son. pines, have retired from active serv- Generalissimo Chiang Kaj-shek, in responsibilities and authority in the Rev. William Veitch Milne had ice. They went to Manila in 1903 Government. Dr. Kung is a 75th de- served as a missionary in the New from Singapore, and have seen in scendent of Confucius, but in his life Hebrides for over 20 years. His fa- and work he has repeatedly testified their thirty-four years of residence to his faith in Christ and has taken (Continued on pag6 449.) his stand for Christian principles. in the Philippines a most phenomenal Dr. Kung, as a representative of his growth of the evangelical Christian Government, attended the Coronation ceremonies of King George and ramovement. In 1913 Dr. Lyons took the bar examination, thereby saving the church thousands of pesos for legal expenses, as well as enabling him to serve as advisor in critical sit- .. .. . uations.
Dr. Charles Stelzle has been ap- pointed executive director of the "Good Neighbor League" in place of Dr. Stanley High, resigned.
MISSIONARY PARENTS
REVIEW OF THE WORLD In the Foreign Mission Field Fast Days Endorse Calvert School DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor Home Study Courses TO TBE VOL. LX OCTOBER, 1937 No. 10 For Children ORIENT Publication and Business Office– Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. tion Department, will give your child a superior elementary education ••. by mail, Editorial and Executive Office– regardless of where you may live. Mod- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ern, approved courses from this famous Entered as second-class matter at school are being used by parents all over the world with outstanding success. Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. Give your children the advantages of these interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. and attractive materials. Instruction is Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. under the personal guidance of teachers in Published monthly, except August. Calvert's prominent and successful private All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan , day school in Baltimore. and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Write today for booklet of complete in- 10 shillings a year. formation. Costs are low.
MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- CALVERT SCHOOL LISHING CO., INC. 180 E. Tuscany Road BOARD OF DIRECTORS Baltimore ol> Maryland ROBERT E. SPEER, President Obituary Notes Empress of Japan-holder of A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President the Pacific Blue Ribbon WALTER MCDOUGALL, Treasurer (Continued from 2nd Cover.) DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary • ther, Rev. Peter Milne, was one of SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT the pioneer missionaries in the New Go direct fromVancouverand Victoria in 10 days by Em- WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN Hebrides. press of Asia or Empress of D. J. FANT Russia. Only 3 more days via MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD *** Hawaii by Empress of Japan WM. B. LIPPHARD (fastest ship on the Pacific) Dr. Claire H. Denman, who served or Empress of Canada. Con- ERIC M. NORTH as medical missionary in Siam for nect at Honolulu from Cali- SAMUEL M. ZWEMER twelve years, died recently in Berk- fornia ports. Low round-trip eley, California. He was first located fares include passage from Editorial Chat at Chiengmai and later established and and to Seattle. built the first hospital in Chiengmai. This number of THE REVIEW is de- He was also editor of The Laos News, ~fi+ voted to the study of the Moslems of which later became The Siwm Outlook. For rates and sailings, see the world-their distribution, char- Being an ordained minister as well acteristics, influence and the extent as doctor, he made numerous tours YOUR TRAVEL AGENT or Cana- and results of Christian work among into the interior with both foreign Mohammedans. It is an interesting dian PSaacnifiFc:raNnceiwscYo,o3r8k~tChheir- subject and will be studied by thou- and Siamese evangelists. cago, sands of Christians in America this year. The articles we present are by *** cities in U. S. and Canada. experts-men and women who have spent years of service in Moslem The Rev. Dr. Frank Rawlinson, lands. Other equally fine articles, Editor of the Chinese Recorder, was crowded out of this issue, will appear accidentally killed by the explosion of in November. Look for them. a bomb in Shanghai on August 14. He was at the time with his wife and Moslem Women and Children- daughter but they were uninjured. Mrs. Herrick Young. Dr. Rawlinson went to China under the auspices of the American Baptist Encouragements in the Work- Foreign Mission Society in 1902 and Geo. Swan. later became associated with the American Board (Congregational). Testimonies of Converts from He showed great ability in his edi- Islam. torial work and in his understanding of the Chinese. His death is a real Sermon by a Former Moslem- loss to the cause of Christ in China Sa'eed Kurdistani. and one of the tragedies of the con- flict between the Japanese and The Story of Sa'eed Kurdistani- Chinese. Christie Wilson. Ambrose Sw*ase*y, *prominent Bap- New and Old in Moslem Lands- A. T. Upson. tist and trustee of many educational and missionary enterprises, died in *** Cleveland, Ohio, recently, at the age of ninety. He was one of the world's The following shows the esteem in leading scientists, having constructed which THE REVIEW is held by readers the giant telescopes for the Lick Ob- who use it for their own personal in- servatory, the United States Observ- formation and in church work. atory at Washington and the Yerkes Observatory at the University of Chi- *** cago. He was also a generous sup- porter of interdenominational mission- "I think the Rural Number of THE ary work. REVIEW is a very fine contribution to ,the cause. I am receiving a great (Concluded on 3rd Cover.) deal of help and enjoyment as I read the various articles."-Dr. Ellsworth [449 ] M. Smith, Field Representative, American Baptist Hom.e Mission So- ciety.
*** "THE REVIEW means much to me in my work with the women of our church."-Emma H. Mills, Santa Cruz, California. MOSLEM WORLD R op SOUTH INDIAN ATLANTIC OCEAN OCEAN H· REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 10 OCTOBER, 1937 Topics of the Times WHY THIS INTEREST IN MOSLEMS? many other points in common with the Christian Few people on earth are as difficult to lead to faith. This too is a challenge. There is a foun- Christ as are the Moslems, and yet this year thou- dation on which to build. sands of Christians in America and England will 3. They are people of strong character. They be reading and studying about the countries take their religion and its obligations seriously. where the followers of Mohammed are most nu-. They are willing to fight for their convictions, to merous, and about the work that is being done make sacrifices and even to die for their faith. to win them to Christ. Multitudes of earnest They are not easily led to abandon their beliefs prayers will be offered for their conversion and large sums will be given to support missions or obligations as they conceive them and are diliamong them. Why? gent in teaching their children to follow their Prophet. Apostasy is considered an unpardonable It is not because of any personal gain to mis- sin and in Moslem law it is a crime punishable sionaries, or any desire for political, economic or with death. These facts constitute a challenge to ecclesiastical advantage. It is not because the Christians; they may be transmuted into Chriswork is producing large results or because the tian graces when touched by the Holy Spirit.
Church of Christ is moved by a spirit of imperial- 4. Moslems exert a great influence on the world ism for world conquest. There are at least seven reasons why every true follower of Christ should for good or for evil. They constitute a real probtake a deep and practical interest in Moslems and Christian work in their behalf to the extent of lem in Egypt and Turkey, in Iran and Syria, in earnest prayer and sacrifice. Arabia and India. In lands where they are in 1. The number of Moslems in the world and their wide distribution are challenging. At least power they offer great obstacles to progress of one in every ten of the population of the earth is a Moslem. There are between 200 and 250 mil- Christianity and to the promotion of peace and lion of these people scattered over the globe. Nort~ Africa, Egypt, the Sudan, Turkey, Syria, good will among all classes. They believe in a ArabIa, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Beluchistan, Java and Sumatra are almost solidly Mohamme- totalitarian Moslem state and in government condan. Millions more live in Central Africa, India, Central Asia, China, the Philippines, South trol by force of arms. Their influence might be Africa, Russia and Bulgaria. Many are found in other parts of Europe and in North and South turned to the advancement of the cause of Christ America. These multitudes cannot be ignored. and for the principles for which He stands. 2. They are people with positive and strong faith in God, as the one eternal, omnipotent 5. More potent than any of these reasons is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. They believe fact that Christ died for Moslems; He died that He might give tliem the life of God. They are sinners and know it, though they have wrong ideas of sin and its expiation. MthoereGoovse~reloutor Lord's command to "Go, preach every creature" certainly includes the Moham- medans today, even though there were none in existence when He first gave the command. There is no other way for Moslems to be saved than by Christ and the acceptance of His gift of Life.
in Christ as a unique prophet and in the authority 6. Another great reason is the obligation that of the Old and New Testaments. They believe in Christians have to Moslems because the contact prayer, in almsgiving, in immortality, and have of Arabians with 'a weak and distorted form of [451 ] Christianity was what led Mohammed to estab- and evidently thinks herself able to defy the publish his new form of religion. If Mohammed had lic opinion of the world. Her military party is been truly and intelligently converted to Christ ambitious to carry out its program, without in his youth what a difference that would have much regard for justice. It is reported on good made to the world ! We owe Moslems a debt, both authority that ninety per cent of the Japanese for the temporal things we have received from are opposed to the invasion of China, but the peothem and for spiritual truth we have failed to ple are kept in ignorance of the real situation share with them. by very strict censorship of the war news. J a- panese Christians, and others with more enlight- 7. A final reason for the support of Christian ened and pacific ideals, are greatly disturbed over work among Moslems is the encouraging results the aggressive policies of the military party that that have come in the conversion of Moslems to now rules Japan. These policies destroy the bene- Christ. Some outstanding trophies have been won ficial effects of the friendly advances made by in Syria and Egypt, in Iran and India. Every such Japanese Christian leaders as Dr. Toyohiko Moslem is supposed to be a missionary and, when Kagawa and Miss Michi Kawai. Apparently Jawon to Christ, should have the same zeal to ex- panese military leaders feared that China was tend their faith, in spite of persecution. What a growing in strength and was becoming united wonderful example is Dr. Sa'eed Kurdistani, the under the able Christian leadership of General- Kurdish Moslem who has become a great Chris- issimo Chiang Kai-shek and so determined to tian physician in Iran. Others are Kamil of strike while there was more likelihood of being Arabia and Michael Mansur of Egypt. There are able to achieve their purpose. multitudes more whose lights shine in narrower circles-but they are known to God. In Sumatra The modern war machine of Japan is much and other parts of the Dutch East Indies there more perfect and complete than that of China. are fifty thousand Christians who formerly were Airplanes· make it possible to carry destruction Moslems. They have their own schools and large far inland, and there seems little effort on the self-supporting churches. The influence of Christ part of the. Japanese to limit destruction to is permeating Iran, the Philippines, Africa, India, enemy fortifications and military forces. Already and many other lands to break down prejudice many thousands of noncombatants have been and build up an intelligent faith in Jesus Christ killed and wounded and peaceful villages have as the true revelation of God and the only Saviour been destroyed by ruthless Japanese airplane atfrom sin and its consequences. tacks. Foreigners and foreign enterprises have also suffered. In the north Japanese forces have Truly we as Christians have reason to preach occupied Peiping and Tientsin and are pushing the Gospel of Christ to Moslems, to carryon the their campaign north to the Great Wall and south work sacrificially and to expect that God will to the Yellow River. Without any declaration of honor our fulfilment of His will, by bringing Mo- war, Shanghai has been attacked with warships, hammedans into the fold of Christ. airplanes and cannon. Even the International Settlement has suffered and many educational THE TRAGEDY IN CHINA and missionary institutions have been bombed. The Chinese troops have offered brave and deter- Apparently the Japanese have determined to mined resistance in spite of their inferior equipgain control of China or of the northern prov- ment. They have now retired to their second line inces. Impartial observers who have followed the of defense on the west of Shanghai. events that led up to the present conflict can see no justification for Japan's invasion of China. What will be the outcome of this invasion of The excuse offered is the Japanese desire for eco- China, no one can foresee. China is too great a nomic development, their determination to sup- nation and too large a territory to be conquered press anti-Japanese feeling, and. a desire to com- in a short time. The Japanese attacks have bat the communistic influence of Russia. They united Chinese as never before, even communists have taken a strange method for accomplishing offering their service to the Nanking Government. these purposes. The first end might have been China is fighting for her life and for the pringained by friendly agreement and cooperation; ciples set forth by Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the father the second aim is thwarted and made more im- of the Chinese Republic. possible by each new invasion of China's territory and by utter disregard of China's sovereign The warfare is naturally affecting the missionrights. The third aim-to destroy communistic ary work in China. Reports come that the people influence in China-can scarcely be achieved by in war areas are filled with fear and that there methods that stir up the spirit of communism and are signs of religious revival in many places. seem to give reason for its promotion. Christians meet to worship, in spite of danger, and pray earnestly for the guidance and strength- Japan feels conscious of her military strength
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
ening of their rulers. The Protestant community meantime we can all work for greater unity numbers over one million and Roman Catholics re- through the guidance of the Spirit and through port 2,702,000 on their church rolls. Foreigners loving cooperation in the work He has given His in China number about 10,000, of whom over one- Church to carry forward. There is no room for half are Protestant missionaries. Many of these jealousy, for a desire to rule or for personal am- have left China on furlough; women and chil- bition, rivalry, suspicion and selfishness in such dren have been taken with other refugees to the unity. Philippines; missionaries on furlough are being kept home and others are being advised to leave Mr. Erling C. Olson, a New York business man, the danger zones. Probably by November first recently broadcasted over a network of stations the number of missionaries on the field will be re- some very helpful meditations on "Christian duced to 2,500, but most of these will elect to Unity," based on the one hundred and thirtystand by their flocks and to suffer and die with them if necessary. The missionary work most third Psalm. He said in part: * affected is in the area of Peiping, Tientsin, Shangh:;d and Nanking, although Japanese bombing The New Testament principle of fellowship and complanes have carried their attacks as far as Han- munion was beautifully expressed by our Lord, when He kow in the west and Canton in the south. said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." One would nat- The Christians in America and England can do urally assume, therefore, that when any body of Christians most by upholding their missionaries and the meets together they would experience this delightful comforces of righteousness by prayer. Much suffer- munion which the Psalmist so wonderfully portrayed, ing of innocent Chinese can be allayed through when he said, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is missionary and Red Cross ministrations. Gifts for brethren to dwell together in unity!" No one takes to meet present emergencies should be sent exception to this principle. It is good for capital and through the mission boards working in China. labor to dwell together in unity. It is good for any in- dividual to enjoy the fellowship of other members of his THE BASIS FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY group and preserve a spirit of unity. Such being the case, what an indictment it is against the Christian fam- Many movements are on foot for church union ily when there are petty squabbles and when the spirit of -on mission fields, in England and in America. discord and consequent disruption are present, as has been Some of these are to unite denominational fam- evident, particularly in recent years, even among men ilies, as in the Methodist, Baptist, Congregation- and women who actually have been born again by the al, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Reformed bodies. operation of the Spirit of God and the Word of God. I Some unions have already been effected, while am not talking about Christendom as we know it today. others are still being agitated. Other union move- I am not talking about the vast body of Christians and ments, as in Canada, include different denomina- non-Christians gathered together in one great melting pot. tional groups, while still other communions, like I refer to the body of Christ; to those who know that their the Protestant Episcopal Church eagerly advocate sins are forgiven, who know that they have eternal life a united church but can conceive of it only on the through faith in Jesus Christ, who know that they have basis of the acceptance of ecclesiastical ordination passed out of death and into life and therefore know that in harmony with their belief in the "historic epis- the Lord Jesus Christ is their Saviour and have acknowlcopate." edged Him as their Lord.
All true and intelligent followers of Christ ac- It is no wonder that the Church appears so impotent cept unity as the Christian ideal for which our before the world when the members of the Church are at Lord prayed three times in his high-priestly variance with one another. prayer: "That all may be one, as thou Father art in me and I in thee, that they may be one as in There can be no united Church except on a solid foundaus"-they are given eternal life in order that they tion. I do not think it is possible to have unity between may know God and be sanctified, kept, perfected. two groups of people, one of whom believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the other believes that He is The recent conferences at Oxford and Edinburgh a mere man; or to have unity between a group that looks have again emphasized the ideal for unity and upon the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross as a divine union among Christians, but seem to have found transaction, wherein God made 'atonement for sin, and a no new basis in which to realize such union. Hu- group that looks on the Cross and the death of Jesus man individuality, with differences of personal Christ as that of a martyr or a good man who died for a interpretations, tastes and methods of operation, cause. There can be no real fellowship between such must be recognized and respected until we all real- groups-but there can be unity between every member of ize that union with Christ that can find full ex- the body of Christ whose feet rest solidly upon the fact of pression in the harmony of faith, love and service the deity of Christ and upon the death which He died upon only as we realize perfect union in Him. In the the Cross.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul says, "I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuifering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to' keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
In the 16th chapter of his letter to the Romans, the Apostle gives a similar injunction: "Now I beseech you, • Quoted by permission.
brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences tion. In Java and Sumatra alone, where the contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid Dutch Christian influence predominates, there them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus are over 50,000 converts from Islam. Christ, but their own belly . . ." That is a strange expression. Mark those men and avoid them, for they do There is the challenge of Jewry-not a popular not serve the Lord. They serve their own selves in their challenge but one we must face as Christians conlust for preeminence, or their appetite for power. cerned with the spiritual welfare of the youth of the world. The key to the Jewish problem every- Again, our Lord Jesus Christ, the fountain-head of all where is the recognition of Jesus Christ as divine truth, in His great high-priestly prayer, recorded in the Lord and Saviour of all mankind. Fifteen million 17th chapter of John's Gospel, said, "Neither pray I for Jews are without the knowledge of the saving these alone, (that is, the apostles gathered around Him) grace of Jesus Christ, and yet what do we owe but for them also which shall believe on me through their to the Chosen People of God for the preservation word; (that means us) that they all may be one; as of the Old Testament, and the knowledge of Christ thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may and His Way of Life. be one in us: that the world 11WIJJ believe that thou hast sent me." What a terrific responsibility rests upon each The challenge embraces many non-Christian member of the body of Christ to observe a spirit of unity, lands such as India and China. There is the mass in order that the world may know that our Lord Jesus movement in India towards 6hristianity; whole Christ is the Son of God and sent by Him to die for us! communities are pressing forward to become Christians. The immediate need there is for When brethren dwell in unity we will determine that, Christian education and the greater development instead of causing divisions, we will endeavor to keep the of indigenous leadership. China is plastic to new unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The Holy Spirit impressions and the greatest hope of the Chrisalways makes for unity amongst believers in Christ, for tians of China is their vision of a Chinese in- He dwells in them. digenous movement adapted to meet the religious needs of the people, and effective in arousing in * SOME PRESENT-DAY CHALLENGES Chinese Christians the sense of responsibility for the extension of the Kingdom of God. Weare living in a world which is more or less in a broken state, when even the bravest are apt There is also the challenge of unreached areas to grow despondent. The difficulties and problems in Central Africa, in South America, the Islands are of many kinds-political upheavals and mass of the Pacific and other unevangelized fields. movements are ruthless in their disregard of Christianity; nations are dissatisfied with what Then there is the challenge of Europe today. they have seen of modern civilization, and are In Central and Southeastern Europe Protestantfilled with bitterness and antagonism. But a new ism is fighting for its life. Nationalism and Comproblem is becoming the most serious menace to munism are seeking to capture youth with teach- Christianity, namely, a refined heathenism. Also, ing, much of which is subversive to the ideals of in their very antagonism to Western civilization, Christ and the best interests of humanity. some non-Christian religions are absorbing the principles of the Gospel of Christ. While thus The needs of this weary, war-torn, restless refining their own religion they still stand in ab- world and the great opportunities that confront us solute antagonism to the Christian faith. In the constitute a challenge to every Christian. God is early days of the Christian Church, they, too, more concerned about the needs of the world than found that a purified paganism was more insid- we are; the Christian teaching and training of ious and powerful even than an antagonistic bar- youth is a great burden oli His heart even more barism. than on ours. One of the greatest words in Chris- tian literature is "Immanuel" – God is with us. We believe that these problems are not per- Here we find the motive and the power for Chrismanent, nor even paramount; they are passing tian education. God loved, and when He loved, phases; to followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, He served, and when He served, He sacrificed they constitute, not reasons for fears and misgiv- His best. There is but one service which is the ings, but a challenge. service of the Kingdom of God; one race, and one Cross; one world of men, and one Kingdom; and First, there is the challenge of Islam. Moham- one glorious, peerless, Saviour for the whole medanism is conscious of a solidarity and unity world. which does not exist to such an extent in any other religion. They have their sects and their divi- This world is not going to be won except by sions, but they are conscious of a brotherhood great sacrifice. We must have the spirit which wherever they are. Today the Mohammedan recognizes that only by entire dedication of ourworld is restless, but it is more responsive to the selves and all our resources can we truly serve message of Christ than it has ever been. Per- Christ. As Hudson Taylor once said, "Christ secution and opposition exist, but nothing so must be Lord of all or He is not Lord at all." clearly proves the power of the Gospel as opposi- • From an address at the World's Sunday School Convention, Oslo, by Dr. James Kelly.
Moslem World
-"if By the REV. DWIGHT M. DONALDSON, D.D., Ph.D., Meshed, Iran )Bt– Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., 1915- I T SHOULD never be forgotten that when the maintain this political and military authority, it armies of Islam were victorious in Syria and has come to be a matter of policy for Western in Persia, they took over the authority of the governments to have strict regard for the cultural old Persian Empire. This ancient empire, under and religious preferences of their Mohammedan the Achremenide'S, had been the scene of the far- subjects. Whatever criticisms may be voiced flung adventures of Xenophon and the Ten Thou- against this Western domination, it will not be sand; under the Parthians had held the haughty claimed by intelligent Mohammedan leaders that Romans at bay for more than two centuries; the Christian faith and practice are being forced upon same empire, under the Sassanidre, was forced to them. give place to the conquering Arabs. Afterwards, when this famous empire of the East became Mo- There is now no longer a Caliph in Islam, since hammedan, much of its culture and prestige sur- the Sultan of Turkey was compelled by his own vived to adorn the courts of the new rulers. Noble people to abdicate in order to open the way for the Persian families, some of them Zoroastrian and Turkish Republic. Of the entire Mohammedan some of them Christian, furnished viziers and population of the world, about 240 millions, there treasurers for the Caliphs, and scholars and trans- are nearly one hundred millions who are living lators for the libraries. under the authority and protection of the British crown and forty millions ruled by the Netherlands It is customary to ascribe the failure of the Cru- in the Dutch East Indies. Of the remaining 100 sades to a lack of effective cooperation among the millions, there are about thirty-two millions in the leaders of the Christian nations. No doubt real French colonies and protectorates, sixteen milunity in Christendom during the tenth, eleventh lions under the iron hand of the Soviet Republic, and twelfth centuries would have produced a dif- fifteen millions in China, and some four millions ferent situation. As a matter of fact unity of ac- in the Philippine Islands, in Japanese possessions, tion among the Mohammedans was but sporadic and in Europe. There remain to be accounted for and short-lived; they too had repeated failures only about thirty-three millions, who live in the that were primarily due to dissensions among five self-governing Mohammedan countries, twelve themselves. Time after time a new attack from millions in Turkey, eight millions in Iran (Perthe Christians would serve to bring them together. sia), three millions in Iraq, six millions in Af- In the course of the Crusades, each generation ghanistan, and four millions in Arabia. seemed to feel that the East and the West were, through some necessity, fighting again. On each H. R. H. Amir Saoud, the son of King Abdul side religion was part of the war propaganda. Aziz, remarked recently that "it is not easy for Now that many hundred years have passed, we independent countries to enter into a thorough look back upon those long continued conflicts and federation with countries that are only partially see how they served but one fatal purpose in world independent." When he was asked about his opinhistory. Their one abiding result was to hand ion in regalld to the suggested Middle Eastern bloc down to succeeding generations a heritage of between Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, he hatred, suspicion and fanaticism. In their atti- said that "this would be a welcome development tude towards each other East anq West, for the and would certainly receive our blessing," (Great most part, have shared this heritage. Britain and the East, July 8,1937).* While today there is no longer a great Moham- In any effort to classify and describe the vast medan EmpI·re, as l·n th.e day.s of the Crusades when the actual dominion of the Caliph extended • counAtriceosncmisaey sbtaetefmouenndt oinf tWhe. Def.foSrctsheorfmCerhhroisrtnia'sn rmeciesnsitonbsooikn, t"hTehsee from the Indus to the Atlantic, yet Mohammedan CsthimriSutliaatningMisssuiorvne. yinotfhethJefodwehronleWporrolbdl"em(choafptmeris1si0on);s atondMaohmaoms-t medans is given in Dr. S. M. Zwemer's "Across the World of Islam." civilization has continued to prevail in vast areas Attention should also be called to an article in the July number of The Moslem World, which publishes "A Statistical Survey," by that have come under the political and military Carlo Gasbarri. This article has been translated from the Italian authority of Western peoples. In order to help by Phlllip T. Blackwood and it is probably the most up to date ~~fli~!S ;~r~~ question of the distribution of Mohammedans through- [455 ]
group of mankind that make up the Mohammedan with pious cant and hypocrisy, that boy may come world, divided as they are into many sects and to regard as genuine the open honesty and fairscattered in many countries, it is easy to make play that he sees in some Christian college. In serious mistakes. Aside from the fact that ac- such a case there is much for which to be thankful. curate census reports are not to be had in some of The lad acquires the habit of the conscientious these countries, a numerical survey of the adher- quest of truth for its own sake. But something ents to any religion is apt to be misleading. There further is needed. New eagerness to learn what are millions of Mohammedans whom the puritani- is true mus,t be directed into the spiritual realm as cal Wahabis in Arabia and Iraq would not recog- well, and this must be done by those whose ways nize as true believers. Likewise the self-satisfied of living he has come to admire. Here is an op- Shi'ites of Iran and India can see little hope for portunity for the possible coordination of the boy's those who rejected and dishonored their Imams. new life with the direct evangelistic work of the The modern reformers in India have suffered mission, or better still, with the agencies of the agony of soul when they realized the ignorance indigenous Church. and superstition of thousands upon thousands of their own religious community, whose systematic Another young man may show more interest veneration of fetishes and saints they regard as and ability in social life rather than as a scholar. sheer idolatry. And orthodox groups in Egypt, He may attend a Christian wedding in a beautiful who adhere to the Koran ,and the Traditions as garden in India. There he will see Christian interpreted by the four recognized schools of law, young ladies moving about modestly but graare indignant at the man-made movements of the ciously, animated with gay hospitality, and talking Moslem "modernists." From any of these varie- freely with both ladies and gentlemen. When he ties of believers you may easily find a friend who returns to his dormitory room he may voice a prowill assure you, "In these modern times it is hard test, as I once heard such a man do, against the to say who is a Mohammedan." unreasonable restrictions of Mohammedan so- ciety, and ask, "How long will it be until we can Objections to Christianity have the same clean and natural and loyal family life the Christians have?" Notwithstanding these inherent difficulties, whether a missionary go to Cairo or to Constan- Here also is a point of contact for some discerntinople, to Beirut or to Teheran, to Baghdad or to ing Christian friend to show him, in the right way Lucknow, he will hear certain uniform objections and time and place, that it is not what comes from to Christianity for example, that it has three gods, the West but what comes from Jesus Christ that or that the true Gospel that Jesus brought down makes the big difference. This, however, will not from Heaven is no longer extant. These objec- be accomplished by mere assertion. A careful tions are usually met best indirectly, in the course study together of the pre-Christian social standof calm and patient teaching and explanation of ards of some of the modern Christian peoples may the New Testament. But almost everywhere we be necessary. The missionary's objective is not to discover also that Westernization, in the form of suggest that one social culture be abandoned for secularism and nationalism, is making serious in- another, but rather that the culture of every naroads on Islam. And if we read again the opinion tion be submitted to the transforming power of of one of our foremost American orientalists, Dr. the will of God as revealed by Jesus Christ. D. B. Macdonald, (Aspects of Islam, p. 12), we realize that what required discerning insight a In such circumstances a program of Westernizafew years ago is now written in the Islamic social tion only would be hazal'dous and inadequate. structure so that one who runs may read: And what has been said with reference to schools and colleges applies with equal force to mission Islam as a religion is not holding its own against the dispensaries and hospitals. In this field also getunbelief that is flooding in from the European civilization. ting somewhere from the Christian point of view Young men are growing up into crass and material forms means getting beyond mere Westernization. There of atheism; forms that the best intellectual life of Europe is something fine and noble in a Christian doctor's has itself thrown off. And as education spreads and attitude toward his patients that witnesses to the deepens, as history vindicates for itself its place, as the spirit of Christ. It is this that enables him to work moral feeling becomes more watchful and sensitive, so the with patience and sympathy with people who are legend of Muhammad will crumble and his character be often unreasonable and exasperating. He has seen in its true light. It is, then, for the Christian schools something else than the discipline of his profesand preachers to save these peoples, not only for Chris- sion, something that has for its purpose, not the tianity, but for any religion at all; to vindicate to them white man's supremacy, not national honor, not the claims upon their lives of religion in the broadest sense. personal distinction, but a deeply laid desire for the dominion of the healing love of God in the But Westernization cannot be depended upon to hearts and bodies of suffering mankind. produce Christians. When perchance a Mohammedan youth has a father who disgusts his son
THE MOSLEM WORLD TODAY
As we think of many famous cities in the Islamic ary epistles in the New Testament, in their salutaworld where missionaries are now working pa- tions, exhortations and farewells. tiently and devotedly as true knights of the Cross, it is a sobering thought to realize over what a These national Christians also work with the wide area they are scattered. We rejoice also in missionaries in adapting Christian teaching to the strategic advantages they now have in this meet what has been called "the new Moslem apolgreat crusade for the peaceful penetration of the ogetic and polemic." In their candid social and love of God in Jesus Christ. Important and fa- intellectual relations with Mohammedans of the miliar cities in which they are witnessing, cities present day, missionaries find that many are not of more than 100,000 population according to the as dogmatic as they used to be. Things have been last issue of The Statesm.,an's Yearbook, may well happening to give them a broader background. be mentioned: They are inquisitive and receptive in the fields of history, of science, and of philosophy; and their Calcutta ………………………….. 1,485,582 opposition to Christianity is apt to be less bitter Constantinople ……………………… 740,805 and fanatical. Bombay …………………………… Cairo …………………………….. 1,161,383 On the other hand, if Moslems are irritated into Madras …………………………… 1,064,567 explosively proclaiming their objections to Chris- Hyderabad ………….. ,"""",',…. tianity, they may say things that are palpably Alexandria …………… ,………….. 647,230 specious and superficial. They may maint;:tin that Teheran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466,894 the Christian Scriptures teach that the blind and Lucknow ………………………….. 573,063 leprous are impure and that Solomon was an Rangoon ………………… , …. '….. 360,000 idolater. As the Mohammedan takes for granted Damascus …………………………. 274,659 the dogma that the prophets were sinless, they will Delhi …………………………….. 400,415 insist that the Bible is in gross error in saying Lahore …………… , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193,912 that David became a prey to temptations and that Smyrna ………………… , ……… ,. 447,442 Aaron joined in the worship of the calf because of Cawnpore …………………………. 429,747 fear of the people of Israel. Like the Jews of old Agra …………………………….. 170,546 Moslems still exclaim that it is blasphemy to say Ahmadaoad .'……………………… 243,755 that Jesus is the Son of God, that it is directly Tabriz ……………………………. 229,764 contrary to the Koran to say that one person can Allahabad …………………………. 313,789 bear the sin of others, that it is immoral and fool- Tunis …………………………….. 219,000 ish to say that "the Law is a curse," and naively Amritsar … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183,914 anthropomorphic to speak of God as being "tired" Howrah …………………………… 202,405 or "repentant." Poona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264,840 Soerabaya ….. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224,873 To counteract the considerable influence of Baghdad ………………………….. 250,187 Christian teaching among the students in the Diwaniya ………… '……………… 146,944 schools and colleges of India, the Ahmadi sect Fez ……………………. " . . . . . . . . . . . 353,840 make such allegations as these against Jesus: Patna ……….. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341,068 Aleppo ……………………………. 106,838 That He was given to drunkenness. Karachi ……. ,……………………. 159,690 That He exceeded all bounds in vulgar abuse of the Jews. Meshed …………………………… 177,313 That He was a coward and afraid to face death. Beirut ……………………………. ' 263,565 That He was disrespectful to His mother. Ankara …………………………… 139,000 That He was friendly with women of questionable char- Isfahan …………………………… 134,655 123,699 acter. 100,000 That His teachings were too idealistic and impracticable. That He grew angry and lost His temper. Some of the most gratifying work for Christ is That He was provincial, and that His message was only done in towns and rural districts that lie across the plains or in the mountain valleys beyond the for the Jews. cities. It is from these regions that hundreds and That He was weak and helpless. hundreds of patients come to mission hospitals; That His mission was a failure. and country boys and girls come to attend mission That Jesus did not die on the Cross, and that there was schools. National Christians, sometimes accompanied by missionaries, go out and tour from town no Resurrection. to town, or from village to village, having their part in modern apostolic witnessing. The fellow- But as a rule Mohammedan readers put a disship of believers is beautifully shown when these tinction between the Gospels and Chri.stian propamen and women, often themselves converts from ganda literature. Many of them are able and Islam, are able to be in the same little place for a ready to refute superficial and hostile objections while with some isolated Christian family, or to to the character of Jesus. They feel too much of have a series of meetings with some struggling the significance of His life and teaching to let His little group of new Christians. And when letters character be smirched "by the pen of an enemy." are exchanged afterwards, it is interesting to see that they write after the manner of the mission- "It cannot be," as Dr. Murray T. Titus has ob- served in his book on Indian Islam, "that honest
truth-seeking Moslems will continue indefinitely ulation, with sharp differences between the varito refuse to face all the facts, and pursue a policy of evasion of the real issues of history and life, ous region; in the Northeast they reach 82%, in even though such investigation leads to the questioning and study of the very sources of revelation the East 8 %, in the West 32 %, in the center 470, itself. . . . The sum of it all is, that the highest revelation of God to man is through a living per- and in the South only 2%. sonality. That the modern Moslem apologist is becoming more and more conscious of the funda- Percentage mental importance of this truth is revealed in the Moslems of population fact that he is emphasizing the personality and character of Mohammed as the means by which Morocco ………………. 5,215,000 97 God's grace was shed upon the world, and as the fact of central importance in Islam. The problem, Algeria ……………….. 5,174,872 82 therefore, for the Moslem as for the Christian investigator, is to apply the same honest and fear- Tunisia ……………….. 1,932,184 93 less critical methods to the study of Mohammed and his revelation as have been applied to Jesus Egypt ………………… 11,658,148 91 and the Bible," ("Indian Islam," Murray T. Titus, 1930). . Libya …………………. 1,205,000 94 For missionaries among Mohammedans, as for Anglo-Egyptian Sudan …… 2,800,000 66 their supporters in the homeland, and for their colleagues from the national Christians in Moslem Mauritania …………….. 254,000 99 countries, the issue is clearly drawn; our purpose is "to ,give the light of the knowledge of the glory Senegal ……………….. 915,000 75 of God in the face of Jesus Christ." French Sudan ………….. 1,061,000 42 Eritrea ……………….. 225,000 56 French Somaliland ………. 210,000 100 British Somaliland ………. 300,000 100 Italian Somaliland ………. 1,500,000 99 Ethiopia ………………. 2,500,000 37 French Guinea …………. 1,045,000 66 North Nigeria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,889,000 64 South Nigeria …………. 1,940,0000 25 Chad …………………. 925,000 72 Cameroons …………….. 500,000 25 Nyasaland …………….. 160,000 10 Kenya ………………… 1,000,000 40 Uganda ……………….. 600,000 20 Tanganyika ……………. 400,000 10 A STATISTICAL SURVEY OF ISLAM* By far the largest Islamic country in Africa is Egypt where, as in West Africa, the Moslem prob- Every good Moslem is, and in fact must be, a lems are of particular interest.
"missionary." In 1900 the Moslem world had at Since 1930 Moslem missionaries from the el-Azhar University in Cairo have been diffusing its disposal two hundred printing presses; today culture and orthodox doctrine among the Moslems of various countries. An American observes that it has eight hundred and eighty. Out of a world the "Christians are talking about converting Af- rica, and the Moslems are doing it." Roman Cathpopulation of 2,053,600,000, we can accept 240,- olic missionaries state that the Moslems succeed in making propagandists among their converts, 000,000 as a figure for Islam. while the Catholics cannot succeed even in in- structing their catechumens. Moslems in A'sia are most numerous and in- Islam constitutes about two one-hundreths of clude 17.970 of the population. one per cent of the population of North America, and one-eighth of one per cent of South and Cen- Percentage tral America, with a total of scarcely 135,583 Moslems of plYpulation members.
Turkey ……………….. 12,600,000 92 In Europe and Soviet Russia Moslems represent 2% of the total population. They include 584,000 Syria …………………. 2,159,259 77 in Albania, 1,337,000 in Jugoslavia, 690,000 in Bulgaria, and 2,400,000 in Russia. Palestine ………… . . . . . . . 557,649 70 There are no general organizations for all Islam Transjordania ………….. 2,850,000 92 with a purely missionary scope, and the attempt to create an Association for the Defense of Islam Arabia ………………… 4,000,000 100 is a failure. The only organization of the kind, which will perhaps soon become international Iraq ………………….. 2,640,700 96 through increasing growth, is the Association of Moslem Youth, with headquarters in Cairo. An Iran ………………….. 8,830,000 95 international movement has developed from heret- ical Moslem sects, principally from the Ahma- Siberia, Kirghiztan, etc. ….. 16,462,442 80 diyah of Qadian and Lahore (British India), and from the Bahai sect, of Persian origin. Afghanistan …………… 6,380,500 100 British India …………… 78,000,000 21 French Indies ………….. 15,000 5 British East Indies ……… 2,025,000 47 Dutch East Indies ………. 43,000,000 86 Philippine Islands ………. 443,037 4 China …. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,000,000 5 Chinese Turkestan ………. 1,200,000 48 The leading Moslem country in Asia is India. Moslems in Africa number about 37% of the pop- *eondensed from The Moslem World (July, 1937), New York; translated from an article by Carlo Casfarri in Il Pensiero Mis- sionwrw (Rome), December, 1936, by Philip T. Blackwood of Princeton, N. J.
Trends in the Moslem
By EDWARD M. DODD, M.D., New York Author of "To Mecca and Beyond"; Formerly a Missionary of the Presbyterian Church in Iran A GENERATION ago the world of Islam was As one surveys the wide reaches of the Moslem still predominantly a unit. Though living scene, and ponders the changes taking place, there under diverse national and political condi- appear to be four fairly well defined trends of the tions, Moslems had a strong sense of their solidar- day. This observation applies chiefly to leaders, ity. Except for certain well established heresies to urban centers and to youth. The vast rural or minor offshoots, and allowing for the begin- bulk of Islam is still conservative, orthodox and nings of revised and modernized thinking which relatively little changed. But where the city goes affected a relatively small group of intelligentsia, now the village will go presently, especially with there were no outstanding .divergencies in the the radio and the automobile and the printed page Moslem road, or deep rifts in the Moslem front. arriving everywhere. We are here concerned with In the main the religious road of Sunnis in India, these lead-trends to the future.
Turkey or North Africa, for example, ran parallel, 1. In the first place we have the conservative or rather they loyally converged on Mecca. The status quo plus the "Puritan" revival in Arabia. Sultan-Caliph was still on the Constantinople Externally or mechanically Arabia is being gradthrone; and the faithful from Morocco to the ually modernized but religiously it remains ortho- Philippines, and from Bokhara to CapeTown, dox, with the re-emphasis of the Wahabi Moverecognized and revered him as their head. It ment. The tale which at once illustrates the point, was still not wholly fantastic to talk of a general as well as the consummate skill of Ibn Saoud, has Mohammedan Holy war; indeed Turkey made an been told more than once. When it was proposed abortive attempt at this as late as the closing year to install a telephone system in Riadh, the desert of the World War. Moslems had not yet trans- capital of Saoudi Arabia, the conservative relilated the Koran out of Arabic. The veiled and re- gious leaders protested. The thing was not of the pressed status of women was still universal. Even Koran and therefore not lawful. Ibn Saoud put in heretical Shiite Persia the Old Order was not the matter to the religious test. He suggested visibly disturbed. that a Mullah read the Koran into the telephone at one end of an experimental line and another But what have we now? Shocks from without Mullah listen at the other end. If the apparatus and revolutionary transformations from within, conveyed the sacred words, surely the thing was accentuated by the WorId War but largely repre- of Allah and lawful. How could one object to that? senting the influx of the modern age, have shaken Needless to say, Riadh now has telephones. Yet and confused the House of Islam. Turkey has the ecclesiastical hierarchy is intact. One wongone secular and modern, while Arabia is Puritan ders how long this intellectual straddle can hold Wahabi. The Caliphate has been summarily abol- up, for Islam tends to give way or to be revised ished, and there are no significant efforts afoot to as it is exposed to the modern impact. re-establish it. Egypt has developed theological modernism; and Azhar University, the intellec- North Africa, west of Egypt, shares with tual nerve-center of Islam, has been made over on Arabia the characteristic of Mohammedan conmodernized lines. The Koran has been translated servatism, even though in the social externals of for the use of Moslems into Turkish and is being life it is also becoming Europeanized. translated into other languages. The veil has been largely discarded in Turkey and is officially banned In Central Asia we have the complicated situain Iran. The Turkish National Assembly has now tion of conservative religious leadership, assaulted a number of women delegates; Egypt has a vig- by the socially radical and religiously atheistic orous feminist movement. Turkey and Iran are Soviet government and also facing a considerable busily harking back to their Turanian and Iranian feminist movement. The prospects are that the origins, and are turning away from the Arabic- religious old order will be overpowered by the Islamic culture. In the Near East generally, ex- social new order. A real battle is on. cept for Arabia, there is considerable disintegration in Islam. 2. There is another group which we might call the reform or revision states, conspicuously illus- [459 ]
trated by India and Egypt, each in its own way. be called the drifters. The drifting away from They are formulating definite philosophies, which Islam is a part of what is going on all over the have been developing and spreading for a number world-the drift away from all religion. In these of years, and which are changing and diversifying Moslem countries the dominant interest is political the religious picture. The outstanding contribu- and nationalistic. Nationalism is becoming the tion of India is the Ahmadiya movement. The net new religion rather than Islam: the ardors of result in India, according to Mr. Murray Titus is loyalty, the mass demonstrations, the allegiances reinvigoration. He concludes that in spite of di- of youth-these are now channelled largely into visions and weaknesses, "Islam in India today is nationalism. There is a wholesale drift of youth better organized, better educated, more progres- away from the old religion. Outward observances sive, more reasonable and tolerant toward its may still be maintained, though many of these are neighbors than ever before in its history. Of weakening, but the inner conviction is crumbling Egyptian thought, Dr. Charles C. Adams of the away. The movie theatre is found to be much American Mission says: more exciting than the Mosque; the radio broad- "Mohammedan modernism in Egypt may be cast is more intriguing to the younger generation said to have taken form as a definite movement than the call to prayer. Inert fatalism, the resig- during the last quarter of the preceding century, nation of Islam, has a hard time surviving the under the leadership of the late Grand Mufti of automobile and modern medicine.
Egypt, Sheikh Myhammad Abduh, who died in . The Iranian Shah has made it unmistakably and 1905. It constitutes an attempt to free the reli- dramatically clear fuat progressive nationalism, gion of Islam from the shackles of a too rigid embodied in himself, rules, and not Islam. But orthodoxy, and to accomplish reforms which will there has been no official disestablishment of the render it adaptable to the complex demands of latter. The youth of Iraq says that Mohammed modern life. Its prevailing character is that of was well enough for his day, but that he is now a religious reform; it is inspired and dominated back-number; let the religious hierarchy die in chiefly by theological considerations. It differs in peace; they no longer count. But no official overt this respect from the reforms instituted by the change has been made. Syria's consuming na- Indian group of nationalist reformers, who aim tional interest is in the new political situation cre- primarily at a cultural movement, and the adjust- ated by the transition from French mandate to ment of Islam to the conditions of modern Euro- independence. The races and religions in this pean civilization. The fundamental assumption, polyglot country increasingly unite on the basis of however, that Islam is a world religion, suitable Arab nationalism, which tends more and more to for all peoples, all times, and all cultural condi- transcend religious and racial lines.
tions, is common to both movements." Similarly in far~off Java, one of the largest In both countries there are strong social move- Moslem units of the world, there is a well-devel- ments among women, which are attacking prob- oped movement to return to the pre-Islamic Na- lems of health and well-being, of polygamy, di- tional culture. There is a strong nationalistic vorce and prostitution. All of this is within the movement, which is of far more vital interest to frame-work of the established religion. the younger generation than any religion. With These two groups, the orthodox and the revised, them Islam is increasingly under criticism and in give no evidence of breaking away from Islam. the discard.
They are making their social and theological adap- 4. Finally there is the radical state, Turkey, tations from within. The state or the community which alone has turned squarely away from Islam is still a "church" state or a "church" community. as an official institution. It has not turned against ("Church" is of course used as the nearest intel- Islam, nor is it antireligious in general, but it has ligible counterpart – not because Islam has a decided that, in order to become a modern and pro- church in the Christian sense.) gressive country, it cannot brook the inhibitions, Both of these groups are strongly missionary. interference, and frustrations of the old Moslem The Ahmadiya movement is very active and the order. Kemal Ataturk has therefore set up a sec- Azhar is still a powerful propaganda center, with, ular state which, in itself, is a repudiation of basic Africa as its chief missionary field. In India the Mohammedanism, because the Mohammedan sys- new situation created by the Outcast movement tem has hitherto claimed the whole stage. A away from Hinduism, and the Ambedkar an- typical indepenuent Moslem country was ipso nouncement of their readiness to consider some facto a religious government – a "church" state; other religion, appeals tremendously to this funda- the only law was the Moslem law; there was no mental missionary urge of Islam, as well as hav- concept of a separate civil law.
ing its important political hearings. This radical national departure, coming from 3. Other predominantly Moslem lands, like the country which had so long been the seat of the Iraq, Iran, and Syria, as well as Malaysia, might Caliphate, the spear-head of the whole Moslem
INFLUENCE OF MOSLEM SUPERSTITIONS
World, struck a body blow at world Islam. India hardly be water-tight compartments. There is and Egypt and the far isles of the Pacific rever- bound to be mingling and overflowing in this day berated with the shock. Turkey was branded as a of interchange and questioning and remolding. renegade and apostate, but the fulminations were It is an intriguing question as to which if anyone futile. Turkey went serenely and successfully on of these trends will prevail to any general extent. her way, and nothing has come of the scattered efforts to revive the Caliphate. It is, of course, incumbent upon the Christian enterprise to understand these trends, and the The course which Turkey has pursued has also varied fronts which they present. It is one thing had its admirers in other lands. Iran, for ex- to deal with a zealous, intolerant Wahabi Bedouin ample, is very apt to follow the same patterns as of the far desert reaches and another thing to talk her neighbor on her western boundary. There are with an indifferent, agreeable, irreligious young not wanting those, among the younger generation government clerk in Iran, or Syria; it is still anelsewhere, who think that Turkey has really other thing to sympathize with an active woman shown the way to do the thing. social reformer of Egypt, who also presents the new Moslem apologetic; and again another thing The patterns of national development, though to be a strictly inhibited missionary in Turkey. distinctively represented by national units, can Influence of Moslem Superstitions By DAVIDA M. FINNEY, Ramleh, Egypt II ~. – Missionary of the United Presbyterian Church '~==========================~I O NE of my earliest recollections as a child is Nurses and mothers frighten their erring children of a Moslem sheikh who came to call upon with, "Be good or the bu' bu' will catch you." my father. He sat alone in our drawing- room, waiting for father's return. I did not know Only about ten years ago I was dining with a he was there, and was wandering, rather discon- number of Egyptian college students about to re- . solately, down the hall when suddenly I was star- ceive the baccalaureate certificate. Turning to the tled by a flurry of robes, quick breathing, and one on my right, I asked: looked up to see the sheikh in full flight from the drawing-room door. When he saw me, he stopped "What did you think the bu' bu' was when you precipitately, and muttered, were a child?"
"An afreet! He blew down the chimney!" Then "A negro giant," he told me, "with flashing eyes he continued more calmly, "Let me, if you please, and a red mouth." sit outside here in the hall." At once the group around us was adding detail I remember glancing into the room, astonished upon detail. A discussion of afreet followed. Made at his fright and yet wondering if after all my a little uneasy by the vividness of descriptions mother might be wrong about afreet, and my na- given, I finally remarked: tive nurse right, and that I might now catch a glimpse of one. The sunny room lay silent and "Isn't it a fine thing that today we need no empty, however. No grinning afreet perched any- longer fear the bu' bu' and the afreetl" where, not even on the little iron stove. Faith in my mother returning in a comforting wave, I There was instant silence, and then the man on murmured loftily: my right said, "Pray be seated." "But you are a Westerner. We of the East know." This incident was my first introduction to the fact that learned men as well as my nurse were "But have you ever seen'an afreet?" I asked in- afraid of spirits. credulously.
In conversation with many Egyptians, I have To my amazement he nodded. found one word an open sesame to a common "One day," he said, "I was walking across a bit ground of experience, and eventually to a feeling of waste land. Suddenly I saw an afreet approach- of intimate friendliness. We discuss the bu' bu'. ing, very tall, clothed all in white. I looked to right and left, hunting for a place of concealment, but there was none. So I cowered down and hid my face until he had passed. One must always do that with an afreet; it is death to oppose him. Once a friend of mine, who happened to be armed,
met an a/reet and in his fright fired at it. The weaned her child. Women threatened with harm a/reet disappeared, but in a short time my friend may protect themselves by wearing a bit of palm was dead. If you oppose an a/reet, within a year stalk (gareeda). you die." No bride should be approached by a person just Over and over again in conversation with all circumcized. A woman who has just lost a child sorts of Egyptians one is reminded .of the fact that or a qati/ should not enter a house where there even today, for the mass of the population, ginn is a weaning child or one with sore eyes. If she and a/reet are real, a daily concern, terrifying. does, it will become blind. My friend, Mr. Khaleel Modern education, the radio, the cinema, closer Armanios, the blind evangelist of Alexandria, has contacts with Europe, a constantly increasing use often been asked if he was blinded by a qati/. of newspapers, these factors and many others are rapidly modifying superstiti.ous beliefs. Yet in Just after shaving a man must not approach a fairness one must remember that these educative bride, a pregnant, nursing .or weaning mother, if influences reach .only the minority in any country he has not previously met them, lest they become where literacy is low. Even in educated folk, barren or lose their milk. Evil consequences may brought up by superstitious parents, such belief be avoided if the WDman enters the room of meetis instinctive and dies hard. ing and walks around the man seven times. On the .other hand, if he shaves in his own house with A few years ago the editor of a fairly well- the woman close beside him no harm is done. Or known daily, then being published in Cairo, de- the woman may take the razor used, soak it in scribed to me his visit to an old convent. water, and .on a Friday when she bathes, pour the water over her body. Should her well-being be "I went alone," he told me, "although the place threatened by a qati/, or some other woman, she was full of a/reet. But," with quiet pride he con- may escape harm by securing some blood from the tinued, "J was not afraid." other WDman and placing it in her bath on Friday.
It is the modern educated youth who more Mr. Khaleel told me of a family of his acquaintnearly achieve freedom from fear. I am not writ- ance who had a bitter quarrel with a neighboring ing of Christians and well-traveled and well-read family. One of the women had weaned a child Moslems who for years have been unconsciDus of but had not yet seen the new moon. Forgetting such fear. I write rather of the general mass, not this fact, when her neighbor gave birth to a son the small group. she went to call upon the rejoicing mother. In a short time the child died, and, even worse, at the The women and girls with whom we come much end of a year the mother was still barren. After in contact are dominated by fear of el Mushohira much consultation and thought, the neighbor's (literally, to be monthed), the Ain (the Evil Eye) visit was remembered. She was apprDached and magic, and spirits. These spirits may be El Zar agreed to do what she could to repair the damage. (the Visitor), El Ginn, or El A/reet. The masses They took some blood from her hand, and the believe in certain charms to be said or used to mother placed it in her bath on Friday. No good counteract these evil influences. They think that resulting, again the neighbor was approached and .one must be quick to observe, and punctilious in again gave blood, this time from her foot. Still performing such rites, if one wishes to avoid no good resulting, .once more she was approached, injury. and asked to contribute blood from some other part of her body. This she indignantly refused t.o The Mushohira gets its name, as far as I am do, claiming that if she were the cause of the curse, able to discover its root, from shahr, month. The blood from one part of her body would be as effiidea in its use is that escape from harm depends caci.ous as from any other. Rapidly the quarrel on seeing the new moon. The evil effects of the grew, and for three years neither family has Mushohira fall upon certain groups of people and spoken t.o the other. are brought about by certain people. Those most commonly recognized Mushohira, bringing evil, There are other unlucky deeds by which one perare: a mother weaning her child, called El Qati/; son may bring evil upon another. If one crosses a a man who has just shaved; a person just cir- river in boat or train and then at .once enters cumcized; one who is ill or with sore eyes; and a where there is a bride, a sick person, a pregnant bride when she meets another bride. Those who or weaning mot!ler, injury will result. To avoid suffer from such individuals are brides, pregnant bringing injury, this person should remain in anwomen or mothers weaning a child, and the sick. other room until the woman enters where the new- The Mushohira is caused by other means, but less comer is and circles him seven times. Mr. Khaleel frequently. called recently in the home of a woman who once was visited by s.omeone just after crossing the If a Qati/ approaches a bride ora pregnant river. In a few days the woman became blind. woman, she becomes barren; if she approaches To remove the curse, her br.other took her in a another Qati/, the milk will be stopped. To rid herself of this baneful power, the Qati/ must see the new moon as soon as she has completely
boat to cross and recross the river. He was told not speak to or interfere with them. If a person that at once her eyesight was restored. Constantly accidentally stumbles or falls to the ground there one comes across the effects of the Mushohira. is grave danger that he has injured some of these spirits. The only way to appease them is to The Ain is injury brought about by admiring sprinkle the spot with salt, water, or even sugar something not your own. This admiration is prob- and bread. Last week a woman stumbled in ably envious and therefore brings evil conse- alighting from a street-car. She hastened to a quences. It is considered much more proper and friend's house, borrowed salt, sugar and water, considerate not to praise at all, but if impelled to returned to the spot and silently sprinkled it. To do so one should preface the remark with "Yikhzi maintain silence is essential if the rite is to be el Ain" (May God put the eye to shame), or "Aini efficacious. aleykum barda" (My eye is cold upon you). People are especially liable to be possessed by One man may say to another, "Aini barda, but spirits at certain times; at marriages, perhaps you seem to be in excellent health." Then all is because at that time they are concerned about well. It is difficult to remember this instinctive their appearance and frequently look in a mirror; shrinking from praise of anything a man holds when bathing, because they may inadvertantly addear. Nor is it easy to hold a baby in your arms mire their bodies; when sleeping alone, as spirits and make no admiring comment. If your eyes are always infest a solitary place; when going to bed blue, better far not even to look your pleasure. in a worried or angry frame of mind, as the spirits find access easy at that time. To be freed from the evil consequences of the Ain, it is thought necessary to secure a piece of Should one become possessed by a spirit one garment worn by the envious one, or some dregs must appease him and remove the cause of his from his coffee cup. No offense must be given, so anger. This is done by the holding of a Zar. one must not let him know that he is suspected of There are special women thought able to reconcile having done injury. If it is impossible to secure the spirits. The one possessed gives such a woman a bit of his clothing surreptitiously, often it is an article of her wearing apparel. She places it possible to secure a bit through a bribed servant beneath her pillow; during the night the offended or a sympathetic friend. Sometimes people are spirit tells her the cause of his anger and also startled to find a small piece gone from some val- what gift will satisfy him. Next morning the ued garment. This snippet is burned and the woman tells the possessed person what the spirit smoke passed over the child. Coffee dregs are wants – jewelry, a sheep, a new dress, or some boiled and the steam is passed over the child. piece of furniture. Many women take advantage of this custom to secure for themselves things they As for vengeful spirits, the ginn and zar are cannot otherwise obtain. considered always present. The ginn live usually in kitchens and bathrooms or in lofts where sup- The Sarukh (the cry), is brought about through plies are kept. The loft of a house in which Mr. an unnatural death. If a man is murdered, the Khaleel once lived was infested with rats. Neigh- spirits which live in his blood, continue to cry bors visiting in the house heard scurryings and aloud for vengeance from the spot where his blood squeakings and were firmly convinced that ginn was shed. There is no fear of evil consequences to the house if he dies away from home, otherwise it haunted the house. becomes infested with his afreet. In the case of A little Mohammedan girl once stayed in our any violent or accidental death, the spot where death occurs remains a place of danger to all home for some time. One day she went into the passers-by. kitchen to get some water but came out hastily without it. When asked what was the matter, she These are some of the superstitions with which one comes in contact day by day in schools, homes, said, and in one's travels. Many sheikhs studying in "There's an afreet in the pot on the stove." the Azhar University are today electing the course Looking in, I saw the lid of the tea-kettle rat- in modern education, similar to that given by the Ministry of Education. Such men will not fly pretling furiously as the water boiled. When taking cipitately from a room when the wind blows down a bath, if suddenly startled or frightened, one may the chimney. A new day has dawned in Egypt, a be sure that a ginn has taken possession of one's fact which is being felt even in EI Azhar Univer- sity. Yet those who visit in homes aU over the body. country, who deal intimately with men, women, Besides the ginn, the earth is believed to be in- and children, are forced to realize more and more clearly each year how great is the hold that superhabited by other spirits. These are divided into stition still has upon masses of the population in three main divisions; El Sitt (the woman), El any Mohammedan country. Seed (the master), and El Abd (the slave). They are found everywhere, but especially in any open or waste piece of land. Here they busy themselves with their own affairs. If one is forced to cross such a piece of land alone, one may see and hear them. To avoid injury by them, one should
Preach Christ to Moslems?
By the REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D., F.R.G.S., –..g{ Princeton, New Jersey }Sc-.- Editor of "The Moslem World"
"IF YOU will only organize Christian missions lidity and necessity of Christian missions to to the heathen in my province, instead of at- Moslems? tempting to convert Mohammedans, I will do 1. If ,the Gospel of Christ in its simplest form everything in my power to further and support (which is also its deepest mystery) includes the them, but I cannot approve or allow, at any rate Incarnation, the Atonement and the Resurrection at present, the opening of a mission to the Mo- then the world of Islam certainly needs our meshammedans." So said the governor of Nigeria, sage for it is news and offers Good News to every about thirty years ago. This policy was that of Moslem. Islam is not a Christian sect or a Chris- Lord Kitchener in the Sudan, of the British in the tian heresy. It is an eclipse of the Christ as re- Malay States, and is not yet abandoned every- vealed in the Gospel. It is an Arabian palimpsest where. superinscribed over the message of Jesus by an- The validity and the necessity of carrying the other hand. Its categorical denial of the deity of Gospel message to Mohammedans have been ques- Christ, of the crucifixion, of the finality of Jesus tioned in times past and are being questioned Christ as God's messenger and of His way of life today! The late Professor G. Kampffmeyer of through regeneration is evident from the Koran the University of Berlin in "Whither Islam?" itself.
deals with the subject in the same attitude; his The analogy of Paul's attitude toward Jew and conclusion is that missions in the Near East among Gentile holds today as regards missions to Mos- Moslems are as dangerous as they are futile and, lems and to other non-Christians. It was because for the good"of humanity, should be discontinued. the Jew had so much that was true and noble and yet needed the Gospel that Paul preached every- Dr. Hugh Vernon White, a secretary of the where to the Jew first. Their theism, their knowl- American Board, in the magazine called Chris- edge of the Old Testament, their zeal for God, tendom, plainly states that "Christian efforts to their passion for the Law did not invalidate their evangelize the Moslem have met with signal and need of the Gospel but emphasized it. This imconsistent failure. The response to such efforts plication would hold also for those Moslems of today is negligible and there is little likelihood of China, Africa and India who live in the midst of any marked change in the near future. . . . The paganism or polytheistic ethnic faiths. Christian Church ought to quit trying to make proselytes of Mohammedans. It should bring the In the Near East and North Africa, we have an best works of Christian service to the Moslem additional argument. There we are not merely world in a spirit of ecclesiastical and theological trying to lead Moslems to Christ, but rather to disinterestedness. " lead them back to Christ. Here we have the argu- ment of church history; the inspiration of the Father T. Bennerth, writing in a Roman Cath- cloud of witnesses, the apostles and martyrs of the olic missionary magazine for April 1930 says: faith; and the very stones of ruined churches and "As the conversion of the great bloc of Islamic monasteries would cry out if we were silent. nations to the Christian faith is not to be expected in our century " . . it is of the highest value that The Great Unoccupied Moslem Fields Islam at least maintains the belief in God in puri- fied forms. If this refuge of belief in God should 2. The missionary forces have hitherto moved vanish, then Western Christianity will be threat- across or around this great Moslem bloc. The fol- ened by a new seat of danger." lowing areas, or. countries in which the popula- When we compare these statements with the tion is wholly or predominantly Moslem, are still verdict of the Roman Catholic Conference, held in practically unoccupied. The missionary confer- Louvain in 1930, we find that ,there also the entire ences of Cairo, Edinburgh, Lucknow, and Jeruworld of Islam is labeled "le bloc inconvertisable." salem successively laid them all before the Church, In view of such opinions and statements, what but with little result-Afghanistan; the provinces satisfactory reasons can be advanced for the va- of Hejaz, Asir, Nejd, and Hadramaut in Arabia; [464 ] Russian Turkestan; parts of Siberia, Bokhara; blasted. The Moslem World Conference held at the eastern part of the Malay Peninsula; Socotra Mecca, and afterwards in Europe, proved a failand the Moslem populations of Madagascar, Rus- ure; none of the resolutions was carried out. sia in Europe, British and French Somali-land, Tripoli in North Africa, the French Sudan; the The Dutch Orientalist, Dr. Van der Meulen, who Great Aures Mountains, the Saharan Atlas spent many years in the diplomatic service at ranges, the central populous mountain regions of Jiddah, asks, "Are we standing at the eve of a re- Morocco, and the vast Sahara itself. These un- vival, a renaissance of Islam? No, the phenomena occupied fields have a total population of approxi- do not point this way. Except for the Wahhabi mately thirty-six million. How can we speak or movement in Central Arabia, it has all been a sing of evangelizing the whole world and leave all question of self-defense and resistance," (Moslem this outside of the program of occupation for World, October, 1936). Christ? Regarding the enormous area and population of Disintegration and Decay of Islam Indonesia, Professor C. C. Berg speaks of "de- structive forces that are at work against Islam all 3. A religion that once was the hope and glory over the world." Of the favorable factors he says of millions shows signs of breaking up. Old sanc- that they "might possibly result only in the long tions are disappearing. Their anchor-ground has run in a decrease in the rate of decay," ("Whither proved insufficient in the rising tide of material- Islam?" pp. 306-311). ism and atheism. Some tell us that there are signs of a resurgent Islam and of revival of faith in The geographical expansion of Islam in Africa Mohammed. But all signs point in the opposite has often been exaggerated. The latest statistical direction. This years report of the Board of For- survey shows a smaller proportion of Moslems in eign Missions of the Presbyterian Church states: nearly every area in North-central Africa (Mos- "There is now abundant evidence that the religion lern World, April, 1936). Dr. Deaville Walker of Islam is slowly disintegrating." wrote a few years ago: The collapse of the caliphate, and the failure of Within a comparatively short time, we pictured great all attempts to revive it, would lead to the conclu- pagan populations being rapidly Islamised. I am consion that Pan-Islamism is dead. The policy of the vinced that the position is wholly different today. Careful new government in Turkey and the complete sec- personal investigation in Sierra Leone and Mendeland, ularization of that republic points in the same the Gold Coast and Ashanti, Nigeria, and in the French direction. The Turkish press utters severe judg- colonies and protectorates of Dahomey, Togo, and the ment on Islam and its Prophet, while one by one Ivory Coast,· have made it very clear to me that the adthe old sanctions and customs of religion are pub- vance of Islam is being definitely checked, and that today licly discarded. A few years ago a British official we are winning far more Africans to the faith of Christ of high standing actually wrote to me: "Islam as than the Moslems are winning for their Prophet. Startling we once knew it is dead in Turkey; it is dying in as this may sound, I believe it to be absolutely true. Persia; it has ceClJ8ed to carry real weight in Egypt; it may survive some generations in What elements in Islam are today resurgent? Arabia; but the basic truths of Christianity will Does the old Mohammedan law or jurisprudence in the long run even there prevail." Such judg- any longer prevail under the new nationalism and ment is undoubtedly somewhat premature but it the new state? Or has the purely -Islamic-govis prophetic. erned state disappeared even in Arabia and Afghanistan? Islam faces a crisis in the lands where once it was dominant. Its efforts at propagandism in Has the social structure of Islam withstood the India and Africa "remind one of those sparse feminist movement and female education anygreen twigs sometimes still appearing at the ex- where? Can we seriously speak of "resurgent treme ends of half-dried-up boughs in trees whose forces" as regards polygamy, slavery, concubicore has for long been decaying from old age." nage, and the seclusion of womanhood? Was the Islam suffers because it feels itself under the suppression of the age-old Moharram celebrations tutelage of the West. In Turkey it suffers by be- in Persia a sign of vitality in Islam? Is the reli'- ing violated in its own bosom; in Russia from gion of Islam showing a new vitality when three Soviet persecution; and in Persia from a revolt of its "five pillars" are crumbling? The daily against the Arabic language and tradition. Mus- prayers are no longer observed as they were ten tapha Kemal Ataturk of Turkey raised great ex- years ago. The number of pilgrims to Mecca, in pectations, but he has turned out a bitter disap- spite of new facilities by motorbus and steampointment for all Moslems. The disenchantment ships, has dwindled from 250,000 to 80,000. was cruel but complete. The high hopes fixed on Mecca is losing its importance. Are the uniting Ibn Saood of Arabia to revive the caliphate were forces that remain, the Arabic language and cul- ture, the sense of brotherhood, the press and Al Azhar of Egypt-are these forces strong enough to counteract the disintegrating factors? Or will the progressive secularization of Moslem life rob
all life from the religion of Islam? Will the wan- Hospital in Northwest China, reports that Moslem ing of the Dervish orders and their suppression, as in Turkey, continue? patients crowd the doors, kiss the feet of the The fact is that Islam has been severely Christian physicians, listen eagerly to the meswounded in the house of its friends. The younger Egyptian modernists, instead of building care- sage, and that some at least find new life in Christ. fully on the foundations of reform laid by Jamalal-Dinal Afghani and the great Mohammed'Abdu, More and more thousands of Moslem youth are have ruthlessly undermined what remained intact. Mansur Fahmi, in his doctor's thesis, proved that sitting at the feet of Christian teachers in every Islam was progressively responsible for the degradation of womanhood. Dr. Taha Housain raised land. Day schools, boarding schools, colleges, and a storm of hostility by a book proving that much of early Islamic literature was a forgery, ·fabri- universities tell of an increasing number of Moscated to prop up the Koran and tradition. "The story of Abraham and Ishmael building the Kaaba lem pupils and of the leavening power of Chrisis all fiction." Ali Abd al Razik went even further, and in his book, "Islam and the Fundamentals of tian education that reaches far beyond the cur- Authority," advocated the abolition of the caliphate, "which has always been a misfortune." riculum and the campus area. Everyone should Moreover, he proposed the complete separation of Church and State, and the abandonment of the know that the emancipation of Moslem girlhood vast body of canon law. (Adams, "Islam and Modernism in Egypt," pp. 254-265.) and womanhood began in mission schools. It is When the best thinkers in Islam accept an hon- not only unkind but ungrateful and unhistoric to est historical research of all her spiritual property, it will mean a revelation of bankruptcy. trace these modern movements to hybrid sources. When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Only the real gold, the theistic Christ alone removes the veil because He demands spiritual values of Islam, will be able to withstand the heat of this inevitable furnace. A careful and imparts purity of heart. Moslems themselves study of the whole question leads to the conclusion that as a cultural and even as a political force have testified to this fact. there is yet a future for Islam, but as a religious force the future does not look promising-except The great Christian literature societies and comin Christ and His Gospel for Moslems. mittees in Cairo, Constantinople, Teheran, Shang- The Response to the Gospel Message hai, across India, and in the Dutch East Indies are 4. This great response, as we see it today, should not surprise those who believe God's prom- producing and distributing ten times as much litises and who have experienced the final fruitage that follows the "patience of unanswered prayer." erature as they did a decade ago. Illiteracy is de- Others have labored, since the days of Henry Martyn, and now we are entered into their labors. creasing. Education is becoming compulsory. Others have knocked long and loud and waited patiently before locked doors-now those very doors The stigma of disapproval now rests on old superare nailed open. Eastern Arabia, Hadhramaut, and the cities of Meshed, Iran, and Riadh in Cen- stitions that once had religious sanction. tral Arabia, are outstanding examples. There are public baptisms in places where for- The Bible has been translated into all the great languages of the world of Islam. It is the best merly the "law of apostasy" would have adminprinted of all books and has an ever-increasing circulation. One has only to read the annual re- istered public ostracism or private vengeance. In ports of the two great Bible societies to realize the miracles of grace accomplished every year by the Java alone there are 75,000 Moslem converts gathprinted Word. ered into Christian churches. In North India Every hospital and dispensary across the map from Tangier, Morocco, to the Borden Memorial there are other thousands and in Persia we can truly speak of an indigenous church-weak still in numbers, but strong in the spirit of sacrifice and boldness of witness.
Those who challenge the validity and success of work among Moslems need to remember the lines of Arthur H. Clough: .
For while the tired waves, vainly breaking, Seem here no painful inch to gain, Far back through creeks and inlets making, Comes silent, flooding in, the main.
For not iJy eastern windows only When daylight comes, comes in the light; In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly! But westward, look, the land is bright.
While for years Christians have been battering against an impregnable position in North Africa, Islam has been steadily sweeping south and pagan tribes have become followers of the Prophet and have been lost to Christ. Suppose the Church had concentrated its efforts on these tribes in the rear of the Moslem position, and had flung a barrier of Christian churches across Africa, would Islam have made the progress it has southward? Might not the Church have found in Christian Africans, the allies who would have won far greater success than white foreigners can hope to achieve?
A. S. McNAIRN.
Christian Approach to
By PREBENDERY W. WILSON CASH, London I Secretary of the Church Missionary Society I~ ~==============================~ H AS Christianity anything to offer Islam? disappointed, goes forward with undimmed faith In answer to this question, one group of and courage, proclaiming Christ and Him cruci- people fall back upon the threadbare argu- fied as the only Hope of the world.
ment that "Islam is good enough for the Arabs." This difficult situation makes us pause and study They do not think, however, that is good enough afresh the task before us. First of all, nothing in for themselves. this past hundred years in any way invalidates the The question is sometimes put in a different way Gospel of Christ. Men of many nations and races -What is there in Christianity that is not found have found a new eternal and abounding life in Islam? through Christ, the living Saviour. The experi- The Moslem himself approaches the issue from ence of men converted in evangelistic campaigns a very different angle. He is certain that Islam in Europe or America is duplicated in the lives has much to offer to the Christian world, and par- of Africans, Indians, Chinese, and many others. ticularly just now when international affairs are Revival sweeps through parts of India and Africa so tangled and difficult. and tens of thousands find peace with God. But The missionary meets the point by a bold and the Moslem world still stands like some impreg- frank presentation of the Gospel of Christ as the nable rock, almost unshaken, and as a rule undis- only adequate religion for all the world. turbed by missionary witness. The reasons for A missionary recruit, going out to a Moslem this are many; some of them must be briefly field for the first time, is shocked to find that the stated. When the Moslem armies invaded the Moslem is just as eager to convert him to Islam countries from Syria to the Sudan and North as he is to win the Moslem for Christ. This is Africa they found a responsive body of nominally only the first of a series of shocks. As he settles Christian men ready to join their ranks and to to his work he discovers for himself what he had fight for them. The armies of the prophet were always heard, that the Moslem is about the most increased daily by many who saw in Mohammed a difficult man in all the world to bring under the deliverer from the hated Byzantine rule. The Em- influence of the Gospel. peror used the Church as an imperial tool, and in A survey of the past hundred years of mission- the minds of most people Church and State were ary work among Moslems does not reveal appre- one.
ciable progress in most areas. In one or two coun- There were alsothe divisions within the Church tries there have been remarkable results, notably and the disruptive elements in its own ranks. The in the Dutch East Indies; but against this suc- Roman and the Greek churches were separated cess must be set the inroads of Islam into the and the Greek and the Coptic churches were no Christian Church in the Near East. In Egypt it is longer in communion with each other. The ornate estimated that from 500 to 800 Copts annually ritual of the Eastern churches was contrasted become Moslems. The history of Islam is one of with the simple forms of mosque worship. The ceaseless encroachments on'Christendom, until pictures and images in churches gave the impres- now we speak of Bible lands, which were once sion of polytheism, and the abstruse theological Christian, as Moslem lands. The large propor- controversies still further weakened the spiritual tion of the peoples of Syria, Palestine and Egypt life of the Church. The fact is that the Christian are Moslems today. The Christian Church of faith was so badly misrepresented by the Church North Africa has been blotted out. The formerly of the day that people could not see Christ through Christian areas of the Sudan are now solidly Mos- the maze of ritual and ceremonial, the selfish am- lem. And still the Church sends missionaries to bitions of prelates and the secular encroachments Moslems and many are willing to give their lives upon the community. Race superiority was re- to Moslem evangelization, in an effort to remove sponsible for a good deal. The Roman or Greek the reproach which lies at the door of the Church. pattern was stamped upon the churches every- And still the missionary, though often baffled and where. There seems to have been nothing in- [467 ]
digenous in the Church of North Africa; and in into a new environment, utterly foreign to him.
Arabia there does not appear to have been any The strain of this social upheaval upon a young translation into the vernacular, either of the convert is so great that it develops any idiosyn- Scriptures or the Christian liturgies. In Rome cracies and oddities in him and in the end drives people worshipped in Latin and, therefore, they him back to his old surroundings.
had to worship in Latin in all North Africa; sim- The history of Christian expansion down the ilarly, because in Constantinople the liturgical centuries does not show that the nineteenth censervices were all in Greek, they had to be in Greek tury policy was adopted in other periods. In also in the Arabic-speaking world. Any approach earlier days people moved towards the Christian to Islam by the Christian must take account of faith by communities, by families, and tribes. In such facts. They are not dead matters of history doing so they became Christian without having but living issues today, and a study of them will had to suffer a catastrophic upheaval in their sohelp us in our evangelistic work. cial life. Instead of being uprooted from their The Gospel, it is true, needs no vindication. natural environment their social heritage was Once it is given a chance in the lives of men it Christianized, while they lived in the same homes proves itself, and its validity is recognized, but as before, carried on the same occupations, and the method of presentng the Gospel is a very dif- met much the same people, yet things were differ- ferent matter; after the experience of the past ent. The homes were transformed, they worked hundred years it is surely evident that we must from different motives, and their relationships to all face anew how we are to preach the Gospel in others were new; a different standard of life came Moslem lands. into the community through the coming of Christ.
The Nineteenth Century missionary expansion While such people found by personal conversion was marked by a strong emphasis on individual- the way to God, yet they moved together, families ism. Personal conversion was the note struck; were baptized, and communities received into the evangelistic missions sought to pluck men as faith.
brands from the burning. No one who knows This contrast requires careful and detailed in- Christ as his Saviour and Lord would' wish to vestigation. Is the cause of unsatisfactory con- weaken the appeal for personal conversion, but it verts in Moslem lands due to the break up of their must be admitted that there are other factors to be social environment? If so, may it not be equally considered. Moslem converts in many cases have true that a wrong method has hindered the whole proved to be utterly unsatisfactory. Curiously progress of the Gospel. Some years ago in a vil- enough a normal Moslem often became an eccen- lage in the Near East a large number of Moslem tric Christian. Missionaries labored to win that . families asked for baptism. When I met them it convert and when he was baptized disillusionment was obvious that some were thinking of Chris- set in. Instead of fitting into his new surround- tianity in terms of "loaves and fishes," but others ings, often he proved to be restless and required seemed to be genuinely sincere. Once the news a great deal of nursing. When discipline was even leaked out great pressure was brought to bear by mildly applied he would fling off in a temper, re- the Moslems to prevent these men from becoming nounce Christianity and go back to Islam. Most Christians. Large bribes were offered if they missionaries in the Near East have had this ex- would remain Moslems. In the end .some went perience; but they have pegged away through back to Islam, but others accepted Christ. Now heart-breaking disappointments always hoping the point of this is that while the missionaries did that things would change and that a better type emphasize personal conversion the converts came of convert would appear, as in fact he did from forward as families. They lived on as before in time to time. their own village and tilled their land. They were The problem is not due to any failure of the sufficiently numerous to remain as a community Gospel, nor indeed to lack of faithfulness in the in the village. Instead of being driven from house missionaries. The Message has been honestly pre- and hQme, ostracized and disinherited, they con- tinued in their old homes which now became sented to Moslems. A certain number have be- Christian. Here the difficulties experienced so come Christians but many were failures. These often, of abnormal converts, did not appear beare the facts. What is the answer? A survey of cause in becoming Christian they still preserved the Moslem world shows that in the Dutch East Indies, and to a certain extent in Persia, this un- their social heritage.
satisfactory result does not obtain. If we examine This line of argument raises several still bigger the social environment of the converts, I believe issues. The old method of missionary work was that we shall find that, through the process of con- mainly an attack upon Islam as wrong and on the version, we have uprooted the Moslem, torn him prophet as false in his claims, and by comparison from hi'! QWn. ~pciftl Jif~ aIld transplanted him a pre~~nt~tioJl Qf Chri~t as th~ only true Saviour,
THE CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO MOSLEMS
The second half of this is all right. We believe similar experiences that Moslems claim to have. Christ to be the only Saviour, but by contrasting This may be illustrated frQm the eighth century Mohammed with Christ missionaries have created in Khurasan, where a young prince had a remarkin Moslem minds an antagonism to Christ. Instead able vision. He was out hunting one day when he of a Moslem agreeing that Christ was superior he heard a heavenly voice calling him from the purrather felt a kind of suppressed grievance against suit of pleasure to the service of God. This vision Him. Thus a wrong impression was created and came to him three times and at the third appeara missionary found himself in the prejudiced at- ance he fell to the ground and gave his life to mosphere, which frequently led to a heated debate. God's service. He then walked across to a shep- As the situation hardened the controversial herd near by and exchanged his clothes and horse method became a very common 'One in missionary for the shepherd's woolen garments; without propaganda. Argument led to counter argument, funds or material resources he set out on pilgrimand attack to counter attack, until the atmosphere age to Mecca. was so strained that it was impossible to sit down quietly and to explain the Christian message with- Missionaries need to study more the meaning out at once being involved in a bitter wrangle. of Islam because the root idea of complete sur- render to God contains a truth no Christian can lIo~ VVin nlosleDls? afford to neglect. Moslem mystics glory in the will of God and the strength of their position is How can I approach the Moslem without an- this acceptance of whatever God sends as right. tagonizing him? First, I must understand his Too often we have used the Koran simply for purpoint of view, his spiritual aspirations, and what poses of controversy, forgetting that it does conreligion means to him. We often hear it said that tain the spiritual pilgrimage of one who started Moslem prayers are a matter of words and for- with undoubted sincerity and who wrought a refmula because certain prayers are memorized and ormation in his own land such as no one either repeated five times a day. If therefore, as a Chris- before or since has ever been able to accomplish. tian, I talk about prayer to a Moslem and at the The strength of Mohammed was not merely milisame time believe that he has no real prayer life, tary prowess. He hammered out in the desert a I start from a prejudice and an assumption which conception of God that carried the Arabs to will make fellowship with Moslems impossible. I heights previously unattained, as he described God have heard Moslems pray extemporaneously, with as the Eternal, the Great, the Glorious. He drew no set form, with every evidence of intensity and men to religion by saying, "Whichever way ye reality. Here is what one Moslem lays down as a turn there is the face of God." He said: "All on rule about prayer: earth shall pass away, but the face of thy God shall abide resplendent with majesty and glory." Before the time of prayer comes the servant must be in a state of meditation and recollection, free from wander- Whatever may be our attitude toward Islam, we ing thoughts and considerations, and the remembrance of cannot help a Moslem unless we are really honest aught save God alone. Those who enter thus upon prayer in our approach. If we trade upon his ignorance from the heart, intent only upon God, will proceed from of either his or our faith, if we fail to see the eleprayer to prayer in that same state of recollection, and ments of truth and reality in his religion, if we will remain therein long after they have ceased to pray. condemn him and his faith when we do not know it enough to pass judgment upon it, we are not There is here a depth of insight into the meaning of prayer that could at once form common honest. ground between Christians and Moslems for a There is a Christian way of approach to the sharing of mutual experiences in prayer. Why should not our approach to the Moslem be by the Moslem which is noncontroversial, where we value road of prayer, by beginning with quiet and medi- all that is good in his faith and appreciate the tation, by a remembrance of the name of God, so spiritual values it contains. We need not give up that there may be between us a spiritual affinity any Christian convictions, nor need we deny our which would make discussion easy. own faith to recognize a value in his. We can well begin by learning from the Moslems, by shar- Again can we not appreciate more the teaching ing our spiritual experiences with them in such a of Islam on spiritual things? The Sufis have much way as to enable them to share their experiences in their writings that is curiously like parts of the with us. We may find much common ground in New Testament. One writer says, "The Sufi is our prayer lives, in our worship and in our conone whose heart is pure toward God"; another ceptions of God. How surprised many of us misaffirms that "Sufism is enmity to the world and sionaries would be if, when preaching about the love to the Lord." indwelling of Christ in our hearts, we heard some- one say, "I gazed into my own heart. There I As Christians we rightly place great importance saw Him. He was nowhere else." upon the need of a personal spiritual experience of God. It would help us to study more carefully Yet this comes from a Moslem. Often when we
get closer to the mystic we find a religious toler- earnest Moslems let us not forget that the witness ance that puts some Christians to shame. There of the Spirit ultimately always leads to Christ.
is a saying: "0 Lord, none but Thyself can No man can say, "Jesus Christ is Lord," but by fathom Thee; yet every mosque and church doth the Spirit. If we depend more upon the Spirit, harbour Thee." and realize that God is at work in the Moslem Where 9.oes all this lead us? Not to any form world, we shall see our task in new proportions.
of syncretism, but to a new sense of the values of We shall be content to let our lives be as living all truth, even where that is found in another seed. ,We shall not fret if converts are few at the . faith. It leads us ultimately to Christ who, in the moment. We shall not worry if men call Mo- end, must be the Crown of Islam. We lose nothing hammed, prophet. We shall see Christ supreme by recognizing broken lights of Him who is the and alive, seeking to break through in spiritual Light of the World. We do not diminish Christ's revelation and power into the lives of men. As glory when we see how God illumines every man the living truth works in the hearts, we shall see coming into the world. It is true, as St. Paul hasl men and women discovering a new meaning to said, "God has not left Himself without witness." life, as they learn that Islam must involve not only If we see evidence of the witness of the Spirit in surrender to God, but to God revealed in Jesus some of the teaching of Islam and in the lives of Christ.
A FEW FAOTS ABOUT ISLAM Islam, more than most religions, reflects the personality of its founder, Mohammed. He was born in Mecca, near the western coast of Arabia, about 570 A. D. When he was about forty years of age, he had a series of experiences which he interpreted as visions from God.
These ordered him to attack the idolatry and worldliness of his fellow citizens, and to proclaim one supreme God and a day of judgment. Converts at first gathered slowly, and they were subject to persecution.
In 622 A. D., the Hijrah, or Flight to Medina, took place, from which the Moslem calendar came to be reckoned. In Medina, Mohammed soon became head of the community and ruler as well as prophet. At the time of his death, in 632 A. D., not only Medina, but Mecca and practically the whole of Arabia, had accepted his doctrines.
The sayings of Mohammed, which are believed to have been dictated word for word to him by the Angel Gabriel, were later gathered together and they constitute the Koran. This scrIp- ture is divided into Suras, or chapters, arranged roughly according to length rather than in any chronological order. The Koran is the Bible of Islam, considered verbally infallible. Since it is often obscure, and since it failed to prescribe conduct or attitudes to be observed in subse- quent situations that arose, it was early supplemented by Traditions as to what Mohammed said or did under various circumstances. These rules of conduct were, in time, codified into legal systems.
The five principal observances of Islam are: (1) the recitation of the creed-"There is no God but God, and Mohammed is his Prophet"; (2) worship, the set forms of prayer which are to be performed five times a day; (3) alms, a certain proportion of the income being pre- scribed from those of means for the benefit of the poor; (4) fasting from sunrise to sunset during the Ramadan; (5) malting the Haj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca once in a lifetime by those who are able.
Among various prohibitions are intoxicants, usury, making of images, and games of chance. On the other hand, Mohammed's relations with women led him to permit four legal wives as well as concubines, and to recommend the seclusion of women. The Jihad, or war against countries controlled by unbelievers, has always been considered a duty. As in other religions, these observances have been much relaxed in practice.
In the first century of its existence Islam split into two principal sects, the Sunni, which is in the majority in most Moslem countries, and the Shia, containing the bulk of Persians, about half of Iraq, and smaller communities in other lands. In addition to these, there have been many other sects. _ Moslem theology has emphasized the unity and power of God, and has been especially severe on anything that seemed like polytheism or idolatry. At the same time saint worship has been quite general; there is also much superstition, together with mystical or emotional exercises.-Quoted from "The Moslem Faces the Future," by T. H. P. Sailer.
Reactions to the
By JAMES HALDANE, Mazagan, Morocco -.•~ Southern Morocco Mission; Author of "Missionary Romance in Morocco," "Morocco in Mufti," etc.
W HEN we present the Gospel of Christ to tion and have the means at their disposal to carry individual Moslems we find them reacting the effort to a climax.
to our message in a variety of attitudes Jeremiah, and other Hebrew prophets, acted and tempers. When the reaction is born of fa- sometimes in' strange manner with a view to exnaticism the man allows you the utterance of only citing their audience into a listening mood, and a few sentences, after which there is a manifesta- employed what we might call a sanctified guile to tion of petulence, rising to passion and finding its grip hearts which could not be reached by ordiclimax in vociferation and whirling gestures. The man's mind is infested with vitiated religious sentiments which, when stirred by an element that opposes them, make the body a medium for their manifestation and produce a condition akin to madness. In the presence of such a man the missionary is confronted with the question of what means he must employ to exercise these exorbitant religious notions from the mind where they are lodged.
Let it be said with emphasis that, whatever A MOSLEM "HOLY MAN'S" HABITATION IN MOROCCO attitude we take towards the fanatic, whatever means we employ to deal with such malady, it nary means. Let me give an instance – one of must be based on sympathy. A display of irrita- many used in my work among Moors-to illustrate tion, an exhibition of caustic temper or rancor, the method. far from mitigating the evil, will aggravate it. A movement from the basis of sympathy to attack I was dealing with a small group of men while religious enormities and delusions, as manifested a number of others, who were merely spectators, by the fanatic, does not imply an unsteady tread sat beside us. There was a wild scene in which suggestive of fear and helplessness. It means reason was caged and rowdyism became rampant. that we are approaching with love and under- I tried everything within the range of ordinary standing a victim who has been born and reared methods used to calm them into a listening attiunder the glare of superstition and religious in- tude but all in vain. I was faced with the alternafatuations, one who has come under the impact of tive of doing something unusual to overcome this a single idea which drives him past all other con- devastating display of fanaticism, or abandoning siderations. these men as hopeless material. I decided to imi- In deaJing with such men it may be necessary to adopt an attitude of silence, at least until some of their fierceness has subsided. In some instances one may detect, seeping through the crevices of a disordered mind, an occasional show of intelligence which casts a passing gleam upon the countenance. Just at that moment one may be able to shoot in a word like an arrow that will find its mark, touch the reason and stimulate it to accept the challenge of a new line of thought. And on occasion fanaticism may be countered by cajolery. But this experiment should not be tried by any but those who, through long contact with the peopIe among whom they labor, understand the situa- [471 ]
tate the Hebrew prophets. Taking off my boot, as if he were afraid that the usual tone of voice ignoring my audience as if it did not exist, I filled would be an interruption. With this show of init with stones. These I shook inside the boot, tense earnestness he lures the preacher on, and emptied them out and filled the boot again. With just at the moment when we are ready to urge his a show of much earnestness this process was kept surrender to Christ he riSes up, draws his fingers up for sometime. Their interest was directed into through his beard, shakes the dust from his gara new channel; they could not understand what I ments, exclaims in a loud voice, "There is no God was doing and were astonished that I had so easily but Allah and Mohammed is His prophet," and tripped away from a serious theological discus- strides away with an air of triumph. sion into the trivial business of shaking stones inside a boot. Their curiosity mounted until it could In some of our meetings, within doors and in no longer be curbed: the open, we have an audience that has come to- gether by consent to extract some pleasurable ex- "Whatever are you doing?" they asked. citement by engaging the foreign preacher in argument. On one occasion a number of young A VISIT TO MOSLEM BEDOUIN fellows came tumbling into my meeting for this purpose. As clearly as if the words had been "You are all acting like madmen and I deter- chiselled on their foreheads I read, "Weare here mined to help you ollt,~' T replied. for fun." I put away my Bible, erected the black- board, put down a sum in addition and invited This had the desired effect for it suddenly struck anyone in the company to come forward, take the them that their vociferation and whirling move- chalk and do the sum. Several came forward and ments were, in the circumstances, as foolish and attempted to add the figures but no one added futile as shaking stones in a boot. Then at my them correctly. invitation they squatted on the ground and together we examined calmly the message of Jesus. "If ever you are to rise above being water car- riers and laborers you must learn to count," I said. Another type we meet is the man who reacts to our message with a cunning camouflage, whose So we continued the exercise until they became aim is to humiliate the missionary. He makes a greatly interested and some could add up figures show of much earnestness and on occasion will before we finished. I invited them to return the sway his body to emphasize his concern for his following week to learn subtraction. soul. At the mention of forgiveness through Jesus Christ he will stare with the surprise of one who "This is the way into an office and a good job," has just made a great discovery. And as the I heard them say as they talked among themselves. story unfolds he will say in a whisper, "Proceed," They were so pleased with their progress that they all shook hands with me before taking their de- parture.
The following week they walked into my meet- ing, some of them with copy books and pencils. We put simple subtraction problems on the board. Interest reached a climax when some of the more intelligent ones were able to find the solution to what I had put down. At this juncture I wrote on the board: ADD TOGETHER: FORMAL PRAYERS, FASTS, LUST, LOVE OF THE WORLD.
SUBTRACT: DEATH.
RESULT: NOTHING.
What a discovery this was! Addition and sub- traction could be applied to theology.
Again this problem: ADD TOGETHER: SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.
SUBTRACT: – THE REDEMPTION OF JESUS'
CHRIST.
RESULT: FORGIVENESS AND ETERNAL LIFE.
This proved to be the beginning of an interest- ing work among those young fellows, some of
MOSLEM REACTIONS TO THE GOSPEL
whom continued· to attend my Bible class for that, if he gives Christianity a trial and it does not years. fulfil expectations, he may find the doors of the Then there is the polite man, the person who fold he has left barred against him. He wants to wishes to be courteous and who would treat an make an experiment with a new faith, for he is outburst of antagonism from any religious quar- deeply conscious of the inadequacy of Islam to ter as an outrage against good manners. When provide the assurance of pardon that he seeks.
we introduce our Gospel to this type there is no He is like a man who, dissatisfied with the job he display of opposition and almost no evidence of interest. He simply allows you to talk on, and says, "Yes," to everything. He is like a man who, busy with his own thoughts, will occasionally make a remark to the child that chatters by his side just to show that he is not displeased at its interrup- tions, although he finds nothing in its chatter to be cherished as valuable information. When we have given our Message and ask this man what he thinks of it, and what attitude he is going to take towards Jesus, he skirts the issue by inviting us to drink tea, or by diverting attention in some way calculated to close the subject.
What are we to do with that sort of man? Va- rious methods may be employed in an effort to awaken real interest in him. I give one example: "Well, let's go inside and drink tea now," said my Moslem friend after I had made a serious en- deavor to point him to Christ. We sat down to sip tea and I put this question to him: "I'm interested in Islam; what steps would I be required to take if I decided to become a Mos- lem ?"
The question gripped him and he began to teach me with much solemnity. He had gone far when I injected extraneous matter.
"Are your shoes made of leather or cloth?" I inquired.
He talked on and every now and then I inter- jected some trivial question and gazed around me indifferently. He became annoyed and said: "You are not listening."
"It doesn't matter, just go on," I replied. There was a spell of silence and then I asked: "Do you consider me a bad listener?"
"You certainly are," came the quiet reply.
"Do you know who taught me to listen badly?"
"Say who?"
"The gentleman who sat with me outside the A MOSLEM FANATIC IN MOROCCO door a little time ago." has, would fain go out and search for another, but "So you are taking revenge?" he said with a is afraid that should his quest fail his present em- ployer might not take him back. grin. "N0, only trying to teach you a lesson."
A more interesting, as well as more hopeful, In dealing with this type, which is common type is the man who has a real interest in spiritual enough, rush tactics do not succeed. In exalting matters and who is willing to make some real sac- the capital doctrine of the agency of the Holy rifice to reach the assurance that there is a way Spirit in dealing with such men we must not over- to obtain God's forgiveness, an offer of Eternal look the means of patience and instruction from Life. But there are difficulties in the way. The the missionary's side. To expect such a man, man is encumbered by an imaginative ignorance whose mind is sodden with superstition and that dogs his steps the moment he steps out to cramped from bold thinking by ignorance, to take meet Christ. He is embarrassed with the fear one long stride towards the objective we place be-
fore him is rather too much. He states his need, types enumerated above, gathered in a meeting shows interest in the Gospel message, but shies at where the Gospel is to be preached with a view to the suggestion that he should pass immediately their conversion. Our aim is to gain a hearing over the chasm that separates Islam and Chris- from them all. It would simplify matters if one tianity. Every time the man is forced forward could separate them according to their class, and he reacts with caution. present the Gospel in a manner calculated to meet the particular needs of each section, but this is HIGHIDR CLASS MOSLIDMS OF MOROCCO rarely possible. We must take the audience as we find it. In an effort to arouse the indifferent from their torpor we may say something that will un- sheath the passions of the fanatic and so have a tumult before the meeting is well begun. Or if we stress the finality of the cross of Christ as a means of taking away sin we are likely to hear the muffled rumblings of some who consider it is their duty to counter this teaching by repetitions of Islam's creed. These cross-currents will in turn disturb the polite section of our meeting whose only desire is to conduct themselves in a proper manner, and who would probably rise up and go out if there was any sign of rowdyism.
To place such a meeting in the hands of an in- experienced missionary is to do an injustice to our cause. Some will say: "Preach the Gospel and leave it at that. Let them all have the pure Gospel: there our responsibility ends."
The fact is one considers the Gospel to be such a blessed thing, and such consequences hang upon its presentation, that it is felt to be a kind of sacrilege to offer it to a rabble.
In a meeting of the type I am describing there are two factors which determine what results will be produced. In the first place there is the factor of atmosphere; the missionary's first business is to create one that will harmonize with the exalted theme he desires to present. This cannot be One more type is the man who meets all our – approaches with deadly indifference. In extreme cases we are almost made to feel that we are A HILARIOUS GROUP INTERVIEWING A MISSIONARY speaking to a corpse! The man can be turned from one position to another, rolled over from achieved by a process of shouting and pounding. one doctrine to another, without showing interest What means, then, must we use to create an ator resistance. There was a half silly man who mosphere worthy of a serious undertaking such as lived in our village in the days of my boyhood. presenting the issues of life and death as con- We used to tease him. He had enough sense to tained in the message of the New Testament? look after a cow but little more.
"Ah, Geordi," we would say, "did you give the cow a drink?" "Yes," he replied. Of course there would not be any water in the pail. We would continue. "No," he would reply naively. That silly teasing comes back to my mind almost every time I meet the Moslem type I am now dealing with. He answers "yes" and "no," according as we suggest, no matter how contradictory the replies may be.
Now think of fifty Moslems, a mixture of the
The answer is: a vigorous and proper use of The second factor is, motive. I have not space the native tongue of one's audience. There is no to develop this point. The most ignorant audience, substitute for this. Accent is not a serious handi- not to speak of those on a higher level, is concerned cap, but to flounder about in a sea of foreign words with the motive of the preacher. This concern is is simply to tickle or irritate an audience accord- born, not of analysis but of instinct. There is an ing to its mood. An easy flow of language, studied instinctive feeling of enquiry in every audience and correct, has a tremendous effect. If one can we face as to the motive of our preaching. That is prove to the listeners that he has not only an easy why many missionaries will not develop any phase flow of their language, but also an understanding of work where money comes into play. Mercenary of its underlying significance and subtleties, the motives may easily be attributed, by primitive chances are in his favor for getting a good hear- people, to money transactions accompanying Gos-' ing. Sale points out in his introduction to the pel services. (See the New Testament on this Koran that the success of that book is due in no subject.) small measure to the jingle of its words. The opening chapter of the Koran, when well read, My aim here is to show that natives are consounds like the jingling of bells. If, then, we find stantly watching our motives, and unless we can the atmosphere in a meeting unsuited to our mes- convince them that all our work springs from the sage, we must not imagine that we are false to our motive of love, we labor in vain. That is why a mission if we introduce some extraneous matter warning about sin and its consequences, a referfor the purpose of getting the proper conditions ence to the futility of Islam or an exposure of its established. Here is a method I have employed contradictions should never be carried out with times without number when faced with a meeting any show of triumph, lest we give the impression difficult to handle: that our aim is to score points. Even when en- gaged in disputation, as must sometimes happen, The audience is a mixed multitude-antagon- our words should be the breathing of love. Livism, hilarity, indifference and suspicion surge ingstone's achievements among primitive Afrithrough the atmosphere, and one detects an effort cans were due, almost solely, to this fact: he conon the part of some to scuttle the meeting. To in- vinced them, not merely that he was an honest troduce Jesus Christ in this atmosphere would be man or a good man, but that he loved Africa and to give them the very opportunity they desire to its people intensely. wreck the meeting, for it would present the object for attack. Much to their surprise the preacher With these two factors-a suitable atmosphere, claims only that there is one God and He has no and divine love in our hearts to supply the impetus partners. The next step is to show that all the for all our work-we may say, even when statistics good things we receive in this life are from His deny their support, the faithful missionary of hand. A sense of reverence asserts itself, for this Christ "shall doubtless come again rejoicing is what they all believe. The next step is to show bringing his sheaves with him." that many of the boons that reach us, coming from God, do so through the medium of our own DISTRIBUTION OF MOSLEMS labors, as for instance when we plough. "That," we say, "is why it is a good thing to have a trade." By GOVERNMENTS We then introduce lines from one of their own poets. This creates interest. There is now an Total Moslems in the world-about ……. . 240,000,000 atmosphere of reverence and interest. We quote Moslems under British rule (including Egypt) 94,000,000 the lines again and again: Moslems under other Western Governments ., 94,000,000 Moslems under MQslem Governments ……. . 38,000,000 Mal jiddeen A parent's legacy Moslems under other Eastern Governments ., 14,400,000 Yiteem; Will finish hastily; DISTRIBUTION-BY CONTINENTS Ma yibka All will fade Khir snaa Except the trade America-North and South …………… . 130,000 Australia and Islands ……………….. . 1,030,000 Yideen. You handle daily. Europe and Soviet Russia …………….. . 12,000,000 Africa ……………………………. . 53,000,000 It may be said that there is no Gospel in this. Asia and Malaysia ………………….. . 154,000,000 True; and there is no Gospel in a banner, a bell or a band. Yet these are constantly in use in INTERESTING HISTORICAL DATA Christian work for the purpose of creating interest and a proper atmosphere preliminary to intro- Birth of Mohammed, 570 A. D. Death of Mohammed, ducing the Gospel. I have a whole collection of 632 A.D. Moslem poems, proverbs and stories which I use almost daily in my meetings, for the same purpose Hejira (Mohammed's flight from Mecca), 622 A. D. as I use low gear in my automobile; that is, to get Battle of Tours (defeat in West Europe), 732 A. D. Moslems driven from Spain (by Ferdinand II), 1492. a start. Capture of Constantinople by the Turks-1453 A. D. Young Turks proclaim new Constitution-1908 A. D. End Qf the Caliphate (Turkey), 1924 A. D. Religious freedom in Iran (Persia), 1925 A. D.
Moslems for
By REV. JOHN VAN ESS, D.D., Basrah, Iraq Missionary of the Reformed Church in America THE objective of missionary work is to bring With this as my creed, I go back tomorrow to Moslems to a saving knowledge of Christ. my school. It is the last week of my twenty-fifth But what is "a saving knowledge"? Is bap- year as a teacher of Arabs. For twenty years this tism of converts the criterion of success? Christian school was on the crest of a wave of popularity. Being the first in this region, it has Salvation is assuredly not merely a "ticket into educated or at least vitally touched about three the ark," so to speak. To "accept Christ" is not thousand young Arabs. Each of these has met merely to assent to the formula "Christ died for Cl).rist or heard His message in the vernacular my sins." Our Lord's constant emphasis on the from my own lips, months and years on end, in Kingdom implies a King and an organization, with systematic and progressive Bible study. Hundreds laws, implied strife and victory. This Kingdom of these young men have been absorbed into the begins on earth but will be an eternal Kingdom as political and economic life of the land, and you its King is eternal. When a man is saved, there- can count on the fingers of two hands those who fore, he is saved not so much "from" as "unto"- have definitely gone bad. I can explain it only on unto Life, unto obedience, to fruitfulness, to har- the assumption that the light of Christ has somemony, to eventual and complete adjustment to how produced a change on the film of their heart God. The Cross is not merely a tragic drama on and thought life. Calvary on a Friday afternoon in a city in Palestine. We read of the "Lamb slain from the foun- And now has come nationalism. The Iraq Govdation of the world," of the Word that was in the ernment, in its youthful exuberance, is establishbeginning with God, that was God. The Cross was ing schools of all grades everywhere. They are eternally in the heart of God; Calvary was its good schools, well equipped and staffed. They tragic demonstration in time. The Atonement has have behind them all the prestige and resources of a gigantic sweep, far wider than the salvation of the Government. There are many respects in a confessed minority. The Atonement is a process which, pedagogically speaking, I do not agree with of divine dimensions, a process that began with the system. But the Government has the right to God's eternal purpose of good, reached its supreme decide its own objective and to formulate its own demonstration on Golgotha, and was consummated method. In a missionary school I cannot compete on Easter morning. "If Christ be not raised, ye with the Government on its own ground, nor are yet in your sins." should 1. Two summers ago, driving along a coun- try road in Michigan, I asked a farmer, "Where So I do not visualize myself as standing on a does this road go?" He replied, "Stranger, if you dock with a boat-hook, desperately grasping at follow it long enough, this road will lead you to the souls that come rushing by. According to my the cemetery." As Christians we are often in Lord's precept and example I work for individuals, danger of going up the road to a mental cemetery, but all the time I am conscious that those whom I where lie the dead bones of dead controversies. may miss do not "drift beyond His love and care." As missionaries we are in danger of going up the Above the din and clatter of my clumsy efforts I road to a cemetery of method, if not of message. hear Christ say "I have overcome the world"- The famous Dr. Abraham Kuyper of Amsterdam the cosmos. And so I visualize the world, the said, "The fault of the Church is not that she made whole cosmic order, the whole social, economic, creeds, but that she stopped making creeds." political, as well as the religious set-up, as being brought into obedience unto Him. Anything else As a missionary educator, I am closing a chap- is defeatism and defeatism is treason. Pro rege is ter of twenty-five years, with no regrets, and with. the device on my banner. pleasantest memories, grateful that it has been my privilege to be a pathfinder, and looking around Physical death, then, can no longer be a cri- for new fields to enter and new paths to open. I terion of anything either to me or the Moslem. am deliberately cutting out the top of my tree, so My missionary work is only a beginning, and in- to speak, gradually eliminating the high school deed will never stop. Christ promised a Life that grades, and concentrating on the depressed classes now is and spoke of death that ceases to be.
[476 ] who comprise about two-thirds of the population. outside of myself, illuminating the whole and shed- They do not come within the perimeter of the offi- ding its power over myself and my pupils. But cial vision, and will not do so for a generation. there is the phenomenon. They are desperately poor but they are desperately in earnest. Their economic condition does not For years and years I had tried to present allow them to remain in school more than six years Christ to the Arab boys: His life, His Cross, His at the most, after which they must return to their salvation. A young American, fresh from college, villages or to their former economic plane, equip- with the light of heaven in his eye and the smile ped, we trust, to lift up that plane to a higher level. of God on his face, came to join me for a short Any higher education I leave to the government term. For fifteen months he taught the boys, lived schools which admittedly qualify only for govern- with them, played with them, brothered them. ment jobs and already have reached the point of Then, by an accident, God took him. The boys besupersaturation. Out of the morass of this little' gan to come to me and say, "Sir, now we underproblem I leave the government to struggle as best stand what you have been trying to teach us about it may. God; how He made Himself visible, and lived among us, and suffered with us, and died for us. And so, after a quarter of a century, I stand We have seen it in Mr. Raymond. That is what again where I stood at the beginning. I am again God did." I awoke to the fact that we cannot teaching small boys in simple subjects, and am make men hear the Atonement; we must make back in the daily irritations of discipline and routine. One of my former colleagues, a man of wide men see it. reputation, said to me: "Van Ess, I thought you had it in you to put up a college in Iraq." To I am quite unruffled by government competition which I replied, "I am really prouder of the fact and by decreased appropriations. Indeed, the dethat I had it in me not to put up a college in Iraq." With the rise of nationalism, missionary colleges pression and the consequent cuts have made me are being forced to the wall. India may be an ex- cut out a lot of underbrush, so that I can now see ception, though in the new constitution lurk the path more plainly. Even the casual remarks ominous obstacles. That they have done a splen- of well-meaning friends that the school seems to did service is undoubtedly true but how much be going backward, does not sting anymore. As room there remains for them is a serious question. But there remains a great deal of room at the a matter of fact, there is a far greater percentage bottom. This to my mind is the great challenge of Moslems in the school than ever before, and all to missionary educators today. The greatest con- available space is filled. "Why are most of your tribution we missionary educators can make is not boys barefoot?" asked a government inspector. in the doing of big things in a comparatively small "Why do all the barefoot boys come to me 7" I way, but in the doing of little things in a big way. answered. For that task we need all the mentality, and all the education and all the experience, and all the Where now does all this fit into my pretentious manhood, and all the linguistic ability, and all the creed? Next door to my house is an electric powerhumility, and all the spiritual equipment we can station. Into one end is fed the crude oil; out of command. When the world's proletariat awakes, the other end comes that strange, invisible, potent within the next generation, as it inevitably must, fluid called electricity. The cause is not at all will men, by that time, be familiar with us and commensurate with the result. The only function our message and our Lord, or will they, as in of the crude oil has been to be consumed. Some- Russia, revolt against Christianity that has cham- where along the line, in the dynamo in fact, it has pioned the rights of the privileged classes? If been transformed into energy. It is carried miles one great truth of the Cross of Christ is, in Jesus' away to the wharves where it raises heavy burown words, "I have power to lay down my life dens and lights dark streets and houses. I cannot, and I have power to take it again," surely we dis- and we cannot by education or any other method, ciples can best preach that Cross in our own daily change the world. But we can be consumed, willhumiliation. I, for one, wish to bear witness to ingly, humbly, gladly, for our efforts are made dythe compensation that comes from a humble effort namic in the Cross. "I fill up on my part that in that direction. which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh." During the past year I have had a daily experience, which you may explain as you like but which Anyone who knew Turkey before the World is, none-the-Iess, intensely real. As I teach the War knows that there was not one ray of light Gospel lessons to class after class, lessons which I on the horizon of missionary work among Moshave taught literally hundreds of times, a shaft of lems. In five short years, what happened? The light seems to come from somewhere, certainly Caliphate was abrogated, the Sultan was expelled, and a republic was established; Islam was dis- established, womanhood was emancipated, suf- frage was made universal. The Turkish revolution came like a bolt from the blue. I have heard
famous professors of international affairs confess innovations, which seemed impossible a decade or their inability to explain it. It seems plain to me, two ago, are rapidly being realized. however. For eighty years the American missionaries had been working in Turkey, and prayers, Another innovation, the lawfulness of which the tears, the sighs, the labors, the gifts of God's has been hotly contested, is the translation of the people were consumed for Turkey. They were Koran into English. After a lengthy debate in the made dynamic in the eternal Cross of Christ; the secular press, the Government and the leaders of energy was banked up behind the barrage of God's reform have gotten round the difficulty by affirmpurpose until in His own time He let it loose on ing that while the Koran can never be translated Turkey, and something more had to happen. into any other language, what is now being at- tempted is to translate the teaching of the Book A couple of generations ago a young Chinese especially for the benefit of the English-speaking lad named Sun Yat Sen learned in a mission school peoples. The large increase of religious articles in Honolulu the three uniquely Christian prin- and debates in the secular press, both Arabic and ciples: Liberty, Democracy, Social Justice; today English, is another noticeable development, and if China is in the throes of a new birth. And so it to this we add the broadcasting of the chanting of is in India, and I believe in Russia. To me the the Koran several times a day, while Christians great and humiliating fact about Russia is that the are not allowed to broadcast even a reading of the Church has let Communism steal her thunder of Scripture, we get an idea of the strength of the demanding social justice. propaganda that is being daily carried on.
From the segment of a circle we can tell from The remarkable growth in Egypt of Moslem rethe degree of curvature, not only how big the ligious societies to further the teaching of Islam circle is but where the center is. And everywhere from every aspect impresses itself upon Christian in the round world today we can see the segments residents. The most active of these is the Young being filled in, all centering in Christ, a gigantic Men's Moslem Association. It is a regular centre sweep, a stupendous Kingdom of Divine dimen- of political and religious intrigue. The same sions. spread is also noticeable in the Islamic periodicals and magazines, which are distributed far· and So I go back to my little school tomorrow, con- wide, even in the remotest villages. This new fident of contributing a small but none the less a movement has even reached the neglected southern real part to one segment, and overwhelmed by a European Moslems, and very recently these held sense of unutterable privilege. How many bap- a Moslem conference in Geneva, so that they tisms? A greater missionary than any of us said: should not be left behind in the reforms. Needless "Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach." to say, Islam is being interpreted now-a-days in terms of Christian doctrine. MODERN REFORMS IN ISLAM The agitation of the Feminist Movement against The disintegration of Islam is true only in a plurality of marriage, the prevalence of divorce very qualified sense. The old and primitive type (at present 47 per cent), and the neglect of chilof Islam is giving way to a new form of teaching dren is but like a voice crying in the wilderness, and to an interpretation in line with modern which soon dies in the arid air of Islam. The Western ideas and philosophy. This new move- greatest hindrance to Arab advance and the ment carries with it the vitality and momentum of spread of Islam has been hitherto the wide diveryouth, accompanied with the zeal, if not fanati- gence of views and the animosities among the difcism, of the old Islam, so that, in a very real sense, ferent states, but the Alliance recently signed there is revival in Islam. among all the Arab states and with Egypt joining them, presents a united Islamic front. This revival is most in evidence in Egypt, which is taking the lead among Moslem countries. It Islam is essentially a primitive religion, a fact has actually carried along with it the great centre of which all the leaders boast -and emphasize on of Islamic learning, the Azhar University, that all occasions; no wonder if we see it breaking immobile institution which has for the last thou- down under the demands of modern progress and sand years defied any scheme of reform. The cur- civilization; they are trying to reconstruct it riculum of the University now demands the study along modern lines. It will remain to be seen of science along European lines, and of modern whether such external reforms will prove the relanguages. Promising students have even been vival or the death of Islam.–Condensed from an sent to European universities, and other startling article by an Egyptian Christian in Egypt, "Gen- eral M-vssion News," 1936.
PATIENTS AT A WAYSIDE DISPENSARY IN
A Christian Doctor Among Moslems By PAUL HARRISON, M.D., Muscat, Arabia Missionary of the Reformed Church in America ~~N0. ' I DO NOT believe in forcing religion with God. I have never met a missionary who was down people's throats. I believe in med- foolish enough to suppose that a man could be ical missions though." forced into Christian faith, nor wicked enough to More mistakes it would be hard to put into two attempt it.
sentences. Ordinary missionaries force religion And if any have illusions as to the redemptive upon the sensitive innocence of the unprotected, capacity of Atebrin pills, and Elastoplast band- whereas the medical missionary who has re- ages, and Davis and Geck sutures, the medical mis- nounced the Devil and all his works, redeems them sionary has none. Men with their hernias skill- with pills, plasters, and catgut sutures. fully repaired, stab their neighbors just as fero- Neither the minister nor his medical colleague ciously in the bazaar, and marry their fourth wife, is so foolish. None of us try to force anything on a baby of twelve, with just as animal a glitter in anybody. Those who are willing, we introduce to their eyes, as they did before. None watch the Jesus Christ, with as deep and discriminating an dreadful pageant of human ignorance, and sin and introduction as desire anct background make pos- suffering, with quite so deep and terrible an under- sible. Christ's contact with them depends even standing as the doctor, none know so well as he, more on the depth of our surrender to Him, and that the wages of sin is death, and before it is the radiance of our daily walk in His company. death, it is disease.
In the affairs of the spirit coercion is poison. Be- And so the medical missionary thanks God with fore us always is the beauty of Christ's example, all his heart that he is as other men are; i. e., an as He led free men into a redeeming fellowship evangelist whose life object is to bring Christ to 479
those who need Him. Ignorance has crippled the afternoon, in the hospital courtyard, and on weekmen whom Mohammed captured so many years day evenings they saw Christ on the Cross through ago. Sin has overcome them. Their diseases the stereopticon. Smooth sailing? Not always. come from sin. So does their poverty which is A month ago our outlying dispensary in Nuchl, 75 almost worse than disease in these terrible areas. miles from Muscat, was summarily closed, and we So, also, that emptiness of soul which makes the ejected. But the people there want us to return, inner poverty of the rich, worse many times, than and it will be only a short time probably, before the outer poverty of the poor. If only Christ can we are back. fill some of these souls with the radiance of His Eternal life, they will be a light for the entire There are many areas in the world where the community, just as He promised. Yes,. and in medical missionary is still a pioneer in the simplest sense of that word. No missionary except he. can AN ARAB CHIEF, WITH DR. HARRISON WHOM HE INVITED enter. Central Arabia is such an area. Sois TO VISIT HIS TRIBES IN INLAND ARABIA Afghanistan, and Tibet, and parts of Northwest China. Often even he can go only by special invithat radiant group, Christ Himself will find the tation, and very infrequently. Sometimes he can one joy and happiness that men are capable of take his evangelistic colleague with him. On~e I giving Him. heard of a consecrated music teacher finding an entrance when even the Doctor was shut out. But What part have the medical missionaries played the brunt of this campaign is carried by the docin the great Eternal enterprise of carrying Christ tors. They visit such places on medical tours, to the Mohammedans? A genuine part and an treat those who need medical help, present Christ honorable one. We go where no one else can. to those who will listen, make many friends. Harold Storm made a trip two years ago which included pretty well the whole southern coast of On occasion theYl;re driven out, but they re~ Arabia. With trifling exceptions, that whole sec- turn.. and eventually tlieMission is invited to come tion can be reached only by the medical mission- in and establish a permanent station. Such a staary. And can the Gospel be preached on such a tion may begin with only the medical missionary tour? It can. Last year in Sur, a wild and fanati- in residence. Eventually he is joined by his evancal place, men listened to the Gospel every Sunday gelistic colleague.
It is a great step in advance when a permanent mission station is established. Then the impact of Christian family life is felt, and that is by far the heaviest piece of artillery that we have. The difference between the Christian and the Moham- medan family is an apologetic which admits of no answer. But in this station too, the active medical work of the mission hospital has a great part to play. Dozens and scores and hundreds come to the dispensary. They do not become Christians, but they do become friends. And in the hospital itself men listen to the Christian message with a more friendly ear than elsewhere, and during their days of comfortable convalescence, the same mes- sage can be repeated many times, until some de- gree of comprehension is reached. Christ walks up and down the aisles of these primitive mission- ary hospitals, and the doctor succeeds in making Him visible to some of those who are his guests.
Abdullah was such a patient. He came with the largest ulcer of the year, and we have many ulcers by no means small. His measured six by four inches. Only the swollen condition of the foot made such dimensions possible. After three months he is nearly healed. Abdullah is one of' those fine, sincere, gentle souls, who show that Christ is indeed the light that lighteth every man. The Gospel story was water to his thirsty soul. Abdullah is one of the fortunate few who can read. For weeks he was a hospital fixture, with his leg
A CHRISTIAN DOCTOR AMONG MOSLEMS
stretched out so it could lie in the sun, while he emerging medical profession in these new states earnestly studied the New Testament. He follows can reach full growth. In the meantime the med- Christ now, with deep sincerity, and just ahead is ical missionary can take under his wing these newthe realization that Christ and Mohammed do not fledged doctors, and to their science add ethics, walk the same road. Abdullah returned home two and to their ethics compassion, and to their comweeks ago. May God keep him. passion, freedom from the love of money, and if when he has finished with some of them, these Young men of the community make up the hos- things be in them and abound, he will have made pital staff. They are chosen after much elimina- a very great contribution indeed. And the most tion of inferior material, because they have unusual deftness of hand, and kindliness of soul. PATIElNTS AT THE MISSION HOSPITAL They are not Christians when they enter the hospital service. No such material is available. But important members of this group which he trains, some of these boys come to see Christ as He walks will be the Christian doctors who become under beside them, ministering to men and women who his hands, pillars in the church, and ornaments of suffer. Mobarrek is such a convert. The whole the Kingdom of God. town of Muttreh has been lit up by the beauty and simplicity of his Christian confession. Two of his The medical missionary is a member of the comrades in the hospital have already followed his great eternal succession, through which from example, and the Sultan himself has listened to Abraham to Hudson Taylor, God has unfolded His his testimony. program of Divine power and salvation. The Church of Christ has been set up in the Moham- The medical missionary is a missionary in his medan world. In Iran she has reached the magown right. He is also a member of a mission sta- nificent virility of youth. Even in Arabia the intion where team work is very important. The fant church has been born. Thus does the last evangelistic impact of such a team can be very citadel of human error and sin slowly open to the great. Only a small part of the preaching can be love of Christ. The medical missionary's heart done by the doctor. Proclaiming the truth of is filled with gratitude that in this great adventure Christ is the evangelist's task, illustrating the of the Divine Will, he has been permitted to have grace of Christ is the doctor's (though to be sure a share, and at times to carry the flag. the evangelist does that too). The intelligent and effective mercy of the hospital is a Christian les- ISLAM AS A RELIGION son of the first order. It is the hospital which makes the Christian Gospel intelligible. Moreover Moslem Creed: "There is no God but God and Mohammed there are Christian lessons of no mean order in is the prophet of God." Includes pantheism and scientific medicine per se. Truth is one thing, and animism. error something else. Noone who assists at surgical operations doubts that for very long. The Jesus is regarded as a human prophet inferior to Mopatients believe it too. Ignorance is one thing and hammed. discriminating knowledge something else, and no one knows that quite so wen as the patient to Materialistic and sensual Paradise. whom an accurate diagnosis brings relief after Five supreme duties-witnessing, saying prayers (five many disappointments. Cleanliness is different times a day), almsgiving, the Fast of Ramadhan, pilfrom filth, a rule that holds in the realm of the grimage to Mecca. (Also Holy War.) spirit as well as in the world of bacteria. There Weakness or Islwm-formalism, fatalism, militarism, senis no antidote to superstition like the microscope. sualism, stagnation, polygamy, slavery, blind adher- A louse there, looks far more dangerous than the ence to tradition. evil eye itself. St?'ength of Islamr-belief in one supreme imnipotent God, loyalty to their faith, people of one sacred book, ag- The function of the medical missionary is a tem- gressive in witnessing, courageous. porary function. He understands that. We do not send medical missionaries to Japan. Medical schools are making their appearance in nearly all of the Moslem countries. There is such a school in Teheran, Iran. There is another in Baghdad. They will give first class medical training. In such a country the medical missionary faces a new problem, and new problems mean new opportunities, if only we can see them with God's eyes. The place and the need for the medical missionary are passing away, but it will be years before the
Power of the Printed
By MABEL H. ERDMAN, Beirut, Syria i Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. s. A. 1Jie– I .l"". "/ LITTLE old man with greying beard and than all else I was impressed by the beauty and kindly, smiling hazel eyes sits in a wheel the purity of Christ's teaching and character. chair on the veranda of a Home for the "Suddenly I was covered with confusion. This Aged in a near East city. His face is lined, but thing which I considered beautiful, this story the Tines are those of a thinker. He is talking to which was written in my own sacred tongue, was his Moslem neighbor – a thin, time-scarred old a despised Christian thing, a false book which they gentleman whose bed has been pulled out on the dared to set up in comparison with the holy balcony. The first old man is telling something Koran! Hastily I hid it lest I be detected.
of his early life. A missionary friend listens while "Days slipped by, during which I condemned the tale is told. myself on the one hand and indulged my curiosity "Years ago I lived in the Holy City where I was on the other. Finally I decided that there was no a keeper in a large mosque. I was a devout Mos- harm in carrying the book about with me. After lem, wearing the green turban to which I was en- all, my devotion to Islam could not be questioned.
titled as a direct descendant of the Prophet. Five I managed to read all of the Gospel of Mark, and times a day when the muezzin called, I prayed then, still firm in my own faith, I made bold to with the faithful. One of my duties was to clean visit the foreign lady again and ask for other and fill the many ornate lamps which hung in that books of the same sort. I do not know what im- mosque. I was also expected to collect the rents pression I made upon her, but she received me due from houses owned by the mosque. In these kindly and without question gave me three other houses lived all manner of people, the better apart- Gospels.
ments being let to foreigners from whom we could "In a short time I had read all four Gospels and demand a high rental. One of these tenants was then I secured the Book of Acts. It was not long a lady who lived alone. I wondered why she had then before I had to acknowledge that Jesus the left her far-away home to live among strangers, Christ had won me as he had Paul of Tarsus, who, to judge by myself, loved her little. though my own conversion was much less dra- "One day, quite accidentally, I learned why she matico I was filled with a great longing to serve had come. When she gave me her rent money she my Saviour and Friend, who had revealed God to handed me a small book. I suspected at once that me in a new light-as a loving Father to whom I it must be an accursed book of the Christians, and was precious.
had it not been for the precious money and the "So strong was my new faith, so compelling His courtesy due a tenant of the holy mosque, I should plea to leave all and follow Him, that I knew I have dropped the hated thing which seemed to must make open declaration. The great mosque burn into my hand. As soon as possible I bowed became an intolerable place; the copies of the politely and left the foreign lady. sacred Koran, the shining lamps, the very rugs "There were other collections to be made that leered at me.
day, and lacking opportunity" to do otherwise, I "I knew that I must turn my back on all this.
slipped the small book into my pocket. I forgot My parents would disown me and disinherit me; about it until later in the day when I sat alone in a my friends would seek to destroy me; my wife shadowed corn~r of the great mosque. Curiosity would have to do as her parents and mine decreed, overcame my fear and I opened the book sur- and I should have to leave her and the children.
reptitiously. "Weeks and months slipped by as I hesitated.
"Many years have gone by now, but never shall My life was comfortable, even luxurious. I was I forget my first impression of the beauty of that loved, respected, trusted. In giving up Islam I '
story. It was the Gospel according to Saint Mark, should be giving up all security and respectability and as by some outer force I was impelled 'to read as I knew them. But while I debated about this through the verses which described John the Bap- other Prophet and compared His life with that of tist, Christ's Baptism, His temptation and the Mohammed, I knew what I must do; and at last calling of some of the disciples. Perhaps more I did it.
[482 ] "The result was all that I had anticipated, but Dark tales were whispered over backgammon though my suffering was great, I felt no sorrow boards and between sips of thick, sweet coffee- nor regret. There were many new friends now tales of clever thefts, of quick, sure fingers on to replace the old, whom I loved with a greater knife and trigger, of amazing feats of horseman- love than ever and forgave wholeheartedly when ship and of unbelievable endurance.
they persecuted me. Penniless, I left my home city J-'s quiet, pale Armenian wife, whom he had with all of its dear associations, and traveled taken from a refugee camp just after the World northward. Everywhere Christians who had War, had borne him a son and a daughter; but for heard of me welcomed me, but whenever I encoun- him there was no united family life; it had never tered those of myoId faith, they reviled me merci- occurred to him that such was necessary or de- lessly. I was refused shelter in every Moslem sirable. His own mother had often sent him as a home; I was shamefully cursed and ejected from boy to carry supplies of money and food, to her restaurants and all public places where I was father's home, against the inevitable day when her known. husband should tire of her. Many a day on the "For a time doubt assailed me. I wondered road he had met other boys, his friends, going on whether God had forgotten me. Things were the same sort of secret errand. Home for J – strange as I traveled away from home; I did not meant shelter from rain and cold, even from ene- slip easily into the new customs and religious mies to some extent, but little else.
practices. I missed my loved ones, particularly It happened one day that J-, natty in his well- my sons, who would now grow up considering fitting uniform, passed a meeting house in the their father a renegade, an infidel, a betrayer of center of his home town and saw a crowd of peo- the faith. Perhaps these were the hardest hours ple assembled. Curious, he looked in and saw his of my life. wife and children there. Upon questioning some "But when my sorrow was deepest, when the bystanders he learned that an evangelist had come outlook seemed blackest, God made Himself known from the far west to help the harassed Armenian to me, and I was able to rise up and follow Him refugees to return to their ancient faith in God with renewed strength and vision. and His Prophet Jesus Christ. J- was amused, "Now after all these years I can testify that and leaning against the rear wall of the building, He has never forsaken me at any time and that listened while the foreigner read a story which He is worthy of every sacrifice made for His sake. seemed to be all about a new way of Life. The I would not go back to the old IHe, with all of its preacher then talked simply about repentance and security and material comfort, for all that the salvation. It was all so easy to understand, so world has to offer. I have tried to witness to straightforward, that J – was amazed. The meet": Him, to tell others of His love and beauty, and as ings continued for several days, and J- attended life's shadows lengthen around me, I realize that all of them, hearing little more than the simple I must work harder that no time be lost." Gospel story told in none-too-perfect Turkish.
Thus the fascinating tale came to a close. When- That story was enough to change his life. From ever he can do so, this truly converted believer that time on J – knew that his old ways were not reads from his "Beautiful Book" to his compan- in keeping with God's will. To his astounded asions, and if we were there to see, we should note sociates he declared his new faith as openly as he that many a face is softened, that new light comes had boasted of his heinous deeds. He resigned his into hard, cold eyes which have seen much bitter- position with the gendarmerie, and rearranged his ness and disappointment, for the Prince of Peace whole life. There was little he could do to earn an hovers near. honest living, but he did what his hands could find to do, often enough working as a day laborer. *** After their first amusement at J-'s new A few years ago a gay young man rode daily "stunt," his former friends and associates began through the crowded streets of the northern towns to persecu~e him. Finding that he paid little heed of Syria, cursing and jostling the shepherds and to them, they spat upon him, kicked and reviled other traders who came in from the desert to sell him; caused him to be thrown into prison. They their produce. His bright, dark eyes sparkled as were humbled and astounded the more when he he drew rein, for he knew his power and his repu- turned the other cheek. He who had once been so tation for cruel justice. His uniform indicated quick to retaliate now bore the harshest treatment that he was one of the gendarmerie, and well was without reproach. His former powerful char- he known in village and town and out in the far- acteristics were changed and beautified. His rest- away places of the desert. No danger was too less energy led him on to greater and greater tasks great for him to face, no journey too distant for and sacrifices; his splendid physique enabled him his strength. Bold, winsome, rash, J – was at to endure great suffering and deprivation without once the terror and the pride of his associates. apparent harm.
In quiet moments J- sadly counted the years of Before long a crowd gathered, and J- took his life which had been spent in wickedness and occasion to tell his story of Jesus and to distribute riotous living, the blood-stained deeds of his im- tracts. The Sheikh listened as attentively as the petuous youth, and he longed to recall them and others, and when J- had finished he stood up and dedicate them to God. told an amazing story himself. J-Iater recounted this story to us in detail. Some years have passed during which -he has grown steadily in grace. He is tireless in his task About three years ago the Sheikh went to the of spreading the Gospel, his journeyings covering dyeing establishment of an Armenian Christian. the breadth and the length of his native land. On the table in the small shop lay an open book. The bitterest of his enemies are being won over, one by one, for the old charm of J – coupled with "What book is that?" asked the Sheikh, using this new, compelling love, is irresistible. Now and Turkish as readily as his native tongue, Arabic. then there is one who still distrusts, even persecutes him, but to no avail. Into prisons, among "A Bible,!' answered the Armenian. castaways of all faiths, he takes Bibles and Gos- "Is it the good book of which the Koran pel portions and religious tracts. At the doors of speaks?" mosques, in the homes of rich and powerful "Yes," answered the Armenian, a bit on his sheikhs he preaches Christ and distributes lit- guard with so staunch a Moslem leader. The Arerature. menian, though fearless in his faith, had experi- enced something from the fanaticism of Moslems. Recently he was visiting some of the scattered "Tell me about it," persisted the Sheikh with hamlets on the edge of the north Syria desert genuine interest. when he met a man whom he had not seen for "Let me read from it," answered the dyer; "it some years. At sight of that man J- thanked tells its own story better than I can." God and said, He picked up the Book and read some chapters in Genesis. As he read the Sheikh received a new "Brother, do you remember me?" vision of the greatness and the power and the majesty of God as compared with the sinfulness "Yes, indeed," responded the lean shepherd, his of man. The Armenian saw that the effect was keen eyes narrowed in his weather-beaten face, real and read on. "you used to be in the gendarmerie. I have not Later his customer returned and begged to borseen you lately, but I remember you well." row the Book. The dyer volunteered to secure for him an Arabic version, and with this copy in his "Do you remember that once a goat was stolen hands the Sheikh began at the first chapter of from you?" Genesis and read through all of the books of the Old and New Testaments. When he reached the "Ap, my friend," laughed the shepherd, "a goat last verse of Revelation he began again and read is often stolen from a shepherd in these parts. as before. What can I do? The poor have no rights." After that second reading he was convinced that "I stole a goat from you once,and I thought I the only way of salvation is through Jesus Christ. was clever to do it without being caught. My Then one night he dreamed that his city was being friends and I had a fine feast." destroyed because of the wickedness of the people, as Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. Great "You?" grinned the shepherd in mock surprise. was his grief and helplessness when he turned "I cannot believe it." away from the awful scene-and there he beheld Jesus upon the cross. He dreamed that he rose "But yes, I did," averred J- in all seriousness. up, threw his arms about the bleeding feet and "And now I wish to pay for that goat, and to ask wept for his sins and those of his people. your forgiveness. Here is the money." So it happened that when J- came to this town Overcome, the poor man who seldom sees even the Sheikh took courage openly to declare himself paper money, for he trades in kind and is always a Christian. "Do not call me 'Sheikh' any more; in debt to the money-lenders, exclaimed, "Is it I am a Chris-tian, a follower of Jesus Christ," he possible that one steals a goat, is not caught, and declared to the crowd. then comes back to pay for it?" The Word of God is living and active, and sharper than "Yes; it is possible," responded his companion, any two-edged sword. Hebrews 4: 12. "if one steals while he is in darkness and sin and then learns to know Jesus Christ." My Word shall not return unto Me void. Isaiah 55: 11.
What better sermon could have been preached Surely the Word of God is a powerful witness to that poor, ignorant Bedouin of the desert? to Christ and can be used to achieve great results if we can but put it into the hands of men and Leaving the desert, J- went to one of the larger women everywhere. towns and was invited to meet the head man who owns more than three-fourths of the town's land and houses. He bears the important title of Sheikh and is a man of great influence.
Experience with
By REV. FRANK LAUBACH, Ph.D., Mindanao, Philippines Missionary of the American Board C. F. M.
FOR four centuries the Moros of Mindanao pealed to the supreme court, entering a plea of fought the same relentless war with the Span- self-defense. Our case was so well prepared that iards and Filipino Christians that the Moros Pambaya was ~cquitte!i. He is now my/fast friend (Moors) of Africa had fought in Spain during the and will be yours if I introduce him to you." five centuries before Columbus discovered America. The annual war in the Philippines would So this man .]?ambaya, who so nearly spent commence as soon as the winds were favorable for twenty years in,i'Irrison, became my friend, taught the Moro vintas to sail northward, or for the me the .Maranaw language, and has been our Spanish galleons to sail southward. strongesfhulw3;rk ever since. He has toiled with us for cOU)ltless. hours in building up a Maranaw When the United States took over the Philip- dictionary, haS'-helped in the translation of the Old pines in 1898, we inherited this endless war with Testament stories and the Gospel of Luke, and has the Moros. American soldiers, with their greatly ~ided in the preparation of many other books.
.superior weapons, broke the power of the Moros But his chief function is to keep his ear to the and instilled in them a sense of fear and respect, ground for signs of opposition and to make friends though outlaws have hidden in the forests and Qut of potential enemies. No missionary in a performed exploits of murder and robbery every Moslem country can get on very well without some year up to the present day. man of that type.
In the year 1915 my wife and I visited Lanao for the first time, hoping to establish a mission for the Moros. We found the air tense, the nerves of the officials taut, the Moros sullen, and rumors of impending attacks being whispered from ear to ear. We were told plainly that no Christian missionary effort would be tolerated as it would certainly add to the fanatical fury of the Moros.
We left Lanao to work in other parts of the Philip- pines, awaiting a more propitious day.
It was not until 1929 that we felt the time had arrived. A large percentage of the trouble makers had been imprisoned or killed, and the Province had become comparatively quiet. Because there MORO GI1,;LS'l'H:tNK;iTH:EY WILL DIE U' THEIR PICTURE· IS was no school suitable for the education of our 'l'AJ(;EN,BUT 'fHEY Tf.:KE A CHANCE TO son, and also because we were not sure how safe pLlllASE THE; MISSIONARy Lanao would be for women and children of missionaries, I left my wife and son in· the northern Tclie first :rno.n~~,be:fo.:re I had found Pambaya, wer¢, among the hardest Of my life. I did not seem part of the Philippines, and entered Lanao alone. to be able to get the right beginning. I climbed The officials still expressed misgivings about any Signal Hill, back of my cottage, night after night, religious work being attempted, and permitted me with no companion but my dog Tip, and remained to begin my work on the understanding that it until long ·after dark while the finger of God would be educational and social, and not contro- painted marvelous colors against the western sky.
versial. I was a missionary of Christ, with my I recall the heartaches and the yearnings with lips practically sealed~ which my eyes roved around the lake below me, I asked a big-hearted American, Lieutenant where the Moros had their villages. The deepest Cramer, whether he knew a Moro whom I could spiritual experiences are born of pain, if one lets trust. Cramer replied: that pain drive him to God. Out of the loneliness "There is a Moro who was convicted of murder of Lanao came some of the most precious soul ex- and sentenced to serve for twenty years. Feeling periences of my whole life. During one of these that this sentence was too heavy, some of us ap- sunset trysts I was telling God aloud that He must [485 ]
guide my pathway, for the obstacles were like a sinless man to be crucified. That would not be mountains. I spoke aloud, for nobody could hear justice." He snatched Jesus out of Gethsemane, me but God and Tip. Then my lips began to sp.eak and then changed Judas into the appearance of to myself, voicing a new light which had come Jesus, and allowed the Jews to crucify Judas, as into my mind: he deserved. The Koran teaches that Jesus now sits on the right hand of God interceding for men If you want these Moros to be fair to your religion, be -more kindlihearted than the Moslem God. In fair to theirs. Study their Koran with them. Medina there are four graves: that of Mo- hammed; that of Fatima his daughter; that of I told some of the Mohammedan priests that I Omar, the greatest Moslem missionary, and an wanted to study the Koran, and the next day my empty grave. Tradition says that Jesus will re- turn, will reign a thousand years, will die, and MORO POET WHO WON A CONTEST will be buried in that fourth grave.
house was full of priests and hadjis with their What broke down the wans between the Moros Korans, all of them bent upon making a Moham- and myself more than anything else was a pammedan out of me. We found to our delight that phlet published by the Moslem Propaganda Society there was much in common in our religions. Islam of India. This pamphlet was brought to me to has about seventy-two prophets, of whom we show me how to become a good Moslem. To my found the names of sixty in our Bible. delight I was able to translate into Moro, before all the priests in my house, these important facts: Those who do not know the Koran will be surprised to find how it exalts Jesus. He was born of Islam has four holy books: a virgin, according to Moslem tradition, but he (1) Torah, or the books of Moses; was not crucified. In the Garden of Gethsemane, (2) Jabur, Qr the Psalms of David; so the tradition goes, God said: "I will not permit (3) Kita.J Injil, or the Life of Jesus; (4) The Koran of Mohammed.
"I have studied these first three sacred books many years," I told my Moslem friends, "and will tell you all I know, while you tell me all you know about the Koran."
Two or three of the men studying the Koran knew English and so acted as interpreters for the others and for me. They began to ask for a class to teach them to read English.
"Our constant warfare with the Christians has left us far· behind the rest of the Islands," they told me, "and we want to catch up."
The Moros had burned down fifty school build- ings in the years just preceding my arrival, and were for the most part unfriendly to the schools. Yet they began to realize that they were harming themselves and nobody else by this attitude. I knew that for these adults the mastery of English would be a very long process, so I said: "Suppose you learn to read your own language first with English letters. Then it will be easier to learn to read English."
This sounded reasonable, so we began to pre- pare lessons in the Maranaw language with Eng- lish letters.. Nothing had ever been printed in their language up to that time. We had to decide upon an alphabet. Fortunately the Philippine languages have adopted perfectly phonetic alpha- bets, and we followed these in all but one letter. We needed but sixteen letters in all.
At first we used the ordinary sentence method of teaching, but this seemed unnecessarily long for learning sixteen simple letters; so the Moros joined me in seeking a method better adapted to their own language. Month after month they
MY EXPERIENCE WITH MOSLEMS
toiled with me, making positively exciting prog- are you going to get· your money back? Our ress. As the course became easier the numbers imams will not teach us the Koran unless we pay who desired to learn increased, until at last hun- them in advance." dreds came to the large old building we had purchased. Thus began the first of those literacy This gives us our opportunity to tell the religion campaigns based on the principle of "each one which under other circumstances they would be teach five more" which have since spread to many unwilling to consider: parts of Malaysia, India, Africa, and Latin America. "I have studied the wonderful life of Nabi Isa. From the time he awoke in the morning until he The second year the highest Chieftain in south- closed his eyes at night he spent every minute of ern Lanao asked me to attend a three-day feast the day helping people. He was always teaching which he was holding in celebration of the opening of his school for adults. He had moved out of DOCTOR LAUBACH AND PAMBAYA, A MORO FRIEND his largest house and turned it into a school building. The day I arrived was Friday. Kakai Daga- or encouraging, or defending or healing or saving langit, for this was the chieftain's name, asked me somebody. That is a wonderful way to live. If to accompany him to the mosque, and I accepted. everybody in Lanao lived like that we would have I washed my hands and feet as is the Moro cus- a paradise. The climate is perfect, but the people tom, and followed the chief into his mosque. He hate and fight and defraud one another. Because took me to the front prayer rug, placed a black I see everybody must help everybody else, I am hat-far too small for me-on my head, and said trying to teach all I can. And I have discovered I was a "Christian pandita." By this brilliant the secret of happiness! When I was looking for name he hoped that Islam and Christianity might happiness I could not find it. It escapes like the be reconciled. He returned my courtesy by at- rainbow. And when I harm people I feel mean tending our Christian church, dressed in a magnificent shining satin coat and trousers. Since inside. But when i spend my day teaching peothat time I have accepted the invitations of many of the highest chieftains to attend their mosques. ple, my heart sings. Go out and teach others and do not take a cent for it, and see how your heart Kakai Dagalangit has one of the most brilliant will sing!" minds I have ever met. He asked me endless searching questions and told me the populations of all the principal countries of Europe – some army captain had told him what they are. This chieftain also made a contribution to education which may have very far-reaching effects.
When the depression came I had to call all my teachers and the leading chieftains of Lanao together and announce that the little money I had left would permit me to retain only three out of nineteen teachers. Kakai Dagalangit arose and said, with his usual brevity: "This campaign is the most important thing that ever came to Lanao. It shall not stop. Every person who learns must teach five others. I will see that they do."
This is how it happened that we began the "each one teach five" idea, which proved a great success in Lanao, and has proven a cheap and effective method of reaching adults in their homes throughout the Philippines and indeed in every country I have since visited.
A literacy campaign along these lines has proven to be a very fine way to make friends. If you sit beside an illiterate and teach him with patience and real love in your heart, he grows more and more surprised at this new experience, and at last interrupts the lesson to ask: "Why are you teaching me without pay? When
Thus we introduce Jesus at the point where He so tenderly, so perfectly as in the face of Jesus. is most irresistable-His great burning heart and Until men have known Jesus they have not known His loving service. We help people to act like the best fact about God, that He is, that any being, Christians long before they think of becoming even God, can be as good as Jesus! Christian in name. Arabs are poor slipshod business men. Jews There was equal eagerness on the part of stu- and Christians can beat them in business with the dents from Irak studying in the American Univer- utmost ease-:-and do! Mohammed· met Christians sity in Beirut, and Iraneans whom we met in who told him wonderful stories about the lovely Turkey. Now as I write from Dar es Salaam in Jesus-and then proceeded to take advantage of East Africa, I am having one of the most thrilling him in their business transactions. The result experiences of my whole life preparing lessons was that Mohammed, one of the supreme religious and teaching Moslem men every morning, and geniuses of all time, loved Christ and hated Christeaching Moslem illiterate women every afternoon. tians! If Christians had lived what Christ taught A leading African Mohammedan imam is collect- and lived, Mohammed might have become the ing the illiterates. With the memories of thou- greatest Christian since Paul. So ten thousand sands of Mohammedans who have looked at me times over this planet one runs across instances and held my hand in loving appreciation, I feel deeply as well as believe profoundly, that the day TEACHING MORO ADULTS IN THE MARKET PLACE for embittering controversy is past.. For centuries it was the fashion for the two religions to expose of the fact that Christ's chief enemies are Christhe worst features they could find or imagine about tians who betray Christ in their lives and their one another. The time has come to call a truce to business relations. this, and for these two religionS to appreciate one another. We ought to be fair to Islam, for we need to ask mercy in judging Christianity. We have failed so There is much Christians may learn from Islam tragically that we are asking the world to believe if they will look for it. For example a good Mos- that "Christianity has never yet really been tried." lem prays five times a day. Of course Christians We ask others to begin to try it, though Christian are supposed to pray oftener than that-but how nations have never tried it themselves. many of us do? For Moslems the one overwhelming fact is the will of God. We who have come I often hear Christians in Asia and Africa say: into contact with Islam have been reminded that "You can't trust any of them." I dare not tell the one imperative duty of a Christian is to find that Moslem what I think of him, but I will tell and carry out the full will of God in every detail you. What he means to say is: "You cannot trust -,-but how many of us do? Every Moslem is sup- any of them to allow you to despise them, outwit posed to regard every other Moslem as a brother, them, underpay them, ostracize them, and browregardless of race, nationality, wealth, or social beat them." No,he is right, you cannot. Moslems , condition. Moslems do not need to be introduced are mirrors, giving back love for love, hatred for in order to speak to one another! The Arabs inter- hatred, suspicion for suspicion, trust for trust. marry with the Africans and thus make Moslems But so are all the people of the world-mirrors! of them. Christian whites compel Africans to And the majority of ~very nation are responsible live in segregated sections of the African cities. if one treats them decently. The Christian teaching is exactly like the Moslem teaching on the point of brotherhood-but how Nobody can appreciate how valuable it is for many Christians practice it? On the other hand Christians and Moslems to cooperate in some such the Moslems are in tragic need of a vital contact campaign as this, unless he has gone through the with the Christ whom they hold in high esteem, experience. Our experience in Lanao while seekbut about whom they know so little. The more ing the best method of teaching Maranaw, was generously we appreciate their merits the more particularly fortunate. Letters began to reach us readily they will accept the Christian experience of Christ. In a very real sense therefore, we can speak of sharing with Islam.
Some people fear that words like these will paralyze missionary giving. But any person who stops giving for this reason does not need to read more ugly pictures about other religions; what he needs isa fresh experience of Christ. Those of us who have touched other religions know that never in any religion have men seen God so winsomely,
MOSLEM VIEWS OF "THOSE NAZARENES"
fromaH parts of the world inquiring about our Only by some such sharing can one discover campaign. These letters were read to the Moros, what wonderful and zealous friends the Moslems who boasted inordinately about showing the world can be, and how "Christian" many of them are in how to become literate. Some of the young men spirit. Whenever we told Mohammedans about prepared a large map of the world, and ran green our Lanao friends they worked with tireless enlines out to the countries from which letters were thusiasm in preparing lessons in other languages. received. When three years ago we announced A dozen young Moslems and two missionaries our plan of visiting other countries, all Lanao worked almost night and day preparing Malay wanted to go along! Hundreds of datos came down charts in Malacca. In VeIlore India, the Printo the seacoast, a distance of twenty-five miles, to cipal of the Mohammedan Government School and bid us farewell. They crowded the deck of the his faculty struggled and toiled and sometimes steamer, making highly exaggerated but wholly nearly fought over the difficult Urdu. The Presisincere speeches. Then they selected the leading dent of the Arabic College in Madras gathered the imam to pray while they held out their hands great lights of Urdu in a most inspiring meeting, turning their palms alternately upward and down- staged a successful demonstration, put fragrant ward as they responded to the prayer. Mingling flowers around my neck and made such speeches Maranaw with Arabic the imam asked that this as I have not heard, no, not in all ChristenQom. American friend, who had cooperated with them in making the easiest lessons in the world, should When the students of the Lahore Government have the blessing of Allah as he introduced their Training College heard the story of the Lanao method to other countries. They kissed me fare- Moslems, several Mohammedan students followed well, with their long Arab whiskers, and the me home and would not permit me to eat my lunch imams said: before taking the train. One of them wept as he begged me to change my program and visit Jind "We will pray for you in every mosque in this State at once! Two others hung on me resolutely province, while you carry our method to the until I promised to go to Afghanistan. They said world." they would write at once for the government to issue an invitation. I was as excited as they, for Then the Mohammedans stood in silent rever- few foreigners and no missionaries enter Afghanence while the Christians prayed and sang: "God istan. be with you till we meet again."
Moslem Views of "Those N azarenes"
By J. LOWRIE ANDERSON United Presbyterian Missionary in the Egyptian Sudan W HAT a member of one religious sect thinks a man here know or care about the elections in of those of a different faith depends upon America? I thought.) the prejudices in which he grew up, on his temperament and critical faculties, on his second- "But why?" I asked. hand knowledge, and on the members of the other "Because Hoover was against liquor, and the group with whom he is acquainted. other fellow is for it. I am sorry that America turned its back on Hoover and prohibition." (In- The average Moslem knows little or nothing toxicants are prohibited by Moslem law.) about the Christians of America. Only once did I In the French consulate in London, awaiting a find interest in a moral issue in America, and that, viise to our passport, we met a young Turk who strangely enough, in a small city where no Euro- had been a student in Paris and London, and was pean or American lived. We were on an evan- returning to his native land. He was interested gelistic journey in 1934 and visited a town three that we were going for the first time as missiondays' journey from the nearest railroad. Discov- aries to a Moslem land. ering that some in the party were from America, "In recent years," he said, "Moslem countries a stranger sought us out to question us about our have retrogressed. That is because Islam, our country. In the conversation he said, faith, has been weakened. Our great days of power were the great days of faith. When Mos- "I am sorry that America rejected Hoover and lems closely adhered to their religion they were took this other fellow." (What in the world does
the leaders of the world. When faith decayed, so The man of the street in the Sudan has become did their political power and intellectual leader- interested in one report that has reached him, ship. namely, that Islam is spreading in Europe and America. Where the report started I know not, "In Christianity it is just the opposite. It is but in every corner of the Moslem Sudan it has the nations who have abandoned the attempt to gained credence. In many different cities I have follow their religion that are at the forefront. been asked if I knew that all Germany had aban- France and England pay only lip service to their doned Christianity and gone over bodily to Islam. religion. They do not follow the ideals of Jesus. This is probably how the news of the rise of Nazi- And because they have left these out, they have ism and the Neo-pagan Movement in Germany has become great. This is always true." finally filtered into the broadcasting agencies of these simple people. I was at a loss to account In the Sudan, years later, I heard a strange for the origin of the report that in the United variant to that same theme. The spokesman was States five millions have declared themselves Mosnot a graduate student, as the first had been, one lem. Any attempt to deny the statement would be who had traveled in Europe and was learned in useless. Perhaps the Sudanese had heard about the branches of Western science. He was a poor the recent movement among the Negroes in Amer- Sudanese black, who had traveled little if any out- ica to claim that they are not Negroes, but Moors, side hi!,! native region, and who knew how to read with a history not of slavery, but of conquest. Arabic, but no other language. Our colporteur When such Negroes dress in Arab costume and pointed him out, sitting in the shade by the side wear fezzes, worship Allah, and go through forms of the road, and said: of worship, these things have no relation to Islam. But when we realize that they have done this to "That man I believe to be a Christian. He has get away from the stigma white Christians have read the New Testament many times, and he has put upon their race and color, we need to be bought some other books. He knows about Chris- ashamed. Jesus quoted with approval the saying, tianity, although he will not confess Christ." "My house shall be called a hous!'! of prayer for all peoples." But it is hard to find a church in Amer- We walked over and sat down on the log beside ica without the color bar. No wonder Negroes the black man. After introductions were over, the prefer to be considered "Moors" and to profess old man turned to me and said: Islam, rather than Christianity.
"You Christians are the queerest people in the Although the Moslem in the Sudan knows and world?" cares little about the Christians of the West, he has known his Christian neighbors. In Greece, "Why do you say that, Uncle?" Syria and Egypt the ancient Eastern churches "I have read your books. I have read the Gos- still exist and their members can be found in every pel through many times. I find that Jesus section of the Sudan. From these Christians the preaches peace. He tells his followers if they are Sudanese buy their sugar and cotton cloth, and to smitten on one cheek to turn the other. He com- them they often sell cattle or dates. mands that when a man asks for your coat you shall give your cloak too. He says to forgive each "Drunk as a Christian" is a metaphor that was other, and to love your enemies, and to pray for not coined from imagination. The great Christian them. Is that not true?" festivals of Christmas and Easter have too often "Very true, Uncle." been largely drunken orgies in the East. A Mos- "Before you Christians came to the Sudan, we lem funeral is marked with dignity and solemnity. thought we knew something about fighting. All "This is Allah's will," the mourners say, "and as our men le~rned how to use the sword and the His creatures we submit to it." But shrieking and spear and the javelin. Some of them knew also wailing, cursing God for having taken the loved how to shoot a rifle. But that was nothing to what one, and every sign of grief and desolation mark you Christians have shown us how to do. You the death of a Christian. No (me would ever befight with machine guns that kill people, not one lieve that they are followers of One who is the at a time, but by the scores. You bombard towns Resurrection and the Life. Often for years the with cannons fired from many miles away. You Christians display the outward marks of grief and fight not only on land, but on the water, and under priests fatten on the superstitions of the people. the water, and under the land. Nowadays you He alone can intercede effectively for the sins of even fight from the air. Yet you claim to be fol- the people, and only when his palm is crossed. lowers of Jesus, who preached love to all men." The keys of the future life are in his hand, and only gold will give him strength to turn that key. Acknowledging inconsistency of professing This the Moslem knows, and thanks Allah that he Christians, I tried to show the man my own conviction that nothing of Western civilization built on force will endure but that the teachings of Jesus are the only sure foundations for abiding life, in the East or in the West.
needs no intercessor as he comes to God. For this the Gospel in the Apostolic Era. Moslems who reason he further despises the Christian. have become acquainted with them have a better conception of what Christians are like than if they Moreover, the Moslem usually knows little about did not know any Christians. the religIon of the Christian, and what little he knows usually repels. Religious pictures, and the Conversation with Moslem converts has concandles that burn before them, leads him to think firmed my own observation. A convert who had the Christian little better than an idolator. Many learned to hate Christians, found those he met in Moslems believe that the Trinity consists of God school to be little different from Moslem boys, exthe Father, Mary the Mother, and Jesus the Son. cept that they had a better spirit of mutual coop- They reject this suggestion as vile and puerile. eration. Eighty years ago in the Sudan, Arab All are sure that the doctrine at least betrays mud- slave raiders attacked a native village and took dled thinking. Nor has the witness of Christians the women and children as slaves. Among the to their own faith usually been strong. In the group was the son of the chieftain, a twelve-year- Sudan, because they are in the minority few have old naked savage, brighter than the rest. The been willing even to discuss with Moslems the Arabs called him Ibrahim. He attributes his conthings they believe. Thousands of Moslems would version to Christ to a conversation he had while die for their religion, and in the days of the Mahdi still a slave with an untutored Copt in a small vilproved it by courting martyrdom. But when the lage in upper Egypt. In half an hour the Copt same Mahdi ordered all Christians to turn Mos- explained to the inquiring black youth the myslems on pain of death, they scurried like fright- teries of the Incarnation and the Trinity. The ened rabbits into the folds of Islam. Many re- young man's heart went out to Christ who became mained Christians secretly, and when the power flesh and tabernacled among men. His conversion of the Mahdi's sway was broken, confessed it was real, as is proved by Ibrahim's years of faithopenly again. It is the blood of martyrs, not the ful service as a colporteur and evangelist in Egypt saving of life by apostasy, that is the seed of the and the Sudan. Church. Sudanese hold to their faith so strongly, and count death so lightly, that they have no re- In recent years there has grown up a small Protspect for people who change their religion as they estant community in the Sudan. Their interest in do their cloak, when they meet the fierce wind of evangelism has thrown them into contact with the persecution. But the influence of the Eastern Moslem majority and their emphasis on the ap- Christian churches on Islam is not all negative or plication of the teachings and spirit of Christ to detrimental to Christian progress. My experience daily life has not only given them a higher standin the Sudan has caused me to moderate my own ing with the Moslems, but has influenced the memviews on this subject. The presence of the Chris- bers of the older Eastern churches. Moslems of tian in the Sudan, though he be worldly, is a the Sudan are thus having the opportunity to constant reminder to the Sudanese of the presence judge Christianity on its real merits more than of this other faith. Moreover he sees the Chris- ever before, as they see persons who seek to lead tian, not as the vile and wicked monster some- the Christ-life in their daily conduct. times portrayed in their tales, but as a man in many ways similar to himself – with the same "Never have I had a superior like this one," needs and aspirations, the same passions and said a Moslem doorman at the Government office temptations, much the same likes and dislikes, where a Prot,;)stant held a high position. "He is hope and fears. Moreover, he knows Christians always polite, always considerate, and I believe to be people of "The Book," and that interests him that he takes a personal interest in me." more in the religion of Christ. Very uncertainly at times, but on the whole effectively, the Chris- "The best loved in all Wad Medani is Mr. tian has raised the standard of monogamy in the Toobia," said a Moslem to me concerning our Sudan, which many Moslems are coming to recog- Christian pastor. He is probably the most unnize as superior to their own polygamy and easy selfish man in all the district-a man whose face divorce. Christians have many faults and the and life are stamped with the marks of the Lord Christianity they profess is often a caricature of Jesus. the real thing. That their standard of. religion and morals is far from that of the apostolic days. The Church Mission hospital in Omdurman, The Moslem of the street despises them, and not where Christian doctors give freely of time and without cause, yet, all in all they have been an strength and of their own souls to serve their Mosasset to the Gospel, and their scattering through- lem brothers,.has given many a new conception of out the cities and towns of the Moslem Sudan is a what true Christians are. Perhaps the day is not preparation for the Gospel, even as the Dispersion far distant when the Moslem will say not that a of the despised Jews was a help to the spread of certain Christian "is good enough to be a Moslem" -their highest compliment today – but that un- selfishness in a Moslem is one of the marks of a Christian. S~irit-filled Christians can bring that change about.
and Moslem
By ELEANOR T. CALVERLEY, M.D., Hartford, Conn.
Formerly a Missionary in Arabia A MEENA rocks her baby in an Arab cradle baby of her own. The Saviour Divine to whom .r-.. made of date~sticks just as the Moslem her faith looked up during those days and nights of danger and suffering at the beginning of her mother in the next mat hut rocks her little widowhood is the One of whom her neighbors hear one. Next door the mother chants softly to put her sing. Yes, Ameena means the words. Christ her child to sleep. is her saviour in a very real and tangible way. She knows from what He has saved her and she "La ilah il allah knows from what He has saved her tiny daughter La ilah il allah." who sleeps so peacefully without benefit of Mos- lem charm or amulet. Her little one is perhaps Over and over again from the first day of his life the only native child in the whole town and for the Arab child hears these sacred words of the many hundreds of miles around who will enjoy Moslem creed. "There is no god but Allah." For all Islam no other lullaby could compare with this the advantages of a Christian home. in beauty or in soothing power.
The song which Ameena sings as she rocks her little daughter is a Christian hymn. Her neighbors are beginning to learn the words which they have heard so often.
My faith looks up to Thee Thou Lamb of Calvary Saviour Divine.
Does Ameena think of the meaning of those words? Does her faith really look up as she sings to her baby girl? Does her faith lift her above the level of the sordid life with its filth and misery and wickedness which is all about her little home? THREE ARAB BOYS AND A GIRL IN KUWAIT Does it make her home different; more lovely and more happy than the homes of her Moslem neigh- Few towns in Arabia have the example of a bors? Is Christ her saviour in a really practical home like that of Ameena. She and her husband sense? If so from what has he saved Ameena? are of slave descent, and for that reason are more independent than members of Arab families. Eight years ago Ameena's first husband died. Under the prevalent patriarchal system it would It was he who had taught the young wife to become with him a follower of Christ. Gently and with great patience year after year as he and Ameena lived together among neighbors who thought them traitors and infidels because they were no longer Moslems the husband shared with be. difficult for the son of a family with social his wife the knowledge which meant so much to standing in a Moslem town to become a Christian. him. She was very shy and slow to learn but Even though a young man might be willing to live when her husband died she proved that his teach- as simply as does the husband of Ameena, for him ing had not been in vain. Although the whole to take a wife of his own choice and establish an Moslem community seemed determined to force independent home where his bride could enjoy the her to return to her former religion and accept a privilege!'! of Christian womanhood would seem to husband of their choice, Ameena stood her ground. most Arabs an impossibility. For this reason, in ' Even when death threatened, with back to the wall Arabia at least, the only Christian homes with she persisted, never wavering in her witness for which most Moslems can compare their own are.
Christ her Saviour. the homes of foreigners.
Years have passed and Ameena has another In Kuwait on the eastern coast of Arabia where Christian husband now. At last hftr arms hold a it was our good fortune to make our home for [492 ] eighteen years, the missionary family was always uttering three times the words, "You are dian object of much interest and curiosity to the vorced." His wife however has no similar right. women of the town. For two years we lived in Concubinage is taken for granted; slaves are both rented houses. These were built like other native Negroes and white women from countries farther houses with blank outside walls designed to pro- north. Women who live in the town, when in pubtect women occupants from the gaze of men. The lic must cover the entire face with a layer of black rooms surrounded a central courtyard which was cheese-cloth through which they can see dimly open to the sky. When our new home was built although their features are not visible to others. with outside windows admitting sunshine and A black cloak called an "aba" envelops their whole fresh air to every room many women visitors came to see the house whose arrangement seemed to ARAB WOMAN AT EN'ImANCE TO AN ARABIAN TOWN them so strange. person from crown of head to feet, when on the "Which is your room?" they asked the mission- street, excepting only one cheese-cloth-covered eye. ary mother, thinking that she like themselves would have but one room to call her own. Few Arab women can read and fewer still are permitted to learn to write. Fatalism restrains "The rooms are all mine; you see the family any desire for progress or for change. What is shares them all. This where we now are is the "written" on one's forehead must be endured. living room where we sit together and visit with Marriage and motherhood, especially the motherour friends." hood of sons are practically the only aim of exist- ence for these women. "You mean the reception room for men." "No, for both men and women." It is not fair to generalize about the home life "Surely you don't mean that men and women of all Islam from conditions in a backward sit together in the room!" country like Arabia. Great changes are tak- "Certainly they do." ing place in many Moslem lands. In Turkey, for "And this," continued the hostess, leading her instance, almost overnight through the adoption friends into the dining room, "is where we eat. With us, the mother sits at one end of the table and the father at the other end while the children sit at the sides." "You cannot mean that you and your husband eat together!" "Yes we do." That was hard for the guests to accept, for in their homes the men are served first and the women have their meal afterward. "They tell us," persevered the callers, "that your children are all girls. Is that true?" "Yes it is true." "Won't your husband divorce you because you have no son?" "No, he will not divorce me."
"Well then, won't he take another wife on your head?"
"No, in our country a man would be arrested for having two wives at a time. But I am thankful to say my husband does not even wish to take another wife."
"Oh! how fortunate you are!" exclaimed the visitors; and then, more wistfully, "How we wish that we were like you!"
Eas,tern Arabia is very conservative and is little affected by Western ways. The laws formulated in the Koran are still the rule for life. Polygamy is usual for those who can afford more than one wife and is also practiced by many who are poor. Early marriage of girls, not infrequently at the age of nine but more often between the ages of twelve and fourteen, is the established custom.
A man may divorce bis wife at will by simply
of the Swiss code and the separation of Church sionaries' home in order that they may become and State Turkish women were released, in theory accustomed to the association of men and women at least, from many of the restrictions we have in social intercourse and may learn to feel at ease mentioned. Legally, polygamy, the veil and un- in acting as hostess in their own homes.
equal divorce laws have all disappeared. As a Surprisingly enough the most violent opposition Turkish woman discussing modern social prob- to changes proposed by feminists in the status of lems said,* "What was moral in my grandmother's women in the home often comes from women day is now taboo, for instance polygamy; whereas themselves, especially from women of the older the perfectly normal social relations of young peo- generation. There is something not only indecent ple today would have formerly been considered but traitorous they feel in the new-fangled ideas immoral." of their sons. Virtuous women of Islam through In Egypt, Syria and India groups less radical all the centuries since Mohammed have gloried in than the Nationalists who are in power in Turkey submission to what they felt was Allah's will.
"We know the 'kind of life you Westerners live,"
said some Arab women returning from a visit in India, to a fellow passenger who talked with them on the ship. "We have seen life in your country pictured in the movies at Bombay." Then they described indecorous behavior of men and women together as they had seen it pictured on the screen.
That sort of thing would be to their minds the inevitable result of discarding the veil and giving to women a position similar to that enjoyed by men.
That freedom has its perils cannot be denied.
BAHREIN GIRLS' SCHOOL MADE OF DATE' STICKS When the veil is taken from the face of women a veil of character to shield the heart becomes imare endeavoring to secure social justice for women perative. Western civilization, nationalism and by reinterpreting Islam. Laws set down in the feminism must all have their part in bringing so- Koran to meet seventh century conditions need cial justice into Moslem homes; but all of these not be followed literally in the twentieth century together could not do for Ameena and her home they believe. And so, although more slowly than what Christ has done-that Saviour of whom she in Turkey, the status of women is beginning to be sings. raised in many Moslem countries.
In speaking of the effect of Islam on home life THE OHALLENGE OF ISLAM it is usual to consider principally the injustices imposed upon women. Educated Moslems are be- To win Moslems for Christ is a task of supreme ginning to realize that in the system of polygamy difficulty and many Christians regard it as one and in seclusion and lack of education for women, from which practically no results are to be exmen also suffer loss. In the face of opposition from pected. his superstitious and hysterical women-folk a man is helpless to apply the discoveries of modern Let it be admitted that it is the Evil-one's counscience to the care of his children. After losing terblast to the Gospel in the Eastern world. These child after chUd, in Arabia.where the infant mor- very facts make the conversion of a Moslem to tality is appalling, I have heard Moslem fathers Christ one of the most signal illustrations of the exclaim in despair, "What can I do? The women power and grace of God. In Moslem lands there are like cows!" Moreover, when men become edu- are today many men who once recited, five times cated in the Western sense as is happening more a day, with passionate conviction, the Moslem and more frequently in Iraq, for instance, they creed, but who now, with equal sincerity, are desire wives with whom they can enjoy compan- preaching Christ. In Morocco alone there are ionship. Sons frequently refuse to accept their little assemblies of believing and baptized natives, parents' choice of uneducated girls to be their who manifest the gifts and graces of the Spirit. brides. This fact perhaps more than any other Such instances are a clearer proof of the triinduces fathers to send their girls to school. umphant POWel' of the Gospel than the conver-· sion of hundreds of those, who, for various pre- Men students in Iran, I was told by the wife of disposing causes, are eagerly stretching out their an American professor in that country, are begin- hands for the Word of Life.-Condensed from a ning to bring their young wives to call in the mis- letter by Rev. E. J. Poole-Connor of the "North Africa Mission," printed in "The Christian" * Quoted from "Moslem Women Enter a New World," by Wood- (London).
small.
Ways of
'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home s. EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO "New Roads in Ancient Islam" but rather mentioned as they ap- "The People of the Mosque," by L. pear in the outlines for work and Bevan Jones-a scholarly and detailed "To the majority of our church study sent in to this Department study of Islam and a challenge to members, the Moslem World is an un- by various denominations. In Christianity (cloth, $2.00). known sphere and therefore holds little this no discriminations have interest. To us as leaders is given been made. Leaders in any com- "Voices from the Near East"-writthe opportunity of opening up this munion have only to submit their ten by Christian nationals (50¢ and fascinating and most challenging prob- materials for the Editor's exam- 25¢) . lem facing the world mission of the ination, whereupon they will be Christian Church today." given attention and publicity in "Young Islam on Trek," by Basil the interests of the common Mathews (25¢). "Glimpses of the Moslem World good. show us that change is the order of "Islam Awakens," by Herrick B. the day. Whether it be a surge of The Source Material Young – a course for senior high nationalism here, a welling up of re- school groups (25¢). ligious fervor there, a zigzag course The main study book is, of of progress and reaction elsewhere, or course, "Mecca and Beyond," by "Masoud the Bedouin," by Alfreda just an unheralded drift from the old Dr. and Mrs. Edward M. Dodd, Post Carharlr-stories of Bedouin life moorings, there is something going on priced at 50¢ and $1.00. One of (25¢) . which is unprecedented in extent and the most excellent "How to Use" scope in all the thirteen centuries booklets (15¢) the writer has "Tales from Moslem Lands," edited since Mohammed. Modern civilization ever seen furnishes the plans for by William W. Reid (50¢). is flooding un on the world of Islam young folks and adults, men and and changing the face of that world. women alike. In addition to pro- "Christian Adventures in Moslem . . . The great question is, 'Whither, gram outlines of the subject mat- Lands," by Winifred Hulberlr-a study Islam?'" (From "How to Use," ter, complete worship services, for intermediate groups (25¢). Mecca and Beyond.) poems and the like, there are suggestions for invitations in- "Doorways," by Mary Entwistle- Our foreign mission theme is clusive of 0 utI in e picture stories for juniors (75¢ and 50¢). so rich in subject matter, so col- sketches, two complete dramaorful in plans for pres.entation, tizations and plans for a variety "Musa: a Son of Egypt," by Perkso dynamic in possibilities that of others, plans for use of life ins and Entwistle-a primary course it would be wasteful to give stories taken from the book, im- (25¢). space to prefatory remarks. personations, imaginary broad- Sampling the main study book casts, airplane trips, etc., a rib- "The Story of Musa," by Entwistle or any of its supplementary vol- bon demonstration, a candle (25¢) . umes, or of the articles in the lighting service, a "convers'abody of this magazine, may well tion" between a Moslem and a "Esa: a Little Boy of Nazareth," be trusted to win students with- Christian, a "pageant of antiq- by E. Mildred Neville-for beginners out explanatory "sales talk." uity," a new "Riddle of the (25¢) . The potentialities bound up in Sphinx," matching and other the theme, "The Moslem World," "tests," an "impersonation of the A variety of others may be readi.ly are explosive enough to rend pyramids," questions for prac- located from the listings of Boards of Christendom, or powerful enough tical discussions and many other Missionary Education, or denominato furnish motive power for devices for making topics attrac- tional publishing houses. building the King's Highway tive and forceful. "Effective Ways of Working" through the Orient. So whether Supplementary books: with the Study Topics making this an entire unit of study or merely incorporating it "What Is This Moslem World?" by The Central Committee on into some addresses and pro- Charles R. Watson ($1.00 and 60¢). United Study of Foreign Misgrams, our readers cannot afford sions, 186 Massachusetts Ave., to turn it down because not rep- "The Young Moslem Looks at Life," Boston, MMS.: resenting a field of endeavor in by Murray T. Titus ($1.00 and 60¢). their own denominational work. Miss M. H. Leavis, its secretary, "The Christian Approach to Mos- states that she has had great difficulty As in last month's citation of lems," by T. H. P. Sailer – a study in securing the illustrative curios helps for the home theme, ma- with teaching aids for adults (25¢). such as enlivened our study of Africa terials are not all listed under last year, receiving either nothing or their many publication sources, [495 ] novelties in too small quantities to be because of our space limitations, advertised, but that she is ready to furnish the following aids, in mim- eographed form: Life stories of the authors of "Mecca and Beyond"-Dr. and Mrs. Dodd ………………. 5¢ Story-"He Sent the Comforter" (to be read and questioned upon) ……..•…………. 51/'
Poem-"Desert Thirst," by Mary W. Vassar (Moslem woman's dream of God) ………….. 31/'
Poem – "Our Moslem Sisters" (communion story on "Has Any One Been Missed?") ……… 3¢
Poem-"The Tapestry Weavers". 3¢ saw. She asks, "What if we could The United Christian Mission- Plays- see all around the world through win- ary Society, Missions Bldg., 222 dows in all countries? Would you like "My Baby Is Sick," by Mary to try it? Which countries would you Downey Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.: Vassar – two women and a like to see? Can you think of any doll. . . …. . . . . . . .. . . . … .. 5¢ friends you would like to meet?" A Has no work in Mpslem lan_ds but game is then played in which the chil- "Yesterday – Today," by M;ary dren in the circle represent different expects to devote two months to the Vassar – mother and daugh- nations and the child in the center study topics and will use materials ter dialogue …………… 5¢ chooses from whatever nation she pre- to be mentioned later in the year. fers, the old tune, "Go in and out the Their catalogue mentions "Moslem "Persian Proverbs and Wise Say- Windows" to be used with words be- Children"-pictures at 50¢ per set, ings" •…………………. 3¢ ginning, "Go round and round the and a "Cut-out Sheet of Moslem "The Experiences of a Moham- nations." Types" at 15¢. medan in Christian America," "What We See First through Open by Mrs. F. G. Platt. . . . . . . . . . 3¢ Baptist Board of Missionary Windows" shows a picture of Christ Place cards – picture of "Mecca and the children of all races. Leader Education, 152 Madison Ave., and Beyond" on green card with directs conversation to the idea of N. Y.: . space for name ………. each 1¢ God's garden with differently colored flowers, these being the children of all The graded missionary materials ar- A Window Transparency-the lands. "Weare going to visit this ranged by this board are for use in camels and the star (directions garden and enjoy these flowers." A Sunday schools or organized groups of for making) ……………. 3¢ song, "His Garden," is then sung. It corresponding age interests. In order- is suggested that Friendship Paper ing the publications listed, note that "The Mecca Certificate"-a beauti- Dolls be used in this connection (four all materials marked (*) should come ful reproduction in a series of four dolls eight inches high, like real chil- from the board headquarters as cited plates (9x22in.) of the certificate dren of various oriental countries, above, but books and other helps (ingiven to every Mohammedan who price 25¢ a set). clusive of publications of other demakes the pilgrimage to Mecca. The nominations) are to be obtained from art work is fine and intricate. Ex- Succeeding lessons emphasize the the American Baptist Publication Soplanation and translation accompanies needs we see through open windows, ciety, 1701 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, certificate. 10¢. ourselves through open window, "The Pa., or its various bookstores. World Looks through Our Windows- Cash must accompany all orders for And What Does It See?" etc. Beginners: the foregoing materials. Auxiliary materials suggested and "Esa: a Little Boy of Nazareth" Women's Missionary Society which may be ordered through the furnishes the main story material. of United Lutheran Church, 723 For visualizations, use "Friends in Muhlenberg Bldg., Philadelphia, Lutheran headquarters are: Everyland"-12 pictures with story Pa.: on back of each, including "A Moslem Picture Sheets in "Child Life of Friend in India" and "A Friend in "Zahia" – dialogue between Mo- the World" ………….. each 25¢ Turkey," 25¢ (listed elsewhere by its hammedan bride and school- publishers, the Women's Society of the mate ………….. 3¢ or 6 for 10¢ Lutheran Picture Sheets on Af- United Lutheran Church); "Posters rica, India and Japan …. each 5¢ of Moslem Children," 25¢; and hand- Special Program Helps to Use work such as "Arabian Village Cut- with "Open Windows" ……. 15¢ Picture Maps of Africa, India .. out"-eight cardboard sheets with di- ……………………. each 50¢ rections for coloring, 50¢; "Desert This pamphlet is especially helpful Life Panel Posters"-four brown sepia in presenting the book to children. Picture, "The Hope of the World" panels, 12×36, with colored cut-outs to Its keynote is in the opening para- (Christ and the children) …. be pasted on, 50¢; "Near East Paintgraph: "Through open windows that ………… postcard size, 5¢; ing Book"-seven pictures with colorlook out into the world, we see boys sepia, 35¢; large size in colors, 60¢ ing instructions, 10¢. Other stories and girls in China and India, in Af- recommended are "Just Like You" by rica and Egypt, in Japan and Borneo. Picture games – I n d i a, Africa, Lucy W. Peabody-a book of stories The stories of their lives and adven- China ………………. each 20¢ from many lands, 25¢; "A First Book tures are told so vividly that it is not of World Friendship," by the same hard to feel that we really see them Pictures through Magic Windows author-a collection of "Just Like You through the open windows. The leader -18 Bible pictures and verses Stories" in six little books, $1.50. may also reverse the idea so that the in attractive form ……….. 75¢ boys and girls realize that children of Primary: other countries are watching us also. "Friends in Everyland"-12 sto- The book contains ten stories. Each ries with large picture ……. 25¢ The stories are found in "Missionmay be told separately or some of the ary Stories to Tell," which contains material may be combined and used Teaching Pictures on Rural Life two short stories from Moslem lands. for six or more programs. The lead- around the World ………… 50¢ $1.00 and 50¢; "Our Little Friends of er's aim is to open the windows of a the Arabian Desert" (illustrated) child's heart and help him to make Presbyterian Board of Na- which takes us to visit the children of friends with all people who pass by." tional Missions, Central Distrib- a Bedouin sheik, $1.00; "The Story of uting Department, 156 Fifth Musa," by Entwistle-eight illustrated The ensuing pamphlet suggests Ave., N. Y. (Checks payable to narratives, 25¢; "Graded Foreign ways for leaders to carry out the fore- Central Distributing Department Mission Stories" (*), to be ready in going ideal, furnishes an outline guide December, 15¢. for each program, hymns, prayers, of the Mission Boards) : Scripture, a long list of excellent The visualizations and handwork group activities in the way of poster In addition to the study books listed are "Children from Manv Lands"- making, dramatizations and construc- previously, with their respective teach- portfolio posters of children of 10 tion work, outline illustrations of ing helps, "Fun and Festival from countries, llx14 in., in colors, with posters, directions for making an in- Moslem Lands" (25¢); "Primary Pic- verse for each picture, $1.00; "Life ternational house or village, map in Moslem Lands"-21 pictures with work, plans for scrap books, etc. ture Stories – M 0 s I e m Children" descriptive titles, 25¢, and all the ma- (25¢); and a moving picture, "Islam terials listed for the beginners. A sample of some of the preliminary in Egypt" are listed. Special attenplans will furnish an idea of the tion is called to this last valuable item, Juniors: method employed: which is a one-reel film taking ap- proximately 15 minutes to show. The The Stories are "Doorways," 75¢ Introducing the idea of theme, the rental price is $1.25 in 16mm. and $2.00 and 50¢; "Graded Foreign Mission leader has the children-individually in 35mm., plus transportation charges. or in groups-look through the largest ordering from Visual Aids Division of window near them, then tell what they The Westminster Press, 925 Wither- spoon Bldg., Philadelphia, Pa.
"Living Water" is a play taking 20 minutes, 13 women, 2 children (5¢).
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Stories on Missions and World Peace" "Hostess Hints," covering menus Oriental music suitable for Moslem (*), 15¢; material from the primary and recipes for Arab cookery, 10¢. studies includes "Where My Caravan section. Has Rested," "Till the Sands of the "Traceaole Sketches" – outlines of Desert Grow Cold," "Bedouin Love Visualizations and handwork include flags, suggestions for place cards, Song" and "Kashmiri Song," with a picture map of the world-art map fruits, human figures, etc., which may other selections from collections of 30×50 in. with 23 small pictures to be readily be copied by tracing and used Oriental Music by Amy Woodfordepasted on, 50¢ "Cut-out Sheets of in a variety of social ways, 10¢. Finden. Inquire of any music dealer. Moslem Types"-20 outline sketches with directions for coloring, 10¢; "Islam," a dramatization with nar- The Religious Motion Picture "Friends of the Caravan Trails"- rator and 14 characters – outstand- Foundation has now merged its intersuggestions for handwork on pp. 21- ingly informing and worthful, 15¢. ests with those of another concern and 24, also sketches in insert sheet, 25¢; should now be addressed as Departmaterials listed under primary section. Sketches, "Mohammed" (4¢), and ment of Visualization, Harmon Founda- "Mohammedanism" (3¢). tion, 140 Nassau St., New York. It Intermediate and Young People: has a large number of religious and Story, "The Forgotten Words," 5¢. educational moving picture films in Story telling from "Tales from Leaflet (easily dramatized), "A stock, and each year additional ones Moslem Lands"-illustrated adventure Kabyle Wedding," 4¢. on the current study topics are prestories, 50¢; "M,asoud the Bedouin," Young women have a course on pared with the heln of an interde- 25¢; "The Beloved Physician of Te- "Highways and Skyways in Minaret nominational committee. heran," $1.00; "The Moslem World" Lands," including the textbook, for -a book of facts about foreign mis- 60¢. Some Rural Programs sions (*), 15rb. For Standard Bearers (of junior age), "Moslem Adventures on the By ANNYE ALLISON Visualizations and handwork include Magic Carpet of Imagination" con- "Christian Adventures in Moslem tains all necessary materials for a For primary pupils, make Lands" – suggestions for handwork, program of strong appeal to young 25¢ ; Set of Twelve Charts with folks, $1.00. poster headed "Win Rural Amergraphs for blackboard work or poster "Doorways" (50¢) and its "How to ica for Christ," showing church, making, 50¢ per set; Maps of the Use" (10¢) are recommended for the Sunday school, daily vacation Moslem World, to be colored and wired younger groups, along with materials Bible school, young people's for project purposes-wall map 30×46 listed elsewhere in this Department. meeting, hospital, orphanage, in., 60¢; large outline map, 28×32 in., 25¢; small outline map, llx14 in., 25¢ Woman's Board of Foreign colporteur, etc. Dramatize some per dozen; and some of the materials Missions, Reformed Church in features. Have group of chilfor the younger groups. America, 25 East 22d St., New dren pretending to fish or pick York: berries, and let lady enter and There is one stereopticon lecture on invite them to the D. V. B. S. the Moslem World, revised by Dr. "Camel Bells"-complete programs which is to begin the next day. Zwemer, entitled "The Spread of including semi-dramatic and easily When children arrive, seat them Islam." It rents for $2.00 and car- dramatized material, under the topics in circle with lady in center to riage both ways. Address the Vis- "Letters from a Saddle Bag," "Cara- tell a good religious story. Pass ualization Department, Council on van Trails," "Oases" and "Behind the paper and crayons and have chil- Finance and Promotion, 152 Madison Lattice," 10¢. dren draw pictures to illustrate Ave., N. Y. "God's Good Gifts" or "God's "Playmates in Mission Lands"-at- Beautiful World." Hymn, "Jesus Plays: "Black Tents" -life among tractive illustrated primer booklet on Loves the Little Children of the Bedouins in Syria; 4 boys, 3 girls, A, B, C plan, for very young children, World" ; the Lord's Prayer; 20 minutes, 25¢; "Tara Finds the and including Arabian features. simple Bible verse such as "God Door to Happiness"-life of Moslem is love," "Suffer the Little Chilwomen and girls in India; 2 women, "Under Many Flags," 5¢. dren," etc., following with the 7 girls, 2 boys, 30 minutes, 25¢. "Silhouettes," 5¢. circle talk and another hymn. "True-False Test on Arabia," 1¢ "The School of Missions"-a hand- each sheet. The brighter side of the hosbook of information on setting up a "Cross Word Puzzle on Arabia," 2¢ pital theme may be dramatized school, by William A. Hill, free (*). each sheet. by having a child who has been "Fun and Festival from Moslem cured waiting for his mother to Woman's Foreign Missionary Lands," 25¢. take him home. Nurse wearing Society, M ethodiJst Episcopal Wall Map of Moslem World (60¢) white dress, cap and apron and Church, 581 Boylston St., Bos- and Outline Maps of Moslem World arm band with red cross on it is ton, Mass.: (large size, 25¢; small, 25¢ per with him and teaches him a Bible dozen) . verse. Child presently runs to "Complete Program Outlines for "Spiritual Adventuring" is a very meet mother telling how good Auxiliaries" (woman's societies), giv- worthful manual of worship for mis- people have been to him, about ing suggestions and plans for a year's sionary societies, giving complete out- the cards, Bible verses, hymns, work, 25¢. This begins with a beau- lines, including poems and prayers, etc., which he will repeat when tiful installation service for the offi- for a year's meetings, 10¢. he gets home. At nurse's call the cers and continues through Moham- doctor enters and mother pours medan studies including "The Moslem Additional Helps and out her gratitude for a denomand His World," "North of the Sa- Suggestions inational hospital to which counhara," "Christmas and the Christ's try people with very little money Land," "Behind the Bourka," "The Further missionary dramatics, ob- can send their sick children. Sword of the Moslem." Additional tainable from sources whose addresses programs of universal application have already been given herein are: [CONTINUED IN NOVEMBER.] (omitting one specific to Methodist "An Afternoon in Arabia"-10 young plans) are on "Christian College Stu- women and girls, taking about 10 dents around the World," "World minutes-5¢ (W. B. F. M. of Reformed Citizenship," and "On the Road to Church) . Hangchow." May be used by groups in any denomination. "Christ or Mahomet – Which?" 4 scenes, 12 characters, 15 minutes-10¢ Excellent coordinated materials are: (W. F. M. S. of M. E. Church).
"Go Ye," a year's devotional out- "Kasim"-modern life in Persia, 5 lines, 15¢. men, 5 women, 1 hour-25¢ (Mission- ary Education Movement, 150 Fifth Ave., N. Y.). The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK Over half of the population of the United States is rural. Under what conditions do they live? What are their problems? What groups have special needs?
How should they be met? Is the church meeting the needs of Rural America? What must we do to Rebuild Rural America that it may be a part of a great Christian nation of which we can be proud? What lessons can Rural America teach us today? The contribution of Rural Amer- ica to urban life and the develop- fllent of the nation has been great, as has been its contribu- tion to the Christian Church, which has its roots in rural life.
CHARLOTTE M. BURNHAM.
STUDY BOOKS For Adulbs Rebuilding Rural America, by Mark A. Dawber.
A PRAYER THE CHURCH AND RURAL Dr. Dawber has for years trav- eled the whole United States as Teach me, Father how to go AMERICA a leader in rural church work. Softly as the grasses grow; He reports graphically what is Hush my soul to meet the shock This is the month when many happening to,rural America, and Of the wild world as a rock; of the women's societies will take describes rural people and con- But my spirit, propt with power, up their studies of the home mis- structive enterprises that the Make as simple as a flower. sions theme for 1937-38. The churches are undertaking. A books this year are not only in- chapter is given to groups with Let the dry heart fill its cup, tensely interesting and challeng- special needs as the Migratory Like a poppy looking up; ing, but are vitally related to our Worker, the Southern High- Let life lightly wear her crown national life and the critical pe- lander, and the American In- Like a poppy looking down, riod in which we are living. As dian. Cloth, $1.00.. paper, 60 When its heart is filled with dew many of the speakers at the Mis- cent8. And its life begins anew. sions Institutes this summer have pointed out, we can no longer The Church and American Rural Our Father, help us to root expect to hide our own family Life, by Benson Y. Landis. our lives as deeply as Thy trees, skeletons from the world, and which grow so grandly; to rise unchristian conditions in our- A leader's guide based on Restraight and true as Thy grasses, own country, and unchristian building Rural America, conwhich grow so simply; to make behavior toward other countries, taining many helpful suggestions the results of our living as-beaU- prove a stumbling block to the for study groups for city and tiful as Thy flowers. Amen. foreign missionary as well to rural churches. Paper, 25 cent8. those at home who are trying to "Sorvices fr>r th.e Open." spread the Gospel of Jesus. Migrant Laborers. They Starve T hat We May Eat.
Two million migratory workers ' on the road, in the fields and at the canneries; a challenging problem in the rural field with a description of a challenging program of action for the church. . This composite study has been written by authorities in the church and secular field [498 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
and edited by Edith E. Lowry, joyed to learn that I was to go School Methods, Adult Educa- Executive Secretary and na- to Lisle, New York, for a set- tion Methods, Round-Table Dis- tional Director of Migrant ting-up conference. cussions on Work with Young Work. Paper, 35 cents. People, Handicraft, Health Pro- Nearly fifty migrant workers gram, Infant Care, Nutrition, For Young People who are to serve in the Eastern Methods in Work with Children, Migrant camps this summer ar- Methods in Recreation, First Aid Highland Heritage, by Edwin E. rived in Lisle, a typical, peace- and Camp Sanitation, and a dis- White. ful, happy, country community, cussion on our relationship to and were welcomed most gra- the community, the employer The book has literary charm and ciously by our host and hostess, and the migrant. the task of the churches in rural Dr. and Mrs. Richard Edwards. America is vividly illustrated by [This little community has a By the third day, many doubts what is happening as new high- population of three hundred and had come to my mind. Can I do ways and power lines are driven our conference, plus a young all that these other people have through the isolated valleys of people's conference, swelled the done before me and can I put in the "horseback country." Cloth, number to four hundred. You these long hours each day? $1.00; paper, 60 cents. may well see that we overflowed the Inn, the conference rooms For the last vesper service on Rural America Challenges Chris- and the village homes.] Saturday evening, we climbed up to the highest point in this local- tian Youth, by Edwin E. White. PICNIC LUNCH AT A MIGRANT CENTER ity where we seemed to be on the top of the world. I felt, almost A leader's guide based on High- The first evening we met for instantly, a great sense of peace land Heritage containing sug- vespers on a near-by hillside steal over me. My doubts seemed gestions. for youth groups as an looking out over the valley be- to vanish during this vesper approach to the study of the low. This experience instilled service and I felt a sense of re- church in rural America. Paper, in me a sense of quiet and in- newed strength to carryon in 25 cents. spired courage for the many this chosen work. "May I prove hard days ahead. Later that my mettle and may I bring these For Children evening, former migrant work- people the ideals and under- ers gave us a bird's-eye view of standing that will enable them Missionary Stories to Tell. the work and their experiences to come to a greater feeling of in the migrant centers. These fellowship with God and an Thirty-eight of the best mission- girls had worked very hard, had understanding of the meaning of ary stories to tell to primary and experienced many hard, long Christian fellowship that will junior children. Cloth, $1.00; hours that must be put in in any lead them into a more meaning- paper, 50 cents. center, and still were ready and fullife"-this was my prayer. happy to go forward into another Lifting Today Above Its Past, by year. How cheering this was One thing that Dr. Eric Grace McGavran. for me! Thomsen said in one of his talks with us shall always remain with An interesting and challenging Along about the second day a me. "If you suffer without suc- course on life in the country suspicion came into my mind ceeding, then some one after you places of America. This unit of that, perhaps, Miss Lowry was will succeed without suffering work for intermediate groups breaking us into this migrant and if you succeed without suf- contains selected oackground ma- work here at Lisle. We arose at fering, then some one before you terial and can be given without 6: 30 in order to arrive in time has suffered without succeed- additional sources, although use- for breakfast at 7: 30 and were ing." This seems to sum up in ful references are cited. Paper, kept busy each and every minute my mind our work. Will we suc- 35 cents. until 10: 30 at night. During ceed now in our endeavors with these hours, we had the oppor- these people, or will we pave the Ship East-Ship West, by Eliza:- tunity of a varied program way for some one after us to beth Miller Lobingier. which included staff conferences, courses in R u r a I Sociology, succeed? This first volume of a new series Kindergarten Methods, Nursery I cannot stop here without of source books for primary chil- dren introduces them to the sub- saying that I arrived at Whites- ject of world peace through bog, New Jersey, twelve days stories and simple facts. Mrs. ago and have worked as I have Lobingier is a skilled teacher never before for such a long and the author of Stories of stretch of time, seven days every Shepherd Life and other vol- week. I find these people to be umes. Illustrated. Cloth, $1.00; a happy, friendly, courageous, paper, 50 cents. hard-working race who seem as little children in so many ways For Reading List refer to the June number and who need our guidance and of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, understanding. pages 334-335. HARRIET CLOSTER. THE SETTING-UP CON- FERENCE AT LISLE, NEW YORK July 23 to July 27, 1937 After making my decision to devote my summer to working among the Migrants, the feeling came over me many times that I was going into this man-sized job with little knowledge of previous conditions, methods or results and was, therefore, over-
AND SIAM to save that which is lost." In India launched on its first voyage
dedicated for its work of minis- Toward Greater Efficiency Christianity is everything to the De- try. It is chiefly to the workers At Montgomerywala in the pressed Classes, It is with them in in the rice lands that this float- Punjab, a church committee is ing dispensary is sent, and their forming itself into small groups, their work, in their homes, in their need is great indeed, as they are each of which will tackle some entirely without medical help. particular need. For instance, fields. It has "found" them. Then Many of their homes are quite three or four members are to form a hygiene committee to see Christianity has found the criminal inaccessible except by boat, and that the village is kept clean and during the monsoon flood time to teach the people to realize the tribes-men who were regarded as alneed of sufficient light and air in thousands more are cut off; even their houses; another committee most lower than the beasts, men who food must be brought from great i's to find out special cases of pov- distances by boat. During two erty resulting from illness or were guilty of unheard-of evil. I saw months of the monsoon no work some other cause, and to report them to the church committee; these same men giving all their power can be done in the rice fields, and and a third group will teach the people the privilege of giving, to help each other. I heard them sing, which few have learned. and saw men whom I had been told The women are also assuming more responsibility. A Zenana would never work, working for the Committee, some· of them quite illiterate, take care of a weekly sheer joy of doing that which was usemeeting, where one leads the devotionals, another reads the les- ful. – The Chru.stw' n. son, and a third gives a talk. Once a month there is a witness A Practical Experiment meeting, when any who have received special help witness to In the Punjab a different cen- the people of the backwaters are what God has done for them. faced with terrible want. No ter is chosen each month, and all work means no money and no -C. M. S. Outlook. the congregations of the C. M. S. food. They borrow-and pledge Mission, within a radius of eight The Salvation Army away the whole of the next har- miles, assemble. The men and vest to keep themselves alive till Lord Willingdon, former vice- boys form a procession which roy of India, pays tribute to the marches around the village sing- that harvest can be sown. work of the Salvation Army in that part of the Empire. He says ing psalms and hymns. Mean- The voyage of the new boat is he has watched this work for 16 years, and declares there is not while the women and girls gath- carefully planned. There are a public official who would not er in the courtyard and sing. three "ports of call" to be visited express gratitude for such as- Then they are seated in an open each month. The boat is tied up, sistance as the Army is giving in space outside the village, which the stores and medicines are prohumanizing, Christianizing and duced and patients begin to arcivilizing those who are thought is decorated with colored paper rive. A clinic under the trees is to be beyond the reach of good flags, texts and mottoes such as: influence. "Do not get into debt," "Learn held each day for ten days, then Speaking of her visit to India. General Evangeline Booth says': to read," "Be sober." By this the boat is moved to another I never knew until I undertook this time the congregation has been place, not to return for a year. journey the meaning of the words, "The Son of man is come to seek and swelled by a good number of Thousands of people, for whom non-Christians. There is more medical help is available only singing, an opening address ex- from the two floating dispensa- plaining the obj ect of the meet- ries, are ministered to for less ing, and touching on the broth- than a month, then have to erhood of mankind through the be left "as sheep having no Fatherhood of God, addresses by shepherd."
two or three of the manads on -C. M. S. Outlook.
the causes, effects and remedies of debts, illiteracy, poverty, and Festival of Lights a closing address, giving the defi- While there are many unlove- nite Christian message. -C. M. S. Outlook. ly features attached to India's popular festivals, some of them Travancore's Floating _ have beauty and value. At Das- Dispensary ahara time children may be seen· in the evening going about car- Early this year the second rying various colored lights floating dispensary which is to which from a distance have the ply up and down the backwaters appearance of being lanterns so of Travancore, bringing help arranged as throw out light and relief to so many, was through odd openings. An inves- [500 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
tigation discloses the contriv- Bangkok Christian College CHINA ance to be simple enough. A Bangkok Christian College is The Challenge in China small earthen vessel has been looking forward to the day when their plant will be moved to the made wIth openings cut in the new site. Ten years ago new Dr. Charles T. Leber and Dr. property was purchased between side in fanciful designs. Over Bangkok and Paknam at a loca- J. L. Dodds, new secretaries of tion that seemed very remote. this is pasted colored paper and Today, with government high- the Presbyterian Board of For- way improvement, the new site the little oil lamp placed on the is only fifteen minutes distant eign Missions, recently com- from Bangkok, by motor car. inside turns this crude lantern pleted a tour of the mission The staff now includes sixteen into something quite fantastic. Siamese and three foreign teach- fields. Of China, Dr. Leber says: ers on duty, with a few others It is the custom for" children, es- on furlough. "The country is magnificent pecially of the servant class, to When the Educational Com- in its possibilities and presents mittee of the Siam Mission put go with these lights to the houses on a Teachers' Institute at the a tremendous challenge to Chris- beginning of the year, seventy of their masters and others from Christian teachers from mission tianity. The lives of Christian schools of three denominations whom they expect gifts at Das- were in attendance. faith and sacrifice that have ahara time. These children run- Nearly four hundred boys are been put into this land are bear- ning about from house to house ing fruit. The whole nation is in the darkness with these lights progressing but I have been es- make a very striking feature of pecially impressed with the rise the Dasahara festival. The chil- of Christianity. . . . It is in- dren themselves greatly enjoy spiring to see how the Chinese the part which they play, and leaders are re~ching out into the even aside from the gifts which areas of evangelism, Christian they receive, think the occasion education, young people's work one of great importance. Why and social welfare. . .. – not? -Indian Witness. "Mr. Arthur Rugh, formerly Begging for the Gospel in enrolled this year and classes are with the Y. M. C. A., but now Ceylon overcrowded. The government working independently among curriculum for the lower grades the students at Yenching, made does not permit the teaching of A Five-Year Plan of Evan- a survey of student thinking at gelism is being carried out in Bible in the regular schedule, so Yenching. He held personal in- C e y lon, all the Protestant Churches cooperating. Recent- that subject is now taught be- terviews with two hundred of ly, a long closed door unex- the students and is amazed at pectedly opened in Eheliyagoda. fore the opening of the official the thinking they are doing along A man came there from another district, bringing with him a Bi- day in the first six classes. In the lines of religion. They are ble and a very limited knowledge even asking why no greater pOSIof Christianity, but the little he the upper division there has knew he passed on. The people tive Christian approach has been been no need to make this made to them, though most of -Siam Outlook. them are not Christian. A list change. was made of 500 questions which Siam Cares for Lepers of Eheliyagoda are low caste, The Siamese Government has students are asking about reliand were at once attracted to a been watching with interest the gion. A group of educators are religion where all men are equal, chain of 23 leper clinics, laid out considering the possibilities of and were quick to see that Chris- by Dr. J. H. McKean, Presbyte- religious instruction being pertianity would bring them social rian missionary; and now pro- mitted in the schools. At a conuplift as well. So they asked to poses a plan to establish self- ference of' Christian middle be taught. One group of evan- supporting government colonies school principals in Shanghai gelists went from house to in several sections of the coun- the Mayor of Shanghai arose house; another held an open air try, with the same type of organ- and gave testimony as to his meeting. New Testaments were ization as now exists in mission Christian faith. He charged the eagerly bought. At these meet- clinics. The first step will be to principals that their duty as ings, which continued, there train government doctors and Christian principals was to make would be two or three simple assistants at the Chiengmai col- their schools Christian. One addresses, including one to the ony. Then a special leprosy of- trembles to realize what a tragchildren, who are always present ficer and committee will be ap- edy it will be if the Christian in large numbers. Between ad- pointed to make a survey, do forces do not unite and do not dresses the people would ask propaganda work among the move forward to meet the chalquestions or explain their diffi- people, and establish, as the first lenge of this present opportuculties. At the end, the village of the series, a large farm col- nity." headman would select points ony with up-to-date treatment. from the various addresses and If this plan renders mission War Against Opium compare them with Buddhist clinics unnecessary, they will at China seems determined to doctrines, pointing out the ad- least have served to stimulate wipe out the opium curse. On vantages of Christianity. the government to recognize and the eve of the New Year, before -L. M. S. Chronicle. accept its own responsibility. a large crowd at the famous Con-
fucius temple in Nanking, huge ciety," interdenominational, is JAPAN-CHOSEN quantities of opium, and para- putting into operation a plan to phernalia of opium addicts were send forth evangelistic bands of Church Worship burned. Long before this meet- trained men and women to the ing, placards were distributed market towns, let them locate Church service in Japan has and posted on the doors of every there for about two weeks and so me interesting differences house and shop, and slogans from that as a center, visit every from American customs. The written on white streamers home in all the surrounding vil- tray for offerings is always were displayed everywhere an- lages, and freely give the people passed to the minister as well as nouncing: the Word of God. They will also to the congregation. If the ush- do personal work and preach on er fails to do this, the minister 1. Beginning Jan. 1, 1937, hopeless the streets of every village. They will walk from the pulpit and narcotic addicts will be executed. will return to the market towns deposit his money. The sexes arc in the evening, where special separated in all church services: 2. Beginning Jan. 1, 1937, first-time meetings are held in halls, tel!l- men on one side and women on opium smokers will be heavily pun- pIes, schools or homes. the other. This was the custom ished; after being arrested three in America a hundred years ago. times, they will be shot. These bands have already For thirty years Japanese Chris- gone to sixty-four market towns tians have used a common hym- 3. Narcotic addicts who desire to and, as they have worked out nal. Methodists, Presbyterians, escape these penalties should surren- from those centers, 3,482 villages Baptists and Congregationalists der themselves to the city clinics for have been finished. In these vil- all use the same songs of wortreatment on or before Dec. 31, 1936. lages there have been 390,049 ship. -Missionary Herald. homes with a population of near- Parades, depicting opium addicts be- ly two million people. In the Pastors Discuss Religious ing dragged to the g;:tllows with the 3,947 meetings held there have Topics wailing families trailing behind, were been some 691,657 people who also witnessed in the cities. heard the Gospel, besides having The Church of Christ in Ja- received 571,123 tracts and Gos- pan held a Pastors' Conference The regulation, control, pur- pels. As a direct result of this at its theological seminary in chase and sale of narcotic drugs work, 12,906 of those who were Tokyo August 30 to September for legitimate purposes in the dealt and prayed with, sought 4 as a part of the celebration of country were placed in charge Christ as their Saviour. the fiftieth anniversary of the of Division of Narcotics, newly church. Leading pastors and created bureau. Immediately -0. M. S. Standard. teachers lectured on the followthe following measures were put ing subjects: into effect: (1) It restricted the Bible Exhibit issuance of certificates for the The Creed of the Church of Christ importation of narcotic drugs; An exhibition of Bibles in in Japan. (2) it prepared an estimate of Peiping this year evidenced kinds and quantities of narcotic China's interest in the Christian The History of the Church During drugs for the nation's medical Scriptures. There were 300 en- the Meiji Era. and scientific use for 1936; and tries, representing 69 languages (3) it drafted measures for the and dialects, of which 17 were Protestant Credal Views of the Bicontrol of sales of narcotic Chinese. Among the Bibles were ble. drugs. some of a costly character, and others of priceless historical val- The Differences Between Catholi- In order to check recultivation ue. The volumes were lent by cism and Protestantism as a Means of of poppy in areas where poppy libraries, universities, individ- Understanding the Gospel. cultivation existed before but uals and various mission groups. has now been absolutely prohib- The British and Foreign Bible The Main Currents and Problems of ited, the "Measures for General Society lent the famous Morri- Contemporary Theology. Detection and Suppression of son Bible of 1823 and the Morri- Poppy Cultivation" were issued. son New Testament of that same The Thought of the Old Testament date, printed from wooden Prophets. -China Weekly Review. blocks made 10 years earlier. There was also the first Protes- The Church and Culture. Market Town Campaign tant Chinese version to be pub- The Fundamental Principles of the lished. Protestant Reformation. Generally speaking, China's vas t population is grouped No V'olume, however, attracted_ Open discussions were conaround market towns. It is esti- as much attention as the Manda- ducted on The Pulpit and the mated that there are some 40,- rin Bible loaned by Generalis- Church; The Sunday School 000 market towns in China, and simo Chiang Kai-shek-the one and the Church; The Pastor and that an average of about twenty- he used during his imprisonment His Readings, and The Church five surrounding villages are fed at the time of the Sian revolt in and Society. by each market town. On mar- December, 1936. ket days, held every third day, -Translated from Fukuin the people of these villages flock -Monday Morning. Shimpo. to the market towns to do theIr buying, selling and "neighbor- Kagawa Fellowship ing." The Kagawa Fellowship in Ja- The "Oriental Missionary So- pan is an informal organization of about 150 Occidental friends of Dr. Kagawa living in Japan, whose purpose is to share with
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Kagawa in the rich experience missionaries were sent to the Manchuria, and helping to send that God has given him; to study Chinese in East Shantung, them to China and elsewhere. his program for the extension of China. This work has been the Kingdom of God, and as far maintained for 25 years and the The Australian Mission as possible to cooperate with him Korean missionaries there are in achieving this program. The ministering to 25 churches and South Kyengsang, in which fellowship assists Dr. Kagawa in groups in which are enrolled the Australian Presbyterian the translation of his writings 1,500 professing Chinese Chris- Mission has work, is the third into English, gives information tians. smallest of the thirteen provabroad and in Japan about his inces of Korea. It is the most work, and endeavors to get The Korean churches are in- densely populated, the nearest whatever financial support for digenous, self-propagating, self- to Japan and according to stahis program it can. supporting, but need more mis- tistics it consumes per capita sionaries to help in the evangel- the largest amount of beer. Effort is being made to obtain ization of 22,000,000 Koreans in These three circumstances presupport for the promising Medi- Korea, a million in Manchukuo sent their own problems. cal Cooperative Society in To- and 500,000 in Japan proper. kyo, an interesting pro j e c t In 1914, when the mission of started by Kagawa. More than -Korea Mission Field. the Presbyterian Church, U. S. seven thousand people are mem- A., handed over this province to bers of it. The society has a hos- Protestant Christian the Australian mission there pital with fifty-one beds as well were 101 churches, 1887 bapas conducting a clinic, dispen- Membership tized members and 3,816 adhersary and visiting nurse service. ents. Just now money is being raised Of 410,000 enrolled Protesto erect a residence for the tant Christians in Korea, 78 per Comparing these statistics nurses; the building will be cent are Presbyterians, 14 per with those of 1936, we find that called the Nitobe Memorial in cent Methodists and eight per now there are: churches 313, remembrance of Dr. Inazo Ni- cent of other denominations. Of baptized members 7,941, adhertobe. -Christian Observer. the total number 210,000 are ents 26,955. either baptized or members on "God Shelf" for Kitchens probation. The remaining 200,- Each of the five stations has 000 are enrolled as professing some form of institutional work. One of the large department Christians and are regular at- The Harper Memorial High stores of Kyoto is displaying a tendants. School for Girls, near Fusanmod e 1 Japanese kit c hen, chin, trains Christian leaders equipped with electric icebox, With 3,880 churches and for church and school. The Vogas stove, kitchen cabinet, and groups, the average sized con- cational Farm School for Womso on. On the walls hang an gregation numbers about 100. en seeks and saves those in morelectric clock, a thermometer, The largest congregation in Ko- al danger and destitution, and and a small, but complete "god- rea is in the city of Sin Euiju the Paton Memorial Hospital ill shelf" for the spirit of the deity with 4,000 adherents. The Sun- Chinju cares for the sick, espethat presides over kitchens. The day school enrolment of 316,000 cially the sick poor. There are shelf is complete and up-to-date in the Presbyterian and Method- also Men's and Women's Lower with miniature lanterns and ist churches in Korea is about Bible Schools. dishes for the food offerings. the same as the total number of professing Christians. Method- -Korea Mission Field. -Living Church. ist and Presbyterian mission- aries in Korea number a little ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC Korean Christianity more than 400. Many mission lands have a less number of mis- About the Philippines Of the first seven Koreans to sionaries in proportion to the be ordained to the ministry in population, but none h a v e Did you know that there are the Presbyterian Church, one yielded a better return for the three classes of people on the was sent as a home missionary expenditure of time and money. islands, each of a different colto the island of Quelpart. That or? That the Chinese have been church is now supporting 500 -Presbyterian Banner. coming to the island for years, evangelists to unevangelized dis- thus solving the employment tricts in Korea and to Koreans On Their Own problem, since a Filipino will in Manchukuo, Peiping, Shang- not work until the money he has hai and Japan proper. The A Presbyterian church in on hand is all gone? That 10,000 Methodist Church is also carry- Wiju, Korea, has a membership converts were received within ing on an extensive home mis- of 3,000. Not a cent of Ameri- ten years? That there are nine sion work among Koreans in can money has gone into the flourishing mission stations now Manchukuo. When the Korean work of that district for 20 in operation? That there are Presbyterian General Assembly years; no missionary lives witn- 7,000 Americans on the islands? was organized in 1912, three in 20 miles of it. The people That before American occupa- have erected and financed their tion funeral arrangements were own church and are sending mis- always made before calling in a sionaries across the border into physician? That only one and
one-eighth per cent of the popu- ments. In ten years they have and the imminent consummation lation are classed as Frotestant not only banded themselves into of union with the Methodist Christians? effective intelligent groups for Church of France. Nearer home, -Monday Morning. mutual improvement, but they the Alliance welcomed a new have transformed their village member in the Evangelical and Club Women in Polynesia life.-London Chronicle. Reformed Church. The Re- formed Church of the U. S. A., The Polynesians have been NORTH AMERICA recently united with the Evan- evangelized by Samoan Chris- Coordinated Missions gelical Church, was already a tians, who themselves received member.
the Gospel a hundred years ago. The International Foreign The International Women's Mission Association of North Council of Women's Missionary While the men folk have fishing America (composed of inde- Societies was recognized as the for excitement, the women have pendent undenominational mis- women's section of the Alliance, no activities which give interest sions) brings together for coun- with a provision that a certain and variety to island life. Miss E. sel sixteen mission enterprises, quota of del ega t e s shall be A. Downs, principal of the Girls'
School at Puapua, Samoa, sug- under which some 2,231 mis- chosen from the women, with au- sionaries are sent out. They ad- thority to hold sessions during gested that they form Women's the meeting of the council. Sim- Clubs, and that they should work minister over a million dollars ilar action was taken with retogether for the general uplift of annually, and go into many of gard to a youth section of those under 30 years of age, the deletheir village life, for the applica- the out-of-the-way corners of the gates of this group being authortion of simple laws of health and world. The doctrinal basis of hygiene, for mothercraft and in- all these missions is: (1) The fant welfare work, for the pres- plenary inspiration and divine ized to bring to the notice of council matters of deep concern ervation of native arts and authority of the Scripture; (2) to youth. crafts, for social intercourse and the Trinity, including the deity religious expression. They de- of Christ and the personality of -The Christian Century.
cided to call their club "The the Holy Spirit; (3) the fall of Women's Committee," and on man, his moral depravity, and Lutheran Church Leaguers each island the pastor's wife was his need of regeneration; (4) Interest in the education of made the leader. the atonement through the sub- youth tow a r d international Returning to visit the islands, stitutionary death of Christ; peace and continued support of Miss Downs found the women no (5) justification by faith in mission work through a special longer apathetic, but eager to Christ, apart from works; (6) project were the outstanding show what they were trying to the bodily resurrection of Christ, features of the twenty-first bien- do. In Nanumea they had re.- and also of the saved and the un- nial convention of the Luther vived their art of making beauti- saved; (7) the unending life of League of America at Spring- ful fans decorated with seabirds' the saved and the unending pun- field, Ohio, in July. The sessions feathers; in Nui the women were ishment of the unsaved; (8) the brought together between six making mats with patterns of personal, bodily and visible re- and seven hundred young people secret native dyes. In Nanu- turn of Christ. and leaders from the United maga there was a new taro plan- Lutheran churches throughout tation w h i c h their Women's Presbyterians in World the United States and Canada.
Committee had made in the face Council Climaxing the mISSIOnary of a good deal of jeering from Last June Montreal, most project for the past biennium the men; the women had grown Catholic of any large city in this much-valued food product North America, entertained the with a gift of more than $11,000 by dividing the swamp into General Council of the "Re- for a community center building workable sections with walls of formed Churches throughout the at T'ai Tung Chen in the foreign coral from the reef, and in them World Holding the Presbyterian mission field in Chi n a, the making soil from rubbish and System." The central theme Luther League of Arne ric a rotting vegetation; Nanumaga was "The Church in Modern adopted another $10,000 project had in the past been one of the Life." for the coming biennium. This poorest islands,. and liable to time the objective will be the famine, but here was a source of An advance was made in the complete furnishing of a medical prosperity. The women of Niu- unification of Reformed Chris- center established at Konnarock, tao were especially interested in tians. The Reformed Church of Virginia, for southern mounmaking soap from caustic soda. Denmark was admitted to mem- _taineers. bership in the Alliance, now Last year, the triennial church comprehending more than two The Convention of 1939 will conference saw women delegates hundred church groups through- be held at Long Beach, Cali- fornia.
for the first time, eager to ex- out the world. The Reformed Bible Teaching in Kansas change ideas and report achieve- Church of France announced the ments, and to draw up a list of completion of union among all Kansas City, Kansas, has comproposals for future develop- Reformed Churches in France, pleted thirteen years of religious
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
education of its school children. many new people have been seek- sacrifices, without ever obtain- The Council of Religious Educa- ing association with the church ing healing for my poor chiltion, representing all denomina- during recent months that he dren. When my second child betions, sponsors this work. The has been completely "snowed came dangerously ill, I went to Jews are interested but as yet under." Throughout the spring consult a witch doctor and asked not participating. and early summer season every him if he could heal my child. service has been conducted in a He assured me that he could, There are 74 church schools, packed church, and with the provided that I would give him enrolling 91 per cent of public coming of fall the pastor believes thirty dollars. I offered him scholil pupils. The courses are it may become necessary to con- twenty dollars, which he acplanned to correlate with the duct two morning services. cepted. I paid him half the sum work of each grade in public on the spot. But on my way school from October to the end LATIN AMERICA back to get the balance of the of April. Classroom work in- money, a messenger came to tell cludes Bible memorizing, Bible Liquor Ban in Mexico me that the child was dead. I reading, Biblical and character- saw that I was being deceived by building stories and dramatiza- Within ten years statesmen the devil. As a respected antion, notebook and expressional below the Rio Grande, led by cestor of my family was a Chriswork. President Cardenas, hope to tian, I had often heard him speak complete the prohibition of alco- of God, so I told my wife I was -Women's Missionary holic beverages. Governors of going to Port-de-Paix to find out Magazine. all states have helped by order- about Him. ing municipalities to cease issu- Texas Wars on Evil ing licenses for saloons, to cut At a service held by the Hai- down the production of alcohol tian Gospel Mission at Port-de- Texas legislators are out to gradually but none the less Paix I first heard the Gospel. "clean up." In special session surely, and to trim the sales they have outlawed pari-mutuel through higher and higher taxes. After attending services for gambling on horse races, pro- The governor of Coahuila has some time, one Sunday my wife hibited the operation of bookies, gone even farther. He has acted said to me, "Wait for me, I am abolished dog races and insti- to stop the vending of liquor on going also." Since then, not only tuted such an anti-gambling cru- all trains passing through tl}e has God in His mercy saved my sade as has seldom been seen state. The main line of the Na- wife and myself, but He has also anywhere in the whole country. tional Railways of Mexico, healed my child who was para- The Texas supreme court has carrying many passengers be- lyzed from birth. definitely ruled out lotteries. tween Laredo, Tex., and Mexico The Dallas News, the Houston City, is affected, for the route -Haitian Gospel News. Post, and other leading dailies for many miles lies through have ceased the publication of Coahuila, with a stop at Saltillo, Religious Census in Venezuela racing results. In nearly all of the capital of the state. The govthe several counties voting by ernor gives this explanation for The Government of Venezuela local option recently, liquor has his order: vendors from pass- is making a survey and census been outlawed. Anti-vice squads ing trains have sold intoxicants of all religious work and workare also being called into action. to the villagers along the way, ers in the country, collecting full checking the good work that was data regarding the work of both -Christian Century. being accomplished by means of Catholics and Evangelicals. The prohibition in the country towns. purpose is to decide on some "Church of the Lighted Since the government now con- policy regarding the admission Window" trols the railways, this order of foreign religious workers. should be easy to enforce. No disposition to oppose the The Lutheran Church of the work is indicated, but it is pro- Redeemer in Atlanta, Ga., is -Christian Advocate. posed to fix the number of those gaining state-wide recognition who may be admitted, and when as "The Church of the Lighted From Darkness to Light that n u m b e r is established, Window." It is the custom each others will be admitted only night to light up the large color- A convert from heathenism in when some of those at present in ful front window. The effect of Haiti gave the following testi- the country leave for furlough the window is so unusual that it mony on the occasion of his bap- or other reasons. has attracted the attention of tism: "From my earliest life I people throughout that section. put myself under the protection In view of the tremendous A recent monthly publication of of demons. I built a small house, need, it is hoped that new misthe Georgia Power Company, and furnished it expressly for sionaries may be admitted, espewhich lights the window, car- their reception. I had two sick cially those who are accepted ried front-cover pictures of the children one of which had never and waiting to enter. church with particular reference walked from birth. I spent to its beauty and the unique cus- everything I possessed in pay- -Moody Institute Monthly. tom of lighting the window. ment to the witch doctor and in "Voice of the Andes" The pastor reports that so Senor Manuel Aldama was born in the Basque Province of
Spain, trained for the priest- then asked, "Will you read the they can understand, they are hood, became Professor in the University of Santander, was book if I give to to you?" surprised by songs of deliver- converted to evangelical Chris- tianity in 1925, and after in- "Gladly," said the gentleman, as ance, victory and blessed assur- struction in the Bible Training Institute, Glasgow, was accepted he rose to leave the bus. ance ; they are moved by the by the Evangelical Union of South America, for work in When he had gone, the work- words of sympathy expressed by Lima, Peru. Here he took up the ing man said, "It is a funny the pastor, and cannot believe editorial work of the Mission thing, but that text was my their eyes when they see him press and the translation of the mother's favorite, too. I have mourn with the bereaved fam- Sunday school lessons. His gone a long way on the wrong ily. Thus it is that a Protestant mastery of Spanish and his fa- funeral service conducted in a miliarity with Romanism en- road since those days." The Roman Catholic country is a abled him to contribute largely woman gave him a Gospel of St. great opportunity to put the to the development of the Evan- John, which he promised to read, truth of the Gospel before the gelical Church of Peru. and went on her way praying people.
Recently, a call has come to that both might be touched by About 2,000 people assembled him to full-time cooperation in the Word that giveth Light." the only Evangelical broadcast- ing station in South America, La -Life of Faith. for the funeral of a young Voz de los Andes (The Voice of mother, whose last words were, the Andes). This Voice of the Andes operates from Qui t 0, The Gospel in Spain "Whether I die or live, I am the Ecuador, and was established Lord's." The Mayor, the Town some five years ago by an inde- Opinion is divided as to the Council, the teaching staff of the pendent worker from Chicago. religious outlook in Spain. Some high school with their 400 chil- believe that opportunity for Gos- dren, and many notables had The Board of the Evangelical pel teaching will be assured if gathered to pay homage to the Union of South America is set- the government wins, while deceased. The first meeting be- ting Sr. Aldama free for this others are convinced that the gan at the home; another meet- special service. He will combine government is not only anti- ing followed at the Mission Hall, with this ministry some service clerical, but anti-Christian. Rep- and the last one took place in for the British and Foreign resentatives of Anglican and Bible Society throughout the Re- Free Churches of Great Britain the cemetery. At each place the public of Ecuador. went to Spain recently to gain Gospel was listened to by thou- first-hand information. They sands who had followed the pro- -The Christian. were given full liberty of move- ceedings from half-past one till ment, and upon returning to five o'clock in the afternoon. As EUROPE England reported as follows: a result, the evangelist had many requests for interviews. . "The Entrance of Thy Word" We found no evidence of an organ- -Belgian Gospel Mission. A member of the Pocket Tes- ized "Godless" propaganda such as tament League was riding in an exists in Soviet Russia. We were un- Paul's Speech on Mars Hill English bus with two other pas- able on inquiry to hear of any carica- sengers – an elderly business Unlike the ancients, tourists man and a working man. The tures of God, of Christ, or of the who go to Athens are not search- business man leaned across the Virgin and Saints, such as have been ing for "some new thing," but bus and asked the woman, features of "anti-God" propaganda in for things associated with the "Would you like to read my other countries. On the other hand, past. With this in view, one of paper?" "Thank you," she said. members of our party found copies of Mr. Rockefeller's projects has "Would you like to read my the Scriptures offered freely for sale been the restoration of the Par- book," holding out the New Tes- on street bookstalls. The situation in thenon; and because it is fitting tament. He took it, and after regard to religion in Spain was that something far more signifi- glancing at the page said, "Why summed up to us by a very acute cant than the friezes of Praxit- did you give me this?" "Why English observer of dispassionate eles should be remembered, Mrs. did you give me the paper?" she views, one who knows Spain well and Josephine Demas, daughter of countered. "Because the news is is himself a practicing Catholic, in the one of the most famous archi- interesting this morning," he following terms :-"There is a strong said. "My book is interesting anti-clerical movement but no anti- every morning." He looked God movement in Spain." again at the book. "This is my mother's favorite text, John -The Christian. 5: 24. It is years since I have read it." The P. T. L. member Evangelizing at Funerals tects in Athens, has urged upon the municipality the enshrining Great is the astonishment of of Paul's speech in the rock of Catholics in Belgium when they Mars Hill. T~e press an~ a attend their first Protestant number of emment Athemans funeral. They are familiar with – have. backed the proposal ~nd the pomp and ceremonies of the dIrector of.the A~cheologlCal their own funerals, the mo- Bureau has gIven hIS endorse- notonous recital of the Latin ment. He says that £350 to £400 liturgy, the gestures of the offi- is ne.e~ed,. and h.e hopes .that t~e ciating priest and his apparent ~umc}pahtr ~Il~ prOVIde ~~IS indifference to grief. At a Prot- relatIvely mSIgmficant sum.
estant funeral they hear things -Christian Advocate.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Paid Persecutors in Galicia Church has extended its serv- while Pravda laments the inac- ice and the social side of the tivity of the "Godless League." The National Lutheran Coun- Church as a colony center has cil is authority for the report not been neglected. Spiritually, This new life is particularly that agitators in Poland are be- there are the regular services noticeable in the country. Heads ing paid approximately 120 zloty the Church Festival6bservances' of collective farms even conduct per month to persecute members and th?se on national holidays; Church Councils, and other colof the Lutheran Church and MemOrIal Day, Fourth of July lective farms permit Bible readcompel them to return to the Thanksgiving Day and the like: ing, ch?ir singing, and evening Catholic Church from which The names of Ambassador W. entertam~nts. It is also anthey originally came. In a re- E. Dodd and Consul-General nounced that the number of cent legal process it was re- General Jenkins are on the members of the Militant Godless vealed that one such agitator Church Council roll. League has decreased from was offered a bonus of 50 zloty 5,000,000 in 1933 to less than for every person he succeeded in -Lutheran News. 2,000,000. Five anti-religious intimidating to return. But even though there are constant Religious Freedom in Russia museums in the provinces have difficulties and hardships the been closed. A correspondent Ukrainian peasants are firmly The much-heralded religious in another paper notes that the steadfast, and manifest an ever- freedom promised by the new jeering at religion has largely increasing interest in the Gospel constitution of Soviet Russia gone. turns out to be a disappointof Jesus Christ. ment. Four conditions must be AFRICA Christian Convention in Italy a~op:pvrocvleosd~d,be.if~oorepenaendy. Tchheurpcoh~ Student Alliance in Alexandria The Director of Spezia Mis- htIcal rehabIlIty of the petition- as Young Emgaytpetriiaanlissttiucdaenndtsiarrree~ ers "must be above suspicion." a rule, sion writes: "Those who can go The church must be more than 15 minutes' walk from a school ligious; their education is of the freely to Christian conferences the condition of the building must be above criticism, there sort to make them vain, shallow, and share the fellowship of kin- must be no protest from the local organization of the godless. selfish. For this reason Chrisdred minds know little of the tian work among them advances According to official Soviet grave difficulties to be sur- figures, 14,000 churches and slowly. But a young men's club chapels were closed in 1935 and mounted, the severe testing of 3,700 priests, preachers' and known as the "Christian Alliance other servers of the churches of Young Men," reports some faith, the patience, and the condemned, twenty-nine of them to death. prayers involved in accomplish- progress. On the other hand a renewal mg such a gathering in Italy. of spiritual life is appearing. In Two Bible classes and other the province of Swerdlovsk the prayer – meetings are h e I d But God worked what seemed to population have requested that at~eist propaganda be stopped. us miracles indeed, in breaking ThIS movement began in the in- weekly; Copts, Moslems and dustrial districts, where almost Jews sing hymns together and down obstacles." the whole population consisted of factory workers. Collections Representatives cam e from are held among the workers to study God's Word; the numbers restore the churches and rebuild far and near, and the organizers them. A Czech correspondent are increasing. Two young men wr!tes that !Ie found a newly !Iad their hands full, in arrang- bUIlt church m almost every vil- have been converted recently lage in the neighborhood of Mosmg for the accommodation and cow. In some of the collective one a Copt, one a Greek. ' farms, club buildings are being the meals for those to whom they set up to get the church free The members of this Alliance once more. gave so warm a welcome. are asked to sign a basis stating Religious Interest in Russia T~e supreme point of the Con- that they are uniting with other It seems unquestioned that reventIOn was the service in the ligion is reviving in Russia to a young men who know the Lord degree disturhing to commu- Church of Casa Alberto, which nists. W 0 r l d Evangelization as Saviour, and desire to bring mentions a town of 4,500 which was crowded,-a long and won- has 30 religious organizations, others into the Kingdom. Twelve derful service. It included the baptism of groups of those who members have signed. -Life of Faith. at La Spezia and at Leghorn'
had recently tfhoeuncdelCebhrraitsit~nanodf Medical Service to Felahe'en ended with Dr. Harpur of the Church the Lord's Supper. Missionary Society founded a hospital in Old Cairo 48 years -Life of Faith. ago which is still known 'to Egyptians, especially the fela- American Church in Berlin heen, as "Harmel," a corruption of Dr. Harpur's name. The Despite the fact that the felaheen are a lovable and Ame~ICan Colony in Berlin is friendly people, though ignorant and superstitious; it is from growmg. smaller, the American this class that the majority of Church m that city is growing the patients are drawn. They ~tronger both financially and in are almost overcome by the mfluence. Truly American is strangeness of being put into the "Ladies Aid Society" in the form ?f an active Sewing Guild. The hbrary connected with the
beds with sheets and blankets, favor the Westernization of the ing developments, avoiding un- instead of lying in a dark and country. There is a movement necessary risk and exposure of dirty corner, surrounded with in the Egyptian University to missionaries, and at the same noise and clatter, the talking of introduce compulsory Moslem time gradually reducing ex- relatives and neighbors, and the religious equcation and to abol- penditures in view of the uncer- noise of animals and chickens. ish coeducation. The Dean of tainties of the future.
Arabic texts are painted in red Arts in the University thinks The Italian Minister of For- on the white walls, giving a there is nothing in the Koran eign Affairs has informed the touch of brightness t~ the whole; against coeducation, while the American Ambassador at Rome instead of being thought too Rector of EI-Azhar University is that "The Italian Government much bother to be looked after, against it. has decided not to entrust to for- the patients are treated kindly The Westernizing faction ig- eigners whatever may be the re- by the Egyptian staff of nurses. nores the Ramazan Fast, neg- ligion they profess, the work of Biblewomen and evangelists lects the study of the Koran, establishing schools in terri- have prayers for half an hour in seldom prays in the Masjids and tories of Ethiopia." The com- the mornings in the out-patient encourages their women to dis- munication also states: "Should departments; for those in the card the veil. An article in a pro- foreign missionaries wish to con- wards prayers twice each day. Moslem paper declares that tinue their other humanitarian Recently some of the Egyptian "Most Egyptian households, es- and philanthropic activities, out- men nurses have been singing pecially those in high life, have side the field of education, their hymns and giving a talk on Sun- no prayer-carpet, and no copy requests for permission will be day evenings to the patients in of the Koran, and do not know considered in due time and after the men's hospital. what these are." de jure recognition of the Italian -Life of Faith. -World Dominion Press. empire is an accomplished fact."
Missionaries can scarcely see Faith and Freedom Times of Trial how evangelistic and medical The February number of Protestant missions are rapid- work can be carried on success- Faith and Freedom calls atten- fully without at least some type tion to the new constitution of ly disappearing from Ethiopia. of educational institution. the Soviet Union, in which many Mussolini's own paper, the Gior'- nale d' ltalia, has carried a front -United Presbyterian.
have seen the end of the struggle page story predicting the end of Liberia's Hinterland against church and worship; Protestant work. The Swedish for protection of religious con- missionaries and three Ameri- The native population of Liviction is expressly guaranteed can independent mlSSlOnaries beria, divided into many tribes, in the new project. This in no have been expelled, and the prop- is about 1,000,000 of good, virile erty of the Sudan Interior Mis- stock. The Liberians, who are sense means that a change has sion has been requisitioned. the descendants of liberated Necome about in the attitude of offi- groes brought to Africa by the cial circles towards church and The pastor of the Swedish United States and Great Britain religion, or that the time of per- church in Addis Ababa, Kes Ba- about 120 years ago, now numsecution is past. The Soviet at- dima, has grown old and gray ber about 12,000, and are the titude remains the same. The in the service of his Lord, and ruling group of the country. new policy means that those re- knows what it is to be chained sponsible must carryon with the and driven from place to place The Methodist C h u r c h of eradication of church and reli- for his faith. His son was killed America has been active in gious life, though they must not during the riots. He spoke often spreading the Christian mesthereby injure too greatly the of the keeping power of God, sage, and churches now number religious conviction of the peo- and of his longing for the day 102. The great need is to peneple. Stalin has said, "Why when his earthly pilgrimage trate the thick bush country of should one be actively unmerci- would be ended. He told count- the interior, where live most of ful? One must explain the harm- less people how God had judged the natives who have been pracfulness of religion to the young Ethiopia, and warned the-:n tically unreached with the Goswith patience, and supply them against the final judgment. He pel. A pioneer mission penewith propaganda for a material- encouraged those who were trated for 200 miles to Ganta istic outlook as the only scientific weak, gave liberally to the poor, and there organized a station a one !" Communist patience will and not even the great slaughter few years ago, and a road for 80 in future be set against Chris- of February shook his faith in miles of this distance has been tian and religious patience; but the least. -Alliance Weekly. _ made. For three years a doctor the extirpation of church and and his wife have labored here, religion is still the purpose. Ethiopian Situation then sleeping sickness claimed them and forced them back to The V nit e d Presbyterian Modernism in Islam Board has not been willing to the States. A similar effort by abandon established work in another doctor and his wife was A conflict is going on in Egypt made three years ago to reach between those who would revive Ethiopia unless obliged to do so. the tribes in the hinterland of interest in Islam and those who They have been watchfully wait- Barclayville, sit u ate d in the
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
southeastern corner of Liberia. ble and Prayer Circle, a move- 'the blood of martyrs is the seed Sickness again defeated a fine ment which has grown out of of the Church," for not long aftwork, and the workers have been the evangelistic ministry of Mr. er Rasalama's execution church compelled to return to the States. G. A. Gush, a colporteur-evan- membership increased tenfold, gelist who was at one time a and the adherents twentyfold. The Firestone Rubber Com- farmer, and who was converted pany have cleared 70,000 acres during a mission conducted by -The Chronicle. of jungle and planted it with Gipsy Smith in South Africa, rubber trees, 15,000 acres of about thirty-three years ago. Call for Protestant Unity which are now bearing. This has Those who found Christ through greatly increased prosperity in Mr. Gush are to be found all Dr. Daniel A. Poling, inter- Liberia. over South Africa today; and national president of Christian there are hundreds, especially Endeavor, told a group of hear- -World Dominion Press. among the European population ers in Grand Rapids, Mich., re- of the eastern Cape Province, cently that Protestant Christian- Angola Leper Work where the Prayer Circle has been ity, instead of being in a posi- the result of a hunger for deep- tion to conduct a successful of- A large part of the work con- er spiritual life. fensive against the powerful nected with the Camundong~ forces opposing the Church, Leper Colony, Angola, South Af- The Prayer Circle is an unde- might be unable to maintain its rica, is undertaken by the lepers nominational body made up of own position. Among these opthemselves. It was considered many praying bands in cities, posing forces he cited militant impracticable to send nurses or towns and villages. The differ- Shintoism in Japan; a united orderlies from the station to the ent bands meet on different eve- Hinduism in India, Burma and villages; the more intelligent nings~ and each has its own Siam; a united, world Bud- Christian lepers were therefore method and procedure; but dhism; Mohammedanism, shaktaught to use the hypodermic twice a year there is a large ing off its age-old superstitions; syringe, and to administer chaul- gathering in a central place. the German Neo-pagan movemoogra oil treatment. Only ment, and Communism. Christians, and those who can -Life of Faith. read the Bible and preach the Under the slogan "Christ for Gospel, are sent out. Dlalagasy Centenary the Crisis," Christian Endeavor has adopted a program of ob- Christian lepers have also en- Among this year's centenaries jectives that have to do with gaged in evangelistic work. Re- is that of the martyrdom of Ras- world peace, cooperation in the cently a party, many of them alama, Malagasy Christian, in enactment and enforcement of advanced cases, set out on a the reign of Ranavalona I, "ty- law support for Christian mismission of testimony, traveling rant queen of Madagascar." sions at home and abroad, the from village to village, telling During her reign of thirty-three furtherance of economic justice what had been done for them, years from sixty to eighty pro- and racial good will, and the and preaching the Gospel. This fessing Christians were publicly fight against alcohol and narcombined medical and evangel- put to death; s 0 m e were cotics. istic work is meeting with great speared, others burnt, and many response. -Life of Faith. stoned. Later, 500 died from -Presbyterian Tribune. the poison ordeal. Of those who Congo Prayers voluntarily confessed the i r Interesting Documents Christian faith, 400 officers were A missionary has w r itt e n reduced in rank and 2,000 were The Life of Faith reports that down some of the prayers of fined, while an unknown number half a million private journals men and women in the Congo. suffered privation and under- and letters sent home by mis- Here are two of them. mined health as they hid away sionaries in Africa, India, China in mountain fastnesses, or up and the West Indies, during the We have two hands each full of to their necks in rice bogs. last 140 years are to be reclassiseeds, seeds of goodness and seeds of fied by experts and preserved in evil. Day by day we scatter thfs8 Rasalama, 39 years of age, fireproof rooms at Livingstone seeds. Father in lieaven, help us to sang cheerfully most of the way House, Westminster, England. fill both hands with good seeds. Daily to her execution, and when This task will take two years. I seem to scatter evil seeds, and as reaching the spot where she was The documents include letters yet I am not worthy to go and tdi to be martyred, she asked per- from the first missionaries to others of Jesus. mission to kneel in prayer, and reach Tahiti, in 1797; from Dr. in that posture she was speared John Philip, who defended the * ** to death. rights of the Kaffirs in South Africa; Robert Moffat, during As the charcoal burns in the fire of Today, Rasalama's cottage his pioneer days in Southern the village smithy, and is consumed as still stands as she left it. There Rhodesia; David Livingstone; it makes the iron hot, so let me burn is a strong church here under Robert Morrison, the first transout in Thy service, 0 God, my King the London Missionary Society, lator of the Bible in Chinese; and Lord. and Christians can worship W. G. Lawes and James Chal- without fear of consequences. mers, of Papua; and from many -Wonderlands. It has been literally true that others.
Young People's Prayer Circle Between 500 and 600 people attended the fifteenth rally of the United Young People's Bi-
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Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information I ~i==============–=-=~ TWENTY-FIVE "BEST BOOKS" IN THE STUDY OF MISSIONS TO MOSLEMS PREPARED BY THE REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D.
Editor of "The Moslem World"; author of "Arabia, the Cradle of Islam," etc., etc.
Shortly after the World War 3. The Origin of Islam in Its signon's Annuaire du Monde a German scholar, Gus t a v Christian Environment. By Musulman. Paris. 1934. Pfannmuller compiled a Hand- Richard Bell. $3.50. Macbook of Literature on Islam and Millan, New York. 1926. 8. Christendom and IrSlam. By missions to Moslems. It com- W. W. Cash. $2.00. Harpprised over four hundred pages The writer gives the back- ers, New York. 1937. and over two thousand titles. ground of the new religion in Since that survey appeared, in- Arabia and indicates the sources A succinct account of the conterest in Islam as a world prob- of its strength and vigor. . tacts between Christendom and lem, and in missions, has not de- Islam and the influence for good creased. For one who has him- 4. Islam: Beliefs and Institu- and ill mutually exerted by Cruself written more than twenty- tions. By H. Lammens. sades and conquests. five books on Islam and Missions 8's. 6d. Methuen, London. to be asked to select twenty-five 1929. 9. An Eastern Palimpsest. By "best" books is therefore some- O. Wyon. 2s. 6d. World what an embarrassing task. A careful analysis of the creed Dominion Press, New York. New books (like new art, new and practice in Islam. Full of 1928. wine, or new violins) are not information and accurate in all always better than the old. Yet its statements. A brief account of missions in the latest view may be the only the Near East with maps and true picture of a scene that has *5. The Legacy of Islam. By statistics. witnessed kaleidoscopic changes. Sir Thomas Arnold and We have therefore selected some Others. Oxford. 1931. *10. Moslem Women Enter a new and some old volumes, while New World. By Ruth scores of others here omitted are A compendium of what the F ran c e s Woodsmall. "best" in their own field. The West owes to Islam in literature, $3.00. R 0 u n d Table titles marked with an asterisk art, architecture, science, phi- Press, New York. 1936. are popular and suitable for losophy and culture. No other younger readers also. book contains such fascinating The most recent book on the material on the "glory of Islam." subject and gives the brighter r. MOHAMMED AND ISLAM: side of the picture. Needs to be 6. The Koran (translated). By supplemented by present-day re- 1. Mohammed the Man and His E. H. Palmer. 80 cents. ports of women – missionaries Faith. By Tor Andrae. Pocket edition. Oxford Uni- who live close to the illiterate Scribners, New Y 0 r k. versity Press, New York. masses. 19.36. 1929. 11. The Moslem World of To- The latest attempt to evaluate The most idiomatic transla- day. Edited by John R. Mohammed's character. It is tion of the Koran with valuable Mott. $2.50. Doran, New fair and discriminating. Shows introduction and good index. York. 1926. how much Mohammed owed to Nestorian Christianity. II. EXTENT AND CHARACTER OF This consists of a series of monographs by missionaries and THE MOSLEM WORLD: orientalists on present-day as- pects of the problem, education, *7. Across the World of Islam. the press, medical work, etc. By S. M. Zwemer. $3.00.
2. Mohammed and the Rise of Revell & Co., New York. III. MISSIONS TO MOSLEMS: Islam. By D. S. Margo- 1929. liouth. $2.50. Putnam, THEIR VALIDITY, HIS- New York. 1905. A statistical and political sur- vey of the Moslem world and its TORY AND CHARACTER. The best brief life story of the missionary opportunity. Lacks Prophet; fully documented from a clJ,apter on the Near East and *12. Henry Martyn, Confessor original sources. should be supplemented by Mas- of the Faith. By Con- stance E. Padwick. S. C. M., London. 1922.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the R~IllW publishers on receipt of price.
[510 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
The best life of the first mod- it deserves special mention. Full They teach a lesson without the ern missionary to Islam. of inspiration. necessity of pointing a moral. Children, parents and teachers 13. Modern Movements Among 21. The Arab at Home. By Paul will find these tales delightful Moslems. By S. G. Wil- and helpful. son. $1.50. Revell, New W. H a r r i son. $3.50. York. 1916. Africa and Christianity. By Diedrich Crowell, New York. 1924. Westermann. 221 pp. $2.25. Ox- Excellent, especially on Iran, ford University Press. New York. but not quite up-to-date. One of the best books for the 1937.
*14. The Persian Journey of the study of the Arab mind and soul Dr. Westermann of Berlin, Rev. Ash ley Wishard, the author of "Africa Today," is etc. By Elgin Grosclose. by one who has lived close to this one of the best-informed and $2.50. Bobbs – Merrill, people and loves them. . most interesting writers on Af- Indianapolis. 1937. rica from a Christian point of *22. The Expansion of Islam. view. He is professor of African A novel full of missionary ap- By W. W. Cash. 38.6d. languages at the University of peal and interest. Edinburgh House Press, Berlin and the material here London. 1929. presented was given in the Duff 15. History of the Arabian Mis- Lectures in Scotland in 1935. sion. By Mason & Barney, An excellent, popular general The author dwells on aspects of 25 East 22d Street, New survey. missionary work in Africa and York. the change this work is bringing 23. The Eclipse of Christianity about in the character, culture An account of thirty years' in Asia. By L. E. Browne. and condition of the people. He pioneer effort in the hardest of $3.50. Cambridge Uni- shows the old and new standards Moslem lands. versity Pre s s, London. and ideals in family and commu- 1935. nity life; the influence of Euro- 16. Vital Forces of Christianity pean commerce and control; the and Islam. 3s. 6d. Oli- Here is the history of Islam's changes in religious faith and phant, Anderson & Fer- penetration and spiritual con- practice-from superstition, ig- rier, London. 1915. quest of those lands in Asia norance, fear, to belief in God as where the Crescent has super- presented by missionaries. Dr. Six studies by missionaries to seded the Cross. Scholarly yet Westermann includes a chapter Moslems on Method of approach most interestingly written. on Christianity vs. Competition to the Moslem heart. with sects, with Islam and with 24. The Crescent in Northwest secularism-not c h e e r i n g to 17. Indian Islam. By Murray China. By G. Findley An- read; the growth of the Church; T. Titus. 12s. 6d. Ox- drews. China Inland Mis- and the production of Christian ford Press, New York. sion, London. 1922. literature. He does not hesitate 1930. to criticize missions construc- Sketch of Missions in North- tively as a friend. A scholarly survey of the his- west China. tory, character and peculiarities The information is general of Islam in India, its distribu- 25. A Desert Journal. By Evan- rather than specific for Africa is tion, and its present-day in- geline French & Mildred too large a continent to be sucfluence. Cable. $3.00. China In- cessfully dealt with in one short land Mis s ion, German- volume. For a general view, 18. Temple Gairdner of Cairo. town. 1934. however, this volume is highly By Constance E. Padwick. commended. It shows the prob- $3.00. Macmillan, New This book is a type of many lems and the progress noted in York. 1929. that tell of the daily life of Mos- two centuries of modern mis- lems and their attitude toward sions in Africa; also the forces The life of a versatile, schol- Christians in the great unoccu- for and against Christ and the arly and devoted missionary by pied areas. Church, forces that must largely one who is herself doing work determine the future of this for Moslems in all lands through OTHER RECENT BOOKS great continent. Christian literature. Stocking Tales. A Book of Stories Ablaze for God. By Mary W. Dunn 19. The Reproach of Islam. By for Children. By J. T. Stocking. Pattison. 317 pp. 38. 6d. Japan Temple Gairdner. C. M. Illustrated by Winifred Bromhall. Evangelistic Band, London. 1937. S., London. 119 pp. $1.25. Pilgrim Press. Boston. 1937. This is the biography of Paget There is no better textbook for Wilkes written by his sister. all who desire to know Islam as Dr. Stocking is a prince of Wilkes was born in Suffolk in it is and Christianity as it ought story-tellers, with lit era r y 1871, was educated at Oxford to be in witnessing for Christ. charm, a truly Christlike spirit, with Temple Gairdner, J. H. Not a lukewarm book, but full of imagination and a love for chilfire. dren. He fascinates adults and young people as well. His death *20. Young Islam on Trek. By has brought a great loss as his Basil Mathews. 25 cents. life was a great blessing to Friendship Press, New many. These stories are a mix- York. 1926. ture of fairy tale and parable.
This earlier textbook for mission study is so well written that
Oldham and Stuart Holden and the Plan of Union between Pres- meet are not so ready to be led." went to Japan to work with Bar- byterianism and Congregational- Doubtless Dr. Wilson has also clay Brocton in 1897. Later he ism and the controversy growing met many utterly indifferent to became the leader of the Japan out of it. the Word of God, who needed to Evangelistic Band, an undenom- be a wakened to a sense of sin. inational movement which em- Part Two is made up of docu- This is probably a selection of phasized direct evangelism and ments illustrating the frontier certain experience.'3 that show the "Second blessing." He was work of the Pre s b y t e ria n the great truth to be presented a man of great ability and of churches-an immense wealth of in Bible words to sinners, namepure devotion, whose motto source material. It is of course ly the way of justification and might well have been Henry ·only a fraction of what is avail- peace through the atoning death Martyn's "Now let me burn out able and a vast deal is of neces- of Christ. These true sketches for God." He mastered the Jap- sity omitted, many times as are very informing because they anese language and he inspired much as could be included; one show how thousands of people his associates, both Japanese and would rather have some of the who have gone to church and foreign, with his own zeal, and omitted material than that which have read the Bible for years, his consecration and sacrifice is included, some, for example, have never really understood the were a stimulus to many in the from the records of the old Penn- Gospel that Christ died for the missions of the British and sylvania presbyteries and from remission of sin, and that we American churches. At home, the period and area covered in are not saved by our own goodin England or in Canada or in Waddell's "Annals of Augusta ness, but by faith in Jesus South Africa, he conducted mis- County, Virginia, from 1726 to Christ. That is the one thing sions for the conversion of non- 1871." But we are grateful for that stands out in this book. We Christians and for the deeper the mass of old documents which must add this also that readers life of Christians. He was a Dr. Sweet has presented. They will be convinced that most Church of England evangelical enable us to enter intelligently Christians do not sufficiently and was a notable illustration of into the religious atmosphere of recognize the sinfulness of sin, the great body of British Chris- our country a century, and a cen- and the necessity of the shedding tians who move out on their own tury and a half ago, to realize of Jesus' blood; therefore they lines beyond the bounds of de- the social and cultural conditions do not feel impelled to seek the nominational action. He had the of that early time and, by such salvation of others. Finally, this Keswick mind, with a turn of a term of comparison, to see how book shows that Christians his own, and he served his Mas- far on we have come in true re- ought to know their Bibles and ter with his whole heart and ligion and Christian charity. be able to diagnose a soul's need mind and soul and strength. T9 and offer the remedy. We should read such a life is to have one's ROBERT E. SPEER. definitely study the book with own lethargy and reticence :r:e- this in mind. We may well note buked and to feel the glow of the The Romance of a Doctor's Visits. the Scripture passages used. New Testament discipleship at By Dr. Walter L. Wilson. 128 pp. Dull is the conscience of the work amid the conditions of our Is. Pickering & In~lis. London. Christian, either at home or on own day. 1937. the mission field, that will not be moved to personal work by read- Religion on the American Frontier. This small, easy-reading vol- ing this book. Vol. II, The Presbyterians, 1783- ume is one of the "World-Wide 1840. By William Warren Sweet. Library of Famous G 0 s pel FRANK LUKENS. 939 pp. $3.50. Harper & Brothers, Books." The author is a physi- New York and London. 1936. cian of some years' experience Consider Him. By Vance Havner. who but devotes much of his $1.00. American Bible Conference This volume by Dr. Sweet of time to Christian ministry. For Association. Philadelphia, Pa. 1937. the University of Chicago is the a number of years he regularly broadcast the morning Bible les- For those that like a "stimsecond in a series dealing with son over the radio station of the ulus" in Bible study and meditathe different denominations on Kansas City Star, and was said tion and desire a greater fellow- to have an audience of a million ship with the Spirit of God, this the early American frontier. people. book will be of great help. In it we find one hundred medita- The first volume dealt with the Here are twenty-eight short tions on some of the great pas- Baptists and the third is to deal pen-pictures of different persons sages of the Bible. These mediwit h the Congregationalists. seeking salvation whom he led tations were gathered by a Part One (125 pages of this to assured faith by use of Bible pastor from his everyday "walk volume) deals generally with passages. The cases represent and talk" with the Master and American Presbyterianism at all sorts and conditions of life, with his people in the parish. the close of the Revolution, the but the need and the solution In a book form they will inspire Presbyterians and Westward are practically the same in all. a much greater parish. To min- Expansion, the cultural and edu- The first impression on the read- isters they will serve as seeds of cational influence of the Presby- er is that everyone of these peo- thoughts for sermons. terians in the Early West, re- ple were seekers, conscious of vivalism and Presbyterian con- their sin, and wanting peace. A. H. PERPETUO. troversy, and the operation of Some may say, "The people I
Books Obituary Notes The
Across Africa in a Lorry. W. B. Red- (Concluded from page 449.) A weekly religious newspaper in mayne. 128 pp. $1.40. Zondervan. Grand Rapids. Dr. Edward M. Poteat, prominent its lo6th year of continuous pub- in Baptist work both North and South Books for the Traveler or Sojourner for two generations, died June 26, at Iication under the same name. in China. Harriet Hardison Rob- Raleigh, N. C. After a period of son. 24 pp. 25 cents. American years as preacher, college president, It is conservative and evangel- Council, Institute of Pacific Rela- and denominational worker, he went tions. New York. to China to be a professor in Shang- ical, gets its news by telegraph hai College. His son, Gordon Poteat, is Burmese Brothers. Story Lessons professor in Shanghai College; an- and keeps abreast of the times. for Little Children. Eleanor Mar- other son, Edwin M. Poteat, Jr., is a tin. 42 pp. 6d. S. P. G. London. prominent pastor in Raleigh. It goes into every state of the Union, the District of Columbia, Fun, Fear and Faith. The Story of *** the Church in Burma. Ruth Hen- and U. S. possessions. rich. 91 pp. 18. S. P. G. London. Dr. Danjo Ebina, Professor Emer- itus of Doshisha University, died in It goes to Asia and AFrica, South Cycle of Prayer and Praise, 19'37-38. Tokyo, on May 22. He first learned 100 pp. 68. S. P. G. London. about Christ from Gapt. L. L. Janes, America, Canada and New Zealand and afterwards was a member of the Christ of the Countryside. Malcolm first graduating class of Doshisha in and into twelve countries of Eu- Dana. 128 pp. $1.00. Cokesbury. 1879. He founded the Hongo Congre- Nashville. gational Church in Tokyo, was its rope. pastor until 1920 when he became Communism. John Horsch. 30 pp. university president. He was the Subscription Price, – 15 cents. B. I. C. Assn. Chicago. author of many books on Christianity. Ministerial Rate, The Land of Umbrellas. Lessons on *** the Church in Burma. Ruth Hen- 50c. extra—Canadian postage rich. 92 pp. Is. S. P. G. London. Emile Doumergue, for 66 years the leader of the French conservative $1.00 extra—foreign postage Flaming Milestone. Report of the theological group, died recently in World's Conference of the World France at the age of ninety-three. He THE PRESBYTERIAN Alliance of the Y. M. C. A.'s. 115 was the author of the Life of Calvin pp. World's Committee, Y. M. C. A. in seven volumes, and contributed 1217 Mark..t: Str….t, Philad..lphia, Pa. Geneva. editorially to the leading journal of Protestantism in France. He was not ciety, and president of the Bible Highland Heritage. Edwin E. White. in favor of church union for the sake League of North America. 196 pp. $1.00, cloth; 60 cents, of union. His was the phrase: "Fu- paper. Friendship Press. New sion without proper evangelical basis *** York. is nothing but confusion." Sir J. Charles Clegg, president of Is Not This a Brand? Percy Rush. *** the British Temperance League for 96 pp. Is. Pickering & Inglis. sixty-three years, died at Sheffield, London. Mrs. Elizabeth Murdoch Poage England, June 26. His most recent entered into rest at her home in Co- efforts in the cause of temperance was An Introduction to the New Testa- lusa, California, on July 4, at the age the preparation of a booklet, "Out to ment. Edgar J. Goodspeed. 362 of sixty–one. For forty years Mrs. Win." pp. $2.50. University of Chicago Poage had been an officer of the Press. Chicago. Sacramento Presbyterial and for nine *** years was president. The loss of her Little Talks to Little Folks. Charles service is keenly felt for she had been John T. Underwood, founder of the A. Puncker. 92 pp. Is. Pickering faithful in the performance of re- Underwood Typewriter Co., and & Inglis. London. sponsibilities both little and great. brother of Dr. Horace G. Underwood of Korea, died July 2. Mr. Under- Lessons in Soul Winning. Will H. Dr. Frederick H'" . W* ri*ght, who ren- wood was a former member of the Houghton. 23 pp. Free. Moody Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- Bible Institute. Chicago. dered effective service in both the sions, president of the Buckhorn As- heme and foreign work of the Metho- sociation of Kentucky, and a generous Medical Missions at Work. H. P. dit<: Episcopal Church, died June 11 supporter of work in Korea. Thompson. 82 pp. Is. S. P. G. in Ocean Grove, N. J., aged seventy- London. eight. He served as past)!· of the Gifts during his lifetime were con- Methodist Church in Rome from 1899 tinued in numerous bequests, among More Sources of Power in Famous to 1905. Some years later he becama them: $50,000 each to the Buckhorn Lives. Walter C. Erdman. 160 superintendent of the Italian Mission Association and to Chosen Christian pp. $1.00. Cokesbury Press. Nash- Conference under the Board of Home College; $20,000 to the Orphan ville. Missions and Church Extension. Asylum Society of Brooklyn; $10,000 each to the Lafayette Avenue Presby- Work of the Chaplain in the Civilian Mrs. Thomas *E. * Ba*rber, former terian Church of Brooklyn, the Pres- Conversation Corps. Col. Alva J. byterian Board of Foreign Missions, Brasted. 48 pp. Command & Gen- missionary in the Columbia Mission, the Brooklyn Bureau of Charities and eral Staff School Press. Ft. Leaven- Presbvterian, U. S. A., died in the the Brooklyn Museum. worth, Kansas. Pasad"ena Hospital, Pasadena, Cali- fornia on June 2. Most of Mrs. Bar- *** Women of the New Testament. ber's time during her 25 years on the Abraham Kuyper. $1.00, cloth; 65 field was spent in educational and Rev. Wilhelm Zoellner, D.D., for- cents, paper. 95 pp. Zondervan evangelistic work at Barranquilla, Bo- mer head of the Church Affairs De- Pub. Co. Grand Rapids. gota and Medellin. partment of the Nazi government and one-time leader in the ecumenical The West Indies. H. P. Thompson. *** movements of Stockholm and Lau- 70 pp. 18. S. P. G. London. sanne, died at Duesseldorf, July 17. Mr. William Philips Hall, for 26 The World, the Church and You. years president of the American Tract When, in December, 1936, Hitler Outlines for Group Study. 34 pp. Society, died on August 14 at Walling- ,rarned Nazi leaders to cease their at- 3d. Edinburgh House Press. Lon- ford, Conn., in his seventy-third year. tacks upon Christianity, part of the don. Mr. Hall was born at Stamford, credit was given to Dr. Zoellner, who Conn., on February 1, 1864. He was was reported to have warned the gov- Yahrbuch Der Ostasien Mission. 96 the founder and for many years the ernment that its anti-Church program pp. Allgemeiner Evangelische-Pro- president of the Hall Signal Co., vice- had gone too far. tantische Missionsverein. Berlin, president of the American Bible So- Germany.
The Man that Changed the World. Frederick B. Fisher. 208 pp. $2.00. Cokesbury Press. Nashville.
~o Noi MU4 A DAILY USE
THE •.. Cbt lIPPtf Room (America's Leading Devotional Guide) MOSLEM Will Lift the CONTENTS OF THE WORLD Level of the OCTOBER-NOVEMBER- Sfiritual Life A Christian Quarterly Review of o Any Church DECEMBER ISSUE Current Events, Literature and and Its Homes Thought Among Mohammedans Inte,.pretation of COf)er Picture, "Christ amont the Lowl," Editor: SAMUEL M. ZWEMER October 1-9 SOME ARTICLES IN THE The Christian and His Home OCTOBER NUMBER October 10·20 Herbert Udny Weitbrecht Stanton The Christian and His God By Samuel M. Zwemer Octobe,. 21-21 Missionary Adventure in the Sahara The Christian and the Christ By Dugald Campbell Octobe,. 28-31 Northern Nigerian Opportunity The Christian and the Holy Spirit By H. G. Farrant NOf)ember 1-6 Islam in India The Christian and Social Responsi. bility By James W. Sweetman NOf)ember 1-13 Moslem Women of North Africa Foundations for a Stable and Peace. By Frances E. Roberds ful Society The Joy of Preaching to Moslems N of)ember 14-20 By Stephen Khoobyar The Kingdom of God and the So· cial Order The Political Fortunes of Islam By G. L. Schanzlin NOf)embe,. 21-21 The Spirit of Thanksgiving and Hitti's History of the Arabs the Social Order By Nabih A. Faris NOf)ember 28-30 Also Book Reviews, Current Top. Working Together with God ics, Survey· of Periodicals, and the Index for the Year. December 1-11 The Christian and His Attitudes SUBSCRIBE NOW December 12-18 50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) The Christian and His Daily Walk THE MOSLEM WORLD December 19-25 156 Fifth Ave., New York City "Unto Us a Saviour Is Born"
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The Missionary Review of the World — May 1937
1937
A Visit to the Ainu of Japan Winburn T. Thomas Facts About Evangelism in Japan John Cuthbertson Why and How Should Christians Unite E. Stanley Jones The Centenary of Presbyterian Missions Herrick Black Young New Moving Pictures of Africa W m. L. Rogers How Christ Changes Life in Burma Brayton C. Case Missionaries Through Colored Glasses H. Kerr Taylor 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember due to my wife, to her beautiful, un-
May 2-Rural Life Sunday. CAMP.of.the·WOODS selfish Christian life." May 10000Luncheon of the Council of *** ~ '-"'-=N ./ ronLdaakceksP,leNaseawnt, in the Adi- Women for Home Missions, Hotel York. Alti- Dr. A. H. Henderson, veteran Bap- Biltmore, New York. tist missionary to Burma, died Feb- May ll–General Conference, United tude of 2,000 feet amid ruary 21 in Burma. Together Dr. Bl'ethren in Christ, Chambersburg, picturesque surroundings. An unusual and Mrs. Henderson have given al- Pa. place for rest, relaxation, moral uplift, most forty-four years of service to May 16-World-wide Day of Prayer. good cheer and delightful fellowship in the Shan people, May 18-21- National Convention of the Evangelical Women's Union, the Great 'Outdoors. Ocean-like beach, **• St. Louis, Mo. safe bathing, canoeist's paradise, golf, May 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- hiking, tennis, baseball, mo~ntain climb- Bishop William Oldham of the vention, Philadelphia, Pa. ing and other sports. Th1rty – seventh Methodist Episcopal Church, who for May' 26-General Assembly, United consecutive season. Gentile- Protestant many years had been a missionary in Presbyterian Church, Oak Park, Ill. clientele. Accommodations for men, – Asia and South America, died on May 27-General Assembly, Presby- women, and children, in twenty-two di- March 27 at Glendale, California, at terian Church in U. S. A., Colum- visions. Ninety counsellors, seventy the age of eighty-two. Wm. F. Old- bus, Ohio. young people in orchestra, sixty in b~nd. ham was born in Bangalore, India, the July 5-16-New Jersey Summer No jazz, dancing, or card plaY1ng. son of a British army officer. After School for Christian Workers, Women do not smoke. Physical and completing his education at the Madras Blairstown, N. J. spiritual health emphasized. Excellent Christian College, he heard an address July 8-13 – International Christian food-quality and quantity. Dining hall bv William Taylor, the evangelist, in Endeavor Convention. seats 625. Camp fills to capacity every 1875, and as a result decided to enter July 12-36 – World Conference on season. Early registration necessary. the ministry. Later he became a mis- Life and Work. Oxford, England. Rates reasonable. A beautifully illus- sionary of the Methodist Episcopal August 3-18 – World Conference on trated booklet, VACATION DAYS, giv- Church and went to Singapore. In Faith and Order. Edinburgh, Scot- ing information, mailed free on request. 1916 he was elected a bishop of the land. Address GEORGE F. TIBBITTS, Director, Church, and was assigned to South CAMP – of – the -WOODS, Speculator, America with headquarters in Buenos SUMMER CONFERENCES AND Hamilton County, New York. Aires. In many countries of South SCHOOLS OF MISSIONS America, in India and Malaysia, schools and churches were named in Council of Women for Home Mis- honor of Bishop Oldham. He was the sions and Affiliated with the L. Fry served as pastor in Lancaster, author of "Thoburn – Called of God" Committee on Women's Work, Pa., from 1881 until 1901, and then and other volumes. Foreign Missions Conference in Philadelphia for seven years. In 1926, after forty-seven years in the (List to be completed next month) ministry, he was special representa- tive of the Foreign Mission Board for We plan and plan, then pray June 20-26-Boulder, Colorado. the United Lutheran Church's field That God may bless our plan. June 21-27-Winona Summer School work in Buenos Aires. He had al- But hearken! God saith, "Pray!" And He will show His plan, of Missions. For information write ready served as Executive Secretary And lead us in His shining way to Mrs. John W. Walter, 1034 of the Lutheran Board of Church Ex- That leadeth on to perfect day. Mapleton Ave., Oak Park, Illinois. tension. June 26-July 3-Eagles Mere, Pa., **• JESSE ANDREWS. Miss Muriel C. Post, 907 Lindley Ave., Logan, Philadelphia. Mrs. George P. Pierson, an honor- II If you use July 7-15-Northfield, Mass. ably retired missionary of the Pres- June 17-26-Geneva Summer School. byterian Board of Foreign Missions, PRINTING Geneva, Wis. U. S. A., died on March 12, 1937, at July 17-24-Mt. Hermon, Calif. Philadelphia, Pa. Ida Goepp was YOU will profit from an ac- July 19-23-Bethesda, Ohio. born in Easton, Pa., on April 21, quaintanceship with us. We 1862; was graduated from Normal do the job complete in our own Obituary Notes College, now Hunter College, New plant. whether it be large Qr York, in 1883, and later studied in small. Grant K. Lewis, former Executive Switzerland and France. In 1890 she Secretary of the department of church was appointed by the Domestic and While our specialty is Books, development and evangelism in the Foreign Missionary Society of the Mag~ines and Pamphlets, yet division of Home Missions of the Protestant Episcopal Church to go to we have a variety of modem United Christian Missionary Society Japan where she taught in St.. Mar- equipment to meet all the reof the Disciples Church, died Feb- garet's Girls' School in Tokyo. On quirements of your particular ruary 22, at his home in Little Rock, June 12,1895, she was married to the job. You will find our service Ark., at sixty-eight years of age. Rev. George P. Pierson, a mission- prompt, careful and courteous. He was at the time of his death state ary of the Presbyterian Board in secretary' of the Arkansas Christian Japan. Mrs. Pierson was a fearless, Will you allow us to estimate Missionary Society. tireless and capable missionary, al- on your next printing? We be- ways ready to go to any part of the lieve you will be delighted with ••• field where there was need for vig- our product, price and service. orous pioneer service. She and Dr. The Rev. Charles Livingston Fry, Pierson exerted a broad and abiding The EVANGELICAL PRESS D.D., a retired Lutheran clergyman influence in the great northern island, who had held many church offices, Hokkaido. She was the author of the Print…. of died at his home in Germantown, on The Mwionary Review of the W01'Id March 19. He was 78 years old and book, "How the Holy Spirit Came to was born in Carlisle, Pa., the son of PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE the Rev. Dr. Jacob Fry. Dr. Charles the Hokkaido, Japan." After 38 years Third and Reily Streets Herrlsburg, P•• of service they were honorably re- tired in 1928. • * • Mrs. Annie Pennock Smith, wife of Gipsy (Rodney) Smith, died in Call}- bridge, England, March 5. In hIS autobiography Gipsy Smith wrote: "I do not think I shall ever know in this world how much of my success is
MISSIONARY Personal Items
REVIEW OF THE WORLD Dr. Worth M. Tippy has accepted. to the DELAVAN L. PIER80N, Editor a new responsibility in connection with the churches and social service ORIENT VOL. LX MAY, 1937 No.5 in Washington, D. C. He is to con- duct a special study and txperiment ROUND-TRIP REDUCTIONS publication and Business Office– to work out more adequate coopera- Third and Reily Ste., Harrisburg, Pa. tion between religious forces and Special Summer rates go into community agencies of the cIty. The effect May 15. Round trip to Editorial and Executive Office– experiment is being financed by a Yokohama, $256 up Tourist 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. group of laymen. Class; $456 up First Class. Entered as second-class matter at Similar reductions to other ports. *** Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under • Act of March 3, 1879. Dr. Robert M. Hopkins, General 10 DAYS TO YOKOHAMA Secretary of the World's Sunday 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. :::>chool t,;onvention, sailed for Europe Go direct fromVancouverand Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. and AfrIca, March 24, largely to pre- Victoria in 10 days by Em- 'Published monthly, except August. pare for the Thirteenth world's Sun- press oj Asia or Empress oj All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. day School Convention which is to b~ Russia. Only 3 more days via British agents – Marshall, Morgan held in South AfrIca in 1940. ThIS Hawaii by Empress ojJapan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, will be the first representative Chris- (fastest ship on the Pacific) London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, tian world gathermg scheduled for or Empress oj Canada. Con- 10 shillings a year. the continent of Africa, outside of nect at Honolulu from Cali- l!;gypt. fornia ports. Low round-trip MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- fares include passage from LISHING CO., INC. *** and to Seattle. BOARD OF DIRECTORS • Facilities are available for George C. Stebbins, long an asso- the celebration of ROBERT E. SPEER, President ciate of D. L. Moody and composer of Holy Mass. A. L. WARN8HUI8, Vice-President Gospel hymns, celeorated his ninety- WALTER MCDOUGALL, Treasurer first birthday, It'ebruary 26. At a ~r;a+ DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary service in honor of the event several hymns were sung, the music of which For rates and sailings, see SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT was composed by Mr. Stebbins. YOUR TRAVEL AGENT or Cana- Among these were "Some Day the dian Pacific: New York, Chi- WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN Silver Cord Will Break," "Have ca~o, San Francisco, 38 other D. J. FANT Thine Own Way, Lord," "There Is a cities in U. S. and Canada. Green Hill Far Away," "Take Time MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD to Be Holy," and "I've Found a WM. B. LIPPHARD Friend, 0, Such a Friend." ERIC M. NORTH SAMUEL M. ZWEMER *** Editorial Chat Dr. Eric M. North, General Secre- tary of the American BIble Society, Will you write to the editor of the saIled for Japan and China, February REVIEW? To serve the cause of Christ 20. This is the first visit of a Secreeffectively, and to help our readers, it tary of the American Bible Society to is important that the REVIEW shall the Far hoast in twenty-three years. not only stand true to the Word of Dr. North will study a new policy of God and give a Christian view of the cooperation with the British and Forworld, but that we meet your need for eign Bible SocIety and the Nation.ll information, suggestion and inspira- l:hble Society of :::>cotland, lookmg tion. To do this we must keep in liv- toward the creation of a Biule Society ing touch with our readers. in China.
Will you write to us to say how the *** REVIEW may help you and your work more definitely? What type of edi- Dr. Ikuzo Toyama, of the Imperial torials or articles would you like? University, Japan, has been elected How can our "M,ethods" Department president of St. Paul's University, serve you better – in suggestions on Tokyo, to succeed Dr. S. Kimura who missionary programs, addresses, work resigned last year. Dr. Toyama has with children and young people, mis- had an active interest in the Chrissionary education in the home or tian Church for the past thirty years. church, best books and periodicals on missions and mission lands? *** We ask not praise for what the RE- Dr. T. T. Lew, professor in the VIEW is doing, but constructive criti- School of Religion in Yenching Unicisms and suggestions. Will you co- versity, Peiping, has been appointed operate with us? a member of the legislative branch of the Chinese National Government. He *** has thus joined the growing number of Christians participating in the If you like the REVIEW, will you Government at Nanking, and will recommend it to others? Here is what have a distinct contribution as an edusome readers say: cator and a Christian to make to the formulation of national policies. "Your magazine is indeed helpful, particularly to those who have any- *** thing to do with the presentation of missionary programs." Rev. John W. Bowman, of the Presbyterian Punja(} Mission, India, MRS. E. A. LOWER. in view of the problem of the educa- Cincinnati, Ohio. tion of the children, has accepted a call for service in the Western The- *** ological Seminary of Allegheny, Penn- sylvania. "I congratulate you on the high levels which the MISSIONARY REVIEW [225 ] continues to hold. I have just been running through the March number."
ERNEST GORDON. Wayne, Pa.
AINU CHIEF AND HIS WIFE OBSERVING A "SAKE"
AN AINU CHIEF IN THE MIDST OF HIS HOUSEHOLD TREASURES A VISIT TO THE AINU OF NORTH JAPAN (see page 231)
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 5 MAY, 1937 Topics of the Times THE MILITANT GODLESS PROPAGANDA Congress was to promote world-wide agitation There are clear signs that the forces opposed to against all religion but chiefly against Christian- God and His sovereignty are becoming more and ity, and to establish an international fund for more aggressive in their battle against all religion antireligious propaganda. These agitators are -or recognition of a superhuman power to which opposed to liberty of conscience for they deny the man is subject. In some cases this anti-God atti- right to teach Christianity but insist on the right tude and activity takes the form of materialism; to teach atheism. The Christian Press Bureau in other cases extreme militarism, nationalism or says: the promotion of physical self-indulgence. In Weare confronted with a world-girdling organiza~ion America there are reported to be "anti-God" so~ against religion, an irrefutable testimony that the Church cieties in schools and colleges. In Russia and will meet an organized opposition whose equal has never other communistic circles there is active propa- been known in the history of the world. Probably there ganda with training of youth against any belief in have always been godless and atheists; and many and a superhuman God. Perhaps the sharpest, most strong attempts have been made to conquer Christianity. concerted attack on Christ and all religion in the But these attempts have, for the most part, been rather history of the world centers in Russia today. planless and scattered. One can think about the great French Revolution when they first "deposed" God and In Russia, Joseph Stalin, the Secretary~Gen later, after further consideration, appointed Him again; eraI of the Communist Party, and the practical or about the war of the Roman Empire against Chrisdictator of Soviet Russia, is almost deified but at tianity which, however, in all its recklessness and bruthe same time is bitterly opposed to any belief in tality was groping and uncertain. Now, however, it is an God. The Swiss Protestant Press Service reports announced unswerving intention to eradicate all religion (in The Dawn) a recent speech in which he said: and every religious conviction and feeling.
We consider all religion as our worst enemy. The In Russia this war has been going on for eighteen years, struggle against religion must be carried on relentlessly. and the goal is to deprive 160,000,000 people of God and There can be no compromise with religion whose aims are every thought about God. Already the Red Government basically opposed to ours. We may change our tactics in has beaten every record. In the old Russland there were the struggle against religion. Violence was used during 120,000 churches and chapels, and over half of these have the past 20 years, but now intellectual means must be now been entirely destroyed, and many are being used adopted. The final stage will be reached when religion as clubs for the godless, as theatres, and as storage will only exist as a thing of past history. This is our goal. houses. In Moscow alone eight hundred churches and monasteries have been destroyed or closed. Last year, in Russia, 14,000 churches, chapels, synagogues and other places of worship were It is estimated that in these eighteen years, 42,800 closed, and the· Secret Police took proceedings clergymen have been placed in Russian Concentration against 3,687 priests of all religions, of whom 29 Camps! The methods are chiefly violence and force, but were condemned to death. According to the Rus- economic coercion is used also. According to statements sian Constitution of 1929, atheism is the only made by Stalin they will now stop using violence and begin creed that is conceded the right to active propa- a so-called "spiritual war." It had been estimated that ganda. all religion should have been eradicated by the first of May this year, but a delay must be allowed for. They The Christian Press Bureau of Copenhagen, still have the goal in mind, however: the last church Denmark, reports a "World Congress of the God- must be closed, the last clergyman must be removed. less" on February seventh, with 1,600 participants from forty-six countries. The chief object of the In Russia the movement of atheism has 6,900 club houses, 146 schools of atheism, 102 educational establish- ments, eighty antireligious museums. In Moscow from one to two million antireligious publications are sent out eV~~::~:'war is going to be made international! A mark of the godless is going to be sent out, and rules of pro- [227 ]
cedure are going to be drawn up in twelve different lan- One of the most encouraging things in the scienguages. For many millions of rubles there is going to be tific world is the trend toward Christianity among erected in Russia an atheistic radio station; they already the great thinkers. Professor C. A. Chant, Ph.D., have an agitation fund amounting to 19,000,000 rubles professor of astro-physics in Toronto University, and expect that a lottery will net 50,000,000. said recently, "I have no hesitation in saying that at least 90 per cent of astronomers have reached There is no. survey for the movement of atheism scat- the conclusion that the universe is not the result tered through the various countries, which they are now of blind law, but is regulated by a great Intellitrying to unite, but a peculiar exhibition in the Vatican a gence. Slowly but surely the mind of the great short time ago shows that there is work going on in is returning to the Creator and the.God of Provi- Russia, Spain, France, Belgium, England, the Danubian dence." countries, and the United States. TO CLOSE MISSION SCHOOLS IN KOREA Nothing good can be expected from the Moscow Congress and the Christian community in all countries ought The crisis is on in Korea for the Shrine probto be on the alert. lem is not yet settled. The Japanese Government persists in its demand that pupils and teachers in But, while the Bezbojriks (Godles,s League) is Christian mission schools attend the ceremonies attempting to establish antireligious, schools to at the shrines and bow in homage to the spirits train "missionaries of atheism," these propagand- of national heroes supposed to be present there. ists are not having an easy time-and never will. Japanese officials have stated that this "act of A recent Associated Press dispatch from Moscow obeisance is only a display of national patriotism" (March 17) says: but when Christians have tried to persuade the Bureau of Education to make a public statement "Antireligious organizations virtually have col- that would satisfy the Christian conscience, the lapsed in Moscow and Moscow Province, Emelyan Japanese would not deny that the obeisance was Yaroslavsky, president of the Atheist League, re- made to spirits actually dwelling in the shrines. ported to a stormy Moscow district meeting of the The Japanese have also clearly stated that an- Communist party. He declared that district coun- cestor worship is considered a "fundamental vircils of the Militant Godless (Atheist) League had tue in the Orient." disbanded throughout the Moscow area and that many regional councils had been liquidated. The military party in Japan seems to be be- Pravda, the Communist party newspaper, asserted hind the move to compel all schools in the Empire that Atheist League membership has fallen from to attend the Shrine ceremonies and to bow in 5,000,000 to 2,000,000 in the last three years. reverence there. It is a part of the movement to There are at least 30,000 churches still open for unite Japanese subjects in their reverence for the worship in Soviet Russia and we are informed Emperor, the national heroes and in the Shinto that 50% of the Russians hold to their faith in faith. No schools, pupils or teachers are excused, God. In many rural communities church clubs though in some districts the rule is not strictly enare being formed to combat irreligion. Five anti- forced. The Japanese are also said to be planning religious museums have recently been closed in to place a Shinto shrine in every Korean village so Russia." that the observance of the ceremonies may be universal. The only way to combat successfully such a propaganda is the way Christ combated godless- The mission schools have had an immense inness-by showing the evidence of God's love and fluence on the Koreans. For thirty years they power, redeeming and regenerating men so that were practically the only schools offering modern they in turn go out in loving sacrificial service to education. Christian missionary schools are scatbring men and nations into harmony with the tered throughout the country while academies and Will of God, as revealed in Christ. Men will yet institutions of higher education have been built at learn that it is worse than useless for feeble crea- foreign expense in the large cities. The total tures to fight against Almighty God. number of pupils under Christian instruction was 100,000 in 1935. These schools have always True scholars and scientists are not atheists taught good citizenship and obedience to the laws for they realize how little they know in compari- of the country._ son with the vast realm of knowledge concerning the universe. The Korean Christians believe and obey the Bible as the Word of God. They are a praying, Dr. Lorenz, the famous Austrian surgeon, when working Church and have learned what it means asked by a New York newspaper reporter as to to suffer for their faith. Now they are convinced the effect of his scientific investigations on reli- that obeisance at the Shinto Shrines is incongious faith, replied, "Does medical science or any sistent with worship of God as He is revealed in other science tend to destroy belief in God? My Christ. Many of the missionaries hold the same friend, you are young, I am old. Science truly pursued does not tend to destroy belief in God. The pursuit of scientific knowledge makes an honest man humble. It makes him realize how little he knows. It makes him believe in God."
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
view-though some are willing to accept the Jap- that we feel constrained to adopt this course, anes,e statement that the ceremony is only knowing that it involves the loss of educational patriotic. opportunities for large numbers of families and that it will bring distress to our teachers and mis- One of three positions is possible for the Korean sionaries who have given life and devotion to this Christians-(l) to obey the Japanese edict and work. throw the responsibility on the Government; (2) to have mental reservations and give only 6. It is not our purpose to dispute the demands outward obedience, while claiming to bow only that the authorities have made upon our schools out of respect to the memory of the illustrious . . . but merely to announce our decision under dead; or (3) to refuse obedience to human edicts the circumstances to withdraw from the field of that most Christians believe involve disloyalty to secular education in an orderly manner. Christ, and to suffer the consequences. 7 and 8. As the first natural step in the liquida- The leading missions in Korea are the Amer- tion of the educational work, the Mission is enican Presbyterians (Northern and Southern joined not to receive new pupils for the entering Churches), the Australian and Canadian, Meth- class of the new semester in April. … If there odists (North and South), the British Church of should be circumstances in any particular school England (S. P. G.) and a few independent mis- rendering even its temporary continuation inadsions. The Methodists have decided to comply visable, the Mission is authorized to close such with the Government edict on the basis of the as- schools at once. surance that the rite is only patriotic. The Presbyterian Mission (North) has voted to refuse 9. During the period of liquidation the schools compliance on the ground that the ceremonies are shall continue as heretofore to promote good religious and idolatrous. The Missionary Com- citizenship, to foster love of country, to teach mittee of the Presbyterian Church, South, with respect for law and authority, and to inculcate the the unanimous ascent of their Korea Mission, has highest principles of loyalty and patriotism. . . . taken the definite stand that their mission schools cannot comply and that they will therefore take 10. Regarding the disposal of school properties steps to close these schools and withdraw from the in this emergency, we cannot approve their transfield of secular education. Their decision is con- fer for school purposes either by gift, loan, rental tained in the following statement from the Com- or sale to any group or organization that would be mittee in Nashville, Tennessee, sent to their unable to maintain the Christian principles upon Korean missionares: which our schools have stood. . . . While our de- cision to desist from secular education in Korea "After careful consideration of the situation is definite and resolute as long as our schools are confronting our schools in Korea, the Executive subject to present requirements, we cannot but Committee of Foreign Missions of the Presby- express the hope that the authorities may yet terian Church in the United States (South) pre- recognize the sincerity of our purpose to help and sents to its Korea Mission the following statement the reluctance with which we have taken this step, of policy to be followed in the problems now af- and provide some way by which loyal friends of fecting our educational work: Japan may be enabled to fulfil their mission of service without compromise of Christian prin- 1. Weare grateful for the years during which ciples. we have been permitted to have a part in providing educational opportunities for the Korean An honored missionary of the Presbyterian Church (North) gives the reasons why he cannot people. bow at the Shrines or vote in favor of compliance 2. We desire through the Mission to express to by the Mission. These reasons are: the Government our sincere appreciation of the 1. The act of obeisance at these Shinto Shrines freedom and protection that have been accorded is truly religious and therefore indolatrous. us in our educational work in the past. 2. A Japanese police officer at the Meiji Shrine 3. Even now we desire nothing more than that declared that Ka,mi-san is the same as God. In we might continue our educational work under Kwangju pupils were asked to clap their hands to the same conditions that have obtained hereto- attract attention of the spirits in the shrine.
fore. . . . 3. The military authorities are forcing com- 4. Nevertheless, in view of recent developments pliance because they think that Amatorasu-Omi- Kami (Sun-Goddess. and mythical ancestress of that seem to render impossible the continuation of the Japanese Imperial House) is their God who our educational work without compromise of gives victory. Christian principle we hereby reluctantly instruct our Korea Mission to take appropriate steps for 4. The shrines are a part of the Japanese non- Christian religious system. The whole shrine systhe closing of our schools. tem heads up at Ise a center of Japanese worship 5. We have pondered deeply the consequences in which sacrifices are performed every year.
of this action, and it is with sincerest regret
5. Other departments of the Government de- throughout the world. God's promise has been clare State Shinto to be religious and superior to and is being abundantly fulfilled, "My word shall Christ. One high Government official declared not return unto me void." Missionaries, preachthat Orientals are polytheists in contrast to. Occi- ers, teachers, evangelists, and other devout and dentals who are monotheists. widely used men and women in all walks of life, continue to testify that it was through Dr. Pier- An educational official said: "We think of son's ministry they were led to Christ, were in- Amatorasu-Omi-Kami and of Jehovah as being spired with missionary zeal, were given a hunger one and the same." for deeper Bible knowledge, were made more effective Christian workers or were brought into 6. No Christian school will be excused from do- the experience of a higher spiritual life. ing obeisance at the shrines. No centenary celebration has been held on 7. The Korean Christians are convinced that earth to commemorate the birth of Arthur T. the ceremony is religious and anti-Christian. But Pierson but many both here and in the presence the basis of judgment is the Bible, not personal of the angels thank God that he was born, and opinion. The missionaries must set an example was born again and was called into the ministry of loyalty to Christ in spite of Government threats of Christ. His labor was not in vain for it was and opposition. "in the Lord."
It is a serious question which deeply involves Among the many examples of his abiding and the future of the Church in Chosen. It is disturb- living influence, we note a recent paragraph by ing to think of the great Christian educational Mr. Ernest Gordon (son of Dr. A. J. Gordon) in work coming to an end and the youth deprived of the Sunday School Times. He says: training under efficient Christian teachers. Already Dr. Geo. S. McCune, President of the Union "Ethel Gray is a teacher of English in an Christian College of Korea, has been obliged to Argentine family and earnest in Christian testiwithdraw from the field. But anything is prefer- mony. She writes of a sermon by Dr. Arthur T. able to a denial of Christ. One with God is still Pierson which she translated into Spanish and a majority and He can overrule the decrees of gave to an atheist student. He read it through men-as He has often done in the Roman Empire, carefully several times, appearing thunderstruck, in India, in China and other lands since the be- and then said he 'knew many young fellows who ginning of history. We honor the Presbyterian wanted to know just what was explained here.' Church, South, for their courage and loyalty. So he retranslated it into beautiful Spanish, and Miss Gray had a thousand printed for distribu- THE ARTHUR T. PIERSON CENTENARY tion."
This is a year when some 'important centenaries One evidence of his abiding ministry is the conare celebrated-among them that of D. L. Moody, tinuing testimony of THE REVIEW. This monthly and the founding of the Board of Foreign Mis- organ of world-wide missions still stands, as it sions of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. stood in Dr. Pierson's day, for the authority of In the same year as the great Foreign Mission the revealed Word of God; for deity of Jesus Board was born, Arthur T. Pierson, the powerful Christ, His supremacy and His all-sufficiency as missionary advocate came into the world-March the Saviour of men through faith in His death on 6, 1837. He gave full fifty years of his life to the Cross; for belief in the Holy Spirit and our preaching the Gospel of Christ, lecturing and dependence on Him to make ministry effective. writing on Biblical themes and promoting interest The REVIEW is published because we believe in in missions throughout the world. He was for the need of all men for pardon and new life twenty-five years the Editor-in-Chief of this RE- through union with Christ and in the duty of VIEw-from 1888 until he was called "home" on every Christian to help carry out the commission June 4, 1911. In addition to his ministry of of Christ to "go into all the world and preach the preaching, pastoral work in large churches, lec- Gospel to every creature." THE REVIEW is deditureS! and addresses at Bible conferences, writing cated to the work of making known the supreme articles and editorial work, Dr. Pierson wrote need of men for regeneration and to the testimony some fifty books on the Bible and spiritual life, of what God is doing today through His servants Christian apologetics, biographical, preaching and in all parts of the world. We are not bound to . missionary themes. These have had a wide cir- any particular branch of the Church of Christ but culation, some translated into several languages stand for the unity of all who are truly united to and still widely read. Him. May THE REVIEW continue to be a faithful witness until Christ returns, according to His The messages of this eminent servant of God promise, until His reign is established and the will were truly vitalized by the living Word of God, of God is done "on earth as it is in Heaven." as is evident by their continued influence in the hearts and lives of consecrated men and women
A Visit to the Ainu of North
By WINBURN T. THOMAS, Kyoto, Japan Missionary of tbe Presbyterian Cburcb, U. S. A., 1933- MOST visited of the Japanese Ainu villages "These are the staves on which we set the heads is Shiraoi, Hokkaido. When we arrived of the bears after our bear-festival," he began. at this small station we were a bit sur- We noted that all the skulls that still hung toprised to be approached by a small Ainu lad who gether were covered with a green mold.
asked in perfect Japanese, "Do you wish to see "You haven't had a bear festival recently," we the buraku (a corruption of 'block')?" He then observed.
assumed the role of guide and began to lead us "No; bears are getting fewer and harder down the main road of the village, keeping up a to catch, so that we cannot observe the festivals."
constant stream of conversa- We noted that there was no tion. cub at the front of the house, "Do many foreigners come The Ainu, the aborigines from which we inferred that here?" we inquired. of Japan, live in Hokkaido, times had not been so good for "Not very many. Most of the large northern island. the Shiraoi Ainu.
them are Japanese." They were once a numerous "How do you get your ani- "Do you often act as people but there are now only mals for the ceremony?" about 17,000 surviving memguide?" bers of the race. They are "We go out in the snow and "Yes, during the vacation a hardy people, of small stat- wait for the bear to come from ure and their older men are his cave. Then we shoot him months. During the school distinguished by their long with an arrow poisoned with year I haven't time." beards. They are not cleanly the root of a weed, beaten to in their habits, not being ac- pulp and dried. After an "Do you attend Japanese school ?"
"Oh, no. We Ainu have our customed to bathing and are arrow, treated with this poison, own schoo1." much given to drunkenness. enters the bear's body, the ani- "You are taught in Japa- By disposition they are mild mal dies in twenty minutes. and amiable, and live mostly nese?" by hunting and fishing. Their The poison goes through the "Of course. I don't know religion is nature worship blood stream and hardens into but .in recent years the young a stone which we cut out. The· much Ainu." people are being educated remainder of the animal is fit We learned that at other and some have become Chris- for food. We consider the tians. Rev. John Batchelor, inner organs especially deli- Ainu villages, the aborigines a retired missionary of the cious." and the Japanese attend the Church Missionary Society, same schools. "Where is the chief?" we in~ "How do you make your liv- ing?" we asked our guide. has been called ~~The Apostle quired.
"By fishing, by getting out- to the Ainu." "In here. Will you come in side labor jobs, and by truck and talk with him?"
farming." We entered the crude struc- "Who lives in all those thatched houses?" ture. The entrance floor was dirt but the living "That is the beginning of the Ainu 'block.' room was on a raised wooden dais, the floor of Most of us live in these straw houses. There are which was covered with a rough straw matting.
nearly one hundred of them, although a few per- In the center was a hearth, on which a charcoal sons have houses built of wood." fire was burning. To the left of the fireplace (the We soon found ourselves inside a small com- most sacred place in the home since the Ainu pound, and we saw an unshaved young man in worship the fire god) sat a bearded old man wear- foreign dress come from the hut door. He ex- ing a peculiar headdress. To his right sat a plained that he was the Ainu chief's son-in-law woman with mouth tattooed. The stage seemed and then, without waiting for us to quiz him, he set for visitors. We were escorted to the left of began to explain the significance of a stack of the chief, that is, the north side of the hearth, poles that had provided our background. which is the most honored position according to [231 ]
A MODERN AINU MOTHER AND BABY AN AINU CHIEFTAIN Ainu customs. Not until we were seated did he cards and handwork which we were asked to buy. and his wife make the proper courtesies. Then, Especially interesting were the bows and arrows while his son-in-law explained to us the signifi- used for killing the bears. The Ainu arrow is cance of the acts, the chief made certain move- made in three parts so that when once it has enments with his arms and head, and muttered some tered its prey, even though the angered beast unintelligible sounds, welcoming us according to should succeed in breaking the shaft, or pulling the old Ainu custom. it out, the tiny bamboo head will remain in the body. The son-in-law demonstrated the use of Next, the chief demonstrated the offering to the the walking staff to hold the baggage when the gods by picking up a "two-story" lacquer bowl and hunter rested, and could be transformed into an a carved mustache lifter. Raising his beard with effective spear for sudden action. the latter, he pressed the bowl to his lips, after he had taken a few drops of the liquid on the When we were outside the house once more, wooden stick and let them fall into the fire. These our guide informed us that there was a regular were supposed to be sweet odors pleasing to the fee of fifty sen per person. We asked to see other household deities. The remainder of the drink homes, belonging to "nonroyal families," but our . was agreeable to his stomach, for the Ainu are guide was careful to steer us away from other very fond of rice wine. After repeating the for- houses and took us down to the seashore to show mulre the old man muttered in his broken Jap- us the boats used by the fishermen. anese, "The ceremony is very significant when we use real "sake." A few days later we visited Chikabumi, an Ainu village just outside the city of Asahigawa. Others in the hut then took down trays of post- No one offered his services as guide but we learned
A VISIT TO THE AINU OF NORTH JAPAN
that if we started walking and asked our way we eminent authority on Ainu life 'and lore; and it would find the Ainu village about a mile down the was surprising to find this mission maintained enroad. We walked two miles to the house of the tirely by the Japanes~one answer to the allegachief, passing other Ainu houses scattered along tion that the Japanese Christian Church is not the way. There was not the segregation noticed mission-minded. There is a Sunday school of in other Ainu buraku. forty Ainu students, apparently including all the young people of this race in the village. These aborgines were evidently more prosperous than those in Shiraoi. The houses were frame The Chikabumi chief was a disappointment for and provided against the cold of the Hokkaido he was' small, lacking in personality, and very winters. These Chikabumi Ainu are farmers and drunk. The interpreter was also under the inday-laborers and from the roadside we saw many fluence of "sake" and refused to do more than industriously tilling the fields or engaging in man- boast that his family had proved its loyalty to the ual work. Midway between the station and the Emperor by sending the only son to-,Manchuria OLD AND YOUNG AINU PERFORMING A CEREMONY FOR THE DEAD (The Posts are Male and Female Markers) chieftain's house we saw a large public hall with with the Expeditionary Forces. He insisted upon the sign "Ainu Young Men's Association." In- our coming into his home to see the boy's pictures side we talked with one of the young men who and there let us examine a collection of primitive was busily carving, from a single block of wood, stone implements, which were very crude when the figure of a bear that would later be sold in a compared with similar arrows and hatchets fashgift shop. He said that it only took him two ioned by the American Indians. hours to whittle the bear which would sell for two yen. In reply to our questions he told us that all The prosperity of this colony was attested by children attended the same school; that his sister the presence of a large number of bears, with cubs was the village beauty queen; and that we would that were small but ferocious. In one cage was a find the chief's house und·er the tall willow trees "wrestling bear" used for exhibition purposes, the around the corner. Turning that corner we came animal being pitted against professional wresto an Episcopal Mission to the Ainu. We have tlers. Pacing up and down in a large cage before long been acquairited with Dr. John Batchelor, the chief's hut was a large brown bear, the pride of the village.
Our final impression was received from a wom- an who handled one of the concessions and who, like most modern women, has refused to stain her lips, a custom that is dying hard. In pictures, taken when she was dressed for ceremonial occa- sions, she used a dye that could be washed off. She kept in her store an Ainu dress which she donned while we snapped her picture as she stood alongside two bear cubs. The young men whom we saw near the store had obviously decided to abandon the custom ,of their ancestors in wearing long beards. The question seems to be whether the Ainu or their. customs will be exterminated first.
A YOUNG AINU BELLE UNEVANGELIZED FIELDS INJAPAN The total number of places reached' in Japan is only 896. As the number of cities, 'towns and villages is 12,019, there are 11,123 stillucntouched by the Gospel. In the agricultural villages, which include more than half the population,there are barely 172 places where Christian work is being conducted. The Gospel is preached mo:st in the places where there is least resistance,a:hd where the resistance is strongest it is not preached at all. The evangelization of Japan, very far from being accomplished, is barely begun.-Toyoltiko Ka- gawa, "T,he Japan Christian Year Book.'; ·Pacts About Evangelism in Japan* 13y~JAMES CUTHBERTSON I~ Japan Evangelistic Band I STARK facts are rude things and unpleasant. not be compared with any ·other so-called mission Before facing these facts, let us state defini- field. It stands in a class by itself. tions upon which so much depends. By the "Evangeliz.ation of Japan" I mean the bringing We are not really getting anywhere in Japan. to the knowledge of "every creature" the Gospel This fact is actually the summary and conclusion of the Lord Jesus Christ, particul,arly His atoning of the following. Death and Resurrection. By "Salvation" I mean the individual's experience of regeneration. The natural grQwth of population is leaving the Church far behind. Japan's population increases Japan is different. Her efficient government at the rate of about 'One million per year. The has provided the nation with civilization. Educa- most optimistic estimate of the increase of the tion is compulsory, the professions are 'Over- Church is never more than twenty thousand. By crowded, doctors live on every street. Its culture the time the nation has sprinted to the hundred- . and national consciousness are highly developed; yard mark, the Church has advanced two yards! its pvogressalong Western lines during this past eighty years has been phenomenal. This land can- Meanwhile Tenrikyo; which had its origins in the babblings and scribbles of a demented peasant • From R.egions Beyond, England. woman some hundred years ago, has developed amazingly. At its centre there are magnificent
FACTS ABOUT EVANGELISM IN JAPAN
temples, schQDls, a fQreign language schQ.ol fDr the s.ome ten th.ousand rural areas each .of which may preparati.on .of missiDnaries, a splendid public c.ontain anything frQm tW'O t.o twenty-five villages.
library, many hQstels, and a training institute fDr My pers.onal census .of a few years ago pr.oduced ev:angelists which graduates SQme seven th.ousand the inf.ormation that roughly some fDur hundred every six mDnths. Every building, all the man- .of the ten thQusand had been "evangelized," ac- uallabQr and the material, are the gifts .of the be- cQrding tQ the definition .of each pers.on wh.o sup- lievers. All evangelists are trained at their .own plied me with inf.ormatiQn. Many splendid mis- expense and prQpagate the doctrines after gradua- siQnaries and Japanese wQrkers are valiantly tiQn, throughQut Japan, at their 'Own expense. tackling this prDblem, but few missi.ons have .or- Hundreds .of thDusands .of pilgrims flock into ganized their f.orces and apPQinted wQrkers tQ vil- Tambaichi fQr its celebratiDns. Its equipment is lage w.ork.
magnificent and impressive. There we .once sent The quicksands .of heathenism have a terrible a yDung preacher whQ preached Christ .on the suction. Japan has an army .of backsliders. P.os- streets with such devQtion that his health gave sibly a very large prop.ortiDn .of them never had way. I l.oQked intQ his tiny shack, rat-ridden, cDb- anything t'O slide' back from, but they dDn't webbed, neglected and dirty, which we had rented kn.ow it.
dQwn a back street. This represented the cause A yQung man came tQ Christ and tQld his mother 'Of the L.ord .of GlQry! Heathenism had its amaz- .of his new-fQund JQY. She threatened suicide if ing temples and millions .of fQllowers, the Gospel he did n'Ot give up Christ. Filial piety was tQQ had its squalid huts and a mere handful .of c.on- str.ong and Christ l.ost. And patri.otism, a new verts. idolatry, has arisen in Japan, based 'On lQyalty t.o The prestige .of the white race has ceased t.o the R.oyal HQuse, and evidenced by worship at the exist as far as the Japanese are concerned. Un- Imperial Shrines. There are nQ truer and m.ore less we can present them with s.omething they l'Oyal citizens than Christians, but many are fac- have n.ot, and d'O something they cannQt, we are ing the .old chQice, Diana .or Christ. We live in not welcQme. We need prayer in Japan t.oday. I challenging times when s.o many have tQ face chal- have seen hundreds .of J,apanese Christians at a lenges. And, alas, the quality .of faith and lQve time .on their knees praying with tears f.or a for Christ is s.o feeble. Defeat is the result.
mighty w.ork .of G.od in the land. Such signs "are NumerQus are the st.ories .of "Gospel triumphs full .of h.ope. It must be prayer £Qr the HDly and, thank G.od, I can tell many, but these are in Gh.ost. But in .our .own Christian literature t'O- the main c.onfined tQ the activities .of thQse sQcie- day is hardly any mentiQn .of Him. ties and individual missiQnaries whQ cQnstrue MissiQn sch'OQls have largely .outlived their use- their Call as a c.ommission to win s.ouls. The fulness. Such sch.oQls find it difficult t.o cQmpete needs are vital and entail the drastic casting .overwith the high educati'Onal standard .of g.overn- bQard .of QbsQlete methQds and a cQncentrati'On .on mental sch.oQls. Very many .of them, in .order t.o th.ose things which prQduce results.
retain their g.overnment recQgnitiDn and grant, have b.owed t.o the .order that all students must w'Orship at the appDinted ShintQ Shrines. Few JAPAN'S GREAT NEED missiQn s·eh.oQls pr.oduce Christians, and, if any, A study .of the Christian QccupatiQn .of the .of necessity they are the type which have been larger cities in Japan shQWS that in every urban taught tQ wQrship at shrines. cQmmunity the fast-grQwing industrial areas are still practically untQuched. With the exceptiQn .of The type .of Christian we are pr.oducing is n.ot a lQne QutpQst here and there, these rapidly exup tQ standard. Admit the IQwest Scriptural panding areas are unQccupied by the Christian standard, "Except a man be bQrn again. . . ." fQrces. H.ow many 'Of .our Christians in Japan t.oday shQW evidences 'Of a changed life and are .outwardly wit- The "upper classes" in Japan still lie almQst nessing fDr Christ? My w.ork as an evangelist entirely .outside .of the Church's influence. The fQr .over thirty years has carried me up and down "1.ower classes," because .of their cQnstant fight in that land and brQught me intQ c.ontact with with PQverty, disease, ignQrance and vice, make a mQst .of the Pr.otestant denominations. My im- strQng appeal tQ the fQllQwers .of Jesus .of NazpressiQns were disc.ouraging bey'Ond words. The areth, but the fQes which beset the upper classquality is very p.oQr. Spirituality is at a l.ow ebb. ease, luxuriQus living, selfishness and lQQse mQrals We are n.ot, as a rule, pr.oducing witnesses. -are just as viciQUS and damning. The Church The rural districts .of Japan t.oday are prac- .of Christ, if she is true tQ her LQrd, knQws nQ tically unt.ouched. They are nQt undiscussed, fQr class distinctiQn, and the unreached "upper class"
a spate .of words has been pDured .out c.oncerning lQQms large in .our unfinished task.-William this prDblem but the problem remains. There are Axling, "The Japan Christian Year Book."
a New Hospital on the Yangtze*
11 By DR. J. W. PELL, Hankow, China I N SHIH HIU YAO, a growing industrial town have shown them great devotion, and never funked. of Central China on the Yangtze fifty miles A soldier who had his hand blown off at the below Hankow there was opened last March wrist by the premature bursting of a bomb he was the Mahaffy Memorial Hospital. This was built handling, was sent a long distance to us by his by funds from the legacy of Miss Jane Mahaffy officer and his life was saved. He is a big North- combined with the gifts of the Methodist Chris- erner, and takes his loss of a limb very stoically.
tian Endeavors of Ireland. From the day of open- A little boy was brought by his mother last year; ing it has filled a great need. but her courage failed her after the boy was well One patient, a deaf and dumb girl of about fif- under chloroform and the operation about to be- teen, had been abandoned by her relatives in the gin. We had to submit and let him out of. the streets of a neighboring town, and lay there night anresthetic, but something we were able to do and day, in frost and snow, until some Catholic without the knife and without her knowledge made all the difference, and a useless elbow be- Sisters found her with frozen feet – which have came almost normal. An aunt, laden with fowls since dropped off at the ankles – took her home and eggs, brought him back the other day begging with them and, after making her spotlessly clean, us to complete the good work. She showed nothbrought her to us for treatment. With dumb signs we try to assure her of our love and interest ing but withering scorn for her sister and called in her, and she is responding. Another woman, he~ a sao-Chinese for potato, or idiot!
who had been relieved of an abdominal tumor The mines have supplied their usual quota of weighing some sixty pounds, felt she was part of accidents. Falls of roof are frequent, and men the concern and very important. She keeps say- get pinned under these for hours or days, and are ing as we visit her ward: "You are wizards using only rescued at great risk and heroic efforts by magic; you are fairies with your charms." A their fellow-miners. A number of chronic opium- similar case went back last month to her home in· smokers have been rounded up by the authorities the country where we have a church, and became and compelled to come in and break it off. Fre- a never-ceasing wonder. Lots of hopeless patients quent executions are taking place all over China have come from that neighborhood since, and just among these poor victims of the drug. Our pres- cannot believe there is any sickness we cannot ent methods of breaking them off the habit are cure, or surgical condition we cannot relieve. quicker and more lasting than the old ways. We A number of cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis blister the patient, then take the contents of the were in the wards on the opening day – from an blister up in a syringe and inject it under the skin infant of two months to a woman of over forty. of another part. Another way is to take some of These often seem quite hopeless cases, but again the patient's own blood from a vein and inject it and again we have seen them rally from impend- deep into a muscle. It is really another version ing death by simple withdrawal of fluid from the of "a hair of the dog that bit him." At any rate, spinal canal. The mode of spread of this dread it gives the patient an actual distaste for the pipe, disease is not known, and until it is, we can only which is a very great point gained, and avoids take ordinary precautions, and carryon. Though that overwhelming craving to return to the old we can sometimes save a patient, yet it may leave ways, which they so often had after the old metha trail of sequences behind – such as blindness, ods of cure.
paralysis, deafness, mental instability – which With each one's duties more settled and divided are very distressing.. Our cook's little girl of three up, we are looking forward to more intensive· has been critically ill with it for weeks, but now evangelism amongst our patients and staff. Pray looks as though she would pull through. They are that Christ's banner may float over the citadel of difficult cases to nurse but our young girl-nurses every heart. May we find the way to win them- and there may be eighty ways for as many folk. • Condensed from The Kingdom Overseas, Methodist Missionary "He that winneth souls is wise."
Society. England.
[ 236]
and How Should Christians Unite*
By the REV. E. STANLEY JONES, D.D., India Author of "Victorious Living," etc., etc.
I N VIEW of the world demands and in view of One is that when the Christians drop down be- conditions within the denominations them- neath the level of organization and church polity selves brought about by division, the churches to the level of experience, there they are the most of Christ must get together. "If they do not," united body on earth. They are united in the said a prominent churchman, "within ten years deepest thing in life, namely, in life itself. They there won't be any churches to unite." This is an share a common life in Christ. The Christian overstatement, but it should shock us to action. Church is at once the most united and the most One of the difficulties in getting together is the divided body on earth – united at the center and underlying feeling that our particular denomina- divided at the margin. But the central thing to tion has been raised up to preserve and propagate hold in mind is the fact that we are one. We do a special phase of truth in Christianity. We do not have to seek for unity – we have it, funda- not want to lose that truth. There is a fact under- mentally and centrally.
lying this feeling. It is true that almost everyone The second thing we have discovered is that the of our separate denominations has come into being saints are about equally distributed among all the as a result of some special forgotten truth. How denominations. If you were to ask me where I can we have unity with that background of an ap- thought they were most thickly congregated, for parent God-inspired separativeness? We are the life of me I couldn't tell you. There is no de- asked to repent of sinful divisions and yet it is nomination that has a corner on the saints. God not easy to do so, because the divisions came not works through the denominations, sometimes in from sin but from a new vision. I cannot honestly spite of them, but never exclusively or particularly feel sinful on account of the rise of Methodism. in anyone of them. If this hurts our denomina- I rather glory in it and so does many another in tional pride, it may help our Christian humility!
regard to his own particular group. The idea that anyone denomination is the exclu- And yet with all that loyalty to the past, we do sive or particular channel of God's grace is as dead feel that this is inadequate. Times have changed, as Queen Anne. Only some people don't know it!
new world demands are being laid upon us that The second thing we have as an underlying fact cannot be met by us as separate denominations. is equality.
We simply must get together. A divided Church The third fact that emerges is that there is a has little moral authority in a divided world. But very great diversity in expressing this underlying how can we get together? Here is where we unity, a diversity as widely expressed as the High throw up our hands. We have the feeling that if Churchman on the one side and the Quaker on the we wait till we can get together on some agreed other, with great diversity between.
church polity or government, then we will wait Three facts, then, emerge-unity, equality, and till doomsday. I don't believe it is possible to get diversity. Any approach to unity must take ac- an agreement in church government that will take count of these underlying facts and build upon in the High Episcopalian on the one hand and the them. I would therefore suggest the following Quaker on the other – and I could not leave out as an immediate, practical plan upon which all either one. I do not believe that unity is possible the churches could come together.
along that line. It would end in so many com- If we are inwardly one, we should outwardly promises that the union would be grey and color- express that fact. Since we all belong to Christ, less and command no one's enthusiasm. I would suggest that we all belong to "The Church I think we must go at it from another angle. of Christ." But since we are in America, I would We must look at certain facts that underlie the suggest as the name, "The Church of Christ in situation. Three outstanding facts have arisen America." We would drop denominational names out of the situation as I have listened in to hun- as separate churches and belong to the one church dreds of round-table conferences across the years. -"The Church of Christ in America." But under * This farewell message of the distinguished missionary and evan- this central unity we would have branches-"The Baptist Branch of the Church of Christ in Amergelist was delivered unde'r the auspices of the ~~ederal Council of the ica," the "Episcopalian Branch," "The Friends'
Church of Christ in America on March 9, prior to his sailing for India. Reprinted from The American Friend of March 18, 1937.
[237 ]
Branch." In these branches we would have local would be the strength of all. The essential thing self-government in much the same way that we would be that we would be on a new basis in refgive States' rights in the United States. If a erence to each other-the cooperative. branch has bishops they could keep them, but they would not force them on the rest as the price of Each nation might have its own national exunity. In the same way, if any branch held to pression of Christianity-"The Church of Christ adult baptism they could continue to do so, but in Great Britain," "The Church of Christ in Inthey would not compel the rest to adhere to it. dia," etc. Out of these national expressions would Each branch could make any conditions or no con- be a "World Assembly of the Church of Christ" ditions for transfer into membership or ministry made up of delegates from the national churches. they may desire to make. Nine-tenths of the de- This World Assembly would speak in the name of nominations would probably straight off make no a united Christendom. It could give guidance to conditions whatever either for transfer of min- a distracted and confused world. We would not istry or membership. Moreover, nine-tenths of want to dominate the world through priestcraft, them would have intercommunion straight off. but we would guide it by moral convictions that The other one-tenth would put themselves into a would be inescapable. stream of influences that in the end would make for the dropping of all barriers. In the mean- What of the Doctrine? time we would be patient, leaving to time and the Spirit of God the righting of exclusiveness. In regard to the doctrinal basis on which this unity would be founded, I suggest that that basis There were two ways in which these United be simple – as simple and yet as profound as States might have attempted unity: one was to Christ made it. He founded his Church on the wipe out all state lines and state names and rule confession that He is the Chris,t, the Son of the everything from Washington. Had we tried this, Living God. That is the Rock upon which His we would have been waiting yet for unity. The Church was founded. That is the Rock beneath other way was to allow local expression in the us all. Any group that would confess that con- States and bind the whole into a central unity. fession could be recognized as a branch. That is We took that way and achieved unity. But in the sufficiently definite to hold us to the essential, and beginning there was a very strong state conscious- sufficiently indefinite to give freedom for marness and a very weak central unity. The first de- ginal differences. cision of the United States Supreme Court was flouted by the State of Georgia. In the original But are the denominations willing to look on draft of the Constitution of the United States, the themselves and others as branches? If not, then word "United" was in small letters, it was an ad- if any denomination wants unity with other dejective. But that word, "United," is now a proper nominations and yet is not willing to recognize itname and is getting more proper all the time! In self as a branch and others as branches, then the the beginning of a United Church our branch matter is plain-it does not want unity; it wants consciousness would be strong but the unity con- absorption. I'm not interested in absorption on sciousness would grow and one day will completely the part of any group. Nor will it ever happen. grip us. On our letterheads, we would have "The It would impoverish Christianity to jam it into Church of Christ in America" in large letters one denominational mold. overarching all, and down in the corner in small letters "Presbyterian Branch." The next time the This plan does not ask any denomination to give letters in the branch name might be smaller! And up any truth it may possess. It would not have some day they might fade out altogether-I don't to give it up-it would give it to the rest of us. know! We would leave that to time. And each needs the others' truth, for all of us are but partial expressions of the Truth. Out of these Over these branches, we would have the "Gen- pooled emphases there would grow a fuller exeral Assembly of the Church of Christ in Amer- pression of Christianity, more nearly approxiica" made up of delegates on a pro-rata basis, with mating the Kingdom of God. For none of us are a minimum number guaranteeing representation the Kingdom-we are only approximations. We of the smaller bodies. This body would have to do are all poorer and weaker for our divisions. A with the matters of general interest to the whole mission compound in India was above the aver- Church. District assemblies would deal with local age. I asked the missionary how they were able matters such as overlapping and duplication. to get hold of such lovely property and the reply was, "The man who had the property built such We would no longer tolerate competition or huge walls around it that he went bankrupt buildduplication for we would then be on the coopera- ing walls and was not able to complete the buildtive basis instead of the competitive, as now. ing, so he had to sell it." He became bankrupt That would mean that the weakness of one would building walls! The separate denominationalism be the weakness of all, and the strength of one has almost gone bankrupt building walls of sep- aration between themselves and others and keep-
WELLESLEY C. BAILEY – FRIEND OF LEPERS
ing them in repair. The time has come for us to named after different bishops. I stayed in the take down those walls, and use the material to "Heber Room." When people asked me where I build a mighty temple of God. was staying, I told them I was staying at "The Bishop's House"; but when those on the inside But we are not only bankrupting ourselves, we asked me where I was staying, I would reply that are bankrupting the world by our divisions. In I was staying in "The Heber Room." The point South India, the Ezhayas, numbering 850,000, a was that, even though there were different names very intelligent caste, decided after many years over our doors, we were all under one roof, and of debate to accept Christianity. After the mo- belonged to one family. Now we are under sepmentous decision had been made, a lawyer arose arate roofs with dividing walls between us. Now in the caste conference and said, "Now that you and then we come together in some j oint enterhave decided to adopt Christianity, may I ask you, prise, but the central thing is not our together- 'Which Christianity?' If you live here, you will ness. Then the central thing would be our unity be 'Church of England'; if there, then 'Baptist'; and the marginal thing our separateness. if the other place, 'Salvation Army.' Now you are united as a caste; then you'll be divided as de- In the foothills of the Himalayas, the fireflies nominations." This held up the whole movement are very numerous in the rainy season and beand still holds ·it up. Many a forward movement come interesting points of light in the darkness. is held up by our division. But one night I saw a firefly convention – there" must have been tens of thousands of them in one Under this plan of union many of our enter- great tree, and there must have been a cheerprises, as the missionary enterprise, could be con- leader for they put their lights on and off in uniducted as a unit throughout the world. And with son. As they put them on together, they lighted what an impact it would come, presenting a united up the countryside. Our .separate denominations front to the world need! are interesting points of light as they shine in the darkness, but let them pool their li~ts and they This plan is more than a federation in which will lighten the world. the constituent bodies are left intact. In this plan they are not intact. There are no more separate One of the advantages of this plan for church churches-there are branches of one Church. The unity is that it could be put into operation now, churches have faded out, there is but one Church. without years of backing and filling and compro- mising. And it would set our faces in the direc- One Christian House – Many Rooms tion of complete unity at once.
Let us change the figure again. In Calcutta, I Christians of America, unite! You have nothstayed with the Metropolitan of India, at "The ing to lose except your dividing walls! Bishop's House." In this house are many rooms Wellesley c. Bailey-Friend of Lepers Founder of the Mission to Lepers in 1874 W ELLESLEY COSBY BAILEY was born brothers who was an officer in the 11th Infantry, on April 27, 1846, at Thornbury, Abbey- then stationed at Faizabad in Oudh. When his leix, Queen's County, Ireland, and spent brother was unexpectedly ordered home, he went his boyhood at Poles Bridge, Stradbally. He was to live with Mr. Reuther, a missionary of the educated privately and at Kilkenny College. At Church Missionary Society. During his stay in the age of twenty, like many of Erin's sons, he Mr. Reuther's home he became so greatly interdetermined to try a Colonial career, and on ested in missionary work that he gave up the idea August 28, 1866, he set out for New Zealand. The of entering the Indian Police and joined the following Sunday, when his ship lay anchored in American Presbyterian Mission as headmaster of the Thames off Gravesend, was the occasion of a a mission school in Ambala City, in the Panjab. deep spiritual experience when his life was henceforth surrendered to Christ. After an absence of Near the mission house there was a small colony nearly two years in New Zealand, New Caledonia of lepers under the care of the Rev. J. H. Morand Australia, he returned to Dublin. rison, D.D., senior missionary of the American Presbyterian Mission on the station and on one Early in 1869, Mr. Bailey left home for India of his visits to the colony Dr. Morrison asked his with the intention of joining the Indian Police. young colleague to accompany him. "Here," wrote There he lived for a few months with one of his Mr. Bailey, "I became interested in the lepers and
raised in Ireland. Thus began the system of "grants in aid" of work not directly under the Mission's control. The Mission's first leper home was opened at Chamba in the same year.
In 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Bailey left India and made their home in Edinburgh where for the next three years Mr. Bailey was secretary of the Zenana Bible and Medical Mission and honorary Secre- tary of the Mission to Lepers. Early in 1886 the growing work led the committee to invite him to become the general secretary of the Mission.
During the next thirty-five years not only were homes for lepers and their children established at many places in India, but the work of the Mission was extended to China and to other parts of the world. Auxiliaries and branches were established in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and on the Continent and Mr. and Mrs. Bailey traveled widely in the interests of the Mission.
When Mr. Bailey visited Canada in 1892 an Auxiliary was organized in Guelph, Ontario, and Miss Lila Watt became its honorary secretary. Later she was appointed full-time secretary. Hp.r work continued with much success until 1908 when ill health compelled her to take a complete , rest.
The British headquarters of the Society were transferred to London in 1921 and a new execu- WELLESLEY C. BAILElY tive council was formed, of which Sir William Fry, D.L., was elected chairman. A committee used to visit them regularly, little realizing that in the United States was organized in 1910 with I was entering upon my life work." Mr. William M. Danner as general secretary-a Early in the year 1872 Mr. Bailey and his wife position which he filled with devotion and effec- visited Subathu, where Dr. John Newton of the tiveness for twenty-six years. This committee American Presbyterian Mission was caring for assumed direct responsibility for specific work in some needy lepers and the impression as to the various countries. Largely due to their efforts, urgent need for leper asylums was deepened. the American interest has greatly increased and Owing to Mrs. Bailey's poor health, it became the United States Government was influential to necessary, towards the end of 1873, for them to establish a national leprosarium. The American leave India for a time. While on furlough they Committee have also succeeded in stimulating visited in Dublin and Monkstown, and Mr. Bailey practical effort to meet toe situation created by related to a small group of friends some of his leprosy in many countries, and the American peo- experiences among the lepers in the Panjab. ple have contributed generous financial support Shortly afterwards Mr. Bailey gave his first pub- in the maintenance and expansion of Christian lic address ort behalf of the lepers in the Friends' work for lepers.
Meeting House at Monkstown. Following this ad- Mr. Bailey retired as general secretary in the dress Miss Charlotte Pinn and her sisters under- year 1917 with the title of Honorary Superintook to raise about £30 a year for relief of the tendent. His recent death removes from the mislepers. Mr. Bailey subsequently wrote: "Though sion circles not only an outstanding personality we did not realize it at the time, there and then but one who, as founder of a work that has bewas founded our beloved Mission." (September, come world-wide in its activities, ranks with those. 1874.) great leaders of the last century. To the work on In the December following, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey behalf of lepers that Mr. Bailey was privileged to returned to India and commenced work under the direct for forty-three years, is due in large meas- Church of Scotland Foreign Mission at Chamba ure the greater things that are being done today in the Panjab. Shortly afterwards he sent to the in the countries of the world where this age-long lepers· of Subathu Rs. 100 out of the first funds scourge is so widely prevalent.
Centennial of Presbyterian
By HERRICK BLACK YOUNG, Ph.D.
Secretary of the Centennial Council of Board of Foreign Missions, Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A.
I T WAS in days of depression, with banks fail- Columbus, Ohio, the last of May and the first week ing and commercial enterprises closing their in June. doors, that the first meeting of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions was held in the The third emphasis, in the autumn, will be city of Baltimore, on October 31, 1837. The given to promoting interest in the churches, since winter of 1838 was one of such unusual severity it was on October 31, 1837, that the first meeting of the Board actually was held.
that even New York City could not care for her A major effort will be made .to acquaint the destitute and men died of starvation or froze to young people of the Church with the Centennial death in the streets. Business confidence was at . and with their responsibilities in the new century a low ebb. None the less, those who had the of foreign missions which is opening ahead. cause of foreign missions on their hearts, launched Therefore, several special projects have been this great forward moving effort in the face of launched to reach the young people. As Presby- great difficulties. It is with this same spirit that terian youth speak to their parents and friends on the Presbyterian Church in this year, 1937, is the subject of "The Future of Foreign Missions," celebrating its Centennial. While full recognition this should bring home to the adult members, the is being given to the glorious achievements of the present world situation as related to foreign mispast century, the major emphasis is being laid sions. With this in view, a Centennial Oratorical upon the problems and opportunities of the period Contest has been set up, with the finals staged at that lies ahead. The concern of the Board is that the Assembly at Columbus. The theme of the orathe Centennial shall sound an urgent call to tions (from 1,500 to 2,000 words in length) is prayerful consecration for sacrificial service in "The Future of Foreign Missions," and the con- the years ahead, as well as a celebration of prog- test is open to any member of this Church between ress already made. the ages of sixteen and twenty-three. The first The spiritual dynamic which ever has been the pla.ce winner will receive as an award a Friend- outstanding characteristic of the foreign mission- ship Frontiers Tour in the summer of 1937 to inary enterprise is especially needed now to over- elude Tokyo, Pyengyang, Peiping, Shanghai, and come depression psychology, materialism and Dumaguete, Philippine Islands. Winner of second criticism in the Church at home, and to surge out place will receive a Friendship Frontiers Tour to against similar and more sinister forces abroad. Mexico and Guatemala. Vital and spiritual connections must be established with great opportunities and movements of the Elimination contests have been held in local Spirit of God in the world today, and thus kindle churches, the winners participating later in each anew the flame of missionary zeal in the Church presbytery, after which judges in the Pacific, Rocky Mountain, Middlewest, and Eastern areas in America. selected the winners and alternates to compete in The present calendar year was set aside by the person at the General Assembly.
General Council of the Presbyterian Church for During the "depression years" only a small the commemoration and it has been thought wise number of new missionaries have been sent to the to divide the twelve months into three major sec- foreign field each year by the Board; and at the tions. From January 1 until June 1 is set aside same time there has been the usual number of as a period for spreading information on the pres- withdrawals, so that the total force on the field has ent importance of the claims of foreign missions, dropped from more than 1,600 to 1,300. One of as well as the accomplishments of the past cen- the major goals of the Centennial year is to arouse tury. A great deal of the lack of interest has been interest in the Church that there will be an in- due to lack of information about the place of for- crease in the gifts and also an increase in voluneign missions in the present world situation. teers for foreign service.
The second period of emphasis during the year Foreign Missions Emphasis Weeks have been is to be the General Assembly which is to meet at arranged for Presbyterian seminaries and col- [241 ]
THE HaN. WALTER LOWRIE, LL.D. written by Dr. M. K. W. Heicher of Pasadena, California, and is entitled "Hitherto-Henceforth" First Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions in ten episodes. of the Presbyterian Church (1837-1868) The churches on the mission fields, which have leges, and on university campuses where West- grown out of Presbyterian missionary work, and minster Foundations are active. Able speakers the missions in sixteen countries are all setting spend several consecutive days at each institution. aside a special period for celebration during the In addition to formal addresses an opportunity is year. The Africa Mission plan is typical. As a given to present to students, individually and in part of the Centennial, the Mission has planned small groups, a glimpse of the urgent challenge of a Preaching Mission for five days at each comforeign missions and what they themselves may munion point, with African missioners for the contribute to the on-going Christian movement in most part, with a goal to win 15,000 new Christhe new century. tians. April 4, 1937, was set as a special day of prayer, in which the home Church was asked to A forward looking play, "The Years Ahead," join. has been written for the Centennial by Dr. Elliot Field, a well-known religious dramatist. The plot In an effort to bring to the home Church a viis laid on an American campus and with a cast of sion of the world-wide scope of the work of the nine and with no costume problems, it offers few past century, a sound-motion picture film has been difficulties in presentation. produced entitled "Our Century of Progress," with an interpretive lecture by Dr. Robert E. "With Cross and Crown in Every Land, 1837- Speer, who appears in person in the picture. A 1937" is the Centennial pageant, prepared by Dr. special Centennial stereopticon lecture also has William Chalmers Covert. The opening episode been prepared. portrays the inception of the missionary movement in the Apostolic Church; another shows the A Centennial hymn has been selected from more first meeting of the Board of Foreign Missions in than two hundred hymns submitted from all parts Baltimore in 1837, and the final episode gives a of the country and from seven foreign lands. glimpse of the accomplishments of the past cen- "God of Years, Thy Love Has Led Us," by Dr. tury and the challenging opportunities ahead. It Jay Glover Eldridge of Moscow, Idaho, is awarded is available in longer and shorter form and for the prize, to be sung to Beethoven's Hymn to Joy. large and small casts. Another pageant has been A splendid array of foreign missions sermons has been submitted in the Centennial Sermon Contest and the ten outstanding sermons will be published in a booklet and distributed as source material for other preachers on this theme.
"One Hundred Years," the comprehensive his- tory of the work of the century, has been prepared by Dr. Arthur J. Brown, secretary of the Board from 1895 to 1929. (Published by the Fleming H.Revell Company.) A series of six booklets has also been prepared by Dr. William T. Hanzsche, under the title, "And They Went Forth."
I. Introduction – including beginnings of Presbyterian foreign missions and their relationship to world history during the same period.
II. Analysis of the Evangelistic strand in our foreign missions enterprise.
III. Analysis of the Medical strand in our foreign mis- sions enterprise.
IV. Analysis of the Educational strand in our foreign missions enterprise.
V. Analysis of the development of the National Church. VI. Concluding chapter – stressing that the Centennial is a consecration and not a celebration.
Centennial pamphlets, one for each Mission, gives the present situation in each field around the world.
At the General Assembly (beginning on May 27,1937) greetings will be brought from the four-
19371 THE CENTENNIAL OF PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS
RE V. MIGUEL RIZZO, JR., MR. YAHYA ARMAJ,uu, MISS YOSKO SAITO, REV. E. C. SOBREPENA, Sao Paulo, Brazil Alborz College, Teheran Manila, Philippines Presbyterian Church, Japan REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN FORIDIGN LANDS teen National Churches in foreign lands, and school. In 1918, he came to the United States, entered there will be an interesting exhibit of the work Macalester College, receiving his A.B. degree in 1923, and of the century. then for two years studied at Princeton Theological Sem- inary. He later entered Drew Theological Seminary, and Some Delegates from Mission Lands for a time served as pastor of the Filipino Church in Brooklyn. Rev. Miguel Rizzo, Jr., of Sao Paulo, Brazil, is one of the outstanding Protestant ministers of Latin America. After his return to the Philippines in 1926, He became pastor of the United Church in Manila and also taught A recent letter from Brazil says: "He is perhaps :the in the Union Theological Seminary. Dr. Sobrepena is only Protestant minister in the city who is being sought editor of the local official organ of the United Evangelical in Council by any considerable number of those who sit Church, The Advance. in high seats in this city and in Brazil, and so he has a unique position and responsibility. His sermons are based *** on eternal truths, and not theological quioblings." Mr. Yahya Armajani, one of the Christian leaders of the Near East, is the representative of the Evangelical H-e is the eldest son of Deacon Miguel Rizzo, one of the Church of Iran. He is on the faculty of Alborz College earliest converts of the first Presbyterian missionary in of Teheran, where he is chairman of the Religious Work, Brazil. and is active in church affairs throughout awakening Iran. After attending the Presbyterian Mission School in Miguel Rizzo, Jr., received his early training in govern- Resht as a small boy Armajani came to Teheran and finment schools and under private teachers. He then entered ished three years at Alborz College. Coming to the United the Theological Seminary in Campinas. During his early States, he took his B.A. degree at the College of Emporia, pastorates, he founded a school for boys and also carried graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary, and reon extensive evangelistic work. In Campinas, he not only turned to Iran where he has been doing outstanding work built a modern church edifice, but taught modern lan- in the Evangelical Church. guages in the local high school and was professor of Portuguese literature in the Government Teachers College. *** Rev. Hafiz Abood Faris is moderator of the Syrian Since 1926, Professor Rizzo has been pastor in the First Evangelical Church. He has spent a number of years in America and is now pastor of the church at Horns, Syria, Presbyterian Church of Sao Paulo, where the membership president of. the Synod, and moderator of the Syrian Evangelical Church. The federation among the Prothas increased from three hundred to sixteen hundred, with estants in Syria, effected under his leadership, in addition to the Evangelical Church includes the Covenanter an attendance of 1,000 at morning services. His , church, churches, the Irish Presbyterian Mission churches and the Danish Mission churches. conducts more than a dozen Sunday schools in the suburbs For a Church-wide broadcast (October 29, of this city of 1,000,000 inhabitants. ' 1937), hundre,ds of thousands of Presbyterian groups can assemble in their own localities to For several years Professor Rizzo was editor of The hear the Centennial message by Dr. Robert E. Speer, on the eve of his retirement from the office Review of Na,tiona~ Missions of the Presbyterian Church of Secretary of the Board after forty-six years of active service. of Brazil. He has been asked by the General Assembly A special celebration is to be held in the Fifth of the Brazilian Church to write a biography of the late Avenue Church, New York, October 28, 1937, to which representatives of all Mission Boards and Dr. Erasmo Braga. Societies in America will be invited, together with representatives of Societies in Great Britain and *** The Rev. Enrique C. Sobrepena, D.D., moderator of the United Evangelical Church of the Philippine Islands, is to represent the new church of his native land. He was elected as first moderator of the General Assembly of this United Church at the time of its organization in 1929, and has been reelected biennially for three successive terms.
Dr. Sobrepena was a member of the constitutional convention and assisted in drafting the plan of government of the Philippine Commonwealth.
Enrique Sobrepena was born in Caba, La Union, and joined the evangelical Church while attending grade
Europe. This will be devoted largely to the dis- (c) Training nati.onal w.orkers .on the f.oreign field f.or cussion of the vital issues in world missions at the Christian service am.ong their .own pe.ople. present time, but will include a survey of the century in world-wide missions. In First Church, (d) Devel.opment .of medical w.ork thr.ough better equip- Baltimore, in which the first meeting of the Board was held, there will be another celebration on Oc- ment .of selected h.ospitals, particularly projects such as tober 31 and November 1. public health campaigns, end.owments .of beds f.or .our min- Because many in the Church will wish to make a special gift to celebrate the end of the first cen- istry t.o the P.o.or, etc. . tury and to start the second hundred years, a Centennial Fund for Foreign Missions is being set (e) Certain f.orward-I.o.oking projects t.o be designated up to be used for the following purposes: by the B.oard with particular regard t.o their appeal t.o y.oung pe.ople, w.omen, men's .organizati.ons, and t.o other (a) Life – new missi.onaries t.o increase the missionary particular gr.oups in the Church. OpP.ortunity will be f.orce. The B.oard pr.oP.oses t.o ask f.or these .on a ten-year given t.o individuals and churches t.o undertake such pr.ojbasis, expecting t.o abs.orb ten per cent a year .of this in- ects as they may desire. crease in its regular budget through increased gifts .of the churches. As a result of the centennial celebration, it is hoped that by the end of the year of 1937 the (b) Definite evangelistic pr.ojects t.o meet the .oPP.ortu- Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., will be more fully nities n.ow c.onfr.onting the B.oard and its Missi.ons. aware of the vistas of opportunity in the new cen- tury and will be more eager to promote the work of Christ in every land and among all peoples.
GOD OF YEARS THY LOVE HATH LED US (Centennial Hymn, 1837-1937) 8.7.8.7. D. H lMN TO JOY Jay Glove. Eldridge. 19311 Ludwig van B.<tnoven. 1824 Wilh exultation '~rt=±=ft~ii I.!l ~ j Ij: 5' 33 1. God of years, Thy love haib led u~, Thou hast been our bul-wark strong, 2. On ward lead, 0 King e· ter-nal, 10, we heed Thy high com-mand, 3. Lead us forth, a Church u – nit – ed, Strong. cour-a-geous, in Thy migbt.
I mI ~~ 1j Jj Z ~~j-=~–~ ii n ~E ¢fJlf~.1):I~ Wall of fire a gainst the wick-ed, Sword of power a-gainst the wrong.
Bear good news tc ev – ery peo – pIe, Far and near, in ev – cry land. 10, the fields are white with bar-vest, Sheaves to gar-ner ere the night.
II ~:- ~ -C 1 ~- ~I ~~~:=f11~~ ~ 1i4fi~J9~hIlI–~ '"' ':;'"'; "in Thou hast blest of old Thy serv-ants As they bore Thy mes sage far; Thine they are,Thy love doth seek them, Thou wouldst bring them tc the light; ~ ~~ad;' !Lh~h "'~ 'oil; ~ft-ri=#ff-r~f f IfflFT1-ti ~~~d:-J~~~ J.4 ~J~l —-.1..-.+.,-.—-+.-.–1-w0 -~ -1 H-~ I.·-I-1 1 T .+. …-~–.I..6 –"Z+1 7-::–6:t/–1-7-7l~ .
We who fol-Iow in their foot-steps Ev-er-more tbeir debt-ois are.
Lea:! us on till darkness brighteris, On till faith is lost in sight.
Lead us on, 0 King e ter-nal, So shall love, world-wide. pre-vail. A-men• r(.-;'8_iO~~ -e.-_.:JrI..r–~..·~.–I-[-'I.Tt=:-:–1=r1=_l-.=.-/=~Ltt.._l:~==-+=:-..~r.==-f!:~:~-=W~·~.~ W–. …~— -.;j-~—-l Word. C ·Ilyrillibt. 1937, by tb. Prc.l>vteri·, B "ard of j/I)reign Missiona.
Christ Changes Life in
By BRAYTON C. CASE -·~.II'._=""M""I""'S""Si""On""a""rY=o,,,,'""'h_Se=cAh_mo"o"el","ri_Pcay""inn=mB"a"anp"a"'_,iS,B,,,t"u"Mrm_l""a'SS""io_n=A""g""ri""CU_I""tu",,ra_I=;;;;:JI5+"- W HAT difference do Christian missions "One man may take one thousand mates." make to the people of Burma? Is their "Wrong a woman as you may-twenty-five life really changed? rupees (the price of an ox) will make it good." One Sunday afternoon I had been at a meeting "If the skirt of a woman touches the sacred of Christians in a village bamboo chapel. After page of Pali scripture (written on the palmleaf) the service a Burmese Christian asked me to it is counted a sin for which she may suffer years speak to his brother about Christ. He took me in hell." outside the village through the intense heat of the While Burmese boys went to the monastic sun and left me in the shade of a teak tree while school to learn to read, girls were kept illiterate. he called his brother who was cutting grass be- Childhood is changed. As soon as a child is old tween the fields of ripening rice. Soon the brother enough to run, he is expected to help add to the came and set his sickle down beside me. I said: income of his parents, and often will be taken out "Your brother wants me to preach to you about of school (if there is one) in order that he may drive away sparrows from the grain, herd the Christ." cattle, cut grass, lug the smaller child, weed the "You do not need to preach to me," he replied. fields, carry food to his elders, and in any way lighten the burdens of his parents. Children are "I used to work as cook for a Christian English for the welfare of their parents, rather than parjudge, and went to many parts of Burma with ents for the welfare of the children. Half the him. In the morning he held his court, and then children of Burma die in their infancy, and many while he rested in the middle of the day, I watched who live longer are maimed, blind, covered with the door. He would tell me, 'If any man comes itch, attached by vermin, and suffer with diseases to see me with a roll of rupees in his hand for a through ignorance and carelessness. But when bribe, you drive him down the stairs. But if any Jesus Christ comes to a village, there come also one comes who is really in trouble and needs my new health to the child, new schools to open his help, call me and I will help him.' With the Chris- mind, more soap to clean his body and his clothes. tian judge I went to Mandalay, and there I saw a Life is lengthened and expanded, and opportunity Christian leper asylum. If we Buddhists see a for the life of a child is enlarged. Jesus said, leper, we think he must be suffering that penalty "Suffer little children to come unto me." for some sin of a previous incarnation. We throw him a copper coin and say, 'Get out of my sight.' Man is changed. He has been crushed under But the Christians of Mandalay have built houses the burden of debt, poverty, disease and fear of for lepers and provide food and clothing for them. the evil spirits, which he believes are in every I also saw beautiful white women with lovely, cul- tree, pond, field and house. He also lives in fear tured faces who, with their delicate white hands, of his fellow-man; neighbors steal his crops and washed the filthy sores of those lepers. Buddhists maim his animals; cheating .and lying are so hate lepers; only Christians love lepers." common that he trusts no one except his own fam- ily. There is no bank in which to deposit his In Burma, only Christians have leper asylums; money. His few possessions must be hidden only Christians have schools for the blind and away, protected by his long spear which he puts teach them to read and work to earn their living. besides him as he lies down at night. Half a dozen Only Christians have schools for the deaf and of the most ferocious dogs he can find are kept dumb. Christians are "different." outside the door to frighten away his thieving neighbors. They bark all night so he gets no People are changed in Burma when Jesus sleep. But the spirit of Jesus Christ teaches men Christ comes into their lives. to love their neighbors; a new peace and good will among men is introduced and they begin to Womanhood is changed. They have been the help one another in new ways. Christ taught men drudges. The Burmese woman walks behind the man and carries the heavy load on her head. A woman is told that she is worth less than a male dog. The old sayings were: [245 ]
to stand straighter, both in body and spirit. In schools and colleges, and hospitals for nurses'
Christian communities new crops are grown; training.'·'
there is more food. Interest rates go down. A "Are you troubled with thieving?" I asked.
man can enjoy more of what he produces, and "No," he said, "we have a Christian night~ there comes in a new spirit of generosity, to give watchman who, with a cross bow and arrow, for the good of others. The home is cleaner and watches the streets at night, and there is a notice the family is better fed; all life is more abundant. at the head of the village which reads: 'No one A visit to the Christian village of Ingaw will may pass through the village after ten o'clock.' If illustrate. The young people had arranged a any dogs bark, he shoots his arrows; thieves stay summer Bible assembly for young people in the away." villages. As a member of the faculty I was asked There were 125 adults besides fifty children atto give a course on the twelve Apostles, and an- tending the Bible Assembly. When the bell rang, other also on pigs, rice, fruit and vegetables. On people left their houses with the doors open and arrival I was met at the river bank by a bullock· went to the school house. The choir sang, a brass cart from the village, and brought with me some band played, and the people worshiped. .They had not learned much of modern agriculture or medi- Berkshire pigs and Barred Plymouth Rock hens cine, or modern housekeeping, but they had to help in the teaching; also baskets of rice seed, learned to love one another, to pray and sing, to vegetable seeds, cashew nuts, and fruit seeds. The give generously, and to honor the Christian life oxen trotted along the jungle road on which there were mud holes where the buffaloes and pigs wal- of the elders. It made life different. lowed, and more than once we nearly tipped over. I asked to see the headman of the village whose Two miles an hour was the speed limit. In Amer- duty it is to keep law and order. One would exica, people tell me that their town is the best in pect to see some strong-armed man, but he was the country and their neighbors are most remark- over seventy, bent with years. He ruled the vilable. In Burma, they say: "I live in an awful lage through love and justice. There had been no village." Villages were pointed out to me where police cases in his village for many years. The . there were thieves, gamblers, opium eaters and district judge had asked why he was sending no opium smugglers. I was told the chief of one cases to his court, and the reply was: village had been jailed for stealing the taxes. "This is a Christian village. We settle our dis- Fences were tumbled down; houses were leaning putes peaceably amongst ourselves. We do not over; there were roofs through which the sun need lawyers and courts." I went with him to visit one of the Christian was shining, and the houses were in a dilapidated homes. On entering the yard, I saw a vegetable condition. garden, flowers growing, a pig pen on one side and chicken coop on the other. The man of the Suddenly we came to a new type of village. The house came out with a smile and the family dog street was straight, with ditches beside the road walked behind, wagging his tail in friendlin~ss. to drain them. Fences were upright and the I asked if there were any Buddhist homes in the yards were neat, with attractive houses which al- village, and he replied that there were seven most looked like missionary homes. They were houses on the outskirts. The leading home was built up on stilts because, during the rainy season, of the "kyaungtaga," the honorary title used 'to one hundred inches of rain fall in six months. designate a builder of sacred places. He had built The land is a swamp, and floods are common, so a monastery many years ago with 300 rupees and that people live from the second story up. At the had gained the title for life. His daughter had end of the village street was a large attractive attended the school for a few years but was taken teakwood school house. out for fear she might become a Christian. His son went to the monastery where he had shouted "How much did it cost," I asked. his letters to the Buddhist priest for three or four years, but he was scarcely able to read or write. "Ten thousand· rupees," the driver' replied; This Buddhist elder had no garden, no pigs or "but we only had to buy the timber. We built it with our own hands. It is a middle school of 150 children, with a higher department."
"How can you have such a high grade school chickens, because he believed his ancestors might in a village of only 130 houses?" I asked. be in them. It would be a sin for him to kill any "The Christian villages at the foot of the hill of them for meat.
only have primary schools," the driver replied, "Will you come hear what we are teaching "so their children come here for the higher edu- about agriculture in the meetings of the as- cation, and each Christian family extends a stand- sembly?" I asked Kyaungtaga.
ing invitation, with free board and lodging, for "We do not dare to leave the house for fear of any child from any of these villages. Young peo- thieves," he replied. "Are you afraid your Chris- ple graduating here have gone out to normal tian neighbors will steal from you?"
HOW CHRIST CHANGES LIFE IN BURMA
"We have other neighbors of whom we are "Where is the doctor?"
afraid," he replied. "It is after five o'clock," the nurse replied.
The Christian headman explained that these "These are not his hours to be here; perhaps he seven Buddhist families are divided into three is at home."
groups that are not on speaking terms with each We found him, but he said: "Cholera is a very other. contagious disease. We cannot take cholera pa- As I started to go away, half a dozen fierce tients here. There is a pest house outside the city dogs, like wild lions, came bounding after me as if with another doctor in charge who takes care of they would eat me alive. them."
"Why do you have such fierce dogs?" I asked. When we reached the long shed known as the "The dogs are all that we have that we can "pest house," we heard groans of men hoarsely trust," was the reply. crying, "Water, water," for cholera hrings a ter- I told him that the Christians learned to trust rible thirst. We asked: one another when they had learned to trust God. "Where is the doctor?"
"Will you come and hear about the God who "No doctor," they replied.
makes them different?" I asked. The water jars were full, and beside them were "They have their religion," he replied, "and we • bottles of medicine, also full, but there was no have ours." He shut up his heart like a clam; doctor to care for the sufferers. After a short and when he shut Jesus out, he shut out the im- time, the native doctor appeared. He had been proved agriculture, the improved health, the hiding until he heard we were there and would higher education, the richer social life and a great find it out. He had been educated in a government measure of that now abundant life which Jesus medical school and knew the treatment, but it was Christ brings to the villages of Burma. He does not pleasant to see men dying with cholera, and make a difference. he did not want to catch it. He had a medical If Burma is a part of the British Empire, why education, but was not a Christian. He had bedon't the British do something to civilize these come a doctor to get a good salary and pension; people and teach them modern improvements? not for the service he could give to others. Sim- The British have done many things to improve the ilarily do we find a difference in other forms of life of the people, and missionaries are grateful government service where men are not Christians. for the British law and order, peace and justice, which give freedom for the teaching and practice Some British officers, with a Christian back- of religion. Many British officers, with high ground who had seen the cooperative societies of ideals of Christian character, have tried to set up Europe, have tried to organize similar societies , the machinery of government organization to aid for the relief of poor farmers, enslaved by debt, the people of the country. Colleges have been es- who often pay 100% interest for money borrowed tablished by the government, teaching science, to meet living and agricultural expenses between engineering, law and medicine. In each district harvests. They organized central cooperative headquarters there is a government hospital with banks and persuaded men of means to put their free beds and free dispensing of medicines, with savings into them, to be loaned to the poor farm- two doctors in charge. All of this is paid for out ers at much reduced rates of interest. The or- of the taxes. We do not often see such service ganization was set up for village cooperative even in America, but the difficulty is with the peo- credit societies where the farmers who put in ten ple who run the machinery. rupees for a share, could borrow up to 100 rupees I was visiting Myitkyina in the northern part for cultivation at a rate of 15 % instead of 100 %. of Burma where Mr. Geis was a missionary to the Kachins. Cholera had broken out. The people The Buddhist village leader saw in this a val- believe the demons have been let loose and are uable new opportunity, and told his sons and destroying them. At night bonfires are lighted on nephews and uncles, and hired men, to join. "If the streets; a great din is made by rattling of you do not have the money," he said, "I will lend tin cans and shouting. The Buddhist priests you ten rupees so you get your money in quickly. gather on the street corners and recite incanta- Now, elect me chairman. We will each stand se- tions to drive out the demons. Here sick people curity for one another, and sign a paper request- were on the streets, going to the hospital. We ing a loan of 100 rupees each." found a Kachin man lying beside the river bank This paper was sent to the cooperative bank and the loan was secured.
who had been stricken with cholera, and carried "Now," he said, "you give me the money; I am him to the hospital. We met Burmans and Chi- boss, and I will lend it out at the usual 100% in- nese, being helped by their neighbors, and trying terest to those who could not get into the society.
to reach the Government hospitals before they We will all make an easy profit without any died. When we arriv~d, we asked: work."
The loans were recorded in the loan books and, agriculture proposed to be taught in schools, is at the end of the year, principal plus interest was considered mere "animal learning." We are told written down as received, and the next day an to give our life-time savings to build pagodas and amount, equal to the principal and interest, was temples. The food of the poor must go as offer- loaned out again, so that the whole transaction ings to priests and idols. The price received for was merely a book transfer without any money. the harvest must be used for the pagoda festival The heads of the cooperative bank in the begin- and the burning of a dead priest. They teach us ning, were British but the popular cry demanded to waste our substance, but you Christians offer that a fellow-Buddhist should be placed at the the opportunity for progress."
head. When the depression came, and an investi- This man was a leading member of the legisla- gation was started to look for the actual money, tive council and finance committee, and a Burman it was learned there was no money, but only ac- Buddhist, but he knew that Christians were "dif- counts. The head of the bank, to prevent investi- ferent."
gation, burned the bank and his accounts; the Another experience strikingly illustrates this.
bank failed, and several thousand cooperative so- Speeding on an express train from Mandalay to Cieties were closed. Many pronounced the coop- Rangoon, I came to a bridge near which some erative movement a failure. The Christian men at· people had been stealing fence wire from the rail- Pyinmana have now organized a new cooperative road, for which they had been persecuted and bank and new types of village cooperative socie- punished. To get even with the railroad, they ties for the marketing of poultry products. The took the rails off from the bridge, and the engine Buddhist who was head of the cooperative de- crashed headlong into the gulch with several cars partment in my district, came to my office and on top of it, full of passengers. Fifty-seven peo- said: ple were killed. I was at the back of the train, "Unless Christian missionaries help develop the and jumped up with my electric torch. I ran Cooperative Movement in Burma, it will fail." down to the wreck where the injured were shriek- He knew Christians were "different." ing for help.
British doctors, with Christian ideals, saw the "Save me!" they cried. "I have money I will terrible health conditions and the suffering from give you. Save me!"
disease in the villages, and organized the Burma I climbed through a broken window on the side Health Department. Modern methods of health of one of the overturned cars and found I was education were introduced, and trained nurses walking upon the bodies of the dead, between and midwives were placed in strategic centers. which were still moving some arms and feet of Moving pictures were shown to shouting crowds those yet alive. A door had crushed six people all over Burma. Tons of health literature were who were still alive, but I could not raise it. I distributed all over the country, giving instruc- told the injured that I would go for help and come tion on feeding,care and prevention of disease, to save them. I went to the back of the train small pox, cholera, sanitation, pure water, with where men were sitting comfortably in their striking pictures in color. The people gladly ac- seats under the electric lights, and shouted: cepted the free literature. Paper is rarely seen "Will three or four of you men come and help in the villages and the health leaflets were often me to lift a door which has crushed six people?· used as cigar or cheroot wrappers, and were If you help, we can save them."
smoked with appreciation – the only method by Noone would move. ·1 went to the next car which many of them could take in the informa- where there were Buddhist priests with shaven tion! When I met the man at the head of the heads and yellow robes. They were men of in- propaganda work of this Department, in a Chris- fluence, whom people worshipped. I begged of tian village, where people eagerly welcomed him them to tell some strong men near by to come and his ideas, he said: and help me.
"Unless the Christians help in the work of the "They are your fellow-Burmans," I said, "your Health Department, it will only end in hot air." own flesh and blood. Come and help save them."
He was a Buddhist Burman, but he knew Chris- They just glared at me; no one said a word nor tians were "different." made a move. At the back of the train in the Recently I served' on a government committee guard-van, I knew there were axes and crowbars for the reorganization of village and vocational for emergencies. I went back and picked them education in Burma, and visited many schools. up, and as I returned, once more cried: When we left a Christian school, which was mak- "Will someone please come and help me save ing a distinctive contribution to village economic six people?"
life, one of the Burmese men said to me, "The A Burman gentleman stepped out and said, "I Buddhist priests teach us that we must not raise will help."
chickens and pigs. The science of health and He was a Christian lawyer from Mandalay. A
boy came running along beside me, who said he portunities of a more abundant life. He had a was from the Christian school in Mandalay. He bank on his estate which loaned money for culti- also would help. We climbed down into the wreck vating expenses, at 1270 instead of 100%. He and hacked and sawed at the door. While we always paid a higher price for the harvest than worked, passengers came along with lighted the neighboring merchants. He opened roads to candles, saying: the villages; he provided a private police force to protect the people from marauding robber bands, "I have lost my bed bundle! Where is my pil- and his door was always open to the farmers who low? I want my box; it has money in it." had difficulties and disputes to settle among them- selves. He was like a father to his tenants. Cap- One of the men who escaped injury, yelled at tain Rivers said to me: them, "Isn't it good enough that your life was saved, not to trouble these men at their work?" "You are teaching improved practices in the He joined in and helped, but the others only Pyinmana Agriculture School, and have men who worked to get something for themselves but would know how to show these tenants' better methods not work to save others. After many hours we of farming. Will you please locate some of your rescued the people under the door, but only four graduates from the school on my estate as demon- were alive. The last woman had her hip crushed. strators of improved agriculture?" It was daylight now, and some strong farmers were standing besides me looking on. I cried to When I put the proposition up to the young men one of them: in the school, three of them volunteered to leave home and settle on this estate. Each took ten "Won't you please help me carry this poor acres of land; the size of a tenant farm, and there woman across the stream?" they now are growing the improved government pedigreed rice, yielding 2570 more of a crop, "Ma-kaing, ye-bu," was the reply, which means, ripening one month earlier, than that of their "I do not feel like touching her. It would be un- neighbors. Because of earlier ripel!ing, the pleasant to help carry an injured woman." ground is still moist enough for planting, and cow peas have been sown in the rice stubble and plowed Soon after a relief train arrived with the Super- under. The beans grow, and pods form during intendent of the railroad. When I asked why the the two months while the rice is being harvested, people did not help, he replied: threshed and cleaned. Then, they come back and pick the beans which can be eaten or sold and so "In every wreck it is the same way. No one two crops are harvested from that rice field where will help." there was only one crop before. The bean vines are fed to the cattle that work the field, and next After many dead bodies were lifted out of the year a better crop of rice will grow because the wrecked cars, the workmen came upon a Bud- beans have made the soil more fertile. On the dhist priest who was still alive. He had been higher land, instead of rice, they are growing bolstered by the bodies surrounding him and had sugar cane, soy beans and pigeon peas, which not been injured. He stood up and shook his bring a higher income than the rice. Near their hand and then he shook his foot and said, "Noth- bamboo house is a vegetable garden with cabing is the matter with me. I am all right." And bages, carrots, onions, radishes, tomatoes, egg out came the usual Burman expression, "Kan- plants and lima beans. They have good things to kaung-lo-lut-teh," meaning "My good karma eat, produced in the home garden for which they (previous good deeds) has saved me." That is do not have to borrow from the bank between what the Buddhists have been taught for a thou- harvests. They use a modern plow that does sand years. People who were injured received twice as good work as the old native plow. They what they deserved, due to the evil deeds of a also have the Berkshire "Christian" pigs and the previous existence. Those who escaped received Barred Plymouth Rock "Christian" hens. the reward of their good deeds. Why should they suffer for others? The ideas of those farm demonstrators are spreading to the neighboring villages, and life is But Jesus Christ taught the way of the Cross, being changed. Those three farm demonstrators the way of suffering to save others. That is what and that captain at the head of the ·estate are makes Christians "different." working to lift the village farmers out of poverty, debt and hopelessness. Each of them is saying, For many years I shuddered whenever I went "I'll help. I'll help." They are Christians; their by that bridge. But now when I come to Kyauk- lives have been changed by the spirit of Jesus taga, the town near that wreck, I am thrilled with the expectation of meeting Christian friends Christ who said: working to save others. "I am come that they may have life and may Captain Rivers, a former army officer, recently have it more abundantly." became the director of a large estate of 35,000 acres on which live 15,000 tenant· farmers and their families. He saw their rice yielded a poor crop. They were slaves to money lenders, and life was hopeless. He wanted to lift them to the op-
by M,r. aM Mrs. Martin
KENYA GIRLS OF EAST AFRICA-THEIR ORNAMENTS ARE BRASS RINGS, BEADS AND IVORY EARRINGS Photo by Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson MOVING PICTURE-EAST AFRICAN NATIVES STARTING A WAR DANCE
Moving Pictures of African
11 By WILliAM L. ROGERS, Now Y",k I~ O NCE it was news when denominational mis- ensuing industrialization; the wealth of Africa's sion boards cooperated in their missionary natural resources; and some of the effects of in- work. Now the first joint production of a dustrialization upon the native African. These motion picture on a year's field of foreign mission reels are comprehensive enough for advanced edu- study is news because it marks another advance cational groups, and at the same time are pre- in interdenominational cooperation. It is news, sented so simply as to be usable with the grade too, when that motion picture, prepared primarily school children.
for missionary education, is recommended by edu- Reel three, From Fetishes to Faith, takes up cators for use in public schools as an educational the problems which confronted the first mission- film. It bids fair to be a successful experiment aries to Africa, shows how they are gradually be- in cooperative financing. ing solved and sketches the hopes for the Chris- Since Africa has been the subject for foreign tian church in Africa when the present tremen- mission study by the Protestant churches during dous needs have been met. Thus the first two the past year, it seemed advisable to have ade- reels paint the background of African life in quate visual material to supplement the study which Christian missionaries must work, while books. the third reel shows what is being done for the A committee of the Missionary Education African. The entire African situation is in this Movement soon found that although many of the way presented to the church at home and chal- denominational boards had short motion picture lenges it to match the efforts of the missionary films on Africa, none wished to take the respon- with unselfish support.
sibility for editing a longer film for interdenom- The success met in the cooperative financing of inational use. The Harmon Foundation finally this production offers the hope that a way has agreed to produce the picture, through its Division been found by which the denominational boards of Visual Experiment, and to make copies of the may have valuable visual material on their vari- film available to the boards, providing the Boards ous mission fields which has hitherto been too having work in Africa would assist. expensive. When twelve sets have been sold pro- A fine piece of cooperation followed. Ten of duction costs will have been met and the net in- the boards and their missionaries contributed come from additional sales will be divided among films, as did the late Martin Johnson, the Legation the purchasing boards. * Most of the boards own- of the Union of South Africa and others. The ing copies of the film charge a nominal rental for final selections were made from over a· hundred its use by local churches. It is likely that the first reels of film submitted. The scenario was pre- two reels will be increasingly used by the school pared by the writer of this article, with the help- systems of the country. While public schools will ful supervision of Rev. Emory Ross, Secretary of not accept religious material as such, they offer the Africa Committee of the Foreign Missions no objections to films embodying high ethical and Conference of North America, and by the Mis- cultural values. Denominational mission boards sionary Education Movement and denominational are thus in a strategic position for the production boards. of films which will pay their own way, while meet- AFRICA JOINS THE WORLD is a 16 mm. film, in ing the educational needs of the boards. Regard- three reels, each of which is a distinct unit. The less of whether or not AFRICA JOINS THE WORLD first reel, What Africa Is, makes use of animated proves a financial success to the denominational charts and maps as well as scenes to portray Af- mission boards, the interdenominational coopera- rica's history, physiography, racial distribution, tion that has gone into this production has great primitive religious beliefs, arts, and tribal or- vallie in itself and points the way to future help- ganization. The second reel, How Africa Lives, ful cooperation in the same field.
shows Africa's home life – types of houses, clothes, ornamentation, domestic relations, and • Ten and two-thirds sets have already been sold to boards- types of food; how th e African I'mteamkeasn a l' tivhinthge; Assemblies of God; Church of the Brethren; Congregational and the conquest of A fri ca b y the wh Christian; Methodist Episcopal; National Baptist; Northern Bap- W I u.tist Convention; Norwegian Lutheran; Presbyterian Church in S.; Presbyterian Church in U. S. A.; Seventh Day Adventist [251 ]
Future of Antioch I•n
Christian Missions to the ffMother of Gentile Churches"
By W. G. GREENSLADE, Beirut, Syria I Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. 1)8- ~==========================~ W HAT happens to Antioch in Syria is of largely substituted Latin for Arabic characters more than passing interest to Christians. in signs on the shops, and they publish a daily That city, "Mother of Gentile Churches," paper called "The New Day," partly in the Latin is where the "disciples were first called Chris- character and partly in the Arabic.
tians." Thence Paul and Barnabas set forth on The Arab or Syrian inhabitants of the sanjak, their foreign missionary campaign and there, including the Christian population is another fac- through the early centuries, Christian theology tor. Alexandretta is also Syria's only seaport and was worked out. Thence Ignatius went to Rome a large part of Aleppo's shipping· is through that to die a martyr and Chrysostom went to Constan- port. To pass by rail from Aleppo to Alexan- tinople to preach righteousness. There the body dretta means crossing the Turkish border and of Simeon Stylites was brought for burial from back again.
his neighboring mountain where he had made his The Syrian attitude is as follows: "Turkey de- influence felt throughout the empire. Several sires to annex the province of Alexandretta on ecclesiasts of Oriental Christian sects still bear the pretext that most of its inhabitants are Turks.
the title "Patriarch of Antioch," though living in … The Syrian people never doubt the fact that Damascus, Beirut or other centersl. the majority of the inhabitants of the sanjak are In recent months Antioch has been the subject Arabs.. . . Turkey cannot ignore the fact that of an international controversy. France has the natural boundaries between Turkey and Syria promised independence to the two mandated coun- are the Taurus Mountains; there are no other tries of Syria and the Lebanese Republic and will boundaries at all. If some of her subjects are liv- recommend their admission to the League of Na- ing to the south of this range why does she not tions. But Turkey has demanded a further di- suggest the exchange of inhabitants."
vision of Syria by making the district of Alexan- Recent reports from Geneva seem to indicate dretta, including its metropolis Antioch, into an that the Turkish view is prevailing and that the independent state. sanjak of Alexandretta is to have an independent What bearing has this controversy on the administration with a French High Commis- missionary cause? Since the World War the san- sioner, with a nominal allegiance to Syria, but jak (or ,district) of Alexandretta, though con- with recognition of Turkey's peculiar interests.
nected with Syria, has been financially autono- This may be merely a first step in the reabsorp- mous and has had some degree of administrative tion of Alexandretta and Antioch by Turkey.
independence. Racially the population differs The chief Christian mission operating in the from the rest of Syria in that a large proportion territory is the Irish Reformed Presbyterian with is of Turcoman stock. Antioch is predominantly stations at Alexandretta and Antioch. Its work Turkish-speaking, with Arabic and Armenian as is chiefly among the Arabic-speaking population.
secondary languages. From Antioch can be seen A number of Armenian Congregational churches the long ridge of Musa Dagh, with its cluster of are the result of the work of the American Board.
Armenian villages. Opportunities for contacts and effective witness- Turkey's interest in the sanjak is based partly ing have been found by the missionary agencies in on the large Turkish-speaking population, and the territory, but the most fruitful line of ap- partly on the ground that the occupation of Alex- proach has been through literature. The printed andretta was purely military and not intended as word is being-read more widely than is often.
a permanent annexation to Syria. She also main- realiz·ed. Colportage work has been carried on, tains that the responsibility of France cannot be and newspaper evangelism has been attempted.
passed on to the new state of Syria. The port of Turkish-speaking students from the Near East Alexandretta is only a few miles to the south of School of Theology in Beirut have been able to Turkish territory. The Turks on the Syrian side spend their summers working with some success have their young Kamalist clubs; they have in Antioch and other centers.
[252 ]
MISSIONARIES THROUGH COLORED GLASSES
As to the effect of the new agreement upon mis- ligious regulations of Turkey would apply to work sionary activity, there is not likely to be any im- among the Turks. The question which should disportant limitation of present liberties so long as a turb the Church is whether the Christian forces system of joint sponsorship prevails. Should the are going to be adequate to meet the opportunity district ultimately be absorbed by Turkey, the re- in this ancient stronghold of Christianity.
Missionaries Through Colored Glasses "Fighting Angel" and "The Exile" by Pearl Buck A Review by the REV. H. KERR TAYLOR, D.D., Nashville, Tenn.
Recently a Missionary in China under the Presoyterian Church, South I N "The Exile," Pearl Buck wrote an idealized guage, she really believes about God or prayer or picture of her mother, a remarkable record of the uniqueness of the character and claims of a life with a high purpose, the picture of a de- Jesus Christ – not to speak of the nature and voted missionary. One is conscious at times that reality of sin. At times we wonder where her the daughter is weaving into the picture her own sympathies are. sophistication; it is difficult to conceive of Mrs. Sydenstricker as a mere "exile." But the charm Those who knew her parents are convinced that and self-sacrifice of her character is beautifully Pearl Buck is pitifully disloyal to her father. If portrayed. she cannot agree with the purpose for which the missionaries of Christ give their lives, at least In striking contrast to this is the picture drawn she need not spread a perverted estimate of them. of the father in "The Fighting Angel." According That many missionaries have made mistakes and to the daughter his understanding sympathy and even sinned, they themselves would not deny. Still love for his children were conspicuous by their the ratio of failings which she describes to other absence; his mind was wholly on his work, so characteristics and achievements of magnificent that the mother is represented as forced to fend worth would be about one to ten thousand. To alone for the welfare of the children. Former one familiar with missionary life, her criticisms friends and associates of Dr. Absalom Syden- and strictures are often false and absurd. stricker, who is called "Andrew" in the book, would scarcely associate with his memory the At the same time her descriptions of missionstubborn, awkward, ruthlessly Teuton spirit that ary sacrifice, loneliness, hardships, courage and the daughter describes. They speak of him as an fortitude are vivid and true. Would that every intense individualist; but the reputation they speaker and writer on this theme had the descrippreserve for him is "that prince of itinerators." tive ability of Pearl Buck. Her descriptions are With prodigious labor through fifty years, he excellent of Chinese life, villages, dogs, gambling, preached the Gospel round about Sutsien and Su- the opening of Montgomery Ward boxes, and chowfu and Haichow and Tsing-Kiang-pu. It was some of the economic missionary problems. The his aim and accomplishment to build on no other account of the fateful days of the siege of Nanman's foundation. king in 1928 is accurate and thrilling.
It is well to remember that, for Pearl Buck, the In spite of all she says about her father one norm of what missionary work ought to be, in- cannot but – even through these pages – respect deed of religion itself, is that which lies in her the old man. He deserves a truer and better symown mind. She is not a missionary and now lives pathetic historian. His soul was not the petty on an estate in Pennsylvania, and in an apartment thing here described, nor was his environment. in New York. One gathers from this book that Missionary life is not an exile. It is not a duress. missionary service is not at all to her liking. To a true missionary it is a glad privilege, in spite of hardships. That is what the missionaries have It is difficult to understand just what, in spite been ceaselessly telling us; and from the looks of of her 17th century Biblical and theological lan- their faces we believe it.
Ways of
crested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MR8. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'=I========================~I Shall We Use Projects'? pull with all its might. Christ from its promotional literature was a most concrete preacher give the following specifications: There can scarcely be ap.y and leader in actual endeavor. question as to the nece~sity for The adoption of a missionary or Magnify your world-a project ~or giving new~born emotIOn~ ~nd a share m a worker, his field or enlarged VIsion. Instead of seemg purposes aroused by mISSIOn some feature thereof will moti- India as a far-away country of remote study and programs an e~rly ac- vate a congregation far more interest the Y. P. W. F. Project will tivation as a conservatIOn and than pulpit eloquence or even reveal large groups of ea~est, at~n an outlet. But opinions differ as brilliant programs. tive young people learmng to h~e useful, satisfying lives, to take theIr to whether the unconcreted ap- Illustrations of this are the places in home, chu~ch and profespeal for "missions" or .the sp~ familiar outflow of personal sional life. Japan WIll be sho~n !lot cific one for some defimte proJ- gratitude in Thanksgiving min- as a tiny island kingdom onsthng ect should be the ideal. Must istrations to the unfortunate; with armament but rather the locathe budget be concreted in order boxes, "barrels," special offer- tion of the Sei Gakuin boys' school in to awaken adequate response? ings, etc., in the a~mosphere of Tokyo. Africa will no longer appear One major denomination with Christmas; the clImaxmg of a as a huge continent filled with super- period of mission study in a stition, ignorance and disease, .but as which the writer is familiar class, department or an en~ire a great opportunity for spr~ad.mg the came out determinedly for the Sunday schOOl by preparmg Gospel of Christ and the prmcIples of generalized appeal and closed its packages of usable articles for Christian living through hundreds of African missionaries or Negro vdlage schools, meagerly equipped but budget channel to s p e c i f i c s. groups on the home field ~his attended by pupils intent on learning Whether this was a premature year; taking up. the collectIOns the teachings which will unlock for forward movement toward an in miniature AfrIcan call drums, them the storehouse of knowledge to ideal goal or a disregard of southern gourds or similar re- which the white man has access. And ceptacles, by a child in native so around the world ,the Project brings fundamentals in human psy- costume' making a model of a out in bold relief youth of all races chology is left an open quest,on; mission 'station, moulding pot- and countries beckoning to us for friendship and understanding, for a but the outcome was disastrous tery in clay, etc., etc. The vil- helping hand. . . . This is an effecand the national policy had to be lage schools of Africa .have fur- tive effort at building a new world materially modified. Is it not nished popular proJ ects for through the educational enterprises of young people in the past year's our brotherhood which have been set true that human responses are study, also looking up Afri~an or aside to be supported by young people. and always will be varied due to American Negro students m vaearly conditioning and that elu- riouscommunities and culti- More than 4,000 young people worksive thing we call temperament? vating their friendship. "Ex- Undoubtedly some people inte- changing experiences in your ing together can. do something…By grate and synthesize their early group or with other groups as to joining forces WIth other ChrIstIan missionary information and your adventures in o~her ra<;e youth an individual aJility can be friendship," is a practIcal proJ- magnified many times. Here's how to align their future activity with ect suggested in the Disciples of an abstract ideal. But this can- Christ literature for the current do it: . not be counted upon. Many year. By far the most ambiti?us others of equal worth must al- venture on a large scale of WhI<;h Select your project (a list of seven ways think and respond in terms the writer has recently heard IS is given, this list to be changed every two years so that groups may have of the concrete. Hence the de- The Young People's World opportunity for diversified end~avor). sirability of a specific project Friendship Project Discuss the proposed work WIth the carefully selected and persist- young people, the pasto: an~ the ad~lt launched l~st year by the United adviser. Secure matenals mcluded m ently renewed froIl.l t!me to tim.e. Christian Missionary Societ~ of a free packet to be had from .The Ministers often fall Just here m the Disciples church. BrIefs United Christian Missionary SOCIety, their pulpit presentations, think- 222 Downey Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. ing "a few missionary illustra- [254 ] Set your financial goal at $1.00 per share getting as many subscribers tions" in their routine sermons for shares as possible in the young are enough for them to qualify people's group. Make up your annual as missionary-minded pastors. goal bv September of each year oli The congregation needs some- the basis of the number of shares the thing tangible to lay hold of and group can support, sending :word re- garding the goal to the natlOnal or- ganization. Throughout the year at every meeting of the group mention the Project. Give information as to what is being done. Give special as- signments to groups for reports.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Keep the interest alive by constantly 25 % of the membership are giv- electric lights under colored stressing the Project. The entire plan is an attempted answer to the ing anything for missionary be- paper, if in the house) indioft-repeated question of young people, "May we not have some piece of nevolences, thus almost crippling cating how the big logs under missionary work to consider our very own"? this next 1},nger at the bottom," the pot represent the mission- Other religious groups with etc., etc., until the total mutilated aries and Christians in the U. S. specific projeots worked out in conformity with age interests "hand" is held up as the symbol and the little black sticks the naand the down-to-date conditions of our changing world are urged of the working efficiency of the tive evangelists, the total fire beto send their plans to this Department for the purpose of church. If the application is to ing the effect of close coopera- "sharing" our best endeavors in the common Cause. be made individual in some such tion. Neither is sufficient alone.
Note the Department Editor's address at group as a young people's so- African Lights and Shadows: the top of page 254 to avoid the delay of forwarding from the New York office. ciety, cut out enough hands for A vivid story illustrated while Visualizations all present, and in the course of being told by shadow pictures on Akin to projects and doing the talk, have each member a large sheet. Full directions close teamwork therewith are the appeals to the eye. Don't "mutilate" his own symbol in given in leaflet of that name. skip over this ne~t portion, Friend Worker – among – Adults, accordance with his personal Upriver on the Oregon: A for regardless of maturity, Eyegate has never had a close com- record, and take the resulting travelogue along the African petitor as a popular route to Man-soul; and if the device is symbol home for prayerful con- river of that name, a river being adapted to the age interests of the group and made an auxiliary sideration. It will often press simultaneously traced in sand on means instead of the main objective, it will be found an effective home the truth as mere words a table or on a map, with palm attention riveter and memory fixer. Remember the example of and injunctions cannot do. trees, little huts, toy animals, the great Teacher among fields, lakes, lilies, fowls of the air, etc. The following visualizations boats and mission stations dot- Maps, pictures, pos,ters and unique uses of the church bulle- outlined in the packets of the ting the scene at intervals. tin board need only be mentioned. A good chalk talker is Disciples' literature mentioned In an African Setting: Coninvaluable. The device of the Crippled Hand may be made in our previous issue are well struction of an African villageconscience searching. Trace and cut out a life-sized outline of the worth thinking about: homemade or a Bradley Village human hand with fingers well apart. Write on each of the five White Gobblers: A s the Cut-out, with the meeting arfingers an objective in general speaker tells of the successive il- ranged as a palaver, the African congregational or group work legitimate seizures of African drum call given, the native as: Regular attendance at serv- territory by European nations, a greeting shown, etc. ices, systematic and proportional giving (for "current expenses" white paper gobbler (for which Meet Your Own Missionaries: and "for benevolences" on sep- pattern is furnished) bearing Costumed impersonations of arate digits if desired), daily the name of the nation concerned missionaries who tell their own prayer, mission study, and the printed across it is fastened in stories as taken from biographilike. If the congregation or the the appropriate place on the cal sketches furnished by the lesser group is to be considered large map of Africa, so that the publishing society. (These may as the unit, give a little talk on finished map will show plainly be obtained at almost all the deeach digital objective in turn, as, the location and number of for- nominational headquarters, by "In our membership of 375, the eign "gobblings." It is best to . applying to the literature secreaverage attendance at a worship have one person attend to the tary or clerk in the educational service is only about 125, so this mounting and a series of speak- department. ) first finger is two-thirds crippled ers present the subject matter, As stated last month, packets (bending it down in that pro- as, "Gobbler Britain" (eight including these items and much portion, on the device); only gobblers required); "Gobbler more available material usable Portugal" (three); "Gobbler in any denominational group France" (six), etc. While the may be had for 50 cents each.
territory in which the United A great variety of interde- States is interested in ~ mission- nominational devices on the ary way (the Congo) is under same principle as the foregoing the control of other nations, it is have been described in this De- well to prick our pride in not partment in previous months possessing a gobbler of our own and may be found in files of the by mention of incidents in our Magazine such as most public past history where we have libraries have. It is the earnest played the part ourselves. desire of the Editor to list and God's Torchbearer's – a com- cite prices for usable material bination.of visualization and im- among all denominations, bear- personation, in that a series of ing on the new study topics, if speakers representing different sent as early as possible for African natives come forward June, July, September and Oc- at the summons of the leader. tober numbers. African and each carrying a little black stick Negro stereopticon and moving which the leader places under a pictures proved invaluable vis- pot hung above a camp fire (real ualizations in schools of missions if outdoors but simulated with as well as regular church wor-
ship services, in the past year. sential to its universal mission. And cluding some material for young There will be a list of such pic- only as they retain that vision are tures bearing upon "Rural Life" they likely to resist absorption into people and the little folks. In the setting of what is designated and "The Moslem World" for new political faiths built around race, as a renewed interest in tithing, class and nation. your selection at an early date. The rentals are nominal; and Weare encouraged by the in- "Helps for the Stewardship projectors may be found now- terdenominational response to Chairman" says: adays in almost all communities. plans set forth in this Depart- ment to believe that THE REVIEW First and most important of all, let us get this truth firmly fixed in our Fresh Missionary Ammunition is having no small part in culti- minds: Tithing is nota scheme for vating the atmosphere for the raising money. . . . God is after Each month the Department growth of this world Christian hearts. Tithes and offerings consti- Editor's mail bag brings fresh consciousness. To that end send tute the age-old plan of the heavenly encouragement to believe that in your best plans for mission- Father (1) to save men's souls from the "ways of working" featured ary education in all departments the deadly sin of covetousness; (2) to in THE REVIEW are proving of church activity, particularly teach His redeemed children to put most acceptable and are widely His Kingdom first; (3) to allow them appropriated. Innumerable pJeas among the children and young thus to have a part in the extending for more information regarding people who are our hope for a of His Kingdom, thereby glorifying plans thus passed along from new world order. God and obtaining "treasures in our contributors are received, heaven." also requests for activating lit- Children's Special Pac k e t: erature-and this regardless of A play, "The 'Prove Me' denominational imp r i n t s on The Editor has recently received Plan," is included with the dileaflets and programs. This is from the United Christian Mis- versified literature, some of as it should be in an era when sionary Society, Missions Build- which is especially adapted for strenuous efforts are being made ing, Indianapolis, Indiana, a use in devotional services in the to increase the consciousness of large package of missionary ma- women's society. Write the Litthe Church as a world Christian terial for use with junior groups erature Department of the Womcommunity, not a series of sep- en's Missionary Union as menarate sectarian plots in which bearing upon the current theme tioned above for list of leaflets Baptists, Presbyterians, Meth- of Africa, their period for such and prices separately or as a odists, etc., are cultivating their study being April-October of this whole. own particular doctrinal speci- year. It is admirably adapted mens. for use among children of that Bermuda, Coral Isle of the age interest. It includes intro- Atlantic: This is the title of a In a report on the state of the ductory explanatory material, a new silent, 16 mm. motion pic- Church at the biennial meeting map of course, good picture ture film, complete in three reels, of the Federal C 0 u n c i I of loaned free of charge by the Na- Churches of Christ in America, sheets, stories, suggestions for tional Motion Picture Service, last December 9-11, these words creative activity, fascinating 723 Seventh Ave., New York. were spoken: details for making an African Write direct to the company. village, plans for making a wall frieze, an African picture book, A Seventieth Anniversary Cel- native canoes from hollowed-out ebration: The Methodists are wood, moving pictures of Af- "going places" just now. Among By every means in our power the rican scenes, posters, a very other things, their Women's Forvision of the Church as a world Christian community mu~t be made elaborate African party, games eign Mission Society has in- African children delight in, augurated a campaign for three luminous if our devotion to it is strengthened. The practical need of imaginary tours through mis- years leading up to the celebra- this emphasis is acute. Such an em- sion stations, guessing games, tion of their seventieth anniverphasis will put the enterprise of foreign missions in its proper and per- camp fires, real African refresh- sary, with a different emphasis manent setting. And it is entirely ments, etc. While some of the for each year. This campaign possible that our people will give of material describes conditions at is bound to yield much that is of their substance. to a cooperative world definite stations maintained by universal interest and usefulness Christianity in· a measure even ex- the Christian Missionary So- among sis t e r denominations, ceeding their gifts to the pioneering ciety, even that is of a typical, particularly during its first year missionary efforts of the past. . . . What is needed today is the actual general character, and the large whose main emphasis is to be growth of fellowship. This seems to bulk of material might be used upon a "teaching mission." The us the central guiding principle of the Christian conscience in thes'O! times. equally well in any evangelical words "seven" and "seventy" group anywhere. The stories are to be played upon in the va- Wherever the barriers of economic, racial and nationalistic differences are particularly good. This gen- rious features-each district to impede the growth of fellowship. there erous-sized packet sells for 25 secure seven new organizations the Christian conscience demands that these barriers and not fellowship cents and is well worth its price. for their seven-point star; auxshould give way. . . . Only as our Tithing Material:' From the iliaries to be divided into groups members catch the vision of the Women's Missionary Union of of seven for prayer circles; sev- Church as a World Christian Com- the Southern Baptist Church, enty intercessors throughout the munity are we likely to find solutions to these problems (the relations of 1111 Comer Building, Birming- country, etc. Fuller details and Church and State) which will pre- ham, Ala., comes a flood of new suggestions are in hand and will serve for the Church the freedom es- leaflets to promote tithing, in- be featured next month. The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~,~,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~==I~~ INDIAN MOTHERS We thank thee, our heav- enly Father, for the mothers who freely offered themselves that we might live.
We think of their love and their loyalty, their gentleness and their strength, their kind- ness and care, their sacrifice and patience.
Help us, 0 God, to honor them by our thoughts, by our words, by our actions, by our appreciation and by our grati- tude. Help us so to learn and grow and live that we may be- come the fulfilling of our mothers' desires and prayers for us.
May we be kind to them as they have been kind to us; may we help them as they have helped us, remembering that He who died for us upon the Cross in that last hour was mindful of His mother.
"All mothers are rich when they love MOTHER AND A MODERN INDIAN MOTHER their children. DAUGHTER hard. "Your mother said, 'she There are no poor mothers, no ugly Yannabah slowed her pony to cannot go. Tonight there will ones, no old ones. a walk. The desert air was good be a "sing" for her.' " after five years at the govern- Their love is always the most beau- ment school. A few weeks were Yannabah knew w hat it tiful of the joys." hers, weeks of vacation from meant-the sing, the dance, the school, from routine, from strict men sitting in a circle around MAURICE MAETElRLINCK. discipline. She would be happy her to look her over, finally one in her old home. of them taking her to his "ho- A PRAYER gan" to live. There would be no Someone was coming up the more chance for school. For a We bless thee for the great main road. She knew it was an moment she hid her face. Then and precious ideal of mother- Indian by his bare head and the she lifted her head proudly. hood. swift stride of his moccasined feet. "Tell the trader's wife to look We praise thee for the present for me by the time the moon is joy and the lasting influence of "Hocko, shahte," the voice of up," she said. The boy sped all good mothers. her cousin greeted her. down the trail into the desert.
We think of the noble women "The trader's child is ill," he "Yannabah rode slowly along all over the world and in all said eagerly. He knew that at the trail to her own hogan, all times who have prayed God to school she had had hospital the joy gone from her heart. bless them with children, and training. The old mother sat on the then have prayed him to bless ground near the fire. Once their children. "I will go," she said, with a Yannabah lifted her head and feeling of exultation.
"No," said the boy, his voice [257 ] looked long into her mother's or whether such practices are CONFERENCE ON LIFE eyes, but soon both turned away departures from the earlier cus- AND WORK, OXFORD, troubled. Should she stay with toms and are a lowering of tribal the old woman who loved her standards, so bringing degen- ENGLAND Church, State and Society though she said so little about eracy.
it? If she went away per- "Are the old men and women Following a dozen years after haps it would mean that she who tell the young people that the original Conference on could never return to her moth- 'Blanket Marriages' are a cus- Christian Life and Work at er's hogan. But she could go tom of the tribe, willing to make Stockholm in 1925, there will back to the towns and schools the efforts their forefathers meet at Oxford, July 12 to 26, and have a chance at the hospital made to see that such marriages a second world conference of the training she had dreamed of. are not just temporary arrange- same general nature under the Perhaps some day she could ments? Are the older people auspices of the Universal Chrisserve her own people in a hos- making the old efforts to see tian Council. pital on the desert. that such marriages are made in good faith and kept pure or is it Among the 825 persons who Yannabah decided to leave but a matter of complete unconcern will go to Oxford the number of knew if she were to go it must to any and all of the older mem- women thus far appointed from be quickly.. She turned, gave a bers of the tribe whether or not America is thirteen. Among last look across the fire to the the young folk so marrying in- them are: Miss Eliza H. Kenbent old woman at her task, and tend to remain faithful, protect- drick of Wellesley College, Mrs. was gone. The old woman heard ing their mates from the evils of H. H. Pierce of New York City, her go but did not stop her. adultery, or desertion and neg- Mrs. Harper Sibley of Washing- Perhaps she had a moment of lect? ton, Mrs. Fred S. Bennett of the true understanding for her girl Council of Women for Home who had been learning better "The essence of valid mar- Missions, Miss Anna V. Rice of ways. riage is the free consent before the Y. W. C. A., and Mrs. Harrie witnesses of parties who are R. Chamberlin of Toledo, Ohio. Misunderstood and misunder- competent and free to marry to Other prominent women constanding – Yannabah so typical live permanently together as nected with American church of Indian youth of today, stands man and wife to the exclusion of life have been invited but have midway between the old customs all others on either side. This found it impossible to accept. of her parents and the new civ- much is required in all civilized ilization of the white man and communities today. Studies in preparation for the yet belongs to neither. Conference are engaging the at- "In Christian marriage a man tention of leading individuals in . Excerpts from a story by Dorothy Cate, and woman are joined together significant groups in many parts III the Woman's Press Magazine. in Christ. The marriage be- of the world. The following are comes as much a part of the particularly recommended: (1) THE STUDENT WELFARE spiritual life and development Christ's Way and the World's- COMMITTEE OFFERS as baptism, confirmation and In Church, State, and Society, ATHOUGHT* partaking of Holy Communion. by Henry Smith Leiper; pre- senting crucial issues and how The Student Welfare Com- "The young Indian, returning the churches are seeking to meet mittee of Flandreau Indian to the reservation, can make of them in our contemporary School, Flandreau, South Da- marriage a mockery. He may world; 144 pages; paper cover kota, has been thinking most give up all idea of establishing 65 cents, cloth 90 cents. (2) seriously about elementary so- a home and enjoying the com- Church and State on the Eurocial obligations of young Indian panionshp of a woman who re- pean Continent, by Adolf Keller. women and men. They offer spects him and whom he re- (3) Christian Faith in the Modthe following ideas, set down by spects. He may use for his own ern State, by Nils Ehrenstrom. Miss Bernice Cartwright, the selfish lusts the freedom custom The author is a brilliant Swedish interdenominational Director of has given him on some of the scholar. Probable price, $1.50. Religious Education, stationed reservations. But he will not be at the school under the Joint contributing to the growth of The United Youth Movement Indian Committee of the Home ideals nor to an advancement of has taken the responsibility for Missions Councils. the Indian people. On the other sending eight youth delegates to' hand he can look seriously at the the Oxford Conference. "One of the difficulties young problem, the obligation entered Indian people face when they re- turn from schools to the reser- into, with an idea of establishing A special radio program in vation, is to know whether or a home, caring for his family by England has brought the subject not certain practices at home are protecting them from neglect matter of the Conference to the really part of earlier customs and disease and taking part in attention of the listening public which kept a race clean and fine, the life of the community. And and a somewhat similar series he must choose a woman whose has been promised in the United * From the News Bulletin issued by the .ideals and standards are as high States by the National Broadstudents at Flandreau U. S. Indian School, Flandreau, South Dakota. as his own. casting Company.
Hopeful Ohanges to twenty pupils, was invited
address the students. He com- Incorporation of the Ohurch A writer in the C. M. S. Out- mented favorably upon their zeal look sends encouraging news to gain knowledge of Confucius, The Church of Christ in China from Fukien that is in contrast who has the respect of the whole is. negotiating with the National with familiar stories of ban- thinking world, but did not fail Government with a view to hav- ditry, famine, and warfare: to tell them how infinitely more ing the Assembly's constituent Communication is being im- satisfying Christ is than Consynods and churches registered proved through the opening of fucius. with the Government. Registra- motor roads and there is marked tion is the equivalent to "incor- progress in popular education, The Chinese teacher said: poration" in America. Until it opium suppression and good "You are forgetting that Conis registered, the church cannot government. Steps are being fucius is our chief philosopher become a property holding body. taken to turn erstwhile bandits and leader of thought in China, The Government has recently into law-abiding citizens, and and meets every condition of passed regulations governing the also to remove the cause of the our life most satisfactorily." registration of all kinds of or- trouble, i. e., the economic disaganizations ranging from wom- bilities of the farming popula- The missionary suggested that en's clubs and labor unions to tion. Thus, some of the greatest on the morrow they submit the chambers of commerce and hindrances to the Gospel are be- t€!achings of both to a test, and churches. Naturally, regula- ing removed. this was done at the city gates, tions sufficiently comprehensive where many lepers gathered to cover such a diversity of or- Hopeful open-mindedness is daily. Whichever presentation ganizations include provisions observed among educated peo- should bring the greatest satiswhich make it exceedingly diffi- ple, radical theories are becom- faction to the lepers, should win. cult for the church to accept. ing discredited and moral char- The missionary read passages However, the present national acter is coming to be desired expressing the sympathy and Government is ex c e e din g I y more than eloquence. There is companionship of Christ with friendly to the Christian move- an increasing measure of co- the unfortunate sufferers. ment and it is expected that such operation a m 0 n g Christian difficulties will be overcome. forces, and new power has come "Of course," said the Chinese into the lives of Christian work- teacher, "Confucius said nothing -Presbyterian Banner. ers. Teachers are learning the of the lepers and so I cannot secret of leading their pupils one match what Jesus says with any Famine in Szechwan by one to God in Christ. Med- saying of Confucius." The lepers ical workers are exhibiting new made the decision for Christ. In the New York Times of patience and winsomeness in March 21, Szechwan, China's their relations with the sick. -Outlook for Missiom. most populous province, is re- Pastors are learning to be true ported to be in the worst drouth shepherds to their flock, and are New Bible Society Branch in 25 years. Large portions of finding the way to bring back the province have had no rain wanderers to the fold. Ordinary Christians of Chefoo have refor a year. Streams have dried church members are feeling the cently organized a new branch up and even the mighty Yangtse urge to pass on the blessing they of the China Bible Society. At River has been reduced to a have received, rather than leave the opening meeting of this trickle. Over 200 deaths are re- the evangelistic work to paid Chefoo branch, it was explained ported daily from starvation in agents of the Church. Every- that the purpose of the China Chungking and its suburbs. Re- where, a new harmony, a deeper Bible Society is not to break lief workers have been prac- spirit of fellowship, is being en- away from the three foreign tically helpless to cope with the gendered. Bible Societies w 0 r kin g in situation. China, but to work in coopera- Oonfucius or Ohrist? tion with them. It was pointed There is enough rice and other out that Chinese Christians food in the province, and they A Christian traveler who vis- should realize their responsibilsay that there would be no ited a school in China, where ity in helping with the distribufamine if there were organiza- Confucianism was being taught tion of God's Word and the Gostion for distribution. Thus far pel message; and should emphathe government has done noth- [259 ] size more the reading of the ing about this problem. Bible. A fine spirit of unity and
enthusiasm was apparent among JAPAN-CHOSEN of the world, and at the end of Christian leaders. that time cannot give any idea Coordination of Christian of what it is all about." The future control and leader- Forces ship of this newly-formed body -Monday Morning. will be under an executive com- The disbanding of the Federamittee of eleven m e m b e r s, tion of Christian Missions as a Twenty-Four-Hour a Day chosen to represent the different delegated mission body, and the Church churches and Christian organ- turning over of its administraizations in Chefoo. tive functions to the National S. Sodeyama, after a period of Christian Council brings the study in America, held a seven- -Chinese Recorder. missionary body definitely with- year pastorate in Nagasaki, in the Council's constituency where he became convinced that Practical Christianity . . . makes the council the all- preaching alone was an inade- inclusive clearing house for the quate expression of the Gospel, Mr. A. J. Dieffenbacher, tem- Christian movement rin the em- so he and his wife moved to porarily stationed at Kanhsien, pire … places (in the council) Tanaka, a section of Kyoto made Kiangsi, sings praises of a Bible the responsibility and task of up of Korean workers, "waterwoman who is never too busy to correlating the work of missions level" outcasts, garbage and rag teach the Gospel. "She has, of and missionaries so that they collectors, beggars and the poorcourse, to take time for cooking, will increasingly become an in- est of Japanese laborers living washing and sewing, but why tegral part of the indigenous under unbelievable conditions; should this hinder her in work- Christian movement and be one of seven such communities ing for the Lord at the same given a worth while sphere of of Kyoto, and in only two are time ? Wash day is an ideal time action within the frame work of Christian churches. Here Mr. to teach Mrs. C- how to sing, the Japanese Church. Sodeyama began holding servfor the rubbing up and down on ices in his small home, and when the washboard is an excellent Another piece of coordination no one came he preached in the method for keeping time. Here is the formation of a conference streets. Gradually his memberis the picture. of publishers of Christian books ship has grown to 60 members. and publications, for the sake of To support his various enter- "The Bible-woman is at the closer cooperation to provide the prises, he purchased a small cart well doing her washing. Mrs. nation with a greater variety and began collecting waste paper C- is sitting on a stone opposite and beHer type of Chri'stian lit- and rags. Interested persons her. Today the chorus is, 'Jesus, erature. -Christian Century. became regular contributors, so the Saviour, save me.' The that he now has ten supporting Bible-woman sings a line, and He Had No Idea patrons many of whom are nonthen Mrs. C- repeats it. This Christians. is kept up until Mrs. C- has Two boys, both graduates of a learned the chorus by heart. Christian school, were applying His proteges include the blind, for a position. One was a Chris- the lame, the old, the poor and "Sewing day is the day for tian, one was not, and the rail- the lonesome. If hungry, they further instruction in the Word. road official who was interview- are fed. The homeless are taken There is some ripping as well as ing them was not a Christian. in and the jobless given work to sewing to be done, so Mrs. C- Technically, the non~Christian do. Few Westerners would like takes one end of the garment young man was somewhat better the accommodations, but it is and does the ripping, :while the prepared than the Christian. better than the under side of a Bible-woman sews the other end. The official finally asked them bridge. Pastor Sodeyama's vis- All the time the Bible-woman is both to tell him what they had its are the few rays of light that telling this young Christian more learned through their experi- pierce the inner darkness, for he about the riches that are her's ence in a Christian school that brings hope in his sermons, in Christ Jesus." would not have been the case if recreation in magazines, enter- they had gone to another kind of tainment at special seasons, -China's Millions. school. The non…Christian could medical attention, assistance in think of very little, but the entering the larger hospitals, Lifted and Lightened Faces Christian gave a very definite and even pocket money. statement of the benefits of his At a meeting in Mienchu, an faith. He was chosen for the -Presbyterian Tribune.· official who was won to Christ position. "It is not because you last year gave a testimony that are either Christian or non- Devil Possession in Korea illustrates the fact that trans- Christian," said the official. "It formed lives are reflected in is because I cannot think very Miss Louise B. Hayes gives a faces. At the close he said that highly of the intelligence of a remarkable ins tan c e of the if any non-Christian were to young man who, for five years, ,transforming power of God's have a photograph taken of him- has been associated with follow- Spirit. self, and afterwards truly repent ers of one of the great religions and believe in· Christ, and six "In a little village up in the months later have an 0 the r hills lived a young man, uneduphotograph taken, he could not cated and ignorant, who had help but notice the difference.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
fallen into all the vices known to mosa. During three weeks thou- he reads the Scripture lesson. Korean youth, a disgrace and sands of lukewarm Christians A prayer followed by five of the menace to the whole district. As renewed their allegiance to older girls, with responses by a result, he became a maniac, so Christ, long-prayed-for relatives the children. Then a hymn, fierce and wild that he had to be and friends were converted, and after which some fifty children, kept tied. A group of new Chris- multitudes asked for prayer. In from five to fifteen, rose in turn tians in a neighboring village North Formosa 151 preaching to give short bits of Bible hisheard of this madman, and de- bands were formed with three tory, which carried those who termined to pray for his recov- or more members each. When could understand it from the beery. The young man was he sailed back to China hundreds ginning of the Bible through its brought, bound, to the churc"h, went by train to see him embark, entire length. Some of these and the more earnest Christians and some, taking small boats, were dramatic in form, others met to pray. As they prayed, followed the steamer out to sea, musical, hymns were sung at the young man mocked them, an unprecedented demonstration various points, but the entire muttering, 'Blah, blah, blah,' but of affection. -So S. Times. program went along smoothly. they continued. S 0 met i m e s Now an older boy stepped again when the name of Jesus was Cebu Field, P. I. into the reading space, and read mentioneti he would curse and a short sermon in Samoan, then try to attack t"hem. They prayed On Cebu Island last year 242 in English, taking his text from on, in faith, and at last, he was were received into the churches Job 5: 17, 'Happy is the man cured. on profession of faith, and whom God correcteth: therefore eleven places have been opened despise not thou the chastening "Two months later I held a to the Gospel. This does not of the Almighty.' In this he reclass in this new church. The mean places where occasional ferred to the hurricane of last young man was at every session; visits are made, but places January, followed by severe food ~uiet and dignified, taking part where regular services have shortage, and by an epidemic of in the services, or quietly read- been established and a group of whooping-cough, w h i c h has ing his Bible. Apparently his baptized believers are carrying taken the lives of many. mind is sound and clear; he on by themselves. Four ten-day talks rationally, and thanks God Christian workers' institutes "As I watched the happy, infor his recovery. Wherever he have been conducted, with an telligent faces of the youngsters goes, he carries Bible and hymn average attendance of 69 stu- grouped in front of me, dressed book with him, and often he is dents. We believe that much of as would be American children singing a hymn. He is a living the advance has been a direct on such a day in spotlessly clean testimony that none can fail to result of the new spiritual life clothing, and showing evidence see, and because of him others received from these times of of careful attention to ears and are being brought to the Lord." study and fellowship. Two of necks, I couldn't help contrast- the girls who attended from ing this with conditions in these -Pyengyang News. Ronna returned with the mes- islands just one hundred years sage, "Today is the day of sal- ago." -Presbyterian Tribune. Secret of Growth vation." They went from house to house and from relative to School for Javanese Teachers .It is not easy to become, or re- relative, insisting upon the main, a church member in good claims of the Gospel message. Plans have taken shape to standing in Korea. Personal be- As a result of their efforts seven open a new training school in havior is carefully supervised by new members have been won Solo for teachers in Middle Java. church authorities. Discipline during the past few months. It The Government grants this is strict. Financial responsibili- is planned to follow up with school no subsidy at present. It ties are definite. Yet with all similar institutes in ea.:!h dis- is therefore quite free and may this, the growth is remarkable. trict. be set up where it is thought to The Mission and the Korean be most wanted. The idea is to Christians credit this to two -Philippine Presbyterian. establish it so that the training things: constant and systematic given there is entirely suited to Bible study, in classes, insti- Samoan Sunday the needs of the native populatutes, church services l>.nd pri- tion, and not after a Western vate reading; and, secondly, to Thomas L. Kirkpatrick, chap- model. Thirty-five applicants definite evangelistic effort on the lain of the U. S. naval base at are being sent from various dispart of individual Christians. Tutuila, Samoa, furnishes an tricts to the school, so that antidote to the usual type of proper classes can be formed. ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC South Sea stories. It is an ac- The school will also train pupils count of a morning service in a from other missions. The open- New Life in Formosa village church. ing of this work is considered one of the most important proj- Dr. John Sung, who left a "There was a short 'sermon' ects of the Reformed Church for career in pure science to take up by one of the older boys, who 1937.-Holland News Bureau. evangelism in China, has been stepped into the railed enclosur~ preaching in the island of For- where the faifeau stands when
NORTH AMERICA It is hoped that in each city quite 200,000. New York's an- where a preaching mission has nual crime bill is $605,000,000 Seeking Church Federation been held, or will be held during while the total city budget is this year it will be followed by a $539,000,000. Unemployment re- At an interdenominational "School in Christian Living"; lief absorbs $25,687,776 per anconference, held at Salt Lake num. There are seventeen City in February, it was agreed and that this will be followed by square miles of slums, 245 miles to consult with the Home Mis- projects for building together of tenements fronting streets, sions Council and Federal Coun- the Christian community, local 250,000 windowless rooms, and cil of Churches on federating all and world-wide. The three em- 309,157 apartments wit ho u t denominations at work in the phases – on evangelism, on bath facilities. Other facts are intermountain area; and to equally distressing. create a permanent, interdenom- teaching and on action-are thus inational conference for this woven into a single pattern. American Buddhists area. This move grew out of conviction that the evangelical -Federal Council Bulletin. There are today 100 Buddhist enterprise requires extension temples in the United States. and strengthening; that no room Department Store Gives The largest, in San Francisco, exists for interfaith controversy, Bible Lectures was recently the scene of the but that there is every opportu- 40th annual Buddhist convention nity for positive, love-character- Lectures on the Bible offered in the United States. ized gospel proclamation. by a department store turned out The Japanese Buddhists claim There was full discussion of 50,000 Japanese and 2,000 white four main themes: (1) the na- to be its most popular feature. American members, of whom 50 ture of the area, status of the are priests. Plans are afoot for evangelical enterprise; (2) min- The Higbee Co., of Cleveland, the erection of the first Budistry to yuuth; (3) missionary dhist temple in New York and extension; ministry to scattered which has for years maintained another in Philadelphia. groups; (4) interdenominational cooperation and the future. a series of lectures in connection An Oriental's Memorial Participants included Board representatives of several denom- with its book store, four years The Japanese Church of Corinations, pastors, teachers, mis- tez, California, gave $55 per sionaries, community workers ago started lectures on the Bible capita last year as compared from Arizona, Idaho, Montana, with about a $16 per capita Utah and Wyoming. and related subjects given by average of Presbyterian church members as a whole. -Monday Morning. Miss Harriet Louise H. Patter- Dr. Philip Payne, Presby- Conserving the Preaching son. So popular did they become terian Executive Secretary of Mission Oriental Missions in San Fran- that they have been continued cisco, tells a story of the sacri- As a means of relating the Na- fice made by one Chinese pastor tional Preaching Mission to sub- ever since. -Advance. in California. Last fall the wife sequent work, a movement com- of the Rev. Yick Soo Lee was bining their several approaches The City's Ohallenge killed by a drunken automoqilist. to the local community has been The insurance company settled I a u n c h e d under the name, The Greater New York Fed- for cash without going to court. "United Christian Advance." eration of Churches, in prepara- When some one suggested to Mr. Building upon the new spiritual tion for "Community Sunday" Lee, who receives no pastor's interest stirred by the Preach- on January 31, assembled a stag- salary, that that money would ing Mission, the United Chris- gering array of facts and figures ease his financial stress, he antian Advance undertakes to relative to conditions of popula- swered, "But we shall not use carry forward an educational tion, housing, race relations, de- the money for ourselves. Mrs. program which will conserve the linquency and crime, public Lee would want the work of tellvalues of the Preaching Mission. health and the like. ing the story of Jesus to go on Cooperating in the movement just the same as if she were are the Federal Council of The area included in the sur- here. We will build a church Churches, the International vey is 299 square miles. On that with the money in the little vil- Council of Religious Education, ground there are living almost lage back in China where' she the Home Missions Council, the 7,000,000 people. Religiously was born, and all the people Council of Women for Home there are 2,556,595 Protestants, there will love her for telling Missions, the National Council 2,365,247 Rom a n Catholics, them of the Saviour." of Federated Church Women, 1,875,545 Jews, 115,544 Eastern the Missionary Education Move- Orthodox adherents. There are Mr. Lee sailed for China last ment and the Foreign Missions 2,387,868 persons under twenty fall to build the memorial Conference of North America. years of age. In thirty years church. the Negro population has in- creased from 67,304 to 343,221; New York is the greatest Jewish center in the world; fully 70 % of the popUlation are entirely out of touch with any church _and about the same proportion of children is unreached by any definite reI i g i 0 u s education. There are 1,074 churches of fif- teen denominations that report a membership of 454,045 and a Sunday school enrolment of not
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
New Frontier in Canada cautiously because of political tional leadership as well as illit- opposition in many Mexican eracy. There are venerable For over five years Saskatche- states. "Mammies" who r e c e i v e a wan has witnessed a shifting of monthly dole, and prominent population that has been of deep Mexico Fights Alcohol business men, teachers, lawyers, significance to the churches. doctors. There are English, Due to drought conditions in the The Mexican Government is Scotch, Canadian, Portuguese, south a steady northward trek interested in questions involved Chinese, East Indian (100,000 of settlers has taken place. in the strong drink traffic. Pub- in Port of Spain), Spanish, and These farmers have taken up lic meetings are being held to every shade of Negro. From the homesteads in the bushlands of find out the attitude of the gen- first, this church has expressed the north. More than 40,000 eml public. At one meeting re- itself in m iss ion a r y work people have moved into this cently a member of the Cabinet throughout the Island. "Land of Beginning Again." presided and every branch of the federal government was rep- -Watchman-Examner. The trek has f ace d the resented. There were present churches with the problem of sixty~three chairmen of state Progress in Venezuela extension in a new frontier area and district antialcohol commitat a time when funds for exten- tees who came from every part The annals of missions in sion work are seriously cur- of the Republic. Another anti- . Venezuela are "short and simtailed. For a while it seemed as alcohol convention will be held ple," yet they record a great if they could not cope with it. a year from now in Mexico City deal of consecrated activity in "God hasn't crossed the Beaver and representatives of all the behalf of this needy land. In- River yet" became a current say- powerful labor organizations of tensive evangelistic work has ing in the north. the country are expected to be been carried on in the city of present to state their point of Caracas and its environs, and The United Church of Canada view. -Watchman-Examiner. evangelists, traveling by mulehas met the challenge by send- train, have taken the Gospel ing a newly-ordained missionary Centenary at Sa~na message into the far interior of who has changed the saying to the Republic. Under the present "God has crossed the Beaver The story of the Samana government there is complete re- River." Working in coopera- Church in the Dominican Re- ligious liberty in Venezuela; tion with the Church of Eng- public is interesting. In 1835 a missionaries are making the land, he is claiming Saskatche- group of Pennsylvania Chris- most of this. The Presbyterian wan's newest frontier. '. tians bought the freedom of Girls' School in Caracas has en- some slaves and helped them to rolled daughters of the most in- -Christian Century. embark to a peninsula on the fluential families of the country, northeastern coast of the Domin- all of whom are thus brought LATIN AMERICA ican Republic. The place where under Christian instruction and they landed came to be known the influence of Christian teach- Cardenas Denies Hostility as Samana. A missionary of the ers in the building of character. Wesleyan Methodist Church to In his first pronouncement on the British West Indies learned Renewed effort is being made the Church-State question in of this English-speaking Negro to circulate Christian literature more than a year, President colony, visited it, and finally lo- throughout the country; and a Cardenas declared in March cated in the peninsula. During spirit of comity marks the relathat "Mexican Catholics have the century 11 churches have tions of workers of all groups. complete lib e r t y to go to been established, for the most church." Asserting that "the part supported by descendants EUROPE government was not hostile to of the original colony., Within the Church," he added that the past year the Wesleyan The Religious Issue Church and State relations were Board has transferred this work better than for a long time be- to the Board for Christian Work Throughout central Europe a cause the "priests have recog- in Santo Domingo. bitter struggle is raging between nized the uselessness of mixing Cat hoI i c and anti – Catholic in politics." Baptists in Trinidad forces. It has reached its peak in Germany, is the chief issue in President Cardenas has said Baptist activities were estab- Austria, and is one of the most that the Mexican Church prob- lished on the Island of Trinidad vital questions in Hungary. It lem must be relegated to the by the Missionary Society of is an element of the war in background, and that the only London nearly one hundred Spain. In some places the Cathsure method of doing this is to years ago.. This is the only Bap- olic Church is on the defensive; permit the opening of churches. tist church in the world receiv- in others it is attacking. In Ger- At the same time the President ing state support. The audiences many, for example, it is being is reported as opposed to relax- are largely colored, but contain pushed to the waIl. In Austria, ing any of the restrictions taken wealth as well as need, educa- it is on the offen~ive. In Hunto prevent the Church from exer- gary the fight is different, for it cising influence in Mexican polit- is between two churches, the ical life. He has had to move
Catholic and Protestant. In cording to the report, the income sou r c e s: In 1935, 14,000 Yugoslavia it is between two is actually smaller than it ap- churches were closed. Between churches: the Catholic on one pears, because as a result of the 1917 and 1935, 42,800 clergyside, Eastern Orthodox on the economic conditions, the income men die d in concentration other. of 1935 did not reach as far as camps. Of the 35,000 priests the same income did in 1930. before the revolution only one- The geographical line divid- The figures indicate the faithful- fifth remain. On February 9, ing the two churches runs across ness of the missionaries and na- 1936, the tenth anniversary of Europe from south to north, and tive workers who have carried the League of Militant Godless passes through Yugoslavia, di- on faithfully in spite of great was celebrated. The president viding the land into two almost personal sacrifices. reported that half of the populaequal parts. Religiously, half of tion of Russia is now atheist, but the country looks west and be- "In the Faith of Hitler" bemoaned the fact that 50 per longs to Europe; the other half cent of the Russian youth still looks east, and belongs to the Last March it became a cus- clung to the Christian faith, and Orient. This line corresponds tom in Germany in newspaper most of them persist in religious very nearly to a racial and death notices to say that the de- practices. The draft of the new political division, making the ceased "died in the faith of Constitution gives freedom both struggle a three-sided one. Adolph Hitler." Dr. Alfred to religious and antireligious Rosenberg, editor of Volkischer propaganda. In 1925, 42 Roman -The Christian Century. Beobachter, personal news or- Catholic churches were open and gan of Adolf Hitler, is also 40 priests were at liberty. To- German Missions quoted as having addressed him- day there are none. In the whole self to Germans who believe that vast territory of Russia there The Yearbook of the United Adolf Hitler is the Son of God, were then 300 priests; today German Mission Conference for but are scoffed at by some of there are 15. Under the system 1937 releases the latest figures their friends, in these words: of collectivization 90 per cent of concerning the German Evan- "We need a Son of God. . . . To- the farms have been taken from gelical Mission work as of the day there stands among us one the owners. In 1914 the Luend of 1935. The total number who has been specially blessed theran Church had 230 pastors, of European missionaries of the by the Creator. No one has the 200 congregations and 800 societies represented in the right to find fault with those of churches. They have now been United Conference is 1,561, with our people who have found their reduced to three churches. 12,093 native workers. There Son of God and have thus reare 1,307,788 native Christians gained their Eternal Father." AFRICA and 67,000 candidates for baptism in the care of all these so- -Alliance Weekly. Evangelists for Egypt cieties. They conduct 4,424 elementary schools and 138 high crews Seek to Conform Twenty young men, of whom schools in which there is a total 15 were Copts, have been attendof 255,819 pupils. These so- It is reported that two hun- ing fortnightly classes in Cairo cieties operate thirty-five hospi- dred prominent Rumanian Jews for voluntary evangelists. Sevtals in which thirty-six Euro- have offered to become converted eral of these young men assist pean and six native doctors are to the Greek Orthodox faith to in conducting the evangelistic employed. The combined re- "identify themselves completely meetings which are held each ceipts from Germany in the year with the Rumanian nation." week either in private houses or 1935 amounted to 5,260,707 Rumanian church officials intend in small mission rooms in some marks. If these figures are com- to start an intensive campaign twenty centers in the suburbs of pared with the figures of 1930, for mass conversion of Jews, and Cairo or near-by villages. it is shown that there has been are ready to appoint special misan increase in the number of sionaries for this purpose. They These training classes aim were also quoted as having of- especially at preparation for missionaries of 14 %; in the fered to build an imposing Greek winning Moslems. It is pointed Orthodox church for converted out that a successful evangelist, number of native-born workers, Jews, and as having asked that whether foreign or Egyptian, of 26.30/0; and in the number of the Patriarch appoint a baptized requires to have an intimate Jew as priest. knowledge of the Christian and native Christians, 26 %. Over Moslem Arabic religious vocabu- It is a question whether these lary, a sympathetic understandagainst this increase there is a Jews are converted, or merely ing of the mental and spiritual finding it expedient to conform. outlook of the special group decrease of 29 % in the income which he is seeking to reach, a Situation in Russia close acquaintance with the from Germany. These compara- movements of thought and cultive figures speak an earnest The United Presbyterian gives ture which are gradually changlanguage; for the actual situa- the following summary of the ing the viewpoint and social tion is still more unfavorable religious situation in Russia, than the figures ·reveal. The which is based on authentic growth could have been even greater; for it was not possible to make the fullest use of all the possibilities because man-power and means were lacking. Ac-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
values of the Egyptian people, month they meet the medical as- many women around? Accurate and skill and wisdom in present- sistants to report these visits and statistics are not available, but ing those central truths of the to ask God's blessing on those it is certain that the increased use of the plow and the decrease Christian faith which are a per- who have accepted Christ. -Presbyterian Banner. of polygamy have proceeded petual stumbling block to the Moslem-the Trinity, the Incar- simultaneously.
nation, the Atonement, the suf- The Luba-Lulua Bible Christians in Kavirondo fering of God and the method of Dr. George T. McKee, mis- The work of evangelization divine revelation. sionary of the Southern Presby- only began in Kavirondo at the terian Church in the Congo -C. M. S. Outlook.
Colonization Scheme BeIge, writes that in all the opening of this century. These large centers it is now extraor- people are a likeable race of East Portugal has undertaken a dinary to find a young man Africa. They are great travelconstructive piece of work in es- unable to read. It is also en- ers, and go all over Kenya as tablishing a great number of couraging to find that those house boys, or other laborers; Portuguese families – mostly best informed are eager to be ac- and so enthusiastically did the peasants – along the railroad curate about Biblical facts. The first converts spread their faith that runs across Angola from missionary has to be extremely that the Church soon gained a Lobito to the Belgian Congo. careful now in his preaching stronghold. Their spiritual life The newcomers will find their and teaching lest some native is marked, evidenced by prayer farms with a ready crop of catch him in a mistake. Most meetings held on their own maize, wheat, fruit, vegetables, of the younger Christians can initiative, and their firm stand etc., all ready for harvesting, a recite long portions of Scripture. against old heathen customs. comfortable little house, well Not only has the Bible been But there is another side. As furnished and very hygienic, and the source of inspiration for the Rev. G. F. Kidd, of Maseno, exa number of natives under con- natives; the Luba-Lulua trans- presses· it: tract to help the new colonies in lation, since its appearance ten We have most of the outward paratheir work. The first group of years ago, has had an unex- phernalia of success. We hav~ s~v families has already reached pected influence on European eral African clergy, many ChrIstIan gathering places throughout the coun- Angola. traders, not versed in French or try and the Christian out-school is a -London Missionary Herald. English, but with a knowledge quite normal feature of the country- of the native language, who have side. But we have now also come to the second generation of Christians. Busy Nurses at Elat found their first real introduc- Christianity has become more conven- tion to the way of life in the tional; it is the "accepted thing," At Central Hospital in Elat pages of the Luba-Lulua Bible, and in the main I am sure it is true are sixteen women nurses. Some to say that there is not now the same are young graduates of mission the first complete Bible in any keenness amonl!' the individuals of schools and some are widows native language in central Bel- this African Church that there was who have bought their freedom gian Congo. It has a circulation fifteen years ago. from their husband's family. from Leopoldville to Elisabeth- ville. Young men often sit on -Church Missionary Outlook. These women work from morning to night, and often far their doorsteps and read with- WESTERN ASIA into the night, caring for the out danger of ridicule. from passick, making up supplies, steri- sers-by; some may read, as they Modern Turkey Makes Plans lizing instruments, getting the operating room ready, dressing so like to do, with a loud voice, The present regime in Turkey the wounds, bathing new-born heard by many in the village seems' determined, by an enbabies, caring for the orphans, lightened policy, to win for that who are at work. country a prestige surpassing -Bible Society Record.
scrubbing and cleaning. After Plows vs. Polygamy that of the former Ottoman Emwork hours they go to their pire. A vast scheme is on foot kitchens and cook their food. A writer in Woman's Mission- to give about 2,500,000 peasants Early in the morning and on ary Friend proves that plows a proprietary interest in the their half days off they work in have dealt a blow to the practice land. While preserving intact their gardens or gather food and of polygamy. It has been said the principles of private owner- firewood. Besides being nurses that the short-handled hoe is the ship, agricultural units, each most of them are Sunday school badge of African womanhood, comprising several villages; will teachers, and all of them belong and when all. cultivation of be formed into a "Kombine."
to one of two groups of personal crops was done by the hoe- One thousand of these are pro- workers. Two afternoons a woman's work-it naturally fol- jected. Seventy-eight per cent week they take their Bibles, lowed that the more wives a man of the population will benefit in gat1:Ier together for prayer, and had, the more land he was able one way or another by the pro- then go to the wards and neigh- to cultivate. But a plow can do ductivity which it is designed to boring villages to a c qua i n t more work in less time than secure.. Jumhuriyet, in its issue others with their Saviour. Each many wives, so why have so of February 4, discussing this
national program; says that the such a pretext as ill-health. I try to help him. The lad came; forests which cover only twelve heard your message first in the a cure was effected, and when he per cent of the land area will be wards, and I come to the dispen- had been there four years he doubled, and works for the con- sary to hear more." said one day, "I want to be a folservation of water will be under- lower of Jesus Christ." The taken. A young man was treated free doctor asked him how he had of charge in the hospital as he reached this decision, and he re- -World Dominion Press. was poor and without work. plied that Mahomet had never While in the wards he was im- done anything for him, neither Syria's Spiritual Hunger pressed by the spirit of service had the Mohammedans. But, he which he saw in the workers said, it was the life which he had Medical work is of special and was influenced by what he seen lived in that mission comvalue in Moslem lands because heard. After leaving he ob- pound that had led him to wish it shows Christianity in action. tained work, and from time to to be a Christian. Missionaries in Syria living in time since then he has given Moslem neighborhoods are now small donations to the hospital -The Christian. reporting a real desire to under- out of his earnings, declaring stand Christianity for its own each time he does so that it is a INDIA-SIAM sake. Sometimes this is due way of repaying the debt he merely to an awakening interest owes to the hospital. Changes in Twenty Years in the world at large; but the missionary in one strongly Mos- -E. M. M. S. Quarterly. A contributor to Agricultural lem city reports that he always Mission Notes asked 35 students finds it easy to lead from this A Pioneer in Iran in Pasumalai Normal School purely intellectual interest to the what noteworthy changes have spiritual. A religion free of the Dr. P. A. Satralker is a young taken place in South India in the detailed, rigid .observances of Indian medical man who is past twenty years. These stu- Islam; a religion simple enough working as a missionary in Iran dents are thoughtful men of colthat a simple man can under- under the Bible Churchman's lege age. The first eight changes stand its meaning, yet profound Missionary Society, stationed at listed are given in the order of enough that the greatest scholars Zahidan, South East Iran. Be- the strength of the vote. cannot find its ultimate reach; tween there and Quetta, 500 one based on a few great prin- miles eastward, there is no Caste distinctions are disappearing. ciples and not depending on a Christian witness. The nearest Untouchability is being rapidly disthousand petty observances-all mission to the north is Meshed, this appeals to the young Mos- 615 miles distant. The hospital carded. lem of today. Most of all, he is at Zahidan represents the only Child marriages are decreasing. beginning to ask about a religion organized Christian effort in this Education for women is increasing. that is worked out in actual life wide area. Coeducation is becoming more comand not in formalities. Dr. Satralker's father was a mon. Damascus Hospital minister of the Indian Presby- There is wider public interest in edu- terian Church, and believed that In Damascus, a Mohammedan the same Holy Spirit who had cation. stronghold, it is very difficult for led the Churches of the West to The demand for Home Rule is more a non-Christian to make public send the Gospel to India would confession of Christ as Saviour empower Indians to pass it on widespread and insistent. without great danger to life and to other lands. Of his four sons Rural reconstruction is multiplying. property. But many incidents the eldest is now in charge of an Epidemics are being mastered. encourage the staff at the Edin- American Presbyterian station; Women are entering public life. burgh Medical Mission Hospital. the second is now serving at Miraj, in Sir William Wanless' Interreligious Student A woman, who had been an Sanatorium; the third is the Conference in-patient, but had been dis- subject of this sketch, and the charged, continued to attend the fourth, also medical, is a mis- A Y. M. C. A. worker reports out-patient department Ion g sionary to Arabia. a student conference at Varkala, after she had left the hospital. Travancore, at which Christian, It was puzzling to know why she At Zahidan, aggressive evan- Moslem and Hindu students met should persist in coming, but gelism is impossible, as preach- on a purely religious basis. she finally made a confession to ing is forbidden except on There was honest skepticism on the hospital evangelist, Mr. mission premises, and lantern all sides. Questions arose out of Saliba, "I do not come here for lectures are included in the ban. real desire to know the truthmedical treatment. I come to questions that tested the best rehear the Gospel message. In my Dr. Satralker, when on a jour- ligious experience represented own house I am almost a pris- ney, halted at a coffee-shop be- there. For example: "How can oner and could never come out side the road. Sitting outside one know the will of God?" here to the hospital except on was a beggar boy with a terrible "What special value do the foot. The doctor told him that Scriptures have over the sciim- if he would come a little later to tific research of today?" "Why the Zahidan hospital he would need we go back to the experi- ences of those of the past when we of this age know more than they did?" Or, "I had lost my confidence in Hinduism, and
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
thought that Christianity was was stopped, and filth and smell Siam has religious freedom. The restrictions on Christian activities are ideal. Then I learned of their became unbearable. Dr. Clifford divisions, their failings, and I G. Manshardt, head of Nagpada very few. How long will this last? Siam is growing in geographical began to see all religions as Neighborhood House, gathered and political unity. There are no struggling after the ideal." It young Jews, Hindus, Moslems longer isolated fields in Siam itself. Older missionaries soon to retire was interesting to hear a Hindu and Christians in his School for have prestige and influence that leader help a Christian leader Social Work, and went into the should be used strategically and make his point clear. streets with brooms and dump urgently.
carts to clean up the place. It New leadership is arising in the personalities of younger missionaries, On the Depressed Class was a dramatic lesson in com- eager to unite on forward-looking munity spirit as menial work projects. Movement done by young men of all castes Equipment at certain places must Dr. P. B. Hivale, of Bombay, and creeds was an astounding either build up or close up. in an address before the All- thing. The next day the mu- India Conference of I n d ian MISCELLANEOUS Christians, told what he thought nicipality began work again with the Christian attitude should be Gifts and Giving toward the problem of the de- street cleaners in that section; pressed classes. and next day the press of India The Un i ted Stewardship made front-page news of the Council has recently issued its "I cannot but believe," he event.
said, "that in the principles Forman Christian College compilation of data in regard to which were given to us by Jesus gifts to 24 leading Protestant de- Christ you find the motive power Forman Christian College, nominations in the United States which makes human freedom Lahore, has been a pioneer in and Canada. possible. Therefore, Christians many lines. It was the first to Total gifts to the 24 commumust place before the depressed form a Graduates' Association nions were $315,438,747 in 1936 classes what they have, not in a in 1896, the first to open a Bi- as compared with $304,692,499 spirit of competition, but merely ology Department in 1898, the for 1935. This means a per as a witness to the liberating first to adopt coeducation in capita increase from $12.10 to power of Jesus Christ. Such a 1902, first to conduct medical ex- $12.46. Gifts for congregawitness must not be, however, amination of students admitted tional expenses increased from accompanied by any promise of to the College (1914). Her stu- $251,347,435 to $258,167,763, a economic help or political status. dents were the first to receive per capita increase from $9.98 Any attempts to enter into a the degree of B.Sc. from the to $10.20. The per capita inbargain with the depressed University of the Panjab. Dur- crease in gifts for denominaclasses for political purposes, or ing the past four years the Col- tional benevolences is a little less with the hope of increasing num- lege, now under the principal- proportionately than in those for bers is against the very spirit of ship of Dr. S. K. Datta, has congregational expenses – from our religion and we must set our made some vital changes; a new $2.02 in 1935 to $2.12 in 1936. face against it. At the same office was created in 1934 to fol- In 1936, as in 1935, the Church time we cannot but hope that the low up the progress in his of the Nazarene gave the largest depressed classes may find in the studies which each intermediate total amount per capita, $25.55. principles of Christ the abun- student makes. An annual camp In 1936, as in 1935, the United dant life for which they are is held for first-year students Presbyterian Church gave the searching. The decision must be where for two weeks they work largest amount per capita for their own. Whatever the deci- and play together. The effect of denominational benevolences, but sion, it should be our duty to help this novel experiment appears have decreased their gifts from remarkable, especially when one $7.18 per capita to $6.53. them. in their struggle. "However, we must confess looks at it in the light of the Three denominations in the that even in Christian churches communal shackles that fetter United States gave less per capthere has been class discrimina- India in general and the Panjab ita than in 1935; all the others increased their gifts at least a tion.· A challenge comes to the in particular. -Indian Witness. little. Christian Church to reexamine Of the three Canadian com- itself and to purge itself of all munions the gifts of the Cana- dian Baptists and the Presbysuch distinctions and all such New Life for Siam evils that come from our human failure to live up to the ideals Dr. Charles T. Leber, the new terians decreased both for dewhich we hold and which are a secretary of the Presbyterian nominational benevolences and sacred trust from our Master." Board and now on a tour of mis- for congregational expenses; sion fields in Asia, urges a new while the United Church in- united program for Siam. Here creased its per capita gifts Headliner are some of his observations: for denominational benevolences During a three days' com- The National Church is still young slightly, but decreased its gifts munal riot in Bombay the reg- enough to be enthusiastic, willing and for congregational expenses. ular city street cleaning service pliable. -Federal Council Bulletin.
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~,,============================== Rats, Plague and Religion. John most the number of the popula- Ambedkar movement as an in- Spencer Carman. 250 pp. $1.25. tion of the whole of the United troduction to the whole question Judson Press. Philadelphia. 1936. States are without any skilled medical help in India? Those of our Western churches' contri- This is as interesting a book who have in hand the prepara- bution in the past and our re- tion of textbooks for the study as its title would lead readers to of India in 1938-39 should have sponsibilities for the future. this book in mind, and some pub- Thus while bringing out Dr. expect, and is the best collection lisher would do well to issue a Pickett's survey conclusions in cheap edition to ensure its win- simple fact and figure, he has we know of stories concerning ning its way into the homes and led us to the brink of the future, hearts of the American people. medical mission work in India. with the vast need of India's J. F. EDWARDS. teeming Untouchables upper- Dr. John Spencer Carman of the Missionary Stories to Tell. Compiled most in our sympathies. Victoria Memorial Mission Hos- by the Children's Committee of the The author not only interprets Missionary Education Movement. pital at Hanumakonda in the 178 pp. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 the nature of the so-called "mass Hyderabad State (Nizam'& Do- cents. 1936. movement," but describes the minions) has had the help of his actual process of Christianizing capable wife who contributed Every teacher knows the edu- these depressed classes. Vivid several of the stories. They il- cational value of a well-told glimpses from current reports, lustrate how much can be done story. Through this collection latest figures of numerical progby a faithful missionary couple of 38 stories, boys and girls will in their first six years on the not only learn the facts about ress, eye-witness descriptions of field. Would any ordinary busi- modern missions, but will gain village life, all bring to the ness concern, in any part of the an understanding of world fel- reader a sense of the vital world, show equal results in so lowship and racial brotherhood. drama-spiritual, social and ecobrief a period? The stories are The stories are especially adapt- nomic-now proceeding in Innot only fascinatingly told but ed for telling, and are of tested they reproduce the Indian at- value to leaders of children in dia. mosphere with surprising cor- introducing boys and girls of the The author's review of the inrectness. Happy must have been Americas, China, Japan, Korea, the American audiences that India and Africa. creasing contributions of govheard them. No wonder the ernmental and non-Christian doctor and his wife have been The Untouchables' Quest. Godfrey agencies is appreciative; he urged to give their addresses Phillips. 96 pp. 40 cents. Edinthis permanent form which de- burgh House Press. London. 1936. commends them to Christian apserves wide circulation. Books proval and assistance, though he by India's medical missionaries This unpretentious book, tak- shows how justified is the Chrisare too rare, a simple and suffi- ing less time to read than the tian conviction that the changed cient explanation being that Book of the Acts, is a chronicle every medical missionary in' In- of modern "Acts" of the Holy inner life based on vital relation dia is already greatly over- Spirit. Inspiration and chal- to Christ is fundamental to any burdened with work on the field lenge are presented by facts lasting improvement in individand their furloughs are taken clearly expressed and forcefully ual and corporate life of the Unup by home churches that wish emphasized. Mr. Phillips, an to hear their moving stories. If English exmissionary (now a touchables. every missionary on furlough Board Secretary), has sought to could have as useful a "father- bring forth into the common Among portions most useful to the in-law" to help prepare his man- knowledge of the British and reader, and to one who desires to use uscript for the printer then American churches the great the book for preparing addresses or many more entrancing mission- study by Dr. (now Bishop) J. for classes are those dealing with ary books might be published. Waskom Pic k e t ,t, "Christian (a) the three years of experience The ignorance of home churches Mass Movements in India." Mr. since Mr. Gandhi's dramatic fast for about mission lands must be dis- Phillips has used the important the untouchables; (b) the startling pelled by some method or other. superiority in literacy of the Chris- How many people in the Amer- tians over Hindus and Moslems; ican churches realize that al- (c) difficulties and achievements in self-support, and (d) multiplying evi- dence that from the witnessing lives of transformed outcastes higher castes are being won to Christ in large numJers, and the emphatic chapter entitled "Everything Depends on Teaching."
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[ 268] The author closes with the ners-one as an American Con- Almost nothing is said about the note of urgency and warning, gregationalist and an interna- many people of wide usefulness recognizing the long road ahead tional evangelist who went whom Mr. M90dy led to Christ. for Christian forces. In blunt everywhere preaching; and the There is no index. language he says "this thing other as a metropolitan Baptist The fact that Mr. Day never which is too big for us already preacher who drew people trom saw D. L. Moody and was not is going to become far bigger." everywhere to hear him in his intimately acquainted with his B. C. HARRINGTON. London tabernacle. Both estab- work explains many of the lished educational institutions- omissions and inadequate lights Missionary Romance in Morocco. Spurgeon a Pastors' College and and sidelights on the great evan- By James Haldane. Illus. 8vo. 189 pp. 28. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. orphanage, and Moody a Bible gelist. As a balanced biography London. ·1937. Institute and two schools for it is lacking but as Mr. Day's struggling young men and young estimate of the man and his Morocco is one of the less message it is interesting and familiar countries of the world. women. Both were Bible stu- shows a man whom God used. It is out of the line of tourist travel and is inhabited by Moors dents and published books and A History of Jewish Christianity. and Berbers who are not over- tracts which have sent the Gos- From the First to the Twentieth friendly to Europeans. While pel in print all over the world. Century. By Hugh T. Schonfield. there are representatives of sev- Both were men of prayer and London. Duckworth, 1936. eral Protestant missionary so- depended on the Holy Spirit for cieties in Morocco, the field is power. Both were endowed with This important book has asnot an encouraging one because sembled valuable facts related to of the fanatical character of the a sense of humor and "common a phase of ecclesiastical history Moslems. Mr. Haldane intro- sense." Both died in their prime that has been almost entirely duces us to the people and prob- -Spurgeon at fifty-six, and overlooked, for church historians lems in a very entertaining and Moody at sixty-two, and both have attached little importance illuminating series of chapters left an enduring work behind to the place of Jewish Christhat relate his observations and them and children to carryon. tianity in the course of the experiences during the past 25 Christian centuries. This book years. He is a missionary and The material for Mr. Day's seeks to furnish a continuous ac- Field Superintendent of the story of "The Great American count ·of Jewish Christianity and Southern Morocco Mission, with Commoner" are largely gathered its influence from Apostolic headquarters in Mazagan. There from Mr. Moody's youngest times to our own. In spite of are few, if any, recent books that sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Moody many a hiatus in the records we give as vivid a picture of the have the results of extended products of Islam in North Washburne of Racine, Wiscon- research and a valuable contri- Africa. sin. For the most part it is not bution to the study of the sub- new but gives some fresh and ject. interesting glimpses of D. L.
Moody, his family and asso- ciates. The author's philosophy and personality are even more prominent here than those of his The aim of this history is ex- Bush Aglow. Life Story of D. L. subject but the book pictures a . pressed in a quotation taken Moody. By Richard E. Day. Illus. great soul, a love – motivated from Basil Mathews' "The Jew 331 pp. $2.00 net. Judson Press. soul-winner, and one filled with and the World Ferment." He Philadelphia. 1936.
D. L. Moody, who was born in the Holy Spirit and who built says: "We do not believe it to poverty just one hundred years both for time and eternity. be in the purpose of God that the ago, was a remarkable man. His One peculiarity of this biog- Jewish Christian should be delife seems to offer almost inex- raphy is its omissions. Little is prived of the opportunity of haustible material for biogra- said about the institutions that making his own distinctive phers. Three new volumes have D. L. Moody founded and that racial and cultural contribution recently come from the press he sometimes said represented within the Christian Church." thirty-seven years after his his most abiding work. The The principle, as thus stated, is Moody Bible Institute is given in full accord with the science of death. The new biography is by the six pages out of 333, Northfield modern missions. It is when we author of "The Shadow of the one page and Mount Hermon come to consider, however, what Brood Brim," a life of George two pages; almost nothing is was the "distinctive racial and H. Spurgeon, the great English said about the Northfield Con- cultural contribution," w h i c h preacher, who was born just a ferences and little about the Col- Mr. Schonfield thinks Jewish year before D. L. Moody. The portage Library; the names of Christians should make within two men had many points in many of those most vitally asso- the Church, that we find ourcommon – both were born of ciated with Mr. Moody are selves in disagreement. poor and obscure parents, had omitted; while others of little The author claims the right comparatively few educational importance are included; noth- for Jews who accept the Mesadvantages, were soundly con- ing is said of the work of his siahship of Jesus to remain withverted in youth and became sons and son-in-law in carrying in the Jewish community, to confamous preachers and soul-win- on the institutions he founded. tinue the observance of the
peculiar customs of their people, ment of Jewish Christians from women and children of wealth, and to cherish the heritage of their own people and the loss of holding them for ransom, bru- Israel. He believes that the their testimony within the House tally executing them when ran- Jews would thus "banish forever of Israel. We have here a fresh som was not forthcoming or the pain of the broken family study of the relationship of when captives failed to keep up circle," and be able effectively to Jewish Christians to the Chris- with the rapid marches. The "open the eyes of their brethren tian Church and suggestions as hope of a large ransom led the to the saving truth that Jesus is to how their testimony for Communists to save the lives of the Messiah." He also seems to Chdst can be made more effec- the two missionaries. Mr. Hayapprove of a return by Jewish tive in reaching their unrecon- man alone was released on the Christians to the view of Jesus ciled brethren. J. S. CONNING. payment of ten thousand Chi- held by certain followers of nese dollars by a Chinese friend, Christ in the first Christian cen- The Restraining Hand. By R. A. though the release of both had turies, known as Ebionites. Mr. Bosshardt. 288 pp. Price, $1.50. been promised for that sum. Schonfield says, "Their Chris- Hodder & Stoughton, London. 1936. Five months later, Mr. Boss- tology was a simple one. They This record of the "Captivity hardt was released without ranbelieved that Jesus was the nat- for Christ in China" of two som when it occurred to his capural son of Joseph and Mary, members of the China Inland tors that, as a Swiss, he did not elected to the high office of Mes- Mission, Messrs. Hayman and belong to an imperialist nation! siah by virtue of His Holy life Bosshardt, for periods of 413 For a picture of Chinese Comand Davidic descent; that He and 560 days respectively, is a munism in its horrible reality, had been so designated at His fit companion for the narratives baptism by the entering in of the of "Boxer Days," of fiery trials not as the theorists portray it, Holy Spirit and by the Voice that in the Church's various persecu- one should read this book. It is proclaimed, 'Thou art My Son, tions, and of the experiences of this day have I begotten Thee.' the Apostle Paul so briefly yet so a modern parallel to parts of the They also believed that after graphically recorded in the Acts eleventh chapter of The He- brews. COURTENAY H. FENN.
proclaiming the Kingdom of and the Epistles. The book Indians of Today. Edited by Marion God, He laid down His life for might have a wider reading and E. Gridley. 128 pp. $2.50. Pri- the salvation of Israel, was produce a deeper impression if vately published by the Indian buried, rose again from the it had been cut to half its length, Council Fire, 108 North Dearborn dead, ascended into Heaven, and yet the interest of the reviewer St., Chicago. 1936.
would shortly return again to set was maintained through a com- When it is no longer thought up His Kingdom and reign over plete reading of the simple story, necessary to introduce American despite the natural sameness of citizens of aboriginal descent the House of Jacob forever." Students of history will recog- its detail of daily hardship and with the sound of tomtoms and nize at once views over which peril. The heart-sickness of a display of war-bonnets when many a battle royal has been "hope deferred," the dreary they are accepted without fanfought in other generations. loneliness of separation from fare as our equals and contem- Yet Mr. Schonfield looks forward' loved ones and association with poraries, then we shall no longer hopefully to "the return of the murderous ruffians, the deprivagreat Gentile churches to the tion of books – even with no have need for an Indian Bureau, simple faith and Christology of Bible for most of the time-the for "Indian" organizations, or for exclusively Indian schools.
the early Jewish Christians," lack of proper food and clothing, Until that day-which some of and to the time when they will the inability to bathe with conse- us believe may not be far offenunciate "g,imple and universal quent infestation by. verrllin such a. compilation as "Indians principles of belief in which the picked uP from filthy lodgings of Today," sponsored by the In- Unity of God and the Messiah- and associates-all these things dian Council Fire of Chicago and ship of Jesus will be the funda- made it impossible for anything edited by its secretary, Marion mentals." Such a faith he con- but the most impUcit faith in E. Grid,ley is welcomed as an inceives would be "acceptable God to sing songs, give thanks dex of progress already made and preach Christ "in season and toward the goal. alike to Jew and Gentile."
But the author's facts, quite out of season." The late Charles Curtis, a apart from his interpretation of Their captors were the Com- former senator and vice-presi- them, command our attention munist Army as it was driven by dent of the United States, whose and interest. They bring us face the Government troops through minor strain of Indian blood has to face with the tragic failure of the provinces of Hunan, Kwei- been widely publicized, tells us the Church to commend Christ chow and Yiinnan toward the in his Foreword what those to the Jew, with the spiritual northwest borders of China. whose stories and portraits ap- homelessness of Jews who be- Bombing airplanes constantly pear "have achieved in the face come believers in Jesus, and the harassed the Communists, yet, of terrific handicaps." Together lack of fellowship which they so dodging and fleeing, they cap- with hundreds less well known, often encounter within the tured towns and villages, looting they are filling a worthy place Church, and with the estrange- and destroying, kidnapping men, in our modern civilization. The
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
.editor does not pretend to cover strange land for the first time. not merely to sugar coat misthe ground fully. Some Indians The author shows that all Africa sionary and other religious in- who well deserved mention were is not jungle but that there are formation but is especially to inunknown to the editor, while great and modern cities, high spire and motivate practical others preferred not to be listed. mountains, railroads and their work in church groups. The The analysis of 101 short stations, automobiles, mines, author has endeavored to make biographies shows that about waterfalls, plantations, 0 pen the staging and costuming one-third of those included claim rolling grass land, yes, and dense simple so as to be within the to be "full bloods." . One-fourth bush. Of course a children's range of the average church. It are less than half Indian, al-· book must mention lions, leop- is to be regretted that these though only Mr. Curtis, and ards, elephants, hippopotami, sketches were not revised so as Mrs. Roberta Campbell Lawson monkeys and Africa's other ani- to meet the new legal, social and (granddaughter of a native Del- mals. religious conditions with which aware missionary, and now pres- Living in these pages are also, the Christian Church has to ident of the General Federation and mainly, people-boys herd- deal, since the plays were first of Women's Clubs), are below ing flocks, taking turns going to used. Missionary motives, con- one-fourth degree. school where they learn songs versational style and facts have About one-third of those and Bible stories which they changed so markedly that little whose stories are presented live carry back to their fellow herds- of the material could now be and work among the general men. We read of little Ponsiwe used without considerable adap- population of America, as min- whose mother tried to hide her tation. If this is done the dra- isters to white churches, doctors, from evil spirits; there are matic basis of these plays and lawyers, scientists, business men Zepheniah and Sarah, the twins, pageants will be found helpful and others. Members of one who with their mother were as suggestive material well ar- considerable group serve under lepers; and there is Mary, one ranged. E. S. AITCHISON.
the Indian Bureau or as mis- of the children rescued by the sionaries on reservations; over missionaries during the famine. Heritage of Beauty. Pictorial Studies one-third are artists, singers, Wide territory was covered by of Modern Christian Architecture lecturers and writers on Indian in Asia and Africa. By D. J. Flemthemes; many entertainers have Miss Reed in her visit-Natal, ing. $1.50. Friendship Press, New Transvaal, Cape Colony, Orange York. 1937. been omitted. Twenty-two wom- Free State, Portuguese East .en are included, and several men Africa and the Belgian Congo. Many mission churches and Instructive notes are added to schools in foreign lands are so who have won fame and money each chapter, giving facts about crude or foreign that they are as successful athletes. Eleven each of the provinces. an offence to cultured natives and do not stimulate worship. are or have been Christian min- MYRTA PEARSON Ross. This is in spite of the fact that isters or pastors. Three of the such countries as India, Burma, Missionary Plays and Pageants. By Persia, Siam, Japan and China names are found in "Who's Who Mrs. Fannie Smith Gray. Crown in America," and others appear boast of many very beautiful in special books of reference. 8vo. 277 pp. $2.75. Western Bap- non-Christian temples. tist Publishing Co., Kansas City, Missionary groups will do well Mo. 1936. Dr. Fleming, formerly a misto study this compilation, the first of its kind, and it should be The demand for missionary sionary in India, has prepared made available in libraries, espe- material in dramatic form has ,cially those of schools, colleges, increased in late years as this attractive volume wit h .and historical societies. churches and other religious or- ganizations have come to realize forty-five photographic produc- ELAINE GOODALE EASTMAN. the dynamic of the visual pres- entation of truth. These 25 tions, with a view to promoting 'World Treasure Trails: Africa. By dramas and pageants cover a Nellie A. Reed. 127 pp. $1.00, range of subjects, including tem- and preserving in every land cloth; 50 cents, paper. Women's perance, sketches for special oc- Missionary Society, Free Methodist casion and various phases of national ideas of beauty in Church, Winona Lake, Ind. 1936. missionary work. The appeal is mostly to women and young Christian Church architecture. The author is a Free Meth- people. ·odist, who was sent out to Africa In these studies he shows the by the children of America, and The author was for 13 years now brings back a message to Baptist State Secretary for Kan- beautiful, appropriate, adretsiisgtinc~ young and old. She knows and sas and served as leader in the dignified and worshipful loves children of all races and Woman's National Jubilee and has drunk deeply from the foun- in some Christian churches ; tains of experience. others are dignified but seem out of place in their environ- ment. He also calls attention to art, symbolism and reverence in connection with churches. Every missionary, charged with build- ing houses of worship in other Here is an :atmosphere of ad- Continuation Campaigns of the lands, should examine this volventure that every missionary Northern Baptist Convention. ume and profit by Dr. Fleming's ,experiences :as he goes to a The aim of these productions is studies.
Kolerat Pitsiulret or True Stories of As his first wife, he married sketch of the Religions of China the Early Days of the Moravian Miss Lucy Guinness, a daughter is followed by a chapter on Mission on the Kuskokwim River, of Dr. H. Grattan Guinness of Christianity in China, from the Alaska. By S. H. Gapp. 106 pages. London. coming of the Nestorians to the 50 cents. The Comenius Press (The The story of this life, dedi- most recent developments in the Moravian Book Shop), Bethelehem, Pa. 1936. cated to God for Africa, is National Christian Council and The Moravian Church began deeply interesting from many the expanding ideal and realizaits work among the Eskimos of points of view. We read of wild tion of the Indigenous Church. the Kuskokwim District in 1885, elephant hunts, as well as adven- The author's picture of the Life and this booklet records in tures with wild men, but the . and Leadership of the Chinese graphic and gripping sty 1e traveler's chief interest was in Church, in country and city, talstories of what was involved in bringing men into vital relation- lies closely with the reviewer's pioneer missionary work fifty ship to Christ. Kumm met own 34 years of observation and years ago in subarctic Alaska. many famous men and spoke at participation in bot h. The What perhaps adds peculiar in- great assemblies. These contacts Church's virtues and frailties terest to these, at times, thrill- form the basis for some rich ex- are not very different from those ing narratives is the fact that periences that reveal the man's of the Western Churches, and one of the pioneer missionaries, strong character and wide in- the great need is the same-that who for the first time brought fluence. He died in California of larger dependence upon God's the Gospel to these neglected on August 29, 1930, but the Spirit for a fuller and more enpeople, was a full-blooded Del- work of the S. U. M. goes on ergizing life. It is a felt need aware Indian, the greatgrand- with many signs of the blessing and Chinese preachers and itinson of the famous Chief Gelele- of God. erant bands have been raised up mend of Revolutionary fame. to meet it as never before, in The first chapters give a review China Calling. By Rev. Frank more extensive and intensive of his life. After his death his Houghton, B.A. 80 pp. Paper, 50 evangelism and the development widow gave to Dr. Gapp all her cents; cloth, $1.00. China Inland of the spirit of independent selfdiaries, from which he has Mission, Lon don, Philadelphia. support and self-propagation.
1936.
gleaned this remarkable tale, It would be hard to find else- But lest any should think that which he has been permitted to where as many interesting facts the missionary is no longer publish now that she too has about China, the country, the needed in China, the author gone to her eternal reward. The people, their history, their char- draws attention to the still small acter, their attainments and number and the poverty of the book gives a vivid picture of their needs, in equally small 500,000 Chi n e s e Protestant missionary activities amid the snow and ice of Alaska, and also compass. The Editorial Secre- Christians among nearly 500,- of some of the experiences- tary of the China Inland Mis- 000,000, and the vast populasometimes tragic – of the early sion, and now a Bishop in tions entirely unevangelized. In Eskimo converts. P. DE S. Szechuen, has made full use of his mind there is not the slight- Pools on the Glowing Sand. The earlier books on China and the est question that "none but Jesus Story of Karl Kumm. By Irene V. Chinese, but also, with unusual Christ can do helpless sinners Cleverdon. Introduction by Samuel opportunities, has made equal good," therefore China presents M. Zwemer. Illus. 8vo. 194 pp. 58. Specialty Press. Melbourne, use of eyes and ears and mind on the world's loudest call and present-day China. He has pro- greatest opportunity to those Australia. 1936. duced a book which should find who follow the Master in being Karl Kumm was a pioneer a large place in the study classes lovers of souls. "Love never missionary traveler in Central of churches and societies as af- faileth." C. H. FENN.
Africa and described his inter- fording an admirable bird's-eye esting observations in two vol- view of that long-lived race in God in the Every Day. By Hugh urnes: "The Lands of Ethiopia," the weakness and strength of its Redwood. 8 vo. 117 pp. 28. 6d. and "From H a usa 1and to past, its modern progress and Rich and Gowman, London. 1936.
Egypt." He had outstanding problems, its resources, its need Another book by the religious gifts as a Christian scholar, an of "What Jesus Christ alone can edi,tor of the London D ail y effective speaker and missionary give." Hence this book's stir- Chronicle is always welcome. explorer and was one of the ring call to the Christian Church Like "God in the Slums" it is founders of the Sudan United in Great Britain and America to the story of how Christ finds Mission and its General Secre- seize the present unequalled op- men and women and saves them tary. portunity. Its appeal is by: no from sin and destruction. It is Karl Kumm was of German means limited to the C. 1. M. and illustrated by individual experiparentage and was born in Os- its supporters. The style of the ences and one chapter of espeterode, Hanover, in 1874. Later book is easy and the author's cial interest is autobiographical. he became international in his sense of humor is frequently in Every pastor, teacher and percontacts and allegiance, with evidence. sonal worker will find it a rich Great Britain, America and Af- After a description of the storehouse for inspiration and rica as his adopted countries. land and people, an excellent illustration. .
Born-And Then? By An- know the Hindu people, their DO YOUR S.S.PAPERS
drew Gih. Edited by J. Edwin Orr. system, customs and problems. 12mo. 128 pp. Is. Marshall, It was a great experience which ~ Morgan & Scott. London. 1937. they have capi,talized to good advantage. He describes each BIBLE TBUTH~ Andrew Gih is a Chinese separate caste from Brahman to Christian, still a young man, an dancing girl and then tells of the ~- HAPPY HOURS evangelist of the Bethel Mission service system, payment, conin Shanghai. Recently he has cessions, and its disintegrating '– ""'"""'- For.he Primacies not only traveled widely in features. The laws of compen- -…….. China, preaching the Gospel, but sation and rights are studied, Sample. of 011' has been on a world-wide evan- and the advantages and disad- Paperl and Ouartedi.. gelistic tour and has given his vantages of the whole system. message very effectively to large It is a valuable study for any sent free on recpest audiences in America and Eng- missionary or student of social E5T.1886 land. Now friends have per- science. suaded him to write the story of CBHISTIAN PUBLICATIONS INC. his early life, his conversion, his The lessons Dr. Wiser draws Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg~Pa. Christian ministry and his mes- from the system are fifteen. The sage. All has been edited by J. features that should be retained Education for Missions in the Local Edwin Orr, the young British include: Church. E. Mae Young. 89 pp. evangelist, aut h 0 r of "Can 35 cents. Methodist Book Concern. God-?" and other volumes. 1. Contentment and peace. 2. The individual wishes subordinated New York. Andrew Gih's story is strik- Landlord and Peasant in China. A ing and stimulating. His faith to the group. Study of the Agrarian Crisis in is clear, his spirit is Christlike 3. A federation of groups leading to China. Chen Hanseng. 144 pp. and his message is Biblical. The $2.00. International Publishers. book well repays a careful read- solidarity. ing, though its style is conversa- 4. The farmers living at the center New York. tional, rather than literary and Revisiting My Pygmy Hosts. Paul the life-story would be improved rather than in scattered homes. by condensation and reediting. 5. The village community as the pri- Schebesta. Trans. by G. Griffin. The Scripture messages deal llIus. Map. 288 pp. 18s. Hutchwith the Holy Spirit and are in- mary unit of society in India. inson. London. tended particularly for Chris- 6. Education and religion as playing Stone Age Bushmen of Today. Life tians who need cleansing, and and Adventure Am~mg a Tribe of power. They will be helpful to a large part in creating unity. Savages in Northwestern Australia. any earnest Christian of any 7. The greatest factor contributory to J. R. B. Love. Illus. 220 pp. race, in any land. 8s. 6d. Blackie. London. a sense of security is a recogni- Native Education and Culture-Con- The Hindu Jajmani System. By tion of common responsibility. tact in New Guinea. William C. Wm. H. Wiser. Paper bound. 192 Groves. 179 pp. 6s. University pp. Lucknow Publishing House, He says in conclusion: "Just Press, Melbourne; Oxford Univer- India. 1936. as India is helping us to under- sity Press, London. stand more clearly the Galilean Wm. H. Wiser has been for Master's teaching of passive re- Christ the Hope of the W orId. Resome years a missionary in the sistance, it can help us' to under- port of the Twelfth World's Sunday United Provinces of Indian and, stand His teaching that no man wSceh.ooml Cuosn. ve3n5t0iopnp. . Alexander Gamwith his wife, wrote a fasci- has a right to live entirely unto $1.00. World's nating book of Indian village himself and that they who are Sunday School Assn. New York. life, called "Behind Mud Walls." strong are under an ethical obli- Now Dr. Wiser has published gation to bear the burdens of Christianity and Our World. J. C. another and more detailed study the weak." Bennett. 65 pp. 50 cents. Assoof one of the features of the Village System-the "Jajmani" or New Books ciation Press. New York. relationship between employer Church and ,state on the European and 'employee. This system is Ablaze for God. Life Story of Paget Continent. Adolf Keller. 6s. Epcomplicated because of the Wilkes. Mary W. Dunn Pattison. worth Press. London. twenty-four castes and out- 316 pp. Japan Evangelistic Band. castes, with their traditional oc- London. ON SHIPBOARD cupations and taboos. For example: the Brahmans may be The Foundations Must Stand. P. E. An unusual gathering, sayS a corserved by anyone of the twenty- Kretzmann. 123 pp. 75 cents. respondent, was held lately on board four castes while the sweeper Concordia Publishing House. St. the P. and O. steamer Carthage, bound can only be served by a few. Louis. for China. Under the heading "Why we are going to China?" several young For five years Dr. Wiser and Letters by a Modern Mystic. Frank men going out to the China Inland his family lived just outside a C. Laubach. 46 pp. 25 cents. Mission for the first time gave their village, which they called Ka- Student Volunteer Movement. New testimony in front of 250 passengers York. and ship's officers. The speakers, who rimpur. Here they learned to had taken a prominent part in the A Theology for Christian Missions. usual deck sports, all told how they Hugh Vernon White. $2.00. 220 had been led to realize that tqe ac- pp. Willet Clark & Co. Chicago. cepting of Christ as their Saviour was a real and personal matter, and how Alaskan Adventures. By Loyal L. in different ways they had received Wirt. $1.50. 124 pp. Revell. New the call to China.-British Weekly. York.
Twelve Mighty Missionaries. E. E. Enock. 95 pp. Is. Pickering and Inglis. London.
They Found God. M. L. Christlieb. 152 pp. 58. Allen and Unwin. London.
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JUNE NUMBER OF THE THE MISSIONARY ~~WORLD CHRIST AND RURAL AMERICA Some Back Road Problems ………………………………….. Eunice B. Buck The Challenge of the Rural Community ……………………… Mark A. Dawber The Murdock Trail …………………………………….. .Alvin E. Magary Neglected Fields in Rural America ………………………….. William R. King Unity and Cooperation for Rural Churches ………………… .Edward D. Hamner As a Farmer's Wife Sees It ……………………………… .Mrs. A. W. Hewitt Case Work in Rural America ………………………………… .Hilda L. lves A Colporteur's Experiences …………………………………. , ohn C. Killian Tenants, Share-Croppers and the Church …………………. Charles M. McConnell Keeping the Fountains Clean ………………………. , .. .Henry W. McLaughlin The Work of Rural Sunday Schools ……………………… .'ohn M. Somerndike The Country Pastor's Job … , …………………….••…………. .Mark Rich The Larger Parish Plan ………………………….•……. Ellsworth M. Smith What Rural Churches Are Doing ………………………….. W. H. Thompson Woman's Work in a Country Church ………………………. .Mrs. ,. D. Wyker Volunteers in Rural Church Service ………………………….. Louis C. Harnish Best Books on Rural Life Porblems …………….. ; ………… Benson Y. Landis ORDER COPIES FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SOCIETY, BEFORE THE EDITION IS SOLD OUT.
25 cents a copy. $20.00 a hundred $2.50 a year THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor
The Missionary Review of the World — January 1937
1937
A Missionary Appraisal, January 1937 Robert E. Speer A Doctor's Tour in Neglected Arabia w. Harold Storm Some African Evangelists in Training L. Paul Moore, Jr.
Highlights of a Century of Presbyterian Missions Arthur J. Brown Story of an Afghan Christian Martyr Alfred Zahir When Japanese Buddhists Pray , Winburn T. Thomas Ethiopia Under Italian Rule James L. Rohrbaugh 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember WILL ROGERS
January 1 to Easter-Local Follow- ~~ I M MORTAL I TV" up Meetings of the National Preach- ing Mission. "A~(JARY ISS(JE OF January 4-10-The Nation Wide Week CHl1RCH MA~A6EME~T of Prayer. Subscriptions: Six months William H. Leach, Editor January 4-6-Committee on Women's $1.25; one year $2.50; two Order direct or- through Work of the Foreign Missions Con- years $4; single copy 25c. AUDITORIUM BLDG., CLEVELAND, O. your Religious Book Store ference of North America, Asbury Park, New Jersey. Missionary Council. He is an Amer- Mr. Homer Rodeheaver has re- ican citizen, a Gentile layman, who turned from a music mission trip to January 6-8-Foreign Missions Con- was graduated from the University of Africa, which covered over 16,000 ference of North America, Asbury Wisconsin and for a time served as miles by air. His special interest was Park, New Jersey. general secretary of the Y. M. C. A. the study of native music, and he is of Kansas University. more than ever convinced of the effec- January 11-14, 1937-Annual Meet- tiveness of music in spreading the ings, Home Missions Council and * '" * Gospel. His experiences in Africa The Council of Women for Home have been gathered into a little book Missions. Asbury Park, N. J. The Rev. Robert Lee McLeod, Jr., called "Singing Black." The Rode- has been elected to succeed Dr. John heaver Company offers to give a free February 7-13-Negro History Week. A. Rodgers who recently retired as copy to ministers and missionaries. February 8-13-International Council secretury for Annuities and Special Gifts under the Board of National Mr. Hugh Re*dw'o" od'", Religious Edi- of Religious Education, Executive Missions of the Presbyterian Church, Committee and Associated Meetings. U. S. A. Dr. McLeod is a graduate tor of The London Times-Ghronicle- Chicago, Ill. of Davidson College, North Carolina, a daily paper with 1,500,000 circula- February IS-Annual Meeting of The and of the Presbyterian Theological tion-and author of the best sellers, Missionary Review of the World, Seminary in Louisville, Ky. For the "God in the Slums" and other vol- 156 Fifth Ave., New York. last five years he has served as pastor umes, has recently been on a preach- of the Presbyterian Church at Winter ing tour in America under the au- FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- Haven, Florida. spices of the Salvation Army. ARY ASSEMBLIES * '" '" A WARNING January 16-19, 1937-Jacksonville. We regret to learn from a corre- January 19-Z0-Lake City. Miss Mildred Cable and her com- spondent in Venezuela that Mr. Elie- January ZO-ZZ-Daytona Beach. panions have been obliged to leave cer Fernandez, the converted priest in January ZO-ZZ-Deland. Suchow, Northwest China, in haste, Venezuela whose story was told in the January 23-Z7-Miami. owing to Red activity in that locality. November issue, has not proved January Z6-27-Ft. Lauderdale. They have reached Lanchow safely. worthy of confidence. He is reported January Z7-Z9-Palm Beaches. tv have turned against the mission- January 30-February 2-0rlando. Dr. Harry E'". W'" oo'"lever, until re- aries and to have led astray some February Z-4-Winter Haven. Venezuelan Christians because of his February 4-5-Ft. Myers. cently editor of the National Meth- eloquence. February 4-5-Sarasota. odist Press, has become executive sec- February 6-11-St. Petersburg. retary of the American Christian February 7-l0-Clearwater. Foundation, and editor of its publi- February 10-12-Tampa. cation, These Times. February 13-16-Tallahassee.
Personal Items The Shepherd.Prince 1'''~ M~tt~ Dr. L. P. Dame, of Arabia, has re- signed from the Arabian Mission of the Reformed Church to take charge of the Standard Oil Company of California hospital "hich the company A historical novel Qf love in Zion during the times of the Prophet Isaiah proposes to erect near the Katif Oasis By in eastern Arabia. ABRAHAM MAPU * '" '" Translated from the Hebrew by The Rev. Andrew T. Roy, a Presbyterian missionary in Nanking, B. A. M. SCHAPIRO China, now at home on furlough, is the interim general secretary of the Introduction by PROF. ROBERT DICK WILSON Student Volunteer Movement. The new secretary to succeed the Rev. Jesse R. Wilson has not yet been Phillip Whitwell Wilson, "N. Y. Times Book Review"
selected. '" '" '" "It is one of those spacious stories which have been written for all times."
Dr. Conrad Hoffman, Jr., Secretary William T. Manning, D.D., Bishop Diocese of New York of the International Missionary Council's Committee on the Christian Ap- "It is fortunate that Abraham Mapu's novel has found so scholarly and "iflcd a proach to the Jews, has accepted the translator as Mr. Schapiro, for the rendering of this masterpiece of mode,.;Jewish call of the Board of National Missions literature into English has peculiar value at this time." of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., Hundreds of othcr such tributes frOID eminent men.
to become Assistant Secretary in "Beautifully bound and superbly illustrated·-Limited De Luxe Edition, $.).25. Popular charge of Jewish work. He succeeds Edition, $2.75. 400 pages. Send for FREE 24-page prospectus. Dr. John S. Conning, who has filled this position with consecration and ORDER DIRECT FROM ability for the past eighteen years. Dr. Hoffman will also continue his BROOKSIDE PUBLISHING CO.
association with the International 676.678 Bible House Astor Place New York City
J. Hickey, an
THE MISSIONARY Tell Me About Moody who founded the "League of Another REVIEW OF THE WORLD Chance" and brought many exconvicts DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor to Christ, died in New York on De- VOL. LX JANUARY, 1937 No.1 An International Centenary Tribute cember 7. to the Publication and Business Office- *** Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. Foremost Evangelist of Modern Times The Rev. Charles H. Derr, a mis- Editorial and Executive Office- D. L. MOODY 156 Firth Avenue, New York City. sionary to Chenchow, China, under the Entered as second-class matter at By Board of Foreign Missions of the Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under WILL H. HOUGHTON Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., Act of March D, 1~7~. President of The Moody Bible Institute died on November 15 at the age of 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. of Chicago 'fifty-nine, in Chenchow. Mr. Derr Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. and was a graduate of Park College and All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan CHARLES T. COOK McCormick Theological Seminary and and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, went to China in 1904. London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Editor of The Christian, London 10 shillings a year. THE NATIONAL WEEK 128 pages in easy reading type, pictorial OF PRAYER MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- covers, full-page illustrations, LISHING CO., INC. sewed binding, net 40c. January 2-The Reality of God. John BOARD OF DIRECTORS 14 or ColOSSians 1. BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE ASS'N ROBERT E. SPEER, Pre8ident January 5-The Wisdom of God. Job A. L. WARNSHUIB, Vice-President 848 North Wells St. Chicago, Illinois 28: 12-28 or 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31. WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary "We greatly aupreciate the REVIEW. January 6-The Love of God. 1 John You are rendering a magnificent serv- 3 or Roman.s 5: 1-11. SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT ice in many ways." January 7~The S~fficiency of God. WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN H. KERR TAYLOR, 2 Corinthians 11: 18-12: 9 or Ephe- D. J. FANT Educational Secretary, Exe'cutive sions 8.
MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Committee of Foreign Mwsions, Januar; 8-TheS~viourhood of God. Presbyterian Church' in the WM. B. LIPPHARD U. S., Nashville. John 3: 1-21 or Romans 10.
ERIC M. NORTH January 9-The Comradeship of God. John 14.or John 15. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER January IO-The Kingdom of God. Editorial Chat Matthew 6 or Revelation 21.
A joyful New Year is our wish for Obituary Notes (Full programs may be secured every reader of The Review and from the Department of Evangelism Dr. E. S. Tipple, minister, educator of the Federal Council of Churches of every follower of Christ throughout and administrator, and from 1912 to Christ in America, 105 East 22nd 1928 president of Drew University at Street, New York.) the world. Madison, New Jersey, died on October 17 in New York City. Dr. Tipple II If you use *** was a member of the Methodist Board of Foreign Missions, the American PRINTING At least one regular reader of THE Bible Society and president of the Methodist Historical Society of New Y OU will profit from an ac- REVIEW u!les it as a daily prayer re- York. quaintanceship with us. We do the job complete in our own minder. He prays for the editor and *** plant, whether it be large or those associated with him; for the small. Sir Arthur Yapp, national secretary authors of articles and the work and of the British Y. M. C. A., died in While our specialty is Books, London, November 5, at the age of 67. Magazines and Pamphlets, yet needs they present; he prays for the He began his work with the Y. M. we have a variety of modern places and persons, the missionaries C. A. 46 years ago, and wrote several equipment to meet all the re- books on the movement, including quirements of your particular and converts in each field mentioned "Romance of the Red Triangle" and job. You will find our service in every department. If each reader "The Adventure of Youth." prompt, careful and courteous.
would do that it would not only mean *•• Will you allow us to estimate on your next printing? We benew vision and power to the editor Dr. John Hutchison, appointed to lieve you will be delighted with the Church of Scotland Mission in the our product, price and service. and authors, but would bring the Punjab in 1869, died JUly 26 in his blessing of God on Christian workers 89th year. He retired in 1929, but The EVANGELICAL PRESS continued to care for lepers in all over the world. Chamba, where he had spent the Printers of greater part of his life. The Missionary Review of the World *** *** PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE We call especial attention to the Third and Reily Strub HaITI,bur., Pa. paper in this number by Dr. Robert E. Mrs. Guy W. Hamilton, who, with Speer. It presents the subject of an her husband, Dr. Hamilton, spent 24 address given at a prayer conference years in missionary service at Shunof missionary executives meeting in tefu, North China, died in Cincinnati, Lakeville, Connecticut, last autumn. Ohio, November 17. Dr. and Mrs. Everyone interested in the problems Hamilton went first to Siam under and progress of the missionary enter- the Presbyterian Board in 1899, and prise should read it. a few years later were transferred to China to organize a' new station at *** Shuntefu.
THE REVIEW receives many com- [ 1] ments from readers, showing that the publication is widely read and highly valued as a world-wide survey of present-day conditions and activities, from a Christian viewpoint. Here are a few extracts from recent letters.
*** "Dr. Kagawa, and his circle of as- sociate and volunteer, missionaries en- joy the MISSIONARY REVIEW. It is a source of light, and of inspiration to us." HElNRY TOPPING.
Tokyo, Japan.
by the St. Louis Globe
AUDIENCE OF 10,O(JO AT THE NATIONAL PREACHING MISSION MASS MEETING IN THE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, OCTOBER 11, 1936 REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 1 JANUARY, 1937 Topics of the Times TRAIL BLAZING FOR 1937 Missionary trail-blazers have also an opportu- nity to try new sacrificial methods, or to follow old Everyone admires a trail-blazer but compara- but difficult paths-for evangelizing and training tively few have the courage or are ready to pay youth; in turning labor and capital to Christ; . by the price required to be the true pioneer. T?e a dedication of all talents and resources to HIm; price is usually high in endurance, da;nger and dl~ in converting politicians and governments to the comfort whether the trails blazed be III geographIc way of Peace, righteousness and Godliness; in feats in science in spiritual realms or in Chris- promoting Christlike race relations even at the tian 'missions. 'Many are ready and enjoy the sacrifice of pride and prejudice; and in selfless fruits that grow up where the few have led the love and unity that will emphasize only loyalty to way in breaking ground and planting new areas. the Head of the Church and true harmony in His service. When God directs His pioneers to go forward it is always in the face of difficulties, never on the To reach the ideals of Christ in each of these easy down-hill road. This was true when Abram directions requires courage, self-sacrifice and was called to go from Ur of the Chaldees into faith. The dangers and difficulties in the way are Canaan; when Moses was told to lead Israel out not easy to overcome, as they were not in the days of Egypt; when Joshua was commissioned to en- of Livingstone, Carey, Hudson Taylor, Florence ter the Promised Land. Jesus Christ set the Nightengale and Lord Shaftsbury. Most of these greatest example in sacrificial pioneering when difficulties are more subjective than objective and He temporarily laid aside His eternal robes of come from ignorance, selfishness and fear-all to deity and came from Heaven to earth in the garb be conquered by following the great trail-blazer, of a servant. When He commissioned His dis- Jesus Christ. ciples to "Go into all the world to preach the Gospel," and when Paul and Bar.nabas .were sent The rewards to pioneers are real and abiding. forth from Antioch it was to pIOneer III the face They are seldom found in wealth, not always in of hardship, difficuity and persecution, but with fame for great success achieved, but they are exthe promise of victory. perienced in the satisfaction of achievement, in the knowledge of blessing brought to mankind and Is there not great need today for the manifes- in the Master's "Well done." tation of this pioneering spirit-this readiness to blaze new trails-in missionary work? To be sure What trail-blazing will be undertaken and acthere are difficulties and adversaries in the way, complished in the face of the present-day colossal as there have always been. There are not only physical difficulties and the spiritual adversaries new and difficult mission fields to enter – as in that form the great opportunities of the year Tibet, Afghanistan, Arabia, Central Africa and 1937? New Guinea-but there are old fields to reconquer as in Soviet Russia, Siberia, North Africa and SUCCESS OF THE NATIONAL PREACHING Turkey. In other fields the Christian trail-blazer MISSION must face danger and some form of oppositior. from governments and anti-Christian leaders-as Enthusiastic reports come from all over the in Germany, Spain, Portuguese territo~y, Japar. United States as to the effectiveness of the Naand Chosen, China, Iran, India and MeXICO. tional Preaching Mission, the first phase of which closed in New York on December 9. It was a [3]
notable campaign, not to promote any special eco- power to cure present-day evils and to solve modnomic or political, denominational or theological ern problems. views, but to present Christ and His Gospel as the solution of all our personal, national and world Great mass meetings, such as that which filled problems. Under the auspices of the Federal Madison Square Garden, New York, with 18,000 Council of Churches of Christ in America, seventy people, were demonstrations to the public at large well-known Christian advocates, men and women, that the living Christ has not lost His drawing served the cause without remuneration. They in- power when He and His Gospel are stripped of the cluded Americans, a Chinese and Negroes, Brit- grave clothes with which many secretarians and ishers and a Frenchman who visited twenty-eight nominal Christians have sought to bind Him. But centers-North, East, South, Central and West- the most effective meetings of the campaign were to proclaim the "unsearchable riches of Christ." those for ministers and for high school students. The preachers, who came in large numbers, Preliminary preparations had been made by seemed to receive new encouragement, a fresh pastors and local communities, some churches understanding of the Christian message, and holding crowded daily meetings for prayer, for power to preach the unadulterated Gospel. Many dependence was on God and not on effective or- were challenged by the necessity for leading their ganization and wide publicity, good as these were. people in victorious living and in more sacrificial Then teams of varying numbers descended on service. In practically every city visited the high these twenty-eight cities for campaigns of two to schools were thrown open to the Missioners and four days each, extending over a period of nearly the pupils listened eagerly with alert minds and three months. The largest auditorium in each hungry hearts to the Good News, which few of city was secured for a mass meeting and was them had ever before heard so clearly and conusually packed to capacity with from 2,000 to vincingly presented. 18,000 eager listeners. There was also street preaching in many cities; other gatherings, and Dr. Stanley Jones, in summing up the results of usually the most fruitful, were held in high the campaign, says that it put new heart into schools, churches, at luncheons and clubs – for many churches and put evangelism again at the ministers, young people, women, businessmen and center. The essential unity of the Body of Christ teachers. In Philadelphia, 300 university profes- was manifested to the world by bringing together sors met to hear the Gospel. In every place min- members of practically all evangelical Christian isters came in large numbers – Chicago alone churches, North and South. They included Protbrought together 1,500. Many people traveled estant Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, hundreds of miles in hope of receiving new in- Presbyterian, Congregational, Friends, and Disspiration and to learn the secret of power. In ciples, and revealed their common fellowship and Portland, Oregon, it was found that 164 outside primary message, exalting Christ as the Son of towns and cities were represented. Uncounted God and the one Saviour and Lord of men. Such multitudes were also reached through the news- a fellowship and common loyalty, said Dr. Jones, paper reports and over the radio. In practically should be the means of bridging the gaps existing every place the Preaching Mission was front page between (1) the Church and youth, (2) the news, the press cooperating by giving wide pub- Church and labor, (3) the racial gap, (4) belicity and full reports, even in the midst of the tween the so-called personal and social Gospel, presidential election. (5) between the various denominations and va- ried theological concepts. All forces and factors, From other lands and races came some of the so far as they represent phases of truth, are one most effective speakers – E. Stanley Jones, the in Christ. missionary from India; Muriel Lester, the Chris- The success of the National Preaching Mission tian social worker of Kingsley Hall from London; was due, first of all, to the spirit of prayer that T. Z. Koo, the Chinese evangelist and Channing characterized leaders and other participants; sec- Tobias of the Negro Y. M. C. A. The whole com- ond, to the emphasis on the common need of all pany was knit together and ably organized and men for Christ and His Gospel; third, to the thorough organization and adequate publicity; directed by Dr. Wm. Hiram Foulkes, of Newark, and fourth,_to the unity and readiness of the Misthe chairman of the committee, and Jesse M. sioners to serve Christ and His Cause, without Bader, of New York, the dir.ector of the cam- thought of self. These should characterize every paign. The workers and the participants in every Christian and every church. city testify to the manifestation of the Spirit of Christ that actuated all the participants and to the This Preaching Mission has shown a new reaeagerness with which His message was received son for the existence of the Federal Council of by the audiences. There was evident a hunger for Churches. Such a united campaign could scarcely the Word of God and for the experience of His have been carried out successfully without such a
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
cooperative body to promote it. The campaign ters could be reached by the seventy Missioners also had and will have beneficial effects in home in a three months' campaign. Only the surface missions and in foreign missions. It has uncov- was scratched and in that in but few places. Most ered defects in national life, has revealed needs, of those who attended the meetings were Amerhas stimulated spiritual hunger, has sounded the ica's most earnest Christians. While all need spircall to serve, has united the Church and has proved itual awakening, the Gospel must also be preached anew the power of the Gospel to reach all classes to the unsaved multitudes. and conditions of men. The work of evangelizing, educating and enlist- WHAT NEXT IN NATIONAL ing Americans for Christ has scarcely begun. EVANGELISM? Therefore the campaign is to go on with renewed vigor. Already local eight-day preaching missions It is too early to report on the lasting effect of have followed the National Mission in many places the National Preaching Mission on the 2,000,000 and plans are under way for similar follow-up people who attended the meetings. These included work between January first and Easter. Small 25,000 or 30,000 pastors, beside the nearly two teams are to visit many new centers, with pastors million laymen, women, teachers and students. of local churches cooperating to evangelize their Much encouragement came from the responses to own districts. Then, following Easter, there will the platform and personal appeals – in decisions be seven weeks' campaigns and next autumn the for Christ and in rededication of life to Him. It Federal Council plans to continue the work on a was clear that many wanderers are eager to go national scale. Personal acceptance of the chalall the Way in consecration, if they know how. lenge of the Gospel is clearly needed to bring into At the same time the Missioners learned many practical operation national and inter:r:ational lessons in methods of approach, in emphasis and peace with good will and racial, economic and technique. Two weak points in the campaign are social justice. Only so far as pastors, with the felt to have been (1) the failure to reach, in any official boards and church members, are truly adequate way, the students and teachers in col- aroused and filled with the Spirit of God, can leges, universities and professional schools. These America be brought into harmony with the will present and future leaders in business, science and of God as revealed by Christ. philosophy must be brought face to face with the challenge of the Gospel. They were scarcely THE FEDERAL COUNCIL BIENNIAL touched in this campaign. Where they were, as with professors in Philadelphia and students in In a three-day session at Asbury Park, New Los Angeles, there was an encouraging response. Jersey, some two hundred and fifty delegates and friends gathered at the Biennial Meeting of the (2) There was a failure to reach the working Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in classes, most of whom seldom if ever attend America. Among many topics brought up for rechurch or hear the Gospel. Many of them are port and discussion the most vital was the recent hesitating between Fascism, with its dictatorial National Preaching Campaign. The reports, and state, and Communism with its godless philosophy the plans for a continuance of the work, are most of social revolution. They do not realize that enheartening. AmoLg other subjects, that are Christ, understood and followed, is the solution perennial, were evangelism, race relations, proof their problems. In Portland, where laboring motion of international good will and peace, work men as strikers were contacted by Stanley Jones, for economic justice, the remedying of social evils, they were quick to respond to the appeal to apply work for youth, and the development of Christian the teachings of Christ to settle their difficulties. unity and cooperation in the churches. Another campaign should give more attention to the spiritual needs of both capital and labor so The officers elected for the next two years were that these forces may be led to follow Christ and Dr. Edgar Dewitt Jones, pastor of the Central His Way of Life. Christian Church, Detroit, who succeeds Dr. Ivan Lee Holt, of St. Louis, as president. The new (3) There was a weakness in the program to vice-president is Dr. Joseph R. Sizoo, pastor of break down racial barriers. While Negro Mis- the Marble Collegiate Church of New York; Mr. sioners were included as members of the teams Frank H. Mann was reelected treasurer, and Dr. in almost every center, the 12,000,000 American Rivington D. Lord, recording secretary. The Negroes were not reached in any large number; executive secretary is Dr. Samuel McCrea Cavert. neither were the Jews, the Orientals or the vari- The twenty-eight denominations that are memous European language groups. Multitudes of bers of the Federal Council include about 24,000,- these are unchurched and form the mainstay of 000 Protestant church members which the Council antireligious radicalism. is eLdeavoring to bring into closer harmony and more effective action in righting the evils of pres- (4) The Preaching Mission was Lot truly national in scope. Not more than twenty-eight cen-
ent-day life and in promoting the Kingdom of God The effect of all this on the work of Christian on earth. missions cannot be foretold but the probability is that the work will go on as usual without increased NEW INDEPENDENCE FOR EGYPT difficulty. The aim of the missionaries is to turn Since the signing of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty men's thoughts and allegiance to God as He is reon August 26, last year, Egypt has become an in- vealed in Jesus Christ. They work to build up dependent state; foreigners will be subject to Christian character and a high type of healthy, Egyptian laws, law courts and taxation. An in- intelligent citizen but they have no desire to mix ternational court will be continued for a short in local politics or international affairs. They detime during the period of transition. Egypt and sire religious freedom, including the right of Great Britain have formed a military alliance minorities to think and worship according to the which gives Great Britain the right to establish dictates of their individual consciences, no percamps along the Suez Canal and to move troops secution, discrimination or interference because in time of war, while Egypt agrees to build mili- of religious affiliations and the right of propatary roads. The control of the Sudan will be co- ganda by appealing to reason, without any atoperative and the country will be administered tempt to bribe or force anyone to conform to any "for the welfare of the Sudanese." sect or form of belief. Whether or not this ideal will be reached under Egyptian rule, it is im- The effect of this new treaty on foreigners, for- possible to say at present. Certain it is that the eign business and Christian missions is being spirit of tolerance has been growing under Chriscarefully studied-especially as regards discrim- tian influence. The seniors in the American Uniination, "minority" rights and the preservation versity in Cairo, composed of Armenians, Copts, of law and order. The Copts represent one in Greek Orthodox, Moslems and Protestants, refourteen of the population. Before the coming of cently expressed their common belief in God and the British, they were subjected to petty persecu- religion, but only one student assented to the tion and injustices and with the withdrawal of statement, "My religion is perfect." The majority the British many fear that certain elements will rated moral conduct above intellectual beliefs. renew the old religious rivalries. Others think that the State has become so secularized and so Egypt has entered upon a new day, with new unified by nationalism that religious persecution freedom for women, new opportunities for youth is no longer a great danger. and, it is hoped, a new spirit of liberty, tolerance, justice and goodwill.
With reference to law and order, in recent MARKS OF A GREAT TEACHER years, each political party has sought to reinforce its position by appealing to the student classes and Jesus Christ was the greatest teacher the world the youth movements, so that there has developed has ever known. Some of the marks of a great a far-reaching organization of the youth. The teacher have been noted by the president of one of dominating organization today is that of the Blue the great American universities: Shirts, said to number 15,000. At first unarmed, latterly they have begun to carry weapons. Their 1. The great teacher never ceases being a humorganization heads up under the leadership of ble learner. three students, assisted by three ex-army officers. Numerous clashes have occurred between them 2. He establishes a personal relation with his and the Green Shirts, a rival organization. Such students. an organization as the Blue Shirts is viewed with anxiety by all who hope that an independent Egypt 3. Whatever he may be teaching, is a window through which he looks out upon the whole uniwill move along lines of law observance. verse.
4. The merchandising of information will never seem to be his main purpose.
It is going to take wisdom and tact on the part 5. The great teacher will not think he has failed of all foreigners to avoid hurting the national feel- unless the students have not wanted to learn.
ings of a generation jealous for its rights ar:d for 6. He will not think it beneath his dignity to the full recognition of its new status of inde- pay attention to the art of presentation.
pendence. There will be manifestations of politi- 7. He will never speak of his work as routine cal excitement, agitations over trivial issues; some teaching. – will try to swing the Nation along antiforeign na- 8. He will ir:spire without sacrificing a rigid tionalistic tendencies; others will try to make realism of fact and idea.
Egypt a distinctly Moslem State with attendant 9. The great teacher has a gracious spirit and anti-Christian influences. Probably there will be is a tonic to his students.
a lowering of the standards of administrative effi- ;LO. The great teacher's aim is to bring his stu- ciency, due to the characteristic Oriental reluct- dents into harmony with the truth of God and into ance to assume responsibility for decisions. full obedience to His will.
A Missionary Appraisal as of January 1
By ROBERT E. SPEER, New York Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions 1""'… A MONG the glorious aphorisms with which the time. In this view, the old Student Volunteer Ignatian Epistles abound, there are many Movement watchword, "The evangelization of the as relevant to our day as they were to the World in this Generation," is both reasonable and days of Ignatius: necessary. There is no other way that the world can ever be evangelized. The world for us is the "Find time to pray without ceasing." world of our generatfon. The only agency that "Every wound is not healed with the same can evangelize it is the Church of that generation. remedy." "The times demand thee, as pilots the haven." I stand at the end of the past; where the future begins "The crown is immortality." I stand; "Stand like a beaten anvil." "It is part of a good athlete to be bruised and Emperors lie in the dust; men may live to command; to prevail." "Consider the times: look to Him who is above Over my head the stars, distant and pale and cold; Under my feet, the world, wrinkled and scarred and old; time." Back of me all that was, all the limitless past, "Slight not the workers." The future awaiting beyond, silent, untenanted, vast; "Let your stewardship define your work." I at the center of all that has been or that is to be- "A Christian is not his own master, but waits The task still unfinished and now God and man are de- upon God." pending on me!
"Consider the times" is essential counsel to the But though each time stands alone and needs foreign missionary enterprise as it enters this new to be considered by itself and in itself, it needs year. Such consideration involves two things. The first is our duty to see things as they are in to remember that what it is to itself, other times truth, with objective and dispassionate accuracy. No one is free from preconceptions and mental have been to themselves and that each time must bias in his approach to any subject and neither consider its own significance, not to itself alone, friends nor enemies, believers in, nor critics of but to and in the long movement of all the genforeign missions come to the consideration of the erations. How can we know until the end which present issues with empty minds. Those who were the most crucial and critical of all the times? have most at stake, however, are the men and We are both right and wrong in claiming the women who are putting their lives into the work. uniqueness and crisis-significance of our own We can least afford to be self-deceived. Of all time; right because it is our time and our one oppeople we are the ones who are most concerned to portunity, wrong because our strength and wisknow the truth and to see things in and about the dom for our own time require a calm and discernmissionary enterprise in themselves, as they really ing appraisal of other times. It is easy to fall are. into a panic and regard our own day of disorder and confusion as the supreme and critical day. It But it is not enough in considering the times is good to think this to the extent that we are to look at things as they are in themselves. We made earnest and resolute by the thought, but bad can see the present situation veraciously only as to the extent that we grow fe~erish and fearful we see it in its relations and perspective. No time and forfeit our sense of proportion and perspec- tive and lose our calmness of judgment and our confidence as to the future.
is isolated from its antecedents and its conse- We listen to "the challenge of the present quents. In one sense, to be sure, every time is crisis." We are told that "We are living, we are separate and unique and supreme to those who dwelling in a grand and awful time," that "Once live in it and in it alone. It is their one oppor- to every man and nation comes the moment to detunity to fulfil their task. It is indeed the past cide." But we forget that all these declarations which they are completing and the future which are quotations from another age. They are no they are preparing, but they were not here in the more real and true to us than they were to the past, and will not be here in the future, as they men of three generations ago. Is our time really are here now. Today is for them the accepted any more significant to us and its history than [7]
the fall of the Roman Empire was to the fifth cen- and in great outbreaks the mob of London or Birmingham tury and to all the centuries? Will some future .ournt houses, flung open prisons, and sacked and pillaged Chesterton say as much of our age as G. K. said at their will. . . . The introduction of gin gave a new of that one? impetus to drunkenness. In the streets of London gin- shops invited every passer-by to get drunk for a penny, or For the end of the world was long ago dead drunk for twopence. When the ends of the world waxed free, In no· field more than in the enterprise of for- When Rome was lost in a waste of slaves eign missions do we need to see things in true pro- And the sun was drowned in the sea. portion and relationship. Here, as elsewhere, men are filled with panicky fear or with the thought, When Caesar's sun fell out of the sky, whether reluctant or welcome, that the foreign And whoso hearkened right mission movement, as we have known it, is draw- ing to an end. Assuredly in foreign missions we Could only hear the plunging need to "consider the times." And it is proposed Of the nations in the night. here in the opening number of the REVIEW in 1937- And are we sure that even the upheaving ideas and discoveries of today are of any more signifi- (1) To suggest an historical review of the cance to us and to history than the great germinal, "crises" which the foreign missions movement has creative concepts and enlargements of the fif- already survived in the matter of its apologetics, teenth century, when the Reformation shattered its motives and methods; the bal~s of human liberty and new worlds, visible and invisible, opened to mankind? Or if we think (2) To suggest a diagnosis of features of the that this age is charged with unprecedented ex- present situation and its difficulties and problems; ter:r:al threats to the Christian faith, are we not forgetting the glacial movement of deism in the (3) To suggest an outline of missionary policy eighteenth century and the suicidal forces which for the immediate future. again and again, in the past and perhaps also today, are more dangerous to Christianity than any I. Crises Survived in the Past force from without? Of the religion of the clergy in England in the eighteenth century Bishop Ryle The idea that the foreign missions movement wrote: has in the past enjoyed the full support of the Christian Church but that today this interest and The vast majority of them were sunk in worldliness, support accorded by the Church in general has beand neither knew nor cared anything about their profes- gun to wane, is a fallacious idea. Foreign mission. They neither did good themselves nor liked anyone sions have never been the concern of any large else to do it for them. They hunted, they farmed; they part of the Church. At the beginning, in spite of swore, they drank, they gambled. When they assembled the fresh enthusiasm of the first Christians and it was generally to toast "Church and King," and to build the memory of the last commands of Christ, the one ano~her up in earthly-mindedness, prejudice, igno- foreign missions proposal met with determined rance, and formality. When they retired to their own opposition. It enlisted but a small minority suphomes, it was to do as little and preach as seldom as pos- port and there might have been no real foreign sible. And when they did preach, their sermons were so missions movement at all if it had not been for St. unspeakably bad, that it is comforting to reflect that they Paul pulling the Church out of Jerusalem and the were generally preached to empty benches. destruction of the city expelling it.
And J. R. Green wrote of that time: Medieval missions, from the early centuries until the Reformation, were not the enterprise of In the higher circles "everyone laughs," said Montesquieu the entire Church pressing out in a great and on his visit to England, "if one talks of religion." Of the united effort to evangelize the world. They were prominent statesmen of the time the greater part were the work of heroic individuals, some supported by unbelievers in any form of Christianity, and distinguished ecclesiastical or political influence, and some for the grossness and immorality of their lives. Drunken- single-handed – men like Patrick, Columba, Auness and foul talk were thought no discredit to Walpole. gustine, Boniface, Alexis, Anschar, Cyril, Metho- . . . Purity and fidelity to the marriage vows were sneered dius and Raymund Lull. The Church as a whole out of fashion. . . .. At the other end of the social scale had no missionary program and provided no suplay the masses of the poor. They were ignorant and brutal port for the devoted souls that went out to the to a degree which it is hard to conceive, for the vast in- non-Christian peoples. crease of population which followed on the growth of towns, and the development of manufactures had been met The Reformation was an upheaval within 'the by no effort for their religious and educational improve- Church and not an out-going missionary propulment. Not a parish had been created. Hardly a single sion. Neither under Luther nor under Calvin new church had been built. Schools there were none, save and Knox was any attempt made to launch forthe grammar schools of Edward and Elizabeth. The rural eign missions either in Asia or in Africa. The peasantry, who were fast being reduced to pauperism by Huguenot colony in Brazil in 1554-1558 was not the abuse of the poor-laws, were left without moral or religious training of any sort. "We saw but one Bible in the parish of Cheddar," said Hannah More at a far later time, "and that was used to prop a flower pot." Within the towns they were worse. There was no effective police;
a foreign mission nor were the colonial settlements seem to me alike founded in error; and, therefore, I must in North America, and when the latter turned to consider them both equally romantic and visionary. foreign mission work, as in John Eliot in 1646, and David Brainerd in 1743, and David Zeis- In America also foreign missions did not spring berger in 1739, it was only to reveal the more from or rest upon an awakened and devoted clearly that foreign missions were the concern Church which ardently supported the cause. Samonly of devoted individuals or small minority uel J. Mills and his four companions at Williams groups and not of the Church as a whole. And of College drew up the constitution of their Society the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation the for- of Brethren pledged to go as missionaries in eign missions were the work of the Jesuit mi- cipher, "public opinion then being opposed to us." nority. A small voluntary group undertook to send them and became the American Board. As similar When our modern foreign missions movement movements later developed in the various denombegan it was, as foreign missions have always inations it was always under the earnest advocacy been before William Carey and since, the interest of individuals or small groups who invariably met of the "Remnant," not of the body. The German with lethargy or opposition. Never in the history Pietists who founded the Danish-Halle Mission in of foreign missions has there been a time when 1705, and the Moravians whose foreign mission the work rested on the conscience, commanded the work began in 1732, were small minority groups, conviction, and enlisted the support of the whole illustrative, as foreign missions have always been, body of anyone of our denominations. It has been of St. Paul's principle in 1 Corinthians 1: 26-28: the burden of the "Remnant" in every case, often having a general official approval, but often meet- For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many ing direct or indirect opposition, and always for wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, real support by gifts and prayer and life, deare called; But God hath chosen the foolish things of the pendent upon a minority, often a small minority. world to confound the wise;. and God hath chosen the weak Let anyone read the biographies of men like Jerethings of the world to confound the things which are miah Evarts, Elisha P. Swift, William Taylor and mighty; And base things of the world, and things which Matthew Tyson Yates, and he will cease from conare despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are trasting the situation today with an inspired not, to bring to nought things that are. "golden age" when there was no lukewarmness or hostility and when everybody believed in for- William Carey and his supporters very dis- eign missions and gave liberally for their support. tinctly fall under Paul's characterization. Their movement was no enthusiastic general movement Again and again in the last hundred years forof the Christian Church. The respectable and eign missions have had to meet almost identical authoritative elements looked askance at this issues with those which we confront today. Since small company of "twelve obscure Northampton- 1819 the secretaries of the Foreign Mission Soshire ministers attempting the propagation of the cieties with headquarters in London have held gospel among the heathen." The London Mission- meetings regularly for counsel and fellowship. At ary Society began with three ministers – Bogue, the centennial of these meetings in 1919 it ap- Stephen and Hey.· The Church Missionary So- peared that there had been some 680 meetings ciety sprang from a small evangelical group of held and in a review of their history Dr; J. H. sixteen in the Church of England and could get Ritson, then one of the secretaries of the British none but German Lutheran missionaries for the and Foreign Bible Society, called attention to the first sixteen years of its history. Not one bishop problems discussed in the early years and their gave the group "the slightest recognition beyond resemblance to the problems of today. He is what he was officially obliged to give." In Scot- speaking of "Difficulties and Criticisms": land the very basic conceptions of foreign missions were at first rejected by the Moderatist ma- Missionary Societies have never been free from perjority. George Hamilton's well-known, and still plexities of finance, and these have not been their only familiar argument in the General Assembly of difficulties. The year 1823 was marked by terrible mor- 1796, was: tality at Sierre Leone, the C. M. S. and W. M. M. S. suf- fering heavily. The two best German missionaries of the To spread abroad the knowledge of the Gospel among C. M. S.-Johnson and During-were lost at sea. Twelve barbarous and heathen nations, seems to me highly pre- men and women went out, of whom six died within the posterous, in as far as it anticipates, nay, as it even re- year, and four more in the following six months. The verses, the order of nature. Men must be polished and C. M. S. report in May 1824 began, "The Committee have refined in their manners before they can be properly en- to display a chequered scene." No wonder the secretaries lightened in religious truths. Philosophy and learning of 1823 enquired, "What indications have been observed of must, in the nature of things, take precedence. Indeed, it the particular working of the great enemy against the should seem hardly less absurd to make revelation precede cause of missions, and how can such influence be best civilization in the order of time, than to pretend to unfold guarded against and counteracted?" to a child the "Principia" of Newton, ere he is made at all acquainted with the letters of the alphabet. These ideas At this period the whole outlook of missions changed from enthusiastic expectation of world-wide success to a
humble hope that a few elect might ;;e saved. A good deal its havoc, ignoring its implacable warfare on of hostile criticism was leveled against the Societies. In opium and idolatry, were charged to missions. It 1825 the Association was enquiring, "In what light are was held that Hung-su-tsuen, its founder and we to regard the opposition now so generally excited leader, had derived his ideas from Christianity against the diffusion of divine truth, and in what mode and that the wildness of the movement was an should it be met?" and then in 1826 they tried to profit illustration of what might happen anywhere if from the opposition – "What practical lessons may be Christian missions were free to let loose their relearned from the recent animadversions on benevolent in- actionary influences among unrestrained and stitutions?" Again a little later they discussed, "What ignorant races. "It is no chimera," wrote Alexare the causes of that distrust which has been excited re- ander Michie, "that the Chinese dread in Chrisspecting the management of religious societies, and what tianity, but a proved national peril, their vague is the best mode of removing it?" There is a tone of intuitions of which ripened suddenly into a terresignation in the title of a paper read in 1849, "The rible experience. . . . Much of the same evantrials of missions-the reason of these afflictive dispensa- gelizing proceedings, so far at least as the Chinese tions and the beneficial results of them." But they were Government can be expected to distinguish, which not allowed to work in peace, for within three years it was incited the Tai-ping rebels, are being carried on said, "A notion prevails to some extent that the mission- without intermission over a vastly wider field; ary enterprise is a comparative failure. Is there any truth and the missionaries today know perhaps as little in it, and what are the best methods of dealing with it?" of the ferments which they may have set up in The minutes of this meeting record the conviction that thousands of minds, as they did of the incubation "missions had been successful beyond expectation, and of Tai-pingdom." probably far surpassing the hopes of the fathers and founders of them." The unfavorable effect of the criticism of mis- sions, based on the Indian Mutiny and the Tai- The storm oroke out again in 1858 after the Indian ping Rebellion, was aggravated in the United Mutiny-the friends of missions urging a bolder Chris- States by the difficulties due to the Civil War. tian policy on the Government, and the critics declaring The war absorbed attention and resources. It dithat the Mutiny was caused by proselytism. In the same vided some of the largest denominations, diminyear the Secretaries were also driven to examine "Some of ishing their contributing constituencies and parthe principal objections made against the management of alyzing, by the blockade of the South, any foreign Religious Societies such as-the cost of deputation work, missionary effort of the separated churches of the publications and periodicals, etc." Criticism from without Southern States. Foreign exchange was disadlIas never ceased, but for half a century the Association vantageous. The American dollar was worth has not spent much time in discussing it. Of course it has only forty cents in China and one rupee in India. not always come from without. There have always been With mutinies and rebellions, the Civil War in critical and argumentative and candid friends in the inner America, the Crimean War in Russia, an old order circles. In 1825 Edward Irving's famous L. M. S. sermon and world-view dissolving and a new order with a declared that the current methods were all wrong, and a new idea of man's place in nature coming in, that few years after there was a topic of discussion which generation spoke of itself in the same terms in sounds peculiarly modern-"What line of conduct should which our generation speaks. One Board said in be adopted by Missionary Societies in order to obviate the its report: dangers, which may be apprehended from the agitation among their friends or agents, of those controversies Here is need of prayer; here is room for Christian libwhich have recently been moved in the Christian Church?" erality. Both are called for by the Word, the Providence, and the Spirit of God. The Committee cannot doubt that The Indian Mutiny brought with it an avalanche in both, the members of our Christian body, generally, of criticism of foreign missions. It was declared might make large advances on their past efforts. To refer that it was the fear and dislike of the Christian particularly to the pecuniary means required for increased propaganda of the missionaries that had brought labors, the Committee does not doubt that the churches on the Mutiny. Lord Ellenborough, "the vain and which now support these missions could really double their bombastic Governor-General who had preceded gifts, in a great number of instances; and the churche:, Lord Hardinge, and who was now the leading which have made no offering in aid of this cause, might advocate in Parliament of an anti..Christian policy surely do something for its support. Let this report with in India, on hearing of the Mutiny at once jumped its many and varied statements of what God is doing by to a conclusion as to the cause of it, and pro- his servants, be regarded as an earnest call to the considpounded it in the House of Lord. Lord Canning eration of Christian duty. This will also lead to greater (the Governor-General) had subscribed to mis- hopefulness in the missionary work of our beloved church. sions !" And Ellenborough's hostile voice was only one of many. The Committee are closing this Report in the midst of times that are filling the minds of men with apprehension. At the middle of the century and later the low Kingdoms are shaking. Our own country was never in tension of spiritual life, the weakened Christian such awful calamity. But the Church need not fear, her conviction, the indifference of students-and many members being found in their lot, at the post of duty. The other causes no doubt-brought missions to a low kingdom that shall never be moved is rising. He that has -ebb in Great Britain. For a decade the C. M. S. all power in heaven and in earth is now on its throne. ,could get an average of only two university men a year for foreign missionary service.
Paralleling the Sepoy Mutiny in India, came the 'Tai-ping Rebellion in China. This Rebellion and
A MISSIONARY APPRAISAL AS OF JANUARY 1, 1937
His Almighty Spirit is now in the world, as the great who are the unfortunate victims of unemployment the agent of converting the souls of men. thousands of dollars which are expended annually in one And those who believed that they could interpret of the most foolish and needless institutions in this wise, prophecy and read the signs of the times, pre- up-to-date country-foreign missions. dicted our Lord's immediate coming, as some do today, while others talked of chaos and social rev- While millions of Christians in our own country are in olution in the language so familiar to us and, dire distress through no fault of their own, we (some of what is more, effected revolutions as truly as us at least) are sending straight out of our country thou- Lenin and Mussolini and Hitler have done since. sands of dollars to heathen who don't give a —. Oh, the bitter, bitter irony of it! Of course if we ever did abolish foreign missions and give the money we waste on missionaries to those who desperately need it, the poor Again and again, through the century since dear missionaries would be unemployed. And that is as it Carey died in 1834, waves of criticism have should be. broken forth on foreign missions, which anticipated essentially all the criticisms which we meet Oh, you self-satisfied church members who so ardently today. Some of these criticisms sprang from support the foreign missions, turn your simple eyes from ignorance but many came from full and intelli- the naked Indians who revel in their heathenism, and cast those eyes upon the wretched hungry folk in the slums of your prosperous country's cities! Does Christ, when such gent knowledge, such as Alexander Michie's books conditions as today exist, appreciate the dollars you deon "China and Christianity" and "Missionaries in liberately send away in His name, from the emaciated China," and R. N. Cust's "The Gospel Message," hands of your own fellow countrymen? No, a thousand "Notes on Missionary Subjects," "Essays on Re- times no! ligious Conceptions," and "Missionary Methods." Many of those so-called followers of God-ministers- also have it in their power, by taking their children out Michie was editor of the Tientsin Times and knew of some of the most expensive private schools in the East what he was talking about. Cust had been one of and sending them to public schools, to aid, with the sevthe Punjab school of British civil servants in In- eral hundred dollars "saved" thereby, their needy brethren. dia and had retired in England, where he became Scarsdale, September 30,1931. A. O. P.
a member of the C. M. S. Committee and a con- Only one other period may be s'poken of-the structive but relentlessly unsparing critic of missionary policies at home and abroad. These men Boxer Uprising in China and its aftermath in the were only representative of hundreds. The mis- Church at home. As in the case of the Indian sionary enterprise is today under far less criti- Mutiny the guilt of government and trade was cism-less in volume and less in harmfulness- shifted to foreign missionaries, and missions were than it has met again and again in the past. What blamed for the consequence of political and ecowe have heard in recent years is only very old and nomic invasion and of the imperialism of opium very tawdry stuff, such as that of Will Rogers and oil. Mr. Sidney Brooks was a good represenwho, in the New York Times of March 23, 1932, tative of the attitude of missionary antagonism at said: "Has your town or city investigated this the time. In his opinion missionaries were not great scheme called 'block-aid' that they have in well educated, were untactful, careless of local New York City? Each person with a job that prejudice, speaking a "bastard Chinese," guilty lives in that block is asked to contribute a dime, of "blundering provocation," ignorant of the phiquarter or not more than a dollar a week. Your losophy they were "intent on overthrowing, the block is so organized that each block helps itself. language which must be their chief weapon"; It's practical and it works. they were bigoted and sectarian, "enthusiastic girls who scamper up and down the country. Of "Every city, town and even country townships the needless causes of irritation the missionary is should organize and use it. You know absolutely easily the most prominent." Brooks began his where your money is going, it's helping your next article by discrediting the plea which the mission- door neighbor. That's one trouble with our chari- aries might make, that the political pressure of the ties, we are always saving somebody away off, West and the seizure of territory and "the endless when the fellow next to us ain't eating. Same demands for concessions are the real occasions of thing wrong with the missionaries. They will this semi-national uprising."
save anybody if he is far enough away and don't A new type of anti-missionary propaganda apspeak our language." peared in attacks by Westerners hiding behind Or as A. O. P., in the New York Sun of October Chinese nom-de-plumes – such as Lowes Dickin- 1, 1931, wrote: son's "Letters of a Chinese Official," and Simpson's A REMINDER THAT CHARITY BEGINS- "A Chinese Appeal concerning Christian Mis- AND IS NEEDED-AT HOME sions" which was a barefaced and deliberate fraud, appearing under the name of Lin Shao To THE EDITOR OF The Sun. SIR: Yang. The newspapers were full of such antag- I am presenting no solution of the unemployment prob- onism, some blase and some bitter. Sometimes the lem. I merely am trying to raise a cry to give to those papers would admit replies and sometimes they
would not. Even an American Secretary of State, study and (3) he found a deepening purpose Mr. John Sherman, shared in the derision. It was among the chosen few to exalt the missionary well that the Ecumenical Conference in New York enterprise to a place of supreme importance in in 1900 came when it did, with its unimpeachable church economy, "but unfortunately not many of witnesses from all over the world and with the ap- these men and women of faith are possessed of proving presence of President McKinley and Ex- large pecuniary means." President Benjamin Harrison, Governor Theodore Roosevelt of New York, Governor Beaver of Penn- If this diagnosis were not dated thirty-four sylvania, Lieut.-Governor Bates of Massachusetts, years ago it might be regarded as contempora- Governor Northen of Georgia, and some of the neous. There has no conflict or temptation or most trusted leaders of the Christian Church crisis befallen the foreign missions movement tothroughout the world. day essentially or fundamentally different from what it has had to meet, generation by generation, But how like our own condition that genera- since foreign missions began with St. Paul when tion's was may be seen from the careful analysis he concluded that it was the duty of Christianity of the missionary situation then by Dr. J. P. to turn to the Gentiles. Even depressions and J ones, one of the wisest and ablest missionaries curtailments and presidential elections are not in India, who wrote from America in 1903 to The new: Harvest Field in India. He had traveled on furlough 20,000 miles in twenty-one states and had I have read with much interest the pamphlet you sent, addressed 200 gatherings. The facts which "fre- which gives such encouraging reports from the field and quently obtruded themselves upon him and which reveals such aUuring opportunities to press forward in the he could not ignore," were: extension of the work. It must be hard, indeed, not to respond to these splendid opportunities, and instead of (1) The appalling fact that so few of the members of advancing, to have to order retrenchments, but that policy seems to be the order of the day in all business enterprises the churches have any knowledge whatever of, or slightest in these days, and I see no other course open to you. We have found it hard here to get people to give what they interest in, foreign missions. gave last year towards maintaining the fixed charges, to say nothing of new work. I think therefore it would be (2) That the old doctrines of the past, upon which the wise for you to defer any extension of the work until after election, when we confidently expect to see financial conmissionary movement of a century ago was constructed, ditions greatly improve.
have been entirely swept away or have lost their emphasis. This letter is dated July 28, 1908!
There is no gainsaying the fact that the missionary move- II. Factors in the Problem Today ment of a hundred years ago no longer obtains and is But in each generation the basic issues have to be grasped afresh, the conditioning environment being supplanted by another, or at least is yielding to it shifts its emphases and proportions, and new ele- ments of difficulty replace the old. What are the preeminence in its influence upon the Christian mind. main factors which constitute the problem today?
(3) Americans have become great travelers; as such 1. The general low spiritual tension due to many things-the great diversity, diffusion and their examination of missionary activity is superficial or superficiality of human interests, the heightened speed which dissolves continuity and promotes wanting altogether; and on returning home they hide their vacillation and change of concern, the excitement of new toys and tools, the mania for amusement, bold ignorance of what might have been seen and studied the spectator attitude to life, the diminished re- gard for fixed conviction and principle, the eninte11igently by cool assumption or bold assurance that the grossment of men's minds in economic and politi- cal issues regarded as the really significant things missions either do not exist or are practicaUy doing noth- -and much else.
ing. The blasting influence of these traveled people upon 2. An inadequate conception of the nature of Christianity, its finality and absoluteness, its true the missionary cause at home is much greater than many character as a revelation and not a religion. John MacMurray quotes a remark of Collingwood in of us think. . "Speculum Mentis" to the effect that when Chris- tianity becomes a religion, it ceases to be Chris- (4) Many who were indifferent to the missionary cause tianity. Even among Christians, and of course outside the Church, there is wide rejection of the a decade ago are now its pronounced enemies. They are Christian view of the uniqueness, the sole ade- quacy, the universal necessity of the Gospel of found in churches. the New Testament. There is avowed or uncon- (5) Anti-missionary spirit has been caused by the seeming ingratitude of alien peoples responsible for mas- sacres of missionaries sent to do them good; and more- over the growing prevalence of belief in the doctrine of evolution. carries in the mind of many an argument against missions to non-Christian peoples. These say, "Why do you not let peoples with ethnic religions graduallY evolve their own religious destiny rather than thrust upon them a foreign faith and introduce a revolution of religious life and conceptions among them?"
(6) A great deal of the commercialism of the age has entered into the Church of America, and this spirit is im- patient with the remote and not very articulate appeals of the missionary in foreign lands. : . . The apathy and indifference can in part be traced to the indifferent-and sometimes worse-advocacy by missionaries of their cause among the churches.
On the other hand Dr. Jones was encouraged (1) by the better attitude of the ministry which he attributed to the better attitude of the theological seminaries, (2) by the increase of mission
A MISSIONARY APPRAISAL AS OF JANUARY 1, 1937
scious rejection of the position stated in the Mes- is a personal matter, and I am not going to ask another sage of the International Missionary Conference man to become a Hindu or Parsee. in Jerusalem in 1928: It does not matter, according to this view, The Gospel is the answer to the world's greatest need. whether men become Christians or not, and there- It is not our discovery or achievement; it rests on what fore it is superfluous if not impertinent to mainwe recognize as an act of God. It is first and foremost tain an enterprise which seeks to evangelize and "Good News." It announces glorious truth. Its very na- convert them. ture forbids us to say that it may be the right belief for some but not for others. Either it is true for all, or it is 4. There is the idea of a self-contained Amernot true at all. ica, living its own life aloof from the rest of the world. No one can really defend such a view, but We believe that men are made for Christ and cannot it is set forth by men who ignore its absurdity and really live apart from Him. Our fathers were impressed impossibility but who mean by it that we are to with the horror that men should die without Christ-we get what we can from the outside world but have share that horror; we are impressed also with the horror no duty to it. Let us suck up all the gain we can that men should live without Christ. from the nations, but we owe them nothing and our business is to let them alone! Let us go on Herein lies the Christian motive; it is simple. We can- our way and leave them to go theirs. We have not live without Christ and we cannot bear to think of men fallen on an age of an ingrown national soul. living without Him. We cannot be content to live in a Here indeed we have a new political mind, shrivworld that is unChristlike. We cannot be idle while the eled, selfish, afraid. What a contrast this is to yearning of His heart for His brethren is unsatisfied. the outspoken words of President Grant in his second inaugural: "As commerce, education and Since Christ is the motive, the end of Christian missions the rapid transit of thought and matter by telefits in with that motive. Its end is nothing less than the graph and steam have changed everything, I production of Christlike character in individuals and so- rather think that the Great Maker is preparing cieties and nations through faith in and fellowship with the world to become one nation, speaking one lan- Christ the living Saviour, and through corporate sharing guage-a consummation which will render armies of life in a divine society. and navies no longer necessary. I will encourage and support any recommendations of Congress Christ is our motive and Christ is our end. We must tending towards such ends." Well, General Grant give nothing less, and we can give nothing more. would get none from the last Congress or the next.
These truths are not adequately grasped. And, 5. The influence of the current political phialas, some foreign mission boards seem to have losophy of the State, as the organ of the social, adopted the view that their work is henceforth to educational, economic and cultural life of the nadwindle. tion, is revealed in their taking over the philan- thropic and cultural activity and responsibility 3. Therefore, and in consequence, the prevalent hitherto borne by society functioning nonpolitiidea of religious equalitarianism-that religion is cally. Already this philosophy has done far more a relative thing with no criterion or valid claim than is realized in breaking down the sense of reof absolutism anywhere, that if people have any sponsibility in individuals and in disintegrating religion it is best to let them alone in it and not some of the most precious functionings of a livdistuvb them, that "religion" in its general sense ing society. "Why," men ask, "should we try any is enough without allowing any specific religion longer to do what the State is now doing or proa place of exclusive preeminence, that there is a posing to do." The State does not propose to common stratum under all religions that is the carryon Christian missions, but its philosophy sufficient and essential thing, and that propaganda undercuts the human attitudes on which foreign and proselytism are inappropriate. Mr. Gandhi's missions must depend. untenable view, which would in reality disallow all religions except man's original and primitive 6. And furthermore, this expansion of the funcfaith, is too common. He said to a group of rep- tions of the State requires resources which must resentatives of the British missionary societies be provided by increased taxation on the very at the time of the Round Table Conference: people who had cared for these ministries. Even if they would continue them they cannot, because The idea of converting people to one's faith by speech income and inheritance taxes take away the caand writings, by appeal to reason and conviction, and by pacity to do so. The late Jesse Strauss, American suggesting that the faith of his forefathers is a bad faith, Ambassador to France, cancelled legacies of in my opinion, limits the possibilities of serving humanity. nearly a million dollars which his former will be- I believe that the great religions of the world are all more queathed to educational and philanthropic causes, or less true and that they have descended to us from God. and for these two reasons: the expansion of gov- . . . While I criticize part of the missionary work, I willingly admit that missionaries have done indirect good to India. There is no doubt about this. But for my having come under Christian influence, some of my social work would not have been done. My fierce hatred of child marriage and "untouchability" is due to Christian influence. I have come into contact with many splendid specimens of Christian missionaries. . . . Though my conviction i.s strong enough in me to die for that conviction, that force does not carry me to the goal of believing that the same thing should be believed by my fellowmen. . . . Religion
ernment functions, and the diminution of individ- again for our justification. The old idea was to ual resources due to taxation required for the ac- Christianize international and all other human tivities of the State. relations. The present idea is to internationalize and humanistically secularize our Christian con- 7. Just as the conception of the deep spiritual cepts. Collective and social ideas supplant the need of man for Christ has grown dim with many, personal and redemptive, not more so than in the so also there has been a discontinuance of the rep- past, but just as really, and just as resistantly to resentation of the moral and social need of the New Testament foreign missions as in the past. pagan world. The words "pagan" and "heathen" have fallen into disuse. Dr. Ambedkar, of India, 10. The home church has been confused and denounces the present generation of missionaries misled by the just emphasis that is laid in foreign for sparing so tenderly the abuses of Hinduism, missions on the native or national or indigenous and contrasts their timidity and overcharitable- church, as aimed at and in such glorious measure ness with the downright declarations of their already partly., achieved. "Why not let these predecessors of the horrors of idolatry and caste. churches now do the work?" it is asked, not real- It is not necessary to correct this present-day izing that they are still so unequal to the task that tendency by harsh denunciations of "heathenism." has to be done that they themselves are the strong- The true view is to comprehend all men in all est and clearest voice calling for the expansion of lands under one common condemnation and need. the missionary enterprise. On the other hand "All have sinned and come short of the glory of there are lands where excessive nationalism in the God." It is because so many people in the Church joins with these home critics in their queschurches themselves feel no deep need of Christ tion. But these very churches are quick to urge as the only Saviour that they feel no constraint to that it is not a cessation of foreign missions which send missionaries to save others. they want but the acceptance of a principle, which in reality is neither wise nor right, namely, the 8. Our missionary freedom is increasingly dissociation of authority and responsibility. The abridged by the nationalistic and secular move- very idea is proof that the work of foreign misments which are limiting religious liberty. We sions has not yet been perfectly done. are losing, in many lands, the freedom of worship and conscience and of religious expression which 11. There is also the situation in the home the last two generations won, and are returning churches. Many of these churches are suffering to the darker days of a century ago. In some from a regimentation of benevolences which sublands, as in Mexico, the limitation is chiefly on stitutes mathematical ratios for vital education foreigners, but in other lands, as in Russia and and living motives; which subordinates causes in Germany, it is on the nationals as well. In some common treasury pools, which increases overhead lands the limitation is only partial and is indeed charges, which removes the donor to a fatal disnot religious. In some countries, as in some of tance from the cause which he is asked to support, our own states, no foreigner can practice medi- and which weakens and threatens to destroy the cine. In some he can carryon schools only under power and persuasion of the appeal of the living special regulations. In a very few, as for ex- work. In many denominations there are conflictample, Russia and Turkey, all Christian propa- ing parties which sacrifice the missionary work of ganda is disallowed. Passport and vise regula- the church on the battlefield of their doctrinal contions are increasingly hampering. A missionary tentions. In all the churches foreign missions are, has just been forbidden admission to Japan be- as they have always been, the burden of the micause he was declared to be an extreme pacifist. nority and are too often sacrificed by the power Martyrdom is not the option of missionaries any of the majority to the interest of causes near at more. No vise thitherward can now be secured hand – the very right of the minority to direct and without a vise the martyr is not allowed to their gifts to foreign missions being sometimes sail from home. frustrated or abridged.
9. The missionary motive has thinned out in 12. The situation in the missions-is it worse many quarters. Humanitarian concepts, appeals than in the past? Are the missionaries really for world peace and international and interracial, "weary" or disheartened? They might well be if and even interreligious, good will have been sub- their reliance were upon the home church. In stituted for the evangelical ideas. Instead of the some denominations missions have suffered reconstraining love of Christ, which included the duction of from 30 to 60 per cent in their staffs. love of human brotherhood, human brotherhood Are missionaries today less effective than in' the is urged as sufficient without the hampering and past? The answer to these questions is NO! The separating addition of the love of Christ; or if average of foreign missionary character and cathe love of Christ is kept, it is only as an ethical pacity and devotion has not fallen. The relation symbol. Christ is no longer the Christ of the of missions and boards is better than in the past. New Testament, crucified for our sins and raised Most missions are functioning more effectively.
A MISSIONARY APPRAISAL AS OF JANUARY 1, 1937
Their policies are clearer and more continuously III. Our Future Missionary Policy pursued. Right principles are more surely discerned. The forces of indigenous Christianity are Many of these elements in the contemporary immensely multiplied. There are indeed counter- missionary situation are beyond our control and vailing weaknesses, although they are less in for- perhaps even beyond our influence. Others are eign missions than in the home church. There is not, but lie wholly within our area of action and need of a spontaneous, sustained, evangelistic mo- responsibility. Roughly, there are four modes of mentum. Schools and hospitals should be still influence open to us: more dominantly evangelistic (instead of less, as has been recently advised) in purpose, character (1) Prayer. Perhaps with many of us prayer and influence. The furlough complex needs re- is in the same category as the weather, as Mark straint. The problem of mastering the language Twain characterized it. We talk of it but we has been made more difficult by short terms of don't do anything about it. There is probably no service or long and frequent furloughs, the prev- greater peril to the church than this theoretical alence of the use of English and the probationary acceptance of the reality of prayer as a force and and experimental conception of foreign mission our neglect to use it. service which has become too common. There is need for spiritual and intellectual leadership, tak- (2) Publicity, not in any narrow promotional ing the place of influence and authority based on or advertising sense, but as the ceaseless and effecfinancial and administrative control. There have tive proclamation of the essential nature and the been surveys enough to last for some time. fundamental principles of Christianity, and of the facts of human need and of the adequacy of the 13. This analysis is far from complete. Many Gospel. more aspects of the contemporary situation could be cited. One must suffice. The world is increas- (3) Wisely conceived and steadily executed ingly one world in the problem which it presents plans for presenting the cause at home and proseto the Christian apologist and evangelist. Wil- cuting it abroad. liam Hung, of Yenching University in Peiping, may be overestimating the declension and debility (4) Personalities. It is on personalities rather of the non-Christian religions, although what he than on programs or policies that this and all says is inevitably and rapidly verifying itself, but great work rests. When John Lawrence was he is describing accurately the main issues of the asked by what methods he had saved the Panjab present and coming days, when he says: and broken the Indian Mutiny, he replied, "It was not by my methods but by my men." Personali- It seems to me that we have arrived at a stage in the ties have been God's instrumentalities from the history of missions when it is no longer worth while for beginning. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt the missionary leaders to study the Christian approaches among us." "I am the Light of the World." "Ye to Buddhism, Confucianism, etc. The scientific study of are the lights of the world." Paul, at the outset, these non-Christian religions will have historical and aca- the long list of the medieval pioneers and the moddemic interest, but it has ceased to have the same practical ern company-Carey, Duff, Martyn, Livingstone, importance in missionary work as it used to have up to Anderson, Lowrie, Lambuth, and the men and twenty or even ten years ago. We must realize that the women we know today – these are God's living frontier of our missionary enterprise has changed, and forces. with it we must also change the old tactics. Too much praise cannot be given to the growth in the study of com- But there are specific endeavors and courses of parative religions in the missionary training centers of the action which suggest themselves in this appraisal West. Thus prepared, the missionary movement has been for our present scrutiny and care. enabled to deal with the non-Christian more effectively. It is partly due to the educational activities of the Christian 1. Every mission board and its officers must movement that the other religions are losing the grip they themselves discern and work with and by a true had in non-Christian lands. While Christianity is making conception of the real basis of missions in the inroads into these religions from one side, these religions New Testament Gospel. There should be fresh are suffering a great deal in the rear from a group of and definite statements of this basis made in new enemies, who have advanced so far into their terri- forms that will reach the intelligence and contory, that, for all practical purposes, Christianity must science of the Church. No such statements will ignore the incapacitated older religions and think of its reach and convince all. There are Christians and frontier work in terms of what it will have to do with Christians, but the true sheep will hear their Masthese same new forces; scientific agnosticism, material- ter's voice in the truth about Him and its mission istic determinism, political fascism, and moral iconoclasm. to the world. It will be disastrous if in any mis- sion board there is uncertainty or unbelief as to If we are not prepared to meet these issues on the evangelical supernaturalism of the Christianthe foreign mission field, where two-thirds of the ity of the New Testament and the missionary human race are involved in them, we may as well enterprise. abandon hope that we can meet them in the United States. 2. Every missionary secretary ought to satu- rate his mind and spirit in the literature and his-
tory of the foreign mission· enterprise from the istry depleted by the withdrawal of the inspira- apostolic days until today. He ought not to have tion of the foreign mission appeal. There are to remake discoveries already made long ago. He hundreds of men in the home ministry today who ought not to see the foreign mission enterprise in would not have turned from other work to full- any distorted or unrelated form, but should know time Christian service if it had not been for the enough of the history of the Church and of the influence of the foreign mission call upon their world, and enough of the contemporary life and lives. The national churches on the foreign field movement of the world, to understand the times are appealing more strenuously than ever for and the place of the missionary enterprise, neither more men and women from the Western churches.
exaggerating it nor undervaluing it, in the will of The voice of India was uttered by the Bishop of God. It would be well for him to read Rufus Dornakal in the appeal which he sent to the meet- Anderson's "History of the American Board"; ing of the British students in Edinburgh in J an- Eugene Stock's "History of the Church Mission- uary 1933: ary Society"; Dr. Arthur J. Brown's Centennial We cannot, therefore, at this time restrain ourselves "History of the Presbyterian Board"; Volume IV from sending you a call to "come over and help us" with of the Edinburgh Conference Report of 1910; all the earnestness and passion at our command.
Volume I of the Report of the Jerusalem Confer- 1. There are vast regions in many parts of India and ence of 1928 and the volume published some years Burma into which the message of God's revelation in ago by the Committee on the War and the Reli- Christ has not yet penetrated. gious Outlook, entitled, "The Missionary Outlook in the Light of the War." 2. There are still whole classes of people, even in already evangelized regions (like the middle class Hindus, Mus- lims, Buddhists and Untouchables), to whom Christ and 3. The promotion and cultivation of missionary his message have not yet been demonstrably put.
interest by the mission boards should not be less 3. The small church in India needs outside aid to train general and diffusive, but it should be more per- its manhood and its womanhood and its ministry for misonal and individual. There is need of far more tional Christian service and for effective witness to the specific, careful and continuous education of indi- regenerating power of Christ. vidual pastors, women and laymen, to raise up a new generation of intelligent and consecrated 4. The rural churches and those established among classes of people once despised and suppressed need guid- ance and help to enable them to play their part in service givers. for rural India.
4. The effort should be made, afresh or in repe- 5. Doctors and educationalists are needed for mission tition, to secure on the part of every pastor, at hospitals and colleges-to serve India towards stronger least once a year, a clear presentation of the es- and saner citizenship. sential missionary character of Christianity, its relation to the so-called world-religions with We fear that the strong national feelings exhibited in which it is not to be classified as though it be- recent years in India may estrange even the disciples of longed to their category, and the basic principles Christ from the call to serve Him in a land that is full of racial antipathies. We may assure you that, while that is true to a certain extent in the sphere of politics, it is of the Church's mission to evangelize the world. not true in the sphere of religion. At no time has there been a greater friendliness among the people towards 5. The literature of the missionary enterprise, Christians and Christian messengers than at the present already effective and appealing, needs to be still time. British missionaries of the true type-missionaries more qualitatively sharpened and empowered. who endeavor in the spirit of our Master to come to India The circulation of the MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE with sympathy and discernment and to serve her people WORLD, the only popular, interdenominational with that peculiar self-effacing love and power that issues missionary periodical left to the Church, should out of the Cross of Christ-such are in greater demand be multiplied tenfold. now than ever before.
Again we fear that some may be deterred by a con- 6. New missionaries should be called for and sciousness of personal inadequacy for the needs of India, sent out. The day for this is not past. It is true and by a procrastination that makes them wait for some that in the recent years of depression many boarels inward guidance and special call before they respond to have had to reduce their staffs. It is also true an appeal for service in India. But surely the crying needs of this great country and its peoples, and especially that this reduction has been lamentable. The at a time like this, and the possession of that life and good of it, in throwing responsibility upon the power which issued from Calvary and the Upper Room native churches, could have been secured without coupled with consciousness of ability with the help of God the appalling loss to the work in the withdrawal of to meet these needs, constitute a call the Divine source of thousands of qualified and experienced mission- which no one. can easily doubt. aries. Young men and women whom God has We therefore plead with you to consider whether Chris- tian students can now fail to give India what they alone manifestly called ought not to be hindered from can give, and whether they do not owe India this immeanswering that call. diate help at the present crisis of her history. We pray that the call to come over and help us may touch the hearts The home church will suffer in her own life of some of you, resulting in your surrender for missionary and will find the supply of men for the home min- service in India.
A MISSIONA:RY APPRAISAL AS OF JANUARY 1, 1937
This is an authoritative voice, quite different which shall be self-propagating, self-supporting and self- from the irresponsible statements of non-Chris- governing; to cooperate, so long as necessary, with these tian students studying in Western universities. churches in the evangelizing of their countrymen, and in bringing to bear on all human life the spirit and principles In these appeals the National Churches deal of Christ.
very specifically with the idea that missionaries Missions and all their institutions and the naought not to go except where they are invited. tional churches with which they cooperate need, The National Christian Council of Japan at its all of them, in common with the Church at home meeting last December spoke these manly words: and all of its institutions, to be caught up in the The work which Foreign Mission Boards have started in momentum of a powerful and sustained evan- Japan has by no means reached a full-round goal. Much remains to be done to bring it to full completion. Weare gelism expressed, not in the living deeds of Chrisanxious that they shall finish it fully and happily. The tian service only, but also in a direct, persuasive, reason self-support and the spirit of independence lags convincing and unremitting proclamation of the among our churches is the tendency to lean on friends and truth and the truths of the Christian faith.
funds from abroad. The Japanese Church should cut loose S. The problem of the establishment and relaand launch out for itself. This has been done in every tionships of an independent national church has other sphere of life in the Empire; diplomacy, education, not been solved fully under any board. Each commerce, industry go forward through Japanese initia- system has its advantages and its disadvantages. tive and effort. Why not the church? Mission organiza- tions and missionaries should act from an irresistible sense Any approach to a satisfactory solution has lain of mission and not wait for an invitation. The missionary attitude of American Christians motivated by an impelling not in any program or scheme and has been forinner urge should be positive and aggressive. Regarding warded, not by conferences and compromise, but policies for evangelism in Japan, we believe that the Jap- has been achieved through persons and personal anese Church should in the main take the initiative. How- relationships. There are impersonal principles ever, we welcome assistance from abroad which is moti- involved; and no one has ever set this forth more vated by a positive urge. We fail because there is too clearly than Henry Venn, for thirty-one years much of a spirit of compromise with the "Japanese spirit." honorary secretary of the Church Missionary So- If Christianity were to become a Japanese religion it would ciety. But it has required persons of Christian cease to be Christianity. When this is put squarely to the student, for example, he is attracted by it. We need to mind and spirit to discern these principles and be more forthright in our presentation of the essential dif- how they could be applied, and these persons must ferences between Christianity and Japanism. arise in the native church, as well as in the mis- And these calls are for men and women like sion. Noone from without can make a native those who have gone in the past, not for the super- church living and free. Life and liberty are not men sometimes recommended, who are to go out qualities that can be donated by man to man. No and, without the language, accomplish in a few mission can give them to a church, and no mission months what other men, just as able as they, have can withhold them when a church wants them failed to accomplish in years. The great ones and will take them from God by whom alone they have gone again and again: Joseph Cook, J. H. can be given and who is more ready to give them Seelye, Henry Drummond, and others in our own than we are to take them. time. But the men who made the deepest impression on India, and the same thing is true of every 9. In almost every mission field new national or other land, were not visitors like these, but ultra-nationalistic regulations are affecting the Schwartz and Carey and Bowen, who went out to tenure or title or terms of mission property hold- India and never came back to learn the new phi- ings. In Mexico many clear titles have been losophies and psychologies of the West. Schwartz simply wiped out by the Government with no reserved forty-three years with never a furlough muneration or redress. Elsewhere increments of out of India; Carey forty-one years, and Bowen, value have been denied or imperilled. In many forty years. It is service like theirs, with or with- lands the national churches are disposed to argue out furlough, that leaves its mark. that all mission property is held in trust for them, even though it was wholly provided from the 7. The fundamental evangelistic aim of the for- West, or by people who gave it, not for the endoweign mission enterprise must be kept clear and ment of the church in some one land, but for use made even more dominant. In spite of advice to in the evangelization of the whole world. It would subordinate this aim, or to regard it as fulfilled seem to be wise for each boardin humanitarian service, the declaration which a number of boards have made in their Manuals (1) To examine all its property holdings to deshould stand unaltered in its letter and meaning: termine what should be held for the present and future needs of the work; The supreme and controlling aim of Foreign Missions is to make the Lord Jesus Christ known to all men as their (2) To have a clear and just understanding Divine Saviour and to persuade them to become his dis- with the national churches as to what, if any, is ciples; to gather these disciples into Christian Churches to be turned over to them and when and on what terms and to what title-holding body;
(3) To dispose of the rest while it is still pos- 12. We need to give, with real national leaders sible to do so. It must be realized that in some (such, for example, as the late Erasmo Braga in countries there is a difficult inheritance of pater- Brazil, and the late Masahisa Uemura in Japan), nalism and dependence to be overcome. Here is a careful study to the problems of training leaders fragment from a letter from Cawnpore, India, for the church. Are we simply duplicating Westdated June 25, 1936: ern modes and ideals? Can we do anything else? Are missions deciding questions which are church Ages ago the word of God was preached by the for- problems rather than mission problems and which eigners in India. As a matter of fact our Lord Jesus no illusory merging of church and mission can Christ was revealed to the inhabitants of the country by qualify us to solve for a really indigenous church? the most zealous Americans. They left their dear home Would we approve in America in the training of and came out to India convinced of the Holy Spirit-lived our ministry the duplication here of the former in a strange place, though so unfavorable. They faced schools of the Orthodox Church in Russia, or of great trouble in introducing the historical Christ as the the schools of any of the continental churches? real Saviour of the world. By and by through their efforts Or again, can we act otherwise in our mission many were brought to the blessed feet of Jesus Christ. training schools? Here once more we wait for the Thus missions were organized and worship places erected development of an adequate autonomous church at their own expense. such as is already foreshadowed in autonomy, and also in a measure in true indigenous originality, Next they took upon themselves to arrange for the in Japan and Brazil. boarding schools to be established in various cities of the land, and thus feed and give education to the children of 13. The problem of the relation of missions to the poor, altogether free of charge. They further solved government, which was one of the central probthe problem of the medical need of their native Christian lems two and three generations ago, is back again brethren, and opened hospitals and dispensaries, where with a vengeance. The meaning and limits of they considered it fit, for free treatment of the sick. They religious liberty must be restudied and the attidid all this and many other good deeds for the sake of the tude of missions to government limitations and One who opened their hearts to so do. They ran all such control. How many of the following rights may institutions with their own hard-earned money and greatly be justly demanded as included in the claim of benefited the countless people of the world especially our religious liberty? country. No doubt they sent out more than enough of money to India, whereby several were saved and educated. (1) Freedom of private opinion; (2) Freedpm of private worship; Then follows an appeal for continued free edu- (3) Freedom of assembly and public worship; cation and medical care and subsidy of the church (4) Freedom from requirement to participate in India. There have been many arguments in in objectionable worship; the Indian Christian papers to the effect that mis- (5) Freedom for propagation (the new Russion property should be regarded as the property sian constitution of 1936 allows only antireligious of the Indian Church. It is bad for the Indian propaganda) ; Church to take this view. And mission boards (6) Freedom in education, to be exempt from must do, in this matter as in all else, only what is state schools and to conduct our own schools; right and just in itself, and what is best for the (7) To hold property for use; Christian cause, whether doing this is easy or (8) To hold property for endowment; hard. (9) To sell property freely at what price can be obtained; 10. We should limit the quantity and improve (10) Freedom from all discrimination upon rethe educational quality and the Christian char- ligious grounds. acter and missionary influence, and should reexamine the type, of all our educational work, How far shall we go against a government? lower and higher. This is a different issue today from the earlier days, because now we cannot cross a national 11. We must evidently restudy the work of boundary line without government consent. We medical missions. Already they are discontinued can't die any more for rights for which our fain some fields, either through government hin- thers could die. What shall our course be ? Well, drance or through displacement by indigenous de- one thing is clear-we must exhaust every effort velopment. Elsewhere the economic problem to obey what we believe to be God's will and leave becomes increasingly difficult. The inadequate the consequence to Him, and we must use to the appropriations compel mission hospitals and dis- full and without delay all our still allowed liberty pensaries to achieve a measure of self-support of Christian witness. which diminishes their ability to give charitable service to the poor and increases their competition 14. The problem of cooperative and union work with native practitioners. Again the problem becomes increasingly difficult. Large sections of arises of diffusion or concentration; of quantity or quality, of competition or supplementation; the solution is to be found by asking "What will best serve the fundamental Christian missionary aim ?"
A MISSIONARY APPRAISAL AS OF JANUARY 1, 1937
some of the churches are moving in a doctrinal or mild. Some missions complain of too much direction that makes cooperation with them by home direction and control, and some of too little. others, in some forms of work, impossible. The What we all need is to hold fast to David Livingfundamentalist group in some churches demands stone's doctrine that judgment and responsibility withdrawal from cooperation that we believe go together and that whoever exercises the judgought to continue, and the opposite groups do the ment must bear the responsibility and whoever same, and also demand cooperation that is im- bears the responsibility must exercise the judgpracticable. The situation is tragically confused. ment. In reality the work is an integer and all The fundamentalist and independent groups are of us together must seek the wisdom which we divided among themselves. The modernistic can achieve collectively alone and all of us must group is inchoate and inarticulate. The great bear each his own burden and also the burden of evangelical body goes on its way but is harassed us alL from either side. It could be wished that we would all assemble on the platform laid down by 16. Probably every mission board has from Charles Hodge at the great meeting of the Evan- time to time surveyed its whole work, in the light gelical Alliance in New York City in 1873: of its situation in relation to its home church and the areas of the world where it is at work, and has Finally, there is the duty of cooperation. In union is sought to outline a comprehensive and continuous strength. All Christians and all churches are engaged in policy, asking itself where the emphasis should the same work. They are servants of the same Master, be laid, whether any of its work should be disconsoldiers of the same Great Captain of their salvation. If tinued, whether it should press out on new roads, the several corps of an army should refuse to cooperate whether any change in policy or program should against the common foe, defeat would be the inevitable be made. The archives of some boards are rich result. What then is to be expected if the great denom- in such surveys and appraisals. More than once inations into which Christians are divided keep contending in the Presbyterian Board we have tried to attain with each other instead of combining their efforts for the to the height of a grand missionary strategy and overthrow of 'the kingdom of darkness? . . . If all Chris- statesmanship. In 1896, Dr. Ellinwood made tians really believe that they constitute the mystical body such a careful and comprehensive study. In 1920 of Christ on earth, they would sympathize with each other another careful analysis and projection of work as readily as the hands sympathize with the feet, or the was made, based on a study of all the fields of the feet with the hands. If all churches, whether local or de- Board in regard to occupancy, responsiveness, nominational, believe that they too are one body in Christ strategic importance and human need. All such Jesus, then instead of conflict we should have concord; studies are useful but they need to be handled with instead of mutual criminations we should have mutual an easy touch and with an open and ready mind. respect and confidence; instead of rivalry and opposition Paul went to Europe against his previous plan, we should have cordial cooperation. The whole visible and not by his deliberated program. It is well for Church would then present an undivided front against us to heap up the wood symmetrically for the infidelity and every form of anti-Christian error, and the altar. But the fire! Lord, we wait for the fire. sacramental host of God, though divided into different corps, would constitute an army glorious and invincible. The aphorism of Ignatius was a double ad- juration: "Consider the times. Look to Him 15. The mission boards will do well to maintain Who is above time." in their relations to their missions and to the churches with which they are working on the field, the principle of a democratic equality, and not be led into an attitude of autocracy whether stringent SOME SEORETS OF POWER Before power can come into the lives of men and women, they have to become channels through which the power can work. To be that channel, one has to get rid of self. Self has to be crucified. The heart and life have to be cleansed. Then the clean vessel has to be presented in consecration for service. Paul had experienced something of this power, and appealed to the Romans to present their bodies upon the altar as holy, living sacrifices. The purpose of this consecration was to perform the Will of God. They could not be channels through which the power of God flowed until they were willing to lose their lives in His great cause.
God will not try to force Himself into the life of anyone. He stands at the door and knocks. He is seeking and wooing and loving, but does not use force. God created man and redeemed man when he transgressed. It is a twofold ownership which God has over man, but still He waits until the heart is opened before He comes in to cleanse and abide there.
Power is never given to be wasted.-Ralph Pfister, in Gems of Cheer. s Au D I ~ NEJ D ~ Hofu!d"it~~~_ _ _ _/fL-T'–':~—l ~ Ri.'a.'.d'.'hD-··················l 'A.'…~ … ····R R I A J~ . ~ ……………
liddah 1 Mecca ……… : …~ .0.······· Taif / 20°~~–~~·~ '~—-~~~~-SAN-DY–DES-ER-T ~~~:r/~ 200 AN/~_ m~~ ~ ~ / .'
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p II p.. ..'••/ …..
"~ 'r =. . .~–~,'————-~>=~~.~…~.. -~.-'.'.-….-.~ —–t———–~ 15° ARABIA Showing Route of Dr. Harold Storm Socotra~ o'===="5=0S=CA=1L0~0E=OF1=5M,0""I=L2E0=0S<==:2d50 Route of Or, Storm …………….
45° Longitude East of Greenwich 50° Prepared by C.S.HAMMOND & Co.,N. Y. [20 ]
A Doctor's Tour in Neglected Arabia*
By W. HAROLD STORM, M.D., Bahrain, Persian Gulf Missionary of the Reformed Church in America A MOST interesting and important journey On August 23 we left Taif for Jiddah and the across Arabia and around the western and sea. The more direct and easier route is spoken southern shores of this great unknown of as the Derb EI'Muslameen (road of the be- peninsula, has recently been made by Dr. W. lievers) and leads directly through the holy city Harold Storm of Bahrain. He was accompanied of Mecca. The other, which is longer and more by three Christian hospital helpers to make a sur- difficult, is called the Derb Elkafireen (road of the vey at the request of The World Dominion Move- unbelievers) and makes a circuitous detour ment of London and the International Leprosy around Mecca. We, of course, were taken by the Association. After spending Sunday, June 23, longer route.
1935, in Riatih, the capital of Saudia Arabia, the Jiddah has an estimated population of about party of four started out on this unusual tour of 30,000 and is the chief seaport and commercial territory, much of which had never before been center of the Arabian coast on the Red Sea. In visited by Christian mission- recent years it has become the aries. This survey is made after diplomatic capital of Saudia forty-five years of missionary Arabia. Its importance can be work in this difficult field where judged best when we realize that Moslem fanaticism combines all pilgrims coming to Mecca by with desert, mountains, a torrid sea pass through this city.
sun and primitive life to raise Here we were called upon to barriers against the progress of treat a young member of one of the Gospel of Christ. The jour- the most influential families in ney was the answer to many Hedj az. Their history is as earnest prayers for the opening dramatic as it is romantic. Four of Arabia and Arab hearts to or five generations ago they the Gospel. were slaves in the home of an in- The travelers came from Bah- fluential member of the Sheri- rain on the Persian Gulf to fian family, who was the local Riadh in central Arabia; from representative of the r u lin g thence they journeyed to Taif, house in Constantinople. One near the west coast, to Jiddah, member of this slave family the seaport of Mecca and then DOCTORS DAME AND STORM. WITH gained the favor of his master down the west coast and through MRS.STDOARMME, AATNDRIRAODBH ROY and was given his freedom and southern Arabia until they re- property. He combined a shrewd turned to Muscat, after many adventures and win- business mind with a likeable personality and ning many friends. Dr. Storm writes in Neg- finally amassed a great fortune. It was not long lected Arabia as follows: until those who formerly had been vassals became Our trip from Riadh to Taif was the same as feudal lords and gained more and more favor i~ that followed by Dr. Dame in 1932. Taif is sit- the Sherifian court.
uated about 6,000 feet above sea level and is a Political upheavals change the destinies of men.
haven of rest from the stifling heat of the coastal The Sherifian house fell as the great Wahabi King plain and especially from Mecca and Jiddah. It Ibn Saud entered Hedjaz and those who had be- is the summer capital of Hedjaz and would be an come equal to kings suddenly found themselves ideal location for permanent mission work. We with neither fame nor fortune. Shrewd diplo- spent six weeks in this delightful city and experi- macy, however, combined with unquestioned abil- enced a splendid reception from both Arab royalty ity, soon gained for them the confidence of the and the Bedouin. new Saudian authorities and today they are – *' Condensed from Neglected Arabia, 25 East 22nd St., New York. trusted counsellors and among the wealthiest and [ 21 ]
most respected families on the eastern coast of so placed as to give the greatest advantage to Arabia. prevailing winds. Never have I had such per- The influence and friendship of this particular family opened the way for a visit to Yenbo. They sonal satisfaction in carrying on medical work arranged all the details and sent us in their own car, one of the very few privately owned cars in for nowhere in Arabia have I met people who Saudia. Yenbo is a small but important center as it is the seaport for the holy city of Medina. No- are poorer or more needy. Their gratitude was where have I seen a cleaner Arab town. It is surprising almost to the point of a shock when, upon touching. . being awakened by the early morning prayer call of the Muezzin, you look out of the window and J eizan presented a new problem in missionary see a street cleaner diligently at work with his donkey cart and broom. This is obviously a re- touring. Various kinds of animal life frequently sult of Turkish and Western influence. trouble the traveler. Plagues of locust, in swarms Rumors of political instability in Sana, capital of Yemen, spread throughout Hedjaz, encouraging so thick that often the sun is hid from sight, deideas of the possibilities of an open rupture of relationships between Saudia and Ye- scend from the unknown upon the Arabian desert. men. If hostilities actually broke out our movements would all be stopped Every green thing is eaten. Here we were conand even the rumor might be ample excuse to check and frustrate our plar s. fronted with another plague – scorpions were Everybody became excited and na- everywhere. Literally dozens would be seen in tive Arab troops poured into Jiddah from Mecca. The chief Saudian rep- the streets if one strolled out of an evening. We resentative in Hedjaz proved to be a friend in need for he greatly appre- even found them in our beds. My hospital boys ciated what had been done for his family in Taif and gave an order that we frequently amused themselves after the day's be carried on the S. S. Fetak along with three hundred Saudian soldiers work was over by seeing how many they could who were going to the Nejran frontier. DR. STORM'S EYE CLINIC AT ASIR The time of departure from Jiddah was sunset. Soldiers and more soldiers catch and bring to me by use of a flashlight and a came aboard until they were packed pair of operating forceps. tighter than sardines in a tin. One inquisitive soul turned a winch valve and imme- Again wars and rumors of wars threatened to diately steam poured out. An alarm of fire spread. stay our progress. The !talo-Abyssinian contro- Pandemonium broke loose. Those nearest the versy was working itself up to fever heat and the railing literally dove into the waters or into sail- Red Sea was becoming a scene of intense acing dhows standing alongside the Fetak. Con- tivity. Kameran Island, four days by a sailboat, fusion reigned until a member of the crew re- is the International Quarantine Station for the vealed the source of trouble. The entire trip was southern end of the Red Sea and is administered both pathetic and amusing. One minute we were by the British as directed from Geneva. It was laughing at the absurd situations they managed to of special interest because of the leper problem. get into, and the next our pity and sympathy were Everything and everybody was in a state of aroused. They disembarked at Kunfida where anxiety, suspicion and fear. ~aravans awaited to take them on a long fifteenday trek far into the interior, across an unknown From Kameran we set out for Hodeidah by saildesert into an equally unknown future. boat, but a sudden inconsiderate thrust of a sword fish or mighty blow of a huge stinging ray &ank We continued on to J eizan, chief seaport of one of our boats off Ras Esa, Yemen. Everything Asir which has served as a buffer state between was lost excepting a very small part of the cargo Yemen and whatever power held sway in Hedjaz. and we were forced to go overland by camels. Our route took us over a portion of the Tahama, a We stayed in Asir three weeks living in a native wild desert country. The people are very illiterate hut. These are made hy loosely tying together and are only nominally Moslem. In one village we branches of trees in the shape of a cone, and then covering them with grass, which is in turn secured by a close network of rope. There are two doors
A DOCTOR'S TOUR IN NEGLECTED ARABIA
noticed a most unusual sight – an emissary of Yemen is to anything foreign and especially mis- Iman Yahia, ruler of Yemen, had been sent to sionary.
teach the natives how to pray. With a huge club The next stage of the journey found us aboard in one hand he marked out a line on the sand and the S. S. Africa, bound for Aden. Rihani gives a had the men and boys line up. Then using the most amusing description of this antiquated rat- club as reinforcement he taught them the positions tletrap in his book, "Around the Coasts of Ara- and words of the Moslem prayer. bia." In the early days of Arabian mission We were unwelcome guests and were ordered history, many of the missionaries traveled on this from the village. But suffering humanity cares same boat. Patience and a calm sea made pleasant not for caste nor creed and while deciding upon what might have been an unpleasant journey.
the best move to make we were asked to see a lad The formidable peaks of mountains surround- suffering from a bad leg ulcer. It had been treated ing Aden typify the obstacles encountered in Mos- by the application of grape leaves under which lem mission work, over which the Ion Keith Fal- was a mixture of dates and coner Mission of the Church powdered dog brains. We of Scotland and the Danish cleaned the ulcer and treated Mission, both located in Aden, him and through the patient's stood out as great beacon gratitude we won the friend- lights. Here we spent fifteen ship of the entire village. days and during that time When we reached Hodeidah saw their work in detail. Both in the early hours of the missions are ready to move at morning only Pariah dogs the first opportunity into the welcomed us. We could not unoccupied areas of Makella find our host's house and de- and Yemen. Pray that the cided it was best to wait out- doors to these unoccupied side of the city wall until sun- areas may be opened. These rise. Suddenly, as though two missions along with the coming out of nowhere, we Arabian Mission of the Amer- were surrounded by a group ican Reformed Church – are of agitated men. It was un- the only Protestant groups usual if not an unheard-of working among the 10,000,000 thing for a European to be people of the Arabian Penin- wandering about the city in sula.
the early hours of morning in While we were with the Ion a camel caravan. They be- Keith Falconer Mission, the came more excited and I oldest of these three, they talked and talked, stalling for celebrated their 50th anniver- time. We finally persuaded sary. Their Jubilee program them that we possessed bona calls for medical dispensaries fide letters from Ibn Abbas throughout the Aden Protec- and that we were to be the torate and for a reading room guests of a certain Hodeidah TWO BEDOUIN CHIEFS AT ASIR and church building in Sheikh merchant. One of the men Othman.
guided us to our host where Arab coffee and rest Our next goals were Makella and Hadramaut.
ushered in the dawn of another day. Twice has a representative of the Danish Missions The next few days in Hodeidah proved only too been in Makella but on each occasion he was al- short but we met the Governor several times and lowed to stay but a few days. Dr. Samuel M.
visited among the merchants. As everywhere the Zwemer stopped at Makella in 1891, in the early medical bag opens seemingly locked doors. Ye- days when a survey was being made to determine men is undoubtedly the most closed of all sections where the mission should begin its work. As far in Arabia to anything savoring of the Christian as available records show, the interior of Hadra- mIsSIOnary program. Neither the ruler nor his maut has never before been visited by a mis- prime minister has ever been away from the con- sionary.
fines of Sana and has never seen the sea, despite We traveled to Makella by a small native the fact that Yemen borders on the Red Sea, and steamer carrying a cargo of sheep. Makella many Yemenites are seafarers. Narrowed out- harbor is one of the most picturesque spots of look, plus strong religious fanaticism added to a Arabia, reminding one of the harbor of Naples.
deep rooted egotism, create a warped mentality. The city is one of the most cosmopolitan of all It is therefore not difficult to see how antagonistic Arabia. A babble of tongues, clashes of color and
smells of all kinds greet you as natives from all Women guard the trenches while their men-folk parts of India, Africa, Java and Netherlands care for the gardens.
India. The city is a beehive of activity, a great Religiously everything centers ahout either the trading center. How long-how long-before the tombs or the Sayyids (direct descendents of the Gospel of Christ can be preached here? prophet). Thousands gather from every part of The word Hadramaut means "place of death." Hadramaut, coming on pilgrimages made to the It takes six long tiresome days to travel by donkey tombs at appointed times when a four- to five-day or camel over the waste djol (barren plateau be- fair will be held in connection with religious ob- tween the coast and Wadi complex of Hadra- servances.
maut). A wonderful unique watering system A Weli or saint is buried in some spot desig- broke the monotony of the desolate path at fre- nated by himself before death and a shrine is quent intervals, placed by pious Mohammedans built and frequent pilgrimages made to it. All either just before death or ordered put there right property and money in Hadramaut are in the after death. Suddenly without any warning you hands of the Sayyid class. Thus a combination of stand on the edge of a precipice and below you lies a dead religion and foreign money have deadened a most amazing sight. It seems like a fairy para- progress in one of the great potential sections of dise. Fertile fields of dhurra (maize) and verdant the Peninsula. The obstacles and difficulties for patches of palm groves flank the sides of the white missionary work are tremendous but the challenge Wadi (valley bed). Along the sides of the cliffs are built the villages, the houses are gray or clay color with whitewashed frieze work.
In and around Wadi Doan we discovered lepers, but leprosy seems to be on the wane inasmuch as nearly all the cases are of an ad- vanced type. A method of isolation has been adopted for years and thus continued contact is thus pre- vented.
The Wadi complex of Hadramaut presents one great surprise after another; the majestic beauty of Wadi Doan is in such direct con- trast to the monotonous waste of A VIEW OF MAKELLA HARBOR, HADRAMAUT the Djol. Shibam, one of the three great cities of Hadramaut, reminds one of an is great in proportion to the difficulties. Need, American city with its five hundred seven-story ignorance, and false religion cause 100,000 people buildings. One is amazed to find that these are in one of the most interesting and picturesque built entirely of clay. Everywhere dotted among parts of Arabia to call out with clear clarion voice the date gardens are villas of modern European the fact that they know not the Christ nor have style, electrically lighted and equipped with inside they had any chance to know Him.
swimming baths. From Makella we set out in a sailing vessel on Many of the ancient mysteries of the southern a trip that may be done in three to four days with end of the Arabian Peninsula lie buried among persistent favorable winds. Thirty-three days the ruins of Meshed and other parts of Hadra- later we arrived in Dhufar intact yet rather maut. Here the secrets of the early history of weather beaten. We experienced every conceiv- Arabia as well as the truths about early trade able delay possible – terrible storms, absolute routes will some day be unearthed by arche- calms, loss of three anchors, deceptive captains, ologists. etc. I have never experienced such loneliness any- As one rides along in a modern automobile there where in Arabia as when I realized that I was is pointed out a villa where lives a man who re- alone and five hundred miles from the nearest ceives ten to twelve thousand rupees monthly from known Christian at Christmas time. Still the joy the East Indies. Near by are two families which that was mine because of this rare privilege over- are still carrying on a feud that has been going on shadowed all sense of loneliness.
for years. We heard a bullet shot being fired as Dhufar I had visited for two months in 1932-33.
we passed by. Trenches have been built from the Sayyid S-, Sultan of Muscat, had granted per- houses out to the gardens because it is unsafe for mission for my trip. Forces of opposition had the men-folk to appear in sight of the enemy. changed his attitude, but, true to an Arab trait,
he would not rescind a promise once given. My The general attitude completely changed and a hospital helper, M-, who recently took his stand new house (the finest in Dhufar) was ordered to for Christ, arrived some weeks before I did and be made ready for the doctor on his arrival. One was denied customary Arab hospitality. The Sul- morning when the Sultan came to greet his countan refused to see him. For three nights he had selors he noticed M- coming to care for his eye to sleep on the medical cases on the sea front. and he said to this hitherto hostile crowd, "See His greetings were not returned – a discourtesy M-! I don't want an unkind word said or an unthe greatest of which an Arab can be capable. kind act done to him." Here was a young Moslem They assigned him a house which was hardly fit ruler actually defending a Christian convert. It for animals. He was paying the price of having was an act of the Lord and truly marvelous. taken his stand for Christ but he stood firm, praying that they who were persecuting him might Two months spent in Dhufar helped to bind come to know the joy that was now his. more closely the friendships already made. The Sultan's attitude and the growing friendships re- Days passed. The Sultan was suffering from sulting from two medical tours opened wide the badly infected eyes. As there are no medical fa- doors. A clear clarion voice calls out, "Come cilities in a place like Dhufar, he called in M-. to Dhufar and help us.." This is a challenge to Although only a hospital helper the lad was able our faith. Are we ready? to relieve the intense pain and by his gentleness and care he completely won the Sultan's favor. After fifteen days on a sailboat we arrived at Later the Sultan said to me, "M- was so careful Bahrain on March 28, thus ending a 5,000 mile and so clean and so gentle, I can never thank him medical tour which took ten months to complete. enough." Our total treatments numbered 10,406; opera- tions, 224, and outcalls, 558.
THE CROWN PRINCE OF SAUDI ARABIA SON OF IBN SAUD OF RIADH Friendly to Dr. Storm and Dr. Dame, medical missionaries of the Arabian Mission of the Reformed Church in America.
ONE OF THE PALATIAL PRIVATE RESIDENCES in Hadramaut, the unevangelized field in Southern Arabia, recently visited by Dr. Harold Storm.
Lights in a Century of
Foreign Missions By the REV. ARTHUR J. BROWN, D.D., New York Author 0/ The Centenary Volume, "History of the Foreign ~. Mission Work 0/ the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A." * I I T IS easy to be deceived by temporary fluctua- legacies. Of all causes, hospitals are the closest tions in the interest and support of home to the hearts of the American people; but Mr. churches. They naturally bulk large to those Robert Jolly, retiring president of the American who are living at a given period. The course of Hospital Association, reported to the annual meet- Foreign Missions has been like that of the Mis- ing of the Clinical Congress of the American Col- sissippi River with its alternations of sluggish and lege of Surgeons, October 28, 1935, that donations rapid currents, its tortuous channels, and its many to the support of hospitals had fallen off seventy- bends, some of them so long that, in the old days, five per cent, gifts having dropped from $185,- a steamboat sometimes traveled a whole day only 000,000 to $49,000,000 between 1929 and 1934.
to find itself at evening within sight of the place There was no such slump as this in contributions from which it had started in the morning. But to the Presbyterian Board. Manifestly, whatever that the river would eventually reach the sea is the causes of the decline were, they were not due never in doubt. Contributions do not tell the to loss of confidence in the Board.
whole story, but the record is, nevertheless, sug- It is clear, however, that the main financial degestive. Beginning with $5,431 in 1833, total re- pendence of Foreign Missions must, to an increasceipts from all sources for the year ending March ing degree, be upon the rank and file of church 31, 1936, were $2,910,908.00, and the Presbyterial1 member,ship, people of average incomes who can total for the whole period is the huge sum of contribute comparatively small sums. Death has $131,276,70l. removed many of the wealthy men and women Misleading inferences have been drawn from who in the preceding generation gave generously the recent decline in receipts from living sources to Foreign Missions during their lives and left of $4,757,590 in the peak year of 1924. It should great sums in their wills-John S. Kennedy bebe noted, however, that the year 1924 was the queathing to the foreign missionary work of the culmination of a special campaign to cover a large Presbyterian Church $2,725,976; Mrs. Kennedy, deficit; that, if the exceptional contributions for $1,608,645; Mrs. Russell Sage, $1,613,672; Mrs. the deficit were left out of account, the receipts Anna M. Harkness, $2,639,285; and Mrs. A. F. from living donors in the following five years were SchaufHer, $229,481 – these five legacies aggrelarger than ever before; and that for the year before the business collapse in 1929, the receipts gating $8,817,059 in. twenty-one years (1909from living donors were actually greater than 1930) . Are there to be future legacies like these? they had been for the four preceding years. It Perhaps so. In 1934, the unexpected news came was during the depression that the Board suffered that the will of Mr. C. Sidney Shepard had bemost heavily; but even then, the Board suffered queathed to the Board one-third of his large residless than religious, philanthropic, educational and uary estate, the amount realized being $2,841,- secular enterprises in the United States. Gifts 617. But many of the living donors who gave liband legacies for religious and philanthropic pur- erally before the depression of 1929-1935 lost poses fell from $14,777,747 in 1932 to $6,411,311 most, and in some instance all, of their fortunes in 1933. Gifts for education fell from $59,498,828 during those disastrous years. Whereas special to $14,552,988, and most of the latter sum was in individual gifts to the Board averaged $372,773 a year for the fifteen years ending with 1929, they * One Hundred Years—<A History of the Fareign Missionary Wark shrunk to $142,881 in the fiscal year ending March 31, 1933. President Nicholas Murray Butler, in af the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., With Same Account af a message to the alumni of Columbia University Countries, Pooples and the Palicies and Prablems of Modern Missions. in 1934, said: By Arthur Judsan Brown, Secretary Emeritus af the Board. 1,140 pages. $8.00. Flemiug H. Revell Campany, New York. The survey In the history of Columbia University we have arrived here given includes the rise and develapment of foreign missionary at the end of an era. That era was one during which most interest in the home churches, the history of the Board and the women's societies, and the founding and pragress of missionary work AamsioangandtheLatAinmeArimcaenricaIn. dians and in sixteen cauntrles In Africa, [26 ]
HIGH LIGHTS IN A CENTURY OF PRESBYTERIAN FOREIGN MISSIONS
generous and great gifts were received from many differ- of Guatemala and National Presbyterian Church ent individuals for the endowment and enrichment of the of Mexico. Each of these national churches is work of the University. . . . That era has come to an end. ecclesiastically independent of the Presbyterian The great fortunes which made these benefactions possible Church in the U. S. A., elects its own officers and are either dissipated or destroyed. The economic and controls its own work as a self-governing body. financial crisis which grips the whole world has made The missionaries help by counsel but not by autheir return quite impossible, certainly for a long time to come, if not forever. . . . Columbia University must, thority. therefore, depend for its prosperous continuance upon Of course this does not mean that missionary thousands of relatively small gifts. work in these countries is no longer needed. None It is equally true that in the support of Foreign of these autonomous churches are yet able to Missions the lessened number of large givers will maintain unaided the educational and medical inhave to be balanced by an increased number of stitutions that are essential parts of the Christian small givers. This class has from the beginning program, and all of them need the cooperation of furnished the bulk of the Board's income. Indeed, the missions in their evangelistic work. Even in Robert R. Doane, in his book on The Measure- Japan, where the national Church is strongest, its ment of American Wealth, shows that persons of leaders emphasize the fact that, while their moderate means are usually more liberal than the churches are relatively strong in the cities, there rich. He declares that in 1929 thirteen and a half are thousands of rural towns and villages that per cent of the total gifts to all religious and phi- are still untouched by Christian effort (Dr. Willanthropic objects was contributed by persons liam AxIing, of Tokyo, places the number at whose incomes exceeded $25,000, eighteen and a 9,976), and that more missionaries are urgently half per cent by persons whose incomes were be- desired to take the Gospel of Christ to them. tween 3,000 and 25,000, and sixty-eight per cent by those with incomes of 3,000 and less. The in- In my history of "The Foreign Mission Work come tax returns for 1935 showed that the total of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A." (just pubgifts for all religious, educational and philan- lished) I have not failed to stress the character of thropiccauses of the men and women who made the Christians in all the mission fields. They are the returns were only two per cent of their re- not perfect-neither are Christians in America. ported incomes, and that, with the exception of We of the West should be generously appreciative about half a dozen individuals, the wealthiest gave of our brethren in non-Christian lands. Their only a small fraction of their incomes and noth- leaders are not our "agents" or "helpers," but our ing from the principal of their large fortunes. coworkers in a common task. It is harder for People of moderate means suffered more griev- them to follow Christ than it is for us. Many of ously than the rich in the depression years, many them have had to endure social ostracism, loss of losing a considerable part of their incomes and business and disownment by their families. Some others losing their employment. In these circum- have borne stripes and imprisonment. If the stances, their contributions to all causes naturally eleventh chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews shrunk, but tens of thousands of straightened were to be brought down to date, it would surely Christians continued to support the work of their add many names to the list of those who were churches. "afflicted, ill-treated, of whom the world was not worthy" and who have manifested a devotion be- Development of Churches in the Missions Field fore which we may well stand in humility. We would not exaggerate their good qualities. They Since the ultimate aim of the missionary enter- have imperfections. But one cannot fairly think prise is the establishment of the Church in each of them in a critical mood. They are so much non-Christian land, we should note as one of the better than we might have expected them to be, "high lights" of the present situation not only they are witnessing for Christ in such difficult that churches have been founded in every mission circumstances and with such patience and fortifield where Presbyterians are at work, but that tude that criticism is disarmed. They are doing, the Board and the missions under its care are now to say the least, quite as well as any of us would cooperating with thirteen autonomous national do in similar circumstances. If one wants to churches on the foreign field – Church of Christ know what their failings are, let him ask himself in China, Presbyterian Church in China, Presby- what his are. They are the same, and he can cataterian Church in Chosen (Korea), United Church logue them at his leisure. But surely God who of Northern India, South India United Church, tempers His judgments with kindly consideration Church of Christ in Japan, United Evangelical of circumstances, who "knoweth our frame and Church of the Philippines, National Christian remembereth that we are dust," will deal more Church of Siam, Syrian Evangelical Church, mercifully with the Christians in the mission field Presbyterian Church of Brazil, Presbyterian In- than He will with us. Some of them have come dependent Church of Brazil, Presbyterian Church "out of great tribulation," and they will surely be
among those who stand "before the throne of cooperative movement. Secretaries of the Board God." have been among its recognized leaders. Presby- terians gladly recognize their partnership with Cooperation and Union Work other Christians in world evangelization. They realize that they do not represent such an exclu- A marked feature of the century under review sive type of obedience to Christ that they should is the development of cooperative planning for a ignore the presence in any field of a sister evanmore effective use of men and money. Recent gelical church, and that it is no part of their misdecades have seen the International Missionary sionary duty to extend and perpetuate on the for- Conferences in London in 1888, New York, in eign field the sectarian divisions in America. 1900, Edinburgh in 1910 and Jerusalem in 1928; regional conferences in Shanghai, Panama and Loyalty to the Evangelical Standards Montevideo; the Foreign Missions Conference of North America, begun in 1893; the Student Vol- The Presbyterian Board and the missions under unteer Movement which, since its beginning at its care have steadfastly adhered to the declara- Mt. Hermon, Massachusetts, in 1886, has seen tion embodied in the Board's Manual: more than 16,000 students of American colleges go to the foreign field; the Laymen's Missionary The supreme and controlling aim of Foreign Missions Movement which followed the World Missionary is to make the Lord Jesus Christ known to all men as Conference in New York; the Missionary Educa- their Divine Saviour and to persuade them to become tion Movement which, starting in 1902, has en- His disciples; to' gather these disciples into Christian rolled over 50,000 persons in mission study churches which shall be self-propagating, self-supporting classes; and the Central Committee on the United and self-governing; to cooperate, so long as necessary, Study of Foreign Missions which, in the thirty with these churches in the evangelizing of their countryyears of its existence, has published 3,500,000 men and in bringing to bear on all human life the spirit volumes. The foreign missionary enterprise has and principles of Christ. led the modern movement toward closer cooperation of the people of God, nobly expressed in grow- This led the Board to emphatic disagreement ing comity and cooperation at home and abroad in with the basic principle of the report of the Apseveral organic unions, the Universal Christian praisal Commission of the Laymen's Foreign Mis- Conference on Life and Work in Stockholm in sions Inquiry. While the Board recognized what 1925 and the World Conference on Faith and was good in the volume, it declared with regard Order in Lausanne in 1927. The International to the chapters relating to the basis of the mis- Christian Press and Information Service in Ge- sionary enterprise, that "these chapters do not neva, June 17, 1935, listed forty-four international conform to the fundamental aim of Foreign Mis- Christian organizations.t The recent volumes on sions as expressed in the Manual of the Board." "Cooperation and the World Mission," by John R. In a further action, January 15, 1934, "the Board Mott, and "Conspectus of Cooperative Missionary definitely disavows those parts of the volume, 'Re- Enterprises," by Charles H. Fahs and Helen E. Thinking Missions,' which are not in harmony Davis, show that no less than 338 cooperative and with New Testament teachings and not in agreecoordinating enterprises are now functioning in ment with the doctrinal position of the Presbymissionary work, and that they are no longer re- terian Church." By the end of 1934, it was clear garded as tentative and experimental but as essen- that the effort of the "Modern Missions Movetial and permanent factors in missionary policy ment" to galvanize "Re-Thinking Missions" had and practice. In the educational field alone, there failed. In the Presbyterian Church, the Report are 153 union institutions in fifteen countries. is dead. There are indeed individuals who still Seventy missionary boards share in these unions. advocate it, but their number is relatively neg- The Presbyterian Board is in forty-eight, the ligible. An overwhelming majority of the minis- Methodist Episcopal Board in forty and the ters and members who have studied the book now American Board in twenty-four. In two of these know that its sound recommendations were the institutions, Cheeloo University in China and the policy of the Board long before the Appraisal Woman's College in Madras, twelve boards are Commission went to Asia, and that if the prinworking together. There are more (forty-five) ciples which determine its character and viewunion theological seminaries and Bible schools point had prevailed, there never would have been than any other class of union institutions. a missionary enterprise for modern appraisers to appraise. – Presbyterians hold no narrow inter- The policy of the Presbyterian Church, as rep- pretation of the Gospel. They gladly recognize resented by the General Assembly and its Board that it includes a wide variety of missio~ary work, of Foreign Missions, is in full harmony with this not only direct evangelism but educational, med- ical, literary, and social service activities. They t Figures given by Dr. A. L. Warnshuis in The Chr'istian Century, recognize, too, the wisdom of adapting their meth- May 13, 1936. ods to the changing conditions of the modern
world. But they insist that all must be done in deed, not only critics of foreign missions who asthe name and in the spirit of the risen Christ and sert but some anxious supporters who fear that it that their missionary enterprise shall not be per- is not a tide but a river that is flowing away not mitted to degenerate into a mere cultural and hu- to return. But the effort to give the Gospel to the manitarian effort. Non-Christian governments world will not be, cannot be, permanently arrested. can give secular education and non-Christian re- Many, and we believe an increasing number of deligions can promote reforms. Foreign Missions voted ministers and church members, realize both have no adequate justification unless they pro- the peril and the opportunity of the crisis. Theclaim the redemptive Gospel of Christ. ological seminaries are giving increased attention to missions. The purpose of God for men is not If the space limits of this article permitted, it to fail. The numerous changes in the political, would be easy to extend this short list of "high economic and intellectual life of the world, and in lights" of Presbyterian missions. I do not claim the attitude of "Christian" nations toward the that they are peculiar to Presbyterians. In my non-Christian do not impair in the slightest de- History, I have frequently referred to the splen- gree the impera,tive character of the missionary did missionary work of other evangelical denom- obligation. Rather do they increase it. There inations. Nor should we ignore the fact that may and should be changes in methods and emthere are not only "high lights" but deep shadows. phasis, but no present or prospective conditions Secularism, nationalism, totalitarian state policies, can modify the world's need of Christ or lessen denials of religious liberty, a denatured Chris- the duty of the Church to persuade men to accept tianity and skepticism regarding other peoples' Him. He is still the answer to the deepest human need of Christ are rife. To change the figure, the need, the goal of all true progress, the Lord and tide of missionary interest is apparently receding. But it will turn. Tides always do. There are in- Saviour of men.
THOUGHTS ON RECENT EVANGELISM IN INDIA Accounts from different parts of India regarding evangelistic efforts leads the National Christian Council to draw the following conclusions: 1. The Church is realizing afresh that the glorious Gospel of the blessed God has been com- mitted to her trust.
2. The lay forces of the Church are coming steadily into action.
3. Evangelism is accepted as the primary concern of every branch of the Christian enterprise. Some of the most striking illustrations of evangelistic effort come from schools and hospitals.
4. The "Week of Witness," preceded by serious preparation, has come to stay. It has made cooperation possible and indispensable. It has also been the means under God of re- storing many lapsed families to the fellowship of the Church – a most important service.
5. The need of good ,Christian literature is felt everywhere. Distribution must be expedited.
6. Significant as is the "Ambedkar revolt," of even greater significance is the movement among the Bhils, Ezhavas, Balahis and other communities. Systematic instruction of inquirers must be maintained.
7. There is a new spirit of expectancy abroad and a new zest for corporate prayer.
8. There can be but one adequate motive in Evangelism – "the love of Christ constraineth me" – but the methods may be many. For example, Bible Weeks, Book Weeks and Rela- tive Weeks have come hopefully into the scheme of things. So also has newspaper evangelism and evangelism by pictures. Intervisitation by carefully selected teams has proved a great success. Pledge cards have met with a surprisingly cordial reception. Personal witness is still the most effective method.
9. While spiritual unreadiness is a bar, it is not an insuperable bar to a Forward Movement. In going out to save others the Church herself is saved and finds the grace she needs.
10. The Gospel must be carried to all who are in need, irrespective of caste, creed or color. The time is ripe for a concerted Christian attack on illiteracy.
11. "We must not forget the enemy." The open door means that many adversaries are aroused. 12. Forward Movement is just beginning. The Holy Spirit is leading and as Christ's followers cooperate with Him the next step becomes clear. In this cooperation we discover afresh our essential unity.
African Evangelists in
By REV. L. PAUL MOORE, Jr., :1 -·"._'if,'–==E=de=a,=C=am=ero=un=, W=e=st=A=fri;ca;;;;;;j'I!JJ.- W HEN Herman Ntamak, one of the elders strong character from the days when the Leopard in the native congregation at Nkom, set Society, the sorcerers, and the tribal chieftains out one morning, long before it was light, had things pretty much their own way. He stood bearing a large burlap bag of cocoa beans on his . high in the reigning house of his tribe and had head, one would hardly have surmised it was he. every prospect of some day fulfilling a successful Ntamak was not making his departure from the career as an influential chieftain. But when Jesus village while it was still dark because he was Chris·t became not only the transforming but the proud. Even though he had been ordained as an all-consuming desire of his life, Hans Biyik re- elder, he did not chafe because he was carrying linquished all claims as successor to the seat of a load of produce to a European trading center, authority in his tribe. With the passing years he like any other ordinary native. But his early de- has manifested such a deep love and reverence parture was a matter of necessity; he wanted to for his Lord that he has indefatigably sought op- go and get back before the missionary and his portunity for testimony, not only and alone to the company of native elders, evangelists, preachers, people of his own tribe, but he has eagerly sought and others assembled at Nkom for the next Bible opportunity in tribes formerly despised and hated.
conference. When Ntamak met him that morning in the midst Of course the road he was following in the of the jungle Biyik was just returning from two darkness was nothing new to him. If it was in- weeks of self-sacrificing itinerary among what his terspersed with many hills and valleys, many people considered inferior and backward tribes, a crude log bridges to cross, much overhanging venture unattempted by any of his fellow elders.
forest, he would hardly feel conscious of any of "When are they going to arrive at Nkom 1"
these details. It was still dark, but this path was enquired Ntamak, hoping that he might get back so familiar that Ntamak could easily let his mind home in plenty of time for the final preparations.
wander where it would. "Oh, it will be at least three weeks, perhaps Soon after the first streaks of the dawn began four, because the missionary and his company to appear overhead, off in the jungle to the right have gone to the villages far to the north."
Ntamak thought he espied the light of a lantern With this the two men continued their journey swinging into view and out of view, as it passed through the forest together. Biyik extinguished through the heavy vegetation. When he arrived his lantern, for it was now light enough to see, at the place where a small bypath joined itself to and Ntamak was full of further interrogation. the main road, Ntamak waited until the lantern and its bearer came out to him. "They tell me that you have a new catechist in your village." "0 thou that bearest a lantern, I salute you," he called out, as the would-be stranger came with- "0 yes, he is a 'catechist homiletique,''' rein earshot. sponded Biyik.
"Is that Ntamak, a person of the Nkol tribe? "What do you mean by a 'catechist homi- The voice sounds like his." letique'1"
"Biyik I" cried Ntamak with undisguised joy, "Why," said Biyik, "he has just come from the Mission Bible Training School, and he has a black steadying the sack of cocoa beans lest it lose bal- notebook in which he prepares his sermons, and ance on his head. "Where are you coming from 1" to which he refers when he stands before us at "Oh, I have been traveling with the missionary service. That is what 'homiletique' means."
for almost two weeks 1 We have been holding "I heard it said that the missionary has brought Bible .conferences among the Makumak tribes. a new thing for us, a book which explains every People have been thronging all the meetings in verse in the Book of God." .
every place. But now I must get back to my wife "Well, it is not exactly that," explained Biyik, and children across the river. I just went to help "but the missionary has brought out a book which the missionary." explains the Book of Romans, and it is from this book our catechist prepares his sermons. It has Biyik is a strong character, and has been a [30 ] a good many new words in it, and new explana- hearts, so great our debt to God, that we have tions we never heard of before." nothing to give Him to pay for His gift of ex- ceeding generosity, complete and permanent for- "What do you mean?" interrupted Ntamak. giveness through the death of His Son. The Book "First of all, it cuts across all ideas of fetishes." of Romans tells us that God's gift comes first, "But we Christians don't believe any longer in giving us release from punishment, and a new fetishes," was Ntamak's quick reply. life, and a new nature. It is this new nature, the "Yes, but you and I as elders know how many very life of Jesus Himself within us, which gives of our people are even yet held by the hand of a us the power to live the Christian life. The memgreat fear, trembling in terror of witches and orizing of the catechism and of the verses from many other invisible enemies. And oh, how many God's Word gives this life strength, and causes it of our church people believe that the water of bap- to grow, and to conquer the old nature. tism is like a great river which carries away all their guilt. And many people look upon the bread "Our 'catechist homiletique,' " continued Biyik, and wine of the Lord's Table as though these had "has been at the mission station -in training for the same power as the 'soya' of our fathers, an about nine months and he has all sorts of books antidote which dispels guilt and repels disaster. to help him now. He has not only the translation God's Word itself says that the blood of Jesus on of Romans, and the book I told you about, but he the cross has once and for all exhausted the wrath has the same thing for 1 Corinthians, with teachof God against every sin we have ever committed, or still commit, or may in the future commit; that A PASTORS' TRAINING CLASS AT DONDI, ANGOLA we are saved and safe by His 'exceeding generosity.' " ing about the Lord's Supper, about the death and By now the two men had come to a large resurrection of believers, and many other things. stream, over which a gigantic tree had been felled He has, as well, books on Matthew and John. Then in order to give passage over the water. Without there is the new book of Bible verses which excomment, and as though this, too, were quite plains our catechism. You've seen it, haven't usual, one after the other the men planted their you?" bare feet upon the fallen tree, passed over the trunk, then followed one of the main branches "0 yes," replied Ntamak – "the one with all where the tree forked up and down, and were soon the Scripture verses, the one which has the 'Five walking again in the half light under the tall Steps to Salvation and Life' at the back of it?" trees of the jungle. "I tell you truly," added Biyik, "this teaching "What do you mean by His 'exceeding gener- in Romans and 1 Corinthians is revealing sin to osity'?" asked Ntamak, after the interval of the me in a new way. It is exposing the hypocrisy crossing. "Where did the missionary get that of lip worship, and makes me realize that Jesus combination of words?" Himself must dwell in the heart, for He longs for us to be holy as He is holy. And that just reminds "It means that through the exceeding gener- me. I wish I could find out who those fellows osity of God, a generosity to us who merit nothing were who stayed in my village while I have been but punishment for all our sins, we now can ob- away. They were from over on this side of the tain forgiveness and a new life, and shall never river. The catechist wrote me about them. He come into God's judgment for sin. That is a gift sent the letter to me while I was at Bodipo with of exceeding generosity, an unmerited favor from the missionary. Think of it! These fellows, four God to all who will reach out the hand of faith and accept it."
"But," interrupted Ntamak, "do we not have to do something to obtain this gift of exceeding generosity? I am an elder, even as you, and I know the steps into the church. One must know the catechism, the Lord's Prayer, the Apostle's Creed, the Ten Commandments. He must live for two years in the light of this teaching without a 'palaver.' He must present himself daily at prayers and church service and give regularly to the church. Then he is worthy to be baptized and to partake of the Lord's Supper."
"Even so," replied Biyik, "but this new book on Romans shows us that so great is our sin and so sinful our every thought and the desires of our
of them, were on their way to the trading center. through us. Why, if we could get that teaching, While under the sweat and exertion of carrying, that life, into the hearts of all our young people, they wore old, worn-out clothing, but when they our women, our men, our children, then sensual came to a town, they would hide their bags of sin would no longer hold its powerful attraction cocoa beans somewhere, dress up in new shoes, over our people, and they would be free from fear- trousers, sport shirts" and even hats, which they ing witches, ghosts, water sprites, and the rest of had carried wrapped up in a towel on top of their the invisible host.
loads, and then promenade around our villages, "Why, do you know, Ntamak," continued Biyik, enticing our young girls to sin. I wish I had been so grieved over present conditions, so fired with there. I wish I knew who they were." enthusiasm at the possibilities of the future since "That's not the worst I have heard," replied he had experienced the power of the new nature Ntamak. "These young fellows who are working in his own life, "unheard of things are happening as clerks in the stores at the trading centers keep to those who have fully accepted this teaching.
bread and cube sugar, small tins of sardines, and You know that our fathers used to say, 'No hu- even cigarettes in their rooms of the huts they man being ever goes anywhere unless he has occupy. Knowing that women and girls have something somewhere about his body, something come from great distances, are hungry, and have which can protect him and save him.' But today a hankering for the thrill of 'city life' as well, actually many are putting their confidence in these fellows very cordially direct our women to nothing but what they hold in their hearts, that make themselves at home out back of their shop invisible something which they believe. To many and rest until the work is finished. You know, this seems like unheard of foolhardiness, I know.
Biyik, many people think that when they are in a And others will not believe that we actually do large place where no one knows them, it doesn't not have something somewhere about our persons.
matter what they do. Who will report it to their And still others say that God does His part in sav- husbands or fathers, fifty or sixty miles back in ing the soul, but is not concerned with keeping the bush?" watch over our bodies. We must do that. But "Do you know," reflected Biyik, "there are to those who really know the Jesus way, who many things of trouble which we are called upon really talk to Him and trust Him for everything to face these days. Some of these troubles en- there is no need of amulet or charm, no need even courage us, some discourage us. For instance, of casting one's confidence on the Lord's Supper down where I come from there is a feeling-and as though in itself it had power to keep from it is daily becoming more evident-that many physical danger or calamity. I am not talking Christian people do not want to sell their daugh- about my own experience only. Talk to Abraham ters into marriage for so many goats, so much Telep, Mose Bikai, Martin Um, and many others money or gifts. They believe that if their chil- I could mention."
dren are gifts from God, and if they themselves "Is the missionary going to call another class are believers in Christ, their daughters· should not of catechists together in January for Bible train- be sold like so many slaves. But the trouble is- ing?" asked Ntamak, hoping that the catechist in the young people. All of them, perhaps, do not his village might take advantage of the training have as much light as their parents, and perhaps other catechists in other villages had had, and marriage without the dowry will not hold them that thereby he and his own people could get more to each other as it does now." light upon this new teaching of Romans and 1 "But," continued Ntamak, whose people were Corinthians.
one of the tribes further in the interior and hence "I don't know how he can," replied Biyik, "at somewhat more backward than those of Biyik, least not until another ordained missionary comes, "even among us· our young men are wanting to when either one or the other of them can be set marry girls who are chaste. Time was, you know, aside for this kind of work. You know there is that if a girl had had an illegitimate child, she no one now to take care of the 150 congregations had proved her worth as being able to have chil- in this field, and so the school has had to be closed dren, and therefore was the more desirable. Times indefinitely."
are changing." When these two native elders had reached the "I think a great deal is due to the catechists bank of the Sanaga River, which separates the among us," suggested Biyik. "These fellows who Babimbi tribes from the tribes to the south, they have been to the mission training school have separated. Ntamak turned to the right and shown our people a new teaching from the Bible wended his way to the European trading center which makes Jesus real. Think of it! His resur- not far distant, while Biyik crossing the river in a rection life in us ! We are no longer our own. large dug-out canoe, hastened along the road to He must not be hindered in living His life in and join his family in the village of Nkofia.
E. Vail, the Beloved
By REV. R. C. RICHARDSON, D.D., Miraj, West India Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
AMONG the Christian missionaries in India by obtaining high grades in his studies and in be- coming tennis champion and was a good baseball ~ who have completed their work during the player. He was a member of Clio Society and present year, perhaps none has been better Colonial Club. Graduating from Princeton in 1902, he entered the College of Physicians and known than Dr. Charles E. Vail, who went to his Surgeons the same year and was graduated in reward on March 21, 1936. His body was laid to 1906 after a strenuous four-year's work. At the rest in Miraj, where he had labored ir:cessantly conclusion of his course he received the much covand whole-heartedly since 1910, not only to relieve the bodily suffering of the people, but to lead them eted appointment of an to a knowledge of Christ, internship at St. Luke's the only Saviour of man- Hospital, New Y 0 r kkind. having won this honor in competitive examination. Dr. Vail was a devoted Christian as well as a most After two and a half skilful surgeon. When he years in this hospital in volunteered for mission- surgical work, .he spent ary work in India, his six months in Sloan Machief reason for going was ternity Hospital and anto lead the people of India other six months studying to a saving knowledge of the eye and ear. During Jesus Christ and he wish- his years of study in meded to use his medical ical school Dr. William J. knowledge and surgical Wanless (afterwards Sir skill to assist to the utter- William) came home on most to this end. Many furlough from India and an Indian Christian has when Dr. Vail heard him testified publicly to the speak of his work he was fact that Dr. Vail's com- so impressed that he deing to India was r:ot in cided to go to Miraj to vain. work with Dr. Wanless who had started the work On July 1l,1880,Charles there in 1889. It had E. Vail was born at Corn- grown to be one of the wall – on – Hudson, New best known medical mis- York, the son of Dr. and sions in Asia. Dr. Vail Mrs. William H. Vail. Charles Vail came of good stock. His grandfather on DR. CHARLES E. VAIL applied to the Presby- his father's side was also terian Board of Foreign a physician and his grandfather on his mother's Missions and was assigned to work in India in side was the great evangelistic and educational 1909. He sailed from Philadelphia in September missionary in Constantinople – Cyrus Hamlin. 1909 and stopped in England to study tropical dis- Charles Vail's early education was obtained at eases, medicines and for practice in cataract Blairstown Academy. While there he came under operations.
the influence of Miss Anna Scudder, one of a No medical missionary had arrived in the great and well-known missionary family of India. Western India Mission any better prepared for He took kindly to out-door sports, as well as to work than was Dr. Vail. Few have had as great his studies, and was well prepared for entrance a task set before them as he found ready to his to Princeton University in 1898. During his four hand when he arrived in 1910. Dr. Wanless and years in the university he distinguished himself his associates had built up a wonderful piece of [ 33]
work at Miraj-a work that was known through- ing back to Miraj, the doctor's car would be out India and neighboring countries. The equip- crowded with the poorest of the people needing ment included a hospital, dispensary, several out- operations, which could be performed only in the station dispensaries throughout the district, a hospital operating room. Reaching Miraj at one Nurses Training School and the only Christian or two or three o'clock in the morning, Dr. Vail Medical School for men in all India. Many a man would begin the regular work of the day as usual would have felt the work too great to attempt- a few hours afterwards. This included prayer for Dr. Wanless was leaving on furlough in six service for medical students at 7: 30 a. m., teachweeks and Dr. Vail was to be in charge of all this ing from eight o'clock to nine or sometimes until work, with the responsibility for raising the 10 o'clock; then hospital rounds until nearly noon, money in India for its support. Moreover, the seeing new patients until about one o'clock, then great majority of the patients knew no English the noon meal, after which operations would begin and Dr. Vail knew no Marathi. Yet, he took hold and continue until evening, oftentimes until ten of the task with such earnestness and prayer, that or eleven at night. he not only maintained the high standard of work, but also raised more money than had been raised On alternate days, there would be eye operain any previous year – a marvelous accomplish- tions and occasionally work would close about five ment. o'clock. Then it was really refreshing to see the great and gentle surgeon, relaxing on the tennis He soon established a great name as a Chris- court, showing that he excelled his fellows in tian surgeon. A few years after his arrival in tennis, as he did in surgery; or he might jump India, he held a record for cataract operations, into his car and rush out to a jungle, thirty or including those on members of the families of forty miles distant, in search of a panther or tiger many Maharajahs and princes of India and on that had been troubling the people of that district. chiefs of Arabia and on high English officials. Dr. Vail, while on his work in the outstations or But his greatest work has been for the many thou- villages, was always ready to share his meals with sands of the poor, who otherwise might have had his neighbors or share the meals of the Indians, no medical aid. whether rich or poor.
All who have come to Miraj Christian Hospital This beloved physician was taken away in the have received the same kindly Christian treat- midst of a wonderful work, when he was used of ment, whether they have been princes or paupers. God to bring much relief and comfort and joy to The spirit of Jesus Christ has dominated all his many thousands of people. This is one of those work and from early morning until far into the Divine mysteries we shall understand only when night for these twenty-five years and more, he we come into God's presence. has given the best that was in him to relieve bodily suffering and at the same time has sought to Dr. Vail was undoubtedly one of the greatest lead patients to a knowledge of the Great Phy- surgeons India has known. People came from all sician, who can heal both body and spirit. over India, from Africa, from Arabia, from Per- sia and other countries to be under his care. Most Outstation dispensary work has been of ines- of these have been helped, not only physically, but timable value to the people of India and Dr. Vail's spiritually. weekly visits to these places have been a great boon to many thousands. The writer well remembers one case especially -that of a cultured Parsee, an author who had Starting at noon in his car from Miraj, after written a life of Jesus Christ. After having been his morning's work in the hospital and Medical around the hospital the best part of two months, School, he reaches an outstation about two hours he said that he wished he had not written some of afterwards. There he finds a crowd of people the things in his book about Christ for now he waiting at the dispensary. (The medical assistant knew better, having seen true Christianity in the of the place having notified the people of the dis- lives of the doctor and his assistants. When this trict of the doctor's coming.) He commenced his Parsee family left the hospital they asked for and work by the reading of a passage of Scripture, received a picture of Christ to take to their home. usually from the Gospels telling of the wonderful Later Dr. Vail was called to their home to treat a work of the Lord Jesus Christ-and, after prayer member of the family although there are many for God's blessing on the people and the work, he Parsee doctors in the city in which they live. would treat the many people assembled faithfully, skilfully and lovingly. After prescribing, he The gentle Christian spirit of Dr. Vail was what would operate-oftentimes under great difficulty, impressed Christian and non-Christian alike. A not having the best equipment and sometimes with high caste Hindu young man who attended the light only from a kerosene lamp. This work would Medical School for four years, openly confessed often go on until nearly midnight and when start- his faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at the close of his four years in Miraj. Dr. Vail always
CHARLES E. VAIL, THE BELOVED PHYSICIAN
gladly took his turn conducting the English Gos- been cured and one day while operating he acpel service conducted every Sabbath evening espe- knowledged that he was tired and went to his cially for medical students and nurses from other house. After a few days God took him "home." parts of India. This service was always assured of a good attendance, for he never failed to give a The deep love the people of India had for this message that was uplifting and made his audience man of God was clearly evidenced when he rerealize the presence of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. turned from Berlin. The railway station was crowded with people of Miraj-Hindus, Moham- The doctor never could have accomplished the medans, Parsees, and Christians – to welcome great work he did, had he not had the most loyal back the beloved physician. A great procession cooperation of all who worked with him and had escorted him to the Christian Church, where the not Mrs. Vail relieved him of much of the details multitudes filled the churchyard, as well as the of the work of administration. church to unite in thanksgiving to God for bring- ing the doctor-friend back to them. In January, 1935, there was noted the first sign of the disease that brought an end to this Christ- Again, when his work on earth was finished and like life. A prompt consultation with the mis- his body was waiting for burial, several thousand sion's physicians resulted in Dr. Vail's being sent people assembled to pay their respects and to show by airplane to Berlin, where he received special their deep love for one who had given his life in treatment for about two months. He returned to service for them, for he saw them as those for Miraj apparently cured and worked as before. whom Christ died. .AJbout nine months afterwards, however, a sign again appeared which caused him again to fly to The work in Miraj needs another such man. Berlin. On his return he entered on his work, as Who will come and continue this work that has if quite well again-but, the dread disease had not led so many to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?
IS GOD WAITING FOR YOU? * By JAMES H. MCCONKEY Standing on the wall of a great lock of the Sault Sainte Marie ship canal, I saw a huge lake vessel about to enter. At my feet lay the empty lock – waiting. For what? Waiting to be filled. Beyond lay great Lake Superior with its almost limitless supply of water, also waiting. For what? Waiting for something to be done at the lock ere the great lake could pour in its fullness. In a moment the lock':'keeper reached out his hand and touched a steel lever. A little wicket gate sprang open under the magic touch and at once the water rushed into the lock and began to boil, and seethe, rapidly rising. In a few moments the lock was full. The great gates swung open and the huge ship floated into the basin now filled to the brim with the fullness from the waiting lake without.
Is not this a picture of a great truth about the Holy Spirit? God's children are like that empty lock, waiting to be filled. And, as that great inland sea outside the lock was willing and waiting to pour its abundance into the lock, so is God willing to pour His fullness of life into the lives of His children. But He is waiting. For what? Waiting, as the lake waited, for something to be done by us. Waiting for us to touch that tiny wicket gate of consecration through which His abundant life shall flow in. Is it hard to move? Does the rust of worldliness corrode it? Do the weeds and ivy-vines of selfishness cling about and choke it? Is the will stubborn, and slow to yield? God is waiting, and once it is done, He reveals Himself in fullness of life even as He has promised. He has been all the time willing and ready, for all the barriers and hindrances have been upon our side, not upon His. They are the barriers not of His unwillingness, but of our unyieldedness. You may say that you received all of Christ when you were saved, but did Christ get all of you?
* Adapted from "The Surrendered Life." which will be sent free to anyone addressing Silver Publishing Co., Bessemer Building, Pittsburgh, Pa., U. S. A.
MASAYUKI A JAPANESE HERO SHRINE AT KANAZAW A
A Statue of a Faithful Subject, in Tokyo, Venerating the Emperor This Is One of the Objects of Worship Daily Revered by Hundreds When Japanese Buddhists Pray -~ I By WINBURN T. THOMAS, Kyoto, Japan I }~o._ ~==========================~J A LL Japanese are not Buddhists, but the na- phasis upon national unity, faith healing, and .r-. tive religion, Shinto, has become so inter- other popular ideas, appeal to young Japanese woven with the Buddhism brought from who lack any great object to which they can give China and Korea in the seventh century, that the their loyalty. From 1925-32, Marxism was the two are today virtually indistinguishable. The "gospel" that challenged the courage of youth. non-Christian Chinese answers the question, Beginning with the efforts of the government to "What is your religion?" simply, "I worship suppress all "dangerous thought," nationalism has idols." He does not differentiate between Con- held the center of youth's affection until recently. fucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Due in part Capable observers now claim that this hold has to the efforts of the government to separate the been broken and that youth is again on the march, two, Japanese Shinto and Buddhism do have cer- seeking some great idea which can sweep it off tain distinctive characteristics; and while an of- its feet. Of the hundreds of students who fill out ficial statement has ,been issued, stating that the cards for my file, most write in the space for reformer is not a religion, Japanese subjects classify ligion: "Nothing." Excepting Buddhist priests, themselves religiously as Buddhist, Shinto, or perhaps half of those who do indicate any reli- Christian. Superficial observation leads the gious faith list Christianity as their religion, or as writer to believe that Buddhists are largely old the philosophy or social creed which most appeals persons and professional priests. Young people to them. – are scarcely ever seen worshiping at the Buddhist This sketchy introduction to the religious mind temples. They are attracted more by the various of Japanese youth is necessary if one is to undersects of Shinto that have been forming during the stand the answers recently given when a group of last few years at the rate of about four each week. students were questioned concerning prayer. We These semireligious organizations, with their em- had spent the evening in a study of Christ's ideas [36 ]
WHEN JAPANESE BUDDHISTS PRAY
on the subject. The group of Christian and non- addressed. These prayers do not voice praise for Christian Japanese students was then asked to the gods, nor are they petitions on behalf of the list points of similarity and difference between souls of the departed. They are prayers offered Christian and Buddhist prayers. While the an- in self-interest for money, proposerity, health, the swers are admittedly the ideas of a sophisticated nation, or even to satisfy lusts. Sometimes there is confession of sins, and a plea for forgiveness, THE TORI! LEADING TO THE HEIAN SHRINE IN KYOTO but this is rare. The prayers are seldom prompted by a sense of humility. In Japan the highest god group of college men, and thus are hardly repre- to whom a petition can be addressed is the Emsentative of the views of the masses, they do sug- peror. All deceased ancestors are looked upon as gest an objective valuation of the subject. There dead gods; as are Christ and Buddha. The Emwas little contradiction found in any of the pa- peror being alive is therefore considered superior pers; they rather tended to supplement each to all spiritual gods. other. The contrasting view of Christian prayer There are Japanese who feel, with Henley, that throws light on the common saying that Christhey are masters of their own fate and have no tians in Japan are different. The Christian stuneed of prayer. These are perhaps truer to the dents believe that God is aware of our needs bespirit of Buddha himself than are those who fore we ask Him but that we need to pray so that pray, for he did not find in the universe sufficient God will answer our petitions. The sense of sin evidence of a God to whom he could pray. There is much more real in Christians than in nonis a sect of young Buddhists who, reasoning from Christians. the atheism of Buddha, are offering Buddhism to the world as most compatible with the agnostic Some feel that in educated circles prayer habits point of view of science. and ethical standards have been vitally influenced by Christian concepts, and therefore Buddhists Multitudes of Buddhists do feel the need for and members of Shinto sects now address their prayer. It is offered before the shrine in the prayers to deity and ask for things no less worthy household, each morning and evening, by the than those found in the most petitions of Chriswoman of the family. There are few who do not tians. The filling of Buddhism and Shinto with at some time during the day pause in front of a Christian ideas, insofar as it is a reality, is one of shrine, temple, gravestone, or likeness of some the valuable secondary results of Christian mishero or ancestor, and offer a short prayer. At the sions in Japan. occasional services held in the temples, prayers are said by the priests. Usually "a prayer is not A BUDDHIST PLAQUE BEFORE WHICH JAPANESE WORSHIP offered save in front of some object." But since they "worship everything in nature" it is not difficult to find an object to which requests may be
Story of An Afghan Christian
-~I By ALFRED ZAHIR !Ja.- : ~==============================~ T HE pale, broad disc of a summer sun was hand in hers and pressed it with the tenderness sinking silently behind the dark line of ma- of wifely affection. jestic mountains that bounded the landscape "Yes! my dear," she said composedly, "the gloon all sides. Slate-colored hawks and eagles rious sun is hidden from our eyes, but its efful- floated peacefully through the motionless air and gent rays are now illuminating other parts of our the dismal wail of the screech-owl deepened the world. We are deprived of its light, but not for- gloom of the passing day. ever. It will be morning again, and the beautiful In the sequestered little village of Quetta in sun will rise once more in its grandeur and glory."
Baluchistan (the scene of the recent devastating The comforting words had such a ring of hope- earthquake), nestling picturesquely in the bosom fulness and cheer that her husband, turning to of the mountain fastnesses of North India, Dr. her, said: "Do you think then, that our discour- Summerhayes and his wife were sitting in the agement will one day change into hope, and that porch of their little bungalow, talking over a cup we may yet live to see some fruit of our labors?"
of tea, and recounting the events and adventures "Yes, indeed I do," answered Mrs. Summerhayes of the day. in a voice resonant with cheerfulness. "Haven't The evening wore quietly on. The soaring birds you seen how the people around have changed in gradually alighted silently on treetops and bare their attitude and are beginning to have confidence rocks. The screech-owl, having procured its eve- in us. More than once I have heard them say, ning meal, ceased its distracting plaint. As the 'We are convinced now that Christians are a truth- massive cliffs hid the glory of the setting sun, a telling and honorable people.' The people are deep yellow tint overspread the scene and brought visiting our hospital in larger numbers every day what the natives call a "false evening." The two and are willing-as they have never been before- missionaries sat entranced under the mystic spell to trust their lives to our care. Is it too much to of the dying day, and gazed spellbound at the vast say, then, that some day they will more fully ap- panorama illumined by the glory of the setting preciate this service of love, and in the end will sun. find Him in whose name we serve? My faith Suddenly, as though waking from a haunting leads me to believe that I shall yet see it with dream, Dr. Summerhayes moved restlessly in his these eyes of mine."
chair, learned forward and peered intently into After dinner the little family gathered round the gathering darkness. Presently he sank back, the fire for family prayers and Dr. Summerhayes and glancing at his wife, sighed heavily and said: poured out unrestrainedly the thoughts of his "Was not that a glorious sunset!" Without wait- heart before God. He begged for forgiveness of ing for an answer he added: "Yes, the beautiful his weak faith, and implored His Master for a new day has drawn to its close and so do our lives; and baptism of the Holy Spirit and for a spirit of yet in all these years we have not led one Moslem greater devotion and wholehearted fidelity to his to Christ. During the past few years that we Lord. On rising from his knees he felt that he have toiled amongst these people all our efforts had indeed received the divine anointing for which seem to have been in vain. Not one soul has re- he had prayed.
sponded to our message. This very day, as I sat The two missionaries sat down to read and dis- watching by the side of a dying patient, and saw cuss the different aspects of their work and to his soul go out, I realized that was the end of all consider plans for larger undertakings. They the efforts we had been making to bring him to were in the middle of an interesting discussion, Jesus Christ. Are we flinging our lives away, when the sound of footsteps was heard outside.
vainly attempting what we shall never accom- They were somewhat startled for the night 'was plish?" already far advanced and the whole city was This pathetic moan of distress deeply touched wrapped in silence. They had heard many stories Mrs. Summerhayes' tender heart. Anxious lest of ghastly murders and nightly ambuscades by the her husband should see her grief she quickly wiped fierce highwaymen and cut throats of Baluchistan.
away the tears and, turning to him, she took his But they soon regained equanimity and laughed [38 ] at their fears. Dr. Summerhayes unlatched the "He is the Saviour, Isa Masih (Jesus Christ) ," door and walked into the vestibule. What he saw replied the doctor, "who came to this world to excited his sympathy more than either his doubts suffer and to die for you and me, and for all sinor fear. Four men had borne a sick patient on a ners, that all of us might be saved and set free covered cot and set him on the verandah. On see- from sin." ing the doctor, the men saluted him respectfully, bowing to the ground. Then one came forward The uncultured Pathan had never heard of such and making another low salaam, humbly peti- a Saviour before. His heart was gripped and he tioned the doctor saying: kept the Sahib for a long time answering ques- tions and satisfying the curiosity that had begun "Sir, in the name of Allah, we beseech you to to burn in his heart. have mercy on us and on this sick man for he is in great agony." For many days after his discharge, the young man clung to his benevolent patron, visiting him Saying this, he lifted the cover and showed the at intervals and eagerly learning more and more sick man's face. After a close examination, Dr. of the life and work of Jesus Christ. Summerhayes ordered the patient to be removed to the hospital while he followed and there spent The young man's name was Nasar Ullah Khan, two or three hours trying to relieve his suffering. a full-blooded Afghan, tall and stalwart. He had When the patient had fallen asleep, the kind- once served in the ranks of the army of the Amir hearted doctor returned to his bungalow for a few of Afghanistan and had fought in many a battle. hours rest. He had abandoned the military profession and be- come a merchant, carrying on trade between Ka- Next morning while the stars were still shin- bul and Quetta. On one of his business tours, he ing, Dr. Summerhayes rose and went to see his had suddenly been taken ill and was brought to patient again. This early visit, the vigilant care the mission hospital at Quetta. and the touching love, won the patient's heart. Through the long days of his stay in the hospital, The message of the Gospel, which the life of the the unselfish devotion of the missionary filled him missionary physician had commended to his heart, with a sense of deep reverence for the good man. transformed Nasar Ullah into a new creature but there were many vital issues to be considered be- When the patient had nearly recovered from his fore he became a professed Christian. His zeal sickness, and the date of his discharge was an- was so great and his faith so strong that he put nounced, the patient began to be very sad. He all considerations aside and requested to be baphad become so deeply attached to the loving phy- tized immediately. When it was suggested that sician that he was grieved at the idea of having it was better to wait till he was more adequately to leave his care. One day the grateful patient instructed in. the faith, he clasped his hands in caught the lapel of Dr. Summerhayes' coat and despair, and naively declared, "Well! all right, said: just as you please, but if my Saviour comes in the meanwhile and says to me: 'Nasar Ullah, why art "Sahib, please sit down for a minute. I have thou not baptized?' remember the fault will be some things to ask you." yours."
When the doctor had seated himself on the bed After he had received baptism, Nasar Ullah the patient said: was filled with a new passion for souls and with a desire to preach the Gospel. He forsook his occu- "Tell me, Sahib, what makes you so kind and pation as a merchant and devoted his time to loving. We are all very poor and humble folk; working in the hospital, preaching to the patients, you charge no fees, nor do you accept any re- and becoming more thoroughly grounded in his wards, and yet you have been kinder to me than new faith. my own father and mother would have been. Tell me I adjure you by the great name of Allah, the A few months later, Dr. Summerhayes sent him reason of your wonderful love!" to Lahore to be trained as an hospital assistant. While at Lahore, young Nasar Ullah had a second The missionary's heart glowed with joy. Was attack of his old disease and became so ill that he God answering his prayers after all, and sending had to be admitted to the big government hospital. an encouragement to his faltering faith? With a Here he often felt very lonely and his young faith silent prayer for guidance, he glanced towards the went through a fiery trial. Not only was the physpatient and smilingly said: ical pain very great, but a whole group of mis- chief-making and unsympathetic Mohammedan "My friend, it is a joy to me to be of service to workers and ward coolies made sport of his faith you and your people. My life has been dedicated and jeered at his Christianity, causing him great to the service of a loving Saviour who gave His spiritual agony. They repeatedly asked him to life that you and I and all mankind may be saved." renounce his religion and to return to Islam. When he refused to listen to their entreaties, they "And what is his name ?~' questioned the patient in amazement, lifting himself on his elbow to get nearer the doctor. "Tell me, who is this Saviour who makes you work such miracles of love?"
neglected to attend him and did all they could to It so happened that on the very day they had hasten his death. But with the true fortitude of planned to start, Nasar Ullah had an unexpected an Afghan and the forbearance of a disciple of visit from a group of friends. In the early morn- Christ, Nasar weathered this storm of persecu- ing Nasar Ullah's nephew made his sudden ap- tion. In his trouble he often called the name of pearance in the courtyard and, after the usual his friend, Dr. Summerhayes, but more often on form of salutation which in Baluchistan involves the name of his Saviour, asking Him for strength embracing, kissing and touching the feet, the to continue faithful. nephew intimated the purpose of his unannounced Nasar Ullah's prayers were answered and to the arrival, as follows: surprise of his enemies, he recovered. After com- "I have come accompanied by four other pleting his medical training he returned to work friends, who are waiting outside, to carry you in the mission hospital at Quetta and spent many home with us. There is serious sickness in the a day of happy and close fellowship with his family and your people have desired your imme- friend, working in the love and spirit of their diate attendance."
great Master and touching many a heart by the Without waiting for any further explanation or apostolic zeal and tender affection with which they asking for any guarantee of good faith, Nasar ministered to the sick and suffering of Balu- Ullah immediately made arrangements to return chistan. with his nephew, and sent his family to his wife's Then came a call from the government, and home. It was a long and tedious journey, and Nasar Ullah was asked to fill a position in a re- most of the distance had to be covered on foot, but mote government hospital on the Afghan fron- the sturdy mountaineers were accustomed to tier. It was an unsafe position and the remu- such hardships.
neration was meagre. But Nasar Ullah was long- They journeyed along, cheerfully talking over ing for increased opportunity to penetrate further the events of the past few years, discussing the north and reach the hardest type of his country- numerous family and tribal feuds, and the man- men, to whom the Word of Life had never been ner in which some had been settled and others left carried. He was aware that murder and larceny unavenged. Despite the thought of sickness at was a regular profession among the frontier tribes home, Nasal' Ullah could scarcely help feeling and that to them, all who possessed any money peculiarly happy. His joy was largely the result were hated infidels and especially so were Chris- of the feeling that he was going home. After all tians whom every Afghan hated. "But," said these years of silence and hostility, his people Nasar, "God has called me and I have answered, were at last willing to open their door to him.
'Here am I, Lord, send me'; so I am going, come "This is a promise of great opportunities," he said what may." to himself in exultation. "Maybe this is the first He said "Good-bye" to his great friend and with step my people are taking towards opening their his wife and family went to the frontier village to hearts to the great Saviour." His joy was great.
take up the duties of his new position. In a few On the third day, as the travelers crossed the months he won the confidence of his hard-hearted frontier and entered the Amir's dominion, Nasar countrymen. The sincerity of his motives and the Ullah saw a sudden change come over his hitherto love and honesty with which he served amongst jolly companions. They became sullen andmo- them, made them his friends. His fame spread rose, and sparing of speech. Unwilling to allow to great distances, even across the frontier to any doubts against the love and honesty of his Afghanistan. People came in ever-increasing own nephew, Nasar ascribed the change to weari- numbers to be treated by his kindly hand and ness resulting from the toilsome march and did many were healed by the touch of his love. Many his part in trying to cheer them up. About mid- found the Lord Jesus through the ministry of this day, the men stopped beside a shady spring to humble Afghan, and were openly admitted to the partake of a hasty meal from the provisions they Christian fold. But while many of his country- carried with them. They had hardly set down men were impressed by his exemplary life, his their burdens when Nasar's nephew made a sud- popularity was a source of annoyance to others. den spring and planted himself in front of his They felt bitter jealousy against him because he uncle. Then holding his wrists tightly, and look- was an apostate Moslem and was engaged in ing into his face with eyes full of fire, he said spreading the Christian Gospel. harshly: – One day Nasar Ullah's wife persuaded him to "Chacha (uncle), you are now in our control, accompany her to her parents' home further in and we can do with you what we like. You have the interior and to spend a few days there in order become an accursed Kirani (literally a Christian that he might have a little rest. Nasal' Ullah con- dog) and have disgraced the entire household.
ceded to his wife's request, and the family made You have choice now, either recite the Kalima ready to go. (the Mohammedan creed) or prepare to die."
ETHIOPIAN MISSIONS UNDER ITALIAN RULE
Nasar Ullah was astonished by this treacherous I turn unfaithful to Him and forget His great assault by one of his own kindred. Several at- love. No! Never! I am willing, yes happy to tacks had been made on his life in previous years, lay down my life for His sake, for I know that but Nasar's devotion to his Master and his love thereafter I shall go to live with Him forever. for his countrymen had long effaced their memory But as for you, you can gain nothing by killing from his heart. Of all the trials that he had been me." through this last seemed to be the hardest. Was he to choose life, and turn a traitor to his Saviour, These words of Nasar Ullah did little to assuage or should he choose death and win His everlasting his nephew's anger, on the contrary they incited approbation. His expression of perplexity testi- him to greater brutality and confirmed him in his fied that he was debating this question and wait- murderous resolve. The last words were still on ing for guidance. Presently his expression Nasar's lips, when the nephew's eyes gleamed like changed into one of great serenity. liquid fire. He whipped out a deadly kirch (a large pointed knife) from under the folds of his "Do you wish to end my life, my son," he at last garment, thrust it ruthlessly into his uncle's body. answered with a smile of perfect happiness, "because I am a Christian? If so, I am only very After their deadly mission of hatred and malice sorry; because rest assured that one day you will had been fulfilled, the Afghans resumed their regret your action. Remember, that it is only my march to their home, while their brother and wellbody you can destroy, for you cannot touch my wisher went to His heavenly Home. A tablet to soul. My body is not my own. It has been bought the martyr's memory was erected in the little with a great price-the blood of my Saviour who church at Quetta, with the inscription: laid down His life for you and for me. How can "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
Ethiopian Missions Under Italian Rule By REV. JAMES ROHRBAUGH, _J~'- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia T REMENDOUS changes are being wrought in terian and thirty were with the Sudan Interior Ethiopia. The land in which the long-eared Mission. Before the war there were about one mule was the beast of burden and the slow, hundred and fifty, the SIM having grown to sevtedious trek the means of travel is undergoing enty and the Bible Churchmen's Missionary Sosome startling transformations. The Ethiopia, ciety and a number of independent groups having which continued the same for two milleniums, is entered. Today there are about sixty in the SIM, definitely no more. Modern roads are beginning five in the United Presbyterian Mission, the same to stretch over the rolling plateaus and up the number in the BCMS, three Pentecostal ladies winding valleys. Aeroplanes soar constantly over- and two under the Independent Presbyterian head. A system of schools and hospitals is being Board. There are also a few Germans and Adplanned which promises modern education and ventists. Independent workers and many others medical treatment to millions who have never have gone, so that about half the number here beknown it before. Sleepy Ethiopia, which produced fore the war remain. The United Presbyterians not a builder, scholar, artist, or scientist, is being withdrew two of their workers in obedience to the compelled to sit up and watch changes which, request of the American Government that Amerwhen completed, will have utterly transformed all icans leave, and later withdrew all of their workwhich she heretofore knew. ers in the west when danger threatened and the British Consul requested them to go. They plan "What part will Missions play in the new Ethi- to send these missionaries back into the country opia?" is a question often asked by those who have in the immediate future. Incidentally the United been watching the growth of missionary groups Presbyterians paid more attention to the requests and their work during the past decade. Six years of governments than did the other Missions and ago there were approximately seventy mission- by so doing, their workers were not in grave aries in the country of which about twenty were danger nor have any lives been lost other than Dr. Swedish, another twenty were United Presby-
Hockman of Chicago, killed in Red Cross service. countries, the Government is taking over the func- Of the SIM's nine stations in the south, seven tion of education and in addition the ministry to have had to be abandoned, the occupants of three the sick. In many primitive countries missions having fled for their lives and hidden in the moun- have undertaken these tasks. Heretofore many tains until rescued. Their two stations in the of the Ethiopian Government's trusted servants west are intact as is one of their two stations in came from mission schools and the care of the the north. Two of their workers have been killed. sick was entrusted almost wholly to mission so- The BCMS abandoned both their stations outside cieties. Within the first week of the Italian occu- of Addis Ababa. At present all but twenty-eight pancy of Addis, a Government school was opened of the missionaries in the country are in the cap- and rapidly grew to over a thousand pupils. Such ital, and the majority of those are concentrated at schools are planned for the whole country, yet Wolamo awaiting the coming of the Italians. here in Addis no religion is taught in the school.
It is apparent that Christian missions in this Pupils have perfect freedom to learn religion land are at their lowest ebb in some years and where they will. Similarly, hospitals have been very little in the way of missionary work is being opened; poor are treated free and an obstetrical carried on outside of Addis Ababa. Here three clinic has been established. Hospitals are to be mission schools and three hospitals are all oper- erected in the big cities and movable hospital ating as usual. The SIM has about thirty workers units are being devised to patrol the roads. Mis- here learning the language, preparing to reoccupy sion hospitals and schools have done a great work and rebuild outstations as soon as permission is in Ethiopia but it is plain that their day is passing.
given. The United Presbyterians are sending Mission schools and hospitals still operate in Ad- some of their workers back via Addis and they dis and have not been interfered with. Yet, if hope to reoccupy both of their stations in the west they cease to exist, children will learn and sick very soon. But all have been waiting a statement will be treated. Their main raison d'etre is gone.
of Government policy so that they may know what Established schools and hospitals may not be to expect. The Italian Viceregal government closed, but they must prepare to occupy an in- kindly gave a statement of general missionary creasingly small part in community life.
policy especially for this article in order that peo- Missions may still evangelize. That fact should ple both here and at home may know what to be enough to cause the downhearted to take expect. heart and cause missions to prepare to bring their Following is an English translation of their work back to normal and to look forward to ex- policies as given to the writer: pansion. The Roman Catholic Church has already Missions may carryon their work in Italian East Africa made it plain that she plans a vast missionary so long as they limit themselves to religion and do nothing enterprise for Ethiopia. There is no doubt that against the law of the state. many will prefer to be taught religion by the emis- Protestant missionaries will always have liberty to saries of the Church of Rome, Rome having con- quered. In the past Protestant and Catholic mispreach without special permission so long as they confine sionaries have worked without friction in this land themselves strictly to the sphere of religion. The official decree of religious liberty includes the right of missionaries to make converts among the pagans of the and we hope that it may continue so. Protestants country. have been permitted to work and evangelize. This is a vast country, with millions of people and no Missionaries who abandoned their stations due to the matter how many workers various societies send, war or riots will be permitted to return and occupy them if in the past they have spread no anti-Italian propaganda and if their former term of occupancy has not demon- it will be decades before all have heard the Gospel.
strated any unfitness to continue their work. The qualifications applying to those who hope The Italian Government will not forget the nations who to return to their stations are very interesting. Naturally the Italians do not want those who have maintained an attitude of good will toward Italy during spread propaganda against them. Very, very few the ltalo-Ethiopian conflict. If any distinction is ever made among the missionaries of different countries, cer- tainly those of the United States, will be favored within thought it their duty to do this and such cannot the limits of possibility. expect to work under the new regime. But – the It is clear that a policy of religious liberty will questions, What part should a missionary play be followed in Italian East Africa. The Italian when the country in which he is working is at Government has definite political and economic war? Should he go home and be considered plans for this country but has demonstrated cowardly1' Should he remain neutral when. pas- leniency in the sphere of religion. Inasmuch as sions run high and have no following? Should all missionaries are ambassadors of Christ and he help to keep up the morale of the people and Christ alone, the thing for which they came to face certain expulsion if the opposing country con- this country is granted to them. The idea, held quers? Should missionaries obey the advices of by some, that missionaries are the emissaries of their home governments during such time? etc., civilization, is out of order here. As in civilized would be worth a careful study treatise by some
experienced missionary leader. It is certain that Roads are being built, and in the most literal if the advice of governments had been heeded sense this country is being opened. Territories during this struggle, many lives would neither which saw few white men in the past millenium have been risked nor lost. will see thousands daily. It will mean mission- ary opportunity and the sphere of activity of each What the Italian Government means by "Unfit- missionary will be widened. The writer, who has ness to continue their work" will not be definitely a school in Addis will have no regrets if teaching known until decisions have been given to numerous is unnecessary and if he is privileged to go by applicants who wish to return to their stations. automobile from village to village preaching the I have been unofficially informed that a good Word of God. In the rainy season we can teach recommendation from one's consul will be one of the Bible in Addis and during the dry season we the things required. I have also heard that per- can tour. It is an entrancing possibility. sons wishing to come to this land will be required to secure a recommendation from their respective No one knows when this land will be safe for Departments of State. However, until we see ap- general travel and until then permits to travel will plications approved or rejected we will know little not be given. In the year that lies ahead probably of the Government's desires in this matter. little can be done. This is a perfect time for fur- loughs. But it behooves missionaries to learn the Finally it is clear that Americans will be in the languages of the regions in which they hope to favored nation class and that there will be no dis- work, and then when the rebels are cleared from crimination against us at any time. We owe a the country and travel is safe, once more the Way deep debt of gratitude to our American Govern- of Salvation can be proclaimed by those who are ment for its wise foreign policy in which they ready. The Italian Government is kind in giving have sought to live at peace with all men and take us these assurances. If missionaries seek to be a up the quarrels of none. Noone can appreciate help to those in authority and teach that subjecthis as well as the missionary. It is unfortunate tion to governments is the law of God, they may but true that persons residing in foreign lands as soon find their presence appreciated and their libguests of other governments either gain or lose erties extended. If they prove to be a disturbing by the foreign policy of their own nation. factor there is no doubt that their stay will be Obviously the future of institutional mission short. work in Ethiopia is not bright but we should be Missions are being given the opportunity to glad that the new government is willingly undertaking these functions. We have the privilege of prove their worth in this land. If societies at doing the greater work for which we came to this home give support and if missionaries loyally cocountry and should be grateful for being per- operate, the missionary future of Ethiopia may mitted to do so. be brighter than it has ever been.
THE MISSIONARY * Far from the lar:d that gave him life and name He only labors on and is content; He makes his home, amid an alien race. Happy to go the way the Saviour went.
He comes, not seeking worldly wealth or fame, Where sin and ignorance hold baleful sway, But by a mandate from the Throne of Grace- Or superstition grips men in its thrall, "Go forth to all the nations of the earth, He strives to guide their steps into the way Bearing glad tidings of the Saviour's birth." That leads to Him who lived and died for all.
A man like other men, not set apart "Come unto Him ye burdened and oppressed, As one above the common human plane; Come unto Him, and He will give you rest."
He too is subject to the tempter's art; And some there are who lend an eager ear He too is burdened by life's stress and strain- To catch the Message that new hope imparts; Yet feels himself preserved from worldly harms While others stand aloof or mock and jeer Supported by the Everlasting Arms. Because it finds no echo in their hearts; Day in, day out, he labors-oft in vain; Yet all alike are human souls in need, Stony the ground and thorny where he sows. The sheep that Jesus once bade Peter feed.
Perchance some other hand will reap the grain Nor is the spoken word the only art Sprung from the seed he diligently bestows. Wherein he seeks to carry out God's plan; • From Syria News Quarterly. The school and hospital both play their part In showing forth the Saviour's love for man.
Exconvict Who Made
EDITORIAL MICHAEL J. HICKEY, the converted pick- From the beginning Mike had his own ideas pocket who founded the "League of Anoth- concerning reform work. He fought hard against er Chance." "Mike" Hickey served over the practice of police in those days of hounding nineteen years behind prison bars before he "went exconvicts, even when they obtained jobs, and straight." So successful was he in his work with against the general attitude of most persons to- exconvicts that he was a welcome visitor at pris- ward any man who had served a prison term. He ons and jails throughout the East, and detectives thought that if it was possible to change a crim- occasionally told exconvicts, who complained that inal's viewpoint and his purposes into honest they were being persecuted, to "get an okay from lines, and if he could be led to surrender his life Mike Hickey and we'll let you alone." to Christ, then reform was assured.
Michael Hickey was born in New York City News of Hickey's work spread rapidly among sixty-four years ago, and started out on his career exconvicts, who saw in him a friendly combination of crime early. His first wrong step, he said, was of vocational guidance bureau, employment agency when he stole 25 cents from his sister and lied and relief bureau. Hickey, although himself an when she questioned him about it. He blamed that earnest Christian, never forced religion on those first theft and lie for his downfall. After his con- who came to him for aid. He suggested the need versions he would never lie concerning any mat- for God's guidance, but his primary interest was ter. By hard experience he learned the value of in reforming the exconvict.
strict honesty. After twelve years Hickey's following became Mike became a very clever pickpocket and could so large that it was necessary to move it out of the extract wallets and watches even from the most Y. M. C. A. and the "League for Another Chance"
wary. During the years prior to his conversion, was founded by him and Mr. Eldridge. Into the Hickey was in and out of prison and jail con- small office a steady stream of exconvicts poured, tinually. While serving a ten-year sentence in receiving advice, jobs, a little money or an over· Sing Sing, he had the cell next to the late Billy coat, but never being turned away empty if in McQuere, subsequently head of the McAuley Cre- real need. morne Mission. McQuere wrote poetry that In his spare time Hickey spoke in church and Hickey liked and this was the beginning of a long charity gatherings and in mission meetings. His friendship-. Sundays were devoted to jail meetings, and the On getting out of Sing Sing prison McQuere last time he visited Sing Sing, thirty-three con- was converted by the late Jerry McAuley, but victs stepped forward when he called for decisions Hickey went back to picking pockets and was sent to surrender to Christ and follow Him. Warden to Dannemora Prison. When released he returned Lewis E. Lawes, former Prison Commissioner to New York and a friend told him that McQuere, Mulrooney and the late Dr. Walter N. Thayer, by this time superintendent of the Cremorne Mis- State Commissioner of Correction, were among sion, wanted to see him. his many advocates.
"I'm not interested in going to that place," he With the depression, Hickey four.d it more dif- muttered. "I'm not looking for religion today. ficult to obtain jobs for his followers, but he kept I'm looking for money." trying. During the last few years a recent checkup But Hickey went to see Billy and walked out of showed that 700 exconvicts had stood by their the Mission a converted man. Fred 1. Eldridge, promise to Mike Hickey to go straight. He was a then connected with the Bowery Y. M. C. A., New shrewd judge of character and could spot a man York, got him a job as a watchman, and was so pretending penitence.
impressed by his work that he offered him a post "I can look through a stone wall," was a favorite as religious secretary at the Bowery "Y." This expression of his, "when it comes to faking. If was twenty-four years ago. you don't want to go straight don't come to me."
Hickey's job was to handle exconvicts and va- On November 12, Hickey was guest of honor at grants, and he tackled the job with enthusiasm. a meeting -celebrating the twenty-fourth anniver- His first step was to organize the "Make Good sary of his conversion. During his last illnes's he Club," with forty men with a prison record of was making plans for sending Christmas cards twenty and a half years each as charter members. and a "little money" to those behind the bars- Of that number only three went back to crime; "they like to be remembered and it means a lot the other thirty-seven found legitimate employ- when they get out."
ment and went straight. Mike Hickey died in New York on Dec. 7, 1936.
[44 ]
South as a Missions
-·-t6f11 By REV. JOHN R. SCOTFORD, New York il~'- THE religious needs of the South are rapidly situated as those in the northern states. The eclipsing the "call of the West" in their ap- South has come much closer to the lives of church peal to the interest of the people in our people than has Montana and Wyoming, which churches. This shift may ultimately produce a are commonly thought of as being "out west someradical change in home mission aims and methods. where."
From the American Revolution to the World The present administration at Washington has War our land of dreams lay towards the setting dramatized both the need and the possibilities of of the sun. The ambitious turned their backs the South through the TVA and the Norris Dam upon the East. But today the stream of venture- has been a magnet drawing an endless stream of some youth flows from West to East. Young men visitors into the mountains. Many have seen once demonstrated their pluck by staking out a something besides a gigantic wall of concrete. homestead and growing up with the country, now Recently the agitation concerning the plight of they exhibit their nerve by daring to seek a job the "share-croppers" has stirred the conscience of in some eastern city. The West lingered long on the nation. The socially minded have come to the movie screen and in the pages of magazines, think of the South as a region of dire need and as but even in these hectic regions it gives signs of a section of the country where many interesting flickering out. The rising generation seems to developments are on the way.
find gangsters more interesting than cowboys. The bane of large sections of both the West and Home missions were born of the frontier. South is poverty, but it is of a different sort in the two regions. The West seems to be in the plight Through them the churches of the East sought of a gambler who has played for large stakes and to meet the emergency created by the rapid ex- lost; much of the South is a pauper who has pansion of population across a continent. They began as the heroic effort to plant Christian been reared on hunger and who has never known churches and schools amidst the inevitable dis- the feel of a good warm coat on his back. In order of the frontier. In some instancs their am- terms of per capita wealth and per capita income bition developed into the effort to claim new em- the South is the poorest section of the United pires for particular denominations. Home mis- States. sions in the past have been commonly associated For years many home mission boards have car- with the meeting of the religious needs of the ried on work in the South, usually as a sideline West. to their western activities. The emphasis has been upon the Negro and the Southern Highlander Florida is now the mecca of many who are aged -a figure that has always stirred the imagination. and opulent. Drouth has followed drouth with Recently the vision of our people has expanded to such deadly monotony that the East has grown take in the rural white population and the multi. weary of the woes of the West. Many have con- tudes of country folk who have been herded into cluded that the best thing for the settlers to do the. mill villages during the past twenty years. in a land where grasshoppers thrive is to move Ultimately mission boards reflect the interests of out! Certain it is that the Eastern churches have their giving constituencies and the growing connot been as deeply stirred by the plight of the much plagued West as the facts of the case would cern of our churches for the South will lead to an seem to warrant. Part of the reason is that their increased interest and effort in this area. attention is turning in other directions. In two respects home mission work in the South Several circumstances are making our churches differs from that in the West. The South is not increasingly conscious of the needs of the South. a field for denominational expansion. She already In the wintertime Florida is a popular resort, possesses a superabundance of both local churches with the automobile as the most satisfactory way and denominational affiliations. In addition to getting there. Only a small fraction of the mil- most of the groups found in other portions of the lions who drive across Georgia get a clear con- country she has three great denominations of her ception of the poverty, illiteracy and human need own. She has nothing to offer the denomination- of that state, but all know where it is and most of alist who is yearning for new worlds to conquer them realize that its people are not as favorably for his church. From the point of view of home [45 ]
missions this may be fortunate. The bugaboo of Christian ministry? The northern ideal of one home mission promotion is the widespread suspi- minister serving one church is economically imcion on the part of some that home missions are possible. The prevailing practice in many secmerely a name for denominationalism. The tions of the South is for a minister to preach in a easiest way to dissipate this notion is for home different church on each Sunday of the month, missions to advance into an area where there is while he farms or follows some other pursuit no hope of denominational profit. through the week. Preaching is often almost the sole religious activity of a preacher; a church The problem of the West has been to awaken building is merely a place where people go to sit and organize religious interest; that of the South and listen. Both pastors and congregation need is to direct religious devotion into channels which to be trained into a larger conception of organized, are profitable to the whole community. In the practical Christianity. Ways must be found for South great faith and dire poverty live cheek by either training laymen to preach, or for training jowl. The Church has a prestige and power which preachers so that they can preach and make a it lacks in many other sections. Church member- living in an honorable way. ship is a form of respectability; the mores of the people are favorable to the Church. As the say- The mill village presents another problem. ing goes, "It is easy to do religious work in the With $12 a week as the prevailing wage it re- South." quires either a large membership or great sacri- fice for a church to support a pastor. One way of On the other hand, there is no section in which easing the difficulty is for the minister to be given the church faces more problems which have spir- free house rent and a financial grant from the itual implications. Most of the population is mill. But can he serve his people effectively when caught in a bog of hopeless poverty. This is not he is on the payroll of their overlords? Leaderthe passing "bad luck" of the frontier but a per- ship is a pervasive problem of both town and counmanent state which sears the soul of self-respect. try. Where education is scanty in quantity and deficient in quality how can the Church find teach- There is also the loss of individuality on the ers for its Sunday Schools and leaders for its part of those who take up their abode in "com- young people? Puzzling problems such as these pany houses" that they may serve as servants to the all-powerful machines which spin and weave abound in the South. our cloth. Something is likely to happen to the Because the South is the neediest section of our soul of a man when his fingers become a cheap supplement to a mechanical process. country today an increasing proportion of home missionary effort should be directed to the South. Over all the South there also hangs the pall of Such a change of emphasis may help to purge race prejudice-one of the most sinister phases home missions of charges of expansionist and secof American life today. These are some of the tarian ambitions of the past and lead them to an tangible problems with which the Church must attempt to solve in a Christian way the problems grapple in the South. of poverty and ignorance in the most needy sec- tion of our country. How shall a vast rural population living close to the poverty level be provided with an adequate HOW TO MAKE AMERIOA OHRISTIAN?
For the first time in all recorded history I should say, we are living in an almost completely secularized world. We have separated ourselves from the living past. The Bible is a neglected book, even as all the books of the past are neglected. Weare no more historically minded. The past, for this generation, is as dead as yesterday's daily press. We have broken not only with authority but with continuity. We are not only sep- arated from Jesus and the prophets – we are also separated from Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. Their names are still in vogue, used by the preacher and by the politician, but they are not rooted in the minds and hearts of Christians today, nor in the minds and hearts of Americans. History is being taught, but it is purely secular history, used primarily to instill war patriotism.
As a result of our break with the past we have lost, in fifty years, everything which may be called a reli- gious culture. We have everything to make life comfortable, but in working we are quite empty. We know no other values except those of size, speed, and cost. So big – the biggest. So fast – can you break the record? It must be good because it costs so much!
The task for Christian workers will not be easier in the ten following years; it will be harder. The eco- nomic struggle will further separate man from God and, still more, pe~haps, men one from the other. We shall have to face more of prejudice as men become less religious, for prejudices grow among people who have no. Christian faith. To the degree that passions are inflamed in the struggle for living, the more we will have to face a narrow Americanism, or nationalism, at war with the spirit of Christ.
Our task is to keep alive the loving, tender, compelling spirit of the Christ; to stand in the midst of the war and take the nrount of the fight. Our work will be a success in the degree that Americans and all the rest of the races and creeds and nationalities become more and more one in Christ, and help people to find a one- ness in Him.-From an address by Dr. Edward A. Steiner.
Ways of
I 'rested Metlwds for Increasing Interest at Home I EDITED BY Mas. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'==-=================——I~ CONCERNING THAT church School of WorId Friend- mer conferences and in local ship. Attempting to equalize communities, the Editor has "NEW LEAF" leadership responsibility among asked clergymen and Sunday the cooperating denominations, school superintendents without Do we need to turn it over? here is a tabloid transcript of number for their organizational Assuredly, Yes! Missionary what she encountered among and promotional plans. In only interests in the local church are "the brethren" : a very few cases has she met not at flood tide. with a response indicating a defi- What should be inscribed No.1, university professor of nite plan or well attested meththereon after it goes over? such broad culture that it was ods. How can "Thy Kingdom Many things, among which are reported, "You cannot tap him come" by hit-or-miss kangaroo the following: on any subject on which he is activity? not thoroughly informed." He 1. Making missions a main said, "0" (with a slight laugh), In the past two years, a few proposition instead of an op- "mission study is entirely out of outstanding exceptions h a v e tional corollary in personal en- my line. I shouldn't care to at- been discovered and reported in listment under the standard of tempt that." this Department – Sun day the Author of the Great Com- schools with a systematic plan mISSIOn. This means that pas- No.2, university professor of of missionary cultivation, men's tor and church officials will have broad horizon: "You see my missionary leagues in the local a definite program for mission wife's leading one of the younger church, etc. To those will be study, informational and inspi- classes and one in the family is added in the February issue of rational culture and missionary enough." THE REVIEW the following disbenevolences instead of letting cussions, all prepared by "the things go hit or miss in pulpit No.3: "I'm missionary in brethren" : as well as departmental life. spirit but my present work is too "Check" ? arduous for me to undertake "Missionary Activities of a anything more." (Quite true to 2. Climbing out of the ruts of fact.) Men's Bible Class." "the usual missionary meeting," "Socratic Evenings – aNew banishing the Faithful Tradi- No.4: "I don't know a man tionalists or else converting in our church who is qualified to Venture in Adult Education." them, and lining up under the do that. We leave mission study "Making C h u r c h Members most efficient plans issued and entirely to our women. They do promoted by the missionary edu- plenty." Missionary." cational departments of your "How the World Came to own denomination as well as the No.5: "Our minister is teach- United Mission Study courses ing a class. That represents our Portland." which now are fully up with the van in approved pedagogical church." Please send me your own conprinciples and methods. Again, No.6: "I always think of that tribution of attested plans and "Check" ? programs for (1) making mis- as a woman's job!" sionary endeavor an essential in 3. Parsing "missions" in the church membership; (2) getting masculine as well as the fem- And so with one accord, they out of traditional ruts; (3) makinine gender – in fact common all said, "I pray thee, have me ing missions masculine as well gender is the ideal. Too long excused." Those six sessions as feminine. Departmental mathave "the sisters" shouldered the suffered in interest and attend- ter giving down-to-date suggesresponsibility for cultivation of ance because of lack of mascu- tions for young people's and chilthe home field. Hark ye: Your line cooperation, though it must dren's work is always welcome. Department Editor recently had be said to the credit of all the"'e The ensuing timely articles are occasion to organize the adult dissenters that they were giv- from outstanding leaders in foreign mission study depart- ing to missions personally or junior endeavor. ment in a community inter- through their families. Down to Date Junior Plans Pastors are not wholly blame- less in this state of affairs. In The children interested in her perpetual quest for "effec- missionary work today. will be tive ways of working" at sum- [47 ]
the young people who enjoy his people. We shall also make candle to indicate how short a serving others tomorrow and "Treasure Books" of poems, time the man had to serve; then the church workers of the day songs, names of paintings and he lights a large one to show how after tomorrow. So we must in- painters, books and articles we long a child giving his heart to terest the children today in order have received from Africa and Jesus may serve. All the chil- to have them carryon what we the American Negro. By cor- dren come forward singing, have started. Our best mission- respondence with Negro schools "Jesus Bids Us Shine," and ary workers should be their lead- we shall learn how they cele- kindle their candles at the Christ ers. When you have found a brate Christmas, Easter and light. Close with Mizpah bene..
leader who loves Christ and His other special days. We hope to diction. The children love this children, she will follow these learn direct of other young peo- service at rally day in the mis- ple who have gone from schools sionary society, at Christmas, missionary B's: helped by our boys and girls Easter or the last meeting of the Be prayerful. through their mite boxes, dues year. Be early. Be regular in attendance. and pledges. We shall make The United Brethren Women's Be well prepared. maps showing the schools in the Missionary Association, 1412 Be prompt in beginning and ending. U. S. and Africa where our mis- United Brethren Building, Day- sionaries have gone, then choose Be interested in each individual. ton, Ohio, publishes good Afri- Be faithful to other church activities.
This year we are studying the some school and write to it to can Primary Picture Stories for Negro child and working with find what we can do to help at 25 cents. "Gifts of Black Folk," him. There is a wealth of ma- Christmas time. We make beau- by DuBois, will furnish material terial at hand. As we start the tiful posters which tell the for treasure books. In "Junior work we may use an invitation Christmas and Easter stories. Talks for Special Days," by to gain attention. Make it in the Treasure books of pictures and Arnold Westphal, is an interestshape of Africa with a picture poems, made by the children, ing teaching program called of a Negro child on the front and will be sent to mission schools. "Missionary Quartette." I use the invitation giving date, place material wherever I can find it, of meeting and the words, "Come Children like to give chalk ordering through my own deand help make an African vil- talks. I have used C. O. Brown's nomination so they may receive lage," on the back. This village "Easy Chalk Talks," also his the profit. I should be very consists of a set of drawings to book on paper tearing, with grateful to know of material be cut out and assembled and Bible verses. "Eye~ate Ser- others have used in junior work, can be bought for 25 cents at mons," by Rev. H. Reed Shep- for use in my home church and The Department of Missionary pen, is also helpful. What chil- my classes at the Epworth Education, 740 Rush St., Chi- dren do or see will be remem- League Institute, Lakeside, Ohio. cago. The following stories may bered long after what we have be told (never read): "Camp- told them is forgotten. This is MRS. E. R. BROWN. fires in Congo," by Mrs. John further illustrated by candle- Akron, Ohio. Springer; "In the African lighting services, at least one of Bush," by Jewel H. Schwab; "I which will be held this year, More Junior Studies Would Sing America," by Ma- using Bible verses on Light. The and Projects rion Cuthbert. following plan may be used: An interesting course in For- Learn some Negro songs such Have children seated in half eign Missionary education was circle facing a cross with tall given the children of the junior as "I Want to Be a Christian in candle at one side, at back of department of the United Breth- My Heart" (book of "Southland stage. A picture of Christ is ren church in Westerville, Ohio, Spirituals," 25 cents) and have placed near at hand. Then the with Africa as the subject. The children tell Negro stories. children sing the first two children met for one and a half These may be purchased for a stanzas of "Jesus Loves Me," hours in a midweek session, for few cents each from the Meth- with added verses, eight weeks. Families gathered odist headquarters at 420 Plum Jesus loves the children dear, for dinner together, after which St., Cincinnati, Ohio. Use the Children far away or near. the children were dismissed for leaflet, "The Finding Out Box" They are safe when in His care, this instruction. (5 cents), and "The House of Every day and everywhere. A brief worship period was Their Hands" (2 cents), pub- Jesus loves me, this I know, And my love to Him I'll show, followed by the telling of an lished by the Lutheran Women's When my happiness I share African story-"In the African Missionary Society, 723 Muhlen- With His children everywhere. Bush," by Schwab. After the berg Building, 1228 Spruce St., story a three-reel film was Philadelphia, Pa. Collect poems Ten or more children then shown. In cooperation with our and stories written by Negroes. come forward with their Bibles, public schools we were able to One that I shall use is "Give a each reading his verse and light- secure educational films telling Thought to Africa," by Hosea K. ing his candle from the large the story of Africa, her people, Nyobongi, son of an African one. The leader tells of a man her climate and products. After king, at Clark University fitting who gave his life to Christ when this film, the children were given himself for larger work among 80 years old, and lights a short a rest period and taken to the
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
recreation room where African themselves, deserving respect as finale came when, on a Sunday folk games were played. Then well as interest and help. afternoon, the department held groups were formed around the MRS. ONA MOCLOY, open house and explained the work tables where an outline Supt. of Junior Department, exhibits, furnished music from map of the country was studied, First U. B. Church, Wes- India, Mexico and China, and terville' Ohio. served tea to the church memcolored, discussed, with outline bership who called in large numpictures (also colored) mounted bers. Surely missions were thus in the proper places thereon. An Elaborate Junior Project woven into the very warp and Larger pictures were mounted woof of the children's thinking, and other handcraft projects The specific details of the fol- and parents who had remained completed. One group had as lowing expressional work devel- aloof from the greatest Adventheir project the finding of the oped by Mrs. Helen Leach, of ture in the world gained some names of those in the denomina- Granville, Ohio, for her junior idea of its importance. tion who were entitled to places study last year, are not imporof honor on the map. tant as the method and prin- Inbringing Day ciples involved are universal and A trip to the museum of Otter- may be used equally well with The First Baptist church of bein College to see the Mrican our current topics. They consti- Dayton, Ohio, used a plan (decurios was made. A college stu- tute a de luxe attempt to make scribed in Missions,) to help dent who is a native of Africa the themes part and parcel of children understand the need for gave an interesting talk. We are the children's lives and to moti- systematic giving. At a meetfortunate in having a large num- vate future action. ing of junior and primary deber of returned missionaries partments, baskets filled with from Africa who are most gra- With South America as the the coins the children had cious in lending their curios, na- first theme, photos and objects brought during the year were tive costumes, pictures and were collected such as pictures displayed on a table. At one baskets. showing points of international interest, tissue paper flags of the A "browsing table" was kept nationalities, data about the side stood a shadow box containfilled with National Geographies, Columbus Memorial Lighthouse ing a picture on glass of the books of travel and pictures. to be erected by Pan-American church. Explaining the need of Two books the children enj oyed countries as a Friendship Me- the church for money, the leader were "Camp Fires in the morial, cacti, objects loaned by drew from a box a sheaf of bills Congo," by Mrs. J 0 h n M. friends and an elaborate poster incurred for heat, supplies, etc., Springer, and "Children of the of the products of Mexico, this and suggested that children Chief," by Mary Entwistle. "In latter project requiring weeks come up and drop money from the African Bush" was inval- of work. the basket into the box marked uable as it contains outlines for The foreign study following for light and heat. As they did teaching, stories, worship ma- this covered four countries in this, the light was switched on terial, hand work, drum calls Asia celebrating their centenaand folk and game songs. The ries in missionary work. One in the shadow box and lo! the children dramatized some of the church was illuminated! Next a stories they heard. That these class whose teacher was a mis- missionary map was displayed, tales of the intimate home life of sionary's daughter from Podili, African children and their ac- with electric bulbs marking mistivities made a vivid impression South India, made a beautiful sion stations. Little wooden on our group was very evident. reproduction of the mission com- chests in front of the map were Some of the boys whittled out pound where the girl had spent call drums, native canoes and her early youth. This proved a each marked with the name of paddles: the girls made gourd a station. Children took more and cucumber dolls, baby straps real work of art. A class of collection money and dropped it and modeled huts of clay with boys made a moving picture reel into any chest; whereupon the dried grass and leaves for roofs. corresponding bulb on the map which, worked back and forth, furnished the basis for two dif- flashed on, the coins making the ferent talks on China which connection with the metal bot- were later given by young lads. tom of the box. The children Certainly a closer bond was Stamps from many countries were "electrified"! When boxes drawn between our children and were collected, cut up and pasted were left empty, and correspondthe little ones in Africa by these on letters to form the te~t, "Go ing stations remained dark, the activities. When children por- ye into all the world." This leader explained that this is tray such scenes from the home handsome ten-foot frieze was what happens when gifts are not life of African children as the eventually taken to the Northern equal to needs of the field. way they travel, care for their Baptist Convention and exhibsick, work and play; the way ited before hundreds of inter- A Oorrection the women prepare the food and ested delegates. All the juniors In our December issue it was stated the songs they sing to their cooperated in making up White that Miss Elizabeth 1. Fensom would babies, an indelible impression furnish a year's subscription to her is made. They begin to realize Crossl supply boxes that were that these people are much like sent to Arizona, Puerto Rico, Program Pointers for 25 cents. She Assam and Africa. The grand states that the next five issues will be sent for 15 cents. The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK A PRAYER FOR THE This be our prayer as we face liminary conferences will be NEW YEAR the new year! Prayer that com- held. On Sunday afternoon, bines love of God with love of January 10, the Conference of By Mrs. Orrin R. Judd our fellow men! Prayer that the Committee on Young Peo- identifies ourselves with the ple's Work and Conference of "If Thy presence go not with wounds and suffering and sins Presidsnts and Executive Secme, carry us not up hence." of humanity! Prayer that knows retaries of Women's Home Mis- Exodus 33: 15. the Presence that avails for sal- sion Boards are scheduled, and vation, sustenance and guidance. are to be followed by a devo- For those who are charged tional service. Presidents of with responsibility of leader- It is not an easy prayer. The women's and young women's ship, this prayer uttered by way to the answer is long and missionary societies of Asbury Moses many centuries ago offers beset with obstacles. It is prayed Park and Ocean Grove will be a significant pattern. Shaken with few words, but with much by the events that followed his living, and with utter sincerity. the guests of the Council at this return from Mt. Sinai, he with- Like Moses, we shall have to be devotional service and the feldraws to solitude to find again stabbed wide awake by pain to lowship tea which follows. peace and direction for himself make it ours. May we be willand a wayward people. ing like him to bear the pain of In preparation for the Annual corporate delinquence, and in the Meeting a Service of Worship He is aware of God. The un- conscious, blissful companionseen is real to him. He knows ship of the Presence be led for- will be held Sunday evening. from frequent communions "the ward continually to triumph, for On Monday afternoon, while upward reach in the soul of the redemption of our country man." To talk with God is the and the world. Joint Committees are meeting, a habit of his life. He is therefore popular meeting is being set up quickly sensitive to any veil that "If we have found favor in comes between him and God. Thy sight, show us now Thy way for church women throughout that we may know Thee; but if that area of New Jersey. A He is conscious of one supreme Thy presence go not with us, graphic account of the World need. Nothing else matters. carry us not up hence. 0 Lord Day of Prayer observances, the Like the psalmist he cries out: Jehovah, show Thy servants Thy "Whom have I in heaven but greatness and Thy strong hand." challenge of the united Protes- Thee? And there is none on -A New Year's Eve Prayer, tant work in the United States earth beside Thee." His suffi- from" A Chain of Prayer Across Indian Schools, and motion picciency is to be realized only in the Ages." this Presence which is to him tures of the interdenominational friend, companion, counselor ANNUAL MEETING service in Migrant Labor Camps,. and guide. are all features of this program. January 11-14, 1937 His need is too great to be On Monday night, January 11, satisfied by personal well-being. Berkeley-Carteret Hotel, Why not be satisfied? He has Asbury Park, N. J. the Annual Meeting of the Counalready received the assurance: cil of Women for Home Missions "My presence shall go with thee, The Committee on Annual opens officially with the Fellowand I will give thee rest." It is Meeting of the Home Missions ship Supper. On that evening a gracious word, but promises Council and the Council of Womnot enough. He needs more. en for Home Missions is develop- the Home Missions Councils will The destiny of an entire people ing unique plans for this Annual meet in joint session and reports is his concern. He is their Meeting. Methods of presenting of Indian Work, and Young Peomediator with God. His life has reports are to be different and ple's Work and City and New no value save in and for them. ample time is to be allowed for Americans are on the agenda. "If Thy presence go not with interesting and encouraging de- Tuesday, January 12, is to be deme, carry us not up hence." The velopments on the field. Pre- voted entirely to the separate Presence that strengthens him, ceding the Annual Meeting pre- business sessions of the two must sustain all. Councils. Interesting plans are [50 ] under way for unique methods of presenting the work of the Council of Women for Home Missions for 1936. A panel dis- cussion will combine the presen- tation of the work of committees
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
on International Relations, Race church women of all denomina- schools in the South, in Cuba, Relations and Legislative Mat- tions, in both Canada and the Puerto Rico and Alaska; from ters, a graphic presentation of United States united in a Day of mission stations among Indians the World Day of Prayer, study Prayer for Missions both Home of the West, Christian Centers books and Schools of Missions is and Foreign. in the East and many of our being arranged. The Migrant In 1921 there were published great northern cities come the Committee is working on a dra- and distributed 62,425 pro- same heartening letters, some matic presentation. On that eve- grams. One offering of $25 was with tiny offerings, others with ning the Home Missions Councils sent to the Council of Women considerable sums but all carrymeet again in j oint business ses- for Home Missions. In 1927 the ing cheering messages of faith sion for dinner and the evening World Day of Prayer was ob- and love-love for God and love session. served and special objects were for His work.
National Conference on designated for the offerings. As The Call has gone out for the the City Church information concerning the 1937 Day of Prayer to be ob- needs for Christian Literature served February 12th. Over Wednesday, January 13, in- in Foreign Lands, C h r i s t ian 300,000 copies of the Program cludes the opening of the Na- Work Among Migrants, Union have been printed. The theme, tional Conference on the City Christian Colleges for Women "Thou Art the Christ, the Son Church, the part of the Annual and the Indian American Youth of the Living God," has been de- Meeting that is given over to a of Today, the response has been veloped in a program prepared detailed consideration of one more and more generous until by Miss Mabel Shaw of Northphase of home mission work last year the offerings for the ern Rhodesia, Africa. each year. A remarkable pro- work of the Council of Women In sending the program Miss gram has been planned with ex- for Home Missions amounted to Shaw writes, perts on various phases of the City Mission field scheduled to $12,291, a like amount going to The program is supremely an act of the Foreign Missions Confer- worship. I feel more and more that present the situations and lead the thinking of the group as the ence. There were reported ap- our hearts must be stirred to adoraissues are considered. proximately 2,200 observances. tion before prayer can be of real power. We must dimly see the un- There are four themes relative One cannot read the letters ac- bearable wonder of the greatness of to the City, those on Wednesday companying the offerings with- Him to whom we pray, the unutterincluding The Urban Process, out realizing the spiritual uplift able majesty of the Son of God, and The City-a Field for Social and of such union meetings. Often the shattering humility of the Son of Religious Adventure, and The a small offering carries the fra- Man. I have tried to reveal that. Social Ministry of the Urban grance of real sacrifice. A little There are two periods of meditation Church. The closing Session on town in Kansas sends 67 cents in the program which will need care- Thursday, January 14, will be with the remark, "We had one ful preparation if they are to serve devoted to The Interdenomina- of those terrible Kansas dust their purpose. The unity of the protional Approach to the Modern storms that day and there were gram depends upon them. I suggest City. not many out." each period to be seven to ten minutes long. I have had in my thought a WORLD DAY OF PRAYER From a city in Alabama comes background of praying women. a description of a "program with As we read of the growth of beautiful music, earnest prayers Twelfth Conference on the the World Day of Prayer which in a quiet atmosphere of faith Cause and Cure of War is sponsored jointly by the Wom- and trust," which, the writer en's Committee of the Foreign says, "grows dearer with each JANUARY 26-29, 1937 Missions Conference and the observance." Negro women in Council of Women for Home this city held their meeting at Plans for the Conference to be Missions, we are reminded of night in their own church and held at the Palmer House, Chithe parable of the "grain of sent an offering of $2.00. They cago, January 26-29, are promustard seed, which, when it is were working women, most of gressing. The program will whom have large families. center around the theme, "Today in Peace and War," and will in- clude discussions of the issues which have come to a head be- sown in the earth, is less than all From Manitoba, Can a d a, cause of the revolution in Spain the seeds that be in the earth. comes the word, "We held the and other critical situations in But when it is sown, it growetp first Day of Prayer in Flin Flon Europe and the Far East. up and becometh greater than last Friday" ; from Hartwell, Al- If you are interested in being all herbs and shooteth out great berta, "I am enclosing $1.00 as one of the 200 delegates reprebranches so that the fowls of the my offering for the World Day senting church women at this air may lodge under the shadow of Prayer. I am very isolated Conference, further information and unable to meet with other may be secured from the Forof it." Evidence of this appears if we women so had my meeting all by eign Missions Conference, 156 follow reports back to earlier myself. I am sure God will hear 5th Avenue, New York, or the days. Previous to 1920 mission- my prayer but now I miss the Council of Women for Home ary societies encouraged days of inspiration of church and con- Missions, 105 East 22d Street, prayer but during that year gregation." From m iss ion New York. jil Our World–wide Outlook A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ~,,~======E=DIT=ED =BY=MR=S. H=EN~RIE=TTA=H=. F=ERG=USO=N, =XE=NIA=, O=HIO========,~"
MISCELLANEOUS Bible. Attention will be focussed Missions, Then and Now on the "Injunction of 1538," or- Six World Conferences dering that all must have free Dr. James Endicott, who has access to the Bible. Archdeacon just retired as Foreign Mission A chain of six Christian world Storr, of the Anglican Church, Secretary of the United Church conferences – three in Asia- says in reference to the celebra- of Canada, contrasts expendiwill be held during the next tion: tures on foreign missions today three years. Early in January, with those of forty-three years Dr. John R. Mott will preside at The Bible has made the English ago. The church is giving nearly the conference of the World's nation. This generation does not read seven times as much to mission- Alliance of the Y. M. C. A. at its Bible as our forefathers did, but I ary work in central India today Mysore, India. "The center of see signs of a return to the Bible. as it was 40 years ago, and 28 gravity in Christian world af- Local education authorities are ar- times as much to African misfairs is shifting from the mis- ranging courses of lectures on the sions. "Conditions now," he sionary societies in the West to Bible for teachers. Seventeen Uni- said, "are inexpressibly better in the younger churches and their versities in England and Wales have coordinating the work with other auxiliary agencies in the East," put the Bible on their lists of Uni- churches." World conditions says Dr. Mott. The plans for versity lectures. It would be an evil also are far better than they these conferences reveal the day if the Bible should be crowded were 40 years ago. world-wide sense that there is out by the rush of modern life. Thereneed for Christian organizations fore, as an act of thanksgiving for the -Presbyterian Banner. to get together – nationally, in- Reformation, we propose to set on ternationally, interracially, de- foot a back-to-the-Bible movement. ChTistian Literature Needs nominationally. Our problems are world-wide and we all need "Citadels of Darkness" A representative gathering of each other's help in solving them." J. Merle Davis, in the Inter- various missionary pre sse s, national Review of Missions, church publishing houses and The second of the six is ar- calls attention to difficulties persons interested in missionary ranged by the Universal Chris- which confront missionaries to- vernacular literature meeting in tian Council for Life and Work, day of which their predecessors Bloemfontein last June made on Church, Community and never dreamed. several practical suggestions: State at Oxford next July; the third on Faith and Order meets Since the first Protestant mission- 1. Churches should cooperate to at Edinburgh in August, 1937; aries sailed for non-Christian lands produce one good Christian newspaper a year later, in August, 1938, the more than one hundred years ago, the World Student Christian Fed- work of foreign missions has become within each vernacular area. eration is to meet in Japan; in an increasingly complex undertaking. 2. For religious purposes, more use the autumn of the same year the Then, broadly speaking, mission strat- International Missionary Coun- egy called for a frontal attack upon should be made of the African secular cil will meet at Hangchow, heathen citadels of darkness. Today press, which is, on the whole, very China. Finally, in 1939, there is the missionary's task is rendered far sympathetic. to be a great gathering of Chris- more intricate by a formidable array tian Youth Movements, when the of new factors that have come upon 3. Provision should be made for the Christian youth of aH nations the field-anthropology, the compara- production of (a) simple Bible picwill be able to "size up" the tive study of religions, the renaissance tures, and (b) pictorial helps for Day findings of the preceding gather- of indigenous cultures, nationalism, School work. ings. disillusionment with western civiliza- tion, secular idealistic cults and the It was also urged that ma- Back to the Bible Movement whole network of influences let loose by the investment of western capital terial be supplied on the follow- Preparations are under way in mission lands with the disorganiza- ing topics: for the celebration in 1938 of tion of society and traditional ways of the fourth centenary of the life that have resulted from them. Missionary Development and Biog- Reformation, and of the English The church in mission lands finds its position undermined and its claim raphy. upon the allegiance of society chal- lenged by citadels of darkness that Notable Deeds of Africans. exist behind the missionary lines in the homelands. These, through the Nature Studies for Children. moving picture, literature and a hun- dred other ways have a rapidly in- Family and Home Life. creasing influence throughout the world. Hygiene (within smaller areas).
[52 ] Christian Conduct, and other purely Religious Subjects. .
The need for introducing lit- erature to the attention of the people was seen to be as urgent as the need for greater produc- tion.-South African Outlook.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
NORTH AMERIOA bring the missionary enterprise Mormons Oall for Sabbath into the heart of the program Observance Million Unit Fellowship was warmly welcomed. It was said that student movements Has anything like this oc- The "Million Unit Fellowship" needed the cutting edge of the curred in any Protestant denomof the Methodist Episcopal missionary appeal to deepen and ination of America? Church was formally launched strengthen their work. at Scranton, Pa., in November. Six thousand Mormon youth Renewed devotion to the stand- The most significant outcome gathered in a Sabbath observards of Christ; a study of social of the Oberlin meeting was the ance assembly to launch a cruand economic problems; and strong and positive conception sade for the recovery of the Sabgreater interest in world mis- of Christianity to which it gave bath! The leaders of the Morsions are among the goals of the expression. New emphasis was mon church are shocked at the Fellowship. Financially these placed on the effort to know and widespread desecration of the are to be expressed through follow the will of God, in place Sabbath and the growing spirit the underwriting of 1,000,000 of centering student work in the of lawlessness in America. This "units" or subscriptions of $1 a carrying through of related pro- movement is the result. Fifteen month to Methodist missions and grams of many sorts. states were represented by delebenevolences. gates at the conference. The -Missionary Herald. Mormons expect to push the cru- -Christian Advocate. sade in all the states where they Southern Baptists Send have any considerable popula- The Bishops' Orusade 15 Missionaries tion. Their goal is – no sports on the Sabbath, no movies, no The I a r g est simultaneous Fifteen new missionaries have dancing, no feasting, no type of Methodist project in recent been appointed to serve in the self-indulgence, no work that is years will be the "Bishops' Cru- foreign field under the auspices not absolutely necessary. The sade" to awaken the churches to of the Foreign Mission Board of meeting was called the Aronic their responsibility of winnning the Southern Baptist Conven- Priesthood Sabbath Observance the unchurched masses in Amer- tion. Thirteen were assigned to Assembly, and was held in the ica. Plans for the evangelistic China, one to Africa, and one to Mormon tabernacle. movement, to include the entire Brazil. A reduction in the mis- South, will be drawn at New sion debt during the past four -Presbyterian Banner. Orleans, January 5 to 7. Rallies years from $1,115,000 to $400,- in key-centers from coast to 000 is also announced. America's New Heathenism coast will then be held in the interest of foreign missions and During the past four years Dr. Samuel L. Joshi, noted the forward movement in the eighty-three new missionaries educator and East Indian, said churches. have been appointed, twenty- recently in Chicago that a hea- eight others reappointed, mak- thenism, worse than any anti- E. Stanley Jones, B ish 0 p ing a total of 111 reinforce- Christian movements or faiths Oxenham and others are to be ments. in the Orient or Europe, is growpresent at New Orleans to plead ing up in Christian America. for more evangelistic fervor. A Thrilling Work for Indians This heathenism is manifest chiefly in the utter disregard for Student Ohristian Advance Sage Memorial Hospital at the spiritual, and an exaltation Ganado, Arizona, is the only In- of the material and of natural- Last September, 0 be r lin, dian hospital in the southwest ism. Dr. Joshi urged church Ohio, was the scene of a meet- fully accredited this year by the people to seek a balance between ing of student Christian leaders American College of Surgeons. these elements in society, with that is certain to have far-reach- Its School of Nursing, the only greater emphasis on the spiring effects. The delegates were training school in the United itual. -The Living Church. representative of the principal States for American Indian student Christian organizations nurses, enrolled this year 19 Metlakahtla Independent – the National Intercollegiate students from 12 different In- Mission Christian Council of the com- dian tribes scattered fro m bined Y M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. Alaska to Arizona. The execu- Rev. William Duncan founded and the General Council of the tive of this Presbyterian Mission the Metlakahtla Independent Student Volunteer Movement. writes: Christian Mission on Annette Overtures were made to the Na- Island, twelve miles from Ketchtional Intercollegiate Christian Can anyone imagine a greater ikan, Alaska, in 1891. The enter- Council, asking that the Y. M. pioneering thrill than gathering in prise prospered materially and C. A. and the Y. W. C. A. join these splendid girls from their hogans, spiritually, until its far-reaching with all other interested bodies "wickiups," igloos, and tepees, from significance was recognized and in an effort to evolve an ade- all over this western country, and acknowledged by Christian leadquate plan of work in the inter- after three years of intensive training ers in distant lands. At the time est of world Christianity. This sending them back to establish a new of his death in 1918, Duncan's was agreed upon, and the plan to outlook on modern medicine on the last will and testament be- part of their people, and to have an active part in setting up new stand- ards of health and hygiene among their tribes?
queathed his accumulated prop- The people had been advised to many of their workers have erty and financial assets in trust deny them even a glass of water. passed through extremely diffito three co-trustees, appointed The following morning the whole cult experiences owing to the by him, with power to choose town turned out to see the here- fanaticism which still reigns in their successors, who we r e tics. In spite of the fact that many of the less accessible parts charged with certain clearly de- they had to pay five times as of the country. It is reported fined administrative responsi- much as the food served them that work which the Franciscans bilities: perpetuation of the was worth, they were gladdened carried on in the region of the Metlakahtla Independent Chris- by the response of the crowds. UcayaIi in the eighteenth centian Mission, and the support of tury is to be reopened by misits religious, educational and The priest endeavored to draw sionary priests. charitable activities; also, the the people away by ringing the support of similar work for such church bells, but they turned a The Christian and Missionary other native people in Alaska as deaf ear to the bells and listened Alliance has devoted a number these trustees may deem wise to the message of the colpor- of years to an attempt to found and proper. teurs. In one house where the work among the Campa Indians, colporteurs spent the night, the one of the few groups of numer- For a number of years, follow- landlady and other visitors ical importance. ing the death of William Dun- bought Bibles. On leaving the can,' the Metlakahtla Mission next morning their hostess EUROPE was supervised by Dr. Henry J. treated them to a royal break- Minthorn, a well-qualified Chris- fast because she said she be- British Pronouncement on War tian physician, uncle and foster- lieved them to be real ministers father of Herbert Hoover, for- of God, and worthy of the best Evangelical Free Churches of mer president of the United she could give. In one large city Great Britain have issued the States. -Christian Advocate. they spent four days. Doors following statement: were opened everywhere, and LATIN AMERICA from the highest government The Federal Council of the Evan- officials and lawyers, down to the gelical Free Churches, believing that The Missionary Spirit in Cuba poor cholo on the street, all the ultimate sources of war lie in un- heard the Good News of Salva- regenerate human nature, appeals to Children at the Protestant tion. Christians everywhere to rededicate Episcopal Mission in Cardenas, themselves to win men and women for Cuba, received Christmas gifts "Good Neighbor Policy" the Lord Jesus Christ and the acceptfrom the children of Trinity and Missions ance of the full obligations of Chris- Church, Seattle, and in return tian discipleship as the final guarantee made up a scrapbook of photo- Charles E. Maddry, Executive of world peace. graphs and notes about their Secretary of the Southern Bapmission. They have a plain little tist Foreign Mission Board, says The council not only refuses to acchapel in a rented house in Car- that Uncle Sam's "good neigh- knowledge that war is inevitable, but denas, a city of 40,000. More bor policy" has done much to reaffirms its conviction that universal than 100 children are in the open doors of missionary oppor- peace is the mind and purpose of mission school. tunity in South America. Dr. Christ. It holds that Christians Maddry spent four and a half everywhere should not support any Without waiting until they months on a missionary journey war with regard to which the governhad a better church themselves, through the four countries of ment of their country has declined to in 1930 this Mission started a South America in which South- submit the dispute to impartial settlemission of its own at !tabo, a ern Baptists have work, namely: ment by judicial decision, conciliation, village of 1,500 about 35 miles Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and or arbitration. . . • away, holding services in a Chile. As a result of his messhabby old bakeshop. For the sages, 1,500 turned to God. Dr. It urges Christian people in our past five years they have been Maddry described Bahai, Brazil, own land actively to cultivate to their working to build a little brick the Catholic capital of South utmost power friendly relations with church at Itabo, to cost $1,700. America, as the most fanatical the people of other nations, especially city he had ever visited. There with those who share with them a Pioneering in Ecuador are 365 Catholic churches in this supreme loyalty to Jesus Christ, and city of 400,000 people. . to this end to support such work as is A Christian and Missionary carried on by the British Christian Alliance worker writes of a trip -Baptist Message. Council for International Friendship,. with two native colporteurs Life and Work. through southern E c u ado r, Peruvian Indians where there is great need for the -British Weekly. Gospel. In the first town where The Synod of the Iglesia the colporteurs passed the night Evangelica Peruana, which is Evangelicals in Spain the police authorities had to composed exclusively of nacompel a man to rent them a tionals, reports a year of con- Spain has only 22,000 Evanroom and give them their meals. siderable b I e s sin g, although gelical Christians. Before the' recent uprising there were less than fifty ordained Evangelical ministers and under a hundred full-time evangelists and colpor- teurs. There are 6,000 full members in the churches, and up till recently there were nearly 7,500 children in Evangelical schools.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Most of the foreign workers The Christlicher Volksfreund boys – Christians, Moslems and have now been expelled from the says that a Conference of the Jews-are grouped in four "Y" country. Meanwhile meetings Societies of the Godless has de- clubs, each with a university stu- continue in private h 0 use s. cided to award a prize of 25,000 dent as leader. One club of 25 Neither the Evangelical churches rubles for the best antireligious recently elected as president a of Spain nor the foreign organ- poem. Mohammedan; sec ret a r y, a izations interested in their work Copt; sports leader, a Jew, and have attempted to take political The Deutches Pfarrerblatt social leader, a Presbyterian. sides in the present tragic con- says the Soviet Government will flict. -The Life of Faith. permit entry into Russia of Bi- In Alexandria a group of 47 bles in non-Russian languages. came from 20 schools, 12 na- German Church Cause Lost? Bibles in French, English or tionalities and seven religions. Dutch would pay a tax of about Accommodations are needed in Pastor Niemoller expresses six rubles in foreign currency- Cairo for 300 boys to demoncomplete discouragement over a prohibitive impost. While strate the value of a Christian the Church and State situation 12,000 ecclesiastics are still at program on a large scale. in Germany. No religious paper their posts, over 40,000 have in Germany, he says, now dares dropped out of sight; many are Converts in Ethiopia to publish what it thinks. No in concentration camps. man dares to speak without first Mr. Allan Webb, of the Sudan looking anxiously around to see AFRICA Interior Mission, writes: who may be listening. "The stroke of a pen is now sufficient Moslem Expansion One amazing thing is the ready sale to dissolve synods and church for the Word of God in this country. councils, and no one can know An event of wide religious im- Comparatively few can read, but a what church buildings, in two portance is the movement for crowd quickly gathers to listen to any years, may not be turned into Moslem missionary expansion one who can read aloud. These people theaters." The neopagan move- which has its sou r c e and also love listening to a story well told ment, whose most outspoken ad- strength in the University of the around the fire,s at night. One story, vocate is Baldur von Schirach, Azhar at Cairo. Not only in of which they never tire, is that of the official leader of the Nazi youth Cairo, the intellectual center of Prodigal Son. It is wonderful to organizations, grows constantly the Moslem world, but in other watch the expressions flit over their bolder, and no one now dares to centers of Moslem influence it is faces and to hear the grunts, as each speak openly against it. The maintained that Islam has a point makes its appeal, and is clearly Buppression of Pro t est ant much needed message of peace, understood. This opens a mighty schools in Wiirttemberg and in brotherhood, sharing, sobriety sphere for a native evangelist, who Bavaria has been scarcely no- and a slowing down of the com- will move from place to place, telling ticed. petitive rush and heartless rival- the same story and returning peri- ries of the European people. odically to the mission station to learn The New York Herald-Trib- another Bible story. une contrasts the courage of One of the latest plans of the Evangelical Christians with the Moslem missionary movement is Mr. Harry Glover, of the same ,opposition groups. to send missions of students Mission, tells of helping to exam- from the Azhar to study in the ine six candidates for baptism, No group of men of science, no universities of Europe, in order five of whom were lepers. On :academy of teachers or of artists, no to gain knowledge and experi- the following Sunday these were bar association, has risked concentra- ence for European indoctrina- baptized, and with them Man- tion camp for scientific, academic or tion in the tenets of Islam. Mis- gasha, Dr. Tom Lambie's per- :artistic ideals. One group, and one sionary efficiency of a high order sonal servant. alone, inside Germany, has had the is a recognized necessity if th~ courage and the daring to attack European peoples are to be won. -Moody Institute Monthly. fundamental theses of the totalitarian state, and attack them openly, read -The Indian Witness. An African's Parable -them publicly, sign their names and give their addresses, in the face of the The "Y" in Egypt A letter from Kenya, East dictatorship and for Germany and all Africa, says that African Chris- the world to see . . . the pastors of There are many points of ten- tians frequently speak in par- the Confessional German Evangelical sion among Jews, Moslems and ables which have originated in Church. Christians, and this is felt keenly their own minds, and gives as an in Egypt. Anti-Semitic feeling illustration one -from a former Situation in Russia is growing there. A prominent herdboy. Egyptian Christian said recently The Reformed Constitution that even he is becoming con- It was this boy's custom to -for Russia promoted by Stalin, scious of this animosity-some- take the cattle and goats to the which grants a measure of re- thing he had never felt before. water to drink, about noon. One ligious freedom, recognizes the day the river had risen suddenly declaration of Lenin that "it A Y. M. C. A. secretary in after heavy rain, and a large was just to consider religion as Cairo, Wilbert B. Smith, says crocodile appeared. It ignored an idea and personal sentiment that hope in this realm lies with the goats, and deliberately seized -that could not be forbidden." the boys. A hundred Egyptian and tore to pieces a fine cow. "Satan is like a crocodile," said he. "He is very strong and is afraid of nothing. And he is
like a hunter; if he is out to kill A missionary Retreat and a have been driven to their knees an elephant, he won't bother native clergy Retreat are first under conviction of their lack of about small deer – he can get steps in preparation for the Dia- faith in the God of miracles. them any time. And just as that mond Jubilee. Further steps Revival always began in confes- crocodile did not want goats will be taken when missions will sion of sin–confession which is when he could get a cow, so be held in every district, cul- edifying, true scriptural confes- Satan does not mind about minating in a central service of sion. No revival would result if heathen if he can get a Chris- thanksgiving and renewal in the Christians would not humble tian. While we are still in dark- cathedral, probably in Septem- themselves before God. ness we are his already, and he ber. can have us any day; but when At the final meeting the mes- we come out and join Jesus Christian Council of sage was "The Cross of Christ." Christ, then Satan tries his hard- South Africa est to get us back. So don't WESTERN ASIA think that being a Christian Following upon the Edinburgh means an easy life." Conference of 1910, National One Hundred Years' Christian Councils have func- Bible Work -C. M. S. Outlook. tioned with increasing useful- ness. They act as a bond of fel- The mission school in Scutari, Dictionary for Umbundu lowship between the different Turkey, recently celebrated a Christians churches and missionary agen- century of service of the Amer- cies, and accomplish important ican Bible Society in the Near In compiling a dictionary, just results in the coordination of East. Most of the American off the press, Mr. R. L. Wilson, Christian work. In June, 1936, Board missionaries were pres- of the United Church of Canada the Christian Council of South ent, as well as native pastors and Mission, has rendered real serv- Africa was established, and al- colporteurs. Dr. F. W. Mac- ice to Umbundu Christians. This ready twenty – seven churches Callum, now engaged in com- will make it possible for them and missionary societies have pleting the new translation of to profit by the considerable beeome affiliated. Committees the Scriptures in Turkish, pre- amount of evangelical literature will deal with Education, Evan- sided. Selbi Aghassian, read the now published in the Portuguese gelism, Literature, M e d i c a I Scripture lesson, Luke 4: 16-37, language. Equally important is Work, Native Welfare, Women's from the old Armeno-Turkish the fact that a knowledge of Work and Youth Movements. translation of 1831. Pap e r s Portuguese will open to Um- were read on the work of the bundu Christians those parts of South Africa will now be offi- great translators, Riggs, Schauf- the Scriptures which have not cially represented for the first fler and Goodell. yet been translated into their na- time at a world meeting of the tive language. The new diction- International Missionary Coun- -Bible Society Record. ary has nearly five thousand cil, and the Christian Council of carefully selected Portuguese South Africa is entitled to send International College words, with Umbundu terms to nine delegates to the next world Transferred represent their equivalents in meeting in 1938 at Hangchow. that language. Plans are in hand for the com- International College, which pilation of a Direetory of South for many years has performed a -United Church Record. African Missions, through the valuable work as a Christian in- cooperation of the World Do- stitution in Smyrna, is being Sixty Years in Uganda minion Press. transferred to Beirut, Syria, and affiliated with the American Uni- It was in 1877 that Uganda's -South African Outlook. versity there. Due to govern- first missionaries walked up mental regulations relating to from the coast. This year is the Revival in South Africa all educational work, it was diamond jubilee of their arrival. found increasingly difficult to Could they have looked into the The South African campaigns continue the work in Symrna. future they would have seen in of Mr. J. Edwin Orr are still The new ararngement is to con- Uganda a flourishing church producing results and over 5,000 tinue on an experimental basis with some 7(J native clergy, people professed decision for for five years. 17,000 baptisms and 6,000 con- Christ in seven weeks. From firmations each year; and close every center comes news of spir- Giving Criminals a Chance . to the site where many of the itual quickening among Chris- early converts were done to tians, especially at Durban, Kok- Turkey is trying an experi- death stands a magnificent ca- stad and Bloemfontein, capital ment in the treatment of crim- thedral. Persecution now is of the Orange Free State. It is inals. The plan is being carried rare and a generation of Chris- reported that the results of his out, under the direction of the tians has arisen, many of whom preaching at Bloemfontein, a Minister of Justice, on Imrali have had no experience of con- difficult place for aggressive Island in the Sea of Marmora, version, nor of the stabilization work, are amazing, astounding about 20 miles from Istanbul. A of character through Christian even the most optimistic, who Turkish paper says: Every con- home training. vict is regarded as a pathological
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
case, with a tendency to moral are desperately poor the Bible is in men mISSIOnaries. This dedisease through birth or environ- in many cases given to them cline is a serious matter in view ment. When the sickness is es- without charge, though they pay of the unprecedented opportunitablished through legal channels in them, a little when able. They ties which exist in India today. it is necessary to confine him for greatly appreciate the Society's Literally tens of thousands of ina period in a psychological sana- interest in them, and often it is quirers are pressing for admistarium, where he is protected with tear-dimmed eyes that they sion and there are not enough from harmful elements in so- accept the gift. One of the spe- workers to deal with them. The ciety and where he can be made cial needs of the Iran field is a large mission boards have many into a useful member of society. motor car, that the work may be vacancies, but few candidates. Every convict will be given the more effectively supervised. opportunity to prove by his con- A Movable School duct that he is no longer a dan- -The Christian. gerous character. From this For over 20 years the Sangli point of view, prisons will be re- INDIA-BURMA Industrial and Agricultural garded as hospitals; the word School has been tackling the punishment will be discarded, The Indian Opium Trade problems of rural life. It has and the idea of cure will be sub- been offering courses in agriculstituted. As the stay of a pa- This year a notable step has ture, blacksmithing, carpentry, tient in an insane asylum is not been taken by the Government masonry, motor mechanics and a matter of a fixed period, so of British India to curtail ex- tailoring to boys of middle and must it be in the sanatarium ports of opium to limit its use high school age, chiefly of "unwhich is called the prison. First for medical and scientific pur- touchable" origin. For more offenders who pass the examina- poses. This will contribute much mature young men there are spetion of good conduct will be toward the solution of one of cial short courses in intensive treated leniently. Second of- the great social problems of the agriculture and motor mechanfenders will be looked upon as world. In 1900 the Government ics. Most of the students are natural enemies of society and of India decided to reduce opium either Christian, or from Chriswill be subject to the usual sys- exports to China by progressive tian background. For five years tem of punishment and expia- steps and to stop them alto- the school has been offering spetion. gether by 1917 if China give cial courses for Leadership clear evidence that she had Training in Rural Reconstruc- In about one year, this experi- ceased to cultivate the poppy. tion, lasting six weeks, a longer ment has netted some excellent In 1913 the exports were abol- period than that of any similar results. ished in spite of the continued course in India. manufacture of opium by China. Torchbearers for Iran The Indian Government, since In addition, the Sangli School 1915, has sought to limit opium has been carrying on extension It is among the youth of Iran exports to governments of im- work. Its outstanding agency that the new spirit is most evi- porting countries that agreed to for this work is the Sangli Movdent. Many a young man buys its use only for legitimate pur- able School. This consists of a a copy of the New Testament in poses. This is further than in- Ford 11f2-ton truck, in which is Persian and one in French for ternational conventions require carried almost every article usethe purpose of language study. and has reduced Indian revenue ful for village uplift work. Before long the message grips from opium from 81,000,000 There are numerous illustrated him, and he finds himself chal- Rupees in 1910-13 to 1,900,000 charts and posters, touching uplenged by the Truth. Rupees in 1934-5. The con- on various phases of village life; sumption per capita in India has a medicine chest or traveling The nomad tribes offer an es- also been reduced 16 per cent in dispensary for the more compecially needy field. Rev. A. three years.-British Informa- mon ailments; a circulating li- Nakhosteen, a colporteur for the tion Service. brary and books for sale; a British and Foreign Bible So- crate or two of chickens and a ciety, describes a visit to one of Decline in Missionary Force couple of good milk goats. the largest of these. Great was their delight upon receIvmg The new Directory of Chris- The truck, charts and posters Scriptures in their own tongue. tian Missions and Churches in are Sangli-made, and a great Ten expressed a desire to follow India, Burma and Ceylon, just deal of the equipment is pro- Christ and later asked for bap- published, shows that there are duced right there. There are tism. now 4,467 missionaries com- all kinds of seed samples for pared with 6,030 at the end of field and garden crops and speci- Then there are the lonely 1933. This decrease consists of mens of improved cotton, wool, islanders in the Persian Gulf. 324 men, 295 women and 944 sweet potatoes, bunch-type pea- So far as known, a colporteur is wives. This latter figure is nuts, etc. This Movable School the first Christian worker to go partly due to the enumeration has its own portable generating there. He has sold about 2,000 only of those who are engaged unit, stereopticon and movie books. in full work, but one-third is cer- projector. At night the sur- tainly due to the large decrease There are thousands of Russian refugees in Iran, and as they
roundings are lit up like fairy- much discussed scheme for a powerful one, but this year a land, and there have been as mass change of religion on the new one has been installed, and many as 3,500 people sitting out part of India's 57-70 million Un- for nine hours every day this in the open for the illustrated touchables to a new phase. station is sending out its pro- lectures. The aim is to touch -Christian Science Monitor. gram, which can be heard not only in China, but in Japan, the every phase of rural life, eco- Philippines, Australia, New Zeanomic, physical, mental, social From Pagoda to Clinic land and all over the Far East. and religious. Bible classes have in Burma been conducted for the men of Bricks of an old pagoda are While the chief aim of the stathe village as early as five a. m. being used to build a new clinic tion is "evangelizing China by The Indian crew consists of in Mong Yang, Shan States, radio," the programs are varied, three fine leaders, and the mis- Burma. Rev. Raymond Buker and comprise music, talks on sionary director is frequently writes that several evangelists homemaking, child problems, along. His first assistant is an in that area are clinically cured outstanding Christian, so valu- lepers, and their influence for health, nursing, biographical able that he has had many talks, Bible study and a daily tempting offers from elsewhere. Christ is strong. He believes children's period. At fixed times that a movement among the peo- talks are given in local dialects -Pre8byterian Tribune. ple of that great area is immi- nent. Translation of the Gospel for the benefit of those who do Indian Christian Witnessing of John in the Hkuin dialect is not understand Mandarin or "Shanghai."
Indian Christians take their being started, and other founda- Letters received indicate the religion seriously. Called upon tion work is being attempted in favorable response. A shopkeepto bear personal witness to their addition to station and medical er who had been listening while faith, about half the communi- work, and touring. at work wrote to ask how he cants of the diocese of Dornakal should proceed to become a responded by going from village – Watchman-Examiner. Christian. A department manto village in bands to carry the ager of a railway made his demessage of Christ to nearly a CHINA cision to become a Christian bequarter of a million men and cause of messages heard at his women. New Venture in Evangelism office. A home broken with dis- cord has found peace, and the The results were as follows: The Market Town Evangeliza- husband and wife have enrolled tion Campaign is a systematic, in the Bible Institute as a result Two thousand, four hundred and thorough, seed – sowing cam- of the radio. fifty-seven villages were visited by paign, designed to go to every bands of people telling of Christ. market town in China, of which -The Chronicle. there are said to be 40,000 and, Two hundred and fifty-nine thou- stopping in these market towns, Movies for Literacy sand (approximately) heard about reach out in house-to-house visi- Christ.
Three hundred and four new villages are asking for instruction as to tation, open-air and indoor Moving pictures have been enhow to become Christians. preaching until every home in listed by the Chinese Govern- ment in a fight to the finish with Four thousand and fifty-one have every village surrounding the handed in their names as being desirous of becoming Christians in the market towns have had the Gos- Kistna Area (about half the diocese). pel taken to them. These work- illiteracy. They will be used es- pecially to meet the problem of Fifty thousand pamphlets, etc., were ers not only distribute and ditributed. Of these, 18,415 were Gos- preach the Word by the wayside, educating adults, under the supel portions. pervision of the Chinese Min- Twenty thousand Gospels were in the fields and in the homes, istry of Education. A special either sold or given to people. but also constantly seek every committee has been organized to -The Living Church. opportunity of personal appeal. purchase production and proj- Each market town is said to ection equipment, and to super- Maharaja Leads Reform have an average of 25 villages vise the training of technical The Maharaja of Travancore, surrounding it, which makes a staffs for the educational picture celebrating his 25th birthday on studios. total of about 1,000,000 villages November 13, issued a proclama- Nanking's movies are to be tion wiping out caste distinction in this great field of 483,000,000 100 per cent educational. Suit- . in Hindu temples of his State. able topics for the educational souls. productions, according to prin- He gave the depressed castes- ciples laid down by the education the so-called "Untouchables"- Special courses of training are ministry, are chapters from his- the right to enter and worship tory, especially those with a pa- being given the workers in this in the temples on an equal foot- undertaking. _ -Oriental Missionary Standard.
ing. This marks a unique occa- Church of the Air triotic moral or lesson. sion in the history of India. Some authorities predict that The first transmitter of the The films are to teach also elesimilar measure~ will follow in Christian Broadcasting Associa- mentary scientific and sanitary tion, Shanghai, was not a very principles, modern methods of other states. This brings the farming and industrial methods.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Motion pictures thus produced even the strongest would do well in Milwaukee. The Brotherhood will form a major part of the to combine with others. China has set for itself the dbjective of curricula of the adult mass edu- has thirteen Christian colleges winning 100,000 converts to cation institutes which are to be and universities, and about 250 Christianity in the next ten opened throughout the country middle schools. years.
during the coming five years. Beyond this, "In the near fu- General Chang on Bible Study Bible Schools in Manchuria ture," Mr. Kaneko declared, "we have a vision of a Christian General Chang Chih-kiang, Two short-term Bible schools after an extended trip through were held recently in Manchuria Japan. Think what a step that the United States and Europe, by the Canadian Presbyterian Mission. Over fifty men, includ- will be toward a C h r i s t ian world." -The Living Church.
speaks with clarity and enthu- ing many evangelists, gathered Japanese Christian's View siasm of the place of Bible study at Cheng Chia Tjun for six in personal, family and national weeks' intensive Bible instruc- Rev. T. Takamatsu, in the progress. "The great message tion. The evangelists showed English preface to his book, of these Scriptures," he declares, progress in their knowledge of "Building the New World for "is summarized in the words, the Bible and in their spiritual God," published in Japanese, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as lives. For the women's Bible- says that in the era since 1860 thyself.' When this becomes the school, Bible-women and teach- too much emphasis has been laid universal rule international dis- ers a t ten d e d from over on science, with the result that cord will give way to world-wide seventeen centers, and entered the present generation is suffergoodwill." heartily into study of the Word. ing the loss of religious faith.
General Chang is chairman of The importance of the s e The whole nation is facing a the National Callisthenics' As- schools, in instructing and en- great spiritual crisis. The need sociation, and the primary pur- couraging native evangelists is for religious faith has suddenly pose of his journey was to in- apparent when it is realized that been expressed from various vestigate methods of physical at present the mission has only quarters, and many insist that training used in Western coun- two missionary families on the any sort of religious faith will tries. While in America and field, while throughout the same do. Even a fish head is thought England he accepted many invi- district the Roman Catholic worthy to be an object of wortations to address church and Church has over 100 priests and ship. Recent tragedies, howstudent gatherings, and was the nuns from Quebec. ever, have proved how important -Life of Faith. is the object of faith. Nothing guest of honor at numerous functions.-Chinese Recorder. is more harmful than a mistaken Religious Education belief. . . .
Christian School Fellowship Nobody is satisfied with the A writer in the Chinese Re- The Religious Education Fel- present condition of the world. We all want to have a better corder is not satisfied with the lowship in China now has a world to come. But in order to membership of nearly 700. The bring a better world everyone in present status of China's Chris- purpose of this fellowship is to the world must be filled with the seek to link together those who spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, tian schools. He summarizes the are at work in the various fields and determined to offer the situation as follows: . of religious education. It is open world to God.
1. The Christian schools as a whole to those who are nominated by a Progress Is Slow are making a large contribution. They member present. The duties of have considerable prestige, are well the members are (1) to pray for managed and are growing steadily.
2. A large minority are small and weak, with poor equinment, and are not able to meet the increasingly diffi- each other, (2) to share with Bishop Heaslett, of South cult problems of reduced mission sup- each other the problems and re- Tokyo, says: port and competition with government sults of their work, and (3) to schools. form local fellowships wherever Advance is slow everywhere in Japan. This is the experience of all 3. The Christian character of the schools has suffered owing to a de- possible. Dr. T. T. Lew is chair- Christian bodies. Statements that creasing proportion of Christian stu- hundreds or thousands have been condents and faculty. man. -Sunday School News. verted or won for Christ through a 4. Programs of religious activities campaign are easily misunderstood.
are disorganized as a result of JAPAN-CHOSEN The most that can be said of the rechanges in government relationships, sults of campaigns running into large and in administration. Test of a Ohristian numbers is that so many have ex- 5. It is possible by cooperative plan- pressed a desire to hear more. In no ning and mergers of weak schools to "In Japan we do not consider sense are these people converted, and maintain the present prestige and a man a practicing Christian position. until he has won his man to a percentage of five baptisms out of a hundred such inquiries is good gain. 6. It is possible by wise, vigorous Weare handicapped by the poverty measures to greatly enhance their Christ," was the challenge laid of our mission, by our lvck of sllffi- Christian contribution. cient personnel, by our shortcomings down by Tadao Kaneko, general in educational and literary activities, This writer believes there are s.ecretary of the Brotherhood of find by the smallness of our social ef- too many weak schools, and that St. Andrew in Japan, speaking forts. . . . The divine origin of Chris-
tianity is proved abundantly in the kuo. Money was given freely to ually to fall into disuse, and to fact that we see such good results from such feeille efforts. help in many different parts of replace it by regional colonies which, they believe, will be -C. M. S. Outlook. the land, and the various com- closer to the people and more mittees reported well-thought- The Ainu Race out plans for meeting the many easily managed. The Elders of The Ainu, despised class of needs of the native church. This the United Evangelical Church Assembly proved conclusively in Culion Colony have now sent Japan, seem destined to extinc- that the Korean Church has a memorandum to the General tion, unless something is done. come of age, and is seriously try- Moderator of the United Evan- They have been the victims of ing to care for her own needs. gelical Church in the Philippine compulsory servitude and com- Islands. After citing and appulsory tribute, under penalty of -Christian Observer. proving of the new law in regard death. Formerly, for many to the care of lepers, the Elders years, they were not even per- ISLANDS OF THE SEA beg the Moderator to help them see to it that there shall be Protmitted to cultivate the land, and Religious Awakening in estant workers in each of the to educate them was a criminal the Philippines new leprosaria. Such workers offense. They were regarded as would be chosen lepers within a blot upon Japan's escutcheon. Representatives of a number each colony whose living would of Evangelical churches in the be provided by the government. This is not the government's Philippines met last August to It is believed that $65 a year view, which now desires to af- pray and plan for an evan- will suffice for each worker. ford them opportunity to rise; gelistic campaign to last from but public opinion deems them November 2, 1936, to February -Without the Camp. unworthy of preservation. Al- 28, 1937. Preparation was coholism, largely due to the in- made by special prayer, group Concerning the Oollection troduction of sake, is a factor in study of a pamphlet on spiritual their poverty and disease, and revival and by sermons, during A recently appointed worker tuberculosis is making heavy in- the pre-Pentecostal per i 0 d- in the mountain area of the roads upon their numbers. fifty days preceding November Philippines says it would almost 2. A careful follow-up is to suc- make one weep to see Christians -Alliance Weekly. ceed the revival campaign. putting their gifts into the col- lection plate. Money is terribly New Life in Korea This pamphlet is rich in sug- scarce. An egg is a rare and gestion, challenge and spiritual choice possession to most of the There is renewed enthusiasm people, and eggs are their fain the younger generation of the stimulus. Among other things, vorite form of offering. Some- Korean Church, and Christian the forty-two page booklet, of times there is a piece of rope put Endeavorers have been espe- which thousands of copies have on the plate, signifying that cially active. The total member- been purchased, contains the fol- there is a fowl or animal of some ship of the Epworth Leagues is kind waiting outside the church reported to be more than six lowing: door as an offering. thousand. The primary duty of the Christian -Syirit of Missions. The fifth summer conference Church is to witness to Christ. . . . for religious instruction was If it fails to do this it will spiritually Pioneering in Canary Islands held at Union Christian College, decay and die. . . . All kinds of Pyengyang under the joint au- Christian work are only different spices of the College Y. M. C. A. ways by which we witness to the ade- quate Gospel of Christ.
Jesus is the Master Teacher and shows by His example how to work and the Christian Endeavorers with individuals and with groups. The Canary Islands (in the of that city in August. More North Atlantic Ocean), noted as than 600 members were enrolled Examples are given of the a source of cochineal dye, are and a devotional spirit was methods and fruits of personal also a needy mission field. Rodeeply manifest throughout the work and of cases in the Philip- man Catholicism has had undis- pines of witnessing by organ- turbed sway for centuries, until conference. -Korea Mission Field. ized Gospel teams composed of two years ago when William F. church members; of witnessing Sirag, a graduate of the Moody Korean General Assembly in homes and by Christian Bible Institute, answered the The General Assembly of homes; of the use of evangelistic call and settled in Santa Cruz de . Presbyterian Churches in Korea literature and through Christian Tenerife, a city with a populawas held in Kwangju last fall, schools. tion of 38,000. The whole island with 200 Koreans and 34 for- An interdenominational na- has more than 200,000 people. eigners. There were divisive tional convention will be held in Last July, special services forces that caused sharp debate Manila the second week in Feb- were held in the theater of Santa and threatened to disrupt the ruary. Cruz, where gatherings of na- Assembly, but the moderator's Leper Work in the P. I. tives, most of whom had :r:ever tact preserved the peace. The heard the preaching of the Gos- foreign mis~ion program was The new Philippine Govern- pel before, listened attentively to expanded to include a worker ment plans to allow the great the stirring messages. among the Chinese in Manchu- Leper Colony at Culion grad- -Moody Institute Monthly.
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. I,i Our Missionary Bookshelf 1_ l Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~,====~=–===-==-====""",-===—=—==–==–=~-=-,~ India and the Christian Movement. it be preached? What will be vation, sanctification, consecra- By V. Z. Azariah. 128 pp. Paper. the result? tion, but these are made clear 8 annas. Christian Literature So- by Mr. Goodman's simple, brief ciety for India, Madras. 1936. The ninety-six pages (in large definitions, wit h appropriate type) are divided into three Scripture references. Under the The Anglican Bishop of Dor- parts: The Gospel We Preach, head of "Accretions" the author nakal is an Indian Christian of The Beauty of the Christian deals plainly with ecclesiastical great ability and consecration. F'aith, and The Accretions. The formalities, ceremonies, and or- He notes the great changes that fifteen chapters are subdivided ganizations which obscure the have come over India and in par- under various topics, with nu- simplicity of the Gospel. ticular over the religious situa- merous supporting quotations tion and the shift of emphasis and cit a t ion s of Scripture. Taken as a whole, this is an from the mission to the church, These divisions and subdivisions excellent handbook for one who in the last quarter of a century. almost make the book appear like aspires to win souls, and also for Here the Bishop has given us a an analytical chart of the sub- the inquirer about the Way. brief but comprehensive and ject, were it not for the author's thoughtful study of the land and brief, pointed comments, ex- ROBERT M. KURTZ. peoples, the religions, the wom- planations, and exhortations. en, Christian progress in India, Short sentences are the rule, and New Testament Principles and Modthe Church, the problems of the they are forceful and to the ern Missions. By a Missionary future and the unevangelized point, as for example these, ad- Secretary. Pamphlet. 6d. World areas. Among the problems as dressed to preachers, upon the Dominion Press. London. 1936. he sees them are (1) spiritual subject of appealing for dequickening, (2) evangelism, (3) cision: The question of the ideal mischurch union, (4) Christians in sionary aims and methods is civil life, (5) the missionary and "There is nothing in which the still debated. The World Dothe Church, (6) Indian youth, young preacher errs more readily than minion MovemeI:t stands for (7) Rural reconstruction, (8) in this matter of appeals to his hear- what it conceives to be the New education, (9) literature, and ers. His earnestness and desire for Testament methods for extend- (10) unoccupied areas. The their salvation leads him to keep on ing the Gospel and planting inmost needy provinces are Cen- urging them to take the all-important digenous churches. The anonytral India, Punjab, Rajputana, step. But appeals fail of their pur- mous author of the present trea- Kashmir, Baluchistan, Sin d, pose when they are reiterated so often tise contends that we have failed Gwalior, and Bihar. as to become wearisome and to lose all to extend the realm of Christ in effect on the conscience; when they proportion as we have failed to "In many parts of India there are so mixed as to cause confusion; follow the methods of St. Paul, are still entire communities, when they follow an address in which the great apostolic missionary. classes and castes that are al- little or no instruction is given or His method was to plant living most untouched even in so-called Gospel preached." (P. 32.) Seed in great centers and then 'occupied areas.' " go forward to plant elsewhere. Or take this statement, sim- He proclaimed the living Gospel The Gospel We Preach, and the plifying things for the layman: of Life and soon his churches Beauty of the Christian Faith. By became self-supporting, s e I f- George Goodman. 96 pp. 1s. net. "Here is a threefold reason for com- governing and seU-propagating Pickering & Inglis. London. 1936. ing to Christ. For salvation, service, under the guidance and power and sanctification. To rest from guilt of the Holy Spirit. Most mod- In his introduction Mr. Good- and sin. To submit to Him in the obe- ern missionary societies have man tells us that this book was dience of faith; and to learn of Him, succeeded in building up foreign written in response to requests so as to become like Him. supported and controlled instifrom several persons who com- tutions. The pamphlet is worthy plained that "Our young men "For God has a threefold aim in of careful consideration. are not preaching the Gospel." our salvation. Our relief from guilt He has therefore given us here and sin; our obedience to His will; Portuguese East Africa. By Ed- our character, having predestinated wardo Moreira. Maps and Statisan outline of Christian truth, de- us to be conformed to the likeness of tics. 8 vo. 104 pp. 3s. 6d. World signed to answer the questions, His dear Son, from Whom we must Dominion Press. London. 1936. What is the Gospel? How must learn." (P. 34f.) Portugal is a small country, The layman often has a very comparatively weak and insig- vague idea of the meaning of the terms, repentance, conversion, justification, regeneration, sal- Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[61 ]
nificant in Europe but with im- and the sufferings of those who cases, also, he spent so much of mense possessions in East and were its victims. his time in refuting what he West Africa. These territories deems erroneous opinions, that exercise great influence on the "On Sunday, February 22, he left himself little time to exfuture of the continent. This 1931, the bandits decided they plain what he wanted his hearsurvey deals only with East could wait no longer for the ran- ers to accept as the right view. Africa. Portugal has been in som, so they led Rev. Tvedt and For example, nearly ten of the control here for four hundred Rev. Nelson to an open space, fourteen pages of the chapter on years but until recently did little tied them with ropes, and made "The Triune God" are devoted to develop her colony. It has a them kneel on the ground. Us- to preliminary discussions becoastline 1,615 miles long on the ing bamboo poles the tormentors fore he comes to the Trinity. He Indian Ocean, and the country beat them across the shoulders effectively advocates the deity of consists of forested hills, high until they were so bruised and Christ in several chapters, but a mountains, plateau, lakes, rivers, sore that they could not sleep listener who heard only the radio fertile valleys, a temperate cli- for many nights. The bandits address on "What is the Deity mate and a total popUlation of claimed that if supplies or ran- of Christ?" must have been be- 4,028,946 in an area of 287,756 some money did not come soon wildered when all but the last square miles. Evangelical mis- they would do worse things." two minutes were given to exsion work began in 1823. Today plaining what it is not and only eighteen Protestant missions This was only a portion of a few assertions at the close have work there and four Ro- their measure of suffering. The show what it is. As usual, Dr. man Catholic organizations; be- six months of captivity dragged Machen interprets the Bible sides there are eight independent out into twenty-two months of from the viewpoint of sevennative bodies. The largest Prot- exile. His companion was re- teenth century theology and estant mission is the Swiss with leased, but Nelson paid the price philosophy. He discusses at 45 missionaries and the next is with his death. length other and later interprethe American Methodist with 19. tations, but he rejects them and The total number of Protestant A final chapter deals with regards all who differ with him communicants reported is 19,- Communism or Christianity as as "Modernists" who deny "the 696 with about the same number the alternative for China. The faith once for all delivered." He of probationers. Roman Cath- book is in every way attractive, is, however, less belligerent in olics work in 40 stations and 179 especially as it gives facsimile this book than in most of his outstations, with 132 mission- copies of the first and last notes writings. Indeed he is occaaries and 241 native helpers. sent out by Mr. Nelson during sionally genial and almost ironic. his captivity, The book contains much that is This survey gives a brief his- admirable, par-ticularly the chaptory of mission work in the col- We regret that the English ters on God, the resurrection and ony, describes the character of style of the book is so faulty, es- the testimony of Paul. Readers the work and the attitude of the pecially in the use of the abbre- who accept his basic assumpgovernment. The appendices viation "Rev." without personal tions will undoubtedly regard deal with statistics, Bible work, name or article. It jars the mind the whole as entirely convincing. and the legal status of missions. to read that the missionaries The northern part of the terri- spared no effort "trying to con- ARTHUR J. BROWN. tory, with over three millions, is tact the General . . . and they still largely unoccupied for did not forget to contact the The Only Hope of Church or World. Christ. Source of Power." What Is It? By W. B. Riley, A.M., D.D. 158 pp. 2/ net. Pickering The Apostle to the Chinese Commu- S. M. ZWEMER. & Inglis. London. 1936. nists. By Daniel Nelson. 139 pp. $1.00. Board of Foreign Missions The Christian Faith in the Modern The author, who is widely of the Norwegian Lutheran Church ·World. By J. Graham Machen. known as a Bible teacher and a of America. Minneanolis, Minn. 256 pp. $2.00. Macmillan. New writer upon evangelistic sub- York. 1936. jects, has published "The Peren- The Nelson family is well nial Revival," "Revival Serknown for their missionary ac- Dr. Machen's ability, firmness mons" and an extensive work tivities in Central China. The of conviction and facility of ex- called "The Bible of the Exfather came to Hupeh in 1890 pression are illustrated in this positor and the Evangelist." and died a martyr's death after series of addresses, given over Dr. Riley here gives a series of thirty-six years of service. Bert the radio. In a clear, persuasive sermons on the premillennial Nelson, the hero of this volume, and colloquial style he speaks of doctrine of our Lord's return. served as a missionary from God, the Bible, Christ, the Holy They cover the subject in a 1916 until he was killed by the Spirit, and related topics. He fairly logical order, as this list communists in 1932. The author admits that his limited radio of the seven chapters shows. is his brother. time did not permit him to deal Christ, the Church, and the adequately with these large sub- Kingdom; The Church and the The book presents in detail j ects and that others had to be Kingdom – a Distinction; The the development and present omitted. Still, it is odd that, in Gospel and "That B I e sse d state of communism in China a book which purports to present "the Christian faith," the atone- ment is left out. In several
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
Hope"; Grace and "That Bless- tration of Kenya is told vividly and Spaniards are interesting ed Hope"; "That Blessed Hope" and the Moslem problem is clear- and important. In the past they and the Resurrection Bod y; ly set forth. Mr. Philp has played an important part in his- "That Blessed Hope" and our spent a large part of his life in tory, both secular and religious. Behaviour; The Apostasy and Kenya as a medical missionary The present political condition His Soon Appearance. of the Church of Scotland. He is greatly disturbed, the eco- enables the reader to see the nomic condition is low and the The layman to whom this sub- country and the people, the in- religious situation is weak and j ect is new will find the style fluence of the World War and uncertain. Form and superstisimple and direct and the mean- the progress of evangelization. tion still rule the massE:!s, and ing clear. As indicated by the The maps and statistics enable agnosticism or irreligion grips chapter titles, the author is at the student to picture the forces the upper classes. Here we some pains to distinguish be- at work and the land yet to be have a reliable picture of the tween the Kingdom and the possessed. Everyone interested situation and of the need for Church, about which the ideas in the study of Africa should evangelism. There are today of many laymen, and perhaps have this survey for reference. only 166 I 0 c a I Evangelical some ministers, are very hazy. churches with 6,259 communi- Sources of Power in Famous Lives. cants. The total Protestant The closing chapter laments By Walter C. Erdman. 12mo. 160 community, out of a popUlation the lack of faith today and urges pp. $1.00. Cokesbury Press. Nash- of 23,563,867, is only 22,000-or readiness for the return of our ville, Tenn. 1936. less than one in a thousand-as Lord, which the author believes the result of 64 years' work. will not be long delayed. Fifty-two brief sketches of Twenty-five societies are at work lives of famous characters of with 25 foreign and 123 national ROBERT M. KURTZ. history make up this stimulating workers. The maps and sta- series. They include a wide va- tistical tables in this survey are So Half Amerika. Die Auslandshilfe riety – Abraham, Bunyan, Co- valuable for students. der Vereinigten Staaten 1812-1930. lumbus, Robert Dollar, Glad- von Hermann Stohr. Stettin: Oku- stone, Robert E. Lee, Jenny Oil Lamps Lifted. By Pearl Dorr menischer Verlag. 1936. Price, Lind, Pasteur, Shackleton, Liv- Longley. 86 pp. $1.00. Fleming 5.60 marks. 327 pp. ingstone, Mary Slessor, John H. Revell Co. New York. 1935. Wanamaker and Charles Wes- This careful statistical study ley. In many walks of life these Mrs. Longley's more than of the relief and help given by men and women showed that twenty years of ministry to the America for the past one hun- they were believers in God and women and children of South Indred years to other nations, is all achieved by faith something dia have given her insight into based on government statistics definite for the benefit of man- the very heart of the race. Her and reports of the International kind. The sketches are chiefly poems are delicate word paint- Relief Committee, the American factual, not homiletical, and of- ings, descriptive of India's Red C r 0 s s, the Rockefeller fer excellent material for read- thought. Throughout this vol- Foundation, etc. There are spe- ing aloud or for brief ten-minute ume the earthen lamp and its cial chapters on the work of the talks in church, Sunday school need for oil, is made symbolic various Christian groups, Cath- or day school. They were orig- of the Indian woman's desire for olic and Protestant, and a con- inally given over the radio in light. The parable theme was cluding chapter on the Carnegie Cleveland at the request of the suggested by seeing a timid Foundation, the Millbank Fund, president of a large business outcaste child, on the night of the Commonwealth Fund, and firm. They are thoroughly the "Festival of Lights," carrythe Golden Rule Foundation. Christian and practical and re- ing a broken pot with a rag for America has been "a good neigh- cord facts that show the secret wick, but with no money to buy bor" for over a century. of power. oil. Impulsively a child of wealth shared her oil with the S. M. Z. Religion in the Republic of Spain. outcaste. C. A. Garcia and Kenneth G. Grubb. ANew Day in Kenya. By Horace R. 109 pp. 28. 6d. World Dominion H. H. F. Philp. Illus. Maps. 58. World Do- Press. London. 1935. minion Press, London and New Daily Devotions. By William Bren- York. 1936. This series of surveys is ex- ner. 8 vo. 337 pp. $1.75. Zon- ceedingly valuable. The re~ults dervan PuiJ. House. Grand Rapids, Kenya Colony, British East of careful research and expres- Mich. 1936. Africa, borders on Ethiopia, "ion of view by experts are of- Italian Somaliland, Uganda and fered to the general reader in an These prayers for each day in Tanganyika. It is made up of attractive form and at small ex- the year are spiritual and heartseven provinces, with forty- pense. Spain receives more at- searching. They will be a real eight tribes and over 3,000,000 tention from Roman Catholics, help to those who have difficulty population. Fifteen Protestant Communists, artists, historians in expressing to God their adoramissionary societies are at work and travelers than from Evan- tion and their deepest heart with 303 missionariec:; and Chris- gelical Christians. But Spain hunger for light, strength, putian adherents numbering 112,- rity and fellowship. 127. Roman Catholics also have a strong work almost as large. The story of the Christian pene-
New Testament Commentary. One ers, attractive pictures and de- Mackay and Aggrey of Africa; Volume Complete. Edited by Her- scriptive text to show how the Baedeker of Russia, Underwood bert C. Allerman. 8 yo. 720 IIp. Christian Church is observed in of Korea, Neve of Kashmir; $3.00. United Lutheran Publica- Brainerd, Grenfell and McCul- tion House. Philadelphia, Pa. 1936. mission lands. logh of America; and Hill, Pol- lard and Dr. Main of China. Many have desired a scholarly, Lesson Commentaries, 1937. They are short stories of misyet reverent and conservative sionary pioneers who lived heroione-volume commentary on the The International Sun day cally in the midst of many priva- New Testament. Here it is, pre- School Lessons (improved uni- tions and dangers. Boys and pared by twenty-eight Lutheran form series) are expounded in a girls will find them thrilling and scholars. There are also nine in- popular, illustrated commentary will find in these life histories an troductory essays on the New by Eugenia LeFils. They are excellent introduction to mis- Testament, the C h r i s t ian conservative, Biblical, practical sions and missionaries. Church, the Life of Jesus, the and illustrative helps for teach- Virgin Birth, the Life of Paul, ers. (Fleming H. Revell Co., George Miiller, The Man of Faith. Cardinal Doctrines, and intro- Frederick G. Warne. Illus. 8 vo. ductions to each book. Bible $1.00.) 239 pp. 28. Pickering & Inglis. students will find this a very il- "Points of Emphasis" is a Glasgow. 1935. luminating, handy volume. vestpocket commentary on the The remarkable story of Children of Sunny Syria. By Myrta International Sunday School George Milller, the founder of H. Dodds. Illustrated by Margaret Lessons for the coming year by the orphan homes at Ashley Ayer. 8 vo. 148 pp. $1.50. H. C. Morse, D.D. It contains Downs, Bristol, England, is all Thomas Y. Crowell, New York. maps, expositions and teaching ready well known to those of the 1936. points for each department. It older generation, but it is worth is wholly Biblical and has val- repeating. The story here told Children are interested in uable suggestions. (Southern is not so complete as the official other children the world over. Baptist Sunday School Board, biography written by Dr. Arthur The author of this story has Nashville, Tennessee, 35 cents.) T. Pierson, but it narrates the lived in the East as a missionary main facts about the man and and writes understandingly and Scripture Calendars and Almanacs his work, his method of supportattractively. It has not a definite and Diaries. Pickering & Inglis. ing the orphanages, his hints on missionary message but has a Glasgow, Scotland. 1937. Christian living and the con- Christian tone, and will interest tinuance of the enterprise. Many children in Syrian boys and These attractive annuals are have already been stimulated to girls. practical helps to keep engage- new faith and service by the story of the profligate young Christmas in Other Lands. Compiled ments with men and to keep the man who, after his conversion, by Dorothy M. Horne. Illus. 64 daily tryst with God through His determined to show by experi- pp. Paper. 18. 6d. S. P. G. Lon- Word. The calendars (1 shilling ence that God is a prayer-hear- don. 1936. each) include a "Daily Text ing and prayer-answering god. Young Folks Calendar"; "Words The book would be more valuable The celebration of the Birth of with an index. Christ has spread to all lands of Grace and Truth," a daily leaf and is observed in many ways. calendar; "A Choice Daily In Seven Nations. Twelve mission- Here we have pictures by 22 Text," a "Morning and Evening ary studies for use in church ordrawings, by verses and descrip- ganizations. Pamphlet prepared tive text the ways in which Text" calendar and a "Choice by the Literature Dep.artment of S. P. G. missions of the Church Text and Thought" (each Is. the United Lutheran Church in of England celebrate the event America. Baltimore. 1936. in Africa, Malaysia, I n d i a, 3d.) and a "Choice Text and Burma, China, Japan and else- Daily Meditation" (Is. 6d.). India, Liberia, Japan, China, where. Churches and Sunday Argentina, British Guiana and schools will find here unique and These latter have messages from the United States are the miseffective ways of celebrating such spiritual teachers as J. sion fields of the United Lu- Christmas in America and Great Stuart Holden, Andrew Bonar, theran Church. The secretary Britain. Alexander White, Arthur T. of literature has prepared these Pierson, J. H. Howett, D. L. brief, informing stUdies, with "Thine Is the Kingdom." By Ed- maps and photographs, which ward D. Sedding. Illus. 125 pp. Moody and Alexander Mac- leave no member of that church S. P. C. K. London. 1936. Laren. with any vestige of excuse for ignorance as to their mission Christian progress is thrilling The Golden Grain Diary is a work, the fields, workers, needs, to those who know the facts. opportunities and results. The This little booklet pictures the leather-bound vestpocket edition mission study questions at the ways in which the Church of end of each section will be a help Christ is being built up around with a pencil (Is. to 68. 6d.). to teachers. the world. The march of the months is followed, with pray- The various almanacs include Bible verses and religious poems by various authors. _ Heroes of the Cross. Series 5, 6, 7, 8. IlIus. 12 mo. 40 cents each. Mar- shall, Morgan & Scott. London, also Zondervan Pub. House, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1935.
These four volumes tell briefly the s tor i e s of Hannington,
STUDIES mine the Christian faith." If Gordon. A Drama in Three Acts. E
he had lived up to the present he J. Richter. 50 cents. Capano Press. IN THE would have seen many more an- tagonistic forces at work in the God in the Everyday. Hugh Red- OLD TESTAMENT world today. wood. 28. 6d. 117 pp. Rich and Cowan. London. With a Hebrew·Christian Commentary Christianity and the Malays. By Containing Talmudical and Rabbinical In· Laurence E. Browne, D.D., London: The Hidden Treasure. Lucy E. terpretations on the Hebrew Words of the S.P.G. and S.P.C.K. 1936. 78 pp. Guernsey. 2s. 6d. 340 pp. Picker- Old Testament. Price, one shilling. ing & Inglis. London.
by Here is an illustration of the Kagawa in Lincoln's Land. Edited B. A. M. SCHAPIRO fact that the best type of mis- by E~erson O. Bradshaw, Charles sionary literature may be had E. Shike and Helen F. Topping. Each book contains 28 large pages. size for an English shilling – "good 121 pp. National Kagawa Cooperl1x87~ inches, art pa'per. Three 'Volumes measure, pressed down and run- ating Committee. Brooklyn, N. Y. now ready, 50 cents each. ning over." Dr. Browne paid one visit to Malaya, but he is Loaves and Fishes. (S. P. G. World PAMPHLETS thoroughly acquainted with the Wide Series.) 1 penny. 16 pp. literature of this part of the S. P. G. in Foreign Parts. London. "Love Begets l."ove"; "V'hat the Rabbis world. The Malays number Have to Say on the 53d of Isaiah"; "What 1,644,000 Moslems, and prac- My Beloved Armenia. Marie S. Ails My Peopler"; "The Sure Word of tically no effort is being made to Banker. 205 pp. $1.25. B. 1. C. A. Prophecy"; "Sacrifices, Their Origin and evangelize them. Chicago. Significance"-Prof. Robert Dick Wilson of Princeton said of this tract that it is the The author sketches the his- Points for Emphasis. H. C. Morse. best treatise he has seen on the atonement; tory of the peninsula, the char- Southern Baptist S. S. Board. HThe Higher Critic's Hebrew"; "Without acter of the inhabitants, their Nashville, Tenn. Him Ve Can Do Nothing"; "Jesus and primitive religion, Shamanism, His Kinsmen"; "The Faith of Noah"; which has left deep impress on The Rebirth of a Nation. Jacob "Saul the Pharisee, and Paul, the Chris· their present faith, Islam. The Gartenhaus. 75 cents, cloth; 40 tian"; "Jesus Christ, a Historical Character, present missionary situation is cents, paper. 132 pp. Broadman as Proved by the TalmudH ; "Gethsemane described in two illuminating Press. Nashville, Tenn. in OUf Lives," containing twenty-six por- chapters, and a plan for adtraits of "Eminent Christian Jews"; "Why vances proposed, which is both A Study in Gold. Grace Pettman. I, a Jew, Am a Christian"; "The Miracle practical and challenging. 320 pp. 2s. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. of the Jew"; "Jesus, the Light of the London. World"; "Some Objections Raised to Jew~ S. M. Z. ish Evangelization"; "Must Christians Keep Thine Is the Kingdom. Edward D. the Jewish Sabbath ?"; "A Symposium Con· The Way of Partnership. With the Scdding. 125 pp. S. P. C. K. Lontaining America's Great Menace"; "The C. M. S. in Egypt and Palestine. don. Mission of Israel"; and "The Messiah Ac- By S. A. Morrison. 87 pp. One cording to the Old and New Testaments," shilling. Illustrated. Church Mis- With Christ into Tomorrow. Hunter and many others. sionary Society, London. 1936. B. Bla~ely. 50 cents. Presbyterian CommIttee of Publication. Rich- 16 pamphlets, $2.00 This brief account of the work mond, Va. of the Church Missionary So- DR. I. M. HALDEMAN ciety in Egypt and Palestine was The Way of the Witnesses. Edward written before the present crisis Shillito. 152 pp. $1.00, cloth; 50 "Under Mr. Schapiro's skilful pen, each in the Holy Land. Three chap- cents, paper. Friendship Press. word in Holy Writ blooms and blossoms ters tell of the ministry of recon- New York. out like a flower." ciliation carried on by this So- ciety in Palestine, and three Christian Giving. Clarence E. Ma- THE MISSIONARY REVIEW chapters deal with Egypt. The cartney. 16 pp. 15 cents. Zonder- emphasis is rightly placed upon van. Grand Rapids. OF THE WORLD the importance of the Oriental churches in winning Moslems. Christ's Seven Letters to His Third & Reily Streets Harrisburg, Pa. In Palestine the work has five Church. William McCarrell. 86 centers. In Egypt it is limited pp. $1.00 cloth, 50 cents paper. Miracles in a Doctor's Life. By to two, Cairo and Menouf. Zondervan. Grand Rapids. Walter L. Wilson, M.D. 120 pp. 20 cents. Paper. Bible Institute S. M.Z. Campfires in the Congo. Mrs. John Colportage Assn. Chicago. 1935. M. Springer. 128 pp. Central Com- New Books mittee on the United Study for For- These are stories of soul doc- eign Mission. Boston. toring by a medical man. They Are You Awake? Florence E. Marare stimUlating and offer good shall. 96 pp. 50 cents each or $30 Daily Devotions. William Brenner. incidents for sermons. a hundred. Lansing, Mich. 337 pp. $1.75. Zondervan. Grand The Silence of God. By Sir Robert Christian Brotherhood in Theory and . Rapids. Anderson. 8vo. 216 pp. Is. Pick- in Practice. Toyohiko Kagawa and ering & Inglis. Glasgow. 1935. E. R. Bowen. 36 pp. Tokyo, Japan. The Gospel and the African. Alex- ander Hetherwick. 48. 6d. 176 pp. The late Robert Anderson was T. & T. Clark. Edinburgh. for some years the head of "Scotland Yard," the famous India and the Christian Movement. British police force. He was an V. S. Azariah. 128 pp. Christian earnest Christian and a con- Literature Society for India. Madservative Bible student. This is ras. a ninth edition of his helpful consideration of what light the Livingstone Memorial Pic t u res. Bible throws on some mysteries Sepia, 9×13 inches, $1.00 per set. which are not yet fully explained Colored postcards, 50 cents per set. – the problems of oppression and evil in the world, unan- A set of nine pictures of outswered prayer, and human un- standing events in the life of the belief. Sir Robert brings out great explorer-missionary. many helpful truths on such subjects as miracles, Satan, Picture of David Livingstone. 12×14 temptation and prayer. When inches. 20 cents. he wrote this study over twentyfive years ago, he said: "The A lithograph suitable for tide has turned which in recent framing. years has threatened to under-
MOSLEM
SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Editor CONTENTS OF THE JANUARY NUMBER: The V aI1'dl' ty and N eCCss'lty 0 f MI' ss,lons to MosIems { DJowhIn.ghWt ,MB,ooDwnmaanldson Back to the Old Qibla Samuel M. Zwemer The Relics of the Prophet Mohammed David S. Margoliouth Has Westenl Culture a Debt to Islam? W. A. Zoerner A Survey of the Netherlands Indies Hendrik Kraemer Literature and Evangelism 'Villiam N. Wysham Islam in the Balkans G. H. Bousquet Christ in the Chinese Koran Rolf A. Syrdal The Hebrew Philosophical Genius Henry S. Gehman Book Reviews ••• Current Topics Survey of Periodicals Sue Molleson Foster . – -•• SUBSCRIBE NOW +(-…
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